Here's a brief overview of news and announcements that affect everyone in Hawaii Kai.

Recent News
► Aug. 2008: Highway Improvements at Makapu'u Point
► Jun. 2008: Celebrate Independence Day at Maunalua Bay
► Jun. 2008: Water Bill Will Increase in July

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News Archive

Aug. 2008: Highway Improvements at Makapu'u Point
On July 28, Governor Lingle released $2,647,000 to improve Kalanianaole Highway near Makapu'u Point. On the makai side, a new barrier wall will be constructed, guard rails will be installed, and parts of the road will be repaved; on the mauka side, loose rocks will be removed and a barrier fence installed. Improvements should be completed in October 2009.
► Read the Kalanianaole Highway Improvements News Release

Jun. 2008: Celebrate Independence Day at Maunalua Bay
On July 4, 2008, join local Hawaii Kai merchants and entertainers, including Henry Kapono and emcees Guy Hagi and Kim Gennaula of KGMB. Festivities start at 2 pm, leading up to a spectacular fireworks display at 8 pm. There will be a free bus shuttle from 2:30 pm to 9 pm, with stops at Kaiser High School, the Hawaii Kai Towne Center, and the "Kiss and Ride" lot on Keahole St.
► Visit the Independence Day at Maunalua Bay website

Jun. 2008: Water Bill Will Increase in July
From July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2009, the Honolulu Board of Water Supply will add a "Power Cost Adjustment" fee to our water bills to pay for higher energy costs. The adjustment will be 9.4 cents for every 1,000 gallons of water usage and will be reviewed annually. Residents will pay an average of $1.22 per month more for water.
► Read the BWS Power Cost Adjustment FAQ

May 2008: Sewage Spill Near Maunalua Bay
On Friday, May 23 about 200 gallons of wastewater entered a storm drain near the Outback Steakhouse at the Hawaii Kai Towne Center. It is unclear whether the sewage actually reached Maunalua Bay, but beachgoers have been advised to stay out of the water. Reported in the Honolulu Star-Bulletin Newswatch 5/25/08.

Apr. 2008: Hawaii Kai Sewer Fee Increase Meeting on April 14
A second public hearing about the proposed rate increase by Hawaii American Water Co. (Hawaii Kai's wastewater service) is scheduled for Monday, April 14 @ 7 pm at the Hahaione Elementary School Cafeteria.
► Hawaii-American Water 2nd Public Hearing Notice

Mar. 2008: Halona Blowhole to Close for Repairs on April 14
Halona Blowhole will close for repairs starting on April 14, and work is expected to be completed by September. The estimated $824k project will remove the lower platform, rebuild the upper viewing platform, add disabled access, and reconfigure the parking lot. Reported in the Honolulu Advertiser 3/19/08.

Feb. 2008: Left Turn Signal into Hawaii Kai Shopping Center
Work on the left turn signal lights into Hawaii Kai Shopping Center (Safeway, Longs Drugs) should be completed in April, and is expected to be activated soon after. There has been a delay due to required materials. Reported in the Honolulu Advertiser Bureaucracy Buster 2/14/08.
► Update: On April 10, the signal light was activated. The project cost $50k and included cabling, a conduit, poles, and pedestrian buttons. Reported in the Honolulu Advertiser 4/10/08.

Jan. 2008: Hawaii Kai Sewer Fee Increased Proposed
Hawaii-American Water, which provides wastewater service to Hawaii Kai, is proposing a rate increase of 16.68% for single-family residences, from $54.55 to $63.65 per month. A public hearing is scheduled for Jan. 7 @ 6 pm at the Hahaione Elementary School Cafeteria.
► Hawaii-American Water Public Hearing Notice

Sept. 2007: Curbside Recycling to Begin in October
Starting on October 29, 2007, a pilot curbside recycling program will begin in Hawaii Kai. Residents will receive green and blue recycling bins along with instructions for sorting green waste and recyclables. In January 2008, refuse pickup will be limited to once per week; Hawaii Kai residents will not have the option of a second refuse pickup per week. For more information, visit Opala.org or call 768-3200.

Aug. 2007: Roadwork at Hanauma Bay to Begin Jan. 2008
Roadwork is expected to begin at the entrance to Hanauma Bay in January 2008. Kalaniana'ole Hwy will be widened, a left-turn lane will be installed, and an acceleration lane in the town-bound direction will be added, at an estimated cost of $255,000. Reported in the Honolulu Advertiser 8/31/07.

Aug. 2007: East Honolulu Crime Statistics on HPD Website
The HPD District 7 website now publishes unofficial crime statistics for each East Honolulu neighborhood. Click on "Stats" and then select a neighborhood to view a list of reported crimes. Thank you for helping to keep us all safe!

July 2007: Hawaii Kai Dr. at Maunanani St. to be Restored
At the July 31 Hawaii Kai Neighborhood Board Meeting, the developer of Bali Lofts (a nine-home development at the base of Kamehame Ridge), stated that the section of Hawaii Kai Dr. near Maunanani St. will be restored by the end of August. Major excavation and grading for the development is almost complete. Crews have been digging up the road to install pipes, leaving the road bumpy and the dividing lines almost non-existent.

