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Most city services on Oahu will be operating today, Caldwell says

CRAIG T. KOJIMA / CKOJIMA@STARADVERTISER.COM

Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell speaks at a press conference today providing an update on preparations for Tropical Storm Olivia.

With Hurricane Olivia expected to continue to weaken, most city services on Oahu will be operating on a regular weekday schedule Wednesday, Mayor Kirk Caldwell announced this afternoon.

TheBus and TheHandi-Van service will run on its regular schedule as will curbside trash pickup. All city parks will be open but Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve will be closed, Caldwell said. City employees will work regular hours.

The Department of Emergency Services will partially open its Emergency Operations Center 6 p.m. tonight, and then open it to full service from 6 a.m. Wednesday through the duration of the storm, the mayor said.

“What we’re hearing right now … with what we know … should things have an impact, we can implement (emergency operations),” he said. “But at the same time, we’re thinking maybe it’s not going to be as bad as initially anticipated particularly with the news that the bottom and top have kind of been ripped apart. And it’s moving faster too … which means it’s going to move through our area at a more rapid speed too.”

Crews working from the Department of Facility Maintenance have been cleaning streams and waterways throughout the island since last week. Oahu residents who see a waterway in need of clearing should call the city’s hotline at 768-CITY.

The Honolulu City Council’s monthly meeting will go on as scheduled at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Council Chairman Ernie Martin’s office said.

The city is working with the American Red Cross of Hawaii to set up eight evacuation shelters across Oahu for those who need it.

They will be open from 8 p.m. tonight at:

>> Kaneohe District Park, 45-660 Keaahala Road.

>> Kalihi Valley District Park, 1911 Kamehameha IV Road.

>> Kailua District Park, 21 Soouth Kainalu Drive

>> Ewa Mahiko District Park, 91-1205 Renton Road.

>> Waianae District Park, 85-601 Farrington Highway.

>> Manoa Valley District Park, 2721 Kaaipu Avenue.

>> Wahiawa District Park, 1129 Kilani Avenue.

>> BYU-Hawaii campus, 55-220 Kulanui Street, in Laie.

Additionally, the Red Cross is setting up shelters seven shelters on three islands in Maui County.

They will be open from 6 p.m. tonight at:

>> Hana High & Elementary School, 4111 Hana Highway.

>> Maui High School (pet friendly), 660 Lono Avenue in Kahului.

>> Kihei Elementary (pet friendly), 250 East Lipoa Street.

>> Kalama Intermediate (pet friendly), 120 Makani Road, in Makawao.

>> Lahaina Civic Center, 1840 Honoapiilani Highway.

>> Molokai High, 2140 Farrington Highway, in Hoolehua.

>>Lanai High & Elementary, 555 Fraser Avenue, in Lanai City.

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