Category: Newsletter

  • Making a difference on Earth Day and Volunteer Week

    Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
    —Margaret Mead

    Left: Rev & Mrs. George Scott,  with Senate Vice-president Michelle Kidani, as they shared the mosaic of trash carefully pieced together to create a beautiful work of art – a celebration of April’s Easter and Earth month

    Earth is our home. And we all share the responsibility of caring for our home. It may sound like an overwhelming challenge, but it becomes easier when we all share in the work. Today, April 22, is Earth Day — the perfect time to reassess the resources we use and find new ways to appreciate our planet. Luckily, there are lots of small steps you, your family, and our community can take that can have a big, positive impact on the environment. A great example is the mosaic above that captures ‘the last supper’ sustainably. Shared with the Senate by Reverend George Scott, the artwork was created by his student who conscientiously collected trash on the beach and piece by piece created this work of art! May it inspire you to get creative as you celebrate Earth Day not only today but every day of the year. I also encourage you to visit local businesses in our district that support a greener Hawai`i:

    • Re-Use Hawaii transforms waste into community resources. Support them by purchasing repurposed furniture and home supplies.
    • Trees for Honolulu plants, cares, and protects trees around our community across O`ahu. Donate or volunteer to support this amazing cause.
    • Rent tools at Honolulu Tool Library and help contribute to our community’s efforts to reduce waste, by fixing things instead of throwing them out, and by sharing tools instead of creating more purchases that eventually end up at the landfill.
    • Kanu Hawaii makes it easy to participate in Volunteer Week (April 17-23). You can sign up for community clean ups, pledge to protect Hawai`i, and E Ala Ē on your island this Earth Day.
    • Head over to Kaka`ako Farmers Market every week from from 8-12 p.m. You’ll find an abundance of fresh local produce, artisan foods and wares to serve the community.

    On this Earth Day, let’s pledge to take the lessons we’ve learned over the years and extend our efforts to build a more sustainable future for our planet. Mālama ‘Āina.

    Caring for each other! 

    Contents

    Legislative Updates

    As the Senate and House begin conference negotiations on the final form of bills, internally we are working on upcoming deadlines we must meet before the Legislative Session ends on May 6:

    • April 22 — deadline for bills proposing constitutional amendments – a proposed amendment must be sent to the Governor before passing final reading by a 2/3 vote in each chamber.  Once adopted by the Legislature, the proposed amendment is goes to the voters.  For a list of constitutional amendments that have yet to pass, click here. 
    • April 25 — deadline for adopting amended concurrent resolutions in the non-originating chamber in order to “cross back” to the originating chamber.

    State News

    Governor Ice Announces $276M In Capital Improvement Projects

    Gov. David Ige announced the release of $276,557,732 for Capital Improvement Projects (CIPs) that will be administered by various state departments. These funds were released in February and March. Projects released in February is here, and March 2022 here.

    National Take-Back Initiative (NTBI)

    Date and time: Saturday, April 30, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  
    Location: Kahala Mall, Macy’s Men’s Parking Lot
    The District 7 Community Policing Team is partnering with the Drug Enforcement Agency and the Hawaii Attorney General’s Office with the National Take Back Initiative event. This is a great opportunity to safely dispose of your unused medications and vaping devices (No Batteries Please). If you have pills, medications or vaping devices that are no longer useful please consider taking them to a NTBI location for safe disposal.

    New or used needles and syringes will NOT be accepted. For more information please call 808.541.1930 or visit this link here.

    Recycle an Old Phone to Someone in Need

    The Emergency Reentry Hui and the Partners in Care community need cell phones for people experiencing homelessness and those who have recently been released from prison.  Needed are 150-200 cellphones. Your help and support will affect the safety and health of our entire island. Please send your interest here.

    Virtual Tour Provides Safe, Legal Way to Experience Kaniakapūpū

    Kaniakapūpū, the summer palace of King Kamehameha III, lies within a restricted watershed in a densely forested part of Nuʻuanu. The site is closed to people, with the exception of Native Hawaiian cultural practitioners or permitted caretakers. A new virtual tour provided by the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) aims to counter online misinformation while also giving interested users a chance to learn about the site in a manner that is safe, legal, and respectful. Check out the Kaniakapūpū virtual tour, access information, and social media badges here: https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/kaniakapupu.

