Sharon launched her campaign for Senate in March of 2018 spurred by seeing her neighborhood of Kakaako swallowed by luxury blight and unbridled development, with little consideration of affordable housing for average residents.
Residents from across the community rallied behind Sharon's message and came out to support her candidacy.
On August 11, she won the Primary Election against incumbent Brickwood Galuteria by 20 percentage points.
Sharon's first legislative session began on January 16, 2019.
Kaahumanu Elementary Vice-Principal Maryann Barr brings attention to the poor condition of playground equipment and other facilities at the school. Sharon got funding for new play equipment and it was completed in 2022.
Sharon discusses classroom heat abatement with Lunalilo Elementary Principal Amy Kantrowitz.
Jefferson Elementary Principal Garret Zakahi introduced Sharon to the school’s extensive aquaponics program while speaking about matters relating to the campus.
Sharon met with the McKinley Community School for Adults leadership team to learn about their vital adult education programs and talk about ways her office may be of assistance.
The Senator met with Principal Michelle DeBusca and Ala Wai Elementary students on their annual Leadership Day where students demonstrated their social and emotional learning program and student portfolios and teaching methods were showcased.
With Principal DeBusca repainting hopscotch at Ala Wai Elementary.
Sharon and patrol members trying to straighten a bent street sign on the corner of Cooke and Pohukaina—Senator Moriwaki continues to participate in the Kakaako United Citizens Patrol on Monday nights.
Testifying at the City Council against illegal short-term rentals
Sharon was appointed Co-Convener of the Kupuna Caucus where she introduced several measures that help seniors and their caregivers, address dementia, and strengthen laws to protect kupuna.
Washington Middle School Principal Mike Harano showing plans for a world-class recording studio. Sharon pushed for funds to build it and it is now in the final stages of construction.
Touring the Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor to discuss needed improvements with the State’s Boating and Ocean Recreation Division
City Councilmember Kobayashi, Rep. Nishimoto, Sen. Moriwaki, Rep. Belatti, Speaker Saiki and Sen. Ihara listen to community concerns at our annual Town Hall meeting
Accompanying HPD’s HELP (Health Efficiency Long-term Partnership) program and its service provider partners in servicing the houseless in Kakaako
Legislators and community advocates show support for Kupuna Caregiver Legislation
Joining fellow lawmakers and the Governor for the signing of the Kupuna bills
Joined by members of the community at one of our monthly chats to discuss what can be done to improve our neighborhoods
Joining the Waikiki Community Center and other agencies in the Waikiki Safety Walk to assess & recommend improvements for pedestrian safety
Kakaako Citizen’s Patrol team in front of the Children’s Discovery Center on its weekly patrolling of Kakaako
Joining the Women’s Legislative Caucus (WLC), the Governor, and Senator Hirono for the signing of the WLC bills
Pedestrian Safety First: Working with the City, Waikiki Community Center and other community partners and residents, we continue to make our sidewalks and crosswalks safe for our pedestrians.
Patching cracks on Waikiki sidewalk
Holding a meeting with Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor users and liveaboards to address their concerns
Caring for Our Non-English Speaking Seniors is Evergreen Adult Day Care
on Keeaumoku St. serving over 200 non-English speaking Korean and Chinese seniors. Senator Moriwaki believes that these services are critical and worked to restore these services when erroneously suspended by the state.
Holding a monthly "chat" with Kakaako residents at Vein in SALT.
Joined officials and volunteers for homeless outreach at Kakaako Waterfront Park.
Waterkeepers help us clean the waters of the Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor, experimenting with oysters at the Hawaii and Waikiki Yacht Clubs. Helping with the cleanup are Damien School student volunteers.
Lesson on how the oysters can be used to clean water.
Co-sponsored a bill to prohibit sale of sunscreen products with ingredients that harm human health and our coral reefs.
Fighting crime - Working with Councilmember Tommy Waters in hosting a Waikiki Crime and Safety Townhall in February to hear community concerns and discuss solutions.
Listening to community concerns - Joining fellow district lawmakers at Washington Middle to hear community concerns and ideas.
In March, 2020, Sharon was appointed to the Senate COVID Committee. The committee met 37 times asking tough questions of the administration's handling of the pandemic.
Keeping Waikiki Community Center keiki and preschool teachers safe - Senator donating “PPE STARTER KIT”- face shields, gloves, hand sanitizer, and kids size masks - to safely open on the first day of school
Caring for the community - Chatting with Clarence, a chronically homeless individual in 2020, about his experience at one of the shelters and his interest in finding housing at a community facility. In 2022, we heard he found a home!
Infrastructure improvements - The groin by Royal Hawaiian Hotel was rehabilitated with matching funds appropriated by the legislature. Above is the blessing of the project in July (see page 4 for completed groin)
At the sea urchin hatchery. Supported $1 million for repairs to the sea urchin hatchery used to raise urchins to control invasive algae including the reef area near the Natatorium.
Caring for our keiki - Joining Waikiki’s Jefferson Elementary School and HPD for sign waving to encourage traffic and pedestrian safety.
