My Reasons for Supporting a Council Leadership Change
Aloha, March 15, 2018
You may have read about disputes related to leadership changes at the City Council. Any internal disputes are just that, minor internal discussions, and you need to know that they will not prevent me from standing up for you and for what is right for Honolulu's future.
The main reason I support a leadership change at the Council has unfortunately been lost in media reports to more sensational stories. I am supporting a leadership change because over the last year, I have become increasingly concerned about the handling of the City Budget, the Rail Budget, a lack of transparency in decisions and proposed tax and fee increases on you and your family.
I want to assure you that any reorganization that may pass will bring clearer leadership on the most pressing issues before our City.
Last week, the Council began to review the Mayor's proposed budget for 2018 - 2019. As the Council continues to deliberate and consider the budget requests and revenue enhancements sought by the Mayor's Administration, my goal throughout the next few months is to chart a prudent and strategic budgetary approach that will focus our city resources on the most impactful investments in our District's priorities. This includes investments in public safety, affordable housing, parks, fighting homelessness, and supporting more economic development - all with the goal of increasing the quality of life for families in Leeward O'ahu.
In considering the Mayor's spending blueprint, I will focus on endorsing a budget proposal that recognizes fiscal challenges in the years ahead and targets new community investments on a few key priorities, including:
- Road Repaving: I am allocating funding for more highways and street repairs and upgrades throughout 'Ewa Beach, Kapolei and Wai'anae.
- Affordable Housing: We are working to identify and fund more public/private partnerships to create more truly affordable units for local families.
- Improving Our Parks: One of my ongoing priorities is to fund more capital improvements at our most used parks in District 1, including One'ula Beach Park, Nanakuli Beach Park, Kapolei Regional Park and Makaha Beach Park.
- Addressing homelessness in our district: Next week, we will have a blessing ceremony for the new Kauhale Kamaile project, which is a 16-unit modular housing project for local families experiencing homelessness on our Wai'anae Coast. Additionally, please check out this video of my recent tour of Kahauiki Village-- permanent affordable housing that will be home to 630 former homeless residents upon full build-out.
- Economic Development: I will continue to support and fund opportunities for homegrown economic development in Leeward O'ahu. Additionally, I'm happy to partner with the Kapolei Chamber of Commerce in presenting the 6th Annual Hire Leeward Fair on Saturday, June 23, 2018 at UH West O'ahu. To learn more about the fair or explore career opportunities on our Leeward Coast, please visit www.HireLeeward.com.
At this time, I encourage you to stay engaged with the City's Annual Budget Process by reviewing the City's Legislative Budget, Executive Operating Budget, and the Executive Capital Budget for Fiscal Year 2019:
- Bill 14 - City's Legislative Budget
- Bill 15 - Executive Operating Budget
If you have any questions, feel free to email me at kmpine@honolulu.gov.
Together, we continue to make progress in our efforts to restore and improve core services throughout the community.
Mahalo,
Kymberly Marcos Pine
Some 'More Sensational Stories':
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