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Meet your City Councilmembers
November 27, 2003
I know there are a lot of skateboarders who never vote. A lot of skateboarders feel alienated and never feel as if they are truly represented by their elected officials, because they never address the issue that is most important to them: skateboarding. Although I hope we never see a day where skateboarding actually becomes a political platform, the prospect of our elected officials answering questions about how they feel about skateboarding and the future of skateboarding under their jurisdiction (if elected into service) would be extremely helpful during an election year.
In case you are unaware, as is the case in Honolulu and most other cities around the country, skateboarding’s relationship to skate park construction is usually addressed on a municipal level. This is because skate parks are usually tied in with the parks and recreation department, one of the core functions of city government. The lawmaking body of the City and County of Honolulu is what’s called the City Council. They are responsible for serving and advancing the general welfare, health, happiness, and safety of the people through exercising its legislative power. Honolulu’s City Council consists of nine councilmembers, each responsible for one of nine of Oahu’s separate geographic districts. Each councilmember is voted in for a term of 2 (if one of the councilmembers vacates their post before the full term) or 4 years by their voting constituents. The districts were reapportioned for the 2002 election, meaning that they have changed from what they used to be before 2002. The current councilmembers were all voted into the ‘new’ districts.
The bottom line is, city government policy, or more specifically, City Council policy, has a direct correlation on the future of skatepark budgeting and construction on the island of Oahu. The councilmembers need to know that there are skateboarders living in their districts whose needs they must attend to. They are also the ones who need to be aware and reminded of the positive aspects skateboarding has on society in general. It’s a double whammy. Not only does skateboarding tend to cause people to stay out of trouble (crime, gangs, drugs, etc.), but a world-class skatepark has a positive economic impact on the community within which it resides (skaters patronize local businesses by spending time in a community they otherwise wouldn’t because of a skatepark). The City Councilmembers also need to be reminded not to underestimate the economic impact on the state a world-class skatepark would have. There will be more than a few events, not to mention droves of skaters visiting from the mainland just to skate the parks. It is our duty as the skaters of Oahu, to keep the City Council informed on such matters, because they are making the decisions for us, whether we like the decisions they make or not.
Thus, the purpose of this page is to keep us, the skateboarders of Oahu, informed on who is representing our interests within the municipal government and for our readers to become positively involved. Get to know who they are. Let them know you live in their districts and you skateboard or support skateboarding. Besides general background information & contact information for each councilmember, they are assessed a rating on a scale of 1-10 on their overall legislative involvement on skateboard related issues (10 being positively involved, 1 being negatively involved, 5 being indifferent). Keep in mind that these ratings are value judgments made by 50-50.com and are not meant to be slanderous towards any of the councilmembers in any way. In certain cases the current situation within a district may have been inherited by a councilmember. We are hoping that some of the councilmembers will find our page and issue a pertinent statement for us so that we may get to know them a little better and so that they can get to know us a little better as well. Let’s get this started already:
Honolulu City Council
530 S. King Street, Room 202
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
Tel: (808) 547-7000
Fax: (808) 523-4220
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District 1 - Mike Gabbard
Ewa, Ewa Beach, Honouliuli, West Loch, Kapolei, Kalaeloa (Barber's Point), Honokai Hale and Nanakai Gardens, Ko Olina, Nanakuli, Maili, Waianae, Makaha, Keaau, and Makua.
Skateboard Involvement
RATING: 10/10 |
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Bio
54, Married, Father of 5, Grandfather of 4
Former Job
Entrepreneur
Past
Former teacher, counselor, headmaster & college administrator, restaurant owner & confectionary business owner, tennis pro, musician, founder of Alliance for Traditional Marriage
Council Duties
Head of Public Works Committee
50-50 Notes
So far, so good. Since taking office, Gabbard has been a huge proponent in community improvement, especially in the rapidly expanding Kapolei community. One of the main social problems in his district is the rampant problem of drug abuse, in particular the drug ice. He seems to understand the importance of providing his community with healthy alternative activities like skateboarding. His vision, if properly funded, will result in drastic park improvements culminating in the construction of a world-class skatepark in Kapolei in 2004. He’s been talking about it on his website as one of his priorities, show him your support!!
