Apr

13

Ask Your Senator 2012: Thanks For Asking

Education

As part of this year’s ask your Senator project, students from Nanakuli High and Intermediate School emailed in several questions to their State Senator, Senator Maile Shimabukuro (District 21 Ko ‘Olina, Kahe Point, Nanakuli, Ma’ili, Wai’anae, Makaha, Makua, Ka’ena Point).

Actively participating in this year’s inaugural Ask Your Senator Project Nanakuli High and Intermediate School students submitted over 20 video questions, the most questions received from any school or district.

After listing to all of the students’ questions, Senator Maile Shimabukuro shared her response to the following selection of questions.

Why don’t you guys take a pay cut instead of taking it from schools?” – Nanakuli High and Intermediate School Student


To view Senator Maile Shimabukuro’s response click here.

1. If our school does not get the right amount of credits to graduate by the year 2015, then what is going to happen?
2. What will you guys do with the students?
3. Are you guys going to make a new school in the area, because Kapolei and Waianae are already crowded as it is?

I was just wondering these things and our school does have a lot of talented and smart people…

- Nanakuli High and Intermediate School Student


To view Senator Maile Shimabukuro’s response click here.

Why do we have insufficient school funds?” – Nanakuli High and Intermediate School Student


To view Senator Maile Shimabukuro’s response click here.

I would like to ask you guys if you could buy or school sports new uniforms and equipment.” – Nanakuli High and Intermediate School Student


To view Senator Maile Shimabukuro’s response click here.

Why don’t we have surfing as a sport at Nanakuli High School?” – Nanakuli High and Intermediate School Student


An avid surfer, Senator Maile Shimabukuro provided a video response. To view her response click here.

Why did they change the time we finish school?” – Nanakuli High and Intermediate School Student


To view Senator Maile Shimabukuro’s response click here.

Why can’t we go on YouTube? I think we should be able to go on YouTube because on YouTube we can get so much information for school projects and there is so much information on YouTube, it’s just like Google.” – Nanakuli High and Intermediate School Student


To view Senator Maile Shimabukuro’s response click here.

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Jan

31

Clean-up and Beautification of the People’s Path Planned

Articles / In the Community / Press Releases

MAILI –  A clean-up and beautification of the People’s Path will be held on Sunday, February 12, 2012 from 7:30am to noon.  The People’s Path is a pathway located along the Waianae Coast.  Sen. Maile Shimabukuro, along with many volunteer groups, is coordinating the clean-up.

For the past three years, we’ve been cleaning up and sprucing up the area, making it a safe pathway for residents to use,” said Sen. Shimabukuro, who represents District 21, which encompasses Ko Olina, Kahe Point, Nanakulli, Maili, Waianae, Makaha, Makua, Kaena Point.  “I encourage more volunteers to pitch in with the project.”

Waianae Coast public schools who participate in the “After School All-Stars” program (funded by Kamehameha Schools and The Campbell Foundation), and the Honolulu City & County’s Parks and Recreation Department have already committed to helping this year’s clean-up.

Dedicated individuals, as well as groups, have been volunteering for the past three years to upkeep the pathway.  Some of the groups include the Women of Wai‘anae, Nani O Wai‘anae, Teach for America/Be the Change and the Wai‘anae Boys & Girls Club.  Sen. Shimabukuro also obtained a $5,000 grant from AlohaCare to help support the effort.

This is a great opportunity for the students to learn about stewardship and taking care of their community,” said Tim Bross, site coordinator for the “After School All-Stars” program at Waianae Intermediate School.

People who want to take part in the project may contact Sen. Shimabukuro.  Volunteers are being asked to meet at Maili Point (across from Kaukama Road, aka, “Guardrails”).  They are being asked to bring sun protection and yard tools (ex., rakes, dust pans, weedeaters, shovels, picks).

