Agency warns Honolulu street owners of fines
HONOLULU — A state agency warned the owners of several streets in Honolulu that it will start imposing fines unless they stop charging for parking or improve the roads.
The Hawaii Community Development Authority notified Kakaako Land Co. last month that fines of $2,500 a day would begin Monday for violating a new state law.
The law enacted last year requires privately owned roads in Kakaako to meet city construction and maintenance standards if the owners charge for use and if the roads have been used by the public for at least six months.
The violation notice applies to portions of Queen, Kawaiahao, Ilaniwai, Cummins and Clayton streets. A $500 daily fine is applicable to each street, according to the authority.
The company is led by brothers Calvert and Cedric Chun. The company’s attorney will be taking “appropriate action,” said Calvert Chun, without providing details.
The company in 2010 began reserving and charging for street parking that was previously free, leading to complaints and a lawsuit by some area businesses and residents.
Lanai school gets bus thanks to Hana school’s donation
LANAI CITY, Lanai — Lanai High and Elementary School has its own bus for the first time in school history.
Hana High and Elementary School donated the bus, which arrived earlier this month. The school will use it for the first time when Hana’s basketball teams visit.
In the past, the Lanai school rented vehicles from Dollar Rental Car to take teams to the ferry for off-island games and bring visiting teams to the school.
But Dollar closed its doors on Lanai in November, triggering what some called a “mini-crisis” for student-athletes.
Lanai Principal Elton Kinoshita turned for help to Lanai City resident Coop DeRenne, a longtime coach who has deep roots in Hawaii athletics. He called his contacts on Maui and Oahu.
When DeRenne called Robert Joseph Jr., Maui District Schools transportation officer, Joseph recommended asking Hana. Hana Athletic Director Devon E. Carroll and Director of Transportation Wailani Nakooka found a couple of buses that were out of daily rotation and were used for field trips and athletic travel.
The donated 5-year-old bus, which seats 14 to 16 people, arrived Jan. 2 on Lanai.
Its estimated value is $30,000 to $35,000, according to DeRenne. Lanai mechanics said the bus will last for a while.
Tourism industry keeps Pearl Harbor center open
HONOLULU — Tour companies, hotels and airlines are pitching in more than $50,000 to keep the USS Arizona Memorial visitors’ center open during the federal government shutdown.
The money will keep the National Park Service facility staffed, its bathrooms open and its programs running for at least another week.
Earlier during the shutdown, Pearl Harbor nonprofits and the state tourism agency provided funds to keep the visitors center open.
Tourism industry officials worry travelers will cancel their Hawaii vacations if the Pearl Harbor visitors’ center closes.
Pacific Historic Parks CEO Aileen Utterdyke said that would affect airlines and hotels and have a trickle-down effect.