Inside Honolulu: Jan. 13
It’s a new year, and Honolulu Hale is welcoming five new City Council members. Mayor Carlisle has seven weeks to go before he has to present his first budget, and the first committee meetings of the new year take place this week. Civil Beat is reporting from the inside.
Emergency Shelter Opens on Leeward Coast
1:16 p.m.
The city is responding to Leeward Coast flooding, and offering residents shelter in the Waianae District Park Gymnasium along Farrington Highway.
Officials caution that the refuge shelter has limited supplies, and asks residents to bring their own blankets, clothing, sleeping bags, food, medication and other necessities.
In a statement, city officials wrote that more shelters may be opened if needed.
Heavy Rains Hamper City Business
1:05 p.m.
City golf courses, along with some parks and botanical gardens have been shut down by this week’s heavy rains. The Koolauloa Neighborhood Board is also asking people to stay off the roads, and canceled its meeting. The board鈥檚 next scheduled regular meeting is February 10, 2011. So far, meetings for the Ewa, Aliamanu/Salt Lake/Foster Village and Diamond Head neighborhood boards are continuing as scheduled.
Garcia Talks APEC in D.C.
8:51 a.m.
City Council Chairman Nestor Garcia is in Washington, D.C., meeting with various officials to discuss the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), which is to be held in Honolulu in November. Garcia, who co-chairs the International Committee for the National Association of Counties, said his main focus is to coordinate efforts for small businesses.
“APEC believes that small- and medium-sized enterprises have role to play,” Garcia told Civil Beat. “The trick is trying to see if they can come to the table to rub elbows with policymakers. They’re busy running their mom-and-pop shops. They cannot always afford to come to a conference to talk to us. We need to hear from them. So the next best thing is getting the economic development boards involved.”
Garcia said in discussions about APEC, security is always at the forefront. From the city’s perspective, a large part of the equation is determining how to pay for it.
“I want to talk to the Congressional delegation,” Garcia said. “Trying to see if they are continuing to work on seeking reimbursement for our security expenses that we have to foot for the conference.”
Garcia plans to return to Honolulu on Saturday.
Read Previous Editions of Inside Honolulu
Jan. 12, 2011: City Transportation hearing a one-sided affair; Council members concerned about camping fees; Customer Services director nominee Gail Haraguchi breezes through committee; Hawaii could get a preseason NFL game; Former Mayor Mufi Hannemann says air travel is key for economic recovery.
Jan. 11, 2011: First Zoning Committee of the new year gets updates on pending amendments to Honolulu’s Land Use Ordinance.
Jan. 10, 2011: Mayor Peter Carlisle gives kudos to Kauai; Committees move forward with two director nominations; Statewide fireworks ban unlikely; City officials worry about fireworks hoarders.
Jan. 7, 2011: City transportation director preps to take up IMG report in Transportation Committee meeting next week; Mayor Peter Carlisle stays quiet on illegal rental to President Barack Obama; Carlisle plans business trip to Hollywood, jokes about wanting a cameo in Hawaii 5-0.
Jan. 6, 2011: Emergency official cites threat of “huge mudslide” in Kaneohe highway closure; City eyes user fees, but in what form? Mayor tells Pacific Club crowd about inevitable cuts during “financial crisis,” calls city challenges “exciting.”
Jan. 5, 2011: Council vice chair to host hearing on IMG report; Rail division moves down permitting check list; A new year means a new website for Honolulu.
Jan. 4, 2011: Carlisle’s drinking buddies may be lonely this month; Honolulu’s first mayor inaugurated 102 years ago today; Tom Berg isn’t happy with his Council committee assignments.
Jan. 3, 2011: City Council to explore user fees as revenue generator; Nestor Garcia talks rail, APEC, city values in celebratory inaugural address.
