So, we all know that the new ‘Aiea Public Library is being built–we all know that much. However, most of the work is hidden behind a temporary fence, so have you been wondering exactly what’s been going on back there? If you have, perhaps we can shed some light onto your curiosity!

The following photos are from a project construction report filed with the Department of Accounting & General Services. According to the report, the facility (designed by Davin Kimoto of CDS International and being built by Nan Inc) is set to be complete by the mid-December 2013. Not surprising, seeing as how quickly everything is going up! Awesome!!!

June 14, 2013 – Pouring of Center Concrete Slab on Grade

June 14, 2013: Center Concrete Slab on Grade Finishing Work

June 19, 2013: Structural Steel Roof Work

June 19, 2013: Interior of Library with Structural Steel Roof Work at Rear of Photo

Councilmembers Breene Harimoto and Carol Fukunaga are co-sponsoring two free “Complete Streets” workshop for Aiea. The first will be tonight, May 1, from 6:30pm to 8:30pm and the second will be next week Tuesday, May 7, from 6:30pm to 8:30 pm.

If you can, please also join Councilmember Harimoto and traffic-calming expert Dan Burden for an informal walk audit around the school area prior to the meeting (starting at 5:00pm in front of Alvah Scott Elementary School).

From Councilmember Harimoto: “You are welcomed to join us on this short walk to see first-hand what is involved and to participate in some of the discussions.  If you cannot join the walk, please just join us at the 6:30 meeting where Dan will do a presentation on Complete Streets incorporating some of the photos from this walk.  We’ll also have a lively discussion about what you perceive to be problem intersections and areas in Aiea from Kaahumanu Street to Halawa.  We’ll take all of your input and come back in the second meeting next week Tuesday night to present possible solutions and to get your feedback on those ideas.  We will develop better plans with the involvement of more community members.  Remember that our goal is to transform our streets into streets that are safe for everyone, including motorists, pedestrians, bicyclists, and especially for our children and seniors.

For more information, see the flier here: Workshop Aiea

Save the Date!!

The ground breaking of the new ‘Aiea Public Library will be held on Saturday, March 16th 2013 at 10:00am to 12:00 noon at the old ‘Aiea Sugar Mill site (off of ‘Aiea Heights Drive)!

For more information, call ‘Aiea Public Library at 483-7333 or Library Development Services at 831-6878, or take a look at the flyer!

Hope to see you all there!!

UPDATE:The ACA meeting will be held at its regularly scheduled time, on Monday February 18 at 7:00pm at the Aiea Library conference room.

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Aloha everyone. Because the next scheduled ‘Aiea Community Association meeting date would fall on President’s Day, we are contemplating changing the meeting date, depending on the availability of ‘Aiea Public Library’s meeting room. Stay tuned for confirmation…

Some of you may have noticed that the Ewa side of the ‘Aiea Sugar Mill site has been blocked off. The reason? Construction has finally started on the replacement facility for the ‘Aiea Public Library! The ‘Aiea Community Association and other community leaders have been working on getting this done for more than a decade now, and the vision is finally coming true.

Thank you to everyone who worked to get this done, including ‘Aiea Community Association President Claire Tamamoto, who helped spearhead the effort almost 13 years ago to save this site for a library and community center. She can be seen below in a photo from a Honolulu Star-Bulletin article about early efforts to preserve this area for the community.

Photo from the Honolulu Star Bulletin, January 31, 2000, taken by Ken Ige.

Public is invited to Pearl Harbor commemorative events November 10 – December 9, including the commemoration of the 70th Anniversary of the USS Bowfin and the 71st Pearl Harbor Day Anniversary Ceremony.

(PEARL HARBOR, HAWAII) — The National Park Service and the U.S. Navy will host a joint memorial ceremony commemorating the 71st anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7th, 7:45 – 9:30 a.m. at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center at the World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument (formerly known as the USS Arizona Memorial Visitor Center).

The theme of the Pearl Harbor December 7th ceremony is “From Innocence To Valor.” The ceremony will take place on the back lawn of the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center, looking directly out to the USS Arizona Memorial.

More than 2,000 distinguished guests and the general public are expected to join current and former military personnel, including Pearl Harbor survivors and other WWII veterans, for the annual observance of the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor.

The full theme of this year’s historic commemoration, “Coming of Age – From Innocence To Valor,” honors those who served in the U.S. Armed Forces on that fateful day as a legacy of heroics. The attack represented more than a change in America’s status from peace to war, it was a sudden shift from youthful innocence to a searing awareness of the cost and consequences of war. Heroically, these men and women did not back down. Also not forgotten are the thousands of civilians who witnessed the attack, including the 49 who lost their lives. Young lives and families were changed forever as the nation “came of age” on Dec. 7, 1941 and throughout the war. Through innovation, courage and sacrifice, Americans joined together – stronger, wiser and more committed to preserving democracy, freedom and peace.

For more information, please see the official news release!

Leeward Community College will be holding a Discovery Fair this Saturday, November 3rd, from 9:00am to 3:00pm.

This will be a day filled with fun for the entire family, offering more than 30 interactive exhibits for the keiki, continuous entertainment, carnival games and prizes, book fair, local market, and delicious food!

This year’s Fair includes Weed and Seed Hawaii Celebrate Safe Communities.

This is a FREE event!

For more information, please click here to see the flyer!

Eth-Noh-Tec is performing at Aiea Public Library on Thursday, October 25th at 2:30pm!

Eth-Noh-Tec, a kinetic story theater company based in San Francisco, weaves together elements of East and West to create possibilities. Their engaging style of performance transports the audience across the world to locations like the shores of Japan, the rice fields of Vietnam, and the villages of Tibet. Eth-Noh-Tec has won numerous awards and has had the honor of performing at the Kennedy Center and during the inauguration celebrations for both President Bill Clinton and President Barack Obama.

See the flyer for more details: Eth-Noh-Tec Flyer.

This year’s Aiea Christmas Parade & Fun Fair will be held on Saturday, December 8, 2012. See the message from Karen Higa and Claire Tamamoto below:

This year’s Aiea Christmas Parade & Fun Fair will be held on Saturday, December 8, 2012. See the message from Karen Higa and Claire Tamamoto below:

Aloha,

The annual Aiea Christmas Parade and Family Fun Fair is a great community event that celebrates the holiday season. We welcome community groups, church groups, businesses, clubs, and schools to participate in the parade and fun fair.

This holiday event will be held on Saturday December 8, 2012. The parade starts at 9am from Pearlridge Elementary School and ends at the Old Sugar Mill Site on Halewiliko Street. The Family Fun Fair will begin after the end of the parade and will have community booths, crafts, food, family activities and entertainment.

We hope you’ll be interested in participating. Please fill out the attached form(s). If you have any questions, please contact Karen Higa at boohiga@yahoo.com .

Mahalo and Happy Holidays,
Karen Higa & Claire Tamamoto

Application Forms

• Aiea Community Christmas Parade
• Aiea Community Christmas fun fair

The World War II in the Pacific National Monument presents, as part of its “After Dark in the Park” series, “WASPs: The Forgotten Wings.”

In commemoration of Veterans Day, author and historian Vera Williams will discuss the often overlooked contribution of woman pilots during WWII.

• Where: Pearl Harbor Visitor Center
• When: November 10, 2012
• Time: 6:30pm
• Free and open to the public
• Limited Seating—Please RSVP to Amanda Carona 808-423-7300 ext. 7048
• Book signing to follow event

See the flyer for more information: After Dark in the Park – WASPS