Councilmember Pine Calls Upon Community Leaders
To Stand Up Against Violence in Leeward Communities
(WAI’ANAE) In the wake of two recent shootings in Wai’anae, Councilmember Kymberly Marcos Pine this week called upon community leaders across the Leeward Coast to stand up against violence in our communities. In addition to advocating for increased community collaboration in opposing violence, Councilmember Pine yesterday met with Honolulu Police Department leadership to discuss implementing increased beat patrols and community policing along the Leeward Coast.
“When I first became involved in politics, my motivation then was the same as my motivation is today; to help make my community a better place to live for everyone. Whether that effort is geared toward improving our roads for easier travel or our parks so that families have a clean and safe place to play, or dealing with the growing need for affordable housing so that everyone in our community can find a decent place to call home. There’s not a day that goes by that I’m not engaged in conversations with people who have blessed me with the opportunity to serve them about how I can serve them better today. The appreciation and the gratitude that is shared, even for the little things, is what makes this 24/7 commitment worth every second that I spend as a Councilmember,” said Councilmember Pine.
“That is why I am deeply saddened by the lack of aloha being demonstrated by some individuals toward the people of the Wai’anae Coast. I never understood how some people can have so much hate or lack of respect for their fellow human beings as we have been witnessing with all of the illegal dumping and lately, the random acts of gun violence against innocent people. Our Community has mourned too many fatal hit and runs— two years ago, 19-year old Kaulana Werner, in February 21-year old Jonah Ragsdale and 23-year old Daniel Mole, and just last month, 74-year-old Maderson Elwin. The other day a young child was almost abducted near Nānākuli Elementary School. For goodness’ sake, just the other night someone shot at a family driving down Farrington Highway and keiki were in the car!”
“There comes a time when we have to stand up and say enough already. This is heartbreaking. Our people don’t deserve this. So this is how I can serve my community better today. I’m calling upon the leaders who specialize in law enforcement, social work, substance abuse counselors, spiritual leaders, and community activists to come together so that we can take a look and address these issues head on. I’ll be calling on educators, members of our neighborhood boards as well as members of our community to step up so that together we can take our schools, our streets, our beaches and our parks back. This cannot and must not continue. This is our home, our community, and we are ‘ohana and no one has the right to disrespect people this way. Collectively is how we can remedy this situation.” Councilmember Pine added.
Councilmember Pine represents residents of District One (’Ewa, ’Ewa Beach, Kapolei, Honokai Hale, Ko Olina, Nānākuli, Mā’ili, Wai’anae, Mākaha, Kea’au, Mākua).
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