Latest news with #MattWeyer
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Honolulu is working towards safer streets, but needs everyone to help
HONOLULU (KHON2) — The city is making improvements for its long-term goal of 'safer streets,' but says all their work will not matter if no one is paying attention. Oahu's traffic deaths in 2025 have doubled compared to the same time last year On June 9 in Mililani, Police reported that an 86-year-old woman died after being hit by a truck on Kipapa Drive in front of the Mililani Shopping Center. Police say the woman was not in a crosswalk. This marks the 33rd person to die on Oahu's roads this year, which is more than double the amount from the same time last year. 'I think the conversation that comes up when these accidents happen is important, right,' said Matt Weyer, Honolulu city councilmember. 'Because it elevates the issue, let's the community recognize it, and hopefully can motivate a government to be more responsive.' The city says it's trying. Honolulu police say they have been using targeted patrols from the beginning of the year. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news The City's Department of Transportation Services, along with several state partners, have been working on Vision Zero, a resolution passed by the Honolulu City Council for making safety improvements on our roads for the ultimate goal of zero traffic deaths by the year 2040. 'On our side we're trying to, you know, create better zones for sidewalks and for vehicles to be able to see ahead, behind,' said Germaine Salim, Honolulu Department of Transportation Services Complete Streets planner. 'We're trying to improve our intersections that we're working with our state partners at the Department of Transportation.' Vision Zero includes things like installing a rapid flash beacon on School Street for pedestrians. DTS says 40% of the traffic deaths this year were pedestrians, most of them being kupuna. 'It's important that drivers be aware and the pedestrians be aware, because kupuna shouldn't have to cross their fingers to cross the street,' said Craig Gima, AARP Hawaii. 'They have, everybody needs to contribute to be safe.' 'If we're making things safer, one intersection, one sidewalk at a time, it's still going to improve everybody's lives,' said Salim. Check out more news from around Hawaii Some safety tips from officials say to leave a few minutes early so you don't have to rush. Expect traffic, even if it's a weekend or a holiday, as there is always something going on nowadays. You can also check the Go Akamai website before you leave to see road conditions. 'It's really hard for everybody to be on enforcement all the time,' said Salim. 'There's a lot of personal responsibility involved.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Gondola development project proposed for North Shore
WAIALUA, Hawaii (KHON2) — When you think of a gondola you might think of riding one to the top of a snowy mountain or a boat ride in Venice, but what about here in Hawaii? That's what one Canadian businessman is proposing for Oahu's North Shore. Hawaiian Airlines: No one will lose their miles Mt. Kaala is the tallest peak on Oahu, and the owner of Adventure Group in Canada owns 2,300 acres in Waialua and plans to develop it. 'It would significantly impact a sacred and historical space,' said North Shore Neighborhood Board Vice-Chair Racquel Achiu-Hill. 'Mount Kaala would now be compromised with a proposed gondola, ski lift operation that would lead into a zipline and cafe.' The proposed project is off Kaukonahua Road. She said the developer introduced himself as the landowner to the board back in 2018 and said he had intentions of opening the area to the public, but according to her, he didn't specify his 2019, she said the neighborhood board was surprised when they were told of a Conditional Use Permit for a gondola project on the land. 'A part of our land use ordinance allows for accessory-activities on ag land, specifically agritourism,' explained North Shore City Councilmember Matt Weyer. He said there's a requirement that at least 51% of the land be in ag production. 'But when you're looking at what's allowed and understanding the primary use of this land which is zoned agriculture, there's always a concern under the requirements and land use ordinances, specifically requiring that you don't diminish the potential of agricultural land and any improvements can't have unreasonable costs to take it down, and I think that's why the community is getting concerned,' Weyer explained. 'I mean a large gondola going up such an important mountain and the idea of an e-bike track across ag land could harm the area.' Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news A spokesperson for the development said it currently does cattle ranching, forestry and crop production and they are working on agritourism plans for sightseeing, hiking, biking and other activities accessible by a gondola. The group is currently applying for minor modifications to its conditional use permit to make its overall footprint smaller than originally approved. Documents state the gondola route was adjusted to lower elevations which reduced the number of support towers from 18 to eight. The gondola route-length would be 8,240 feet. The minor modification also shortens the zipline. Originally, there were two zipline routes approved by the CUP for a total of 7,967 feet. The modified zipline has only one route with a total length of 5,285 feet. Nimitz Highway collision claims life of pedestrian The modification also points out redesigning hiking and biking trails and enhanced ADA accessibility with handrails, bridges and viewing platforms. The gondola stations would have lower visibility and a new driveway alignment to improve traffic safety. The document states, 'Initial visitation is planned for approximately 1,650 people per day to evaluate site capacity, guest experience and to ensure that environmental standards are maintained… Given the vast agricultural lands and proposed agribusiness activities, the physical capacity of the site is far greater, however, the applicant intends to move slowly and increase visitation capacity gradually based on initial findings and engagement with county officials, community leaders and environmental consultants.' The documents also anticipate 750 cars a day. Honolulu mayor declares Emergency Medical Services week 'When you're doing agricultural projects and you're doing accessory uses, those uses aren't the primary purpose, because that's why we have ag land versus industrial versus commercial, when you look at it that way, I think that's a community concern too,' Weyer added. 'The impacts of just drilling into the foundation of Mt. Kaala for what a ski lift would need is overwhelming,' Achiu-Hill said. 'It's very overwhelming, you're going to compromise this mountain in a way that should never be thought of.' HIDOE students feast on sweet potatoes The developer said there are community benefits like job creation and positive economic impacts, health and recreational benefits, historical and cultural opportunities, endangered species protection, wildfire risk management, public access to lands otherwise inaccessible and preservation of ag land so it's not subdivided for residential development. The Department of Planning and Permitting said the developer still has not met all the conditions of the CUP. The DPP says if they do not approve of the minor modifications, which reduces the overall footprint of the original CUP, the originally approved CUP would still stand. A spokesperson for DPP said in an email if the minor modification is approved, the developer must meet all conditions of the CUP, as amended. If approved, the minor modification may add and/or modify existing changes. The public can email their comments to DPP planner Steve Tagawa at stagawa@ or DPP email at dpp@ or by mail. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Plastic bottle ban on city properties considered
A ban on the sale of single-use plastic bottles at all city-owned properties is set for an upcoming Honolulu City Council vote. If adopted, Bill 18 would prevent plastic bottles having a capacity of 1 liter or less to be sold or offered for sale after Dec. 31 at any vending machine located at a city facility. The bill exempts the state-run Business Enterprise Program—also known as the licensed Blind Vendor Program—which operates vending facilities at federal, state, county and private properties on Oahu and across Hawaii, offering blind persons gainful employment. Introduced in February by Council Vice Chair Matt Weyer, the measure—similar to Bill 59, which Weyer sponsored in 2024 but that failed to garner a majority Council vote—says 'plastics entering the environment have had a demonstrable adverse effect on the health of the people of the City and County of Honolulu, as well as the environmental integrity of our islands.' 'Single-use plastic containers have been major contributors to pollution on land and in the ocean, harming both marine and other wildlife, and contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, ' the bill states. It notes a 'significant portion of marine debris—estimated to be 80 percent—originates on land, primarily as escaped plastic refuse and other human generated urban runoff.' Don 't miss out on what 's happening ! Stay in touch with breaking news, as it happens, conveniently in your email inbox. It 's FREE ! Email 28141 Sign Up By clicking to sign up, you agree to Star-Advertiser 's and Google 's and. This form is protected by reCAPTCHA. 'Certain single-use plastic containers, such as polyethylene terephthalate bottles, are not fully degradable but instead only degrade into pieces and particles of various sizes, including microplastics, which can ultimately enter human bodies through the food stream and have been linked to serious human health problems, ' the bill states. While the bill says the rate of plastic bottle recovery in Hawaii is about 37 %, the legislation also claims that 'readily available alternatives such as aluminum containers enjoy a recovery rate of 55 percent, and cardboard containers can be readily burned and converted to fuel the city's power needs through the H-POWER plant.' 