Statement on Mayor’s Communication - OER Cuts

Written By Justin Ocampo

June 1st, 2026

“This is not about eliminating economic development. We are upholding the integrity of our administrative systems. We are choosing to prioritize programs with proven outcomes and redirecting these resources toward critical needs that our residents feel every day. 

 OER has shimmied through its legal mandates to become a secondary social service agency that is not authorized in the Charter. It is time to prioritize performance over potential.” - Budget Chair Val Okimoto.  

This official statement was published in Hawaii News Now.

Reporter: Daryl Huff | ARTICLE

Justin Ocampo
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