A record of delivering results
Results for East Honolulu
Since 2010, Mark Hashem has worked with residents, schools, community organizations and state agencies to secure funding and deliver practical improvements throughout East Honolulu.
2026 national award
Protecting Hawaiʻi’s Keiki
Mark Hashem received the 2026 National Children’s Alliance Champion for Children State Advocacy Award, recognizing nearly 16 years of advocacy for Hawaiʻi’s children and the Children’s Justice Centers that serve them.
After years of work with the Children’s Justice Center and community partners to find a larger home for the program, Mark secured $6 million in 2023 for land acquisition, design and construction of a new center at the historic Sinclair Building at Leahi Hospital.
The expanded center will bring coordinated services together for hundreds of children and families from Oʻahu and the neighbor islands. Construction is expected to begin in 2026, with the center anticipated to open in 2028.
Read the Maui Now storyTransportation and safety
Improving Roads and Protecting Neighborhoods
Kalanianaʻole Highway and Freeway Service Patrol
Kalanianaʻole Highway: Helped secure $9 million in initial funding in 2012 for resurfacing and worked with the Department of Transportation to expand the project to cover the corridor from Lunalilo Home Road to ʻĀinakoa Avenue.
Freeway Service Patrol: Secured $300,000 in the 2012 state budget to expand service beyond the University of Hawaiʻi to Kahala Mall.
Wailupe Place Flood Mitigation
Secured $1.6 million in the 2012 budget to address recurring flooding near Wailupe Place and worked with the Department of Transportation to divert water away from the neighborhood.
Environmental restoration and resilience
Restoring Maunalua Bay and Reducing Hazards
Restoring Kalauhaʻihaʻi
Worked for more than two years with state officials to transfer the historic spring fed fishpond from the Department of Transportation to the Department of Land and Natural Resources.
- 2013: $240,000 to remove dilapidated structures.
- 2017: $1 million for planning and design to restore the natural flow of spring water.
- 2023: $2.2 million to construct a microtunnel under Kalanianaʻole Highway and reconnect the water flow to the fishpond and bay.
Maunalua Bay Boat Harbor
Phase One: Secured $6.5 million in the 2024 budget to fund dredging of Maunalua Bay.
Phase Two: Added $1 million in the fiscal year 2027 budget for planning and design to resurface the parking lot and improve the boat ramp for canoe clubs and boaters.
Rockfall mitigation in Niu Valley and ʻĀina Haina
Haleola Street: Secured $240,000 in the 2011 budget to remove a dangerous boulder in Niu Valley and worked with the Department of Land and Natural Resources to complete the project.
Ahuwale Place: Secured $1.2 million in the 2011 budget for boulder mitigation and protective barriers on state land above homes in ʻĀina Haina.
Schools and community facilities
Investing in East Honolulu
Mark has helped secure funding for classrooms, athletic facilities, accessibility improvements, safer campuses and neighborhood resources.
Kalani High School
- 2011: $8 million for a new girls locker room supporting Title IX compliance.
- 2016: $1.5 million for a new wrestling room.
- 2018: $6 million for track and field improvements.
- 2020: $1.8 million for new bleachers.
ʻĀina Haina Elementary School
- 2011: $240,000 to design and construct a parking lot in front of the school.
- 2014: $1 million to design and construct accessible restrooms in the cafeteria.
- 2025: $1.5 million for a paved parking lot on the mauka side of campus with landscaping and fencing.
Niu Valley Middle School
2014: Secured $7 million for a World Language building with four new classrooms to help address overcrowding.
Kaiser High School
- 2011: $7.2 million for a new girls athletic locker room.
- 2016: $5 million to replace the track and field and install a synthetic football field.
- 2018: $1.5 million to repair the leaking roof in the boys locker room.
Wilson Elementary School
- 2016: $240,000 for a walkway on the mauka side of campus.
- 2018: $1 million for a new covered assembly area.
Hahaʻione Elementary School
2020: Secured $2 million to upgrade the schoolwide electrical system.
Kaimukī Middle School
Secured $50,000 to replace unsafe cafeteria tables and provide safer equipment for students and staff.
ʻĀina Haina Public Library
- 2018: $1.5 million for accessible restroom upgrades and flood damage improvements.
- Fiscal year 2027: $1 million for landscaping, lighting and exterior improvements.