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TheBus/HART voice announcement audio recordings

Request to:
Department of Transportation Services
Law used:
State of Hawaii UIPA
Status of this request:
Request awaits classification
Cost of information:
119.00 Dollars
Summary of Request
Any and all available audio recordings of announcements - i.e. RE schedules, health notices, schedule interruptions, promotions, emergencies - and other audio material created to be broadcast to transport patrons on trains, buses, in stations, and from outdoor shelters. I am specifically requesting the audio recording material and not the transcripts or other summarized format of these recordings. The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes. In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not. Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 10 calendar days, as the statute requires.

Messages in this request

From << Name Not Public >>
Subject Records Request for Department of Transportation Services: TheBus/HART voice announcement audio recordings [#1005]
Date Sept. 16, 2023, 6:30 a.m.
To Department of Transportation Services
Status Awaiting response
Attachments

Aloha, Pursuant to the public records law, I would like to request the following records in electronic format sent to my email address.
Any and all available audio recordings of announcements - i.e. RE schedules, health notices, schedule interruptions, promotions, emergencies - and other audio material created to be broadcast to transport patrons on trains, buses, in stations, and from outdoor shelters. I am specifically requesting the audio recording material and not the transcripts or other summarized format of these recordings. The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes. In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not. Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 10 calendar days, as the statute requires.
[... Show complete request text] << Name Not Public >>
  1. 7 months, 2 weeks agoSept. 16, 2023, 6:31 a.m.: << Name Not Public >> sent a message to Department of Transportation Services.
From Department of Transportation Services – Department of Transportation Services
Subject RE: Records Request for Department of Transportation Services: TheBus/HART voice announcement audio recordings [#1005]
Date Sept. 19, 2023, 7:01 a.m.
Status Awaiting response

Aloha << Nameremoved >> , Your request for audio recordings has been received and will be forwarded to the appropriate Division for response to you. Mahalo ~
-----Original Message----- From: << Name removed >> << Name removed >> <<name and email address> > Sent: Saturday, September 16, 2023 6:31 AM To: Department of Transportation Services < <name and email address> > Subject: Records Request for Department of Transportation Services: TheBus/HART voice announcement audio recordings [#1005] CAUTION:   Email received from an EXTERNAL sender.   Please confirm the content is safe prior to opening attachments or links. Aloha, Pursuant to the public records law, I would like to request the following records in electronic format sent to my email address. Any and all available audio recordings of announcements - i.e. RE schedules, health notices, schedule interruptions, promotions, emergencies - and other audio material created to be broadcast to transport patrons on trains, buses, in stations, and from outdoor shelters. I am specifically requesting the audio recording material and not the transcripts or other summarized format of these recordings. The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes. In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not. Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 10 calendar days, as the statute requires. Mahalo, << Name removed >> << Name removed >>
  1. 7 months, 1 week agoSept. 19, 2023, 7:01 a.m.: Received an email from Department of Transportation Services.
From << Name Not Public >>
Subject RE: Records Request for Department of Transportation Services: TheBus/HART voice announcement audio recordings [#1005]
Date Oct. 2, 2023, 3:56 a.m.
To Department of Transportation Services

Dear Sir or Madam, I have not recieved any correspondence from the respective divisions since the last reply on Sept. 19 and would like to follow up. ... Thank you, <<Name removed >> << Name removed >>
  1. 6 months, 4 weeks agoOct. 2, 2023, 3:56 a.m.: << Name Not Public >> sent a message to Department of Transportation Services.
From Abelaye, Sandra – Department of Transportation Services
Subject RE: Records Request for Department of Transportation Services: TheBus/HART voice announcement audio recordings [#1005]
Date Oct. 2, 2023, 3:16 p.m.
Status Awaiting response
Attachments

