Attendees help in shaping Koreatown in Honolulu

Originally published by The Honolulu Star-Advertiser; click here to read the article on StarAdvertiser.com.

Ground-floor supporters of a potentially historic community project, about 120 people gathered at Christ United Methodist Church on Saturday to share their visions for a future Koreatown in Honolulu.

The public meeting, a follow-up to a concurrent resolution from the 2012 Legislature calling for the formulation of a master plan to guide the development of a Koreatown in the Keeaumoku area, was hosted by the state Office of Planning and attended mainly by members of local Korean business and community groups.

Ka‘ala Elementary School Going Green Day

Aloha,

A series of community recycling events at different Oahu sites, up to two per month. On Saturday, November 9, Ka‘ala Elementary School will host the 41st Going Green Day on the school's campus.

Accepted items include: scrap metal, one TV per car, computers, printers, scanners, cellphones, printer cartridges, PDAs, etc.; HI-5 beverage containers, used eyeglasses and hearing aids, incandescent light bulbs in exchange for CFLs, prom dresses, women’s business suits and accessories, pet food, towels and blankets; white socks for Afghanistan, residential used cooking oil, and canned goods for Hawaii Food Bank.

Document shredding available at specific events (see calendar). First box free, $10 charge for each of the second and third boxes.

Large recyclable items will also be accepted. For more information on accepted items and curbside pick-up call: Rene Mansho @ 291-6151.

All proceeds will go to Ka‘ala Elementary School. Please show your support by participating and recycling.

Mahalo

Click here to view the flyer.

State plans to relieve traffic congestion in Wahiawa

It’s a common sight on the H-2 Freeway — bumper-to-bumper in the shoulder lane as drivers try to take the Wahiawa exit.

“Traffic is just getting worse and worse,” one driver said.

“Sometimes it’s pretty annoying because it’s such a small town, so it shouldn’t be that much traffic at that place,” Wahiawa resident Sam Lamberth said.

“We also see traffic during the down season, in the sense that where when the military is deployed, the traffic still exists because of the amount of people who go to the North Shore,” said Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz (D) Wahiawa, Mililani Mauka.

The state is planning to restripe part of Kamehameha Highway. A lane would be added near Lake Wilson giving drivers three lanes heading north until Olive Avenue.

“Ooh, I love that extra lane,” a driver said.

Restriping part of the highway means getting rid of some on-street parking stalls. But Sen. Dela Cruz says that’s okay because there’s a public parking lot just a block away.

The state is also looking to remove a crosswalk on the highway at Olive Street, hoping to relieve some of the congestion there.

Residents say there’s usually a line of cars waiting to get on the highway because pedestrians are crossing.

“It’s not going to impede pedestrian traffic at all, but it will allow vehicle traffic to move a lot smoother,” Sen. Dela Cruz said.

But some residents are concerned about pedestrian safety.

“Because of familiarity how to get across the street, this is where they’ve done it. Where do they go from here? And they might just cross anyway,” Wahiawa resident David Lanz said.

The Department of Transportation says this project is in the preliminary stages and road work could start next summer.

But the work could just take a few days to complete.

Read More on www.khon2.com

Aloha,

The Hawaii state DOT is working hard to improve our aging highway infrastructure. Major projects are currently underway and in various stages of planning and design. Please use their Roadwork Website as a resource to help you know before you go. Scheduled roadwork that will require lane closures on state highways are listed here and are updated every Friday. For live, real-time traffic information on Oahu's major arteries go to GoAkamai.org.

Approximately two weeks before construction starts DOT plans to have a project specific website and motorist hotline number. At that time you will find a link to it from their state DOT website at hidot.hawaii.gov. Lane closure information will also be sent out weekly in their roadwork news releases to the media and legislators.

Currently the contractor is still working on the lane closure schedule and more information will be available closer to the start of work.

I appreciate your patience during hours of construction. Should you have any questions or inquiring about updates please don't hesitate to contact my office at 586-6090.

Mahalo!

Click here for more information.