
5 minute read
Highways
Meet Brandy Lapilio Reveira, New HWY Administrator’s Offi ce Assistant
By: Juli Chun i Chun
Meet Brandy LapilioReveira. She talks about her return to DOT after eight years and her new role in Highways and what she’s excited about her job.
I am the Offi ce Assistant IV in the HWY Administrator’s offi ce.
I have worked for the state in the past as an offi ce assistant for both the Department of Health and the Department of Transportation (2010-2012, Design Branch, under Edwin Sniff en and Karen Chun).
I left the state to work in the hospitality industry for 8 years. There, I worked with Make-A-Wish families and helped to create memories that would last a lifetime.
It taught me compassion, effi ciency, and timeliness (as some were rush wishes with very tight timelines).
I am so happy to be back with the Department of Transportation because of the work that we do and its impact on the people on Hawaii.

What are you looking forward to in your new position at the DOT?
I am looking forward to working with a strong and knowledgeable team.
What aspects of your job are you excited about?
I am excited about the innovative changes that the Department has implemented. The processes are very streamlined and effi cient!
What do you do on your weekends for fun?
On the weekends, I enjoy spending time with my family, watching my daughter play volleyball, and recharging for the week ahead.



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National Bike to Work Week: May 17-23 National Bike to Work Day: May 21
Highways
May is Nati onal Bike Month!
y By: Diane Dohm


We know that many of us work from home right now, so biking to work might not be an option.

There are so many other reasons to hop on your bike – bike to your friend’s/family’s house, bike to the store, bike to a coff ee shop or café, bike to the beach, bike to run errands, bike to … everywhere! ke
Safety Tips for Bicyclists https://www.hbl. org/oahubikemap/
Safety Tips for Drivers http://www. honolulu.gov/rep/ site/dts/09_Sharing_ the_Road_Brochure. pdf
There are several opportunities to hop on your bike this month: bring awareness to brinngawarenessto the state’s 3-ft law. the https://www.hbl.org/ htt meleofbicycling/ me
• Hawaii Bike • H Challenge is a Ch fun way to get fu you biking more y often. Anyone on o any island can a participate in this p challenge. c
If you are interested in a “DOT Bike Group” for this challenge, “DOT Bike Group” for t please contact Diane Dohm (diane.a.dohm@ hawaii.gov) and she will coordinate the group (we need at least 10 people).



• Mele of Bicycling, through the Hawai’i Bicycle League (HBL), kicks off with their Mele Metric Century ride on April 30. HBL is also coordinating a #safeus 3-ft ride on May 23 to You can also create your own group (friends, neighbors, etc.). There will be prizes along the way to keep you motivated. https://www. lovetoride.net/hawaii
Highways
Governor Ige Issues Emergency Declarati on Following Flooding, Landslides By: Cindy McMillan & Shelly Kunishige

Governor David
Ige issued an emergency declaration March 9th for the entire State of Hawai‘i in the wake of heavy rains that caused fl ooding and landslides. The disaster emergency relief period, which continues through May 8, 2021, makes state funds immediately available to help aff ected communities.
Residents from Hale‘iwa and Hau‘ula to Haʻikū and Hanalei are still recovering from the effects of the storms that pounded the islands last month. Governor David Ige, along with Highways Deputy Director Ed Sniff en, toured some of the hardest-hit areas to thank state and county emergency workers and community volunteers who have provided supplies and equipment to help their neighbors in need.
The Hawai’i Department of Transportation (HDOT) has since opened Kuhio Highway (Route 560) on the north shore of Kauai at mile marker 1 approaching Hanalei Bridge (“Hanalei Hill”) for scheduled public access as follows:
Sundays and S observed State o Holidays H
• 5:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. D During access hours the highway at Hanalei Hill will be open to single lane, alternating traffi c for passenger cars and light trucks. These vehicles will be escorted through the work zone by a pilot vehicle. A detour for heavy trucks (e.g., those with payloads exceeding ¾ ton such as Ford Super Duty F-350, Ram 3500, Chevrolet Silverado 3500, and GMC Sierra 3500 or larger) has been established via Ka Haku Road, Lei O Papa Road, and Hanalei Plantation Road. Due to concerns with loads on the highway below the landslide, Kuhio Highway between Hanalei Plantation Road and the Hanalei Bridge is restricted to 15 tons. Since March 29th, the contractor has been on a 10-hour workday, six days a week. The public access schedule will ensure safety, effi cient single lane alternating movement through the area, and necessary construction hours for the emergency repairs and long term mitigations. Updates and the public access schedule will be posted at https://hidot.hawaii.gov/2021-hanalei-hill-landslide/. • p

Monday through Saturday
• Morning access: 5:30 a.m. to 7:45 a.m. • Afternoon access: 1:45 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. every day except Wednesdays • Wednesday afternoon access: 12:45 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. • • Evening access: 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.