In a recent Ben Wood column, he mentioned a private book-signing party for a book about former Gov. William Quinn at the old Archives. This is a state building. How can private parties be held there? Can the public rent this building? Event at ‘old’ Archives
permitted as courtesyA distinction has to be made between the "old" archives and the "new" archives, said state archivist Jolyn Tamura.
Both buildings are on the grounds of Iolani Palace. Tamura works out of the "new" building, so-called even though it dates back to the 1950s. It is strictly a records repository and "you cannot rent it" for private parties, Tamura said.
The "old" building -- the first state archives -- is in front and occupied by the Friends of Iolani Palace.
It's used mostly to hold training courses and lectures for volunteer docents, with some office space, said Jim Bartels, managing director of Iolani Palace.
Quinn had asked to use Iolani Palace for the book-signing event, but was told "we couldn't open the palace to him," he said.
"Out of respect to Gov. Quinn, because the book was about him and about the period he worked at Iolani Palace, we moved the furniture aside (in the old Archives) and let him sign the books" there as a one-time courtesy, Bartels said.
The group did not ask for nor receive any compensation, Bartels said. Staff volunteered to stay late to accommodate the event.
Two crosswalks on Kona Street, adjacent to Ala Moana Center, were eliminated last year. My concern is that people, especially senior citizens, do not notice new signs to use other crosswalks. One crosswalk led from the Hawaiian Life Building to the mall where Blockbuster is located. I don't think most people would go to the corner to cross the street. The other crosswalk led from American Savings Bank to the bus stop on Kona Street. People now must use two crosswalks to go between that stop and the bank. Also, all the rural buses make a left-turn from Kona Iki to Kona, often making it difficult to cross. Can the old crosswalks be reinstated? Kona Street between Piikoi and Atkinson is owned and controlled by Ala Moana Center.
Last summer, it was determined that Kona Street sidewalks needed to be more accessible to the physically challenged, said Skip Kilburn, assistant general manager for General Growth Management of Hawaii Inc., which manages Ala Moana Center.
So crosswalks along Kona Street at intersections, such as Piikoi, Kona Iki, Keeaumoku and Mahukona streets, were made more handicapped accessible, he said.
Mid-block crosswalks were determined to be hazardous because of heavy traffic along Kona Street, which includes hundreds of city buses daily. Also, mid-block crosswalks were not along any primary pedestrian route to Ala Moana Center, Kilburn said.
That's the status for now. The situation could change if safety for pedestrians and drivers becomes a concern, Kilburn said.
To the young couple at Ross on Keeaumoku recently. They drove away in their new black Jeep Cherokee with their new baby, who was held by mommy who was not wearing a seat belt. No infant seat, no seat belt. Shame on you. Auwe
To employees and customers at Longs Ala Moana who helped my husband when he became ill on Feb. 1. He's fine now. -- Mrs. Asato Mahalo
To the young man driving a brown Honda Civic LX for speeding and weaving through traffic on Waialae Avenue, Ewa-bound, at 3 p.m. Feb. 5. I hope his parents recognize him by this description and take his keys away before he kills someone. Auwe