RATING UP: from 8 to 10 - 11/27/03
Gabbard is on a mission to build the best skatepark in Hawaii. He knows and understands the importance of building a top-notch world-class facility that will serve his community for many years to come. Gabbard has successfully urged the mayor to fast track the completion date of his proposed skatepark in the Kapolei Regional Park from December 2004 to August 2004.
http://www.mikegabbard.com/Council/Oct_issues.htm#8
Phn: (808) 547-7001, (808) 692-5831
Fax: (808) 550-6917
E-mail: mgabbard@co.honolulu.hi.us
Website: http://www.mikegabbard.com
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District 2 - Donovan M. Dela Cruz
Mililani Mauka, Wahiawa, Mokuleia, Waialua, Haleiwa, Waimea, Pupukea, Sunset Beach, Kahuku, Laie, Hauula, Punaluu, Kahana, Kaaawa, Kualoa, Waiahole, Kahaluu, Ahuimanu, and a portion of Heeia.
Skateboard Involvement
RATING: 9/10 |
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Bio
29, Single
Former Job
Director of Marketing at Watermark Publishing
Past
Chair of Wahiawa’s Neighborhood Board
Council Duties
Head of Public Safety & Intergovernmental affairs Committee
50-50 Notes
As the most youthful member of the City Council, Dela Cruz offers a fresh outlook for the North Shore community. The North Shore community, although somewhat rural, has been pushing to get a skatepark built out there for some time now. The North Shore is a community which embraces sports such as surfing and skateboarding. What better place to have a world-class skateboarding facility than the North Shore, a community renown for their world-class waves? In his short stint in office, Dela Cruz has shown his willingness to try to resolve problems in order to get the facilities built. This includes setting aside funds in order to get a parking lot and park facilities built at the proposed Banzai skatepark. Although the wheels were already set in motion to get the skatepark done even before Dela Cruz took office, he seems to be picking things up where it was left off and moving the project along, so thus, he gets credit. There’s even talk of resurrecting the park in Haleiwa too. Don’t forget Hauula. Show him your support!
RATING UP: from 8 to 9 - 11/27/03
Dela Cruz has gotten the Banzai Rock project back on track. It has been awarded and the construction start date is set for March 2004.
Phn: (808) 547-7002
Fax: (808) 523-4220
E-mail: dmdelacruz@co.honolulu.hi.us
Website: http://www.donovandelacruz.com
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District 3 - Barbara Marshall
Waimanalo, Kailua and most of Kaneohe.
Skateboard Involvement
RATING: 5/10 |
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Bio
58,Married, Mother of one
Job
Retired Broadcast Journalist
Past
Executive Producer Channel 2 News
Council Duties
Chair of Planning Committee, Member of Executive Matters, Zoning, Public Works & Budget Committee
50-50 Notes
Quite honestly, not much is known about how Barbara Marshall stands on skateparks and skating in general. Overall, she has been somewhat neutral. Within her district, she already has the Kaneohe and Keolu skateparks, built from the previous administration, so she may not see the need for any more construction. During her campaign she was quoted in the newspaper, “I applaud the concept of the vision teams – letting the people decide how money is spent in their own communities. However, there seem to be problems with some teams. We need to make sure money is spent on legitimate city projects.” She is one of the members of the budget committee. The jury is still out. Let’s show her that skateparks are legitimate city projects.
Phn: (808) 547-7003
Fax: (808) 523-4220
E-mail: bmarshall@co.honolulu.hi.us
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District 4 - Charles K. Djou
Hawaii Kai, Kuliouou, Niu Valley, Aina Haina, Wailupe, Waialae-Iki, Kalani Valley, Kahala, Wilhemina Rise, a portion of Kapahulu, a portion of Kaimuki, Diamond Head, Waikiki, and a portion of Ala Moana.
