This legislative session, Representative Nakamura introduced HB1165 that was signed by Governor David Ige today. HB1165 creates a new gender marker "x" on drivers licenses and state identification cards beginning July of next year. This will help transgender and gender non-conforming individuals from discrimination and unfair questioning and treatment. Mahalo for everyone's support!
EXPECT CONSTRUCTION RELATED DELAYS ON KUHIO HIGHWAY AT WAIKOKO BRIDGE AS CREWS DEMOBILIZE
LIHUE – The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) advises the travelling public of delays on Kuhio Highway (Route 560) related to construction activity at Waipa and Waikoko Bridges.
Contractors will continue to work on Waikoko and Waipa Bridges on a Monday through Saturday basis between 5 a.m. and 7 p.m. The majority of work will take place off the highway, but there may be delays as work trucks access the construction sites.
Night work on Waipa Bridge is scheduled for Tuesday, June 25 through Thursday, June 27 between the hours of 7:30 p.m. and 5 a.m. Waipa Bridge will close to all vehicular traffic at the start of the night work. Park and Ride sites, pedestrian access, and a shuttle between the Park and Ride and Wainiha is available for residents and authorized TVR guests.
As a reminder, the second full weekend closure of Kuhio Highway at Waipa Bridge is scheduled for July 12-15. This closure was scheduled to avoid the weekends of the Haena to Hanalei Run and the July 4th Holiday weekend. Wainiha and Haena residents and other authorized placard-holders should retain their placards for access during bridge nightwork and the full weekend closure in July. Additional details will be provided when the schedule is finalized.
Additionally, motorists are advised of the following:
The Waipa Park and Ride created to provide access to residents and authorized TVR guests during the Waikoko Bridge night work and full closure is only open for residents and authorized TVR guests. All vehicles remaining at this site when the road reopens for the day should be removed.
All motorists are asked to observe the posted 25 mph speed limits on Kuhio Highway, and to slow down at Waikoko and Waipa Bridges for their safety and the safety of the workers.
HDOT will be installing speed humps leading up to the Waioli, Waipa and Waikoko Bridges on the North Shore as a traffic calming pilot measure. This will be the first time speed humps will be installed on a state highway on Kauai. Should this pilot be successful, HDOT will consider installing the humps (which have a lower profile than speed bumps) in appropriate locations across the island.
A “no parking” zone has been established between Haena Place and Kee Beach. Parking along Kuhio Highway in this zone is a violation of Chapter 291C-111 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes and could result in fines of $200.
Access to the Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Haena State Park is by reservation. More information is available at https://www.gohaena.com/
Information on the community-run Kauai North Shore Shuttle is available at https://www.hanaleiinitiative.org/
Weekly updates on the Waipa and Waikoko Bridge work are available via newsletter. Anyone may subscribe via this link.
Update: Lane of Kuhio Highway Near Hanalei Bridge to Remain Closed For Slope Stabilazation Project
Following a May 8 assessment of the slope adjacent to Kuhio Highway (Route 560) at mile marker 1, the Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) advises the public that the Lihue bound lane of the highway will remain closed as crews work to stabilize the upper and lower slopes.
The plan for the slope stabilization includes scaling, soil nail installation, and Tecco mesh and shotcrete reinforcement. The Lihue bound lane of Kuhio Highway will remain closed for the duration of the slope stabilization, which is expected to take between four to five months to complete.
Traffic will be allowed in both directions with alternating traffic control except for when rock scaling is scheduled on the upper slope. During rock scaling, crews will temporarily stop traffic for 30-45 minutes as they knock loose material down and clean the road. Then motorists will be directed through the closure one direction at a time.
Rock scaling operations will not take place during the lower slope work. Please be advised that the highway in this location will be limited to one lane 24-hours a day until the stabilization is completed for the safety of passing motorists.
We are aware of scheduled events in the area including the HCRA State Championship Race in August and will coordinate access and traffic control with the county and other stakeholders.
The public is asked to avoid the area if possible and to treat the traffic control personnel with courtesy.
HTA Issues RFPs to Help Fund Programs Supporting Hawaiian Culture, Natural Resources and Community-Based Tourism Projects & Events in 2020
HTA Issues RFPs to Help Fund Programs Supporting Hawaiian Culture,
Natural Resources and Community-Based Tourism Projects & Events in 2020
RFP Applications for Program Funding are Due July 5;
Free Public Information Briefings to Help Interested Applicants on All Islands
HONOLULU – The Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) today issued three Request for Proposals offering to provide funding support to qualified programs that will help to perpetuate Hawaiian culture, preserve and enhance natural resources and enrich Hawaii’s offerings through community-based tourism projects and events in 2020.
