Our Honolulu

CEO Coralie Matayoshi receiving her HC from Councilmember Gabbard

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Aloha!

I hope your spring season is off to a fantastic start! March may have had you seeing green, but April is the real money month.  In addition to taxpayer deadlines, the City’s budget process is also underway.  As your City Council representative I take very seriously my responsibility to ensure that your hard earned tax dollars are being managed prudently.  Highlights of the budget are included in this newsletter for your review.

As we continue to move forward, my mission is to ensure that our tax dollars are best used to provide quality City services are delivered to you.  I look forward to hearing your thoughts and ideas.

Mahalo nui loa,

Tulsi

Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transit (HART) Update

The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) submitted a separate FY 2013 budget to the city council in December 2011 as required by the city charter.  Next month, HART will present a series of five informational community updates on the Honolulu Rail Transit project. The public is welcome to attend and learn up-to-date details from project experts, experience informational displays, and ask questions of HART representatives.  More information here.

NEW LAW: VICTORY FOR SMALL BUSINESS!

I’m pleased to report that just hours after it was given final approval by the City Council this month, Mayor Peter Carlisle signed Bill 59 allowing food trucks more time to sell food along city streets.  The new law allows trucks to park up to a posted time limit, or three hours in areas where there are no time limits.  The passage of this bill is a great example of what happens when we in government listen carefully, work together on a plan, and take action to fix the problem.  See the signing here.

2012 Budget Highlights

The FY 2013 budget looks for ways to trim costs, find cost saving efficiencies in operations or as much as possible make sure new cost increases are offset by revenue increases.  Read more about it here and track the Budget Committee here.

BILL 10: REGULATING USE OF NON-BIODEGRADABLE PLASTIC BAGS

Discussions hammering out regulations concerning the use of non-biodegradable plastic bags at the point of sale continue.  Bill 10 is scheduled for its third and final reading on April 25th at Kapolei Hale.  More information here and follow Bill 10 here.

RESOLUTION 12-57: LABELING GENETICALLY ENGINEERED FOOD

Think you know what you’re eating or where your food came from?  Genetically engineered foods are made up of genetically modified organisms (GMO) whose genetic material has been altered. These foods are a highly complex issue with both positive and negative benefits. That’s why I believe the public should not only be aware of this controversial issue, but have the right to make informed choices concerning the food they consume.  To show your support for Resolution 12-57, contact your City Councilmember or submit your testimony online here.

Read more here and track Resolution 12-57 here.

CONGRATULATIONS AIEA SENIORS!

On Saturday, March 3rd, my staff had the opportunity and privilege to serve as judges for Aiea High School’s Senior Project Presentation.  The Hawaii Senior Project is a student-driven, teacher-guided program designed to help students cultivate career and life skills with the guidance of a community mentor in their field of interest.  If these students reflect the quality of the students the public schools are producing, then our future looks bright.  Congratulations to all the Aiea High School seniors and to all graduating seniors in the Class of 2013!  More on the Hawaii Senior Project here.

Honoring The Hawaii State Chapter of the American Red Cross

Last month, I had the honor of presenting an Honorary Certificate to the Hawaii Red Cross on their 95th anniversary and Red Cross Month.  From house fires to hurricanes, from caregiving to life saving, the Hawaii State Chapter of the American Red Cross has worked side by side with police, fire, military and civil defense to help save lives and provide hope to the people of Hawaii during times of crises.

Congratulations and mahalo to the Hawaii State Chapter of the American Red Cross, Chapter Chair Scott Wo and its Board of Directors, CEO Coralie Matayoshi and staff, volunteers and supporters for your outstanding contributions and service to providing aid, helping to relieve the suffering caused by disasters in our islands, and serving as the trusted conduit for the people of Hawaii to help their neighbors in emergencies - across the street, across the country, and across the world.  Check out the picture and learn more about the Hawaii Red Cross's efforts here.