Skateboard Involvement
RATING: 3/10 |
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Bio
32,Married, father of one
Job
State Representative
Past
Attorney, General Counsel KD Construction
Council Duties
Head of Zoning Committee, Budget Committee
50-50 Notes
Charles Djou is also fresh blood on the city council. However, he holds a very different view on park projects. His focus so far has been on constructing a police substation in East Honolulu. For a time it was supposed to be built at the site of the Park & Ride in Hawaii Kai. For now, the plans are up in the air when and where it will ever be built. It seems that Djou would like to bolster up a stronger police presence to solve the problems in his community. Which is fine, unfortunately, the extreme cost of building the substation is sucking the funds from other projects, both within his community and outside his community. Remember the skatepark project that was supposed to be at Koko Head District Park? Not anymore, because most of the park projects were scrapped. Although Kamiloiki Skatepark was built in his district (from the previous administration) this was supposed to be a temporary solution until the park at Koko Head was built. Hawaii Kai, be sure to tell Djou how you feel about the current situation. Maybe he’ll see the light.
Phn: (808) 547-7004
Fax: (808) 523-4220
E-mail: cdjou@co.honolulu.hi.us
Website: http://www.flex.com/~cdjou/index.html
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District 5 - Ann H. Kobayashi
(Incumbent)
A portion of Kapahulu and Kaimuki; Palolo Valley, St. Louis Heights, Manoa, Moiliili, McCully, Kakaako, and a portion of Ala Moana and Makiki.
Skateboard Involvement
RATING: 3/10 |
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Bio
65
Job
Incumbent
Past
Former state senator; Former Special assistant, Governor's Office
Council Duties
City Council Vice-chair, Head of Budget Committee
50-50 Notes
Do you want to know one of the last projects former City Councilmember Andy Mirikitani’s did before resigning his post in order to serve time in prison? That would have to be the Makiki Park improvements, including the Makiki Skatepark. He singlehandedly pushed that project through (maybe a little hastily, but nonetheless). Since taking over the seat vacated by Mirikitani in January 2002, Kobayashi has been somewhat low-key as far as community projects are concerned. She is somewhat frugal, as she probably needs to be as head of the budget committee. Over the past year and a half, she has been seen viciously attacking the budget, but we haven’t heard about much else. It must be a tough job. Let’s show Ann that we can be economical and improve our parks as well.
Phn: (808) 547-7005
Fax: (808) 523-4220
E-mail: akobayashi@co.honolulu.hi.us
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District 6 - Rod Tam
A portion of Makiki, Downtown Honolulu, Punchbowl, Pauoa Valley, Nuuanu, Alewa Heights, Liliha, Papakolea, Kalihi Valley, and a portion of Kalihi.
Skateboard Involvement
RATING: 4/10 |
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Bio
49, Married, Father of 2
Job
Former Senator & budget analyst
Past
State Representative, part-time salesman, travel agent, business consultant
Council Duties
Chair of Parks & Economic Development Committee, Budget Committee
50-50 Notes
Like Barbara Marshall, Rod Tam’s stance on skateparks and skateboarding in general is a bit of a mystery. He is the councilmember that inherited the A’ala Park facelift. Instead of giving him a neutral 5, he gets a 4 for his lack of assistance in helping Cachola find a home for Kalihi’s fully funded skatepark in part of his district.
Phn: (808) 547-7006
Fax: (808) 523-4220
E-mail: rtam@co.honolulu.hi.us
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District 7 - Romy M. Cachola
(Incumbent)
A portion of upper Kalihi, Kapalama, Palama, Iwilei, Sand Island, Kalihi Kai, Mapunapuna, Airport, Hickam, Pearl Harbor, Ford Island, Aliamanu, Salt Lake, Foster Village, Stadium and Halawa Valley Estates.
