Two Lane Closure by Nanakuli Ave to begin as early as 6/8/09

_______________________________________
From: FarringtonProjects
Date: Thu, 28 May 2009 12:54:00 -1000
Subject: Two Lane Closure by Nanakuli Ave to begin as early as 6/8/09
Aloha,

We wanted to give you a heads up about the next major section of work for the Board of Water Supply’s (BWS) vital water system improvement project in Nanakuli.

The BWS will need to close two lanes of Farrington Highway by Nanakuli Avenue beginning as early as June 8. The contractor is waiting until after the school session ends to begin this work to help minimize traffic impact during the busy school season. The contractor will close both town bound lanes, during regular construction hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.) as they work to install the new 24-inch waterline. During this closure, right and left hand turns will not be allowed into Nanakuli Avenue. Motorists are advised to use Haleakala Avenue instead. Special duty police officers will be placed at selected traffic lights and/or around the construction zone to help direct traffic and have been instructed to keep traffic flowing to the best of their ability. This section of work is expected to take about two months to complete.

To get weekly project and traffic pattern information please visitwww.boardofwatersupply.com and click on the “Board of Water Supply Farrington Highway Projects” link or call 748-5310 for a voice recording. Questions and comments can also be sent to farringtonprojects@hbws.org or to the BWS Construction section at 748-5730.

To help inform the community of this next closure, we have updated the information on the BWS website, have announced this information at the neighborhood board meetings, are in the process of changing the information on the sign boards in the area, have provided this information for west side stories, and a media notice will be sent to the traffic reporters. But as always, we would appreciate your help in spreading the word with the community.

Mahalo!

Moani Wright-Van Alst

Free Line Dancing Classes on Tues & Thurs at Pilila`au Park

Line Dancer, Carol, Lily Cabinatan, Georgia Campbell, Maryellen Apostol, & Karen Young.

The Wai`anae line dancers performed at the 2009 Relay for Life at Wai`anae High School.

Shryl Jacobe & Olivia Sakata teach free line dancing classes every Tues. & Thurs. at Pililaau Park Recreation Center from 7-8:30pm.

Here's a quote from one of their enthusiastic students, Lily Cabinatan: "We will be performing a lot all over the community. All are welcome. It's great exercise and so much fun!"

The line dance photos are compliments of Lily Cabinatan.

For more information about Lily, visit:
www.lilycabinatan.mynuskin.com
www.lilycabinatan.myphotomax.com
www.lilycabinatan.mypharmanex.com

NEW NOAA Fisheries Service webpage up entitled "Swimming with Wild Spinner Dolphins"

Aloha,

There is a new NOAA Fisheries Service webpage up from the Pacific Islands Regional Office (PIRO) entitled "Swimming with Wild Spinner Dolphins".

Click HERE to go to the webpage.

The intent is to offer easily accessible and easy-to-understand information about the potential impacts of swimming with wild dolphins. Please pass this link around to help get the word out.

Mahalo,

NOAA Fisheries Service, PIRO
Protected Resources Division

Summertime Environmental Justice Training Institute for Wai’anae Youth

Bonita, Kyle & Yoshi Kajihiro at Makua Beach.

Aloha Kakou

The AFSC Hawai’i Area Program in partnership with the Wai’anae Environmental Justice Working Group will sponsor Ka Makani Kaiaulu o Wai’anae - a summer youth environmental justice training institute for Wai’anae youth.

The goal is to provide an opportunity for Waianae youth who care about their community and their ‘aina to learn community organizing and environmental justice documentation skills that can be applied to conditions in their own communities.

Wai’anae is one of the communities most heavily affected by industrial, agriculture and military pollution, as well as many of the cultural, social and economic diseases of colonization.

At the same time, Wai’anae has been a leader in confronting these harmful policies and impacts. This is an opportunity to support the development of new, young leaders in the struggle for peace and justice.

We are now accepting applications for youth ages 14 – 19 for participation in the program. It will take place over four weeks June 22 to July 18, mostly at the Leeward Community College Wai’anae branch office, but also involving lots of field work.

There will be classroom learning, community outreach, field investigation, mapping of environmental threats and interviewing residents about conditions.

At the end of the course, participants will be given a stipend of $400.

Please share this with teachers, parents, youth, community workers who may know young people in Wai’anae who are interested in taking action for their community and the ‘aina. [Note: For more information, call the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) or email kkajihiro@afsc.org].