HTA is supporting a total of 130 community-focused programs statewide in 2019.
Applicants are encouraged to review and download the RFPs from HTA’s website for three programs – Community Enrichment, Kukulu Ola, and Aloha Aina – each of which are designed to help improve Hawaii’s quality of life for residents, while also enhancing the visitor experience.
The three community-based programs for which HTA has issued RFPs to provide funding support in 2020 are as follows:
Community Enrichment (RFP 20-01): HTA is supporting community-oriented projects, festivals and events in the niche areas of agriculture, culture, culinary, education, health and wellness, nature, sports, technology and voluntourism for the enjoyment of residents and visitors.
Kukulu Ola (RFP 20-02): HTA is seeking programs and events that enhance, strengthen and help to perpetuate the Hawaiian culture by supporting community groups, cultural practitioners, craftsmen, musicians and artists.
Aloha Aina (RFP 20-03): HTA is supporting community-based programs with an emphasis on aina-kanaka (land-human) relationships that help manage, conserve, revitalize and enhance Hawai‘i’s natural resources and environment.
The deadline for applicants to submit proposals to HTA seeking funding support from any of the three program categories is Friday, July 5, 2019 at 4:30 p.m. HST.
Program applications are available at HTA’s website at www.hawaiitourismauthority.org/rfps.
All inquiries should be directed to Ronald Rodriguez, HTA procurement officer and contract specialist, at contracting@gohta.net.
RFP Informational Briefings
HTA is hosting free public informational briefings on all islands at the following locations to help interested applicants with their understanding of the RFP application and award process to receive funding support. Interested applicants are encouraged to attend and have their questions answered.
Hawaii Island (East)
Monday, May 13 / 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Grand Naniloa Hotel, Private Dining Room
93 Banyan Drive, Hilo, HI 96720
Hawaii Island (West)
Tuesday, May 14 / 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Hilton Waikoloa Village, Kings 2
69-425 Waikoloa Beach Drive, Waikoloa, HI 96738
Oahu
Thursday, May 16 / 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Hawaii Convention Center, Emalani Theatre 320
1801 Kalakaua Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96815
Kauai
Friday, May 17 / 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Sheraton Kauai Resort, Poipu Ballroom
2440 Hoonani Road, Koloa, HI 96756
Molokai
Tuesday, May 21 / 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Kulana Oiwi, DHHL/OHA Conference Room
600 Maunaloa Highway, Kaunakakai, HI 96748
Lanai
Wednesday, May 22 / 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Lanai Heritage Center, Office
730 Lanai Avenue, Lanai City, HI 96763
Maui
Thursday, May 23 / 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Maui Arts & Cultural Center, Morgado Hall
One Cameron Way, Kahului, HI 96732
About the Hawaii Tourism Authority
The Hawaii Tourism Authority is the State of Hawaii agency responsible for strategically managing its support of the tourism industry. Established in 1998 to support Hawaii’s leading industry and largest employer, HTA continually strives to help ensure tourism’s sustainability and the benefits it brings to residents and communities statewide.
For more information about HTA, please visit www.hawaiitourismauthority.org. Follow updates about HTA on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter (@HawaiiHTA) and its YouTube Channel.
Media Contact
Erin Khan
(o) (808) 539-3428
(m) (808) 349-3746
erin.khan@anthologygroup.com
Updates on Kuhio Highway In Hanalei, Local Access Past Waipa Bridge
LIHUE – The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) provides the following updates on Kuhio Highway (Route 560).
Emergency slope stabilization in Hanalei
Emergency scaling work on Kuhio Highway at Mile Marker 1 (hill leading to Hanalei Bridge) will be completed Tuesday afternoon, May 7. The Lihue bound lane will remain closed overnight and Wednesday, May 8 as HDOT conducts an assessment for additional protection measures in the area. Motorists are asked to avoid non-essential travel in the area and to follow the directions of traffic control personnel. Temporary Rockfall Barrier work will start Tuesday, May 14 through Friday, May 17. Work may continue into the week of May 20. Delays are anticipated as the Lihue bound lane will remain closed to create a temporary catchment area for rocks or soil from the slope. Intermittent traffic control (short stoppages of traffic in both directions) may also occur, but the stoppages will not be as long as the ones required during the rock scaling.
