Affordability & Opportunity

In our pursuit of a brighter future for Honolulu, we have taken significant steps to provide tax relief, expand housing options, and invest in safer neighborhoods. These achievements are a testament to the trust you have placed in me, and I am deeply grateful for your support. However, I am acutely aware that our work is far from complete.

As a father to Emma and Kai, I often reflect on the kind of Hawaiʻi we will leave for our children. It is heartbreaking to see so many young families leave our beautiful islands due to the high cost of living. I believe every keiki raised here deserves a fair chance to build their life in the place they grew up. It is vital that our kūpuna feel secure, our families receive the support they need, and our neighborhoods get the attention they deserve.

The affordability crisis in our community is personal, and the cost of living remains prohibitively high. Basic city services require responsible funding, and every neighborhood in District IV deserves a dedicated Councilmember who understands its unique needs, listens with respect, and is committed to taking action.

Honolulu must remain a place where local families can thrive, not a city where rising costs force them to leave. Many residents are feeling the pressure of escalating housing costs and economic uncertainty. While there is no single solution to the affordability issue, we have a responsibility to lead with experience, fiscal discipline, and a clear focus on the needs of our local families.

As Council Chair, I have consistently worked to implement practical solutions to increase housing opportunities, protect homeowners, and ensure that our government operates within its means. My guiding principle is simple: each decision should be evaluated on one critical question—does it make life more affordable for Honolulu's residents

This affordability crisis has taken years to develop, and addressing. it requires steady leadership, practical solutions, and a steadfast commitment to ensuring that Hawaiʻi remains home for future generations. We must strive for a Honolulu where local families can build their future in the places they were raised.

As your City Councilmember and Chair, I’ve helped deliver real relief and responsible budgeting by expanding housing availability while providing assistance for houseless individuals. While leading the City Council, we’ve:

• Successfully secured the largest affordable housing allocation in the City’s history and approved 27 new housing projects, creating more than 10,800 homes for local families.
• Allocated more than $23 million to help houseless individuals and families with services for housing, in-patient healthcare and outreach support.
• Appropriated $2 million to appropriately house and support those fleeing from domestic violence. 
  Hosted a virtual eviction moratorium town hall for tenants and landlords to outline rights and responsibilities.
• Approved a Charter amendment asking voters to increase the amount of real property tax revenue to be set aside for affordable housing development from a .05 to 1 percent.
• Passed legislation to alleviate the crush of illegal short-term rentals in residential neighborhoods and help alleviate the housing crisis by returning homes to the local rental and owner-occupant markets.
• Urged state lawmakers to allow the counties 90 days, instead of 45, for action on proposed housing development under 201H of the Hawai‘i Revised Statutes, to allow for greater public involvement and transparency.
• Implemented real property tax relief to include a one-time $350 tax credit for eligible owners and long-term renters, an expanded income-based real property tax credit, and increases to the standard home exemption and senior home exemption.
• Took action to reduce the burden of steep sewer fee increases.
• Added stronger budget reporting so the Council can see where City departments are leaving money unused.