    Earth Day Events In Our District

    Mālama ‘Āina Earth Day Community Cleanup

    Date and time: Saturday, April 24, 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
    Location: Our Kaka‘ako nine-block mauka neighborhood, The Barn at SALT at Our Kaka‘ako, and Mother Waldron Park.
    Participate in Our Kaka‘ako’s Mālama ‘Āina Earth Day Community Cleanup. Do your part by helping to clean up the nine neighborhood mauka blocks of Our Kaka‘ako and Mother Waldron Park. Check-in at The Barn at SALT at Our Kaka‘ako between 9:30 and 10:00 a.m. to pick up a map, gloves and a trash bag. After collecting trash and placing it at the designated trash drop off location at the edge of Mother Waldron Park on the corner of Cooke and Pohukaina Streets, return to The Barn at 11:00 a.m. for a mahalo gift and grab n’ go snack bag. While you’re at the Barn, check out the pop-up tables of Our Kaka‘ako participating merchants as well as the Surfrider Foundation’s educational resources tent just outside the Barn! Visit Our Kaka`ako’s website for more information and pre-register at ourkakaako.com/earthday to join in the fun!

    Waikiki Aquarium hosts 15th Annual Mauka to Makai Environmental Expo

    Date and time: Saturday, April 23, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
    Location: Waikiki Aquarium
    Swim over to the Waikiki Aquarium to celebrate Mauka to Makai- a family-friendly expo of educational activities from community partners, visit the Aquarium galleries and exhibits, and complete an event passport to receive a free native plant (one per household, while supplies last). The first 100 kamaʻaina guests will receive FREE admission to the Aquarium. 

    Aquarium admission is $12 for non-members; $8 for Kamaʻaina and military with ID; $5 for senior citizens and juniors ages 4 to 12 and free for children three and under and Friends of the Waikiki Aquarium (FOWA). 

    Re-Use Hawaii – Transforming ‘waste’ into treasure

    Re-use Hawai‘i is an environmental nonprofit on a mission to cultivate the circular economy in Hawai‘i. Their Deconstruction and Redistribution programs are sustainable alternatives to wasteful practices where we convert tons of ʻōpala into valuable community resources and lower the cost of living for residents of Hawai‘i. Visit the Kaka‘ako site this month as they hosting an Earth Month Bingo designed to encourage our community to get connected and stay rooted. Their instagram account (@reusehawaii) is featuring how-tos all month long! Join the fun and grab your copy here.

    Rescue food with Aloha Harvest at Kaka`ako Farmers Market

    Date and time: Every Saturday, 11:40 a.m. to 12:40 p.m.
    Location: Kaka`ako Farmers Market
    Help us rescue food from the Kaka`ako Farmers Markets on Saturdays from 11:40 am-12:40 pm! Oftentimes food vendors and farmers will have perfectly good leftover food at the end of the market that they won’t be able to sell at a later date. Volunteers rescue excess food and redistribute to organizations that feed Hawaii’s’ hungry. Get more details here on how you can participate.

    Ala Wai Cleanup and Fundraiser

    Date and time: Saturday, April 30, 1–3:30 p.m., 3–5:30 p.m.
    Location: 1739 Ala Moana Blvd.
    Join Ikaika club in cleaning our Ala Wai Canal! They will be paddling on a kayak and Stand Up Paddleboarding while collecting trash. Bring swimmers! Snacks will be provided. Express your interest here or email info@ikaikahawaii.com     with any questions.

    District Happenings

    Kolowalu Park Irrigation Systems Updates

    Mahalo to residents who brought to our attention the need for irrigation at the much-used Kolowalu Park. Reps Scott Saiki & Adrian Tam and I went to inspect; and, yes, sprinklers are broken and our grass and trees are in need of water. We reached out to Hawaii Community Development Authority (HCDA) to repair the irrigation system and maintain the park. HCDA was manually watering but assures us that the landscape contractor will be out on Saturday to repair and restore the system to automatically water the plants.  Mahalo to HCDA for improving our parks!