'The diversion of plastic bottles from the city's waste stream further supports the city's efforts to reduce the annual generation of solid waste, ' the bill states. Still, the American Beverage Association, which previously opposed Bill 59, rejected the latest measure, too. 'The American Beverage Association is the trade association representing the non-alcoholic beverage industry across the country and here in Hawaii, ' ABA Vice President of State Government Affairs West David Thorp said in written testimony to the Council's Housing Committee. 'The beverage industry is an important part of Hawaii's economy—and one of the few remaining industries still manufacturing on the islands.' 'Unlike most consumer products, many of our beverages, aluminum cans and plastic bottles are manufactured and distributed in Hawaii by local workers, ' he said. Nonalcoholic beverage companies in Hawaii provide 1, 200 good-paying jobs across the state, according to Thorp. 'The industry helps to support thousands more workers in businesses that rely in part on beverage sales for their livelihoods, such as grocery stores, restaurants and theaters, ' he said. He said, 'Hawaii beverage companies are taking bold actions to reduce their use of new plastic and make sure their bottles do not end up in nature or wasted in landfills.' 'We are carefully designing our bottles to be 100 % recyclable, even the caps, ' Thorp added. During the April 1 committee meeting, Council members Andria Tupola and Augie Tulba opposed Bill 18 as well. 'I do think that even though it's narrow, we do need to be aware that there's not a law needed for everything, ' said Tupola, 'and we could change our contracts at the city, which might be an even more powerful way to decrease waste, seeing as all of the things we have shipped in are all wrapped in plastic.' She said that within her Council District 1, which spans the Leeward Coast, there are 'people that work in these industries, ' too. And the 'plastic bottles that you're referring to are not single-use, and many of them are recycled, and I hope all of us can continue to support our recycling efforts as we try to decrease landfills on our island, ' she added. Conversely, Council member Tyler Dos Santos-Tam said although some allege Bill 18 will 'be a significant burden to the plastic producers here on this island, ' there were, in fact, few vendor locations that would be affected. He said that according to information he'd gathered from various agencies, including the city Department of Enterprise Services, there are 11 vending machines installed at city parks and only a few others at similar facilities. 'I think it's a total of less than 30, ' he said. 'So, to the extent that this is going to be a burden to the plastic producers, I think that we can tamp that down and just talk about the reality of ' the situation. He added that the measure 'sends a signal that we, the Council, do take these issues seriously.' 'And, to the extent that we can say in our vending machines we'd like to reduce the number of single-use bottles, I think that's a positive signal that we can send, ' Dos Santos-Tam asserted. 'Bill 18 is a very limited, narrow but positive step.' The committee voted 3-2, with Tulba and Tupola dissenting, to recommend the full Council pass Bill 18 on its expected third and final reading April 16.
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
City Council discusses helping with cesspool conversion
STATE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES / 2015 A partially exposed cinder-block cesspool pit with a cover on an eroding shoreline in Punaluu. Hawaii has 83, 000 cesspools, more than any other state. 1 /4 STATE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES / 2015 A partially exposed cinder-block cesspool pit with a cover on an eroding shoreline in Punaluu. Hawaii has 83, 000 cesspools, more than any other state. STAR-ADVERTISER A new bill could help homeowners replace residential cesspools by offering grants of up to $50, 000. The bill would focus on neighborhoods in the proximity of existing sewer treatment plants. 2 /4 STAR-ADVERTISER A new bill could help homeowners replace residential cesspools by offering grants of up to $50, 000. The bill would focus on neighborhoods in the proximity of existing sewer treatment plants. STAR-ADVERTISER Above, staff walk along a new aeration basin that opened in 2024 at Honouliuli Wastewater Treatment Plant in Ewa Beach. 3 /4 STAR-ADVERTISER Above, staff walk along a new aeration basin that opened in 2024 at Honouliuli Wastewater Treatment Plant in Ewa Beach. STAR-ADVERTISER / COURTESY PHOTO Tommy Waters, left, Matt Weyer. 