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There’s always something interesting going on at Honolulu Hale.

Civil Beat is reporting from the inside.

5:15 p.m. Carlisle Responds, Others Attending

The office of Mayor Peter Carlisle quickly responded to Inside Honolulu‘s question about the Wednesday morning event in Hawaii Kai, specifically why the event wasn’t on his public schedule.

“The Mayor is invited to many public and private events. Many are listed on the public schedule. Not all private events that the Mayor speaks at are on his public schedule,” Executive Assistant Jim Fulton wrote in an email.

Also, Monica Salter from the Bennet Group¹ shared the list of other public officials who have RSVP’d for the event:

• Hawaii Department of Accounting and General Services Director Bruce Coppa, on behalf of Gov. Neil Abercrombie, is also scheduled to make a few remarks
• Office of Hawaiian Affairs Chief Executive Officer Clyde Namuo
• Kekoa McClellan on behalf of Honolulu City Council member Stanley Chang
• Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting Director David Tanoue
• Rep. Gene Ward
• Sen. Sam Slom
• Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources Director William Aila Jr.

2:57 p.m. Carlisle Attending “Upscale” Condo Groundbreaking

Mayor Peter Carlisle will spend his Wednesday morning in Hawaii Kai, attending the groundbreaking ceremony and blessing for a new “upscale” high-rise condominium.

The event wasn’t listed on Carlisle’s public schedule for the week, but a press release from says he and unnamed “other elected officials” will join executives from Hanwha Engineering and Construction, a Korean firm.

“This event commemorates the start of construction for a three-acre parcel of land in Hawaii Kai that will house 242 luxury residences,” the release states.

Hale Ka Lae, LLC donated $2,500 to Carlisle’s re-election campaign in April, show.

View the press release .

2:38 p.m. Former DLNR Chair Thielen New City Ag Liaison

From a city press release:

Mayor Peter Carlisle has appointed Laura H. Thielen as the City’s agricultural liaison.

“Laura has the expertise and enthusiasm to make this newly created position contribute effectively to our long-term goal of sustainability,” said Carlisle.

Thielen has served as chair of the State Department of Land and Natural Resources and the Commission on Water Resource Management, and as director of the State Office of Planning. She has a Masters Degree in Public Policy from Georgetown University and a Juris Doctorate from Case Western Reserve University. Thielen is also a member of the Waimanalo Agricultural Association, a University of Hawaii Master Gardener, and a past president of the Hawaii Women Lawyers.

Carlisle commended the City Council for creating and funding the position of agricultural liaison within the managing director’s office to serve as an advocate for the island’s agricultural community.

The liaison will become the City’s first point of contact regarding agriculture issues; enable the city to capitalize on agricultural funding opportunities provided by state and federal agencies; and work with the state on issues of mutual concern.

8:58 a.m. HART On Rail Costs

Last week we published rail opponents’ response to our Fact Check of their claim about operating costs.

Today, Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation Interim Executive Director Toru Hamayasu weighs in. Read his short response here.

If you’re looking for Hamayasu downtown today, you won’t find him. A HART spokeswoman told DC808‘s Adrienne LaFrance that Toru and HART Board Chair Carrie Okinaga are in New Orleans for the American Public Transportation Association conference, which started Sunday according to .

It ends Wednesday, which would give the two enough time to travel back to Hawaii in time for Thursday’s meetings.

Archaeological Work Begins

A Friday press release from the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation:

Overcharging at Landfill

KHON had an Friday about the Waimanalo Gulch Landfill charging the city extra tipping fees because some crews aren’t following procedure.

They’re all sitting in the truck when they come in, but some get out when they’re weighed on the exit. That overstates the amount of trash that was dumped by whatever one or two sanitation employees weigh.

And even though the city pays only about $17 per ton of trash, the mistake can add up over time.

Read the story .

Carlisle Eats Local

From a Friday press release:

Mayor Peter Carlisle participated this week in Kanu Hawaii’s “Eat Local Challenge,” which invites people to take action in support of a healthy, sustainable, secure local food system.

Carlisle agreed to eat only locally produced food for five days.

“Eating healthy, locally produced food is one way we can all help contribute to making Hawaii a better, more sustainable place,” said Carlisle, who will be available for media interviews.

Carlisle said the challenge led him to eat more locally grown fruits and vegetables, and provided more incentive to forgo less healthy, processed foods. Local eggs, cottage cheese and papaya proved to be especially tasty breakfast fare, he said. The challenge also prompted him to ask more questions at the grocery store and at restaurants, he said.

To take part in the Eat Local Challenge, Kanu Hawaii suggests making a commitment at .

A schedule of Eat Local Challenge events are detailed online at .

Kanu Hawaii is a nonprofit organization founded in 2007 to encourage and support environmental and social change. Its 14,000 members make individual commitments as simple as I will take shorter showers or I will buy local. For more information, go to .

HART Meetings Thursday

Two Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation meetings are set for Thursday. Here are the agendas:

• 8 a.m. — 
• 10 a.m. —

Where’s Carlisle?

At 10 a.m. today, Mayor Peter Carlisle joins volunteers to repaint the Kahikolu Ohana Hale O Waianae shelter as part of the “Color Care Across America” campaign of Benjamin Moore Paints, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, and the Painting and Decorating Contractors of America.

Because we didn’t get around to it on Friday, here’s Carlisle’s full public schedule for the week, including this past weekend:

Saturday, October 1st

• 9:00 am—Mayor Carlisle presents a proclamation at the Hawaii Down Syndrome Congress’ 12th Annual Buddy Walk and Inaugural 5K Buddy Fun Run. Kapiolani Park Bandstand.
• 12:00 noon—Mayor Carlisle presents a check at the Windward Hoolaulea. Windward Community College.
• 1:30 pm—Mayor Carlisle visits the 37th Annual Honolulu Inter-Tribal Powwow. Thomas Square Park.
• 5:30 pm—Mayor Carlisle is a guest at the Hawaii Medical Association’s Medical Gala 2011. Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort.

Sunday, October 2nd

• 7:45 am—Mayor Carlisle delivers remarks at the Hawaiian Humane Society’s 21st Annual PetWalk. Magic Island.
• 11:30 am—Mayor Carlisle delivers remarks at the 18th Annual Children and Youth Day. State Capitol Rotunda.

Monday, October 3rd

• 10:00 am—Mayor Carlisle joins volunteers to repaint the Kahikolu Ohana Hale O Waianae shelter as part of the “Color Care Across America” campaign of Benjamin Moore Paints, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, and the Painting and Decorating Contractors of America. Kahikolu Ohana Hale O Waianae, 85-296 Ala Hema Street.

Tuesday, October 4th

• 5:30 pm—Mayor Carlisle is a guest at the 2011 Parade of Homes Award Gala. Royal Hawaiian Hotel, Monarch Room.

Friday, October 7th

• 6:30 pm—Mayor Carlisle is a guest at the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Honolulu reception to celebrate the National Day of the Republic of China (Taiwan). Hilton Hawaiian Village. Tapa Ballroom.