Hawaii-first laws get HUD approval

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development said two Hawaii laws designed to steer public works contracts to local construction companies do not violate federal procurement rules.

One of the laws (Act 68, 2010) requires that 80 percent of workers hired for state construction projects be Hawaii residents. The other (Act 17, 2009) gives preference to companies with apprenticeship programs that are registered with the state.

Mark Chandler, director of HUD’s office of community planning and development in Hawaii, said in September that he was concerned about application of the laws and referred the matter to the agency’s general counsel for further review.

Chandler put state and county officials on notice that they would not be eligible for HUD funding under the Community Planning and Development program until the issue was resolved.

After evaluating the statutes, the general counsel concluded that the laws were not in conflict with HUD rules, according to an information bulletin published last week by Chandler. Information bulletins are one of the ways HUD communicates with other government agencies and the general public.

"Both acts are or can be administratively implemented in ways which will allow the grantees/subgrantees to comply with both state and federal laws and HUD requirements for free and open competition for contracts using CPD (Community Planning and Development) program funds," Chandler wrote.

Hawaii Kai sewer fees to increase

Hawaii-American Water Co. has notified state regulators that it plans to seek a rate increase early next year for sewer services it provides to about 30,000 homes in Hawaii Kai and part of Kuliouou.

The company said it has not yet determined the size of the increase, which will be announced when it formally files a request with the Public Utilities Commission.

Hawaii-American Water, a subsidiary of New Jersey-based American Water, said the rate increase is needed to cover rising expenses. The company began work in September on a project to replace a quarter-mile of pressurized pipeline along Kalanianaole Highway and part of Lunalilo Home Road.

Hawaii-American Water’s most recent rate increase was an average 8.4 percent interim raise granted by the PUC in October 2008. That decision, which boosted the monthly sewer fee to $58.70 from $54.55 for single-family homes, has yet to receive final approval from the PUC.

Ward Centers picks top executives

The Howard Hughes Corp. — a newly formed company that owns Ward Centers in Kakaako — has named its top executives.

The Dallas-based Hughes Corp. chose David Weinreb, owner and chief executive officer of Dallas-based TPMC Realty Corp., as CEO. Grant Herlitz, TPMC’s president, is now Hughes Corp. president.

Hughes Corp. was spun off earlier this month from Chicago-based mall owner General Growth Properties. In addition to Ward Centers, the Hughes Corp. owns the rights to build a residential tower at Ala Moana Center and a portfolio of development property around the country formerly held by General Growth.

TPMC specializes in the acquisition and repositioning of troubled real estate. Weinreb and Herlitz had worked for Hughes Corp. on a contract basis since August. Their appointments were effective yesterday.

ON THE MOVE

» Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor has named Carol Arnott its new development director. She was previously an administrative director of the Honolulu Zoological Society as well as fundraiser and writer for the American Cancer Society and special-events coordinator for Market City Shopping Center.

» Hawaiian Tug & Barge/Young Bros. has promoted Steve Roundtree to director of fleet engineering. He has more than 35 years of experience in marine repairs and maintenance, including as barge port engineer and manager of marine engineering for HTB/YB as well as ship superintendent and operations manager at Duwamish Shipyard, ship superintendent at Pacific Marine Repair and boilermaker at Todd Shipyard Corp., all in Washington state.

» Coldwell Banker Pacific Properties has appointed Jim Didion as REO coordinator. He was previously a Realtor associate with Century 21 All Islands as well as manager of a residential construction company in Redlands, Calif., before relocating to Hawaii last year.