Anthony
Nagatani

Honolulu's sewer and drainage systems are decades old, and in neighborhoods like Chinatown, Iwilei, and Downtown, that aging infrastructure is quietly driving up the cost of living. When sewer capacity is maxed out, new housing projects stall - even when builders are ready to create homes for local families. That shortage pushes prices higher and makes it harder for kamaʻāina to stay.

Fixing the pipes isn't glamorous, but it's essential. Modern sewer and drainage infrastructure unlocks housing construction, reduces flooding risk, and gives our neighborhoods the foundation they need to grow responsibly.

Housing is our kuleana - and that work starts underground.

Too many families in Honolulu live with the fear that their housing situation could change overnight. No-cause evictions and unpredictable rent increases make it difficult for people to put down roots, raise children, or plan for the future.

Reasonable rent stability policies and just-cause protections create balance - protecting responsible landlords while giving renters basic security. When families know they can stay in their homes, neighborhoods become stronger and communities become more stable.

Hawaiʻi should be a place where working families can build a life, not a place where they are constantly pushed out.

Everyone agrees Hawaiʻi needs more housing - but too often projects stall for years before construction ever begins. Outdated infrastructure, regulatory bottlenecks, and slow approvals make it difficult to move projects forward even when funding and land are available. The result is fewer homes and higher costs.

By fixing infrastructure, streamlining approvals, and prioritizing workforce housing, we can finally start building the homes local families need.

The goal isn't just more housing - it's housing that keeps our communities intact and gives the next generation a real chance to stay in Hawaiʻi.

Every neighborhood deserves places where families can gather, children can play, and people can reconnect with the land and ocean that define Hawaiʻi. Sand Island - known traditionally as Mauliola - holds enormous potential as a restored park space for our entire community.

With thoughtful investment, we can strengthen Sand Island State Park with more trees, shade, fishing access, walking paths, and cultural spaces that honor both Native Hawaiian history and the island's layered past.

Parks like this are not luxuries - they are essential parts of healthy communities and a reminder of why we love living here.

Chinatown and Downtown Honolulu are among the most historic and vibrant neighborhoods in our city, but they deserve the same level of care and investment that other parts of Honolulu receive. Cleaner sidewalks, better lighting, and coordinated community services can make a real difference in restoring safety and confidence at night.

When residents, visitors, and businesses feel safe, neighborhoods come alive - restaurants fill up, theaters thrive, and families feel comfortable enjoying the streets again.

Chinatown's future should be defined by culture, community, and opportunity - not neglect.

Small businesses are the backbone of Honolulu's economy. The restaurants, shops, markets, and family-run businesses across Chinatown, Iwilei, and Downtown give these neighborhoods their character and keep local jobs alive. But too many entrepreneurs face unnecessary hurdles - complicated permitting, rising costs, and limited support.

By simplifying regulations, improving infrastructure, and supporting local entrepreneurship, we can help small businesses succeed and create more opportunities for residents.

When small businesses thrive, neighborhoods thrive.