    Mark Your Calendars

    Ala Moana / Kakaako Neighborhood Board

    When: Tuesday, April 26 at 6:00pm
    Where: WebEx & Kapalama Hale, 925 Dillingham Blvd. Conference Room 153 

    *NOTE: This is an alternate meeting site for those without internet capabilities*

    Agenda and link to the meeting: click here.    

    Our office will continue to be here to serve you. If you enjoy our newsletter, it’s always appreciated to share it with a family, friend or community member. 

    If you have any questions or feedback, feel free to respond to this email or email me here: my inbox is always open. You can also give our office a call at (808) 586-6740. Mahalo for waking up to our newsletter! Have a great day!

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  • Spring cleaning: Caring for our parks! 🍃

    Cleaning our Community

    I believe that a home is more than four walls and a roof over our heads. Home extends to the neighborhood around us – where we feel comfortable as part of a family and a community – our ohana. As a community, let’s come together to make our “home” safe and comfortable and especially our precious green spaces and parks! From a weeded jungle, loving care by the community created the lovely and loving Centennial Park Waikiki.

    You have a chance to meet neighbors and join Rep Adrian Tam, Rotary E-Club and the Waikiki Community Policing Team in caring for Centennial Park Waikiki  on Saturday April 9th at 10 a.m. Join us at the park between Royal Hawaiian Avenue and Seaside Avenue on the mauka side of Kuhio Avenue. Please bring sunscreen, a hat, and comfy clothes! Gloves and trash bags will be provided. I look forward to seeing you there!

    Caring for each other! 

    Contents

     

    Legislative Updates

    Senate Committee on Ways and Means Passes Senate Draft of the State Budget

    The Senate Committee on Ways and Means today amended and passed HB1600, the state’s supplemental operating budget for fiscal years (FY) 2022-2023. With the rebounding of the State’s economy and significant increases in tax revenues, the Senate coffers are anticipating the general fund to be  $ 8,772,816,000 for FY22 and $ 9,299,185,000 in FY23. Senator Donovan Dela Cruz, Chair of the Senate Ways & Means Committee, in presenting the draft for committee review and decision stated that “The Senate approached this supplemental budget with the intent to create a responsible financial plan that includes a budget that incorporates strategies to improve the State’s credit rating and borrowing power and both restores and increases funding for critical services and programs.” A number of programs to assist the ALICE population, homeless, workforce development for our youth, kupuna and others were also in the senate draft which will be posted on the Capitol Website soon.

    April 7 – First Crossover for Concurrent Resolutions

    April 7th is the deadline for concurrent resolutions to pass the required single floor vote in the originating chamber. Upon adoption by the originating chamber, concurrent resolutions “crossover” to the other chamber. For a list of Senate resolutions that will be “crossing over” to the House, click here. Please note that this list will continue to be updated after the deadline. 

    State News

    Rental and Utility Relief Program 

    The City’s Rental and Utility Relief Program has expanded eligibility so more renters on O`ahu can qualify. Review the FAQ and apply here.

    State Reports Uptick in Fraudulent Unemployment Insurance (UI) Phishing Schemes

    The state Department of Labor & Industrial Relations (DLIR) announced it has received a substantial increase in reports of phishing schemes attempting to impersonate the department with text messages, emails, and social media posts that appear to be coming from DLIR, phishing for personally identifiable information.  See below some text messages that are NOT from DLIR: 

    Do not respond unless it is from the bona fide Hawaii UI website at https://huiclaims.hawaii.gov/#/ but the DLIR does NOT send text messages asking for personal information.  Report fraud attempts by calling the UI Call Center at (808) 762-5751 or 5752 and select option 4. You may also report fraud to the National Center for Disaster Fraud by calling (866) 720-5721. For more information, click here.  

    District Happenings

    Washington Middle School (WMS) is Building a State-of-the Art Studio 222 for its students!

