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Caring for our Environment

As we enter a time in history in which our impact on the health of the planet is at a tipping point, we must strive to be better stewards of this gift that is our one and only home.

 
At yesterday’s City Council meeting, I was proud to recognize the Polynesian Voyaging Society, Hokulea & her Crewmembers on behalf of their Worldwide Voyage Homecoming 2017. Their organization’s values inspire many of us to respect our land and educate our future generations to malama honua – “to take care of our aina earth”.  My Chief of Staff Matt Caires (to my right) was a member of the crew.  

In honor of Hokulea’s mission to promote sustainability & protect and preserve our natural environment, the City Council voted to adopt Bill 59 (2016) – regulating the use of plastic bags.  Once signed into law by Mayor Caldwell, certain plastic bags will be phased out by 2020, as our local businesses & residents work in a cooperative effort to incorporate reusable bags in their everyday lives.

The intent of this ordinance is to reduce the volume of plastic and non-recyclable paper bags that are disposed of as solid waste. Thankfully we are not alone in this effort as major cities across the nation such as Seattle, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington D.C. are implementing similar ordinances. The average American throws away 185 pounds of plastic waste each year which according to EcoWatchcontributes to enough annual plastic waste to circle the earth 4 times, so this bill is one step forward in the right direction.
As we move forward, my priority is to continue addressing other environmental issues in an ongoing effort to make sure that our island home is a sustainable place for all of our ohana & keiki.  With your support, we can keep Hokulea’s concept of “Malama Honua” – to take care of our aina land – at the heart of our culture’s values.
If you have any suggestions or ideas you would like to bring forward to the City Council in regards to caring for our environment, feel free to email me at kmpine@honolulu.gov.
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Fighting Vandalism & Preserving the History of Mauna Lahilahi

Hanale Hopfe, Konohiki and Cultural Practitioner of Waianae recently took Councilmember and staff on a tour to Mauna Lahilahi to discuss the historical significance of this sacred area. The area, that once served as a prime fishing location for ancient Hawaiians and contains petroglyphs, is seeing increasing vandalism and illegal dumping.

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As our Leeward Coast communities continue to grow, Councilmember Pine’s priority is to ensure these sacred areas in our district are preserved, and receive the respect they deserve.

 

Discussions are currently taking place on how we can come together as a community to encourage our residents and the City to become better stewards of our land.

 

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Assisting the Knights of Columbus with Waianae Cleanup

The Knights of Columbus organizes an annual All Souls Day ceremony at the State’s Sacred Hearts Catholic Cemetery in Waianae.  After a recent cleanup, the organization needed urgent assistance with removing the rubbish from the property in anticipation of their service on November 2.

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Knights of Columbus members Sebastian Lopez and Dennis Fortnah contacted my office requesting assistance and in response, we helped organize a community pickup.

 

As a result, Knights of Columbus was able to have their All Souls Day event go as planned!

 

City FYI:  The City’s Department of Environmental Services also waives disposal fees for non-profit organizations who are in need of clearing out waste from a City area.  For more information, go to: http://www.honolulu.gov/env/default.html.

 

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Fighting Illegal Dumping: Ewa Channel Cleared

Councilmember Pine is committed to preserving our open spaces and fighting illegal dumping from happening in our communities. When residents contacted Councilmember Pine with concerns regarding debris, trash, and compost waste being dumped in the Ewa Channel, this was unacceptable to her. In response, Councilmember Pine connected with the City’s Department of Facility Maintenance (DFM) to request a formal cleanup of the channel.

 

On June 23, 2016, DFM’s Division of Road Maintenance crew removed the trash and debris from the Ewa Beach Channel mouth, off of Ft. Weaver Road and Alekai Street.

 

Residents are encouraged to stay alert and report any illegal dumping that occurs in the area. To report improper placement of bulky items, citizens can call the City’s Refuse Division at 768-3200. In the event that residents witness an act of illegal dumping occurring, they are encouraged to call 911.

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Mayor signs Bill 24 Targeting Illegal Bulky Item Dumpers

 

407px-Honolulu_seal_svg

PRESS RELEASE

MAYOR KIRK CALDWELL

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES

CITY & COUNTY OF HONOLULU

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, May 18, 2016

Press Office: 768-5768 (cell: 321-0690)

Mayor signs Bill 24 targeting illegal bulky item dumpers 

Mayor Kirk Caldwell today signed Bill 24, sponsored by Councilmember Kymberly Marcos Pine and Councilmember Ron Menor, strengthening enforcement of illegal bulky item dumping.