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Nov

08

Stream and Roadside Cleanups Planned on the Wai‘anae Coast

Articles / In the Community

WAI‘ANAE, OAHU — On the heels of a town hall meeting that discussed flooding issues along the Wai‘anae Coast, area legislators are working with city, state, and federal officials to hold stream and roadside cleanups on Saturday, November 19 and Saturday, December 10.

“According to the National Weather Service, there is a chance of heavy rains from January to April 2012, so we must act now to try to help residents who have repeatedly been flooded,” said Rep. Karen Awana, who secured $8 million in the 2011 state budget to address flooding on Farrington Highway.

“The Legislature appropriated $2 million in the 2011 budget for flood mitigation efforts in the Puuhulu and Lualualei Flats area,” said Rep. Jo Jordan, who represents that area and was able to secure those funds. “We are working with State and City agencies to determine the best use of the monies to address the flooding problems.”

“The cleanups are intended to relieve some of the clogged streams and waterways as the rainy season approaches,” said Sen. Maile Shimabukuro, who pushed to keep the flood funding in the final budget.

“During the Lualualei Valley cleanups, state officials will keep an eye out for flood hazards on private property,” explained Vic Gustafson, Interim Vice Director of State Civil Defense.

“In response to the community calling for definitive action, neighbors suggested a cleanup project to help while government works toward a bigger programmatic solution which will take much longer,” said Walt Kaneakua, Military Liaison for Sen. Daniel Inouye’s office. “We believe in an ‘ohana effort – neighbors helping neighbors.”

Steve Sigler and Danny Tengan of State Civil Defense will be taking the lead with coordinating the cleanups on November 19 and December 10, respectively.

Volunteers are sought for the following two cleanups:

1) Saturday, November 19
8am-noon
Meet at Mikilua Store parking lot (87-1117 Paakea Rd # A)
2) Saturday, December 10
8am-noon
The cleanup will target Puuhulu Stream and will coincide with Nanakuli High & Intermediate’s “Aloha Aina Earth Day” recycling event to help raise funds for the school.

Volunteers are asked to sign up for the cleanups ahead of time so organizers can plan accordingly. However, volunteers may also show up on the day of the cleanup.

Volunteers should have:
– Covered shoes with thick soles
– Long pants
- Sun protection
– Gloves
– Water
Optional Items:
- Tools to clear brush and streambeds, such as chainsaws, weed eaters, lawnmowers, wheelbarrows, shovels, rakes, dust pans, machetes, etc.
- Garbage bags
- Trucks to haul rubbish and bulky items
Cleanup Partners Include:
Senator Daniel Inouye
Congresswoman Mazie Hirono
US Army Corps of Engineers
US Navy
Senator Maile Shimabukuro
Representative Karen Awana
Representative Jo Jordan
Hawaii State Civil Defense
Department of Land and Natural Resources
Department of Transportation
Councilman Tom Berg
City and County of Honolulu
For more information, contact:
Sen. Maile Shimabukuro, maileshimabukuro@yahoo.com or 586-7793.
Representative Karen Awana, 586-8465
Representative Jo Jordan, 586-8460
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Sep

09

Townhall Meeting to Address Flooding Issues in Waianae

Articles / In the Community

 WAI‘ANAE –  Ahead of the winter season, a townhall meeting will be held to discuss solutions to flooding issues that have been plaguing parts of the Waianae Coast for decades.  The meeting will be held on Thursday, September 29, 2011 at the Maili Elementary School Cafeteria from 6:30 to 9 p.m.

The areas impacted by the flooding include:  Lualualei Valley, Farrington Highway, Nanakuli, Maili, Waianae, and Makaha.

“When heavy downpour is expected, some homeowners have tried to put sandbags on their property to fend off the flooding,” said Senator Maile Shimabukuro, who organized the meeting at the request of State Civil Defense Director Darryll Wong.  Shimabukuro represents Ko Olina, Kahe Point, Nanakuli, Maili, Waianae, Makaha, Makua, Kaena Point. “Others have given up in despair,” she said.

