Effective leadership, fiscal restraint put Honolulu on strong foundation

After years of a difficult economy, hopeful signs have emerged for Oahu’s future.

Two weeks ago, I signed an agreement that secures $1.55 billion in federal funding for Honolulu’s rail transit system. This will provide Honolulu with a reliable and efficient transportation alternative to some of the nation’s worst traffic congestion and is a legacy of the late U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye.

But the city established a foundation for the future in many other ways. Since I became mayor, more than one-third of the 3,400 lane-miles of city-owned roadway have been repaved, are currently under repair, have been successfully bid for work starting soon, or are under design. A strong, multiyear commitment to road repairs and management will pay dividends later. Through critical sewer system upgrades, Honolulu is in compliance with a federal wastewater consent decree.

Through a major team effort, Honolulu showcased its safe and welcoming environment to the world by successfully hosting President Barack Obama and dozens of international leaders during the 2011 Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. City officials worked exceptionally hard to inform the public about security requirements, helping commuters plan trips and minimize inconveniences.

Better management of long-term debt to reduce interest costs was a major financial priority for the administration. Borrowing for capital improvement projects was scrutinized. This fiscal year — for the first time in eight years — the city will spend less on debt service than in the previous year. Also, the city socked away an unprecedented $100 million during this administration to save for the future, $20 million to the rainy day fund and $80 million to address unfunded liabilities for employees’ retirement health benefits. Other major U.S. cities declared bankruptcy or laid off their first responders. During my tenure, the city maintained its high financial rating and no layoffs occurred.

The city firmly embraced new technology to enhance public services, provide timely access to important information and improve government efficiency. These efforts resulted in Honolulu being named the No. 1 Digital City by the Center for Digital Government and a “Sunny Award” for maintaining one of the most transparent government websites in America.

Making camping permits available via the Internet has eliminated the long lines that used to form up to four days before permits were available for holiday weekends. Solar-powered “smart” parking meters now accept credit cards and the addition of meter time via mobile phone. And new mobile apps help citizens quickly report illegal dumping, abandoned vehicles, broken street lights, malfunctioning tsunami sirens and other issues.

To help guide land-use decision-making into the future, I hired an agricultural liaison to oversee preservation and conservation of important agricultural lands. The city engaged the public to update and revise regional plans for the North Shore, Waianae Coast and other areas.

We carefully implemented a new stored-property ordinance to clear public spaces of debris and squalid encampments while helping street-dwellers access appropriate services. We also transitioned 12 subsidized housing complexes to private management through a one-time $146 million sale. These changes are attracting more than $40 million in private investment for housing upgrades while maintaining affordable rents.

Finally, after four decades of talking about it, the rail project is being built. A new non-political board, the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation, is making sure the project is completed expeditiously and within budget. Make no mistake: The rail project will provide a vital alternative to clogged freeways and gridlock and will create jobs and spur environmentally friendly transit-oriented development.

This year marked my 26th year with the city, including 14 years as its prosecuting attorney and two years as its mayor. Honolulu is poised to enter a new era of innovation, responsible growth and community prosperity. Continuing attention to municipal infrastructure, sound financial management and public transparency will build a model lean, clean, smart city of the future.