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Three weeks until the city budget is due, while the City Council proposes a slew of new resolutions. The mess at the Waimanalo Gulch landfill is still getting cleaned up, and transit officials cross their fingers for good news on rail funding. Civil Beat is tracking all of it, and reporting from the inside.

After Much Debate, Committee Advances Yoshioka Nomination

4:51 p.m.
It took more than three hours, but the City Council Transportation and Transit Planning Committee ultimately advanced Mayor Peter Carlisle‘s request to reappoint Wayne Yoshioka as director of the Department of Transportation Services.

Council members Stanley Chang, Breene Harimoto and Ernie Martin voted to move the nomination to a full City Council vote.

Ann Kobayashi and Romy Cachola voted against the resolution. Both complained they did not have enough information to make an informed decision. Specifically, Kobayashi complained about information on rail contracts she’s waiting to receive from Yoshioka’s department.

Cachola’s criticism was more pointed, and he accused Yoshioka of being manipulative and evasive.

“That’s the way he operates,” Cachola said. “Then he always turns back and accuses me. That’s the style he always uses.”

Cachola repeatedly rested his head on his desk as Yoshioka spoke, and laughed aloud when Yoshioka described attempts at transparency over the years. Cachola also traded terse words with Transportation and Transit Planning Committee Chairman Breene Harimoto, when Harimoto motioned to vote to advance the nomination. Kobayashi also voiced her opposition to that motion.

“I’ve never been asked to vote on any matter without having the proper information,” Kobayashi said. “I will have to vote no because I don’t have all the facts, and I’ve been asking since 2003.”

Managing Director Doug Chin said the raucous hearing was no surprise.

“It’s not unexpected because the rail project has stirred up so many people’s passions,” Chin told Civil Beat during a recess. “There was a lot of discussion that had to do with the rail project but not so much having to do with Acting Director’s Yoshioka’s qualifications. He’s hard working, he’s very responsive to the community and he answers questions whether you like his answers or not. He’s been placed in a very significant and controversial portion of history.”

Mayor in New Mexico, Not Here to Testify for Yoshioka

2:40 p.m.
There are have been only a handful of controversial nominations to Honolulu Mayor Peter Carlisle‘s Cabinet.

One nominee — the Neighborhood Commission’s Bryan Mick — withdrew his nomination after negative testimony began rolling in. Department of Planning and Permitting Director David Tanoue also faced harsh testimony, and the mayor made a point of testifying on his behalf. (Tanoue was ultimately reappointed by the full City Council.)

But Carlisle isn’t speaking on Wayne Yoshioka‘s behalf, and the acting director of Transportation Services is facing tough testimony in a committee hearing to discuss his possible reappointment.

The mayor has a fair excuse: He’s in Santa Fe for the two-day , a trip paid for by that Institute with approval from the City Council. Besides, it could be argued Carlisle’s nomination is support enough. Then again, that document looks like a form letter, with this generic endorsement:

“The individuals who have accepted my call to join the City government are all experienced, capable, and dedicated leaders, and I would deeply appreciate your confirmation of their nominations.”

A spokesman from the mayor’s office told Civil Beat in an e-mail that he’s checking to see whether Carlisle submitted any additional testimony on Yoshioka’s behalf.

Yoshioka Doesn’t Mention the R-Word in Testifying on His Own Behalf

1:46 p.m.
In testifying on behalf of himself before the City Council Transportation and Transit Planning Committee hearing, acting Transportation Services Director Wayne Yoshioka didn’t focus on rail. Instead, he talked about the strides he’s made with bicycle improvements and other areas.

“One of our major efforts right now is pedestrian safety,” Yoshioka said. “I’d surely like to see them to fruition. We are making major advancements in our bicycle master plan… We’re upgrading our bus system. Many many different proposals that are out there that we’re working on and they’re truly multimodal.”

Those who are testifying against Yoshioka so far are focusing exclusively on rail, highlighting concerns about steel-on-steel technology and the high cost of the project. Pearl Johnson of the League of Women Voters, kicked off the opposition:

“This reassessment should be approached with rigor,” Johnson said. “As the architect that championed the present rail plan, Mr. Yoshioka will likely give us a reassessment that attempts to prop up the previously flawed one.”

Committee Takes Up Yoshioka Nomination, Draws Vocal Rail Opponents

1:10 p.m.
Expect noisy opposition to Mayor Peter Carlisle‘s pick for the director of the city’s Department of Transportation Services. Wayne Yoshioka has held the post since former Mayor Mufi Hannemann in November 2007.

A major part of his job is to move forward the city’s rail project, and some familiar faces from the anti-rail camp — like Cliff Slater — are in the audience at a City Council Transportation and Transit Planning Committee hearing this afternoon.

Carlisle Delays Formal Inaugural Ball

The invitation is confusing: It says “Mayoral Celebration on Valentine’s Day,” but the date listed for the event is in April. It’s because Mayor Peter Carlisle had planned to have his formal inaugural ball on Feb. 14, but he’s pushing it back to April 19.

Carlisle posted to the fundraising event on his . Guests in “elegant attire” are asked to donate up to $4,000 for four seats. Individuals who want premium tickets — and their photo taken with the mayor — asked to pay $1,000. On the entertainment bill: Matt Catingub, Monica Mancini, Jim Nabors, Jimmy Borges, Andy Bumatai and more.

A spokesman for the mayor said he doesn’t have any more details about the reason for the delay, though there’s no question the mayor is busy these days: Carlisle has less than three weeks to go before his first budget for the City and County of Honolulu is due.

Catch Up on Inside Honolulu

Feb. 8, 2011: Council committee moves forward Gary Cabato and Sam Moku nominations; Bill to ban Segways from city parks put on hold; Oahu residents could see water bills spike.

Feb. 7, 2011: Council clashes over response to Rush Limbaugh comment; Bryan Mick withdraws nomination to Neighborhood Commission; Carrie Okinaga says mayor has “phenomenal” pick for city’s next top lawyer.

Feb. 4, 2011: City zoo could get giant bats; State wants city’s rail funds; Homeless assistance programs get a boost from the feds.

Feb. 3, 2011: Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa ratchets up fight against landfill; FTA to announce New Starts funding any day.

Feb. 2, 2011: Landfill hearing gets heated; Tom Berg wants to meet fellow tea partier Michele Bachmann; City Council asks Rush Limbaugh to apologize; Rail lawsuits start trickling in.

Feb. 1, 2011: Bulky item pick-up to start again; Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz introduces bill that would create development exceptions for rail; Tom Berg invites anti-rail groups into his office to discuss next steps in rail opposition.