More July 2007 News Briefs. The Ka Iwi area has been cleaned up, after someone illegally dumped truckloads of slate. The Maunalua Bay parking lot will be re-stripped by the end of August. Kalanianaole Highway will be improved, costing an estimated $3 million; construction is expected to start in January 2009.

June 2007: Halona Blowhole May Get a Facelift
The Halona Blowhole may get a facelift. The city is proposing to rebuild the floor slab and existing walls, adding a 2'6" high fence on top of the wall for better visibility, at an estimated cost of $1.13 million. Comments should be addressed to Gregory Hee of the DCC office at 768-8434 or consultant Gerald Park at 596-7484 by June 22. Reported in the East Oahu Islander 6/6/07.

May 2007: Concerns about Koko Head District Park
There have been reports of graffiti, drivers drift racing, illegal drinking, and drug use at Koko Head District Park at night. On May 29, the Hawaii Kai Neighborhood Board voted in favor of closing the park from 11 pm to 4 am. The Department of Parks and Recreation will make the final decision. Reported in the Honolulu Advertiser 5/31/07.

August 2006: Hawaii American Water Interim Rate Increase
On August 24, Hawaii American Water mailed a letter to its customers regarding an interim rate increase for wastewater service. The interim rate will be $109.10 billed bimonthly ($54.55 per month) for a single family home and $91.50 billed bimonthly ($45.75 per month) for multi-family units. The new rates will be effective with the September/October invoice, including a one-time pro-ration back to July 25, the date the new interim rates became effective. The company will inform customers of any changes to the final approved rates. For more information, call 866-430-0826 or visit the company's website at www.hawaterco.com.

August 2006: Lunalilo Home Road Sewage Spill
On Sunday, August 13, a vehicle struck part of the temporary sewer bypass line along the 700-block of Lunalilo Home Road. Approx. 2,500 gallons of raw sewage spilled onto the road, flowed through a storm drain, and into Kuapa Pond. The line was not in use at the time, though it contained waste water. Signs have been posted warning people to stay out of the water. As of Wednesday, August 16, water quality levels near Kuapa Pond were back to normal.

July 2006: Makapu'u Lookout Area Improvements
On July 17, the new Makapu'u Lookout area was open to the public. The $5 million project includes two parking lots (55 stalls), a new access road, railings, signs, and landscaping. The parking lots will be open from dawn to dusk; no buses allowed. There are no restrooms or water fountains.

July 2006: Maunalua Bay Artificial Reef Additions
In mid-July, concrete anchor blocks (donated by the US Coast Guard) will be added to the artificial reef at Maunalua Bay, which extends about 74 acres and offers a habitat for marine animals. The drop-off areas will be marked with surface floats.

June 2006: Sewer Work begins along Lunalilo Home Road
Phase 1 of a sewer repair project has begun along Lunalilo Home Road, from Anapalau Street to Kaiser High School, and is expected to take 8 weeks. At the same time, work will begin on shortening the median strip near the Union 76 gas station and Hawaii National Bank building for a longer left-turn lane. Please drive carefully and follow the signs and cones.

Phase 2 of the sewer repair project project, from Kaiser High School to just past Wailua Street, is expected to take 3 weeks. Phase 3 of the project, which should start in October, will run from Hawaii Kai Drive to past Kalanipu'u Street.

June 2006: Sewer Work in Niu Valley Scheduled
On Monday, June 26, a project to replace a sewer force main along Kalanianaole Hwy in Niu Valley is expected to begin. The new 3,300 foot permanent pipe will be installed underground between Kawaikui Beach Park and Niuki Circle. One lane of traffic will periodically be closed. The project is estimated to cost $9 million and be completed in December. For more information, call Greg Smith at CH2M Hill, 216-8874.

June 2006: Hawaiian Electric Power Outage
On Thursday, June 1, from approx. 2:15 pm to 5:55 pm, Hawaii Kai residents experienced a power outage. Of the 16 Oahu generators, three units failed and four units were already shut down for maintenance. Businesses and homeowners affected by the blackout have 30 days to file a claim with HECO. For more information, call 543-4624.

May 2006: Board of Water Supply Rate Increase
The Honolulu Board of Water Supply has approved a rate increase of 58% spread over the next five years to cover operating expenses. There will be a 13% rate increase in October 2006, a 12% increase in 2007, a 10% increase in 2008, an 8% increase in 2009, and a 5% increase in 2010. [Rates have not increased since 1995]
► Board of Water Supply News Release

May 2006: Hawaii Kai Right-Turn Lane Traffic Update
To ease the morning commute, the Department of Transportation has proposed a dedicated right-turn lane from Keahole Street to Hawaii Kai Drive onto Kalanianaole Highway. Construction is estimated to be completed in 2008 at a cost of $2.8 million (80% of the cost paid with federal funds). The project will be submitted at the next Legislative session for approval. Reported in the Honolulu Advertiser 5/1/06.

April 2006: Maunalua Bay Contaminated Water Warning
On March 31, Hawaii-American Water reported a 5,000 gallon raw sewage spill into the Maunalua Bay near China Wall. Reported in the Honolulu Advertiser 4/1/06.
► Read tips about flooding precautions, safety, and hygiene, including a fact sheet about mold from your household, on the Hawaii State Department of Health website.

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