Mahalo

Kyle Kajihiro
Program Director, AFSC Hawai’i
kkajihiro@afsc.org

Drunk Driving Event A Success; See Video and News Article; Donations Still Being Collected

Photo: Koa Paka Kamaki Miles (9/30/2004-5/15/2008). Click on the image for a full-sized view.

The May 15, 2009 Drunk driving & pedestrian safety awareness event in honor of Koa Paka Kamaki Miles was a big success.

`Olelo (Channel 52) airdates for the event are as follows:
6/8/09 Mon 4:30 pm
6/10/09 Wed 4:30 pm
6/15/09 Mon 11:30 pm
6/17/09 Wed 11:30 pm
6/22/09 Mon 4:30 pm

Mahalo nui loa to all event sponsors and volunteers, including, Sen. Colleen Hanabusa, the Ho`ohuli Ohana, MADD, AARP, HPD, Ohana Party Rentals, Women of Waianae, Punana Leo o Waianae, the Miles Ohana, Carol Bonham, Kermit Brown Jr., `Olelo, City & County of Honolulu, the Dodge/Young/Shimabukuro Ohana, Rep. Maile Shimabukuro, AlohaCare, & Pastor Boo Soares.

Tax-deductible donations are still being collected to build a playground in Koa Paka's memory, and may be sent to: Komike Makua Punana Leo o Wai`anae, 89-135 Farrington Hwy. #40, Waianae, HI 96792.

To view a video of the event, visit http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=57528206.

The Star-Bulletin published this article about the event on 5/16/09:

Family's rally warns against drunken driving
By Mary Adamski

A Waianae family marked the anniversary of a beloved child's death yesterday with a sign-waving memorial warning motorists not to drink and drive.Family, friends and community organizations joined Samuel "Kamu" and Erica Miles at the scene of the traffic accident in Nanakuli where their 3-year-old son, Koa Paka, died on May 15, 2008.

The young parents, carrying a koa urn with the child's ashes, led about 50 people on a 1-mile walk along a beach trail from Nani Kai Beach to the scene. Koa Paka's sisters, Ka'ohulani, 2, and Kaimi, 3 months, came along in the arms of family members.

"We want to make the statement that drunk driving is not allowed in our neighborhood because of what it does to us," said Kamu Miles, a federal contractor.

"The speedway ends at the cemetery," said a banner carried by friends wearing T-shirts dedicated to Koa Paka inscribed "poina ole ia" -- never forgotten.

Miles was driving toward Waianae with his son and three other people when his car was pushed off the road into a parked vehicle by a speeding pickup truck. The truck driver was also killed in the crash.

"He flew out of the car, still in his car seat," said Koa Paka's grandmother Malia Miles. "He looked at his daddy and smiled. And then he slept.

"It took a big part out of us," she said. Her husband, Austin, died two days before the child's death. "It helps with the healing to do something. I believe we are making a dent out there against drunk driving."

The grandmother said, "I was so angry, I literally chased speeders. I drove my car to block two lanes on my street to stop speeders. Slowly I got rid of the anger. Now I'm on a journey against drunk driving."

State Rep. Maile Shimabukuro (D, Waianae-Makua) said Mothers Against Drunk Driving, AARP, the Police Department and Leeward Coast community groups joined forces when they heard about the father's idea for the memorial.

The program began with children from Punana Leo o Waianae, a Hawaiian immersion preschool that Koa Paka was going to attend, joined in a chant for enlightenment and a hymn. The memorial ended back at Nani Kai Beach with a sunset candle-lighting service and storytelling about the short life of a rascally boy.

Kamu Miles said, "I share stories about my son -- that helps me. It soothes my soul."

See the online version of the article by clicking here:

http://www.starbulletin.com/news/20090516_familys_rally_warns_against_drunken_driving.html
For further information, email: kamu8recon@yahoo.com

or call 696-4677

Hands Turned to the Soil 2009

To see conference agenda and descrption, click HERE.

DOH Grants Available for Rehabilitating Local Watersheds

Rep. Shimabukuro –

...My parents are residents of your district, and...The purpose of my email is to mention to you that our program is tasked with...rehabilitating local watersheds, using federal grant funding under the EPA’s Clean Water Act (s. 319(h)).

We repackage the annual grant and disburse accordingly throughout the State, to local non-profit groups. However, there are some restrictions to the grant, including 1:1 matching requirements, as well as the need for demonstrable results in water quality improvements (i.e., simply cleaning up the banks of a stream would not suffice, unless removing trash shows that sedimentation, nitrogen loads, etc. is reduced in the water).