<< Name removed >> << Name removed >> , “Acknowledgement to Requester” and “Notice to Requester” attachments are in response to your attached “Request to Access a Government Record” for audio recordings of announcements created to be broadcast to transport patrons on city public transit buses. This response is only for announcements related to TheBus system – Rail will respond separately. Please contact me if you have any questions regarding these attachments. Thank you, Sandra Abelaye Bus Service & Operations Branch Transportation Mobility Division Department of Transportation Services 808-768-8371
-----Original Message----- From: Department of Transportation Services < <name and email address >> Sent: Tuesday, September 19, 2023 7:02 AM To: ' << Name removed >> << Name removed >>' <<name and email address >> Subject: RE: Records Request for Department of Transportation Services: TheBus/HART voice announcement audio recordings [#1005] Aloha << Name removed >>, Your request for audio recordings has been received and will be forwarded to the appropriate Division for response to you. Mahalo ~ -----Original Message----- From: << Name removed >> << Name removed >> <<name and email address >> Sent: Saturday, September 16, 2023 6:31 AM To: Department of Transportation Services < <name and email address >> Subject: Records Request for Department of Transportation Services: TheBus/HART voice announcement audio recordings [#1005] CAUTION:   Email received from an EXTERNAL sender.   Please confirm the content is safe prior to opening attachments or links. Aloha, Pursuant to the public records law, I would like to request the following records in electronic format sent to my email address. Any and all available audio recordings of announcements - i.e. RE schedules, health notices, schedule interruptions, promotions, emergencies - and other audio material created to be broadcast to transport patrons on trains, buses, in stations, and from outdoor shelters. I am specifically requesting the audio recording material and not the transcripts or other summarized format of these recordings. The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes. In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not. Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 10 calendar days, as the statute requires. Mahalo, << Name removed >> << Name removed >>
  1. 6 months, 4 weeks agoOct. 2, 2023, 3:17 p.m.: Received an email from Department of Transportation Services.
From << Name Not Public >>
Subject RE: Records Request for Department of Transportation Services: TheBus/HART voice announcement audio recordings [#1005]
Date Oct. 3, 2023, 8:17 a.m.
To Department of Transportation Services

Thank you Sandra, I have read the attatched forms and will have the first payment of $34 mailed to the office. How would you like my mailing address provided? ... Thank you, <<Name removed >> << Name removed >>
  1. 6 months, 4 weeks agoOct. 3, 2023, 8:17 a.m.: << Name Not Public >> sent a message to Department of Transportation Services.
From Abelaye, Sandra – Department of Transportation Services
Subject RE: Records Request for Department of Transportation Services: TheBus/HART voice announcement audio recordings [#1005]
Date Oct. 3, 2023, 2:08 p.m.
Attachments

<< Name removed >> << Name removed >> , It was brought to my attention that I calculated the estimated fees for review/segregation incorrectly - the corrections are highlighted in yellow on the attached revised Notice to Requestor. My apologies for this error. You may respond to this email with your mailing address. Lastly and I hope you don't mind my asking - your “Request to Access a Government Record” stated that the requested documents will be made available to the general public and is not being made for commercial purposes - 1) what is the purpose for making the sound bites of TheBus on-board audio announcements available to the general public? 2) How will the general public access the sound bite files provided to you? Thank you, Sandra Abelaye
-----Original Message----- From: << Name removed >> << Name removed >> <<name and email address> > Sent: Tuesday, October 3, 2023 8:18 AM To: Abelaye, Sandra < <name and email address> > Subject: RE: Records Request for Department of Transportation Services: TheBus/HART voice announcement audio recordings [#1005] CAUTION:   Email received from an EXTERNAL sender.   Please confirm the content is safe prior to opening attachments or links. Thank you Sandra, I have read the attatched forms and will have the first payment of $34 mailed to the office. How would you like my mailing address provided? ... Thank you, << Name removed >> << Name removed >>
  1. 6 months, 3 weeks agoOct. 3, 2023, 2:08 p.m.: Received an email from Department of Transportation Services.
From << Name Not Public >>
Subject RE: Records Request for Department of Transportation Services: TheBus/HART voice announcement audio recordings [#1005]
Date Oct. 4, 2023, 4:23 a.m.
To Department of Transportation Services

Sandra, Thank you for sending the corrected form. I have read all revisions and will get started on that. I will be making the audio files public to show how much work is put forward to making transit more accessible through audio-visual identification. In addition, the files will be made available for public enjoyment. These files will be published and shared online through social media. Please let me know if you have any additional questions. ... Mahalo, << Name removed >> << Name removed >>
  1. 6 months, 3 weeks agoOct. 4, 2023, 4:23 a.m.: << Name Not Public >> sent a message to Department of Transportation Services.
From Abelaye, Sandra – Department of Transportation Services
Subject RE: Records Request for Department of Transportation Services: TheBus/HART voice announcement audio recordings [#1005]
Date Oct. 23, 2023, 1:17 p.m.
Attachments

