Ian Bauer | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

City seeks candidates for Honolulu Ocean Safety Commission

Ian Bauer — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s administration says the process has begun to find candidates to serve on the new commission that will oversee the city’s Ocean Safety Department.

Empty homes tax bill up for final reading Dec. 11

Ian Bauer — Thu, 05 Dec 2024 10:05:00 +0000

The Honolulu City Council is scheduled to hold its final reading Wednesday on a proposed empty-homes tax.

Honolulu certifies election results

Ian Bauer — Thu, 05 Dec 2024 10:05:00 +0000

The final results of Honolulu’s Nov. 5 general election involving the passage of four city charter amendments have been officially certified.

Honolulu Council wants study uniting paramedics with Fire Department

Ian Bauer — Mon, 02 Dec 2024 10:05:00 +0000

The apparent inability of the city’s ambulance service to respond to daily emergencies on a timely basis is of concern to many current and former first responders.

Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi appoints new housing director

Ian Bauer — Mon, 02 Dec 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi recently announced the appointment of a new executive director of the city’s Office of Housing.

City postpones identifying next landfill site

Ian Bauer — Fri, 29 Nov 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Although they said it would be named in November, Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s administration now says the future site for Oahu’s next municipal landfill will be made public in December.

At least $100K in transit fare revenue lost from cyberattack

Ian Bauer — Wed, 27 Nov 2024 10:05:00 +0000

A crippling cyberattack that targeted TheBus and TheHandi-Van earlier this year wound up costing the city $100,000 or more in lost fare revenues, Honolulu officials indicate.

UHERO offers ‘uncertainties’ over Council’s proposed empty-homes tax

Ian Bauer — Tue, 26 Nov 2024 10:05:00 +0000

An empty-homes tax meant to penalize real-property owners who leave their Oahu residences vacant for extended periods of time continues to receive wider public scrutiny.

Honolulu city officials trim building permit review times

Ian Bauer — Sat, 23 Nov 2024 10:05:00 +0000

What took months to complete now takes days.

Honolulu City Council’s empty-homes tax measure advances

Ian Bauer — Fri, 22 Nov 2024 10:06:00 +0000

An empty-homes tax meant to penalize real property owners who leave their Oahu residences vacant for extended periods of time has been deliberated at Honolulu Hale for years.

More police cameras sought for West Oahu

Ian Bauer — Thu, 21 Nov 2024 10:05:00 +0000

The Honolulu Police Department plans to install overt video surveillance cameras at fixed locations in West Oahu, an area that’s experienced increased, often violent crimes in recent months.

Honolulu Council urges state to stem street gang violence

Ian Bauer — Wed, 20 Nov 2024 10:05:00 +0000

A Honolulu City Council resolution requests the state Legislature to do more to curb violent, gun-related crime linked to criminal street gangs.

City hosts workshops over Ala Wai bridge

Ian Bauer — Mon, 18 Nov 2024 10:06:00 +0000

The Honolulu Department of Transportation Services will host two public workshop meetings this week regarding the planned design and construction of the $63.3 million Ala Wai Pedestrian Bridge.

Honolulu lawmakers mull ban on sale of plastic bottles on city properties

Ian Bauer — Sun, 17 Nov 2024 10:05:00 +0000

The Honolulu City Council is considering a ban on single-use plastic bottles on city properties, phased in over a three-year period with a few exemptions.

HART wants 26% budget increase for fiscal year ’26

Ian Bauer — Sat, 16 Nov 2024 10:05:00 +0000

The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation has advanced its fiscal year 2026 operating and capital budgets to Mayor Rick Blangiardi and the City Council for possible adoption in 2025.

City’s proposed fare changes for public transit are pending

Ian Bauer — Wed, 13 Nov 2024 10:06:00 +0000

Public transit fares on Oahu soon might go up for some riders due to a stated shortfall of $40 million.

Council weighs in on city’s proposed sewer fee hike

Ian Bauer — Tue, 12 Nov 2024 10:05:00 +0000

A city-initiated measure calling for a more than 124% increase to sewer fees for Oahu’s average single-family residential customer over a 10-year period was recently top of mind for the Honolulu City Council.

Honolulu City Council bill would exempt veterans from vehicle fees

Ian Bauer — Tue, 12 Nov 2024 10:05:00 +0000

A bill to exempt annual motor vehicle registration fees for U.S. military veterans who are 65 years and older and reside within the City and County of Honolulu has been introduced.

Honolulu City Council recommends seizure of dilapidated Queen Theater

Ian Bauer — Sun, 10 Nov 2024 10:05:00 +0000

The Queen Theater, once an iconic landmark in Kaimuki, is a place that many call a jewel waiting to be buffed back into brightness.

Honolulu City Council opts not to override mayor’s veto of fireworks bill

Ian Bauer — Fri, 08 Nov 2024 10:05:00 +0000

A Honolulu City Council measure to allow the legal sale, purchase and use of fireworks that have been banned in the city for over a decade has fizzled for the second time in less than a month.

Honolulu City Council mulls veto override for fireworks bill

Ian Bauer — Thu, 07 Nov 2024 10:05:00 +0000

The Honolulu City Council today is set to consider a possible veto override of a fireworks measure Mayor Rick Blangiardi officially blew up late last month.

