Rental project clears a hurdle

Slowly but not-quite-surely, a senior affordable rental tower project in Chinatown has been making its way through the approvals process.

Major good news came Wednesday, when the City Council unanimously authorized a development agreement between the city and Michaels Development Co., for the 151-unit Halewaiolu Senior Residences on city land along River Street by Vineyard Boulevard.

Initial pushback to the project has eased, and that’s a good thing, considering the dire need for affordable units for Hawaii’s elderly.

Michaels Development still needs to complete an environmental assessment, complete a design and secure funding. Then it’s back to the Council for formal approval of a lease.

Hang in there, senior citizens.

New York sculptor left imprint here

You may not know Marisol, the New York sculptor who died on April 30, but you have seen her work.

She created the visually arresting statue of Damien de Veuster, otherwise known as Saint Damien, that stands outside the state Capitol.

The bronze statue, unveiled in 1969, prompted controversy not only for its unorthodox features, but for its depiction of Damien suffering the ravages of Hansen’s disease.

It was a bold choice and, in retrospect, a wise one.

“I am proud of the work and that it evokes strong emotions in the people who view it,” Marisol told The Honolulu Advertiser in 2009.

A true work of art, indeed.