We recently posted an RFP on our website (link below), and I ask that you pass that link to... non-profit groups that you feel could potentially benefit if their proposal is approved.

Please note, while we are emphasizing funding projects in priority watersheds throughout the State (unfortunately, there are no priority watersheds in the Wai`anae and Makaha Valleys), we are willing to fund any project in any location, assuming that it meets our other requirements as outlined in the RFP.

Should the timeline be too restrictive (the RFP closes on May 18), we can store the contact information and directly contact the organizations when the next RFP is posted (possibly in the Fall of this year, definitely FY10 next Spring).

Here is the link:
http://hawaii.gov/health/about/admin/health/environmental/water/cleanwater/prc/index.html

Thank you for your time,
Michael Burke
Grants Management Specialist
Polluted Runoff Control Program
Clean Water Branch, State of Hawai`i Department of Health

808/586-7774
808/586-4352 (Fax)

Employment Opportunity with the Pacific American Foundation

Leslie Kahihikolo wrote:

Aloha,

In the May edition of Westside Stories I advertised for anyone interested in the Ka Wai Ola community liaison position to submit their resume by May 15. The position pays $800/month at 10-15 hours/week.

If you know of anyone interested please forward this message to them. I will extend the deadline, no problem. Job description included below.

Mahalo!
Leslie

COMMUNITY LIAISON
The Pacific American Foundation is seeking a Wai`anae Coast community member to assist with an Environmental Protection Agency grant, beginning June 1, 2009. The purpose of Ka Wai Ola O Wai`anae Moku (Water for Life in Wai`anae District) project is to asses how human activities near streams are negatively impacting near-shore waters along Wai`anae Coast. Paid, part-time position, 10-15 hrs/week.
Candidates must meet the following requirements:
• Live in and be well connected with the Wai`anae Coast community.
• Assist with identifying and collaborating with community partners.
• Coordinate logistics and attend community meetings
• Have access to the Internet, email and be proficient with Microsoft Office.
• Be a team player and detail oriented.
• Available for mandatory training on the Mainland in November 2009

Submit resume to Leslie Kahihikolo at Leslie@thepaf.org by May 20th.

Ahi Fever Fishing Tournament Program Ad Space Available

Ahi Fever is Father's Day weekend, June 20-21, 2009. Please support the tournament by purchasing an ad for the program. The deadline to submit photos/text if you need layout assistance is this Friday, May 15.

COSTS FOR ADS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
1/16 PAGE IS $100
1/8 PAGE IS $150
¼ PAGE IS $225
½ PAGE IS $375
FULL PAGE IS $625

Organizers are also looking for this year's Ahi Fever Queen. For more information, CONTACT NORMAN SWIFT AT NSWIFT9005@MSN.COM

Last year's Ahi Fever was held on June 14 and 15, 2008. To view the results, click on the following:

Saturday winners
Sunday winners
Total statistics


Congratulations to all 2008 participants and winners. Hope to see you at this year's tournament June 20 & 21, 2009!








Photo from the Honolulu Star-Bullwetin, 15 June 2008

Waianae Coast Youth Baseball League Fundraising Efforts

Waianae Coast Youth Baseball League will be hosting the 2009 Sectional Mustang/Bronco Tournament from June 12 - 15, 2009. The opening ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, June 13, 10:30am, at Pilila`au Park.

The League is fundraising and selling ads for the souvenir program (see attached letter).

For more information, email KAULANA5298@ yahoo.com or ucasuga@hotmail. com

Note: Please disregard the May 4 deadline in the attached letter; the deadline to purchase souvenir program ads has been extended to May 20, 2009.

TO SEE THE ATTACHED LETTER, CLICK HERE.

Army Seeks Interest in Restoration Advisory Board for Makua

Aloha all,

Please note in the [May 8] OEQC bulletin, that the Army is asking whether or not there is interest to form a RAB (Restoration Advisory Board) for two areas in Makua (outside of MMR).

This would be an Army RAB as opposed to the Navy RAB that I co-chair with the Navy for NavMag and NRTF.

-- Cynthia Rezentes

For more information, visit:

http://oeqc.doh.hawaii.gov/Shared%20Documents/Environmental_Notice/current_issue.pdf

Or Contact:

Office of Environmental Quality Control
235 South Beretania Street, Suite 702
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
586-4185 (ph) 586-4186 (fax)
oeqc@doh.hawaii.gov

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program

LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) provides energy credits for low-income individuals. It helps pay for gas or electric bills.