Kuhio Highway Emergency Repairs – Waipa and Waikoko Bridges
The Waikoko checkpoint has been moved to Waipa in order to move the Waipa Bridge into the work zone. Only those with county-issued placards or contractor passes are allowed past the checkpoint. Vehicles without valid placards will be turned around.
Limited local access is available in both directions Monday through Saturday on an unescorted basis between these hours:
5:30 a.m. – 8:20 a.m.
12:45 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.
5 p.m. – 11 p.m. (unless bridge night work is scheduled, see calendar below)
Bridge Night Work
Night work at the Waikoko Bridge will occur Tuesday, May 7 through Thursday, May 9.
There will be no night work on Friday, May 10 (Kauai Community College graduation), Saturday May 11 and Sunday, May 12 (Mother’s Day).
Night work at Waipa and Waikoko Bridges will resume Monday, May 13 through Thursday, May 16.
Work to take place nightly starting at 7:30 p.m. and continuing overnight until 5:30 a.m.
Parking areas on either side of bridges and pedestrian access will be available for those wanting to cross the bridge during night work hours until 11 p.m. (click here for location of park and ride location West of Waikoko Bridge).
Parking areas will be secured at all times.
The bridge will close to all vehicular traffic after 7:30 p.m., so any vehicles traveling on the highway after 7:30 p.m. will not be able to travel over the Waipa Bridge and residents wanting to access the area will need to use the available Park and Ride sites and the pedestrian bridge.
HDOT is coordinating with Hanalei Colony Resort to provide a shuttle until 11 p.m. for residents between the Park and Ride locations and Wainiha.
Night work at both Waipa and Waikoko Bridges will resume Tuesday, May 7 and continue through Thursday, May 16. There will be no night closures on Friday, May 10 (Kauai Community College graduation) and Saturday, May 11. There will be no night work Sunday, May 12 (Mother’s Day).
HDOT now anticipates the first of two full weekend bridge closures to take place from 9 p.m. Friday, May 31 through 5 a.m. Monday, June 3. Previously, the first full weekend closure was scheduled for May 17-20. Dates for the second full weekend closure are to be determined. Reminders of the weekend bridge closures will be sent the week of the scheduled closure.
A calendar showing the bridge night work schedule as of May 7 is available at https://hidot.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/May-2019-Night-Work-Calendar.pdf
All work is weather permitting. First responders have been notified and have planned staging and procedures in the event of an emergency requiring them to access the work zones. Arrangements have also been made to ensure the Akita school bus will be able to cross Waipa Bridge at the scheduled time.
The public is still able to sign up for email updates on the Kuhio Highway emergency repairs by clicking here.
Hanalei to Haena Disaster Resilience Fair
Save the date for the Hanalei to Haena Disaster Resilience Fair on Saturday, June 1! Please find attached a copy of the flyer for more information.
Free Biosanitation Training for Tour Operators
If you’re a land-based tour operator, learn more about Hawaii’s unique natural environment and the threats posed by invasive pests, plants, and diseases. Please see flyer for more details and register with the link below.
April 30, 2019: Kuhio Highway Emergency Repairs Status Update
LIHUE – The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) is pleased to announce that emergency repairs to the section of Kuhio Highway (Route 560) between Waikoko and Wainiha damaged in the historic April 2018 flood are nearing completion. Since the large-scale emergency repair project began, HDOT and its contractors completed twenty-two major tasks including the stabilization of the slope at Wainiha Bay and the rebuilding of sections where the embankment below the road was washed away in the disaster. A full list of those tasks and status as of April 30 are available at Kuhio Highway Emergency Repairs.
On April 29 Mayor Derek Kawakami, HDOT Deputy Director for Highways Ed Sniffen, and representatives from the Federal Highway Administration conducted a site visit to the work areas on Kuhio Highway. This site visit was prompted by community concerns brought to HDOT by Senate President Ronald Kouchi, Representative Nadine Nakamura, and Mayor Kawakami and identified safety concerns over opening the roadway near Waikoko Bridge. Based on these concerns, Kuhio Highway will not be reopened until the work at the bridge progresses sufficiently to ensure the safety of the traveling public and our workers. Weather permitting, HDOT now anticipates the safety concerns will be resolved and the full opening Kuhio Highway will occur the week of May 20.
