As our communities continue recovering from the impacts of Tropical Storm Lala, the City and County of Honolulu is closely monitoring additional severe weather in the Central Pacific, including Hurricane Lowell and its potential impacts to the Hawaiian Islands.
The City remains at a heightened state of readiness. Departments are reviewing staffing, equipment and operational plans, while the Department of Emergency Management continues coordinating with federal, state and county partners to prepare for changing conditions.
Residents are encouraged to use this time to review emergency plans, check food, water, medications and other essential supplies, secure outdoor items, and make sure they are signed up to receive emergency alerts. Most importantly, continue monitoring official forecasts and City updates as conditions develop.
Meanwhile, recovery efforts from Tropical Storm Lala continue across Oʻahu. Below, we’ve gathered City, State and community resources to help residents with storm damage, permitting and rebuilding, insurance claims, and other recovery needs.
Storm Recovery Information
The City is actively working to support residents as they clean up and recover from the impacts of the Tropical Storm Lala and the March 2026 Kona Low flooding.
Report Damage from Tropical Storm Lala
Oʻahu residents and businesses are encouraged to self-report damage from Tropical Storm Lala as soon as possible. The purpose of this form is only to collect information that will help local officials and our non-profit partners assess the scope of storm damage on Oʻahu, and to to determine whether the City can request federal assistance programs.
Permitting & Rebuilding Guidelines from DPP
To support faster recovery, emergency repair work may proceed without first obtaining a building permit, provided that a permit application is submitted on the next working day after work begins. These allowances apply only to specific types of work and must meet established eligibility criteria.
Get Help or Give Help - Recovery Information
Find information on food assistance, SNAP replacement benefits, power and internet outages, support for small businesses and farmers, volunteer opportunities, and trusted organizations accepting donations. Visit OneOʻahu.org to learn more.
Find Food Assistance, Resources for Small Businesses, Resources for Farmers, Resources for Nonprofits
Post-Disaster Insurance Claims Guide
The Hawaiʻi Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) Insurance Division has created a Post-Disaster Insurance Claims Guide and an instructional video to help residents through the insurance claims process. Residents are encouraged to begin emergency repairs as soon as they have documented their damages. Hawaiʻi Post-Disaster Insurance Claims Guide (PDF) National Association of Insurance Commissioners Post-Disaster Insurance Claims Guide (PDF) |
Our Top News
Key updates on the projects shaping our neighborhoods, expanding housing options, and strengthening the places our communities call home.
Clean Water and Natural Lands team briefs City Council on conservation efforts
Our Clean Water and Natural Lands (CWNL) team joined the Honolulu City Council Committee on Energy, Environment and Sustainability on August 25 to provide an informational briefing on the City’s ongoing land conservation efforts, with a focus on agricultural lands and opportunities across Oʻahu.
The presentation highlighted the CWNL program’s growing portfolio of protected lands, partnerships with agricultural and conservation organizations, and efforts to preserve important agricultural, cultural and natural resources for future generations.
To date, the City has protected approximately 1,460 acres through the CWNL Fund, with additional conservation projects moving through the acquisition process. Read more.
Community input invited for Kapolei Parkway affordable housing project
DHLM is inviting West Oʻahu residents and community members to provide input on a proposed affordable rental housing project planned for City-owned land along Kapolei Parkway. As part of the City’s public review process, DHLM will hold a public hearing on Friday, September 11, from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Kapolei Hale, with an option to participate virtually via Zoom.
The City is considering a 75-year ground lease and development agreement that would allow for the design, financing, construction and operation of new rental housing on approximately 15 acres of City property. Homes within the development would be income-restricted at a range of affordability levels, not to exceed 140% of area median income.
Written testimony may be emailed to Michelle Saoit at michelle.saoit@honolulu.gov by September 8, 2026. Learn more.
RESCHEDULED - Land Conservation Workshop (Sept. 29)
Mahalo to everyone who previously RSVP’d for the Land Conservation Workshop originally scheduled for August 17th. The workshop has been rescheduled to September 29th!
Please join us at Windward Community College’s Hale ʻĀkoakoa, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., to learn more about how non-profit organizations and communities can work with the City & County of Honolulu, the State Legacy Land Conservation Program, and federal partners at the U.S. Departments of the Interior and War to acquire lands for conservation or agricultural purposes.
