This 2021 legislative session is clearly the most consequential session we'll ever experience.
The nexus of current health and safety fears with the unprecedented downturn in economic activity
presents challenges the likes of which we've never seen. Layered onto a rapidly divided population
in terms of health/economic tradeoffs and political affiliation the issues we currently face are
monumental. But not unsolvable. We must avoid the trap of bemoaning problems, there are never
problems, only challenges. Challenges are made to be overcome. There's a way forward for us to
balance the costs, risks and fears associated with the virus and the economic devastation resulting
from the lockdown. Unlike most of the rest of the country, we here in Hawaii have always worked
through our challenges with people working together, no viable solutions result from partisan politics.
Our office remains committed to working for solutions as a unified body, E Pluribus Unum, Out of many,
one. It's how we've always rolled in Hawaii, and it's how we'll get through these challenges
stronger and more unified than ever. Take care and stay safe.
A new Civil Defense siren is finally being installed in Manoa after the old siren was removed because
it was a wind hazard. The siren is being constructed at the crossroads of East Manoa Road and Akaka
Place, near the Chinese cemetery. The site is slightly mauka of the former site, which you may recall
was located on the fork in East Manoa Road.
Our office had communicated with HI-EMA many times about the timetable for the siren's replacement
because Manoa residents could not hear the siren during its down time. We are grateful that the
budget finally allowed the construction.
As many people know, the Manoa Falls Trail has been closed for some time. We checked with the
Division of Forestry and Wildlife. They said while the trail has been closed due to the pandemic,
they have been extending trail improvements with this year's budget. These improvements are all being
done with a small crew of in-house labor and therefore slow going. The department hopes the trail
might be able to open on weekends by the end of March.