April 2026 Message
Recently, record-breaking back-to-back Kona Low storms precipitated raging floodwaters that tore through many of our neighborhoods, destroying nearly everything in their path. For many, it has been a painful reminder of how quickly severe weather can disrupt lives, damage property, and place an unforgiving strain on families and neighborhoods.
As the Council now deliberates the Administration’s proposed $5.09 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2027, our kuleana is to ensure that the City budget is not just about numbers, but about impact. Among other important priorities, we must strengthen our ability to protect residents, support communities, and prepare as much as we can for the challenges that lie ahead of us.
This is the time of year when the Council makes critical decisions about what gets funded, what gets fixed, and what may no longer be sustainable. Ensuring the community’s safety against flooding and other adverse weather events is no longer a future conundrum, it is our present reality – and delays will only limit our options and increase long-term costs.
Soon, we will begin to approve programs and advance actions that support our communities and protect residents from the potentially devastating impacts of future weather events – not if but when they happen. We must act with urgency and intention, bolstering both our preventive plans and sharpening our capabilities to execute on-the-ground coordination of resources and efforts, with the safety and wellbeing of our residents at the heart of every decision we make.
While Waialua, Haleʻiwa, Waiʻanae, Mānoa, and Pālolo were among the hardest neighborhoods hit, the torrential rains blanketed the entire state. I want to extend my deepest mahalo to the countless community organizers, volunteers, and residents who stepped up to help each other - your compassion, leadership, and service reflect the very best of Hawai‘i. And while our district may have escaped the worst of the flooding, our neighbors across the island are hurting and recovery will be slow - please consider lending a helping hand where you can, and however you can.
Rest assured, I remain committed to working with the Council, the Administration, and the community to deliver a budget that is fair, balanced and meets the needs of our people today while strengthening our island for generations to come.
