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City Council members have a bit of a breather this week before the next round of committee meetings starts up. Meanwhile, the Carlisle administration is busy transitioning its rapid transit division into a new semi-autonomous agency.

City officials are also watching the action across the street, to see how the effects of state lawmakers’ spending decisions will trickle down to city government. Civil Beat is reporting from the inside.

Koko Crater Trail to Close for Maintenance

4:49 p.m.
The Koko Crater hiking trail is set to close for maintenance next week. City officials released a statement saying workers will remove a 2,000-foot wire cable that runs the length of the trail.

The rope was built in the World War II era, and is deteriorating. The city plans to reopen the trail Friday, May 6.

Yet Another Delay on TAT Decision

3:41 p.m.
Still no decision from state lawmakers on whether they’ll cap the counties’ share of TAT revenue. Today is the third straight day that Senate Bill 1186 has come up but been pushed back.

would cap the amount of TAT revenue that goes to Hawaii’s four counties at $102 million.

An aide for City Council Chairman Nestor Garcia said he was at the State Capitol for the conference committee. Garcia has said a ceiling on revenue would make it very difficult for Honolulu to keep its budget balanced. Lawmakers are considering a new draft of the measure, and will reconvene tomorrow at 3 p.m.

Civil Beat’s Nanea Kalani contributed to this item.

Hike to Garbage Surcharge Could Throw Off City Budget

3:13 p.m.
A conference committee of state lawmakers is reconvening this afternoon to discuss raising their surcharge on solid waste disposal.

One version of would increase the tax 40 cents per ton, from 35 cents to 75 cents. But there are still some questions about the numbers.

An increase could throw off the Environmental Services Department’s budget plans.

Berg to Host Town Hall Meeting

11:02 a.m.
City Council member Tom Berg is hosting a town hall meeting at Ma‘o Farms tonight. According to a statement issued by Berg’s office, he’ll discuss:

• Flooding during and after storms
• Affordable Housing
• Legislative approaches to agriculture
• Kolekole pass and emergency access
• The military’s future in his district, including ordinance removal
• Pesticides and public safety
• Radiation

Honolulu Shoppers Could Pay Fee for Using Disposable Bags

10:35 a.m.
A bill that would have banned some plastic bags in Honolulu stalled in the City Council late last year, but state lawmakers are still considering a measure that would impose fees for shoppers using disposable bags.

One key sticking point in the debate is whether the fee should be 10 cents or 20 cents.

Read more about the bill, and what would happen if it passes.

Federal Agency Remembers Dead in Waikele Explosion, Deepwater Horizon

9:04 a.m.
Many around the world observe Workers’ Memorial Day on April 28. In a statement issued today, the U.S. Chemical Safety Board mentioned the deadly fireworks explosion in Waikele among the “far too many chemical accidents in the workplace” it investigates.

“Five workers died earlier this month disposing of fireworks at a storage facility in Hawaii,” the statement reads. “One worker was killed and a second severely burned in a flash fire at a powdered-iron production facility in Tennessee in January. And in December, an explosion ripped through a plant that processes highly flammable titanium powder in West Virginia, killing three workers. Just over a year ago, eleven lives were lost on the BP/Transocean Deepwater Horizon oil production rig in a massive explosion … When our investigation reports are finalized, we will point to root causes and challenge companies, trade associations, labor groups, standards organizations and regulators to adopt recommendations with the goal of saving workers’ lives.”

The statement acknowledges that while deaths continue to occur, workplaces where hazardous chemicals are produced or handled are “much safer” than they used to be.

This year also marks the 40th anniversary since the Occupational Health and Safety Administration was established in 1971.

Previous Editions of Inside Honolulu

April 27, 2011: State lawmakers delay decision on TAT again; Mayor wants Ironworkers’ O’Donnell on Liquor Commission; Transparency portal gets one new doc; Honolulu residents eligible for tsunami relief.

April 26, 2011: Other unions “very unlikely” to beat HGEA deal, Sumner LaCroix says; Third time’s a charm for Panos Prevedouros?; City and County of Honolulu joins Facebook.

April 25, 2011: State lawmakers urge benefits for residents near landfills; Utility relocation for rail under way; Who gets a “honolulu.gov” email address?

April 21, 2011: City Transportation Chairman Breene Harimoto heads to Copenhagen; Some overlap between HART, corporation counsel for Carrie Okinaga; City’s new top lawyer to be Bob Godbey; Council member Tom Berg‘s chief of staff slams ethics director, Civil Beat over inquiry about Berg’s use of City Council letterhead.

April 20, 2011: City Council member Nestor Garcia discloses his part-time job again and again (and again); City Council advances fuel tax hike; Fireworks legislation back before council; Rail officials submit new financial plan; Kirk Caldwell mulls running for Honolulu mayor, U.S. House.

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.