May Day is Lei Day in Hawai`i

Legislative Updates

While the calm and festive May Day is coming, this week the scurry of legislators up and down the Capitol is anything but calm.  We are working against a deadline to get legislation out of conference committees and decked for final passage next week.  The House Finance and Senate Ways and Means Committees approved the operating budget for Fiscal Year 2023 (which begins July 1) on Wednesday. It totals a record $8.7 billion.  The committees also approved a $6 billion construction budget that will help our construction industry and local economy.  The state budget benefited this year from an unexpected boom in tax collections as the economy rebounded from the pandemic, creating a budget surplus of $2 billion in state and federal money.

The budget includes funding for several capital improvement projects in our district including our public schools and park and shoreline improvements.  Details will be posted once the budget is officially filed on Friday.  Grants-In-Aid (GIA) were also approved to help community organizations including:

• To the Waikiki Community Center $60,000 for health and wellness programs for seniors; and $150,000 to fix and expand the parking area; remove safety risks and improve health by replacing windows in the auditorium
• To the Hawaii Health and Harm Reduction Center $98,189 for the Kua’ana Project for Transgender Services to help the mobile medical unit to continue to provide services
• To Moiliili Community Center $450,000 to enhance individual, family and community life with a focus on children and seniors.
• To Re-Use Hawaii in Kakaako $75,000 to re-use and repurpose used construction materials.
• To the Downtown Art Center $151,000 to continue and enhance art related events and exhibitions in downtown Honolulu

To see all the GIA appropriations, click here.  Highlights of the operating and capital budgets are available by clicking their respective links.  We will share more on district projects and legislation next week after the legislature takes the final reading on bills.  The 2022 legislative session will adjourn sine die on Thursday May 5. 

State News

Honolulu Parks & Recreation Lei Day Theme

The Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) defines a particular theme which coincides with a specific flower/plant that must be used in lei submitted in its annual lei contest. Prior to the Lei Day Celebration, a Lei Court is chosen. Three court members must fall within the age group for that year. There are also three lei contests in several categories: Hawaiian lei, youth lei, and lei lipine (ribbon, fabric, yarn lei). The lei contest rules are typically made known to the public at the beginning of the year. Lei makers are encouraged to plan their lei garden for the next two years so that the materials are ready and available as the Lei Day Celebration approaches. Find more info here: Lei Day (honolulu.gov).

Diamond Head State Monument: Reservations Required for Out-Of-State Visitors

As of May 12th, 2022 all out-of-state visitors must have an advanced reservation to enter Diamond Head State Monument. The reservation system was activated on April 28^th, allowing for reservations to be made 14 days in advance. Hawaiʻi residents continue to enjoy free access without reservations, but entry may depend on parking availability. Commercial tour and trolley patrons must have a reservation. Registered PUC carriers will have access to a PUC-only reservation portal. To reads read the full news release, click here.

COVID-19 Updates

City News

City offering interest-free home loans up to $40,000

The Department of Community Services is accepting pre-eligibility inquiries from eligible households:  those earning 80% of the area median income or below, which is currently $77,350 for a family of two or $96,650 for a family of four. Loans will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis to qualified Oahu residents. More information here.

City Encouraging Residents to “Conserve808”

To assist residents and businesses with easy information about conserving both water and energy, the City’s new Conserve808 webpage compiles existing tips, cost saving-measures and incentives, available at resilientoahu.org/conserve808.

The City Released their 2022 Annual Sustainability Report

The City’s 2022 Annual Sustainability Report is here! This year’s report provides an overview of last year’s progress and features a brand-new Food Security and Sustainability section, as well as a new page on the City’s One Water program. Check it out at resilientoahu.org/sustainability-report.

Hiring Engineers and Planners – Honolulu Complete Streets

Want to make a difference with our #CompleteStreets? The City and County of Honolulu is looking for Engineers and Planners! Positions are available beginning July 1, 2022. These positions will manage multimodal roadway safety projects through multiple states of project development, from preliminary engineering through construction. Specific responsibilities include design development and review, procurement and contract management, public agency coordination, and stakeholder engagement.

Contact for an Application:
(808) 768-8339
respiau@honolulu.gov
https://lnkd.in/gS4u-P49

Reminder to Report Marine Debris 

Derelict and discarded fishing nets and other marine debris are hazardous to marine life and have entangled, and in some cases killed, many of marine endangered species in Hawaii such as whales, monk seals and sea turtles. Non-profit organizations, 4ocean and Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii, remind residents and visitors to report marine debris along Hawaii shorelines. This includes boats, large accumulations of trash, and fishing gear or nets. The 833-4-da-nets hotline is a collaboration between the DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources and several other organizations on Kauai, Oahu, Maui and Hawaii Island.  On Oahu, 4ocean works in collaboration with Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii (SCH) and Hawaii Marine Animal Response (HMAR) to quickly respond to the marine debris reports. These organizations work collaboratively to try and usually remove the nets within hours of a report.

