IMPORTANT UPDATE: The next Town Hall is set for Thursday, May 2 at 7 p.m. at Nānāikapono Elementary School in Nānākuli.
HONOLULU – Over the past month, we have hosted six town hall meetings around Oʻahu as part of our “journey of learning,” including meetings in Kapolei, Kailua, Salt Lake, Wahiawā, Downtown/Chinatown and Mānoa. Engaging with our communities has proven to be insightful, informative and energizing, and we cherish the opportunity to hear about concerns and ideas from our friends and neighbors. We want to keep you in the loop about what we are learning and what actions we are taking to address issues that come up. Here’s a brief recap of our town halls to date — focusing on some of the key topics that arose:
Racetrack: Supporters of a new racetrack on Oʻahu have been vocal about getting City support for their plan. City and County of Honolulu Managing Director Mike Formby was able to share with motorsports fans that the City is working closely with the Navy on taking over the title to 400 acres of federal land in Kalaeloa to get the racetrack process underway, and the Blangiardi administration has committed to do everything it can to make the racetrack happen.
Roadway safety: Department of Transportation Services Director Roger Morton is prioritizing upgrades to safety measures on roads around schools across the island, including the installation of protected crosswalks, which could include signage or raised crosswalks, while also exploring ways to improve bike transportation for cyclists.
Secondary access to Makakilo: Residents have been vocal about their desire for an emergency access route into and out of Makakilo, and plans for that route could potentially involve a road owned by a construction company. Executing a project of that magnitude would require considerable funding assistance from the federal government, but the City is exploring ways to secure alternative funding means to try to make the secondary route a reality, in addition to working toward providing emergency access to that road in case of an unforeseen hazard to the community.
Converting illegal vacation rentals into long-term housing for residents: Residents are worried about a state proposal that would allow additional structures to be built on properties to help address the affordable housing crisis. Instead, they propose converting illegal short-term rentals in affordable housing units. The Blangiardi administration and Councilmember Esther Kiaʻāina oppose the state proposal as it stands, saying a one-size-fits-all approach for the entire state simply does not work — especially when taking into account the differences of neighborhood density between, say, Kauaʻi and Oʻahu. The City’s position is that counties should have control over land-use decisions
Stormwater and water quality: Several residents expressed concern about the cleanliness of waterways, storm drains and Kailua Bay, especially afterheavy rains. The City affirmed that it is aware of these issues and is approaching stormwater using a holistic approach. That includes addressing construction site runoff violations, keeping canals and streams clear, and ensuring that wastewater treatment plants are functioning properly, so that freshwater bodies and ocean waters are safe and clean for the environment and for those who use the water for recreation.
Homelessness: Questions were raised about how the issue of homelessness was being confronted in Kailua. Mayor Blangiardi said the City is looking to address the problem systemically, because simply removing the homeless and taking their belongings was not working. Now, we recognize that community-based solutions are the key. That includes the Crisis Outreach Response and Engagement (C.O.R.E.) team, whose crews are initiating daily interactions with homeless people to help get them into facilities that can help them get the care they need. In addition, the City is making investments in properties to house the homeless, whether they are suffering from mental health issues, addiction, or have simply fallen on hard times.
Property assessments: A lifelong Salt Lake resident complained that his leasehold properties, which had been owned by his late father, were being assessed at a fee simple rate, which tallied to a large amount of money. Then, the City reportedly denied the family’s appeal of the assessment. City officials offered to take the family’s information to try to resolve the issue and at the very least, to offer further explanation and assistance.
Issues with a residential property near Tripler: A resident says a house in their neighborhood that was damaged in a fire has been taken over by criminals and squatters, coming and going at all hours of the night. Families now don’t feel safe in that area. HPD acknowledged it is tracking that specific situation and met with the citizen offline to take down their information and try to find a solution to the problem.
Trash pickup in Pearl City parks: A woman who walks through the parks daily says trash is not picked up often enough, and she specifically Neal S. Blaisdell Park in ʻAiea as the biggest issue. She says the trash bags pile up and that she has made several complaints about the eyesore, but she does want to say “mahalo” to parks staff and police for their hard work. The Deputy Director for the Department of Parks and Recreation reassured the woman that trash pick-ups happen more regularly than once every seven days, but acknowledges that a refuse truck was down temporarily and that there is a struggle with illegal dumping in that park. Meanwhile, that truck has since been fixed, new signage is going up, and residents are asked to report illegal dumping to assist City staff keep parks clean.