    I visited WMS’s new 21st century recording studio in the making today. Principal Michael Harano and his team are dreaming big for our students and faculty in this Title I school. When built, it will be used not only to enable students to dream big but actually learn skills to actualize their dreams; it will bring other artists to the recording studio and educate and train students in skills and professions yet to be discovered. It will be another community asset – not only for our WMS students but for elementary, high school and other artists beyond the campus. WMS reached out to world-renown production designers Walters-Storyk Design Group (WSDG) who built studios for Alicia Keys and Jimi Hendricks and they have partnered with WMS to create a state-of-the-art dual purpose teaching studio. Watch the WMS story—of their dream and where they are in the process here.

    Ka Po`e o Kaka`ako Service Fair: April 13, 9am-1pm at Kakaako Mauka Gateway Park

    KPoK Community leaders will be hosting a service fair on Wednesday, April 13 from 9AM – 1PM at the Kaka`ako “Mauka” Gateway Park. In collaboration with Partners in Care and Hawaii Health and Harm Reduction Center, they will be providing those in need with on-the-spot services and assistance with: SNAP (food stamps)/TANF (financial Assistance) applications and on-site interviews; birth certificates, social security cards and state issued ID cards;  non-criminal tickets and warrants; legal advice or paralegal services; tax refunds (to claim your stimulus payments; medical services and wound care; COVID testing and immunizations;  drug treatment options; hygiene services and even animal care services…and many more.

    4/12: Waikiki Neighborhood Board Meeting, 6:00PM (Hybrid)

    Attend the monthly meeting next week Tuesday, April 12 at 6pm. See the agenda here. 

    Note that it is a hybrid meeting. See below for the link. If you want to join them in person, please note the change in venue for this month:
    Ala Wai Gold Course Clubhouse, Second Floor
    404 Kapahulu Avenue
    FREE Parking Available 

    To join the meeting remotely here is the WebEx Link
    https://cchnl.webex.com/cchnl/j.php?MTID=m1bf60a74e70572f01c6ab16f0512e94c
    Meeting number: 2480 101 5251
    Password: JgHkxPYA284 (54459792 from phones and video systems) 

    Join by phone
    +1-408-418-9388 United States Toll
    +1-213-306-3065 United States Toll (Los Angeles)
    Access code: 248 010 15251 

    Weekend Waysides

    Hawai‘i Youth Symphony Community Concert

    SALT at Our Kakaʻako is excited to welcome back the Hawaii Youth Symphony for FREE Community Concerts on Sunday, April 10, in The Barn!

    • Youth Symphony I: 11:30 a.m.
    • Youth Symphony II: 2:15 p.m.

    Mark Your Calendars

    4/12 and 4/18: “A Healthy and Sustainable Hawaii” Speaker Series

    Join Nainoa Thompson, Lieutenant Governor Josh Green, Dr. Chip Fletcher, Ramsay Taum, navigator-in-training Lucy Lee and the Hawaii Executive Council’s “Climate Change: A Vision for Success” Panel for three events April 12th and 18th that will inspire and help the people of the Pacific (and the world) achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. You can open the flyer here for more details. 

    –Picture Credit: Hawai`i Nature Center

    May 31 – Aug 12:  Nature Adventure Camps for Keiki 

    Hawai`I Nature Center is now open for enrollment in the week-long Nature Adventure Camp for children, ages 6 to 11. Kids can go tech-free and high-touch in nature in this five-day program held Monday through Friday from 8 am to 3 pm. This program is led by expert environmental educators specializing in outdoor exploration. Students will learn all about nature cycles, watersheds, aquatic life and coastal habitats, wetlands, sustainability and more! Book online now! 

    4/23: Condorama VIII Presented by CAI Hawai`i

    Condorama — a free education program for Hawaii condo owners. Topics to be covered: most common complaints and what AOAO boards can do to prevent them; flood insurance; directors & owners (D&O) liability claims; Hawaii Civil Rights Commission complaints; and dealing with difficult owners during the pandemic. Please visit CAI Hawaii to register. 

    Our office will continue to be here to serve you. If you enjoy our newsletter, it’s always appreciated to share it with a family, friend or community member.

    If you have any questions or feedback, feel free to respond to this email or email me here: my inbox is always open. You can also give our office a call at (808) 586-6740. Mahalo for waking up to our newsletter! Have a great day!

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