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You may want to grab some popcorn before you sit down in front of Olelo for today’s City Council meeting. The council agenda is chock-full of big issues: real-property taxes, historic homes, the fuel tax and the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transit budget are just some of the items to be discussed.

Garcia Makes Verbal Disclosure About Part-Time Job for Fifth Time Today

9:04 p.m.
In case you haven’t been glued to the City Council meeting all day, Inside Honolulu is keeping count: City Council Chairman Nestor Garcia has now disclosed his part-time job with the Kapolei Chamber of Commerce five times today.

He says it’s out of an “abundance of caution” but he’s also making up for missed opportunities. Garcia defended himself amid criticism last month that the $60,000 job presented a conflict of interest.

Harimoto Cries “Pork,” Lone No Vote on Capital Budget

8:54 p.m.
City Council members advanced for next year. City Council member Breene Harimoto was the only council member to vote “no,” and said he did so as a “symbolic” gesture.

Harimoto said he was concerned that many of his fellow council members ignored guidelines to keep all capital spending additions to $200,000 or less.

“I do have concerns about the amount of money that we are adding to the budget for our own projects,” Harimoto said. “I would note that Councilman Chang is adding in money for road repairs. But that’s not pork for his district, and we all agreed this was a priority.”

Harimoto said his bigger concern is bringing city debt under control.

“I think it’s going to come back to bite us in the rear,” he said.

Both of the bills outlining the capital budget and the operating budget, which council members advanced earlier tonight, will be discussed in City Council committee meetings before the measures return to the full City Council for approval.

With One Objection, City Council Advances Operating Budget

7:48 p.m.
The City Council advanced for next year. Only City Council member Tom Berg voted against the measure. He raised concerns about money spent to subsidize city-run golf courses.

Long List of Testifiers Defend the Arts

7:44 p.m.
The strong support for city funding of the arts emerged throughout hours of evening testimony.

“I was stunned to hear the proposal to eliminate funding for the Mayor’s Office (of Culture and the Arts), or MOCA,” said Carlyn Tani, of the city’s Commission on Culture and the Arts. “The arts are not a luxury but an essential expression of humanity.”

She said that MOCA’s budget represents less than 1 percent of the overall operating budget, while its activities reach more than 500,000 people per year.

City Council Budget Chair Ernie Martin emphasized that his committee’s recommendation was to reduce spending on arts salaries, and that the committee did not advance more drastic cuts.

“There were no cuts made to current expenses,” Martin said. “The activities that would be funded in the past would continue.”

City Council member Breene Harimoto expressed some frustration about the difficult position the council is in.

“The publc has been screaming about increases in taxes but keeping all the services,” Harimoto said. “We’re having a really hard time. We have to look at cutting somewhere. If not MOCA… We’ve got to balance the budget somehow.”

Garcia Discloses Chamber of Commerce Job Again and Again (and Again)

5:40 p.m.
The City Council has been in session for almost eight hours now — including a lunch recess — and during that time, City Council Chairman Nestor Garcia has disclosed his $60,000 part-time job with the Kapolei Chamber of Commerce no less than three times.

It comes on the heels of KITV’s revelation last month that the job may pose a conflict given the chamber’s strong support of the city’s rail project.

Garcia was angered by allegations, and denied being a “whore” for the project.

City Council Takes Up Budget

5:15 p.m.
City Council Chairman Nestor Garcia says it’s time for the “real” discussion to begin. The council is taking up amended versions of three major budget bills.

relates to the city’s legislative budget.

relates to the city’s operating budget.

relates to the city’s capital budget.

Garcia said about 40 people registered to testify.

Historic Homes Bill Draws Public Testimony

4:49 p.m.
So far, the most public testimony of the day has been in response to legislation involving historic homes. would tighten eligibility for the significant tax break that owners of designated historic homes receive. Under current law, those whose homes qualify as “historic” pay $300 per year in property taxes.

Homeowners turned out to defend their properties, but many others complained of inequity in the current tax structure.

“We have laws for the rich and well-connected, we don’t enforce those at all,” said Mitch Kahle in testimony before the council. “And then … a poor homeowner just barely trying to keep his home up and he’s not getting any benefit whatsoever.”

Among those who turned out is this reporter’s landlord, who owns the 1932 house in which Inside Honolulu starts the day.

Want to know if your neighbors’ homes are historic? Search property records by address on the website, and find out how much they’re paying each year.

City Council Advances Fuel Tax Hike

3:47 p.m.
City Council members expressed serious concern about Honolulu Mayor Peter Carlisle‘s proposal to increase the fuel tax, but ultimately moved the measure forward.

Only City Council members Tom Berg and Ikaika Anderson voted against the hike.

City Council Budget Chairman said he has strong reservations about the hike, but asked his colleague to keep it on the table while state lawmakers’ budget discussions pan out.

“Until they recess for the day,” Martin said. “I think we need to leave all options on the table.”

