Parade starts at 6

The annual Honolulu City Lights Public Workers Electric Light Parade will begin at River and King streets at about 6 p.m. Saturday, proceed on King Street past City Hall and to Kawaiaha’o Street.

At about 6:30 p.m., Mayor Peter Carlisle will turn on the lights on the 55-foot Norfolk pine at Honolulu Hale in the 26th annual Honolulu City Lights program.

Power spar leaves House in disarray

Nearly a month after the election, seven new Hawaii representatives lack Capitol offices as the result of an unsettled House leadership struggle, delaying preparations for the first legislative session under Gov.-elect Neil Abercrombie’s leadership.

These freshman legislators have been doing business from home, offices of fellow lawmakers and Capitol conference rooms. Their committee assignments have been put on hold.

They will remain in political limbo until either Democratic Speaker of the House Calvin Say or one of his party’s dissident members musters the majority of the chamber’s 51 members needed to take power.

The Senate also is unsettled because a few seats could become vacant if senators take jobs in Abercrombie’s administration.

NEIGHBOR ISLAND

Maui focuses on walking, cycling safety

Maui is considering making walking more pleasant for pedestrians and bicycle riding nicer for cyclists.

The Maui News reported yesterday that one idea is to install raised speed tables — which are similar to longer, flatter speed bumps — in Wailuku. Another is to plant trees along sidewalks in Kahului and Wailuku.

The Nutrition & Physical Activity Coalition of Maui County and the urban planning firm Chris Hart & Partners are studying ways to make it safer and easier to walk or ride a bicycle.

They hope to help people be active on a daily basis.

Organizers are holding a meeting in Kahului tomorrow to hear public comment. They hope to compile their recommendations by June and submit them to county and state officials.