O'ahu briefs
Advertiser Staff
HONOLULU
Justice Center added to budget
Sen. Brian Taniguchi yesterday added money to purchase a Kaka'ako property for the Children's Justice Center of O'ahu to the Senate's version of the state budget.
The state judiciary is asking the Legislature for
$3.5 million for land to build a new facility for the center, which has outgrown its Nu'uanu center.
A nonprofit group is offering to cover the remaining $8.5 million for the proposed facility, but the state must first condemn and purchase the property from owner Kamehameha Schools.
The center handles all cases of sexually abused children. When it opened in 1988 the center was expected to handle about 450 cases a year. Last year, 1,314 children were treated at the center.
The project money is not included in the House version of the state budget, so it will likely be debated in conference committee next week.
Board to discuss legislative issues
Legislative proposals dealing with long-term health care and gambling will be discussed at the McCully/Mo'ili'ili Neighborhood Board meeting at 7 p.m. tomorrow at Lunalilo Elementary School.
The board also will attempt to fill two vacancies and discuss a resolution about the proposed widening of Beretania Street fronting Central Union Church.
WINDWARD
Lanikai project goes online
Members of the Lanikai Association will move forward in their efforts to obtain cost information to place utility wires underground and will post its progress on the association's new Web site at lanikaibeach.com.
Lanikai, a small beach community with 587 lots in Kailua, has discussed placing 5.1 miles of wire underground for more than 20 years. Options were limited until recently when Hawaiian Electric Co. said it would share the cost of placing wires underground, said Nancy Hall, who heads the Committee for Underground Utilities.
Last July residents on L'Orange Place in Kailua used the new HECO program to place wires underground at a cost of about $7,900 per household.
Lanikai wants to serve as a model and set the stage for other island communities, Hall said, adding that the new Web site will keep the community informed.
CENTRAL
Help sought for Waipahu park
Volunteers are sought for a community clean-up of Pupu'ole Street Mini-Park tomorrow in Waipahu.
The cleanup will run 3 to 5 p.m. and is being led by the Leeward YMCA's HANDS Program, about 20 to 25 youths who attend Waipahu High School, and open to parents and community interested in helping the community.
Clean-up supplies will be provided by the city parks department. For more information, call Courtney Heimowitz at Leeward YMCA at 671-6495.
