Inside Honolulu: May 19
Two branches of city government may be headed to court to sue one another, the City Council takes a stand on roads spending and officials have six weeks to go before their budget for next year takes effect.
Civil Beat is reporting from the inside.
Akaka Bolstered by Feds’ Support for Rail
12:45 p.m.
Sen. Dan Akaka issued a statement after a meeting with Federal Transit Administration Administrator Peter Rogoff, reiterating the agency’s support for Honolulu’s rail project.
Akaka reports that Rogoff mentioned $250 million that President Barack Obama flagged as rail money for Honolulu. The senator also mentioned the FTA’s commitment to improving Hawaii’s bus infrastructure.
“I am pleased to see the Federal Transportation Administration’s continued commitment to much-needed public transportation improvements across the state,” Sen. Akaka wrote in a statement issued to the media. “In particular, the Honolulu rail project, combined with sensible land use planning, has great potential to address Oahu鈥檚 severe congestion.”
Mufi Hannemann Still Not Ready to Run
11:05 a.m.
With the news that Congresswoman Mazie Hirono is set to run for U.S. Senate, Inside Honolulu checked in with former Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann about his political plans.
The buzz has been that if either Hirono or Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa threw her hat in the ring for Sen. Dan Akaka‘s seat (Akaka is retiring in 2012), Hannemann might run for one of their seats in the House.
“Well first I’d like to say congratulations to Mazie for entering the race,” Hannemann said. “I’m still weighing it. Everyone has their own timetable, and I’m keeping my options open.”
Hannemann is now president of the .
Council to Obama: Pick Us!
8:25 a.m.
The idea that President Barack Obama might pick Hawaii as the site of his presidential library isn’t a new one, but City Council members are now joining the lobbying effort.
In a committee meeting next week, lawmakers will consider , which urges Obama to select a Hawaii site for his library.
City Council member Tulsi Gabbard introduced the resolution.
Read Previous Editions of Inside Honolulu
May 18, 2011: Still no report from City Council’s rail fact-finding trip; Doug Chin points to charter question to explain administration’s HART position.
May 17, 2011: City Council reinstates roads funds; Union talks “ongoing;” Council advances property-tax hike.
May 16, 2011: Did police chief’s son get preferential treatment? Honolulu Zoo rhino dies; Police officers to walk for slain colleagues.
May 13, 2011: California judge assigned to rail case; City winds down busy week on furlough day.
May 12, 2011: City Council member Romy Cachola learns new slang; Brookings Institute lauds Honolulu mass transit; Long-awaited rail lawsuit filed in federal court; City Council members vet new rail financial plan.
May 11, 2011: Council advances rail bond bill; City Council Chairman Nestor Garcia waiting for word on ethics investigation; Council advances fireworks storage bill; Council scraps scrap-yard subsidy, kind of; Rail lawsuit to be filed soon.
May 10, 2011 Council member Tom Berg wants to move Honolulu Zoo into Diamond Head crater; Council to consider banning some cell phone use for pedestrians.
May 9, 2011: After heavy rains, Waimanalo Gulch gets extension; What happens in Copenhagen, stays in Copenhagen?; Feds monitoring city’s use of housing money.
May 6, 2011: Honolulu Mayor Peter Carlisle says Koolau Loa plan keeps “country country,” too; City Council’s Tulsi Gabbard gets promoted.
May 5, 2011: Honolulu Mayor Peter Carlisle heads to sunny East Lansing, Mich.; Emergency Management Deputy Peter Hirai clears up rumor about Waikiki sirens; Double the turnout so far in Neighborhood Board elections.
May 4, 2011: City Council advances HART budgets, measure to float rail bonds; Romy Cachola irked that no Filipinos appointed to HART; Mayor would likely support end to recycling subsidy.
May 3, 2011: Honolulu Mayor Peter Carlisle signed into law new North Shore plan; City Planning and Permitting Director David Tanoue questions move to turn shipping containers into homes; Environmental group raises concerns about trees along rail route.
May 2, 2011: City Council member Stanley Chang takes on managing director; Ann Kobayashi defends yelling at testifier; Romy Cachola calls testifier “stupid;” Tom Berg proposes horse racetrack for Kapiolani Park; Bill to eliminate scrap yard subsidy advances; Council member miffed that rail leaders skipped special council meeting.
