Inside Honolulu: April 19
Tuesday marks the official start to Honolulu Mayor Peter Carlisle’s re-election campaign. Back at City Hall, officials are working on a spending compromise, and the City Council will advance several budget-related measures this week. Plus, a clearer picture of the city’s new transit agency is emerging, but questions remain. Civil Beat is reporting from the inside.
Honolulu First City to Get Federal-Standard IDs
4:12 p.m.
As part of a federal grant program, Honolulu Information Technology Director Gordon Bruce is working on rolling out federal-standard ID cards to city workers. Bruce says Honolulu is the only city in the country to take on such a task, and that only state governments have attempted to meet the federal standard thus far.
“We have already distributed ID-Cards to the City workers that meet the Federal Standard identified in Presidential Directive HSPD-12,” Bruce wrote in an email, referring to security standards under former President George W. Bush. “We will be rolling out Federal Standard PIV-I Credentials to the First Responders that meet Federal Standards starting this summer.”
Bruce says the city will issue about 1,500 ID cards before APEC.
“We will be able use this system to authenticate other First Responders or Federally approved individuals during APEC,” Bruce wrote. “Honolulu is the only City, the rest are States that is an active participant in the Technology Transition Working Group (TTWG) advising FEMA/DHS on this.”
Honolulu Hotels to Get Electric Car Chargers
2:22 p.m.
Waikiki is getting five electric-car chargers, according to a joint statement released today by Kyo-ya Hotels and Starwood Hotels. The companies called the new charging stations the “latest in a series of long-term investments we’re making to remain competitive with the world’s top travel destinations.”
Some of the hotels the companies own include the Royal Hawaiian, the Moana Surfrider, the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani, the Sheraton Waikiki and the Sheraton Maui.
Carlisle Launches Re-election Campaign
6:05 a.m.
Just six months in office, and Honolulu Mayor Peter Carlisle‘s run for re-election has begun. The mayor is hosting a at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. Suggested donations range from $150 – $1,000 per plate.
Leading up to the special election he won last September, Carlisle raked in much less money than his leading competitor Kirk Caldwell.
Even before today’s fundraiser, Carlisle has received donations. Myles Shimabukuro of Sansei Architects gave two donations worth $3,000 in November. As of December 2010, Carlisle had about $93,573 on hand.
At least one prominent supporter, former Gov. Ben Cayetano, was a strong supporter of Carlisle last time around but has since slammed the mayor for his support of rail.
Inside Honolulu’s guess: There’ll be lots of rail supporters at the mayor’s fundraiser tonight.
Check out more of the mayor’s financial disclosures on the Hawaii Campaign Spending Commission’s
Previous Editions of Inside Honolulu
April 18, 2011: Honolulu Mayor Peter Carlisle taps Don Horner, Buzzy Hong and Carrie Okinaga to new transit agency; City Council Transportation Chairman Breene Harimoto picks Ivan Lui-Kwan, Damien Kim and Keslie Hui for HART.
April 15, 2011: City Council member Tom Berg to kick off Tea Party rally; City plans to spend $248 million to acquire property for rail; Shootout in East Oahu ends in suspect death, traffic gridlock.
April 14, 2011: City Council member Stanley Chang turns to Charles Djou on “unfinished business;” City says Waimanalo Gulch back to “normal;” City Council member Tulsi Gabbard Tamayo defends possible cuts to the arts.
April 13, 2011: City Council Budget Chairman Ernie Martin calls mayor’s take on fuel tax “inaccurate;” Zoo considers sending rhino to hospice; Free parking for some city workers could end; City Council rejects move to reclaim some rail money.
April 12, 2011: City Council member Stanley Chang passionate about funds for roads; Council advances real property tax measure; Council on a roll with disclosures.
April 11, 2011: Two rail protests filed against city; Tom Berg speaks out against state money grab; U.S. Senate race could have ripple effect on City Hall.
April 8, 2011: City Council member Ernie Martin taps IBEW business manager for HART; Peter Carlisle distant from Big Island, Kauai mayors; Government leaders attend prayer breakfast.
April 7, 2011: Hawaii mayors issue joint response on tentative HGEA deal; Was Honolulu Mayor Peter Carlisle cut out of labor bargaining? U.S. Transportation Sec. Ray LaHood chats about Honolulu’s “light rail.”
April 6, 2011: City, state and other Hawaii counties agree to deal with HGEA; Council grows capital spending; City Council member asks for legal fees to fight administration.
April 5, 2011: Council member Tulsi Gabbard Tamayo says her deployment to Afghanistan is unlikely; HART nominees still not official; City cites $1.4 billion for Ansaldo contract.
April 4, 2011: Todd Apo and Don Horner surface as mayor’s possible picks for transit authority; Tom Berg nominates Panos Prevedouros for transit authority; State awaits results on more dengue cases; Losing rail bidders set for debriefs.
April 1, 2011: Gov. Neil Abercrombie taps former City Council candidate; GOP wants Nestor Garcia ethics investigation; Budget Chairman Ernie Martin schedules two special budget meetings.
