North Shore NewsThe Power of Local Governance in Addressing Hawaii’s Challenges
Hawaii’s neighborhood boards are essential to community voice and civic engagement, giving us the power to directly influence issues that affect us all. As the 2025 Neighborhood Board Elections approach, this is your opportunity to play a part in building a brighter, more equitable, and sustainable future for Hawai‘i. Neighborhood boards offer us the chance to address critical issues like corruption, climate change, and economic inequality right where we live, impacting not just our communities but the entire state.
Why Neighborhood Boards Matter to You
Neighborhood boards are about putting power in your hands. They give you a platform to discuss the specific concerns facing your neighborhood, collaborate with neighbors on solutions, and hold elected officials accountable. This level of local governance fosters transparency and trust, building a crucial buffer against corruption. When we’re informed and involved, we create a built-in system of checks and balances that promotes open government and discourages unethical practices.
But neighborhood boards don’t just stop at the community level. The issues we discuss in these meetings influence city and state officials. Our voices from the grassroots level can shape bigger policy discussions, ensuring that our concerns echo all the way to the legislature. This means our local governance efforts are essential not only for direct, community- level improvements but also for strengthening Hawaii’s broader democratic process.
Addressing Climate Change Together, OneCommunity at a Time
Hawai‘i is feeling the effects of climate change first-hand, from rising sea levels to biodiversity loss. While statewide policies are essential, local action is a critical part of our fight against climate impacts. Through neighborhood boards, we can come together to organize local environmental efforts— whether it’s waste reduction, challenging destructive development projects, advocating for green spaces, or pushing for coastal protection.
As we collaborate with local environmental groups, government agencies, and other stakeholders, we can create resilience projects designed specifically for our community. These community-driven efforts are often the front line of environmental defense and offer a model for others in Hawai‘i to follow. Together, we can make our communities more sustainable, resilient, and prepared for future climate challenges.
Fighting Economic Inequality Where We Live
Economic inequality is hitting our communities hard, driving up living costs and putting housing out of reach for many. Neighborhood boards are a powerful avenue to directly address these issues in the places they impact most. When we discuss local concerns, we shed light on these inequities, creating momentum for solutions that address high costs, affordable housing, and more investment in public education so as to improve economic opportunity. Through our neighborhood boards, we can advocate for initiatives like cooperative housing, infrastructure support for small farmers, better land use ordinances, tax fairness, and community-centered workforce pathways. As representatives of our communities, we can push for policies that ensure our economic activity benefits the whole, not just those at the top. Neighborhood boards give us the platform to fight for fairer economic policies at every level, bringing the realities of our neighborhoods to state decision-makers.
Get Involved: Key Dates for the 2025 Neighborhood Board Elections
The 2025 Neighborhood Board Elections are coming up fast. Here’s how you can make sure your voice is heard and your community is represented:
Friday, December 20, 2024: The election process begins! If you’re ready to represent your community or encourage others who care deeply about local issues, this is the date candidate registration forms will be released. Head to https://www8. honolulu.gov/nco/neighborhood-board-elections/ for more information.
Friday, February 21, 2025: Deadline for both voter and candidate registration. Be sure you’re registered to vote, or, if you’re interested, step up to run as a candidate by this date.
Friday, February 28, 2025: Ensure your registration forms, postmarked by February 21, are received by this date.
Friday, April 25, 2025: Voting officially begins, and passcodes will be mailed out. Watch for your passcode and be ready to make your voice
count.
Friday, May 16, 2025: Voting ends. Make sure you’ve cast your vote by this date to secure your part in the decision-making.
Friday, May 23, 2025: All ballots, postmarked by May 19, must be received by this date.
Aloha! Thank you for being part of this journey. Let’s work together to create a brighter, more sustainable, and more equitable Hawai‘i.