“So many people have worked so hard to not only repair Kuhio Highway, but make it more resilient against future events,” said Hawaii Department of Transportation Deputy Director for Highways Ed Sniffen. “We appreciate everyone’s patience as we continue to work to ensure the road is safe.”
Convoy access to Kuhio Highway past Waikoko will continue on the schedule published on March 27, 2019 (available here) until further notice. HDOT is considering adjustments to the schedule to accommodate the community and to reduce potential conflicts between drivers and the workers at Waikoko Bridge.
The schedules for work on the bridges are:
Waipa Bridge Night Work
The current bridge work on Waipa Bridge will continue nightly through Thursday, May 2
Work to take place nightly from 7 p.m. (after the last car passes through the convoy) to 5:50 a.m.
Parking areas on either side of Waipa Bridge and pedestrian access will be available for those wanting to cross the bridge during night work hours
Parking areas will be secured at all timesThe convoys will run on the regular schedule between Wainiha and Waikoko
The bridge will close to all vehicular traffic after 7 p.m., so any vehicles utilizing the convoy after 7 p.m. will not be able to travel over the Waipa Bridge
HDOT is coordinating with Hanalei Colony Resort to provide a shuttle for residents between the West Waipa Bridge Park and Ride and Wainiha.
Night work at both Waipa and Waikoko Bridges will resume Monday, May 6 and continue through Thursday, May 16. There will be no night work on Friday, May 10 (Kauai Community College graduation) and Sunday, May 12 (Mother’s Day).
To provide mobility during the night time closures, the State will continue shuttle service between the Park and Ride and Wainiha with the Hanalei Colony Resort.
HDOT anticipates the first of two full weekend bridge closures to take place from 9 p.m. Friday, May 17 through 6 a.m. Monday, May 20. Additional releases on the weekend bridge closures will be sent prior to the scheduled closure.
All work is weather permitting. First responders have been notified and have planned staging and procedures in the event of an emergency requiring them to access the work zones. Arrangements have also been made to ensure the Akita school bus will be able to cross Waipa Bridge at the scheduled time.
The public is still able to sign up for email updates on the Kuhio Highway emergency repairs by clicking here.
Photos of the bridges and completed work on Kuhio Highway are available at the links below:
https://hidot.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/guardrail.jpg
https://hidot.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/site-5.jpg
https://hidot.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/waikoko-wall-2.jpg
https://hidot.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/waikoko-wall.jpg
https://hidot.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/wainiha-upper-slope-1.jpg
https://hidot.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/wainiha-upper-slope-2.jpg
https://hidot.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/wainiha-wall-2.jpg
https://hidot.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/wainiha-wall.jpg
https://hidot.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/limahuli-crossing.jpg
https://hidot.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/manoa-stream.jpg
https://hidot.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/waikoko-bridge.jpg
https://hidot.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/waioli-bridge.jpg
https://hidot.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/waipa-bridge.jpg
Update on Kuhio Highway Emergency Repairs for the Weekend of April 26
HONOLULU – The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) reminds the residents of Wainiha and Hā‘ena that Phase II of night work on the Waipā Bridge on Kūhiō Highway (Route 560) continues through this weekend and into next week. The weekend schedule was updated to account for the closures during the Easter weekend.
Limahuli Stream Crossing also remains closed to vehicles through April 30.
The convoy will run on the regular schedule on Friday, April 26, with the bridge closing after the 7 p.m. convoy is completed.
The convoy will run on the regular schedule on Saturday, April 27, with no bridge closures that evening.
The convoy will run on the Sunday / holiday schedule on Sunday, April 28, with the bridge closing after the 7 p.m. convoy is completed.
Phase II of night work on the Waipa Bridge will continue on Monday, April 29 and continue through Tuesday, April 30. (ending before 5:50 a.m. on May 1).
Convoys will run according to the Monday thru Saturday regular schedule posted at Hawaii Department of Transportation Convey Schedule with no vehicle access over Waipā Bridge after the 7 p.m. convoy. Local residents will be escorted into Wainiha via the night shuttle service.
The Passing of HB 330, Relating to Suicide Prevention
Yay! The House fully supported my bill, HB330, Relating to Suicide Prevention. House bill 330 distributes $150,000 throughout the State of Hawaii for youth suicide prevention, intervention, and education.
Please see attached links for Legislature Funds Suicide Prevention Bills, KITV and Live with the Legislature’s coverage regarding HB 330.
