The State is relocating its Data Center from the flood-zoned Kalanimoku Building in Downtown Honolulu to one on higher ground. 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 state Legislature is considering significant changes to the conveyance taxes that are levied on a property when it's sold. HPR's Ashley Mizuo reports that lawmakers aim to use the increased revenue to fund transit-oriented housing and provide the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands with its first permanent stream of state funding.
Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s administration has given the Honolulu City Council a preliminary cost and damage estimate of up to $52 million, and that's likely to grow.