Addressing dozens of residents who came to the Capitol in March to oppose a bill to allow 400 foot residential towers in Kakaako Makai.
Supporting Women’s Justice - The Women’s Legislative Caucus worked to pass bills to strengthen laws against domestic violence (HB566 [Act 238, 2021]) and allow divorce proceedings to continue in Hawaii if parties leave the state (SB828 [Act 69, 2021]).
After the COVID hiatus, Waikiki HPD officers Virardi, Yamamoto & Chang lead citizen patrols. Joining Rep. Tam, Council Chair Waters, Major Cricchio and neighbors on the weekly patrol.
Easter basket drive at the Capitol - Giving needed household items and hygiene products to those less fortunate.
Improving our Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor - DLNR boating administrator Ed Underwood & staff join harbor citizen patrollers, HPD & Senator Moriwaki that led to a working group to improve the harbor and plan for its rightful place as the “Jewel of Waikiki.”
Repairing roads - Joining Mayor Blangiardi, Rep. Saiki, Councilmember Fukunaga, City officials & workers to begin filling potholes on private streets only weeks after the court ruled they were not owned by the Kakaako Land Company (Chun brothers).
The City Dept. of Facility Maintenance crew begin filling potholes on Kawaiahao St.
Increasing Traffic Safety - Pedestrian and traffic safety is a major issue with neighbors across our district. In 2021, the legislature passed bills funding a photo red light program (HB766 [Act 133]) and regulating electric foot scooters (HB72 [Act 174]).
Promoting Clean Transportation - After the 2021 session, Sharon joined the Governor, fellow legislators and state officials for his signing into law bills requiring government employees on official business to rent electric vehicles (HB424 [Act 73]), establishing zero-emission goals for state vehicles (HB552 [Act 74]), and bolstering EV charging systems across the state (HB1142 [Act 75]).
Listening to community concerns - McCully-Moiliili Townhall on crime and homelessness with Speaker Saiki, State Homelessness Coordinator Morishige and City Housing and Homelessness Coordinator Krucky.
McCully businesses complained about a stubborn homeless encampment that was the source of foul odors, trash, and unleashed dogs.
Sharon worked with businesses and the Governor's Coordinator on Homelessness to find a solution to permanently remove the encampment. She helped to establish a McCully-Moiliili Business Security Watch.
Patrolling our Kakaako neighborhoods - One of the long-active Citizen Patrols, Kakaako United CP, led by Officer Tani Takushi and Officer Ed Ho is joined by recruits for the new Art Loft Citizen Patrol.
Fighting crime - Waikiki meeting with Rep. Adrian Tam, Council Chair Tommy Waters and HPD Major Mark Cricchio to discuss policy and legislation on law enforcement.
Caring for less fortunate - Serving food to guests at Kakaako Next Step shelter. The shelter is part of the Waikiki Health network of services.
Jefferson Elementary Principal Garrett Zakahi showing the resurfaced basketball court that Sharon requested funding for.
Chatting with Lunalilo Elementary Principal Wendy Kau on school issues and needs.
Visiting Washington Middle School’s (WMS) new 21st century recording studio in the making. Principal Michael Harano and his team are dreaming big for our students and faculty in this Title I school. When built, it will be used not only to enable students to dream big but actually learn skills to actualize their dreams; it will bring other artists to the recording studio and educate and train students in skills and professions yet to be discovered.
It will be another community asset – not only for our WMS students but for elementary, high school and other artists beyond the campus. WMS reached out to world-renown production designers Walters-Storyk Design Group (WSDG) who built studios for Alicia Keys and Jimi Hendricks and they have partnered with WMS to create a state-of-the-art dual purpose teaching studio.
Paid for by Friends of Sharon Moriwaki
1050 Bishop Street, #451
Honolulu, HI 96813
sharon@sharonmoriwaki.com
![Supporting Women’s Justice - The Women’s Legislative Caucus worked to pass bills to strengthen laws against domestic violence (HB566 [Act 238, 2021]) and allow divorce proceedings to continue in Hawaii if parties leave the state (SB828 [Act 69, 2021]).](https://i.campaignpartner.net/images/cdn_queue/67130/4626d4b6f2ef4abbbbff5cda55009f69.jpg)
![Increasing Traffic Safety - Pedestrian and traffic safety is a major issue with neighbors across our district. In 2021, the legislature passed bills funding a photo red light program (HB766 [Act 133]) and regulating electric foot scooters (HB72 [Act 174]).](https://i.campaignpartner.net/images/cdn_queue/67130/017b712eda5c4a22abefa4f3a3d0cd17.jpg)
![Promoting Clean Transportation - After the 2021 session, Sharon joined the Governor, fellow legislators and state officials for his signing into law bills requiring government employees on official business to rent electric vehicles (HB424 [Act 73]), establishing zero-emission goals for state vehicles (HB552 [Act 74]), and bolstering EV charging systems across the state (HB1142 [Act 75]).](https://i.campaignpartner.net/images/cdn_queue/67130/c488101b76e042e196e3951265dae3ad.jpg)
