I have lived long enough to know that serving our community is not only beneficial to one's self, but to our neighbors and society as a whole. Community service transforms people into good citizens and by working together, provides the resources to fix what is broken.

Two days ago, Philando Castile died. In a place called Falcon Heights, Minnesota. If you're a "proof or it didn't happen" kinda person,

When one thinks of Hawaii one envisions the perfect blend of endless sunshine, the bluest ocean and nonstop fun. To my utter surprise and amazement, however, my experience in Waikiki, Honolulu would prove to be a challenging emotional experience.

When it was first designated 10 years ago, the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands was the world's largest marine reserve. Since then, the sanctuary has been eclipsed in size nine times by new protected areas.

Marketed as an island paradise, Maui is not the first place one would think of as ground zero in the battle for the future of agriculture. The golden beaches of Lahaina were ranked as the second most popular honeymoon destination in the world (after Las Vegas), and its surfing is legendary.

Mike Kemp via Getty Images

On the trail, I often get asked by newer hikers why I have a pair of "ski poles" in my hands. While trekking poles may look a bit silly at first, I've found that they're incredibly versatile tools that can help with all sorts of small tasks along the trail.

The following op-ed originally appeared in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser on Sunday, April 10, 2016, co-written with Natasha Alexenko:

In 1993, Natasha was raped and robbed...

As megacity mayors, we have long considered cities laboratories for great ideas, but it wasn't until the COP21 climate negotiations in Paris last year that we recognized the scope of our capacity as local leaders to influence the course of the planet.