As the summer season starts, I want to send a huge congratulations out to the class of 2026. Wishing all graduating students from District 2 and beyond continued success as you begin this exciting new chapter. Best wishes for a bright and successful future ahead.
Congratulations to the Waialua High School Girls Surf Team and Kahuku High School Boys Surf Team for making history as the inaugural 2026 HHSAA Surfing State Champions. Competing at Hoʻokipa Beach Park on Maui, the Waialua girls team secured the highest overall score of 4,210 points, becoming the first-ever girls surfing state champions in Hawai’i high school history. Additional congratulations go to Skai Suitt and Hanae Rose for capturing individual state titles in shortboard and longboard, respectively.
The Kahuku boys team also delivered an outstanding performance, finishing with the top boys team score of 3,150 points. A special shout-out to Micah Ah You for his second-place finish in the Boys Longboard division. It was an honor to recognize both teams during the May Full Council Honorary Certificate ceremony.
Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Season
From March to June, the City Council conducts a thorough review of the administration’s proposed Operating and Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budgets for the upcoming fiscal year. Although the process is still ongoing, I am pleased to share that several major investments were approved by the budget committee to strengthen our North Shore community.
This year’s budget includes significant funding focused on enhancing public safety, resiliency, and support for families across District 2. My office successfully secured funding for federal flood mitigation studies at Kaiaka Bay in Waialua and Wailele Stream in Kahuku. Additional investments include relocation planning for the Waialua Fire Station and improvements to the Kahuku Ambulance Unit Facility. The budget also includes $3 million for the Islandwide Resilient Emergency Shelter Program, which will help build shelters capable of with standing Category 5 hurricanes and other hazards.
Other key investments include continued funding for the Haleʻiwa Beach Park Canoe Halau and the Kahuku Swimming Pool and Recreation Center, as well as $1 million for kūpuna food programs to help ensure our kūpuna remain connected and cared for.
The FY27 Budget will go through its third and final reading before the City Council on June 3, 2026. For more information on the budget, please visit www.honolulucitycouncil.org/fy27budget.
U.S. Small Business Administration Tour
Mahalo to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for visiting the North Shore to see firsthand the impacts of the Kona Low storm damage. I appreciated the opportunity to to join SBA Deputy Administrator Bill Briggs and SBA Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience Associate Administrator Chris Stallings for a tour of storm-damaged areas, a visit to the Disaster Loan
Outreach Center at Waialua United Church of Christ, and roundtable discussions with community stakeholders to help ensure our residents and small businesses are receiving the support they need throughout the recovery process.
SBA and FEMA continue to offer in-person assistance at several locations across the North Shore and Koʻolauloa, including the Old Waialua Courthouse, Waialua United Church of Christ, Hauʻula Civic Center, KEY Project, and the Courtyard by Marriott in Lāʻie. For more information, please visit oneoahu.org/help.
Lāʻie Rebuild Oʻahu Event
Mahalo to the Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP) for hosting the “Rebuild Oʻahu” event in Lāʻie, bringing together resources to support residents and businesses impacted by the storms. Approximately 70 households connected directly with City, State, federal, and community partners for guidance on rebuilding. DPP staff were on hand to help attendees navigate questions on building permits, grading requirements, flood zone regulations, and Special Management Area (SMA) guidelines. DPP will continue to evaluate the need for additional Rebuild Oʻahu events moving forward.
Haleʻiwa Aliʻi Beach Park Bathroom Repairs
The Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) will repair the concrete walls throughout the stand-alone com- fort station at the Haleʻiwa Aliʻi Beach Park. The work is underway and is expected to be completed in early June. This comfort station and adjacent beach showers will be closed throughout the project. Bathrooms and showers in the park’s surf center (Waialua-side) will remain open during the repairs.
If you have questions or concerns, please feel free to contact my office at (808) 768-5002. Mahalo for your continued support and engagement.