Tag: hawaii state,oahu,honolulu,senator district 12,sharon moriwaki

  • Community meetings, COVID assistance updates

    Community meetings, COVID assistance updates

    Aloha Neighbor,

    Happy Veterans Day to our military and their families and our fallen heroes who have sacrificed so much to keep us safe and our country strong.  Your leadership guides us. Your protection secures us. Nothing can compare to the gratitude we hold in our hearts for all of you.

    WEIGHING IN:  Join the upcoming meetings on: 

    • ALA MOANA SHORELINE SAFETY SCOPING MEETING (NOV. 12)  

    If you are an avid user of Ala Moana Beach Park, we invite you to a scoping meeting on THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12 at 5:00 – 6:30 p.m. to address user interests for Ala Moana Beach Park including fishers, swimmers, waders and other park users. We would like to hear your thoughts and preferences on the various options proposed in the Draft Fishery Management Area Plan. The objective is to come to a consensus on the plan option(s) that will be recommended to the Board of Land & Natural Resources. Mahalo to those who have previously provided input. These were considered in the revised draft plan. Please review it prior to the meeting. Here is the zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/93863675817 to attend the meeting.

    • ALA MOANA ELEVATED PEDESTRIAN WALKWAY ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 

    The assessment is available at the Office of Environmental Quality Control’s (OEQC) website here. The statutory 30-day comment period will end on December 8, 2020.  Please submit your comments to the Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT)’s  Project Engineer Michelle Kwan at:  DOT.HWY-AlaMoanaPed@hawaii.gov or write to: 601 Kamokila Blvd., Rm 609, Kapolei, HI  96707.

    • ALA WAI FLOOD RISK MANAGEMENT PROJECT SCOPING MEETINGS 

    The US Army Corps of Engineers is assessing the project concepts and solutions identified in its Engineering Documentation Report (EDR), which identifies recommended changes to the earlier 2017 Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS).  See the full report at here.   The new plan proposes to incorporate less impacts on the natural streams and residential properties, eliminating detention basins in the upper watershed and installs a single pump station at the Ala Wai Golf Course.  The community is invited to two public environmental impact scoping meetings on November 14 and 21 from 8-10am; and two design and engineering forums on November 28 and December 5, from 8-11am.  More information is on the USACE website.

    • Participate in the public forums by either logging on: https://usace1.webex.com/meet/jeffrey.a.herzog or dialing  1-844-800-2712; Access Code: 199 126 8738#; Security Code: 1234# (The virtual WebEx session is limited to 250 participants so if unable to view the video, you are encouraged to use the dial-in process or attend an alternate session).

    • Participate in the design and engineering forum; if you wish to present project concepts or engineering solutions at the forum, contact Jeffrey A. Herzog at  jeffrey.a.herzog@usace.army.mil or Cindy Acpal at cindy.m.acpal@usace.army.mil before 4 p.m., Nov. 16, 2020, for a presentation time assignment.

    • 2020 HOMELESS AWARENESS CONFERENCE (NOV. 18 – 19) 

    If you’re interested in what we’re doing and can do to address homelessness, attend the 2020 Homeless Awareness Virtual Conference, co-sponsored by the State, four Counties, Bridging the Gap and Partners in Care, on November 18th and 19th from 9am-12:30pm.  It will be full of information and experts on various topics and you can play an active role in Q&A and polling questions.  It’s free but you must register. For more information on topics that will be covered and how to register, visit the website.

    UPDATES: ASSISTANCE  

    • COVID RENTAL/HOUSING ASSISTANCE: HELPFUL LINKS 

    The following websites for rental assistance went live last Friday.  If you are still in need of rental/housing assistance or would like updates on your application, go to

    Many of you have contacted my office about the housing relief status link on the Catholic Charities Hawaii website. If you have problems obtaining a status on your housing relief application, call the help line at  521-4357 and select option 1 (COVID19 state rental relief). Here is the link.  If you are still having problems, email senmoriwaki@capitol.hawaii.gov

    If you applied, you can check the status of your application.

    • FREE PPE PROGRAM ENDS IN 5 DAYS (NOV. 15) 

    Please encourage small businesses and other qualified recipients to apply at: https://hawaii-medical-alliance.myshopify.com/.  Under Act 9 (2020), the following are qualified to get free PPE: Independent Medical Providers, Child Care Providers, Eldercare Facilities, Small businesses including a for-profit corporation, LLC, partnership, limited partner, sole proprietorship and more, Non-Profit Organizations in Hawaii, hospitals and schools. For detailed information, please visit the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency Website.