May Day Events and Weekend Waysides

94th Annual Lei Day Celebration at Kapiolani Park

Date and time: Sunday, May 1, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Location: Kapiolani Park
For the first time since 2019, the Lei Day Celebration is scheduled to return to Kapi‘olani Park! The theme for the celebration is Lei Wao Nahele (forest lei). Along with Hawaiian entertainment, demonstrations, and exhibits, the celebration event will feature a lei contest exhibit showcasing some of the most exquisitely crafted lei in a variety of colors and methods. Click here for a printable, PDF copy of the Lei Day Celebration program and click here for program details.

Lei Day Aloha at SALT at Our Kaka`ako

Date and time: Sunday, May 1, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Location: 691 Auahi Street
May Day is Lei Day and so much more at SALT! The community is invited to join our Lei Day festivities at The Barn. The event will include live music featuring Denny Ono (10 – 11 a.m.) and a hula performance by Halau ‘O Napuala‘ikauika‘iu, led by Kumu Hula Sallie Yoza (11 a.m. – 12 p.m.) Plus, there will be lei making and keiki crafts for the community to enjoy, while supplies last. Also, anyone can be a winner when they give our exciting Spin Wheel a whirl. We look forward to seeing you during our Lei Day Aloha celebration!

Honolulu Lei Day contest entries

Date and time: May 1, 2022, 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
Location: 3840 Paki Ave, 96815
Each lei must be accompanied by a completed official entry form, submitted to the Lei Receiving booth at Kapi‘olani Park. Any individual or group may enter an unlimited number of lei. All ages welcomed. More info: HAWAIIAN LEI CONTEST RULES 2022 – PDF. (honolulu.gov)
 

Mana Up Your Mother’s Day

Date: May 1 to May 8
Location: House of Mana Up, 2201 Kalakaua Ave Space A110
During May 1 through 8, visit House of Mana Up in Waikiki and shop our Mother’s Day gift set bar including a curated assortment of local products we know mom will love! Build your own customized gift set just for your mama & receive a FREE Aloha de Mele Mother’s Day card in our special gift box.

On Friday, May 6, they’re teaming up with artist and founder behind Aloha de Mele, JT Ojerio for a fun, family-friendly event in-store from 2 to 5 p.m. With any in-store purchase, you can customize your own Aloha de Mele greeting card, plus meet the artist!

Watercolor Painting

Date and time: Friday, April 29, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
Location: Nā Kūpuna Makamae Center, 653 Ala Moana Boulevard (corner of Ala Moana Boulevard and Keawe Street; parking off Keawe)
Let’s create art! Watercolor painting class with Punahou School students ’25 Shen Kellogg and Athena Mori. Bring with you: watercolor paper, watercolors, brushes (various sized tips), and a pencil. Any brand will do! Class fee is $10. Sign up today! Call 808-773-7047 or email carmenlee@pacificgatewaycenter.org.

District Happenings

Ala Moana Boulevard Lane closure

Right lane closure on Ala Moana Boulevard in the eastbound direction in the vicinity of Keawe Street on Monday, April 25, through Friday, April 29, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., and from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m., for flow monitoring.

To view the full list of Oahu Lane closures, visit the Department of Transportation website here.

Mark Your Calendars

National Missing and Indigenous Persons Day

Date and time: Thursday, May 5, 12 p.m.
Location: Sidewalk in front of Sheraton Moana Surfrider
Honor missing and murdered native Hawaiian women, girls, and mahu. Join us for a community art action in Waikiki to raise awareness about the intersections between tourism, MMIWG2SM, and sex trafficking.

Citizen Patrol

The District 6 Community Policing Team invites you and your neighbors/friends in the area to join us for some fresh air and good conversation during a Citizen Patrol Walk around the neighborhood. All ages and pets welcome! Upon arrival, officers will conduct a quick safety briefing, and then walk a loop around the neighborhood (route may vary). Let’s see how we can address any community concerns together!

Upcoming Citizen Patrols:

• “Waikiki Baptist Church Citizen Patrol (meet up at Waikiki Baptist Church at 424 Kuamo’o Street)

  Time: 4:30 – 5:30 PM

• “Waikiki West” Citizen Patrol (meet up at the entrance of Eaton Square)

  Time: 6 – 7 PM

For more information, please contact Officer Ryan Yamamoto at 808-723-3349 or ryan.yamamoto@honolulu.gov.

McCully-Moili`ili Neighborhood Board

McCully/Mo`ili`ili Neighborhood Board No. 8 will recess its regular meeting in April 2022. Join us at our next regular meeting on Thursday, May 5, 2022 at a location to be determined.

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