Good progress at KPT homes

There’s a lot of worry about housing for low-income renters these days, what with the city on the brink of selling the lease on its 12 affordable housing complexes.

So it’s nice to unfurrow our collective brow somewhat, witnessing the progress being made at Kuhio Park Terrace. What was once the poster child of state derelict housing projects, is well on the way toward its renovation goals.

This week, an affiliate of Michaels Development Co., the firm doing the upgrades to the complex, announced it was taking applications for the first 58 rehabbed units. The fact that 200 hopefuls applied ought to say something about the need for such apartments.

If this is what comes of public-private partnerships, well, so far, so good.

A bridge to surf and to traffic

In just a few short weeks, the annual series of surf competitions will get under way on Oahu’s North Shore. Those now dealing with the traffic logjam around the Karsten Thot Bridge roadwork in Wahiawa: As the saying goes, you ain’t seen nothin’ yet.

By now, most of the kamaaina crowd has heard about the repair project, which allows passenger cars heading into town to cross the bridge only during weekday morning-rush hours. Alerting the tourists may be a little trickier, but the word from the state is that the Hawaii Tourism Authority and the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau are on top of it.

However, the wave-chasing public may abandon the northern route altogether. Be forewarned, Windward Oahu residents: Big waves of traffic may crash on your highways, and soon.