    • NĀ KŪPUNA MAKAMAE CENTER: FREE FOOD DISTRIBUTION FOR NOVEMBER 2020 

    In partnership with Aloha Harvest, Help Is On The Way, Ham Produce and Seafood Inc. and other generous angels, the Center will be distributing free food on:

    • DATES:  Nov. 14, 21, 28 (Saturdays)

    • TIME:  12 – 1:30 pm (until supplies last)

    • WHERE: 653 Ala Moana Blvd., Corner Keawe St. and Ala Moana Blvd. (Old Pump Station)

    • CONTACT: Call (808)773-7047 or Email: carmenlee@pacificgatewaycenter.org

    SENATE COVID COMMITEE MEETS ON FRIDAY (NOV. 13) 

    On Friday, November 13 at 1:00 p.m. the Senate Special Committee on COVID-19 will meet with the Queen’s Health Systems and HMSA on their predictive modeling as we move into the holidays—what can we expect? And how can we prevent a surge?  To see the agenda, click here.

    Take care & stay safe!

  • Kakaako projects update, Ala Moana shoreline safety, healthcare coverage, food distribution

    Kakaako projects update, Ala Moana shoreline safety, healthcare coverage, food distribution

    Aloha Neighbor,

    KAKAAKO COMMUNITY PROJECTS UPDATE
    We have been monitoring a number of Kakaako community projects that warrant continued public input. Below are some project updates. If you have concerns, contact info is also below.

    Ward Village Master Plan 
    Howard Hughes Corporation (HHC) shared its plan for the next phase at the recent Hawaii Community Development Authority (HCDA) meeting. To watch the video recording, click here.  See the presentation slides here.  If you have questions, concerns, or want more information, email Communityplanning@wardvillage.com

    Briefly HHC envisions building out Blocks H & F and partnering with the state department of transportation and HCDA on an elevated bridge over Ala Moana Blvd.  The vision for the Ward properties:

    • Will transform 60 acres of Kakaako land into an urban and neighborhood community with parks, energy efficiency, sustainability, walkable spaces, bicycle lanes, native Hawaiian plants.
    • Includes 3,700 public parking stalls, 39 restaurants, 36 retail shops, 4,500 new residential condos.
    • The Victoria Ward Park project (former Sports Authority location) would include a podium for recreation supported by high-rise of residential units.
    • The Auahi Street Promenade project would include the re-alignment of Auahi Street to connect to Pohukaina St.
    • The Ulana Ward Village project would include industrial use, recreational space, and a playground.

    The master plan timeline has begun with tenant & community outreach; with the next steps to include HCDA permitting, home sales, building permits, financing, and construction.

    Ala Moana Blvd Elevated Bridge 

    • Builds a mauka-makai oriented “land bridge” linking to paths on either side of Ala Moana Blvd.
    • Located within a 10-minute walking distance to the future Kakaako rail transit station and expected to host about 2,650 pedestrians and cyclists each day.
    • Safely connects pedestrians and bicyclists to Kewalo Basin, Kakaako Waterfront Park, and Ala Moana Beach Park.
    • Awarded a $20 Million BUILD grant from the Federal Highway Administration and in partnership with the Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT), Victoria Ward Ltd. (VWL) and the Hawaii Community Development Authority (HCDA).
    • HDOT is currently drafting an environmental assessment.
    • Timeline: Scheduled out to contractor bid in late 2021. Construction to start 2022-2023.
    • For more info, click here.  For questions, call 692-8441 or Email DOT.HWY-AlaMoanaPed@hawaii.gov

    ALA MOANA BEACH PARK SHORELINE SAFETY: November 12 Meeting 
    If you are an avid user of Ala Moana Beach Park, we invite you to a scoping meeting on THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12 at 5:00 – 6:30 p.m. to address user interests for Ala Moana Beach Park including fishers, swimmers, waders and other park users. We would like to hear your thoughts and preferences on the various options proposed in the Draft Fishery Management Area Plan. The objective is to come to a consensus on the plan option(s) that will be recommended to the Board of Land & Natural Resources. Mahalo to those who have previously provided input. These were considered in the revised draft plan. Please review it prior to the meeting. Here is the zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/93863675817 to attend the meeting.

    ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: HEALTHCARE COVERAGE
    If you have lost you health insurance coverage this year you may be eligible for health coverage. Visit HealthCare.gov to check if you’re eligible, and qualify for a premium tax credit that lowers your premium. Those who lose their health insurance typically get a 60-day special enrollment period (SEP) to enroll in coverage, but with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) declaring COVID-19 a national emergency, individuals may qualify for another SEP outside of the 60-day deadline. Regardless of job loss or for other reasons, apply for coverage at www.healthcare.gov/sep-list/ For more info, contact the HealthCare.gov call center at (800) 318-2596 or the State Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs at (808) 586-7582.

    ASSISTANCE. PROGRAM: FOOD DISTRIBUTION FOR NOVEMBER 2020
    Central Union Church is distributing food bags to kupuna and others in need:

    • Dates: November 11, 18, 25 (Wednesdays)
    • Time: Noon – 1:30 p.m.
    • Location: 1660 South Beretania St. Corner of Punahou and South Beretania streets. Enter through the Punahou Street entrance to park and walk in.
    • More Info: Call or Text 741-3066 OR Email: khedberghawaii@gmail.com

    Take care & stay safe!