Position Running For

U.S. House of Representatives, District 2

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

Maui

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

My vision is a stronger and more resilient agricultural sector across Hawaiʻi’s Congressional District 2, including Kauaʻi, Hawaiʻi Island, Maui County, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, and rural Oʻahu. Agriculture is essential to food security, economic stability, cultural preservation, and disaster preparedness.

As a Member of Congress, I will advocate for federal investments in water and irrigation infrastructure, watershed protection, agricultural research, rural broadband, harbor modernization, and disaster recovery programs that reach farmers and ranchers quickly. I will work to improve the affordability and reliability of transporting agricultural products, livestock, equipment, feed, fertilizer, and supplies between islands and to mainland markets.

Federal policies should support local food production, strengthen farming and ranching operations, expand access to agricultural loans and grants, and reduce unnecessary regulatory burdens that increase costs without improving outcomes.

A stronger agricultural sector will increase self-sufficiency, strengthen rural communities, reduce dependence on imported food, and build a more resilient Hawaiʻi for future generations.

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

I will engage directly with businesses, industry organizations, farmers, ranchers, nonprofits, and community leaders across Kauaʻi and the rest of Congressional District 2 before making decisions that affect them. Good policy requires understanding how federal laws, regulations, and funding decisions impact people on the ground.

I believe elected officials should spend less time in Washington and more time in the communities they represent. That means regular meetings with business owners, site visits, listening sessions, and ongoing communication with chambers of commerce and industry groups, while also hearing from workers, consumers, and residents affected by those same policies.

My responsibility is not to represent any single industry or special interest, but to gather facts, listen to all perspectives, and make informed decisions based on what is best for Hawaiʻi and the people of Congressional District 2. Before taking a position on major issues, I want to understand the real-world impacts, intended and unintended, on our local economy and communities.

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

Housing affordability on Kauaʻi cannot be solved by Washington alone, but the federal government can help address many of the underlying cost drivers. As a Member of Congress, I would focus on reducing costs associated with infrastructure, transportation, insurance, and federal regulations that increase the cost of housing development and homeownership.

I support expanding federal programs for first-time homebuyers, workforce housing, and rural housing while ensuring federal housing dollars are used efficiently and transparently. I would also advocate for investments in water, wastewater, transportation, and broadband infrastructure that support housing without shifting additional costs onto local residents.

Kauaʻi’s housing challenges are unique, and local communities should retain a strong voice in determining how and where growth occurs. My goal is to make homeownership and long-term rental housing more attainable for working families while supporting policies that strengthen wages, expand economic opportunity, and reduce Hawaiʻi’s overall cost of living.

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

As a Member of Congress, I would not be responsible for managing Kauaʻi County’s budget or daily operations. My role would be to ensure that federal taxpayer dollars sent to Hawaiʻi are spent efficiently, transparently, and for their intended purpose.

I support strong oversight, accountability, and regular review of federal programs and grants to ensure communities receive measurable results. When federal funding opportunities align with Kauaʻi’s priorities, I will work with local leaders, businesses, nonprofits, and community organizations to help secure resources for infrastructure, housing, agriculture, disaster preparedness, and economic development.

My approach is simple: identify needs, pursue available federal funding, reduce unnecessary bureaucracy, and ensure public funds deliver real benefits to residents. Good government requires transparency, fiscal responsibility, and a commitment to measuring outcomes rather than simply increasing spending.

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

Economic diversification begins with reducing Hawaiʻi’s dependence on any single industry and creating opportunities that allow residents to build careers without leaving the islands.

I believe the greatest opportunities for Kauaʻi and the rest of Congressional District 2 are in agriculture, food production, renewable energy, healthcare, technology, skilled trades, and small business development. The federal government can support these sectors through infrastructure investments, workforce training, research grants, rural broadband expansion, energy modernization, and programs that improve access to capital.

As a Member of Congress, I would advocate for policies that strengthen local businesses, support entrepreneurs, improve transportation and supply chain reliability, and encourage investment in industries that create long-term, sustainable jobs. I would also work to ensure federal programs and funding opportunities are accessible to Hawaiʻi’s businesses and communities.

A diversified economy is ultimately a more resilient economy—one that can better withstand economic downturns, natural disasters, and changes in tourism while creating greater opportunity for local residents.

