Position Running For

U.S. House of Representatives, District 2

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

Windward Oahu, Kaneohe

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

A thriving agricultural sector on Kauaʻi strengthens our food security, creates local jobs, and keeps agricultural lands in productive use. My vision is to strengthen Hawaiʻi’s local food system and diversified agricultural economy so farmers can remain economically viable, increase local food production, and expand the cultivation of native and culturally significant crops.

The federal government can help by investing in irrigation, farm-to-market transportation, broadband, and processing facilities while reducing unnecessary barriers to the financial and technical support farmers rely on.

We must also protect agricultural land from being treated as a speculative investment. I introduced the Farmland for Farmers Act to help keep farmland in the hands of farmers, not large corporate investors. As Hawaiʻi’s representative on the House Agriculture Committee, I’ve held listening sessions with farmers across the state, secured disaster relief, and introduced legislation to remove tariffs on key agricultural inputs that are driving up costs.

By working together, we can build a more resilient agricultural economy that benefits farmers, consumers, and future generations.

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

One of my core beliefs as an elected leader is that good policymaking starts with listening. The people most affected by government decisions should have a seat at the table, including business owners, workers, nonprofits, and community organizations.

Throughout my time in Congress, I have regularly met with local businesses, chambers of commerce, industry leaders, and small business owners across Hawaiʻi to better understand the opportunities and challenges they face. While my staff and I are always available in Washington and our district office, I believe the most valuable conversations happen in the communities I represent. That’s why I spend as much time as possible in the district and maintain field representatives on each island to meet directly with constituents.

Whether through town halls, roundtables, site visits, or one-on-one conversations, meaningful engagement leads to better policy. My goal is to bring people together, find common ground, and deliver solutions that strengthen our economy, support local businesses, and improve the quality of life for Hawaiʻi’s families.

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

Housing affordability remains one of the greatest challenges facing Kauaʻi and our state. Too many local families are being priced out, and businesses are struggling to recruit and retain workers because of rising housing costs. There is no single solution, so my approach is focused on increasing housing supply while protecting local families.

I’ve worked with Kauaʻi County to secure federal funding for the Lima Ola Affordable Housing project in ʻEleʻele and the Kīlauea Town Expansion project, helping build affordable housing, improve infrastructure, and support long-term community growth.

I’ve also taken on large corporate investors by helping introduce the Stop Wall Street Landlords Act to curb institutional purchases of single-family homes and help level the playing field for local families.

My goal is simple: ensure working families, young people, and kūpuna can afford to live, work, and build their futures on Kauaʻi.

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

As a mom, I understand that budgets are not just numbers on a spreadsheet—they are kitchen table decisions. Families make tough choices every day about how to balance their budgets, stretch a paycheck, and plan for the future. Government should approach taxpayer dollars with that same care and discipline.

During my time as Chair of the Ways and Means Committee in the State Senate, I worked tirelessly to ensure public funds were spent responsibly and transparently. Budgets should reflect community priorities, be guided by data, and be measured by results, not politics.

Effective management also requires accountability. Taxpayers deserve to know how their money is being spent and whether programs are actually working. My approach has always been to make smart, responsible investments that prioritize long-term value, strengthen our communities, and keep the needs of my constituents at the center of every decision.

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

Hawaiʻi has so much to offer. We are home to world-class research institutions, innovative entrepreneurs, abundant natural resources, a strong agricultural tradition, and a strategic location that connects us to the broader Pacific. While tourism and the military will continue to be important economic drivers, we cannot rely too heavily on just a few industries. We should focus on growing sectors that build on Hawaiʻi’s strengths, values, and unique advantages.

Economic diversification is ultimately about creating those opportunities.

We should continue growing sectors like agriculture, healthcare, renewable energy, technology, research, and small business development while investing in workforce training, education, broadband, and infrastructure. We should also leverage Hawaiʻi’s unique strengths to become a leader in areas such as clean energy, ocean science, and Pacific-focused innovation.

A stronger and more diversified economy will create good-paying jobs, make Hawaiʻi more resilient during economic downturns, and help ensure future generations can afford to live, work, and raise their families here at home.