Hello << Name removed >> , I am very sorry to inform you that the previous “Notice to Requester” dated 10/03/23 granting your request for TheBus audio recordings of announcements is being superseded by the attached “Notice to Requester” dated 10/23/2023 that denies your request in its entirety for TheBus and Skyline. The Agency Justification section in this “Notice to Requester” references: * State OIP Opinion Letter No. F21-02 https://oip.hawaii.gov/wp-content/upl... * Hawaii Supreme Court decision Peer News LLC v. City & County of Honolulu (attached). The pre-payment check we received in the amount of $64 is being returned via United States Postal Service Priority Mail addressed to you at 1054 Kiionioni Loop, Honolulu, Hawaii 96816. The tracking number is 9505 5067 1521 3296 6462 40. Audio announcements for TheBus and Skyline systems are recorded by Dr. Puakea Nogelmeier, a noted University of Hawaii Professor of Hawaiian Language with a distinct and recognizable voice. Dr. Nogelmeier is the longstanding voice of TheBus and more recently, the voice of Skyline. Per our Department’s agreement with him, the audio files of these announcements shall not be released, reproduced, or rebroadcasted without his prior approval; any violation will result in Dr. Nogelmeier no longer participating in future projects or recordings for our Department. I was unaware of this agreement when I issued the “Notice to Requester” dated 10/02/23 and 10/03/23. When informed of your request, Dr. Nogelmeier opposed the release of the audio announcements that he voiced for TheBus and Skyline, therefore the attached “Notice to Requester” dated 10/23/2023 denies your request in its entirety. In lieu, you are invited to listen to the recordings at our office. The following links provide the interesting history on how Dr. Nogelmeier became the voice of TheBus and Skyline. The story behind Oahuʻs own Voice of TheBus: Dr. Puakea Nogelmeier - YouTube<https://www.youtube.com/wa... Behind the Voice - YouTube<https://www.youtube.com/wa... Puakea Nogelmeier, Part One | LONG STORY SHORT WITH LESLIE WILCOX | PBS Hawaiʻi - YouTube<https://www.youtube.com/wa... Voice of TheBus (honolulumagazine.com)<https://www.... Hawaii News Archive - Starbulletin.com<https://archives.... The Sunshine Blog: Journalists On A Train And Other Items Of Interest (To Us At Least) - Honolulu Civil Beat<https://www.civilbeat.org/202... My apologies for the inconvenience this oversight has caused. Your understanding is very much appreciated. Thank you, Sandra Abelaye Bus Service & Operations Branch Transportation Mobility Division Department of Transportation Services 808-768-8371
-----Original Message----- From: << Name removed >> << Name removed >> <<name and email address> > Sent: Wednesday, October 4, 2023 4:23 AM To: Abelaye, Sandra < <name and email address> > Subject: RE: Records Request for Department of Transportation Services: TheBus/HART voice announcement audio recordings [#1005] CAUTION:   Email received from an EXTERNAL sender.   Please confirm the content is safe prior to opening attachments or links. Sandra, Thank you for sending the corrected form. I have read all revisions and will get started on that. I will be making the audio files public to show how much work is put forward to making transit more accessible through audio-visual identification. In addition, the files will be made available for public enjoyment. These files will be published and shared online through social media. Please let me know if you have any additional questions. ... Mahalo, << Name removed >> << Name removed >>
  1. 6 months, 1 week agoOct. 23, 2023, 1:17 p.m.: Received an email from Department of Transportation Services.
From << Name Not Public >>
Subject RE: Records Request for Department of Transportation Services: TheBus/HART voice announcement audio recordings [#1005]
Date Oct. 23, 2023, 2:47 p.m.
To Department of Transportation Services

Aloha, Thank you for the update and I understand the circumstances that Mr. Nogelmeier put in place. ... Mahalo, <<Name removed >> << Name removed >>
  1. 6 months, 1 week agoOct. 23, 2023, 2:47 p.m.: << Name Not Public >> sent a message to Department of Transportation Services.