Position Running For

Governor

What area(s) of the Island do you call home?

Oahu Kakaako

What is your vision for a thriving agricultural sector on Kauai and how can the State support that vision?

My vision is for Kauaʻi to become a leader in food security, sustainable agriculture, and high-paying agricultural careers. Hawaiʻi imports far too much of its food, sending billions of dollars out of our economy every year. We must reverse that trend by investing in local farmers, expanding agricultural production, and keeping more of our food dollars here at home.

As Governor, I will support farmers by improving irrigation and infrastructure, expanding agricultural education and apprenticeships, increasing access to affordable farmland, and streamlining permitting while protecting our natural resources. I will work with the University of Hawaiʻi, local farmers, and private industry to bring innovation and technology into agriculture.

My administration will also prioritize purchasing Hawaiʻi-grown products for schools, hospitals, and state facilities whenever practical. By strengthening local agriculture, we create good-paying jobs, lower our dependence on imports, improve food security, and build a more resilient economy that benefits every island, including Kauaʻi. Agriculture is not just about farming—it is about economic independence and securing Hawaiʻi’s future.

If elected, how would you engage with the business community prior to your decision-making?

Good policy begins with listening. As Governor, I will establish a Hawaiʻi Business Advisory Coalition made up of small businesses, large employers, entrepreneurs, labor representatives, agricultural leaders, and community stakeholders to assess the needs of Hawaiʻi businesses and provide ongoing recommendations to my administration. Small businesses are the backbone of Hawaiʻi’s economy and deserve the same access to government as large corporations.

I believe Hawaiʻi businesses deserve tax relief, strategic investment, and greater access to grants so they can grow, hire, and compete. Our local businesses should also have greater access to the more than 9 million visitors who come to Hawaiʻi each year, keeping more tourism dollars in our communities.

My administration will maintain an open, transparent process that encourages honest dialogue and data-driven decisions. Without strong, stable, and growing local businesses, we jeopardize Hawaiʻi’s economy and our future. By working together, we can create better-paying jobs, reduce economic leakage, and build an economy that keeps opportunity and wealth here in Hawaiʻi.

How would you help ensure that working middle class residents can afford to buy or rent a home on Kauaʻi?

Housing affordability cannot be solved by building homes alone. We must also raise wages, strengthen Hawaiʻi’s economy, and ensure local families have a fair opportunity to own or rent homes.

My administration will increase the supply of workforce and affordable housing while reducing unnecessary delays that increase construction costs. I will prioritize housing for Hawaiʻi residents, expand pathways to homeownership, and support innovative financing options for working families. I also support providing up to $250,000 toward the purchase of Hawaiian Home Lands housing for qualified beneficiaries, with those funds returning to the state if the home is sold.

I will work to grow local businesses, create better-paying jobs, and reduce the billions of dollars that leave Hawaiʻi each year. Stronger wages and a stronger economy are essential to making housing affordable.

Housing is more than a roof over someone’s head—it is the foundation for stable families, thriving communities, and a future where our children can afford to remain in the islands they call home.

How would you effectively manage budget and operations compared to the past?

My administration will manage Hawaiʻi’s budget with the same discipline expected of every family and business. I cannot manage what I do not measure. Government must be accountable for every dollar it spends.

I will conduct a comprehensive performance audit of every state agency to identify waste, duplication, inefficiencies, and opportunities for improvement. Every department will be held accountable through measurable goals, transparent reporting, and regular performance reviews so the public can see where their tax dollars are going and the results they are receiving.

I believe we must grow Hawaiʻi’s economy—not simply manage its decline. By supporting local businesses, expanding agriculture, reducing economic leakage, and creating better-paying jobs, we can generate additional state revenue through economic growth.

Good government is transparent, accountable, and focused on results. My administration will restore public trust by eliminating waste, fighting corruption, and ensuring every budget decision improves the lives of Hawaiʻi’s people.

What specific ideas do you have about economic diversification and how would you develop these areas?

Hawaiʻi’s economy must become more diverse, resilient, and self-reliant. Tourism will remain an important industry, but we cannot depend on it alone. My goal is not simply to grow Hawaiʻi’s economy—it is to keep Hawaiʻi’s wealth in Hawaiʻi.

My administration will invest in agriculture, renewable energy, technology, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, and value-added products made in Hawaiʻi. I will support local businesses through tax relief, grants, and strategic investments while expanding opportunities for Hawaiʻi businesses to serve the more than 9 million visitors who come to our islands each year.

I also support developing a statewide interisland ferry system to improve the movement of people, agricultural products, and commerce between islands. Better transportation lowers costs, expands markets, and strengthens local businesses.

By producing more of what we consume, supporting local entrepreneurs, and reducing economic leakage, we can create good-paying jobs, build a stronger economy, and ensure more of Hawaiʻi’s wealth remains here for future generations.

