Public comment open on Ala Wai Flood Risk Management Study
UH Assessing Hawaiʻi’s Geothermal Potential
Pinata: Unions Grab for $80M leftover COVID funds
SA: … There are at least two portions — or tranches — of remaining ARPA funds, equating to almost $80 million.
Scheuring said the city has its plans for those remaining dollars.
“Monies from Tranche 1 — $40 million — and Tranche 2 — $39 million — will be used to pay down city expenses, which will create more capacity in the FY25 budget,” he said. “The city’s revenue loss due to the COVID-19 pandemic, per U.S. Treasury guidelines, was calculated as approximate $246 million in 2020 and $139 million in 2021.”
In addition, Scheuring said the managing director spoke during an informational briefing for the Council last week about using those moneys to “fund hazard pay impacts on the FY25 budget related to the COVID pandemic.”
Waters approves of using ARPA funds toward granting hazard pay to city workers deemed essential during the pandemic. Earlier this year the Council supported that idea with the passage of a formal resolution.
Adopted in June, Resolution 114 urges the city to provide “hazard or premium pay of up to $13 per hour to eligible city workers who performed essential work during the COVID-19 public health emergency by utilizing a portion of the available” ARPA State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund moneys.
The Council’s legislation also urges the city “to negotiate with the unions representing city employees to establish reasonable and comprehensive provisions related to eligibility for premium or hazard pay.”….
Meanwhile, Formby told the Star-Advertiser that Honolulu’s use of ARPA funds is now the subject of a city audit.
“The city is currently being audited on ARPA encumbrances and expenditures by the Office of the City Auditor,” Formby said via email.
That current audit follows the city auditor’s report, which found Honolulu exposed $387 million in federal COVID-19 relief money it received in 2020 to fraud, waste and abuse as it dispensed business and household relief funding during the pandemic....
HNN: COVID hazard pay for HPD officers deemed warranted, but details remain unclear
read … Mayor and Honolulu City Council ponder use of COVID funds
Near-fatal stabbing just the latest in a string of homeless drug addicts’ crimes at Kapolei park
HNN: … Hours after a 19-year-old was nearly stabbed to death Sunday, records show another man called police after allegedly fighting off an attacker he said was armed with a large knife.
HPD wouldn’t say if detectives think the suspect in those two cases might be the same person, a spokesperson did say both crimes are currently under investigation.
Officers have responded to the skate park at least seven times in the last four days….
Murakoshi is at the park almost everyday and says there’s a group of people who’ve set up an encampment and taken over the park restroom
“They wreck it. They flood it. It’s just horrible,” Murakoshi said.
That’s not the only problem.
“This area is totally dark because these lights don’t work,” said Murakoshi. “You come here at night, this area here. The part by the restroom and next to the skate park is pitch black.”…
read … Near-fatal stabbing just the latest in a string of serious crimes at Kapolei park
County of Kaua‘i aims to recoup search and rescue costs
TGI: … The Garden Island reported in February 2022 that the Kaua‘i Fire Department (KFD) had responded to 13 land rescues and its helicopter unit had been deployed nine times for response incidents just within the first 45 days of 2022.
In 2021, KFD responded to 125 land rescues, and its helicopter unit was deployed 63 times.
The Garden Island also previously reported that, in the fiscal year 2014-15, the county spent almost $20,000 on helicopter rescues, not including personnel costs….
Bill 2910 will head to a second reading, and potentially final reading on Dec. 6. If it passes, the bill will head to Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami’s desk for consideration….
BH: Hawaii's Plans to Make Visitors Pay for Rescues Continue - Beat of Hawaii
read … County of Kaua‘i aims to recoup search and rescue costs - The Garden Island
Lahaina Fire News:
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