2018 General Election Candidates
Name on ballot:
FUKUNAGA, Carol
Running for:
Honolulu City Council
District (if applicable):
District 6
Political party:
Democrat
Campaign website:
www.carolfukunaga.org
Current occupation:
Councilmember, District 6
Age:
71
Previous job history:
State Senator (1992-2012), House of Representatives (1986-1002) and part-time law practice, Chief of Staff-Lt. Governor's Office (1982-1986)
Previous elected office, if any:
See above response
What qualifies you to represent the people of Hawaii?
City government today faces increased demands for services as it addresses aging infrastructure, limited revenue sources and more complex problems like homelessness. City agencies cannot solve all of the city’s problems on their own. I’m running for re-election in City Council District 6 to expand partnerships with all levels of government to assist neighbors, educators, healthcare experts, business and community stakeholders in achieving common-sense solutions.
Throughout my years of public service, my focus has been on bringing groups of stakeholders together to tackle homelessness, affordable housing and neighborhood issues like ‘monster homes,’ urban crime or parking congestion. I believe the best outcomes result from neighbors working with city policymakers and other stakeholders to solve problems at a neighborhood level.
What are the top three challenges facing the voters you seek to represent?
1. Restoring public safety in city parks and along sidewalks: The City Council funded Chief Ballard’s 2018 priorities for more police officers in the community (from 60% to 75% departmental capacity), and to expand the role of community policing teams with homeless providers and crisis clinics. We’ve encouraged businesses, residents and neighboring property owners to work with us in developing public safety solutions for their neighborhoods. This is why I support renovating Pauahi Recreation Center in Chinatown and improvements at Kamamalu Park (near Nuuanu YMCA, Central Middle School and Royal School campuses) to increase the level of community usage. I also support the Council’s approach of funding homeless housing solutions and treatment/services tailored to the needs of each council district.
2. Enforcement against ‘monster home’ violators: The number of ‘monster homes’ in older neighborhoods, which may reflect the number of illegal transient vacation rentals or apartment types of structures in single-family neighborhoods, shows that the city’s building and zoning codes are not working properly . I have reported numerous complaints to City agencies about ‘monster’ home construction or related violations; and the City Council is now pursuing stricter enforcement penalties.
3. Increase the City’s accountability for spending: The City Council added public access requirements for HART decisions (e.g., broadcasting HART board meetings on OLELO), and required detailed information on HART transit expenditures in this year’s budget cycle. All information submitted to the Council is posted online. These actions supplement auditor reviews of transit budgets and expenditures, and give state-county policymakers and the general public better accountability for the portions of the system in urban Honolulu that will require the most complex engineering and construction solutions.
If elected, what will be your highest legislative priority?
My highest priority is to restore public safety in city parks and along sidewalks islandwide: I support the Council’s approach of funding homeless housing and services solutions that are tailored to the needs of each council district.
Since 2014, the City Council has appropriated over $100 million in bond funds for ‘community revitalization’ projects tailored to specific regional needs – which include navigation centers (with flexible entry requirements), crisis clinics to address basic medical services, mental health and chemical dependency needs, permanent supportive housing and hygiene centers with showers, restrooms and laundry facilities, and more.
For example, we funded new crisis clinics in Downtown-Iwilei and urban Honolulu/Kakaako to build upon the positive outcomes reported by HPD and its healthcare coalition partners in 2018. The Council also appropriated $55.6 million for land acquisition and development of affordable housing, primarily in transit-oriented zones. Housing alternatives like the Safe Haven program, “tiny home” installations and navigation centers demonstrate what works, so we’re looking for additional locations for such programs.
If elected, what can you do to improve the lives of your constituents?
My staff and I encourage community engagement, and I believe the best solutions result from discussions with neighbors and community stakeholders who want to preserve what’s unique in their neighborhoods. Many of the projects we’ve worked on – like the Kuakini Extension, Kalihi Valley restricted parking zone project or legislation involving fire sprinklers for older condos – have involved constituents working with us and with other community stakeholders to develop practical solutions for long-standing problems.
Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?
I encourage voters to visit my website (www.carolfukunaga.org) to see what we’ve tackled on their behalf since 2014. My constituents in District 6 can count on me as their independent voice when we address issues that affect them.