Mahalo Councilmember Esther Kiaʻāina and Councilmember Matt Weyer for spearheading this discussion. Recommended to RSVP via: kau.kalama@honolulu.gov or (808) 768-5016
Team Updates
Get to know new team members, and find out what’s been keeping the team busy.
Meet Shannon Au, DHLM’s New Secretary
DHLM recently welcomed Shannon Au as secretary to Director Kevin Auger, bringing with her a background in public service and an enthusiasm for supporting the department’s work on housing and land conservation.
Prior to joining the City, Shannon worked for the National Security Agency in the Washington, D.C./Maryland area. She said she was drawn to DHLM by the opportunity to continue serving the public while contributing to work that has a direct impact on communities across Oʻahu.
“I’m very excited about serving the community and being part of a team effort to help build affordable homes and conserve land,” Shannon said.
Since moving to Hawaiʻi, Shannon has been making the most of her new home. Some of her favorite experiences so far include snorkeling at Hanauma Bay, exploring Oʻahu’s food scene and finding new ways to get involved in the community.
Outside of work, Shannon enjoys yoga and acroyoga, board games, line dancing and volunteering with her church. She’s also learning fire dancing with a dragon staff, proving there’s no shortage of adventure outside the office.
Shannon steps into the role following the retirement of Melanie Kuroiwa-Steiner, who recently concluded a long and dedicated career in public service at both the City and State levels. A valued colleague and friend to many, Melanie brought years of experience and a steady presence to her work, including helping support DHLM through its establishment as a new City department.
We are grateful to Melanie for her many years of service to the people of Hawaiʻi and wish her all the best in a well-earned retirement. As we celebrate this next chapter for Melanie, we are equally pleased to welcome Shannon to the DHLM ʻohana and look forward to having her as part of the team.
Welcoming new faces to DHLM’s Development Division
DHLM’s Development Division continues to grow, recently welcoming Jaycie Matsunami and Delaney Watkins to the team. The division plays a central role in advancing the City’s growing pipeline of affordable and workforce housing projects, working with public, private and nonprofit partners to transform City-owned properties into new housing opportunities for Honolulu residents.
Jaycie and Delaney bring new experience and perspectives to the division as DHLM builds on the momentum of its first year. Get to know our newest team members below.
Meet Jaycie Matsunami
Jaycie Matsunami recently joined DHLM’s Development Division after graduating from the University of Washington, where she studied Community, Environment and Planning with minors in Real Estate and Business.
Born and raised on Oʻahu, Jaycie returned home after graduation to begin her career in Hawaiʻi.
“I was drawn to DHLM because of the opportunity to work on projects that have a direct impact on housing and development in Hawaiʻi,” Jaycie said. “I’m excited to gain hands-on experience with the development process while contributing to projects that support the local community.”
As part of the Development Division, Jaycie will help support DHLM’s growing pipeline of housing projects while learning the development process firsthand and working alongside the department’s public, private and nonprofit partners.
Outside of work, Jaycie enjoys dancing, playing and watching sports, going to the beach and trying new food spots. We’re excited to welcome Jaycie home and to the DHLM team!
Meet Delaney Watkins
For Delaney, a career in housing development is about more than building homes — it’s about creating opportunities for people who need them most.
Delaney’s passion for affordable housing took shape while working with the Bremerton Housing Authority in Washington State on Evergreen Bright Start, a project focused on creating housing opportunities for young adults transitioning out of foster care or experiencing homelessness.
Seeing firsthand the difference that stable housing could make inspired her to pursue housing development as a career.
She went on to earn a Master’s in Real Estate from the University of Washington and later worked with a private developer in Seattle focused on workforce housing, gaining experience from both the public and private sides of housing development.
After spending her entire life in Washington, Delaney recently made the move to Hawaiʻi to join DHLM and continue pursuing her goal of creating affordable housing for communities in need. She was also recently accepted into the Movers & Shakas program and looks forward to using the experience to learn more about Hawaiʻi and the community she now serves.
DHLM is excited to welcome Delaney to the team and looks forward to the experience, perspective and passion for affordable housing she brings to the Development Division.