Hawaii voters pass state and city ballot initiatives

Ian Bauer — Wed, 06 Nov 2024 10:06:00 +0000

Voters across the state Tuesday cast their ballots for two proposed amendments to the Hawaii Constitution during the general election.

Honolulu Council to review sewer fee hike measure

Ian Bauer — Tue, 05 Nov 2024 10:05:00 +0000

A city-initiated measure that calls for a more than 124% increase to sewer fees for Honolulu’s average single-family residential customer over a 10-year period comes under City Council review this week.

Waikiki transit-priority lane to start construction, city says

Ian Bauer — Sat, 02 Nov 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Starting next week, a mauka-side roadway lane dedicated to public and private buses, large trucks and bicycles will be installed on Waikiki’s Kuhio Avenue, city officials say.

Honolulu Fire Department unveils new twin-engine helicopter

Ian Bauer — Fri, 01 Nov 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Starting in 2025, the Honolulu Fire Department will fly a new twin-engine helicopter to incidents ranging from searches and rescues to fighting wildland fires across not only Oahu, but perhaps to the other islands as well.

Oahu’s next landfill site is slated to be named in November, city says

Ian Bauer — Thu, 31 Oct 2024 10:05:00 +0000

The site for Oahu’s next municipal solid waste landfill will be announced in November, city officials say.

City panel mulls future of historic Ordy Pond

Ian Bauer — Wed, 30 Oct 2024 10:05:00 +0000

An ancient sinkhole that might hold archaeological evidence to Hawaii’s earliest Polynesian past is a topic of concern for the city-run Oahu Historic Preservation Commission.

Honolulu mayor blows up fireworks measure

Ian Bauer — Tue, 29 Oct 2024 10:05:00 +0000

The Honolulu City Council’s approval of a fireworks measure earlier this month officially exploded last week.

Honolulu’s e-bike working group updates Council

Ian Bauer — Mon, 28 Oct 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Following reports of the dangerous and unlawful operation of electric bicycles across Oahu, the City and County of Honolulu formed a working group to study how best to regulate the controversial machines and their often underage riders.

Hanabusa reelected as HART board chair

Ian Bauer — Sat, 26 Oct 2024 10:05:00 +0000

After months of delay, the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation’s board of directors finally held its leadership election Friday.

City proposing 124% residential sewer fee hikes over the next 10 years on Oahu

Ian Bauer — Thu, 24 Oct 2024 10:05:00 +0000

A more than 124% sewer fee hike for Honolulu’s average single-family residential customer may be on the horizon, the city administration announced Wednesday.

Honolulu Council discusses new agricultural task force

Ian Bauer — Wed, 23 Oct 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Many from Oahu’s farming and ranching communities support a Honolulu City Council plan to potentially restore the city’s now-defunct Agricultural Development Task Force.

City Council urges state action on rising Hawaii property insurance costs

Ian Bauer — Tue, 22 Oct 2024 10:05:00 +0000

A Honolulu City Council resolution wants state lawmakers to address what it deems are “drastic” increases in property insurance premiums paid by homeowners across Oahu, particularly for those who own condominiums.

Honolulu Council members urge new agricultural task force

Ian Bauer — Mon, 21 Oct 2024 10:05:00 +0000

A plan to bring back the city’s now-defunct Agricultural Development Task Force is being sown by some on the Honolulu City Council.

E-bike working group to update Honolulu City Council

Ian Bauer — Sun, 20 Oct 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Honolulu officials say the number of accidents involving electric bicycles has proliferated on Oahu. Since January, the city Emergency Services Department has reported 180 incidents involving the powered machines — ones often operated by underage riders.

Health department and city settle over wastewater violations at Kailua Bay

Ian Bauer — Fri, 18 Oct 2024 10:05:00 +0000

The City and County of Honolulu has reached a settlement agreement with the state Department of Health’s Clean Water Branch over the illegal discharge of bacteria-filled sewage into Kailua Bay in 2023.

Discrimination lawsuit against Honolulu Liquor Commission settled, plaintiffs confirm

Ian Bauer — Thu, 17 Oct 2024 10:05:00 +0000

A 2021 federal lawsuit filed by the owners of a Chinatown nightclub and a guide to the islands catering to the LGBTQ+ community in which they alleged anti-gay discrimination by investigators working for the Honolulu Liquor Commission has tentatively settled.

Honolulu Council adopts possible worker hazard pay

Ian Bauer — Wed, 16 Oct 2024 10:05:00 +0000

The City and County of Honolulu will likely tap about $5 million in federal COVID-19 money to help pay the estimated tens of millions of dollars in temporary hazard pay to city workers employed during the pandemic.

Hawaii’s general election includes county ballot questions

Ian Bauer — Sun, 13 Oct 2024 10:05:00 +0000

In the Nov. 5 election, registered voters in the City and County of Honolulu will consider four proposed city charter amendments.

New e-bike rules may appear before year’s end

Ian Bauer — Sat, 12 Oct 2024 10:05:00 +0000

The Honolulu City Council wants to adopt a measure to regulate the possession and use of electric bicycles on Oahu by this Christmas.