Breeani Kobayashi

Education The Department of Parks & Recreations has many capital improvement projects in the works this year, a number of which were delayed, but all of which should remain priorities for our county. Hilo has also long asked for, and is overdue, a covered-sports stadium to better accommodate our outdoor sports events while protecting our athletes and spectators from harsh weather. Such a facility would be opportune to serve dual-purpose as a community-run resource center - offering a space for programs, tutoring, childcare, and other after-school, evening, and weekend activities for our youth, adults, and elderly. Similar programming could be offered at Parks & Recreation community resource centers across the island. Our community has been unwavering in sharing the serious need for affordable, safe, engaging after school activities and childcare. Our county is in the process of building new facilities and repairing and renovating old facilities intended exactly for such purposes. County subsidized after-school programs could be an incredible resource for parents and potential for us to engage our youth in productive, safe, activities and help set them up for success. Healthcare We are short an estimated 17 primary care physicians, in addition to specialists; which renders extended wait times for appointments for the limited numbers of specialists available on-island; often after a patient had already been delayed in getting a referral from a PCP due to the relative short supply appointment to high demand of patients in need. The Hawaii State Center for Nursing also estimates a shortage of 300 to 400 nurses - an issue that has been on-going for years and the state has attempted to stop-gap with temporary permits to out-of-state nurses - but one that our county needs addressed by long-term, sustainable resolutions. Housing The county currently works with nonprofit organizations providing special financing, mortgage loans, and savings programs to specific sectors of residents. Unfortunately, these programs are limited in funding and capacity, and the requirements severely restrict accessibility to the wider community. The fact remains that such programs exist - there is a framework to work off, and in that, we see far greater potential than what is currently being utilized. With the present limits built into the structure and funding, not only are these assistance programs restricted to narrow income limits and recipients of other benefits like Section 8, but the waitlists are perpetually closed because demand is so high. These are clear indicators of greater need, which should translate to obvious opportunities to provide broader support. That is - if our people's needs are directing our priorities. And if so, should we not align our intentions and budget as such? Our county has the foundation and skilled workforce to expand and improve these programs and others, to offer wider access to these benefits. We have the capabilities to allow more people in our communities to benefit and provide pathways to home ownership to the many residents facing minor obstacles that, without alternative solutions, can transition to long-term impediments - especially with our ever-rising cost of living. Healthcare First steps to improve recruitment could include options such as expanding our residency and training programs; offering more enticing fringe benefits; on-site childcare; children's education subsidies; college savings programs; and workforce housing. This would serve to not only attract new prospects, but also just as importantly, to retain our current physicians and nurses, who have had to carry the heavy imbalance of of theses shortages often at personal costs, with overloads significantly affecting their quality of life. Education Our county should also look ahead to grow our healthcare capacity from our roots right here at home; by providing support to expand the Certified Nurse Aide and Medical Assistant Certificate Training Programs piloted successfully in Waiākea and Honoka‘a High Schools with the Community College, to be offered to high schools island-wide. The impact of these programs could be exponential - increased interest and access to stable careers, higher-education, and scholarship opportunities in the healthcare industry; an overall growth in medical knowledge, training, and skills in the community; and consistent cohorts of certified Nurse Aides and Medical Assistants ready to enter the local workforce and provide needed care after high school graduation. Education Other educational programs, such as CPR and First Aid Certification, could be expanded to be offered at all of our public high schools. Having every graduating Hawaii County youth CPR and First Aid Certified would not only give these students tangible skills and qualifications to take into the workforce - but would also greatly enhance the knowledge and safety in each of their household, and our county overall. Our island has always come together to help and care for each other in times of emergency and hardship - just imagine if all of our youth were trained and certified in CPR and First Aid as well. Healthcare In 2023 Governor Green allocated 30 million for the Hawaii Health Education Loan Repayment Program; adding to the annual 800,000 federally funded State Loan Repayment Program. With these funds, Hawaii is expected to begin providing loan repayment to hundreds of healthcare workers across the state. However, while we hope this translates to relief on the horizon, these programs are state-wide, and our county is struggling with the second-highest shortages. We cannot stake our future on optimism alone. Our county needs to capitalize on this opportunity and further incentivize physicians and nurses taking advantage of these programs, to move here and fill much-needed positions on the Big Island, rather than elsewhere in the state. Tangible strategies must be developed to bolster other vital healthcare roles like community health workers and a strong public health workforce. Long-term, our aim should be building a robust County healthcare infrastructure; focused on prevention and equipping us to proactively address health challenges and emergencies rather than reacting after the fact. Healthcare Our leaders must continue to prioritize and pursue county-led initiatives if we want to be able to take care of our children, our elderly, and our vulnerable. If we want to be confident in the quality of life our county offers - the quality of life our people deserve - we have to invest in healthcare our people can rely on.