Click here to view the flyer for more information.

Flu Meeting at WCCHC on May 16, 9am-noon

The Department of Health is conducting a research project on pandemic influenza. The project is called Vaccine: Surviving Hawaii’s Next Pandemic. The goal of the project is to involve the public in thoughtful discussion on the question of how to prioritize who should first get limited supplies of vaccine in the event of a pandemic.

A meeting is planned for Saturday, May 16 at the Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center from 9:00 a.m.-12:00 noon, to invite leeward coast input.

The Department of Health is really trying to reach out to the public to hear their thoughts on this topic which will affect everyone if a pandemic ever occurs.

To learn more about this project click on the following links:

http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20090329/NEWS15/903290374

http://www.khnl.com/ (see Vaccine: Surviving Hawaii’s Next Pandemic)

Bike to Work Week!!! May 11-15

Bicycling or walking to work is a great way to get exercise during the day, and help reduce your carbon footprint at the same time.

May 11 – 15 is Bike to Work Week in Hawaii.

On May 12, Hawaii will hold its first-ever Bike and Walk to School Day.

Click here to view the flyer about Bike to School Day, and to get more information on starting a "Bike School Bus" in your community.

Click here to view the flyer about the week's events.

Three commuter bicycles will be given away to participants who register at http://www.hawaiipedalpower.com/.

Caring for Wai`anae's Streams: Mtg on May 26

The public is invited to the next Ka Wai Ola O Waianae Moku advisory committee meeting on May 26 at 6:30 pm in the Waianae Satellite City Hall multi-purpose room. For more information, please see the minutes below.

Ka Wai Ola O Wai’anae Moku Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes

April 28, 2009

Attendees

William Aila, Jr.

Melva Aila

Holly Cabacungan

Leslie Kahihikolo (Project Director)

Patty McDougall (Community Liaison)

Dana Newman

Letters of Agreement to participate on the advisory committee were received by:

William Aila, Jr.

Melva Aila

Bill Akiona

Holly Cabacungan

Laurie Lawrence (LCC Wai`anae Campus-letter of commitment to partner with project)

Dana Newman

Announcement

Patty McDougall resigned as the project coordinator/community liaison as of April 30, for personal reasons.

Westside Stories Announcements/Articles

The following project-related ads/articles will be appearing in the May edition.

• Multimedia production company to produce a video documentary on Ka Wai Ola.
• Community Liaison- begin work June 1
• Article - seeking community participation

EPA Press Release

Our EPA project officer, Debbie Liang, is working with Dean Higuchi (EPA Honolulu) to coordinate a press release regarding the receipt of the Ka Wai Ola cooperative agreement. Laura Yoshii (EPA Regional Administrator) would like to present an “oversized” check to the Waianae Coast community during a layover in Hawai`i.

• Laura Yoshii will be passing through Hawai`i:
• June 18 or 19
• June 29 or 30
• We will know her exact schedule in May.
• The advisory committee agreed to the following location and agenda:
• Location - Ulehawa Stream at Farrington Hwy – because of rubbish in stream and associated canals, represents the need for the Ka Wai Ola project.
• 10 am start time – last no more than 1 hour.
• Pule/Oli – ideas for who will do this?
• Presentation by Laura Yoshii (5 minutes) – Dana Newman to speak with friend about kapa gift for Laura.
• Presentation by Herb Lee from Pacific American Foundation (5 minutes)
• Presentation by kupuna (5 minutes) – need ideas?
• Presentation by teacher and students (5 minutes) – Leslie suggested Kaiawe Makanani (Nānākuli 9^th grade science teacher) and a couple of his students. Mr. Makanani is interested in partnering with Ka Wai Ola to give his students hands-on experience with a real-world project. Open to other ideas.
• Focus of community presentations – why the Ka Wai Ola project is important. “I fish here, I swim here, these keiki are the reason we need the project.”
• Photos with the BIG check
• Incorporate culture and history of area, i.e. Akua Maui. It was suggested to contact Jonathon Moniz at Nanikapono Museum for information and students.
• The media (TV, newspaper, etc.) will be invited to attend.
• Leslie will share information with EPA on conference call on May 5.

Stream Walks

• LCC Waianae Campus – Darwin Bohnet, summer environmental studies class will coordinate and conduct stream walks. Leslie meeting with Darwin on April 29 to discuss logistics.
• Vernon Keliikipi will assist with on-ground coordination
• Goal is to conduct a visual assessment to view human impacts to streams
• Open to the community, Saturday mornings in June – dates to be published in Westside Stories (due May 10).

