Jeremy Haupt
Kauai County Council
Position Running For
Kauai County Council
What area(s) of the Island do you call home?
Wailua Home Steads
What is your vision for a thriving agricultural sector on Kauai and how can the County support that vision?
We need to Have not only Farm to table but also Farm to Families. The farmer markets are great but most of the working people are working during those times. or when they are off its on the other side of the island. I dont know exactly how to reach this goal but I’m confident a community member has the solution they just need to be heard and given a chance.
If elected, how would you engage with the business community prior to your decision-making?
Council member need to engage the community as a whole not just buisnes members. As a small buisnes owner I know there is a need for communication after work and on weekends.
How would you help ensure that working middle class residents can afford to buy or rent a home on Kauaʻi?
I don’t have an answer for this, No one running or who as run does or this wouldn’t be an issue, It would have been fixed. What I do know is it isn’t one or two things that need to be fixed I do believe the answer is in the community we have some of the smartest local people with great ideas that aren’t given a chance for their ideas to be heard. I want to hear the communities ideas.
How would you effectively manage budget and operations compared to the past?
We need accountability. and understanding between the mayor, coucil and county departments. I know for a fact that the departments are so scared to have money left over in their budgets because the threat of not getting enough the next year. So they go and start spending on anything to drain the budget. We need to reward having money left over instead of penalizing departments.
What specific ideas do you have about economic diversification and how would you develop these areas?
We need need more local farms, ranchers, local service and maintenance companies, resturants that support local so we aren’t so dependent on tourism.
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?
We need to explore demolition and rebuild vs “repair”. some times its quicker to dem rebuild then repair. The up front cost may be more but the overall long time cost is cheaper.
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 first thing We need to do is better manage/monitor the illegal vacation rental industry. We cant do anything correctly if we cant get a handle on this.
What is your solution to best manage solid waste on Kauaʻi? Please include your views on recycling, landfill site, source reduction, and other strategies.
We need to have better recycling and green waste pick and or drop off facilities. this could help eliminate roadside dumping and minimize adding to the landfill.
As an elected official, what steps would you take to mitigate the impacts of climate change on Kauaʻi?
The first thing I would do Is request reports and receipts on where the money and taxes go for climate change. We need to know how that money is being used for climate change first.
What else would you like to share with the business community?
I’m Just a father, Husband, Brother, uncle, son and retired county lifeguard and swim coach and business owner that wants to try and bridge the misunderstanding and mis trust in the community and government so we can leave a better kauai for our kids.