Public has last chance to take housing poll
Monday is the last day for the public to take an online survey that city officials say will help them shape an affordable-housing strategy for Oahu.
Oahu residents have until 11:59 p.m. to answer questions regarding their views on local housing needs.
The survey is being coordinated by the city Department of Planning and Permitting’s Transit-Oriented Development Program and the mayor’s Office of Housing.
Several Honolulu City Council members have echoed the concerns of some Oahu residents who say affordable-housing policies do not go far enough to help the most needy.
Survey results will help officials prioritize city resources in the construction and maintenance of affordable housing, as well as revise land use regulations, financial policies and affordable-housing programs.
Responses are anonymous and will be reported in group form only, tabulated by a company independent of the city.
Part one of the survey asks for views on housing issues. Part two relates to personal household situations.
To participate, go to svy.mk/1kjPxcw.
Kauai police’s OT tops $3M
The Kauai Police Department has racked up more than $3 million in overtime so far this fiscal year, some of it relating to hearings and rallies for a bill restricting genetically modified crops.
That figure accounts for 12.6 percent of the Police Department’s $24.2 million budget, the Garden Island reports. It also represents 56 percent of all county employee overtime.
The Police Department has 18.5 percent of the county’s total workforce.
During a recent budget hearing, the department said unanticipated overtime pay during last year’s hearings and rallies related to County Bill 2491 cost taxpayers $66,677.42.
"We can’t budget for those types of things, but we have to make sure we provide services for everyone’s safety," Police Chief Darryl Perry told the County Council last week.
College to host tech gathering
Solar-powered golf carts and battery-charging stations are among projects that will be displayed when Maui’s engineering technology industry professionals gather Thursday through Saturday for the second annual Innovation Day.
The gathering, open to the public, will be at the University of Hawaii Maui College’s Ka‘aike Building.
Students in the college’s engineering programs will showcase their technical innovation projects developed throughout the year. Industry professionals will view and provide comments to students on their projects. There will also be exhibitions, guest speakers, panel discussions and workshops.
Visit maui.hawaii.edu/Innovation Day.
