FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                      May 20, 2005

Release DFM-1

CITY DEDICATES NEW YOUNG STREET CROSSWALK ON MONDAY

            City and state officials will dedicate a new crosswalk on Young Street at 10 a.m. Monday, May 23, 2005.

            The crosswalk, near the Kaheka Street intersection and Pawaa Neighborhood Park, has been sought by residents of the adjacent One Kalakaua Senior Living center and other people in the neighborhood.

City Councilwoman Ann Kobayashi, who initiated the project said, “For many of our seniors who live around the area, the nearest crosswalk for them is at the corners Keeaumoku or Kalakaua. It’s a far walk in either direction and that section of Young Street oftentimes gets very busy and cars have a tendency to speed.

“I was very concerned about the families’ safety and wanted to make sure drivers were aware of them and slow down.”

State Senators Carol Fukunaga and Suzanne Chun Oakland and Representative Brian Schatz supported this project as well. 

Among those scheduled to attend are Councilwoman Kobayashi, City Managing Director Jeff Coelho and Laverne Higa, director of the City Department of Facility Maintenance, which performed the work.

            DFM workers painted the crosswalk on last week (May 10, 2005). The job cost roughly $600.

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Contact:

Councilwoman Ann Kobayashi, 547-7005

Laverne Higa, Director of Facility Maintenance, 692-5054