North Shore NewsAloha Friends – It was great to see so many community members at the recent town halls in Waialua and Hauʻula. Many concerns were raised, and I appreciate all the manaʻo shared. We addressed numerous questions about Bill 64.
As a reminder, Bill 64 is a continuation of what was previously Bill 10, and encompasses a review and updating of the City’s entire Land Use Ordinance (LUO). Councilmember Kiaʻāina, as chair of the Planning & Economy Committee, has guided discussions through industrial, commercial, residential, public, civic, and institutional uses. We anticipate that discussions on agriculture will start in August.
With that in mind, our office has begun holding agricultural stakeholder meetings, and we welcome community feedback on what language should be in the final version of the LUO. The most current draft of Bill 64 is available at www.honolulucitycouncil.org/bill64. To stay updated and participate in these important discussions, you can sign up for our newsletter at linktr.ee/ councilmemberweyer
On June 6, 2024, the Honolulu City Council unanimously approved the City’s budget, which included $750,000 for the Waialua Fire Station relocation, $300,000 for improvements to the Kahuku Ambulance Unit Facility, $500,000 for a North Shore Ocean Safety First Responder Center, $2,001,000 for improvements to the Kahuku Wastewater Treatment Plant, $2,000,000 to update the North Shore Regional Wastewater Alternatives Plan, $433,985 for improvements to Kahuku District Park, and allocating $25,000 for shade canopies at ʻĀweoweo Beach Park; and a new position. We also allocated funds for the Office of Climate Change and Sustainability personnel to address flood mitigation and stream maintenance. Additionally, funds were allocated to create three positions at the Office of Economic Revitalization to provide services for kūpuna and immigrant resources.
This budget demonstrates the Honolulu City Council’s commitment to a brighter, more sustainable future by making strategic funding decisions that strengthen city infrastructure and services. For more details, visit honolulucitycouncil.org/budget
I was recently able to sit down with the City’s Office of Economic Revitalization (OER) and Go Farms Hawai‘i to discuss how the City can continue to better support our local farmers. Their work in training and educating farmers is one part of the bigger path toward food security and sustainability. The partnership between OER and Go Farms Hawaiʻi is just one example of how we can achieve our shared goals, and I will continue to support the City’s involvement.
I also had the pleasure of visiting the O‘ahu Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), one of the few adoption and clinic centers operating on O‘ahu alongside the Hawai‘i Humane Society. The experience was both heartwarming and inspiring. We spent time with a variety of adorable pets, each eager to find their forever home. The dedication and hard work of the Wahiawā team at O‘ahu SPCA were evident in every interaction. They tirelessly strive to accommodate as many families as possible. Witnessing their compassion and commitment firsthand was a joy, and we left with a renewed appreciation for the vital role they play in our community.
As always, please feel free to contact my office at (808)768-5002 or email me at mweyer@honolulu.gov with any questions or concerns you may have.