This new law will for the first time allow inspectors to fine the individual perpetrators who illegally dump bulky waste, not just nearby residents and managers. It also provides higher fines for individual perpetrators: Those violators can now be fined up to $2,500 for each violation

“Oahu residents are tired of seeing their sidewalks turned into illegal dumpsites,” said Councilmember Kymberly Marcos Pine. “These higher fines will ensure that anyone breaking the law will think twice before illegally dumping their trash in our neighborhoods.”

“I am glad that this bill has been signed into law,” said Councilmember Menor. “The illegal dumping of bulky items remains a significant issue creating health and safety problems and visual blight in communities throughout the islands.  These problems are exacerbated by the piling up of bulky items on sidewalks when people illegally dump items in an area which encourages others to do the same.  I am hopeful that the tougher sanctions which this measure contains will serve as an additional deterrent to these kinds of activities in the future.”

“The Department of Environmental Services provides for free collection of bulky items, such as furniture, appliances, and mattresses, across O‘ahu every month,” said Director of Environmental Services Lori Kahikina. “Please put items out only during your regularly scheduled pickup times, or take them to any of our convenience centers. Inspectors will continue citing violators, and fines are now increased.”

O‘ahu bulky item collection information and schedule by region can be found here: http://bit.ly/1R7zEmz.

“There is no excuse for illegal dumping, which creates a safety hazard and an eyesore,” said Mayor Caldwell. “Think about the seniors who have to walk into the road to avoid your old couch. Think about the neighbors who have to stare at it all month. Please kokua and follow the collection schedule. If your items are still in good condition, please consider donating them to organizations such as Goodwill and Salvation Army. If you see someone dumping illegally, please call police immediately.”

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Councilmember Pine Educates the Community About Illegal Banners and Signage Laws

Residents have been contacting Councilmember Pine with concerns regarding the placement of illegal banners around the community.

 

In response, Councilmember Pine connected with the Department of Planning & Permitting (DPP) to inquire about the placement of banners on both public and private properties, and what the ordinances are.

 

DPP Director George Atta replied that any banners that advertise a location that is not in the area or showcase sponsor information and for-profit businesses violate banner ordinances. The City is dutiful in taking down any visible signage that is illegal.

 

At this time, DPP also stresses that the City does not give permission to private citizens to remove any signage on public and private properties.

 

Instead, residents are encouraged to report any illegal signage they see in their communities to their representatives’ office. The first step to getting these signs removed is to determine whether it is on City or State property— and notifying the correct office. Then, your community representatives will connect with the appropriate department to have the illegal signage removed immediately.

 

If you have any questions regarding illegal signage in your neighborhood, please contact kmpine@honolulu.gov

 

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Hawaii Public Radio “The Conversation” Interview re: Illegal Dumping with Councilmember Kymberly Marcos Pine on April 25, 2016

“We all make trash but how we dispose of it varies greatly- especially when it comes to bulky items. A measure up again for consideration by the Public Health, Safety and Welfare committee of the Honolulu City and County Council wants to fix that by making curbside dumping illegal. Leeward West Oahu councilmember Kymberly Pine co-introduced the bill up for another hearing by the committee tomorrow”

To listen to this radio interview, go to http://hawaiipublicradio.org/post/conversation-monday-april-25th-2016

 

 

 

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Curbing Illegal Dumping in Ewa Beach

Ewa Beach residents recently contacted Councilmember Pine regarding illegal dumping happening right in their own neighborhood—at the corner of Pohakupuna Road, bulky items and trash including refrigerators, washing machines, tables and chairs, mattresses, and TVs are being illegal dumped daily. Residents are concerned, as this is becoming a safety hazard for drivers in the area as well as the residents and keiki.

 

Councilmember Pine has submitted a report to the City’s Department of Facility Maintenance to investigate the area and looks forward to providing residents with any updates she receives.

 

In response to these and other frustrations from residents regarding illegal dumping in their neighborhoods, Councilmember Pine recently introduced Bill 24, which urges the City to raise the fines of the dumping perpetrators from $500 to $2,500 for each violation. This bill prohibits people from dropping, placing, dumping, or depositing refuse or bulky wastes on a street, roadside, alley, highway, or public place.

