North Shore NewsAs we welcome November and the holiday season, I want to extend warm Thanksgiving wishes to everyone in the North Shore community. This is a time to reflect on the blessings around us and celebrate the spirit of unity that makes our community so special. May your season be filled with joy, delicious meals, and cherished moments with family and friends.
3rd Kahuku Pool Design Meeting
On October 29, our office joined the Department of Parks and Recreation, G70, and community members at Kahuku Elementary School for the third design meeting for the Kahuku Pool project. This meeting presented a consolidated draft reflecting input from previous sessions, with an emphasis on community collaboration to shape the vision for Kahuku District Park. Together with the City and design partner, G70, attendees discussed priorities for the park’s future, centering on the pool and its infrastructure. It was encouraging to see the enthusiasm from the community as we move toward the 30% design completion milestone.
Exploring Camp Pūpūkea
At the end of October, I had the privilege of touring Camp Pūpūkea, a hidden gem nestled in Pūpūkea and the home base of Scouting America’s Aloha Council. Serving nearly 4,000 Scouts, the Aloha Council offers programs such as Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Sea Scouts, Venturing, and Exploring. Camp Pūpūkea provides a beautiful setting for youth development and hosts annual summer and winter camps, fostering skills, camaraderie, and memorable experiences. It was inspiring to see the profound impact of Scouting America’s programs on our local youth.
Sunset Beach Comfort Station Renovations
The Department of Parks and Recreation completed renovations to the Sunset Beach Neighborhood Park comfort station as part of DPR’s ongoing Kākou for Parks initiative to revitalize popular facilities. Since 2015, DPR has renovated 167 comfort stations across Oʻahu. Mahalo, DPR!
Leilehua Centennial Homecoming Parade
This year marks a historic milestone, as it’s been 100 years since Leilehua’s last parade in 1924. The celebration on October 18 honored the school’s rich history and community connections, thanks to groups like the Leilehua Alumni and Community Association, Ryugen Taiko, and Wahiawā Lions. We’re also grateful to the Honolulu Police Department, the Department of Transportation Services, the Department of Transportation, and all the students, faculty, and community partners who made this parade truly memorable.
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 22 (2024): Last month, the City Council passed Bill 22, which proposed legalizing certain fireworks, despite my vote against the measure due to concerns about wildfire risks. The bill was vetoed by the Mayor for safety reasons. At this month’s full Council meeting, the Council considered an override but ultimately decided against it, heeding concerns shared by many residents about the measure’s potential impacts.
Bill 64 (2023): A continuation of what was previously Bill 10, this bill reviews and updates the City’s Land Use Ordinance (LUO). Councilmember Esther Kiaʻāina, chair of the Planning & Economy Committee, has guided discussions through various land uses, including industrial, commercial, residential, public, civic, and institutional. The bill passed its second reading at the full Council meeting this month.
Bill 59 (2024): Chair Tommy Waters and I introduced Bill 59 to reduce single-use plastic containers at City facilities and events, addressing plastic waste issues. The bill targets containers under one liter, which are common in street litter and ocean pollution, and harmful to wildlife. Given Hawaiʻi’s low recovery rates for plastic bottles, this measure encourages alternatives like aluminum or glass. The bill passed its first reading at the full Council meeting this month.
Mahalo for staying connected with us at the Council. I hope your November is filled with gratitude and meaningful connections.