Homelessness: The issue of homelessness was a prominenttopic at this meeting, as residents complained about addresses with dilapidated structures that serve as a magnet for unsavory characters. City officials reiterated their comprehensive and systemic approach to addressing the issue while committing to increased enforcement of current laws and looking into these specific problem areas.
Skate parks in Wahiawā, Mililani: A large crowd gathered to share their desire to build a bigger and better skate park at Wahiawā District Park. Mayor Blangiardi committed to trying to work with them to see if this idea could be turned into a reality, especially since local businesses have committed to assist with funding. Skaters also brought up issues with the lack of lights at the skate park, as well as at the skate park in Mililani.
E-bikes speeding on roads: A resident said children are speeding down roadways on e-bikes and other motorized two-wheeled vehicles, causing a menace in the community. She asked for additional enforcement. HPD Chief Joe Logan expressed worries about initiating a pursuit of a young person on an e-bike or motorcycle, especially if an injury ensued. Chief Logan and Mayor Blangiardi encouraged residents to address issues such as this one by working together as a community.
Chinatown improvements: Several residents asked about City initiatives to improve Chinatown, including developing River Walk. Mayor Blangiardi was able to announce the possibility of a joint venture with the Taiwanese government to improve the Cultural Plaza with a mixed-use development. There are also ongoing efforts to address crime and homelessness (which has been dramatically improved in the area). Meanwhile, the Department of Transportation Services continues to work on the major $4.4 million project to revitalize Kekaulike Mall.
Illegal game rooms: Illegal game rooms are known to attract criminal elements, including drugs, which is a concern among residents. Department of Planning and Permitting Director Dawn Takeuchi Apuna says fines for code violations appear to be working because property owners are taking action when they realize there are financial implications. She also said she’s tracking bills closely as they move through the Honolulu City Council with the hope that they’ll be able to help the City crack down on these illegal establishments.
What projects are planned for Kalihi?: Department of Parks and Recreation Director Laura Thielen says Summer Fun activities are being reimagined to focus on outcomes so kids can learn about three principal areas; leadership, health and wellness, and “sense of place.” There are also efforts to provide additional enrichment programs to kids in the area.
Public safety: Residents asked about what’s being done to prepare for the potential threat of a hurricane or a wildfire. City officials, including representatives from the Honolulu Fire Department and the Department of Emergency Management, explained the preparation and mitigation that takes place in advance of any kind of potential disasters, reassuring them that crews and agencies have updated strategies to warn residents and respond as quickly as possible to hazards of all types. HFD says its staffing and water systems are more robust than those on Maui, to alleviate fears of the possibility of another tragedy like what occurred in Lahaina. Officials also encouraged residents to take matters into their own hands when it comes to trying to mitigate impacts from potential disasters and climate change.
Homelessness and crime: Two residents expressed concern about their safety due to homeless people in parks and communities. Mayor Blangiardi addressed those concerns by highlighting the unprecedented action that’s being taken by the City to tackle these challenging issues, including the creation of CORE (Crisis Outreach Response and Engagement), the purchase of properties to increase homeless shelter capacity, a legal victory over the American Civil Liberties Union over the enforcement of laws including sit-lie, sidewalk nuisance and park closure hours, along with around-the-clock efforts of the Honolulu Police Department to keep the community safe.
Development: Some residents are worried about increasing development in the urban core and how that might contribute to increased traffic congestion and lowered real estate values. Mayor Blangiardi acknowledged those concerns while pointing out the affordable housing crisis and how that is leading to an out-migration of the younger workforce because they simply cannot afford to live here at home. Meanwhile, Department of Planning and Permitting Director Dawn Takeuchi Apuna asked residents to share their input for the Urban Development Plan which will be accepting public comment at the City Council to help shape policy and planning for the future of this community.
Remember, you can watch all the town halls in their entirety on Mayor Blangiardi’s Youtube page!