 

Bill 24, “CD 1” was adopted on April 20, at the City Council Meeting taking place at Honolulu Hale at 10:00 a.m. 

 

 

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Councilmembers Introduce Proposal to Curb Illegal Dumping on City Streets

KYMBERLY MARCOS PINE

COUNCILMEMBER

(808) 768-5001 (808) 768-1217 (fax)

E-mail: kmpine@honolulu.gov

 

NEWS RELEASE March 16, 2016

                                              

Councilmembers Introduce Proposal to Curb Illegal Dumping on City Streets

 

Mattresses, furniture, refrigerator units, hazardous waste and bulky household trash piled high on the curbsides of Oahu neighborhoods inspired Councilmembers Kymberly Marcos Pine and Ron Menor to introduce Bill 24 which would increase illegal dumping fines by 500%.

 

“Residents are tired of seeing their sidewalks turned into illegal dumps,” said Councilmember Kymberly Marcos Pine. “This is a safety and health issue that is affecting the quality of life for many of our residents. In some areas, trash is constantly outside of people’s homes and that is no way to live.”

 

Bill 24 addresses the illegal disposal of refuse, and bulky items, providing that: “No person shall throw, drop, place, dump or deposit refuse or bulky wastes on a street, roadside, alley, highway, or public place except as provided in this chapter,” which would allow bulky disposal only on the City’s scheduled pickup times. Fines will increase from $500 to $2500.

 

“Townhome associations and property managers have been unfairly fined for illegally dumped items fronting their property. With this legislation, the actual violators will be targeted and will be fined,” said Councilmember Ron Menor— Co-Sponsor of Bill 24.

 

Councilmembers Pine and Menor are working closely with the community, property managers, and residents to raise awareness of the monthly pickup schedule and the dangers of ignoring the city’s prohibition on dumping items outside of the scheduled dates and times set by the city.

 

“With this bill, we hope to empower the community to take personal responsibility for their bulky items and trash, and to report any type of illegal dumping to the City’s Department of Environmental Services.” Councilmember Kymberly Marcos Pine said. “It’s time for our community to come together to fight illegal dumping once and for all.”

 

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Bill 24 will be heard tomorrow, March 16, 2016 at the City Council Meeting taking place at Honolulu Hale at 10:00 a.m. Councilmember Pine asks members of the public to attend and offer their support at this meeting. Residents may also submit a written testimony at http://www.honolulu.gov/ccl-testimony-form.html?view=form or by emailing kmpine@honolulu.gov.

 

To report improper placement of bulky items, citizens can call the City’s Refuse Division at 768-3200. In the event that residents witness the act of illegal dumping occurring, they are encouraged to call 911. You can find your street’s bulky item pickup schedule at the ENV website here: http://www.opala.org/solid_waste/collection_schedule_search.html.

 

Councilmember Kymberly Marcos Pine represents residents of District One (ʻEwa, ʻEwa Beach, Kapolei, Honokai Hale, Ko ʻOlina, Nanakuli, Maili, Waianae, Makaha, Keaau, Makua).

 

-END-

 

 

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Leeward Parks Update

One of Councilmember Pine’s priorities is to ensure that the parks in our community are well-maintained and kept safe for our ‘ohana and keiki.

 

In 2015, the City Council budgeted over $4 million into the City’s Capital Improvement Program for the improvement of parks throughout the Leeward Coast. Councilmember Pine’s ongoing commitment is to ensure the parks in our communities get the care they deserve.

 

Councilmember Pine recently met with our parks department staff and isd pleased to report that our parks are seeing dramatic improvements that will help improve the quality of life for our residents:

 

Leeward Parks Update

· All comfort stations on the Leeward Coast are currently being repainted.

· Waianae District Park’s play apparatus has been refurbished.

· Waianae District Park’s comfort station by the tennis courts is expected to be renovated.

· Maili Community Park recently received new play apparatus.

· Renovation of Maili Beach Park’s Comfort Stations 1, 2, and 3 will begin early next year. The contract for bid of construction was recently awarded.

Maili Beach

Newly repainted comfort station at Maili Beach Park

 

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Refurbished play apparatus at Waianae District Park

 

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Refurbished play apparatus at Waianae District Park

 

Have any questions about our parks or want to learn more about how you can get involved with community clean-ups?  Feel free to contact Councilmember Pine at kmpine@honolulu.gov.

 

 

 

 

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