Harris plans for busy last year

By Treena Shapiro
Advertiser Staff Writer

A revamped Kuhio Avenue in Waikiki and a brand-new swimming pool at Central O'ahu Regional Park.

These are among the projects Mayor Jeremy Harris plans to launch this year, his last before leaving the office because of term-limits.

Harris will inform the City Council of his goals tonight in his State of the City address, which will be his last traditional year-opening address, although he plans to give a similar speech to the council at the end of the year.

The speech is expected to highlight the mayor's plans, which include construction projects, economic development, environmental issues and infrastructure improvements.

Harris prides himself on bringing residents back into Waikiki, while making it a more attractive tourist destination. He plans to continue the improvements by renovating Kuhio Avenue and making jogging and bike paths along the Ala Wai Canal.

"The whole idea is to make Waikiki a more pedestrian place, a place where people can come and enjoy the natural environment, where they can enjoy Hawaiiana and make it a better place for people to live," he said.

Continuing his push for sports tourism begun with a soccer stadium in Waipi'o, Harris wants to make his new tennis complex pro tournament-worthy by building a clubhouse at the tennis complex at Central O'ahu Regional Park.

Also at the park, Harris said he will build an aquatic center.

The city will also spruce up two of its "hidden jewels," Foster Botanical Garden and Wahiawa Botanical Garden, the mayor said.

Further improvements in Chinatown are planned, such as wider sidewalks and more landscaping, he said.

In addition, Hawai'i Theatre will get a boost from the city as it strives to become a core attraction in the district, Harris said.

In another move to bring more people into downtown and Chinatown, Harris said the city will renovate its auditorium near Honolulu Hale and use that as a jumping-off point for historic tours.

Construction for the controversial Iwilei to Waikiki Bus Rapid Transit route will also begin this year. Harris said he still wants light-rail, but said BRT "is the best transit improvement you can make without having to have a new tax to pay for it."

Harris will also disclose the location for a new East Honolulu police station tonight. He said it will not be in Hawai'i Kai, but in a spot designated by the police chief.

The mayor's other plans include:

• Establishing an islandwide curbside recycling program.
• In partnership with the University of Hawai'i and the U.S. Department of Energy, developing a hydrogen park near Kapolei Hale where a photovoltaic array in the parking lot will provide energy to power the building. It will also include a hydrogen fuel system and an electric vehicle charging station.
• Adding a third boiler to the HPOWER plant to convert more trash into electricity.
• Building the first four sections of the Wai'anae Emergency Access Road.
• Repaving roads, improving the sewers, getting a sewage recycling plant under construction and building more wheelchair curb ramps.

Reach Treena Shapiro at tshapiro@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8070.