Council Vice Chair Breene Harimoto agreed with Martin, and said he believed it was important to move the measure forward “until we know how all the pieces fit together.” City Council member Ann Kobayashi said she supported Martin, but that she worries about the “ripple effect” that such an increase might have on the community.

City Council member Tulsi Gabbard Tamayo also said she had “very grave concerns.”

“I look forward to putting it to rest at the appropriate time,” Gabbard Tamayo said.

Here’s how each City Council member voted on a possible increase to the fuel tax:

Ikaika Anderson: No
Tom Berg: No
Romy Cachola: Aye with reservations
Stanley Chang: Aye
Tulsi Gabbard Tamayo: Aye with reservations
Nestor Garcia: Aye
Breene Harimoto: Aye
Ann Kobayashi: Aye
Ernie Martin: Aye

With gas prices at record-high levels on Oahu and across, Hawaii, one resident (and former City Council staffer) said she believed the community would revolt.

“We’re almost at $5 a gallon,” said Marsha Joyner. “That’s quite a lot of money… We will see people in the street like we haven’t seen since the ’60s.”

City Council Considers Fuel Tax Hike

3:27 p.m.

City Council Chairman Nestor Garcia appears disappointed that no members of the public turned out to testify against a possible hike to the fuel tax.

The City Council is considering Honolulu Mayor Peter Carlisle‘s proposal to increase the fuel tax one cent per gallon in 2012, two cents in 2013 and three cents in 2014.

“We take up this measure as they’re setting records on this island and throughout the state,” Garcia said.

After no members of the public stepped forward to testify, Garcia looked around. “Nobody?”

Carlisle said the increase is necessary to pay for road maintenance, and the city’s budget director echoed the mayor in testimony before the council on Wednesday.

“Road costs are going up,” said City Budget director Mike Hansen.

The last time the city increased the fuel tax was in 1989.

Council Advances Two Cabinet Nominees

2:32 p.m.
The Honolulu City Council advanced two new members of Honolulu Mayor Peter Carlisle‘s Cabinet.

In the morning City Council session, council members approved Westley Chun as director of the Department of Facility Maintenance.

In the afternoon session, which began just after 2 p.m., council members advanced Carlisle’s nomination of J. Thomas Heinrich as executive secretary of the Neighborhood Commission. The council’s Executive Matters and Legal Affairs will now take up that nomination before it can be finalized with a full City Council vote.

Heinrich’s appointment comes after a previous nominee, the commission’s Bryan Mick, withdrew from the process amid complaints from Honolulu residents who claimed he ignored neighborhood board members’ requests. Mick still works at the commission.

Read Carlisle’s nomination of and his nomination of , including their resumes.

Chang Introduced Fireworks Bill By Request

2:04 p.m.
City Council member Stanley Chang said he introduced Bill 38 — which would allow people to obtain licenses for the “import, storage, or wholesale of consumer fireworks” on Oahu — but that doesn’t mean he supports it.

“I don’t have a position on the merits of the bill one way or the other,” Chang told Civil Beat. “I introduced it to hear discussion, testimony, and feedback on all sides, by the request of a constituent.”

City Transmits Updated Rail Financial Plan to FTA

12:40 p.m.
The city is reducing its cost estimate for rail. Honolulu officials told the Federal Transportation Administration the project will cost $5.3 billion in capital expenditures, as part of a new financial plan submitted to the federal agency today.

The updated financial plan is a critical component of advancing the project. The next step will be for the project to enter into “final design,” as designated by the FTA. After that, Honolulu could be eligible to enter into a Full Funding Grant Agreement with the federal government. Honolulu officials hope that such a deal would guarantee the FTA would cover $1.55 billion of the cost.

Read the full story.

Check out the updated plan:

Passage of Routine Reso Has Political Undercurrent

11:57 a.m.
The City Council unanimously advanced a measure that enables the city to access an additional $30 million in federal rail monies. City Council member Ann Kobayashi, a persistent rail critic, expressed reservations.

City Transportation Services director Wayne Yoshioka said the money was previously appropriated, and that would simply enable the city to receive the funds.

City Council Transportation Chairman spoke in support of the resolution, and said federal officials had urged the city to act quickly.

“As well all know, there is some concern about the funds being cut back in Congress,” Harimoto said. “(We are just) going through the motion of requesting them, so it is timely for us to do so.”

Harimoto’s support is significant because he tabled the measure when it came up before the City Council last month as a way to get the administration’s attention. Harimoto revealed to Civil Beat that he was having serious and growing “concerns” about what he saw as a lack of transparency from the administration on rail.

He told Civil Beat he has since regained some faith in the administration.

The grant is a matching grant, and the city will fund its local share through the GET surcharge.

Kirk Caldwell Mulls Running for Mayor, U.S. House

11:33 a.m.
Maybe you saw @kirkcaldwell’s tweet last night:

The mayor’s race might have been on the former city managing director’s mind because the man who defeated Kirk Caldwell— Honolulu Mayor Peter Carlisle — was holding his first major campaign fundraiser for the 2012 election.

