O’ahu’s escalating 8.3 billion dollar rail transit project is in deep financial trouble. Now, lawmakers controlling the City’s budget are weighing-in. HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.
Wayne Yoshioka is an award-winning journalist who has worked in television, print and radio in Hawaiʻi. He also has been on both sides of politics as a state departmental appointee and political/government reporter. He covered Hurricane Iwa (1982) as a TV reporter; was the State Department of Defense/Civil Defense spokesperson for Hurricane Iniki (1992); and, commanded a public affairs detachment in Afghanistan (2006). He has a master's degree in Communication from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and is a decorated combat veteran (Legion of Merit, Bronze Star and 22 other commendation/service medals). He resides in Honolulu.
The bill would amend a $10 million city program by offering grants to developers before the construction of rental units, instead of just after construction. It would also allow developers to receive up to $35,000 per eligible unit — up from a maximum of $15,000.
Two measures at the Honolulu City Council aim to help police take down illegal game rooms. HPD Maj. Mike Lambert has said that about 100 illegal game rooms are operating on Oʻahu at any given moment. HPR's Mark Ladao has more.