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 investments are essential to Kauaʻi’s economic future, quality of life, and long-term resilience. My priorities include transportation improvements, water and wastewater infrastructure, broadband expansion, climate resilience projects, and the infrastructure needed to support housing development and economic growth.

During my time in Congress, I have worked to secure federal funding for projects across Hawaiʻi because infrastructure investments are not just construction projects—they are investments in our communities and economy. Whether it is housing, transportation, clean water, or public facilities, these projects help create jobs, improve public safety, and support future growth.

Moving projects forward in a timely manner requires strong coordination between federal, state, and county partners. My role is to help connect local priorities with federal resources, cut through bureaucratic obstacles where possible, and advocate for the investments Kauaʻi needs to succeed.

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 continue to play an important role in Hawaiʻi’s economy, but success shouldn’t be measured by visitor arrivals alone. The visitor industry must work for our communities, not the other way around.

Effective management of tourism means ensuring that economic benefits are balanced with the needs of residents, protection of natural resources, and preservation of Hawaiʻi’s unique culture and way of life.

In island communities like ours we see firsthand the pressures that tourism can place on roads, housing, water and wastewater systems, public facilities, transportation networks, and environmentally sensitive areas. Responsible investment is essential. Improving infrastructure, protecting natural resources, and supporting better long-term planning are not just good for residents, they are critical for a sustainable tourism.

The best solutions are developed with a respect for culture and in partnership with local communities, businesses, and government agencies. By focusing on sustainability, responsible stewardship, and long-term planning, we can support a strong visitor industry while protecting the very resources and communities that make Kauaʻi such a special place.

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 begins with understanding exactly what is entering our waste stream and what is consuming valuable landfill space. If one has not been completed recently, I would support conducting a comprehensive waste audit to identify opportunities for source reduction, reuse, recycling, and diversion. That information should serve as the foundation for a long-term solid waste management strategy.

We should prioritize reducing waste before it reaches the landfill by expanding recycling opportunities, improving public education, and making disposal and transfer facilities more convenient and accessible. Integrating green waste collection and composting programs can further reduce landfill use while creating valuable products such as mulch and compost that benefit local residents, farmers, and landscapers.

There is no single solution to Kauaʻi’s solid waste challenges. Success will require a balanced approach that combines data-driven planning, source reduction, recycling, composting, and responsible long-term landfill management to extend landfill capacity and protect our environment for future generations.

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

Climate change is already impacting Kauaʻi and communities across Hawaiʻi through stronger storms, coastal erosion, flooding, drought, wildfires, coral bleaching, and sea-level rise. In island communities like ours it’s a threat to our way of life.

We have seen these impacts firsthand through wildfires and storms that damaged homes, businesses, farms, and critical infrastructure across our state. The need to prepare and invest in resilience has never been more urgent.

I will continue fighting for federal investments that strengthen resilience and protect our communities. That includes modernizing our electric grid, expanding renewable energy, upgrading water and wastewater systems, investing in climate-resilient infrastructure, and supporting projects that reduce wildfire, flooding, and erosion risks.

I also support partnering with the military on renewable energy projects that benefit both the installations and surrounding communities. By leveraging Hawaiʻi’s abundant renewable resources—including solar, wind, geothermal, and ocean energy—we can strengthen our energy security, create good-paying local jobs, and continue leading with urgency, innovation, and long-term planning.

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

Our local businesses are the backbone of Hawaiʻi’s economy and the heart of our communities. Whether it’s a family farm, a neighborhood restaurant, a healthcare provider, or a new startup, they create jobs, strengthen our communities, and help preserve what makes Hawaiʻi unique.

I’ll continue working to bring federal resources home, improve infrastructure, expand access to quality rural healthcare, support agriculture, invest in workforce development, and create the conditions for local businesses to grow and succeed.

Above all, my priority is making Hawaiʻi more affordable for the people who call it home. When families can afford housing, healthcare, food, and everyday necessities, businesses are better able to attract and retain workers, entrepreneurs have the confidence to invest, and our communities thrive.