November 30 – Friends of Hanauma Bay claims that despite a court order, Honolulu City and County continues to misappropritate funds. The latest feud continues a long string of complaints by the non-profit group. Among allegations, that the City has purchased equipment for other venues with the funds, otherwise improperly allocated money from the earmarked money and kept accrued interest from it. These complaints date back many administrations, including during the terms of mayors Peter Carlisle, Mufi Hannemann and Jeremy Harris. [Civil Beat]
November 29 – The State of Hawaii is seeking to remove some mid-block crosswalks in East Oahu in an effort to force pedestrians to use crosswalks with stop lights. In a proposal being considered now, three crosswalks along a quarter-mile stretch of Kalanianaole Highway between Aina Haina Park and Waialae Iki Park (Waa Street and Kaai Street) would be removed. [HNN]
November 28 – Hope remains for reopening Kaimuki’s Queen Theater. Some people would love to see the venerable Kaimuki venue reopen for live shows or classes and have even formed a Friends of Queen Theater organization. But the theater’s reclusive owner, Narciso Yu Jr., is said to be reluctant to sell the space. Nonetheless, a pair of artists who know him personally have been working to scrape together enough cash to reopen the theater. Support for the project by nearby businesses appears enthusiastic. [Civil Beat]
November 27 – This month Green Energy Market Securitization (GEMS) made its largest loan, $861,500, to help pay for two solar systems at an apartment complex called 7000 Hawaii Kai Drive. State lawmakers created the Green Energy Market Securitization, or GEMS, program in 2013 to make rooftop solar systems more affordable. The 7000 Hawaii Kai Drive loan is the first large-scale loan of its type for the GEMS program. Prior loans had been scarce, mainly going to already affluent household borrowers. The apartments at 7000 Hawaii Kai Drive aren’t powered by the new solar system, just the common areas, including stairwells, pools, the lobby and the elevators. Renters still pay Hawaiian Electric Co. for the electricity they use in their home. [Star-Advertiser – library card required]
