Honolulu Zoo’s former front entrance in Waikiki to undergo $2M in renovations
A $2 million restoration of the former entrance to the Honolulu Zoo will get underway in the coming weeks, Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell said today. Read more
Latest Stories by Gordon Y.K. Pang
Haiku Stairs access plan advances but is still being debated
Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s plan to have a private vendor provide a “managed access” hiking tour operation at Kaneohe’s iconic Haiku Stairs won tentative approval Monday from the City Council Economic Assistance and Revitalization Committee. Read more
In scathing report, city auditor rips Honolulu Department of Prosecuting Attorney for its lack of controls
Few steps have been made to improve policies, procedures and controls at the Honolulu Department of Prosecuting Attorney despite the recent, high-profile controversy that led to the conviction of one of its top lawyers. Read more
Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s Haiku Stairs management plan goes before the City Council
A private vendor would be allowed to shuttle up to about 150 people daily to the Haiku Stairs for guided hiking tours under a plan proposed by Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell. Read more
Worker layoffs, furloughs still on the table, Gov. David Ige says
Gov. David Ige is continuing to give strong indications this week that layoffs and/or furloughs may be in the future for state workers. Read more
City wants transit easements for rental tower
City officials say that in exchange for allowing the planned 583-unit Ala Moana Plaza rental tower to be built, they want developer Brookfield Properties to give up easement parcels on the fringes of Ala Moana Center to accommodate bus service as well as the upcoming rail line. Read more
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Developer credits bills with making 5-story walk-up complex feasible
A five-story walk-up affordable rental building is sprouting on a small Liliha lot that until recently was occupied by a deserted and dilapidated single-family house. Read more
Honolulu Police Department acknowledges excessive overtime
Honolulu Police Chief Susan Ballard said Monday that HPD takes responsibility for actions by officers who violated the department’s overtime policy, and she confirmed that multiple investigations are taking place as a result of the abuse. Read more
Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell rolls out food card for disadvantaged families, individuals
The cards are being mailed to those who are already participating in the city’s Household Hardship Relief Fund, which offers up to $2,000 a month for rent, mortgage, child care and some utilities. Read more
Ala Moana rental building to go before City Council
Expect lively debate Wednesday when the owners of Ala Moana Center present to a Honolulu City Council committee their plan for a 40-story, 583-unit condominium tower on the makai, Diamond Head corner of Piikoi and Kona streets. Read more
Oahu food feasibility proposals met with resistance
A package of proposals introduced by City Councilwoman Kym Pine aimed at promoting food sustainability is raising eyebrows and running into resistance from city officials. Read more
Rick Blangiardi cabinet post applications due Wednesday
Applications are being taken now only for the jobs of 19 city agency directors, 15 deputy directors and three executive assistants. Read more
Airbnb and Expedia agree to help Honolulu crack down on illegal vacation rentals
The city has reached an agreement with Airbnb and Expedia Group on the enforcement of short-term vacation rentals, Mayor Kirk Caldwell and the two online platform giants announced today. Read more
Honolulu City Councilwoman suggests delay in start of rail service
Bus revenue has dropped significantly since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, a situation that’s contributed to what the Caldwell administration estimates will be a $400 million shortfall in next year’s overall city operating budget. Read more
Airbnb and Expedia agree to help Honolulu crack down on illegal vacation rentals
The city has reached an agreement with Airbnb and Expedia Group on the enforcement of short-term vacation rentals, Mayor Kirk Caldwell and the two online platform giants announced today. Read more
VIDEO: Mayor Caldwell announces $24M addition to Small Business Relief and Recovery Fund
Oahu bars and nightclubs, gyms and fitness facilities, and arcades will be eligible to tap from $24 million in additional money that’s being infused into the city’s Small Business Relief and Recovery Fund. Read more
Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell and rail chief promise to work together on $11B project
With the discarding of the two-year effort to procure a public-private partnership to finish Honolulu’s now $11 billion-plus rail line, Mayor Kirk Caldwell and Honolulu rail chief Andrew Robbins met for nearly two hours Friday at Honolulu Hale to discuss the troubled project’s future. Read more
HART’s Andrew Robbins formally nixes plans to bring aboard a P3 partner
Andrew Robbins informed his board this morning that he is no longer pursuing a P3 contract for the troubled 20-mile, 21-station, East Kapolei-to-Ala Moana Center rail line. Read more
Honolulu mayor-elect Rick Blangiardi announces job portal; several members of transition team
The transition team will organize the application, review, and interview processes, the release said. Other individuals are part of a broader team that is assisting in the interviewing of viable candidates, the release said. Read more
Malaekahana housing removed from Koolauloa plan after years of debate
A divisive 14-year fight at the Honolulu City Council over proposed development in Malaekahana appears to be nearing a conclusion, with advocates for preserving agricultural lands and containing growth winning over those who consider housing a higher priority for the community. Read more
City projecting a $400 million operating budget shortfall as Honolulu officials wrestle with funding rail project
Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s administration is wrestling with what officials estimate will be a $400 million-plus shortfall in the upcoming city operating budget, acting Budget and Fiscal Services Director Manny Valbuena told a Honolulu City Council committee Wednesday. Read more
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