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?

My infrastructure priorities are water systems, wastewater infrastructure, transportation networks, harbors, bridges, broadband, and energy resilience. These are the foundational systems that support housing, agriculture, public safety, healthcare, and economic growth.

As a Member of Congress, I would work to secure federal funding for critical infrastructure projects and advocate for efficient use of those funds. I would also focus on identifying federal permitting delays, regulatory obstacles, and funding bottlenecks that unnecessarily slow projects.

While local and state governments are responsible for managing and constructing most infrastructure projects, the federal government can help by providing resources, technical assistance, and oversight to ensure projects remain on schedule and taxpayer dollars are used effectively.

My goal is to help communities like Kauaʻi move essential infrastructure projects from planning to construction more efficiently, while maintaining transparency, accountability, and responsible stewardship of public funds.

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?

The visitor industry is a vital part of Hawaiʻi’s economy, but long-term success requires balancing economic benefits with the protection of our communities, natural resources, and quality of life.

As a Member of Congress, my role would not be to manage tourism policy directly. Those decisions largely belong to state and county governments. My focus would be ensuring that federal infrastructure, environmental, transportation, and conservation programs support communities impacted by tourism.

I support a sustainable approach that protects beaches, reefs, watersheds, cultural resources, and public infrastructure while maintaining a healthy visitor economy. Federal investments in conservation, disaster resilience, transportation, and infrastructure can help communities accommodate visitors without shifting excessive costs onto residents.

Ultimately, visitor management decisions should be driven by local communities. My role in Congress would be to advocate for federal resources and policies that help Hawaiʻi balance economic opportunity with environmental stewardship and community well-being.

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

Solid waste management is primarily a county responsibility, but the federal government can support local efforts through funding, infrastructure investments, environmental programs, and research.

I support a balanced approach that includes source reduction, recycling, composting, responsible landfill management, and public education. Reducing waste before it enters the system is often the most cost-effective and environmentally responsible solution. Recycling and composting programs should be practical, financially sustainable, and tailored to the needs of island communities.

As a Member of Congress, I would support federal funding opportunities that help counties modernize waste management infrastructure, improve recycling capabilities, address environmental concerns, and explore emerging technologies where appropriate.

Kauaʻi’s long-term waste management strategy should be determined locally, with input from residents, businesses, and environmental stakeholders. My role would be to help secure federal resources, remove unnecessary barriers, and ensure taxpayer dollars are used effectively to support sustainable and environmentally responsible solutions.

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

Kauaʻi’s coastlines, reefs, watersheds, native ecosystems, and cultural resources are among its greatest assets and deserve long-term protection. Regardless of political views on climate change, Hawaiʻi must prepare for coastal erosion, flooding, drought, wildfire risk, and severe weather events.

As a Member of Congress, I would advocate for federal investments in watershed restoration, coastal protection, flood mitigation, wildfire prevention, water security, and resilient infrastructure. I support protecting sensitive marine ecosystems, Native Hawaiian cultural sites, and areas of significant environmental and historical importance while ensuring local communities remain involved in decision-making.

I also support strengthening disaster preparedness and ensuring federal agencies work closely with local communities to address emerging environmental challenges.

My goal is to help preserve Kauaʻi’s natural beauty, cultural heritage, and quality of life while building more resilient communities for future generations.

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

Hawaiʻi businesses face challenges unlike most of the country: geographic isolation, high transportation costs, housing shortages, workforce constraints, regulatory complexity, and the rising cost of doing business.

As a Member of Congress, I will advocate for federal policies that recognize Hawaiʻi’s unique circumstances. That includes reviewing federal regulations that disproportionately impact island communities, supporting tax policies that encourage investment and job creation, expanding access to capital for small businesses, improving transportation and supply chain reliability, and ensuring federal programs are accessible and accountable. I also support examining federal tax and economic policies to determine where adjustments can help offset the higher costs faced by Hawaiʻi residents and businesses.

Strong local businesses create jobs, support families, and strengthen communities. My focus will be on reducing unnecessary barriers, expanding economic opportunity, and ensuring federal policies help Hawaiʻi businesses grow, compete, and succeed while bringing the concerns of Kauaʻi directly to Washington.