Villages of Kapolei Association Board Report
July 26, 2000
Hooray! Kapolei High School is Opening
Classes will begin at 8:15 Wednesday July 26th for ninth graders. Enrollment is 350 students for this inaugural class, with a total school design enrollment of 1800 at construction completion for 9-12 grades. Our Principal Al Nagasako has his new staff on board, including teachers, a cafeteria manager, a head custodian, and school safety manager, the rest of the staff necessary for operation of the school this first academic year will be in place by school start. Buildings are ready as planned and include the Administrative Building, the Ninth Grade Neighborhood (classrooms), the Cafeteria, and the Media Center (serving as the Library temporarily until scheduled construction takes place). On the 10th of July Governor Ben Cayetano released $68,000 Additional Equipment Funds we approved this Legislative session for furniture and equipment for Kapolei High School. It was a great honor and privilege to serve you on both the Kapolei Middle School and the Kapolei High School Task Forces and on both Steering Committees where we planned the schools' desired academic nature and physical design, and on the House Education Committee then the House Finance Committee to get these school approved and then funded. These facilities are dreams come true for area residents promised them 30 years ago. (see attached)
Kapolei Library Update
I am pleased to inform all of our community that the bid dispute is settled as to who will build our Kapolei Library. In discussions with the Department of Accounting and General Services on July 18, I was informed that construction of our long awaited and intensely fought for Kapolei Library should begin in 2-3 months to build the 33,000 sq. ft. Phase I. I wish to take this opportunity to personally thank the thousands of you who took the time and interest to sign the petition we circulated in November of 1999, urging the governor, the Board of Education, and the State Librarian to take immediate action to build our library with the $8.4 Million we already had appropriated instead of delaying the project and allowing the funds to lapse. This is an example of how a community pulling together can achieve a better tomorrow with a solid foundation for each of us and especially for our keiki.
Recreational Facilities are Coming for Our Children
In his passage of the State Budget, Governor Cayetano exercised his line item veto power concerning the Kaplolei Sports Complex, vetoing that portion designated to build a stadium, while leaving intact funds for much needed new ball fields for the region. I am extremely pleased that Governor Cayetano has listened to our voices in the community instead of building a stadium in the hope that some nation's team may decide to come to Hawaii to use it.
The New Kapolei Police Station
On July 8, about 4,000 people including my family and I, attended the opening of the $13.5 million state-of-the-art Kapolei Police Station. This station is the new home of the Honolulu Police Department's District 8. This facility will serve the 90,000 residents living between the Ewa Plains and Ka'ena Point. It's three levels of offices and meeting rooms will provide a critically needed operations center for command staff and patrol offices from the Criminal Investigation, Juvenile Services, and Narcotics/Vice Divisions.
This station provides assets to meet the increasing demands for safety and security of our growing area providing cellblocks to process persons arrested in the Leeward Coast, Mililani, Wahiawa, Waipahu, and Pearl City areas. This marks the beginning of a new chapter in the continuing fight to make West Oahu a safer place to live.
Boys and Girls Club Funds Approved
Governor Cayetano has released $500,000.00 to the Department of Human
Services for the planning, designing, and construction of the Boys and Girls Club
of Hawaii. It is a privilege to have assisted in this improvement project. (see attached)
North-South Road Status
The State Planning Branch and Highway Divisions (Manager Ron Tsuzuki, 587-1830; is
working concurrently with Design Branch (Manager Craig Watanabe, 692-7551) on the
planning and designing of the North-South Road. Phase 1 (Kapolei Parkway to
Farrington Highway) is about 70% complete. Phase II (Farrington Highway to H-1
Freeway) is in the consulting stages and would be starting in a few months.
Planning and approval of the environmental document hasn't been approved due to two issues: 1) endangered plant - abutillon menziefi and, 2) drainage. I remain involved through the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization (OMPO) Policy Committee and will ensure that this much needed project is completed.
Ko 'Olina Public Boat Ramp Opens
On Monday, July 10, the Ko 'Olina Community Association held its opening blessing
for the Lagoon 4 - Shoreline Park (Ulua) on Waipahe Place. It was quite impressive to
see the improvements including new restroom facilities, showers, paved parking lot
for beach users, a boat ramp, Aloha Team Office, and landscape improvements. As a result of an agreement between the developer, the city, and Leeward fishermen, boats will be kept there on trailers rather than in the marina. For more information call: 676-ramp (676-7267).
HHSC Initiatives Signed into Law
The attached letter was received from the (HHSC) Hawaii Health Systems Corporation, President and C.E.O., Thomas M. Driskill, Jr.
Acts Enacted by the Legislature and, Bills and Bill Items Vetoed
by the Governor, 2000
Attached is a list of Acts Enacted by the Hawaii State Legislature 2000 (includes Bill Number, Act Number, Title, and Effective Date), followed by a list of Bills and Bill Items Vetoed by the Governor 2000.
Voice of the Majority
Do you have any issues? What's on your mind? Every Saturday morning at 7:00am
I am host to a radio show called, "The Voice of the Majority." Tune in to KWAI 1080AM on your radio, or call 524-1080 to voice your concerns.
GOOD THINGS DON'T JUST HAPPEN - THEY ARE MADE TO HAPPEN
TOGETHER WE DO MAKE A DIFFERENCE!