News Archive for February, 2010

Oahu needs rail — for jobs, for family and for economy

February 12th, 2010

Idea first proposed almost 40 years ago; this may be last try

By Bob Nakata
Many of us have become concerned that the Honolulu rail project is grinding to a halt.

It is worth remembering why many of us wanted rail in the first place. It has been almost 40 years since rail was first proposed — a [...]

Group concerned Honolulu rail project could harm bus service

January 22nd, 2010

Advertiser Staff
The Faith Action for Community Equity group said it is traveling to Washington, D.C. next week because of concerns Honolulu’s rail project could siphon off money from the city’s bus system.

FACE, which said it supports rail, said it is working with groups around the country to pass an amendment to a jobs bill in [...]

Transit-oriented development could help pay for rail system

January 21st, 2010

By Frank Genadio
The City & County of Honolulu presents transit-oriented development (TOD) as housing, retail and other facilities within a half-mile radius of a transit station.

Benefits are obvious: Commuting workers walk to stations and leave cars at home; retailers gain consumers from the transit system; and students at some campuses will not have to worry [...]

In tough times, council aims for more affordable housing

January 14th, 2010

By CHRIS HAMILTON, Staff Writer
WAILUKU – Maui County Council members took a step Wednesday toward altering the county’s residential work force housing policy in an effort to coax more development of affordable housing – and any housing – in these troubled economic times.
And Public Services Committee Chairman Wayne Nishiki reiterated an earlier pledge that members [...]

State considers getting out of handling Hawaii public housing

November 11th, 2009

By Mary Vorsino
Advertiser Staff Writer
The Hawaii Public Housing Authority is considering a radical solution to decades of backlogged repairs, aging projects and limited resources: selling properties or units and ending state oversight of public housing.

The proposal, which officials stressed is still very preliminary, is part of a draft “vision” before the housing authority board that [...]

City needs a housing agency

November 9th, 2009

By Rev. Robert Nakata
Ever since my first introduction into social justice and politics in the eviction struggle at Waiahole Waikane in the 1970s, to the struggle at Kukui Gardens last year, I have seen the needs of our people pushed aside. My life has taught me that if we are to have a moral society [...]

Group asks Hannemann to help homeless people

November 6th, 2009

By Mary Adamski

A faith-based community group marched on Honolulu Hale yesterday, calling for the mayor to create a policy and a department to deal with a widespread housing crisis on Oahu.
About 75 people, clapping blocks of wood together to emphasize their chant, joined the demonstration sponsored by Faith Action for Community Equity, a grass-roots group [...]

Restore housing office, group urges

November 6th, 2009

Advocates pressing mayor for agency on affordable homes
By Mary Vorsino
Advertiser Urban Honolulu Writer
Affordable housing advocates and low-income residents gathered at City Hall yesterday to call for the re-establishment of a city housing office to tackle a growing homeless problem and the dearth of affordable housing.
“We are homeless!” shouted Reslin Pinano, 38, who lives in a [...]

Group Backs Housing Director

September 14th, 2009

Housing Board Seeks To Replace Chad Taniguchi
HONOLULU — A housing and health care advocacy group gathered on Saturday to thank the governor and lawmakers for listening to their pleas about affordable housing this session.
Members of FACE, which is short for “Faith Alliance for Community Equity,” met Saturday.
But some were disappointed that both Gov. Linda Lingle [...]

Hawaii public housing agency may replace executive director

September 11th, 2009

By Mary Vorsino
Advertiser Urban Honolulu Writer
Chad Taniguchi
AT A GLANCE
Chad Taniguchi, at a glance:

The Hawai’i Public Housing Authority is the state’s largest affordable housing landlord.
The agency oversees 5,238 federally funded public housing units statewide, and 864 state-funded units. It also manages a Section 8 rent voucher program, and its homelessness programs branch handles millions of dollars [...]