What are your priorities for infrastructure investment? How would you ensure that planned infrastructure projects (roads, wastewater, facilities, bridges, etc.) on Kauai move forward in a timely manner?

Infrastructure is the foundation of a strong economy and safe communities. My priorities are improving roads and bridges, modernizing water and wastewater systems, strengthening public facilities, expanding broadband, and investing in transportation that supports residents, businesses, agriculture, and tourism.

I cannot manage what I do not measure. My administration will review infrastructure projects to identify delays, funding gaps, and unnecessary bureaucracy. I will require measurable timelines, public progress reports, and accountability.

I will establish a Hawaiʻi Disaster Prevention and Resilience Coalition to strengthen preparedness for wildfires, flooding, hurricanes, tsunamis, and other emergencies by identifying infrastructure vulnerabilities, improving coordination, and recommending long-term investments.

Many of Hawaiʻi’s roads need significant safety improvements and reliable evacuation routes. My administration will work with counties and federal partners to modernize infrastructure and deliver projects on time, responsibly, and transparently.

What is your vision for effective management of the visitor industry so that economic goals are met while ensuring community and environmental concerns are addressed?

Tourism will remain a vital part of Hawaiʻi’s economy, but it must benefit our residents as much as our visitors. My goal is not simply to increase visitor spending—it is to ensure more of those dollars stay in Hawaiʻi by supporting local businesses, workers, and communities.

I support responsible tourism that protects our natural resources and respects local communities. While I am not opposed to initiatives such as the Green Fee, I believe the greatest economic benefit comes when visitors spend more directly with Hawaiʻi businesses rather than relying primarily on additional government collections. Supporting local restaurants, retailers, farmers, tour operators, and cultural practitioners keeps more money circulating in our economy.

My administration will also invest in infrastructure, environmental stewardship, and destination management while expanding opportunities for Hawaiʻi businesses to serve the more than 9 million visitors who come to our islands each year. A successful visitor industry should strengthen our economy, preserve our environment, and improve the quality of life for the people who call Hawaiʻi home.

What is your solution to best manage solid waste on Kauaʻi? Please include your views on recycling, landfill site, source reduction, and other strategies.

If I had my way, not another piece of trash would end up in a landfill, our oceans, or along our roadsides. My long-term vision is to move Hawaiʻi toward a zero-waste economy where every practical material is reused, recycled, composted, or converted into a valuable resource.

We should reduce waste at its source, expand recycling and composting, encourage manufacturers to reduce unnecessary packaging, and invest in technologies that recover value from materials that cannot be traditionally recycled. Landfills should be a last resort, not our long-term plan.

I also believe solid waste management can create economic opportunity by supporting recycling industries, innovation, and local jobs while protecting Hawaiʻi’s environment. My administration will work with counties, businesses, and communities to develop practical, measurable strategies that reduce waste, keep our streets and oceans clean, and preserve our islands for future generations.

We cannot continue treating waste as something to bury—we must begin treating it as a resource.

As an elected official, what steps would you take to mitigate the impacts of climate change on Kauaʻi?

Prepare today. Protect Hawaiʻi tomorrow. Climate change is already affecting Hawaiʻi through stronger storms, flooding, wildfires, coastal erosion, and rising temperatures.

As Governor, I will establish a Hawaiʻi Disaster Prevention and Resilience Coalition to identify climate risks, strengthen emergency preparedness, and recommend long-term investments in resilient infrastructure, wildfire prevention, flood mitigation, water security, and coastal protection.

Lead by example. My administration will install solar panels and battery storage on government buildings whenever practical, create resilient microgrids for critical public facilities, and reduce long-term energy costs. These investments will also create good-paying jobs in construction, electrical trades, engineering, manufacturing, and renewable energy while strengthening Hawaiʻi’s energy independence.

I cannot manage what I do not measure. My administration will establish measurable goals and publicly report our progress to ensure accountability. Addressing climate change means protecting lives, preserving Hawaiʻi’s natural resources, strengthening our economy, and building a more resilient future.

What else would you like to share with the business community?

First, I want to thank the Kauaʻi Chamber of Commerce and the business community for the opportunity to share my vision for Hawaiʻi’s future and for your commitment to strengthening our islands.

My goal is not simply to grow Hawaiʻi’s economy—it is to keep Hawaiʻi’s wealth in Hawaiʻi. Strong local businesses create jobs, support families, and build thriving communities. My administration will be a partner that listens, removes unnecessary barriers, and creates an environment where businesses can succeed while protecting the values that make Hawaiʻi unique.

I believe government should be transparent, accountable, and focused on results. I cannot manage what I do not measure, which is why my administration will emphasize performance, public reporting, and responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars.

Together, we can build an economy where one job is enough to support a family, our young people can afford to stay in Hawaiʻi, and local businesses have every opportunity to thrive.