Hawaii Kai Breaking News

Koko Head Elementary redistricting plan saves school - read my blog post.

Groundbreaking Begun on Honolulu Rail System - updates on my blog post.

Hawaii Kai Festival of Lights Boat Parade 2010
26 boats participated in this year's marina boat parade.  The winner was Avatar Christmas, owned by Tom Hintnaus.  Read more on my Active Rain blog, and see photos on the Hawaii Kai Marina Assn. web site.

Honolulu Marathon Winners
The annual Honolulu Marathon, which turns around in Hawaii Kai, was run Dec. 12.  About 22,000 runners registered in the race, which brings more than $100 million in revenue.  The male winner was Nicholas Chelimo in 2:15:18, and the femal Belainesh Gebre, in 2:32:13. 

Teddy's Bigger Burgers to Expand in Hawaii Kai Location in the Koko Marina Center.  The restaurant will add 3 more booths.  Operating hours will not be affected during the remodeling.

Koko Marina Center's Make Life Fun contest awarded Kaiser High School's Communication Arts & Technology Learning Center 2nd prize, $1,500.

Dept of Planning & Permitting Approves Kalama Valley Development
Read my blog post on the recent decision by the Department to go forward with the duplex/fourplex cluster housing development.

Just Tacos Mexical Grill Plans Hawaii Kai Location

Owner Jesus Santoyo plans the new Hawaii Kai restaurant opening before Christmas, in the Koko Marina Center.

New Repair Plan Announced for Hanauma Bay

The city has agreed to be more proactive in maintaining the facilities at Hanauma Bay, one of the treasures of the island, and use a weekly maintenance checklist to stay current with repairs.

Farmers in Kamilo Nui Valley given 25% Lease Rent Increase

Kamehameha Schools has notified the 13 farmers in upper Kamilo Nui Valley that their lease rents will go up 25%.  The state's largest private landowner believes the increase is fair, because the farmers have been paying rent for 40 years on an amount negotiated in the 1970s. 

New Development Proposed in Kalama Valley
Developers are working for approval of 26 duplex units near the Hawaii Kai Golf Course, in a strip of land between a drainage channel for the course and the back of homes on Waikapu Loop.  Contact the City Dept. of Planning & Permitting for more information.

New Restaurant in Koko Marina 

Blazin' Steaks will open its newest location in the space of the former Paradise Cafe at Koko Marina Center in Hawaii Kai in August.

New Farmer's Market at Kaiser High

A new farmer's market in Hawaii Kai with more than 50 booths will open Saturday, organized by the creators of the Haleiwa Farmer's Market.  For the day, there will be keiki arts and crafts, horse rides, face painting, a bounce house, and petting zoo.

Electric Car Infrastructure is Coming

The First Hawaiian International Auto Show will feature HECO as an exhibitor, and some electric car models, such as an electric roadster and electric Mini Cooper.  Companies that will install charging stations will also be on hand.

Hawaii Kai Streetlights Activated

After much discussion and community input, new streetlights on Lunalilo Home Road have been activated and approved by neighborhood board members.  The city installed lower wattage bulbs with flat glass, which are dimmer and more energy efficient.

Holy Trinity Students help Maunalua Bay stay Healthy

About 70 students helped Malama Maunalua and the Nature Conservancy remove invasive algae from Maunalua Bay.  The kids learned hands-on about protecting our resources, but more efforts are needed.  The algae is now found in high densities over 54 acres of the once-healthy coral reef.

University of Hawaii Cancer Center to partner with Queen's, Hawai'i Pacific Health, and Kuakini Health System

Construction of a new 150,000 SF center begins this summer at the UH Medical School.  Aligning with the state's 3 main health care providers will stimulate research and improve cancer care for Hawaii residents.

Hawaii 1st State to Require Solar Hot Water Heaters - read my blog post

Diamond Head work to start next year

Planning and funding for the multimillion improvement project for Diamond Head State Monument are on target to finish this fall, so construction can begin early next year.  The $4.4 million project will include improvements to the historic 0.8-mile summit trail, the addition of a small, one-way loop at the summit for hikers going back down and some rockfall mitigation work.

Hawaii to Receive $10.3M in Stimulus Funds for Energy Projects

The allocation is part of $141M distributed for energy-efficiency and renewable energy projects, and is meant to cover 40%of each state's (5 others) total energy program costs.  Hawaii plans to use the funds for building retrofits and energy efficiency measures in the hospitality industry.

Hawaii Complete Streets Law

Complete streets requires the state and county DOTs to reasonably accommodate all users of public streets:  pedestrians, bicyclists, public transit users, and peope with disabilities.  AARP is a member of a new task force formed to study design standards and implementation issues, the availability of transportation services, safety of roadways, and future design of communities.  To volunteer, contact Jackie Boland, 808-545-6003.

Diagnostic Testing Labs Opens New Hawaii Kai Facility

“Diagnostic Laboratory Services needed to expand its presence to meet the demands of Hawaii Kai’s growing population,” Sheryl Mabuni, Hawaii Kai satellite supervisor, said in a prepared statement. “This facility will give people more options and make it more comfortable for our clients.” The new location, at 333 Keahole St., #2A-1, in the Hawaii Kai Towne Center, is open from 5 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Gov. Lingle announces plan to save Ka Iwi

East Oahu Sun reports that Governor Linda Lingle has announced that the Office of Planning will be filing a petition with the State Land Use Commission to reclassify 235 acres of state-owned land on the Ka Iwi Scenic Shoreline on Oahu's southeast coast from urban use to conservation use. The area encompasses the land between Queen’s Beach and the Makapu‘u Lighthouse.  Read the full article at the East Oahu Sun online.