However, Caldwell is not committing to the mayor’s race just yet. Depending on what else happens, politically, he could have his eye on Washington, D.C.

Both of Hawaii’s Congresswomen — Colleen Hanabusa and Mazie Hirono — are considered likely candidates in the race for U.S. Senate leading up to Sen. Daniel Akaka planned retirement in 2012.

“I’m really passionate about public service,” Caldwell told Civil Beat in a phone interview. “It is a calling for me… I’m not ready to commit to a specific race, and I haven’t finalized my plans. I remain very interested in the mayor’s race. I’ve been approached, and I’d look at the U.S. house races should those open.”

If a congressional seat becomes available, Caldwell acknowledge it would set off a political chain-reaction.

“It’s always a little bit crazy,” Caldwell said. “Last time, you had a contested race for governor, you had a contested race for congress (and) you had the mayor’s race. Most likely, you’ll be seeing me run for an office where I feel I’m best suited.”

City Council Members Miffed About Short Notice

11:08 a.m.
Five City Council members made a point of mentioning that Bill 38, relating to the possible legal storage of commercial fireworks on Oahu, came before them “minutes” before the City Council meeting began.

“This bill literally came to us minutes before we came to this meeting so we don’t know what the issues are,” City Council member Breene Harimoto said.

“This just came to our attention this morning,” City Council Chairman Nestor Garcia emphasized.

The bill passed first reading, with Tulsi Gabbard Tamayo and Ernie Martin voting with reservations as a result of the short notice. Gabbard Tamayo also said she has reservations after the recent fatal explosion in Waikele, in which five men were killed by fireworks that exploded in a former military bunker.

Stanley Chang, who introduced the measure, characterized it as necessary to close a legal loophole.

“It’s my understanding that importers of fireworks for sale on the neighbor islands currently store them in warehouses in the city and county of Honolulu,” Chang said. “This practice is currently forbidden and this would correct that defect.”

Garcia made a possible conflict-of-interest disclosure on the matter: “My cousin represents the law firm that is suing the city over this measure.”

Garcia referred the bill to the Executive Matters and Legal Affairs Committee, as a result of the pending litigation.

Oahu Residents Could Get Permits to Store Fireworks

10:43 a.m.
City Council member Stanley Chang is proposing amending the city’s newly enacted fireworks ban, so that people would be allowed to obtain permits to store fireworks, and sell them outside of Oahu.

Bill 38 would allow people to obtain licenses for the “import, storage, or wholesale of consumer fireworks… not intended for sale within the City and County of Honolulu, unless otherwise allowed by law.”

Chang emphasized in the introduction to the measure that it should not be interpreted to allow for the import or storage of aerial fireworks, or for the sale of consumer fireworks on Oahu. A controversial ban on consumer fireworks took effect Jan. 2, 2011.

In the introduction to the measure, Chang writes: “It is the Council’s intent that the Revised Ordinaces of Honolulu (ROH) not interfere with interstate or interisland commerce of consumer fireworks into the State of Hawaii.”

The council is set to discuss the bill later today.

Fireworks Law Back on the Table

10:18 a.m.
Minutes before banging the gavel, City Council Chairman Nestor Garcia told Civil Beat to prepare for some surprises on the floor. He wasn’t kidding: The City Council will discuss legislation to put discussion of fireworks on Oahu back on the table. We’ll post more details as they become available.

Council Member Promotes Organ Donation

10:13 a.m.
City Council member Stanley Chang handed out green ribbons attached to cards that said “recycle yourself” ahead of today’s City Council meeting. Chang is advocating for a change to driver’s license forms that would make the check box to indicate organ-donation preferences more prominent.

City Council to Discuss Ranked Choice Voting

The Honolulu City Council has a long list of budget-related issues on its for tomorrow’s full council meeting.

Council Chairman Nestor Garcia said he also plans to add an item for discussion that only recently appeared on his radar: Ranked choice voting.

As the state Legislature continues to advance a measure that would implement a trial period of the voting system for two Hawaii counties — Honolulu and the Big Island — Garcia said it’s critical to assess how much it would cost.

“At least six figures,” Garcia told Civil Beat. “At least $200,000. I don’t like these unfunded mandates (from the state).”

While money is heavy on Garcia’s mind, he’s weighing other decisions before the council.

“We have to decide, pizza or Chinese,” he joked. “It’s going to be a long night.”

Read Civil Beat reporter Robert Brown’s April 8 story about ranked choice voting, and why it’s controversial.

May Day is Lei Day in Hawaii

The Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation has released its and details about the lei-making contest for the annual Lei Day celebration on May 1. Just 10 days left to practice your craft for one of Hawaii’s most fragrant and aloha-infused holidays.

Previous Editions of Inside Honolulu

April 19, 2011: Honolulu to be nation’s first city to comply with federal-standard ID cards; Oahu hotels to get electric-car chargers; Honolulu Mayor Peter Carlisle launches re-election campaign.

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.