Skateboard Involvement
RATING: 0/10 |
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Bio
64, Married
Job
Incumbent
Past
Former State Representative
Council Duties
City Council Floor Leader, Chairman of Policy Committee, Budget Committee
50-50 Notes
Cachola is the Floor Leader, which means when there is a City Council meeting, he is often the mouthpiece for the rest of the Councilmembers. In recent history, we remember Cachola as being the councilmember pushing for a moratorium on any skatepark design & construction (he may have been speaking for the other councilmembers, but still he was the harbinger of bad news). He’s quoted as saying about the moratorium, “The existing parks are going to be open, but we have to analyze further on how we can possibly mitigate any lawsuits against the city, so that the taxpayers will not end up paying huge sums of money.” This seems to be a bit of the wait & see approach. Does anybody remember the moratorium? It was supposed to last until December 2003, but it never really existed. Or did it? As far as within his own district, Kalihi has been trying to get a skatepark built there for many years. The park actually was fully funded, but fell through the cracks, because they could not find a suitable spot. Kalihi Valley Park and Kamehameha Park were mentioned as possible sites. Because Cachola & Tam dropped the project, they are assessed negative points. Hopefully, they will be able to redeem themselves in the future and provide the Kalihi community with the skatepark that it deserves.
RATING DOWN: from 3 to 0 - 11/27/03
For a second year in a row, design and construction funds for a design/build skateboard project in Kalihi have lapsed once again. Cachola is still unable to find a suitable location and appears to value the DOE's opinion over his community members. Despite the neighborhood board's overwhelming support for a skateboard park, Cahola is unable to comply and is quick to find reasons for not building a skatepark in his district.
Phn: (808) 547-7007
Fax: (808) 523-4220
E-mail: rcachola@co.honolulu.hi.us
Website: http://www.angelfire.com/hi4/councilcachola/
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District 8 - Gary H. Okino
(Incumbent)
Fort Shafter, Moanalua, Halawa, Aiea, Waimalu, Pearl City, Pearl City Peninsula, Seaview, Crestview, and Waipio Gentry.
Skateboard Involvement
RATING: 6/10 |
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Bio
60, Married, Father of 2
Job
Incumbent
Past
Former Chief of City’s Planning Division
Council Duties
City Council Chair & Presiding Officer
50-50 Notes
Gary Okino’s stance on skateboarding and skatepark projects has in the past been fairly neutral. He seems to look for a balance between the budget and proper project funding. This probably stems from his 30+ years experience as part of the City’s Planning Division. The next skatepark to be constructed is in Okino’s district at Pearl City’s Manana park. For this he gets an extra point. The proposed park in Waipio would have been a great idea and a great site too. Let him know we support it.
Phn: (808) 547-7008
Fax: (808) 523-4220
E-mail: gokino@co.honolulu.hi.us
Website: http://www.garyokino.com
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District 9 - Nestor R. Garcia
Waikele, Waipahu, Village Park, Makakilo, Kunia, and Mililani Town.
Skateboard Involvement
RATING: 9/10 |
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Bio
45, Married, Father of 2
Job
VP of corporate communications at City Bank
Past
Former State Representative, TV news reporter
Council Duties
Head of Transportation Committee
50-50 Notes
As far as skateboarding related issues are concerned, Nestor Garcia has inherited one of the more desirable districts. Without much doing of his own (or rather a lack of opposition), he has inherited an already heavily-utilized skatepark in Mililani, and one of the few future skatepark projects (slated for Waipahu). A few words of encouragement could go a long way in soon making Waipahu’s dream a reality.
RATING UP: from 7 to 9 - 11/27/03
The skatepark in the Waipahu district park has been awarded. The scheduled construction start date is set for January 2004. Garcia is also a great supporter of the Kapolei Regional Park project. Show him your support!
Phn: (808) 547-7009
Fax: (808) 523-4220
E-mail: ngarcia@co.honolulu.hi.us
Website: http://www.nestorgarcia.com
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Honolulu City Council
530 S. King Street, Room 202
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
Tel: (808) 547-7000
Fax: (808) 523-4220 |
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