4 /4 STAR-ADVERTISER / COURTESY PHOTO Tommy Waters, left, Matt Weyer. STATE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES / 2015 A partially exposed cinder-block cesspool pit with a cover on an eroding shoreline in Punaluu. Hawaii has 83, 000 cesspools, more than any other state. STAR-ADVERTISER A new bill could help homeowners replace residential cesspools by offering grants of up to $50, 000. The bill would focus on neighborhoods in the proximity of existing sewer treatment plants. STAR-ADVERTISER Above, staff walk along a new aeration basin that opened in 2024 at Honouliuli Wastewater Treatment Plant in Ewa Beach. STAR-ADVERTISER / COURTESY PHOTO Tommy Waters, left, Matt Weyer. Oahu voters in November approved a City Charter amendment to create a city-managed climate resiliency fund. That fund—to be supported by 0.5 % of the city's estimated annual real property tax revenue—supposedly would finance preventive, restorative and educational measures relating to climate change. Now the City Council is advancing a measure to use the fund to convert outdated cesspools on Oahu, possibly to more updated sewer systems. Introduced in February by Council Vice Chair Matt Weyer and Chair Tommy Waters, Bill 15, which passed its first of three Council readings in February, would offer grants to assist homeowners with cesspool conversions. Oahu has an estimated 7, 500 cesspools—typically, underground holding tanks for the storage of liquid waste and sewage—that could release approximately 4.5 million gallons of untreated wastewater daily. That cesspool waste, according to Council staff, can contaminate the ocean, streams and groundwater by releasing disease-causing pathogens and nitrates. The University of Hawaii Sea Grant College Program estimates there are over 83, 000 cesspools statewide. In 2005 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency banned large-capacity cesspools. Additionally, under Act 125 the state mandates that all cesspools be upgraded, converted or closed by 2050. Don 't miss out on what 's happening ! Stay in touch with breaking news, as it happens, conveniently in your email inbox. It 's FREE ! Email 28141 Sign Up By clicking to sign up, you agree to Star-Advertiser 's and Google 's and. This form is protected by reCAPTCHA. But cesspool conversion costs can reach tens of thousands of dollars, a situation Council staff asserts that many working families simply can't afford. As drafted, Bill 15 would offer grants of up to $50, 000 to homeowners earning less than $100, 000 in household income, helping them comply with state requirements to replace cesspools without facing financial hardship. Weyer represents Council District 2, which includes Oahu's North Shore, where residential cesspools are common. 'Households throughout my district are feeling the impacts and are considered cesspool conversion priority one and two areas by the (Department of Health ), meaning they're experiencing the greatest contamination hazard, ' he said in a statement. 'This measure will allow the city to help families comply with the state's regulations before the 2050 deadline.' During the Council's Budget Committee meeting Tuesday, Weyer introduced a new draft of Bill 15 that, in part, proposes installations of new lateral sewer connections for unsewered properties that were not previously serviced by a public sewer main be deemed as a 'preventive and ameliorative measure.' At the same meeting, the panel received information from city officials about Bill 15 and the proposed cesspool conversion program. 'The voters clearly supported setting up this fund for climate resiliency, ' said Andy Kawano, director of the Department of Budget and Fiscal Services. Based on current real property tax and revenue estimates, he said roughly $9 million per year would added to the new fund. 'I just wanted to point out that our climate resiliency needs for this island are significant, and the ultimate cost to address sea level rise, wildfires, the impacts of hurricane type of weather will be significant, ' Kawano added, 'and this set-aside really provides seed money for initial planning and discussion with Council and the public to ensure that we have a plan to go forward, and with that, estimates of costs we can expect on a timetable.' Budget Committee Chair Tyler Dos Santos-Tam asked how quickly the city's finance department could set up and administer the property tax-based program. 'My understanding is that Corporation Counsel is still looking at the process of making grants, ' Kawano replied. 'They're very positive about it, but they're going to come back to us with an opinion.' He explained that the city might create a web-based portal 'so the public and organizations that are advocates of climate resiliency are able to self-service, if you will—go to the portal and apply for grants.' 