July 21, 2016 – Fire department rescue personnel came to the aid of a 10-year old boy whom fell about 10 feet just short of the Koko Crater summit. No major injuries were reported. [Star Advertiser]
July 20, 2016 – Former City Councilman Stanley Chang and two first-time candidates — a doctor and a dentist — are vying for the chance to replace Sam Slom, the lone Republican in the state Senate. Dr. Michael Bennett, an ophthalmologist, Dr. Richard Y. Kim and Chang are running in Senate District 9, which stretches from Diamond Head and Kahala to Hawaii Kai. [Star Advertiser – Library Card req.]
July 20, 2016 – Niu Valley Shopping Center is now a commercial condominium with individually owned spaces and shared common areas including parking under a deal completed July 15. Local developer Peter Savio arranged the deal and has resold 10 of the 14 spaces that he acquired. The four spaces not resold are leased to Jack in the Box, Le Bistro, Lung Fung Chinese Restaurant and an office tenant. Additionally, King’s Cathedral declined to sell the space it uses, as well as an adjacent space leased to 7-Eleven. Savio retains the first opportunity to buy these two pieces in the future should the church decide to sell. [Star Advertiser – Library Card req.]
July 19. 2016 – A 21-year-old woman was treated by paramedics and taken to the hospital in serious condition Monday after she dove into the ocean at the area known as “Pele’s Chair” near the Makapuu Lighthouse trail. This incident follows one just a few days earlier when a father and daughter died after being swept into the ocean near Makapuu Tidepools. [Star Advertiser]
July 19, 2016 A Hawaii Kai home at 569 Portlock Road was voted HGTV Ultimate House Hunt winner. The home, currently on the market for 13.5 million dollars, sports over 8,000 square feet of interior space and fronts the ocean. [KHON]
July 18, 2016 Tesoro gas stations will be rebranded as Hele. Additionally, approximately 1/3 of Hawaii’s current 76 gas stations will also change their name to Hele. [PBN]
July 17, 2016 – Former Kaiser Estate awaits City Council special-use permit approval. The owner of a run-down Portlock estate once considered the largest private residence in America is seeking the city’s OK to restore and enhance the property as a family compound with three mansions and a private harbor. A Honolulu City and County law enacted in 2012 makes it necessary to seek special approval on homes larger than 7,500 square feet.
Owner Chans’ residential SMA permit is believed to be the second one taken up, according to the Department of Planning and Permitting. More are expected, including one slated for an Aug. 3 hearing that pertains to a plan by Alexander & Baldwin Inc. to build three luxury duplex homes on a large waterfront lot at 4607 Kahala Ave.
Currently work at the Estate is progressing on construction not requiring the SMA permit. If the special permit is approved, construction is expected to last 18 months. [Star Advertiser – Library Card req.]
July 17, 2016 – Frustration grows over water safety after a father and daughter visiting Makapuu Tidepools are swept out and die. [KHON]