Why’s this Kaua’i boy writing about the Honolulu City Council?
Well for one thing they represent more Hawaiʻi residents than the other 3 Counties combined AND they’ve recently set an example statewide for what Councils on every island should be doing, and definitely should not be doing.
So, there’s good news and bad news.
Let’s start with the bad, very bad, inane, insensitive, and just wrong on so many levels – Bill 53 now on the table that attempts to further criminalize the very poorest of the poor.
Yep. The Honolulu City Council is hard at work trying to figure out how to protect shopping carts from poor people.
GMAFB – These people are literally sleeping on the streets with all their worldly possessions inside that shopping cart. Some are working and cannot afford the sky high rents, some have medical issues and cannot afford medical treatment, and yes, some have substance abuse problems.
And the answer is to take away their shopping carts?
I don’t think so.
Of course it’s already illegal for anyone to steal anything from anyone. Do we really need to “toughen the law” and crack down on those living at the very bottom of our social and economic ladder?
Please join me in contacting each and every member of the Honolulu City Council. Ask them to “kill the bill” and focus instead on the comprehensive solutions already proven to work.
Every County needs to improve access to mental health services and substance abuse treatment.
Every County needs to increase the availability of affordable housing, safe zones, and homeless shelters.
I encourage Councilmembers in every County to do what I did a few months ago.
Put on your “anonymous citizen’s hat” and call the homeless shelters in your County. Call and do your best to locate a safe and dry place for your imaginary houseless friend to sleep tonight.
When you eventually reach a live person, they’ll say, “Tell your friend to come in, fill out an application, and when something opens up, we’ll let them know.”
So…the person who’s really houseless, dirt poor, and living on the street, must push their shopping cart who knows how many miles, down to the shelter, fill out the application, and then wait for the telephone call (assuming they have a phone and further assuming it’s charged up and working).
And for most, that call may not come for days, or weeks, or longer – depending on many factors.
Increasing the supply of true affordable housing is the answer, not taking away shopping carts.
Which brings me to the good news!
Kudos to Honolulu City Council Chair Tommy Waters and Vice Chair Andria Tupola for introducing Bill 11 which “seeks more transparency over publicly funded incentives for affordable housing projects”. (StarAdv 10/21/26)
While Bill 11 still needs refinement, it’s a critically important step in the right direction.
My hope is EVERY County Council in Hawaiʻi, will consider similar measures, AND take the concept even further.
Each County could/should/must pass into law a requirement that NO government subsidies, whether RISE bonds for infrastructure, tax credits, density increases, or other benefits, will be granted to any private developer unless accompanied by clear, strong, and permanent affordable housing requirements.
Some truths to consider:
1) The demand for real estate in Hawaiʻi is global and insatiable.
2) To truly be affordable, homes must be priced “below market”.
3) Since no private developer is going to sell any home voluntarily below market, the development of true affordable housing for local residents must be subsidized by government.
4) The “flipping”and resale of below market government subsidized affordable housing must be restricted in order to ensure long term affordability.
These government subsidies come in the form of regulatory reform, new financing options, publicly funded infrastructure construction, tax credits, density enhancement, fast-tracking of permitting, and various project design exemptions (open space, parking, setbacks, hight limitations) etc.
Giving away taxpayer dollars, environmental protections, and special treatment that increase developer profits, in return for only hopes and promises = the mismanagement of public resources.
A County ordinance restricting the use of any and all development incentives to only projects that unequivocally provide true affordable housing to local residents, AND provide full transparency – is what’s needed.
We must ask our elected leaders in every County TODAY, to focus on creating truly affordable housing, holding already wealthy real estate developers accountable, and NOT criminalize further the very poorest among us.
Gary Hooser
Note: The above is a partial “re-write” of a previous piece that includes the StarAdvertiser Bill 11 overview.
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