OUR TOP ISSUES

1. Traffic and infrastructure. In recent years, the North Shore has seen tremendous growth in the number of visitors. More than half of Oahu's visitors now come to the North Shore to witness the scenic beaches and surf, sea life and rural countryside. Our infrastructure is woefully inadequate for the volume of daily visitors. The lack of a safe, continuous walkway in Haleiwa is a glaring example.

The worsening traffic jams along Kamehameha Highway have changed the way residents go about their daily activities. Maintenance of the park facilities could be much better.

2. Homeless. The North Shore has a growing number of homeless individuals and families. Rents are high and rental availability is a challenge for many. People living on the beach and in the harbor need an alternative place to go.

3. Agricultural production. Thousands of acres of land remain fallow since the end of sugar and pineapple. Many small farmers work smaller parcels, but more should be done to support local agriculture.

If we are going to keep the country country, we need to be proactive and help our farmers get long-term leases at reasonable rates, appropriate water infrastructure and competitive shipping rates. We need to preserve high-quality agricultural lands.

4. Maintaining rural lifestyle. North Shore residents are not the only ones who enjoy the slower pace of life and the unspoiled scenery. Every day, thousands of Oahu residents and visitors also enjoy the North Shore because of the natural beauty, open space and relaxed atmosphere. While some limited building is welcome within the towns of Haleiwa and Waialua, large-scale development and massive resort expansion is not.

5. Balancing beach access with surf contests. Balancing the needs of competitive surfing and recreational surfing is an ongoing challenge. Surf contests are popular for the contestants, their sponsors and many spectators, but they also tie up the best surf spots throughout much of the winter. Our residents and visitors must have reasonable access to the surf too.

6. Other issues: Flooding; disaster preparedness; crime and law enforcement.

SLOWER PACE AND NATURAL TREASURES

The North Shore is blessed with great scenery, a slower pace of life than Honolulu, world-famous beaches, good hiking trails, farmers' markets featuring locally grown produce, an interesting collection of shops in Haleiwa, residents who are willing to defend and support important treasures like Waimea Valley, and a commitment to ohana that stems from plantation days.

FACTS & FIGURES

» Population is estimated at 20,000, up from the U.S. Census' 15,607 in 2000.

» Studies indicate an average of 6,730-plus visitors on any given day. State surveys in 2003 and 2005 showed that about 2.42 million visitors annually—more than half of all Oahu visitors—visit the North Shore.

» Area communities include old pineapple plantations near Wahiawa, orchards in Waialua, colorful Haleiwa town and the renowned beaches of Pipeline, Sunset Beach and Waimea Bay. Kahuku and the Polynesian Cultural Center also are here.

BOARD NO. 27

THE OFFICERS

Chairman
Michael Lyons
Vice chairwoman
Kathleen Pahinui
Secretary
Gil Riviere
Treasurer
Roberts “;Bob”; G. Leinau
Members
Jeff Alameida, Reed Matsuura, John H. Hirota, Jacob Y.W. Ng, Bruce Bellows, Arlene Kawahakui, Carol A. Philips, Warren H. Scoville, Jacqueline Leinau, Blake D. McElheny and Antya L. Miller

TO GET INVOLVED: The board meets at John Kalili Surf Center at Haleiwa Alii Beach Park. Call 768-3710; see www.honolulu.gov/nco