Kapolei Development Progresses: Ka Makana Alii Shopping Center

Ala Moana is currently the island’s largest shopping on the island, certainly a central spot for locals and visitors to the island. Pearlridge in Aiea takes the number two spot with Uptown and Downtown sections.

Another shopping complex is soon to hit Oahu hard and strong as the Ka Makana Alii Shopping Center has recently been approved in its environmental assessment by the Hawaiian Homes Commission.

Over the next four years, 1.4 million square feet of Kapolei land will be converted to the third largest shopping complex on the island, which will contain a department store, commercial tenants, various shops and markets, and lodging.

As for employment opportunites, there will be approximately 21,000 positions required to complete the project; thereafter, potentially 7,000 employment vacancies will be required to occupy the complex’s various businesses.

 

 

Source: StarAdvertiser.com

Not Just a Happy State, but a Healthy State

Hawaii found as a the happiest state in the nation by Men’s Health magazine brings a smile to the locals. Now we also know that this is a happy, healthy smile.

Preventable hospitalizations, high percentage of insured people, high public health funding, as well as clean air. These are what contributed to ranking the state of Hawaii as number 4 in the nation as the healthiest state.

Hawaii fared well comparatively to the other states. Ranked by United Health Foundation, Hawaii falls behind Connecticut, New Hampshire, and for the fifth straight year at number 1, Vermont.

Hawaii still faces the same issues that the nation faces, such as a rise in obesity, immunization rates, diabetes, and others. The nation itself did not become healthier.

Health Director Loretta Fuddy believes that the news that Hawaii ranked at number 4 in the nation gives the state optimism as the state promotes health awareness and physical education.

 

Source: StarAdvertiser.com

Lucky You Live Hawaii? Be Happy To Live In Hawaii!

Number 2 on the list for the happiest city in America goes to Manchester, New Hampshire.

And the number 1 spot goes to… Honolulu, Hawaii!

Men’s Health magazine has rated Honolulu with an A+ rating for being a city that promotes happy living. Cities are graded by suicide rates, unemployment rates, antidepressant consumption in households, and other factors.

Studies also show that city environments containing more greenery may contribute to enhancing the mood of residents, such as those who lived near gardens and parks.

The saddest cities are St. Petersburg, Florida and Detroit, Michigan, each with graded with an F.

 

Source: MensHealth.com

Board Elects Executive Director for new Public Land Development Corp

Earlier this year, the state legislature created the Public Land Development Corp with the purpose of creating revenue by using state lands for residential and commercial development.

There were 18 applicants for the position, but the board has unanimously elected former Campbell Estate land manager Lloyd Haraguchi to be the Executive Director for this quasi-public agency.

Those who have worked with Haraguchi in the past say he’s the right man for the job. Haraguchi realizes the work ahead of him and states: “We need to get going.”

 

Source: StarAdvertiser.com

Rise in Mortgage Delinquencies in Nation, Hawaii Not So Bad

Of every 100 homeowners in the state of Hawaii, 5 of them missed at least two mortgage payments in the third quarter of 2011. As compared to the rest of the nation’s average delinquency rate of 5.88%, Hawaii is not doing so bad after all.

Florida’s rating is at 14.08% and Nevada is at 12.39%, but the other end of the spectrum shows North Dakota and South Dakota at 1.47% and 2.33%, respectively.

TransUnion researchers report the rise in the percentage of homeowners missing two or more payments from 5.82% in the second quarter to 5.88% in the third quarter of this year.

While the nation’s percentage rose this past quarter, Hawaii’s status improved from 5.28% to 5%.

 

Source: USAToday, StarAdvertiser

Ready for “The Eddie”

The Quiksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau surf competition period begins on December 1, 2011 and will go through February 29, 2012 until the day of the minimum 20-foot waves dominate Waimea Bay on the North Shore of Oahu.

See this link for list of all participants:

http://quiksilverlive.com/eddieaikau/2012/blog,195,eddie.en.html

APEC Road Closures Unknown

Be patient. Be kind. We don’t know when and what roads will be restricted.

Unfortunately, we have not yet been told when certain routes will be closed during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) conference. Closures may include more than just the H-1 freeway, the main pathway for Oahu residents as distinguished participants of APEC will be traveling between Ko Olina and Waikiki throughout the conference.

Best to stay informed through public media as well as these websites and phone numbers below:

TheBus: (808) 848-5555; http://www.thebus.org

Department of Transportation Services: (808) 768-8305 (10/31 thru 11/10, 7:45am thru 4:30pm); http://www1.honolulu.gov/dts

City Website: http://www.honolulu.gov/mayor/apec

Nixle: http://local.nixle.com/city/hi/honolulu (available via Twitter and Facebook)

 

Source: StarAdvertiser.com

With APEC Coming Soon, Can We Surf In Waikiki?

Security will be on its toes and businesses are putting out their best to make the most of this event. Distinguished guests and prominent leaders are on their way to visit the island. Many parts of Oahu will be affected with detours and sporadic closures with the inevitable, long-awaited arrival of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation conference.

There’s one thing many residents and visitors are wondering with all of these changes.

Can we still surf? The answer: yes. Only parts of Waikiki will be affected by the closures due to the APEC conference.

Starting November 11 at 11:00pm through November 12, the beach on the front part of the Hilton will be closed. Spots such as Number Threes and Paradise, as well as the rest of Waikiki beach will remain open throughout the event.

Ko’olina Resort will also be closed beginning from November 12 at 11:00pm through November 13 at 11:00pm.

 

Source: HawaiiNewsNow.com

New Retail Complex Plans from Kamehameha Schools

More developments in Honolulu? Kamehameha Schools is planning to build a 60,000 sq. ft. complex in Kakaako beginning January 2013.

More than $30 million will be invested in this center, which will contain shops, restaurants, pubs, clothing apparel stores, offices, and other tenant types, which will encompass a 10,000 square foot courtyard. Also included in the plans is a 225-stall parking garage.

The area in which they will build upon already includes some of the areas popular stops, which include Hank’s Haute Dogs, Chai Studio, and other tenants. Some may or may not be incorporated into the center’s plans as these are currently being negotiated.

In addition to this, 680 Ala Moana Blvd will be converted from offices to work-force housing, which is also estimated to cost around $30 million.

 

Source: StarAdvertiser.com

TV Sets Recalled Due to Fire Risk

What makes every home really feel like home? One particular aspect: a nice entertainment set that has a large flat-panel display.

Sony has recalled 1.6 million flat-panel Bravia televisions due to a possible fire hazard caused by a faulty component in the backlight system. So far eleven incidents have been reported, each of these incidents occuring only in Japan; nonetheless, recalls are being done worldwide.

Particularly, the 40-inch models that have been sold to Europe, China, the Middle East, and the Americas will be repaired, but there will not be any replacements televisions issued and no refunds will be given. Sony had announced in a statment that five models of the Bravia flat panel TV’s carry the same transformer.

 

Source: Businessweek.com