Issues | Val Okimoto

VAL'S PRIORITIES

PUBLIC SAFETY

Prioritize policies that result in safe, healthy, and affordable housing options.
Actively seek to expand the diversity of housing choices to relieve housing disparities and to meet the needs of our residents.
Continue to expand efforts and programs to address and assist in curbing homelessness.
Bolster collaboration and partnerships between City and State agencies to make measurable changes to housing affordability, transportation safety, climate adaptation, and economic development.

THE ISSUES

Enhance existing neighborhoods with an appropriate mix of housing, well-maintained parks, and community gathering places.
Create greater access to retail, civil services, schools, and employment that support the daily life of our residents.
Encourage architecture in historic areas that is appropriate and that will enhance neighborhood character.

Grow a diversified economy in Central Oahu by:

Establish commerce and activity centers in Central Oahu.
Reinforce and enhance neighborhood character by encouraging civic/community uses.
Diversifying the local economy by promoting development; consisting of commercial, retail, residential, and public facilities essential to promoting a sense of community.

Plan for and invest in functional, resilient, and well-maintained infrastructure.
Support implementation of the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and the O'ahu Regional Transportation Plan (ORTP).
Continue to coordinate roadway and infrastructure planning with TOD planning, City Projects and major development projects.
Take advantage of federal economic opportunity zones to aid and subsidize critical infrastructure repair.

Plan for and adapt to sea level rise in accordance with guidance from the City’s Climate Commission and the best available science.
Collaborate and build long-term relations with local leaders in the construction and STEM fields to create and Introduce a city Climate Adaptation Strategy that outlines capital improvements, infrastructure assessments, development regulations, and other measures needed to address the long term effects of climate change and sea level rise in Pearl City / Aiea.

As development in the district becomes more dense, make decisions and take measurable actions to retain stormwater onsite, promote responsible landscaping practices, increase the urban tree canopy, reduce the urban heat island effect, and increase natural areas.
Focus higher density development in appropriate areas including: Transit-oriented districts near rail or high-frequency bus service centers, and in other commerce hubs.

Continue to work and support the incoming HPD chief.
Emphasize need for more officers and public support for police departments following increased crime rate increase.
Embrace culture of transparency with law enforcement and community members.

Invest and foster a healthy TOD zone to shape the future of Rail upon its completion.
Committed to keeping taxes/fees low yet delivering on excellent public transportation services for residents by encouraging economic growth to take the burden off the taxpayer.
Val is committed to seeing promises fulfilled and the residents of Oahu were promised a rail. Val is one hundred percent committed to seeing the project through, holding public officials accountable, and ensuring public confidence with the future of rail and the growth that it is promised to provide.

A proven leader who navigated four years in the state house of representatives not through isolation or partisanship but by reaching across the aisle to bring resources to our schools, homes and communities.
A collaborative leader who ensures all involved parties have a seat at the table to create pathways of communication.
A community builder that envisions a central oahu that fosters the future and creates jobs that keep our families here.