The only way to truly address Hawaiʻi's housing crisis is to build more housing—affordable housing, workforce housing, rental units, ADUs, ohanas, you name it. We need policies and initiatives that streamline and speed up the permitting process, incentivize affordable housing development, and allow exisiting homeowners and landowners to maximize the use of their property. We need to make it easier and more attractive to build the types of housing our community desperately needs. We also need to invest in infastructure that new housing will require.

We have a responsibility to care for our most vulnerable residents, and we need to do that more compassionately and effectively than simply allowing encampments at our public factilities and business districts, which solves nothing and lowers the quality of life for everyone. We need to invest in more comprehensive solutions that address the root causes of homelessness, including mental health services, addiction treatment, job training, and affordable housing options specifically for those experiencing homelessness.

We need policies that support and promote local agriculture, creating a sustainable and resilient food system for our community that gives residents access to fresher food at better prices than mainland imports while supporting our local farmers and economy.

Love it or hate it, tourism is a crucial part of our local economy. We need policies that promote responsible tourism, such as supporting efforts to develop ecotourism and cultural education based tourism that respects and preserves our unique environment and heritage. We can create deeper connections with visitors that will be a net plus for our community.

Small business is the backbone of District 7. We need policies that support and nurture our local entrepreneurs, as well as promote and spotlight them. We also need a simplified and efficient permitting process to remove barriers to their success.

Short Term Vacation Rentals (STVRs) are a significant part of District 7's economy and provide important income for many residents. We should support STVRs in appropriate locations run by responsible operators, while making sure there are appropriate mechanisms to address community concerns and minimize impacts.

The current parking situation on Alii Drive is a mess, and District 7 is acutely impacted by it. It is hurting our businesses and our residents. We need policies that make sure that existing parking resources can be utilized effectively to serve the needs of our community. We also need to explore the role the County can play in developing new parking and transportation alternatives.

We need to actively preserve and promote our unique cultural heritage through education, events, and support for local artists and cultural practitioners.

We need to foster a strong sense of community among residents through events, groups, and initiatives that encourage social interaction and mutual support. I like the idea of weekly swap meets, as well as an annual cook off. What ideas do you have?

We need to ensure that our existing public facilities are regularly updated and well-maintained to serve the community effectively. We have beach parks and ballfields that could be a centerpiece of our community but they are suffering from neglect. We need restrooms that work and facilties that are maintained. The recent revitalization of the baseball field at William Charles Lunalilo Playground (the "Blue Park") is a great example of what we can accomplish when the community and County work together.

The walking and biking paths that we have are some of the most used facilities in District 7. We need to continue to expand and improve these outdoor spaces to promote healthy lifestyles and provide safe, accessible areas for recreation. We should emphasize the development of new hiking and mountain biking trails to keep our community active and engaged with nature.