A Direct Connection to Community
My first and most important priority is our residents and being a leader that is deeply connected to District 20. I have had the privilege of speaking with many neighbors already about their concerns about our community and the State of Hawaii, and I am committed to continuing learn how I can put your interests first by:
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Sharing what I am working on in the community and at the State Capitol through regular mail and email communication;
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Soliciting feedback and direct input from neighbors;
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Making myself available to residents through open phone, email, mail, and in-person opportunities both in my office and in the community.
Homelessness
As displaced individuals are pushed out of Waikiki and urban Honolulu, growing homeless encampments in Kapahulu, Kaimuki, and Diamond Head have become regular sights to see. As a result, our schools, local businesses, and residential parks have struggled to maintain our public spaces for the use of all.
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I have heard the frustration from our community as well as in my work on the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation Board and in the Mayor’s Office. I believe we can make impactful movement on homelessness through investment in:
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Creation of a real continuum of care system for those suffering from mental health and substance abuse diagnoses from crisis prevention to funding service provider outreach to wraparound services so individuals are not continuously cycling into their same situations on the street;
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Monitoring and updating Assisted Community Treatment (ACT) laws to ensure the courts may step in the medicate and make decisions for those who are no longer able to do so themselves;
Our Changing Neighborhoods
Over the last decade, the rise of “monster homes” has drastically transformed the character and feel of our neighborhoods for the worse. We’ve seen longtime single-family homes bought up, demolished, and replaced with sprawling dwellings that are rented out to two, three, or four sets of families – over-stressing our public infrastructure and packing our streets with additional cars.
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As I go door-to-door meeting neighbors, it shocks me to see how different some streets look from the ones I grew up on. I am committed to:
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Oversight of existing “monster homes” to prevent illegal modifications like renovations after permits are approved and monitoring for the legally allowed number of renters living in a home;
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Consideration of solutions to problematic bills like SB3202 that allows up to 2 accessory dwelling units per primary unit like parking requirements or exempting Oahu County out of the law.
Long-Term Care
With people in Hawaii living longer, we are seeing a silver tsunami of residents who require wraparound healthcare and social services if they want to age with dignity in their homes and communities.
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When I served on the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation Corporate long-term care support for residents and their families was a priority issue for me, particularly when my family and I felt the strain of providing increasing daily care for my grandparents in order to keep them together and at home.
In order to support our seniors and their families, government needs to quickly find ways to:
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Revitalize and add beds at State long-term care facilities, like LÄ“‘ahi Hospital.
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Expand family caregiver resources, education, and financial support to help us help our ʻohana age in place.
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Strengthen our home caregiver network for healthcare options in community.