'We're not there yet, ' he added. Meanwhile, the possible replacement of a city cesspool depends in large part on available city services in a particular area. At Tuesday's meeting, Roger Babcock, director-designate of the city Department of Environmental Services, said cesspool conversions are related to the city's ongoing 'sewer improvement district projects.' He indicated that multiple projects are identifying where folks have cesspools and where the city plans to bring sewers to them. 'It is possible that (Bill 15 ) could assist homeowners with connections to sewers, ' Babcock said. 'So we would support that as a possibility, and it could be beneficial for some of the ratepayers.' Dos Santos-Tam asked how the city prioritized which cesspools need to be replaced first. Babcock said, 'The state has done a lot of effort on that prioritization.' 'And since this is the climate resiliency fund, presumably we'd focus on cesspools that are impacted either by sea level rise or groundwater inundation, ' he added. 'So those would mostly be the coastal cesspools. And unfortunately, there are quite a few of those.' Council member Radiant Cordero asked how quickly the city would be able to complete cesspool conversions. Babcock replied that the city programs were related to 'sewering certain neighborhoods where that is essentially feasible, in the proximity of our existing (sewer ) treatment plants.' 'Most of the cesspools are not in those areas and are in areas that we do not plan to bring sewers to, ' Babcock said, adding the North Shore is one of those areas. 'So the homeowners will currently kind of be on their own.' He noted about 10, 000 private cesspools on Oahu will be targeted. 'Still, for all of those to change will probably take until 2050, when the deadline is, ' he said. 'It's a long process ; there's a lot of contractors, a lot of work, a lot of design and permits that have to happen. So the answer is it's a long process.' Later, Weyer asked about the city's plans to install sewers on the island. 'Currently, in our CIP program, a little over 3, 000 are planned, ' Babcock replied. 'It's not designed or all funded yet, but they've been identified in facility plans to (be installed ) essentially within catchment areas of existing treatment plants.' Although she said she appreciates and supports Bill 15, Council member Esther Kia 'aina also expressed concern about providing funding to fight introduced invasive species—an aspect of the climate resiliency fund—and requested 'any extra funds ' should go toward that effort. 'This is not just about the coconut rhinoceros beetle or the little fire ants, ' she said, noting the noisy coqui frog is already establishing populations in East Oahu and eradication efforts have proved ineffective. State officials say the frog species was accidentally introduced to Hawaii from Puerto Rico decades ago and feasts on native insects. Ultimately, the committee passed the latest version of Bill 15, setting it up for second reading at an upcoming full Council meeting.
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Ban on wheelies under Council consideration
Riders of electric bicycles, mopeds and motorcycles will no longer be able to perform stunts on any public street or roadway if a measure targeting such behavior is able to steer its way through the Honolulu City Council. Introduced in November, Council Bill 61 is supposedly aimed at curbing wheelies—in which, the measure states, the front wheel of an e-bike, moped or motorcycle is raised so that the vehicle is balanced for a moment on its rear wheel or wheels—while riding in public on Oahu. The measure would, however, allow such stunts to be performed as part of a parade, tournament or other activity permitted by the city. The anti-wheelies legislation does not include human-powered, nonmotorized bicycles, city officials say. Bill 61—which passed its first reading before the full Council in December—is similar to another Council measure that also promotes greater e-bike regulation in Honolulu. During its Jan. 29 meeting, the panel voted unanimously to adopt Bill 52, which requires helmets for those who ride e-bikes and seeks to stop unsafe riding practices while operating the machines. The mayor has formally approved Bill 52. At the Council's Committee on Planning, Infrastructure and Transportation meeting Wednesday, Vice Chair Matt Weyer—who co-sponsored Bill 61 with Radiant Cordero—offered verbal amendments to the latest measure. Don 't miss out on what 's happening ! Stay in touch with breaking news, as it happens, conveniently in your email inbox. It 's FREE ! Email 28141 Sign Up By clicking to sign up, you agree to Star-Advertiser 's and Google 's and. This form is protected by reCAPTCHA. In part, Weyer requested to incorporate data gleaned from the state Department of Health 'that relates to increased accidents and impacts from electric bicycles ' and was information originally presented in Bill 52. DOH asserts the average number of reported e-bike incidents statewide more than doubled to an average of 24 per month in 2024 from 10 per