“During last year’s flood, my neighbors watched helplessly as all of their piglets drowned.  Another neighbor lost her entire green onion crop and many of us were trapped in our homes for days because flood waters filled the big dip in Paakea Road,” said Sophie Flores, Lualualei Valley resident.  ”This has been happening for decades, and something needs to get done as soon as possible to stop this catastrophic flooding,” Flores urged.

“Following last year’s heavy flooding, we allocated a total of $11m for flood mitigation on the Waianae Coast during this year’s session,” said Sen. Shimabukuro. 

The meeting will cover the 2011 budget allocations for flood mitigation ($2m for Lualualei Flats/Puhawai Stream, $8m for Farrington Highway between Maili and Nanakuli, and $1m for Lahilahi Street in Makaha) and provide the community with a chance to express concerns to city, state and federal officials.

“In 2009, the Legislature passed Act 76 which authorized Civil Defense to clear private streambeds and properties at the owner’s expense if the owner fails to do so after receiving notice.  We also allocated $3.5m for the Department of Transportation to address flooding issues along Farrington Highway in Makaha.  This was a step in the right direction.  At this meeting, we will inform the community about what the Legislature did this past session to help address flooding, and what people can do to help themselves,” Shimabukuro added.

Presenters:

  • Hawaii State Civil Defense
  • State Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR)
  • City & County of Honolulu
  • State Department of Transportation
  • US Navy
  • US Army Corps of Engineers
  • The Office of Senator Dan Inouye
  • Hawaii State Legislature

Agenda

6:30-6:35pm      Welcome & Introductions

6:35-6:50pm      Overview of Lualualei Flooding Problem & Suspected Causes by Civil Defense

6:50-7:00pm      Overview of Farrington Hwy Flooding Problem & Suspected Causes by Dept of Transportation

7:00-7:30pm      Proposed Flood Mitigation Solutions Using $11m in 2011 State Budget Panelists:  US Army Corps of Engineers, Civil Defense, DOT, DLNR, US Navy, City & County of Honolulu, Sen. Inouye’s Office, HI State Legislature, etc

7:30-9:00pm      Q&A from audience

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Aug

15

Sand Maintenance Planned for Makaha Surfing Beach

Articles / In the Community

MAKAHA – A sand restoration project will be held on Oahu’s famed Makaha Surfing Beach on August 22, 2011, beginning at 8 a.m. One of the goals of this project is to help prevent the recurring erosion along the base of the roadway. It is also aimed at ensuring public safety, facilitating access to the beach, restoring a natural beach slope and helping to protect the existing natural vegetation.

For years, the beach has been eroding the west end of the beach, threatening the stability of the lifeguard stand, parking lot, and trees.

“Our first priority is to minimize public hazard and improve access to the lifeguard stand and other structures which are in danger of losing their foundations due to erosion caused by the high surf,” said Senator Maile Shimabukuro, who organized the restoration project. She represents District 21 – Ka‘ena Point, Makua, Makaha, Wai‘anae, Ma‘ili, Nanakuli, Kahe Point, Ko ‘Olina.

Heavy equipment will move sand from several parts of the beach to replenish about 3,800 cubic yards of erosion. The City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Facilities Maintenance will conduct the operations under the direction of the City and County of Honolulu’s Parks and Recreation Department.

“It is important that we conduct these erosion prevention measures to preserve one of the most famous surfing beaches in the world,” Shimabukuro added. “We are working on a long-term solution which involves sand pushing every August to systemically address the erosion problem.”

Also involved in the project are: Chris Conger of University of HI/DLNR; Gary Cabato, William Balfour, and staff from the City and County of Honolulu; Laurie Lawrence, Darwin Bohnet and students of LCC-Waianae; Richard “Buffalo,” Momi and Russ Keaulana; Anthony Guerrero; Mel and Momi Pu‘u; Bunky Bukutis; Bruce Desoto; Jimmy Rapoza; and many others.

Shimabukuro coordinated several companies and volunteers to conduct a similar restoration project in February.

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