Inside Honolulu: June 13
While state lawmakers have a bit of a post-session breather, the legislative action at City Hall happens year-round.
Oversight of the city’s $5.3 billion rail project is transitioning into the hands of a new semi-autonomous agency, while a stack of bills is waiting on Mayor Peter Carlisle‘s desk to be signed into law. He’s in China until next week but there’s always something interesting going on in Honolulu.
Civil Beat is reporting from the inside.
Still No Report From Fact-Finding Trip
5:23 p.m.
It’s been more than six weeks since City Council members Ernie Martin and Breene Harimoto returned from a rail fact-finding trip. Both have stayed quiet on what they learned about rail manufacturer Ansaldo.
Read the full story about the delay, but first check out our earlier coverage:
Honolulu Has to Wait Until June for Rail Report, May 24, 2011
Three Weeks After Rail Fact-Finding Trip, Still No Report, May 18, 2011
Council Transportation Chair Gives Glimpse of Fact-Finding Trips, May 11, 2011
City Lawyers Told Council Members What Not To Ask On Rail Fact-Finding Trip, April 29, 2011
Read the Full Report from HUD
10:20 a.m.
Last week, Civil Beat broke the news that the city may have to repay $7.9 million to the federal government.
We’ve been poring over the contents of a report from HUD investigators, who say they found a slew of violations including the misuse of federal money, withholding information and conflicts of interest by those who manage federal grants.
Catch up on our coverage, then peruse the full HUD report.
Honolulu, Feds Differ on Conflicts of Interest, June 13, 2011
HUD: City’s Use of Federal Monies ‘Unacceptable’, June 8, 2011
HUD Threatens to Recoup $7.9M From Honolulu, June 7, 2011
Berg to Host Town-Hall Meeting on Rail
8:39 a.m.
Tom Berg is the arguably the City Council’s most vocal rail critic (though his colleague, Ann Kobayashi, is a close second).
Berg is hosting a “very important” town-hall meeting to discuss rail at the Ewa Makai Middle School this Wednesday, June 15 at 7 p.m.
Check out Berg’s for more information.
Read Previous Editions of Inside Honolulu
June 8, 2011: Acting Mayor Doug Chin signs historic homes bill; FAA issues Record of Decision on rail; Hillary Clinton to attend APEC; Stanley Chang posts messages to Twitter from Taiwan; Precedent in the dispute between Honolulu Mayor Peter Carlisle and City Council members.
June 7, 2011: Two-time candidate Panos Prevedouros fundraising for 2012 mayor’s race; Tom Berg weighs in on chief of staff’s role in hacking of lawmaker’s email; Rod Tam sentencing pushed back; Ship that buried Osama bin Laden stops in Honolulu.
June 6, 2011:Creator of city rail poll says it was unbiased; More details on Honolulu Mayor Peter Carlisle‘s China trip; Former City Council memeber Rod Tam charged with eight counts of campaign spending violations.
June 3, 2011: City Council approves rail bond float, slew of fee increases, property-tax rate hike, operating and capital budgets; Council members reverse decision on eliminating subsidy to scrap yards.
June 2, 2011: Complete script of questions from city rail poll; Rail supporters plan virtual sit-in.
June 1, 2011: City announced poll showing majority support for rail; Honolulu Mayor Peter Carlisle mum on veto plans; Hurricane season starts.