Collection of Existing Water Quality Data

• Ongoing effort by Chaminade University
• Report due end of June

Trainings/Assistance

The advisory committee expressed their interest in the following training opportunities:

• Department of Health – Bruce Tsutsui
• State Response Program – Risk/hazard communication

• EPA Brownfields Contractor
• Conduct Phase I assessments along four streams, which will provide a snapshot of historical uses in the area and pinpoint potential environmental issues. This will be a paper search; no site visits to private properties.
• Leslie to discuss with EPA and their contractor in the near future.

• EPA CARE grant assistance

o EPA project officer, Debbie Liang, will submit a proposal for the Ka Wai Ola project to receive contract assistance. The contract can only be used for items not in the project work plan. This will help with building capacity and increasing networking opportunities for the community.

o The advisory committee asked for assistance in interpreting water quality data collected by Chaminade University. The contractor could be used to review and explain the water quality and chemical data at workshops. This will assist the committee with assessing and prioritizing data for the action plan.

o The contractor may also be used to assist with identifying best management practices to address water quality issues.

• Other trainings
• The advisory committee also asked for a training from the EPA enforcement/compliance office.
• Also, conducting risk assessments.

Respectfully Submitted By:

Leslie Kahihikolo

Project Director

Pacific American Foundation, Ka Wai Ola O Wai’anae Moku Project

Help Save TheBoat!

Aloha concerned residents to Help Save TheBoat,

Contact the City Government

Honolulu City Council members and Mayor Hannemann will determine whether to extend TheBoat contract. Tell them you want to continue TheBoat.

• To email the Mayor and all Council members click this link: Honolulu City Government Email

or copy the addresses below and paste them into your address bar:

mayor@honolulu.gov; tapo@honolulu.gov; dmdelacruz@honolulu.gov; cdjou@honolulu.gov; dbainum@honolulu.gov; rtam@honolulu.gov; rcachola@honolulu.gov; gokino@honolulu.gov; ngarcia@honolulu.gov

• To email Mayor Hannemann, copy this address and paste it into your address bar. mayor@honolulu.gov
  

• Click here to contact an individual City Council member: http://www.co.honolulu.hi.us/council/ccl.htm

Public Service Announcements (PSA) on Oahu's Olelo cable TV to help save TheBoat

Click on this link to see a two-minute combination PSA: Save TheBoat on Oahu PSA Collage

Upload your Video

Upload your short Save TheBoat rally video on to YouTube, MySpace, etc. Email the link to WeSaveTheBoat@gmail.com to be put on this web page and, if you request, it will also put it on Olelo Cable TV to be aired as a frequent public service announcement (PSA). Gather several people and video them saying DON'T STOP THE BOAT, KEEP THE BOAT AFLOAT, KEEP THE BOAT CONTRACT, etc. or invent your own chant. Use the above PSA's as a guide.

Honolulu City Council poised to sink TheBoat

Click here to see the article from the Star Bulletin Council poised to sink TheBoat dated April 14, 2009:

http://www.starbulletin.com/news/hawaiinews/20090414_Council_poised_to_sink_TheBoat.html

Here is some information about TheBoat

- TheBoat is a demonstration project (intended to prove or disprove the viability of marine transit for Oahu)

- TheBoat represents safe, convenient and reliable service (Consistent commute times 1 hr pier to pier)

- TheBoat is an integrated component of the entire transportation system

- TheBoat provides an additional transportation choice (In case the freeway is shut down, ie overpass accident in Aiea)

- TheBoat ties seamlessly with the TheBus (schedule, routes, fares)

- TheBoat helps get people off the roads (and reduces congestion)

- TheBoat provides a comfortable and relaxing atmosphere

Aunty Aggie set to Receive an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters Degree

The University of Hawaii Board of Regents has approved to confer an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters Degree upon Mrs. Agnes Kalanihookaha Cope (Aunty Aggie).

Aunty Aggie has been Executive Director of the Waianae Coast Culture & Arts Society for forty six years and a Kupuna of the Nanakuli Hawaiian Homestead Community Association.

The University of Hawaii's Spring 2009 Advanced Degree Commencement Ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, May 16, 2009 at the Stan Sheriff Center on the UH Manoa Campus. Aunty Aggie will be presented with the Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters at that ceremony.