🏗️ Infrastructure & Transportation

“When infrastructure fails, families feel it in traffic, safety, and rising costs.”

Infrastructure is the foundation of daily life in Hawaiʻi. It determines how we get to work, how our children get to school, how we move goods and services, and how we respond to emergencies. From roads and bridges to drainage systems, utilities, public transit, and pedestrian safety, infrastructure impacts every resident in our state.

Yet across Hawaiʻi, aging infrastructure, traffic congestion, flooding risks, and delayed improvement projects continue to create challenges for families, businesses, and communities. Too often, critical repairs and upgrades are slowed by bureaucratic delays, funding gaps, and long planning timelines.

If we want to keep local families in Hawaiʻi, we must invest in infrastructure that is safe, modern, resilient, and built for the future.

Why this matters:

KEEPING LOCAL FAMILIES IN HAWAIʻI THROUGH SAFE ROADS, RELIABLE SERVICES, AND STRONG COMMUNITIES

Hawaiʻi's infrastructure systems were built for a different time and a smaller population. Today, many communities face increasing pressure from population growth, tourism demand, climate impacts, and aging public systems.

Residents experience daily challenges including traffic congestion, limited transportation alternatives, aging roads, inadequate drainage in flood-prone areas, and delayed maintenance of public facilities. These issues not only affect quality of life but also impact economic productivity, emergency response times, and public safety.

Without consistent investment and modernization, these challenges will become increasingly expensive and disruptive over time.

MY TOP 5 PRIORITIES:

Modernize Roads, Bridges, and Highways: Invest in repairing, maintaining, and modernizing Hawaiʻi's transportation network to improve safety, reduce congestion, and ensure reliable access for residents and businesses.
Improve Traffic Flow and Expand Transportation Options: Support practical solutions to reduce congestion, including improved traffic management, expanded public transit, park-and-ride options, and alternative transportation routes.
Strengthen Flood Control and Drainage Systems: Upgrade stormwater infrastructure, drainage systems, and watershed management to reduce flooding risks and protect homes, roads, and public facilities during heavy rainfall events.
Expand Safe Streets and Pedestrian Infrastructure: Build and improve sidewalks, crosswalks, bike lanes, lighting, and traffic-calming measures to protect pedestrians, students, kūpuna, and families in residential and urban areas.
Upgrade Utilities and Public Infrastructure Systems: Invest in reliable water, sewer, energy, and broadband infrastructure to support growing communities, economic development, emergency preparedness, and long-term resilience.

PROPOSALS:

Prioritize regular maintenance of roads, sidewalks, and public facilities to prevent costly long-term repairs.
Require state agencies to publish transparent project timelines and real-time updates on infrastructure improvements.
Invest in stormwater management and flood mitigation projects in neighborhoods most vulnerable to climate impacts.
Streamline procurement processes for urgent infrastructure repairs while maintaining accountability and oversight.
Strengthen coordination between state and county agencies to reduce delays and duplication in infrastructure projects.

FACTS ABOUT EDUCATION IN HAWAIʻI:

Many roads, bridges, and public facilities in Hawaiʻi require ongoing maintenance and modernization due to age and heavy usage.
Traffic congestion remains one of the most significant daily challenges for working families, affecting commute times and economic productivity.
Flooding and drainage issues continue to impact residential neighborhoods, roadways, and critical infrastructure during heavy rainfall events.
Safe pedestrian infrastructure such as sidewalks, crosswalks, and lighting is lacking in many communities, creating safety concerns for families, kūpuna, and students.
Reliable infrastructure investment improves emergency response, supports economic development, and strengthens long-term community resilience.

MOVING FROM TALK TO ACTION:

Infrastructure is not just about construction projects. It is about safety, opportunity, and quality of life.

When infrastructure works, families spend less time in traffic, children can walk safely to school, businesses can operate efficiently, and communities are better prepared for emergencies and natural disasters.

I believe Hawaiʻi must move beyond delays and outdated systems and focus on practical, forward-looking investments that improve daily life for residents. By modernizing infrastructure, strengthening transportation systems, and investing in long-term resilience, we can build a Hawaiʻi that works better for everyone and keeps local families in our communities.