month in 2022. Oahu experienced a nearly threefold increase, from an average of 19 per month in 2024 to seven per month in 2022, the data indicates. Oahu also accounted for 75 % of the statewide e-bike incidents, with most of the injured patients—65 %—transported by city Emergency Medical Services ambulances to local hospitals, according to DOH. Helmet use among e-bike riders has steadily declined, too, during the study period, to 29 % in 2024 from 51 % in 2022, the data shows. Helmeted riders were older, on average, and experienced fewer traumatic brain injuries than unhelmeted riders—13 % versus 32 %, DOH data indicates. Additionally, unhelmeted riders were more likely to require hospitalization, with head injuries being most common among this group. The financial impact of e-bike-related injuries is significant, too, with average medical costs reaching $16, 162 for emergency department visits and $121, 445 for hospitalizations, according to DOH. Hospitalized patients often required extended care, including discharge to skilled nursing or rehabilitation facilities. Under Hawaii law, all kids under age 16 must wear a helmet while riding a bicycle. A person must be at least 15 years old to ride a 'low-speed electric bicycle ' registered to an adult household member. At the meeting, city Transportation Director-designate Roger Morton told the committee his agency is 'strongly in favor of pedestrian safety.' To that end he asserted existing state law offers 'a section that allowed counties to have temporary regulations for emergency or special conditions ' related to the growing number of injurious or fatal incidents involving e-bikes. 'We think that the proliferation of these bikes does constitute a special situation, so there's some relief in that area, too, ' Morton said. He also alluded to state lawmakers still trying to forge legislation to deal with the issue. 'I would also say that there are something like 10 bills in the Legislature right now that are discussing definitions or regulations of e-bikes in one form or another, ' he added. 'We welcome those state efforts as well, and we're going to monitor those state efforts as we go forward.' Later, Council member Tyler Dos Santos-Tam asked Morton to clarify whether Bill 61 would prohibit wheelies only on e-bikes, mopeds or motorcycles rather than on 'traditional bicycles.' 'In your experience … the really problematic behavior is with these motorized devices, right ?' Dos Santos-Tam asked. 'Kids aren't cracking their heads open on traditional bikes doing wheelies.' Morton replied, 'The proliferation of these motorized devices have created unsafe behaviors on the street, and that's certainly been the department's direction : to target the motorized versions of the bicycles.' 'On a public street there's really no purpose to do a wheelie, even on a bicycle, ' he added. 'Kids can be kids in parks, but our focus has been on the motorized versions of these (bikes ), where we think that there is a special problem.' During public testimony, Kaneohe resident Donald Sakamoto said he supported the anti-wheelies measure. It's 'very dangerous with these kinds of vehicles, especially for the blind and disabled, ' he added. Council member Andria Tupola also questioned a city attorney over the 'caveat ' Morton alluded to in state law that allows the City Council 'to propose regulation of mopeds and motorcycles if there's an emergency.' In response, city Deputy Corporation Counsel Brian Ancheta said Hawaii Revised Statute 291C-163 A 22—also known as the Statewide Traffic Code—'shall not be deemed to prevent counties, with respect to streets and highways under their jurisdiction, from adopting and enforcing temporary or experimental regulations that may be necessary to cover emergencies for special conditions.' Bill 61 as amended could be used 'to show to any reasonable leader that (the city ) has issues with regards to wheelies from ' e-bikes, mopeds and motorcycles, he said. Tupola also wanted to know whether the city's definition of a moped and a motorcycle matched the language found in state laws. Ancheta confirmed the city and state definitions of those powered vehicles 'had no conflict.' Under further Council questioning, Morton claimed the city could look to see whether individual counties in Hawaii have additional regulations that could be 'more stringent ' when it comes to e-bike, moped and motorcycle violations. 'We'll research that at the department level, ' he said, adding that DTS will track the current flurry of state-level legislation on e-bikes. 'We'll research what the many bills do and try to figure out which ones are going to be supported by the majority at the Legislature and which ones are probably just piled and being filed.' As the planning panel's chair, Cordero successfully recommended Weyer's committee draft of Bill 61 be passed on to the full Council for possible second reading review and adoption. The Council's next meeting is scheduled for Feb. 26.
