North Shore NewsHonoring Genshu Price
At this month’s full council meeting, we honored Hau’ula resident Genshu Price for his leadership in sustainability and educational empowerment. Genshu created Bottles4College to fund the high costs of college tuition and now offers scholarships to other students through his organization. Mahalo, Genshu for your leadership!
Community Highlights
Mahalo to Mayor Blangiardi and his team for joining us on a tour with members of the North Shore Neighborhood Board to various parts of the North Shore to discuss how to best support the community. Our tour concluded at Little Plumeria Farms, where we had the opportunity to learn about sustainable agritourism.
I also had the opportunity to join the Sunset Beach Seniors at their meeting, and I want to say mahalo to Debbie Godoy for facilitating an engaging discussion. Mahalo to everyone that came out to talk story and brainstorm how we can better support the community.
Mahalo to the City’s Office of Economic Revitalization (OER), Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke’s office, and other community partners for participating in the national Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) project and hosting an in-person BEAD challenge in Hauʻula. I am grateful for the community members that came out to talk story about how to support digital equity and increased internet access in our community.
Kahuku Design Meeting
Mahalo to the Department of Parks and Recreation and G70 for hosting a community design meeting at Kahuku Elementary to discuss plans for a community pool. It was exciting to see the impressive, scalable designs presented by G70, along with the creative ideas contributed by community members. The City continues to listen to community concerns and expectations in the planning process, with the next meeting scheduled for October 29, 2024. These meetings aim to ensure transparency and inclusivity in shaping the future of the park. If you weren’t able to attend, you can catch up on the discussion and view the designs by visiting the website https://www.honolulu.gov/ cms-dpr-menu/site-dpr- sitearticles/57970-kahuku-district-parkpool- rec-room.html or scanning the QR code below.
Coastal Erosion
Mahalo to the Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP) for the immediate issuance of an emergency demolition permit for the coastal home collapse on Ke Nui Road. The City will continue to work with State partners to protect our community and natural resources. Homeowners in the area are encouraged to take proactive measures to protect their properties.
Policy Updates
As a reminder, bills require three readings at a full Council meeting to be passed and sent to the Mayor for signing into law. Bill 40(24), our self- certification for solar permits bill, passed third reading at full Council and will be sent to the Mayor for signature. This bill will both simplify the process to install rooftop solar and reduce the backlog at DPP to improve the permitting process.
Bill 22(24), legalizing certain fireworks, passed third reading at full Council over my no vote. The Mayor has indicated his intention to veto the measure and we will monitor further Council action. My main concern with the measure was the potential risk for wildfires and the Honolulu Fire Department’s presentation of data on human injury and fire risks.
Resolution 24-21, providing recycling receptacles in City parks and recreational facilities, passed out of Council and has been adopted. Mahalo to our Honolulu Youth Commission for spearheading this measure, and mahalo to the Department of Parks and Recreation for your support.
Bill 52(24), the bill regulating e-bikes, passed second reading at full Council and is being discussed in the Transportation Committee. Mahalo to our HPD Community Policing Team for engaging our local schools and talking with students about e-bike safety. We have also asked our City Departments to assess opportunities for public service announcements to better inform our community about the law and e-bike safety.
Bill 46(24), the empty homes tax, passed second reading at full Council and is now in the Budget Committee. Please continue to provide feedback on ways the bill could be adjusted to serve our community’s needs. The initiative seeks to discourage real estate speculation and land banking while simultaneously encouraging the use of vacant properties to address Oʻahu’s
housing needs.
Bill 47(24), our ʻāina kupūna tax relief bill, and Bill 45(24), our low-income tax credit increase bill, passed second reading at full Council and are now in the Budget Committee.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to my office at (808) 768-5002 or email me at mweyer@honolulu.gov.