Hannemann announces new city mapping software
New software similar to Google’s satellite map technology will allow the city to better manage its property, such as land and buildings, while also giving emergency personnel the ability to pinpoint locations of mobile 911 callers, city officials said.
The geographic information system software was among four announcements made yesterday by Mayor Mufi Hannemann in his final news conference at City Hall.
Hannemann plans to resign from office today — as required by law — to pursue a run at the governorship. The mayor said he has a morning Cabinet meeting, and he expects to file the necessary paperwork sometime this afternoon.
He described the software system as something that would streamline city work, allow city projects to be handled more efficiently and improve public safety.
"I just think that we’re going to be able to do more," Hannemann said.
The software allows city officials to pull up high-resolution satellite images of the city to spot the location of mobile emergency callers or to identify maintenance needs such as sidewalk repairs.
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Among the first adopters of the new system is the Department of Facilities Maintenance, which plans to automate work management for street resurfacing and sidewalk maintenance. For example, the department would be able to check on the status of a sidewalk repair project simply by calling up the images on the computer.
The system might eventually expand to deal with more than 50 other public works functions, such as graffiti removal, serviced by the department.
Other announcements made by Mayor Mufi Hannemann yesterday included:
» A federal, state and county, public-private partnership to permanently dedicate 27 acres of North Shore ranch land to agricultural and ranching purposes.
Sunset Ranch, located in the mauka reaches of Pupukea near the Pupukea-Paumalu Park Reserve, would be protected from development in perpetuity, conservation groups said in a joint news release. Landowner Greg Pietsch, who voluntarily donated the land for the agricultural use, will keep ownership of the property.
» The launch of "Let’s Move, Honolulu," the local version of first lady Michelle Obama’s national awareness campaign to fight childhood obesity. The city Let’s Move committee will partner with the YMCA, Honolulu County Sports Commission and city Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts clubs to promote healthful lifestyles for Hawaii’s youth.
» The sixth Healing Our Spirit Worldwide, a gathering of cultures to celebrate and address common issues pertaining to health, healing and addiction within indigenous communities, will be held Sept. 3-10 in Honolulu. The gathering is held every four years. For more information, call 597-6550 or go to hosw.com.