DISTRICT 7

Legislative & Community Updates

LEGISLATIVE UPDATES

Legislative Priorities

Bills and Measures Introduced by Councilmember Radiant Cordero.

Budget Highlights

The Honolulu City Council has adopted the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) budget, and we’re proud to share how Councilmember Radiant Cordero successfully championed funding that directly supports the needs and priorities of our District 7 community.

This year’s budget reflects Councilmember Cordero’s strong advocacy for core city services, infrastructure maintenance, public safety, and quality-of-life improvements for our residents.

Councilmember Cordero’s Additions & Initiatives in the FY26 Budget

OPERATING FUNDS:

  • Department of Parks & Recreation (DPR)

    • $1,350,000 for staffing and maintenance services across urban Honolulu parks

    • $110,000 for perimter irrigation system at Makalapa Neighborhood Park

    • $40,000 for security cameras at Salt Lake District Park

  • Honolulu Police Department – Patrol Division

    • $400,000 to support Community Policing Teams

CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS (CIP)

  • Flood Control Improvements at Various Locations: including Aiea Kai, in the Kalihi area below N. King St. from Waiakamilo Rd. to Middle St., on Nimitz Hwy. from Waiakamilo Rd. to Middle St., and in the Keehi Lagoon and Mapunapuna areas. – $1,300,000

  • Drainage Improvements at Various Locations: including Kalihi area below N. King St. from Waiakamilo Rd. to Middle St., and on Nimitz Hwy. from Waiakamilo Rd. to Middle St. to alleviate ponding and other drainage concerns.  – $1,190,000

  • Traffic Engineering Devices at Various Locations: including installation of raised crosswalks between Mahiole St. and Onipaa St., Mahiole St. and Maalahi St., and 1326 Mahiole St. and Moanalua Elementary School - $3,950,000

  • Keehi Lagoon Beach Park: comfort station improvements, a new canoe halau opposite of the existing halau, improvements to the existing halau, the installation of resilient park lighting, and the installation of shading structures over the outdoor courts. - $5,810,000

  • Playcourts at Various Parks: including added funding of $100,000 for the installation of a pickleball court at Mokauea Mini Park.

  • Renovate Recreational Facilities: including added funding of $1,000,000 to repair and install park lightning at Moanalua Community Park outdoor courts; and the installation of tot lots play apparatus and senior exercise equipment at Halawa District Park, Hoa Aloha Neighborhood Park, Kalakaua District Park, and Salt Lake District Park.

ADDITIONAL CIP PROJECTS BENEFITING DISTRICT 7

These items were already included in the initial FY26 Executive Budget Proposal and supported by Councilmember Cordero:

  • Kalihi-Palama Bus Facility Improvements - $3,120,000

  • Halawa Stream Dredging - $500,000

  • Salt Lake Boulevard Widening Project - $76,010,000

  • Storm Drainaige Best Management Practices in the Salt Lake Drainage System -$6,000,000

  • Keehi Transfer Station – Modifications/Rehabilitation - $13,451,000

  • Sand Island Wastewater Treatment Plant Secondary Treatment - $43,901,000

  • Sand Island WWTP Solids System Improvements/Upgrade - $5,500,000

  • Middle Street Intermodal Transit Center - $8,825,000

  • Pearlridge Bus Transfer Center and Plaza – Transit Oriented Development - $650,000

Councilmember Radiant Cordero’s budget work this year continues to focus on smart, equitable investments — ensuring District 7 receives its fair share of resources to build a cleaner, safer, and more resilient future for our residents.

For more details or questions about these projects, feel free to reach out to our office. Mahalo for staying engaged!

COMMUNITY UPDATES

The Department of Planning and Permitting
Building Permit Backlog Process Update

Roadwork Projects

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Other Road Projects:

H-1 (Eastbound) Improvements Ola Lane to Likelike Highway Off-Ramp

Project Overview: This project, commissioned by the Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT), has a dual objective: enhancing safety and alleviating congestion along the eastbound H-1 corridor spanning from the Ola Lane overpass to the Likelike Highway off-ramp. It seeks to achieve this by eliminating the center-lane merge from H-201 east of Ola Lane into H-1, as well as expanding both lanes and shoulders along this specific stretch of the H-1 highway. Furthermore, improvements will be made to the Gulick Avenue overcrossing to facilitate improved traffic flow on the H-1.

Current Closures:
Location: H-1 eastbound between Ola Lane and Likelike Highway

  • Two lanes closed within the project limits on Sunday nights through Thursday nights, from 8:00 p.m. to 4:30 a.m., and two lanes closed on Friday nights and Saturday nights from 8:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.

Location: Gulick Avenue Overpass

  • One-lane closure on the Gulick Avenue overpass bridge between 8:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

  • Flaggers monitor and maintain alternating traffic control. They are aware of the Kalihi Waena pickups around 2:20 p.m.

Project Status:

  • $100M Project

  • Construction started in January 2024

  • 25% complete to date (H1 Retaining Wall construction completed up to Richard Lane area; dry utility relocation ongoing on Gulick)

  • Substantial Completion: End of 2026

Salt Lake Boulevard Widening Project:

Project Overview: The City and County of Honolulu began this roadway improvement project in the 1970s to increase the capacity of Salt Lake Boulevard to accommodate rapid growth in the Salt Lake Community. Implementation of the project was undertaken in phases. The eastern section between Puʻuloa Road and Ala Lilikoʻi Street was the first phase constructed. Phase 2 completed the western end from Kahuapaʻani Street to Maluna Street in 2005.

Phase 3 encompasses the remaining unimproved section of Salt Lake Boulevard from Maluna Street to Ala Lilikoʻi Street. Its completion will finally provide sidewalks and multiple travel lanes for the entire length of Salt Lake Boulevard. The project is being designed as a Complete Street, consistent with the City’s commitment to providing facilities for all roadway users. Other notable design features include green infrastructure to address stormwater quality and protected bicycle lanes for riders of all ages and abilities. The Salt Lake community has been waiting decades for this project and is eager for its completion.

Construction is now underway on Phase 3A, which will include sidewalks, curbing, curb ramps, and bikeway improvements on the makai side of the unimproved section. Additionally, “green infrastructure” will be incorporated to treat stormwater on-site and physically separate people riding bikes from vehicular traffic. The estimated completion of this phase is Fall of 2026

The final Phase 3B improvements will include all remaining elements: additional traffic lanes, completion of the drainage system, traffic signal changes, utility relocations, and the mauka-side curbs, sidewalk, and bike lane.

For updates on the Salt Lake Boulevard Widening Project, please visit https://www.saltlakewidening.com/.