Position Running For

Kauai County Council

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

Kekaha

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

No. 1 land access ! , especially on the west side majority of land is prioritized for large mainland seed companies with inside political pull. thousands of acres on the westside of Kauai sits unused since Kekaha plantation closed in 2000, and is controlled by ADC/STATE , which makes it practically impossible for smaller community farmers to secure land lease or license. incentivize local farmers, community processing plant , reefer storage, certified public use kitchens, incentivize community ranch and farm stores with longer open access/hours to public.

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

I will have a direct open door policy. ALL decisions I make will NOT be based on self interest or profit !! I will demand community and local businesses live meetings FIRST to gather as much information and suggestions from whatever community and businesses before any decision or action is taken that will affect that community as a whole. Specific communities and business will have the majority of influence on MY decision making and any legislation introduced or voted on. ALWAYS CONTINUE LOCAL COMMUNITY AND BUSINESSES DIALOG UNTIL WE COME TO A POSITIVE MEANS OF MOVING FORWARD.

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

I had so much thoughts on how to answer this question, I saved it for last…

(Ensuring Kaua’i’s working middle class can afford to stay on the island requires direct intervention in the housing supply through public-private partnerships, targeted workforce housing developments, and dedicated down-payment assistance)

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

I would demand an audit of every department by an independent third party. We need ethical leadership , Fair systems and Accountable government !

Reduce government spending instead of continuous growing government funded by taxpayers !!

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

Since the close of the plantation era , past and current political leaders have promoted and incentivized tourism as the state and our county of Kauai’s main source of economic output,, which in turn we have over crowded everything from roads to public spaces, cultural and historic areas , ect.

I would focus on community based sustainability where we would collaborate with communities, private investors, federal and state entities to invest in ways to acquire revenue generating assets/municipalities owned by the county and possibly ran by community entrepreneurs. Example is purchasing properties that are transient vacation rentals zoned , county can bid out through local contract , revenue offsets taxes from that specific community. Develop/upgrade areas at county neighborhood centers with infrastructure , parking , certified kitchens , storage space to be able to lease to small business owners for events , pop ups, farm and ranch to community spaces.

West Kauai 400 owned by the county, arena, slaughter house , chill/processing plant

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 have been hearing talk about this for decades!!! I would push for immediate action! Streamline what ever can be to move forward!!!

LESS BUREAUCRACY!!!!

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?

Diversify from Hawaii’s over reliance on the visitor industry. Agriculture and food production, Massive potential for livestock , ranching cooperatives , promoting and incentivizing sustainability on Kauai , I believe its 90% of all cattle raised in Hawaii goes to the mainland. Kauai FIRST then export.

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

Invest immediately in Waste Conversion Technology. Waste to energy power plant owned as a municipality by the county , providing jobs , revenue ..

RECYCLE. DIVERT FROM LANDFILLS. PERIOD !

LANDFILLS HAVE BEEN REDUCED IN SIZE IN OTHER COUNTRIES BY THIS. WE MUST ACT IMMEDIATELY !

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

Follow current best practices, always open for suggestions, constructive criticism

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

A quote I try to always live my life by ;

PEOPLE ARE OFTEN UNREASONABLE AND SELF-CENTERED. FORGIVE THEM ANYWAY.

IF YOU ARE KIND, PEOPLE MAY ACCUSE YOU OF ULTERIOR MOTIVES. BE KIND ANYWAY.

IF YOU ARE HONEST , PEOPLE MAY CHEAT YOU. BE HONEST ANYWAY.

IF YOU FIND HAPPINESS, PEOPLE MAY BE JEALOUS. BE HAPPY ANYWAY.

THE GOOD YOU DO TODAY MAY BE FORGOTTEN TOMORROW. DO GOOD ANYWAY.

GIVE THE WORLD THE BEST YOU HAVE AND IT MAY NEVER BE ENOUGH. GIVE YOUR BEST ANYWAY.

FOR YOU SEE, IN THE END, IT IS BETWEEN YOU AND GOD .

IT WAS NEVER BETWEEN YOU AND THEM ANYWAY ! MOTHER TERESA

MAHALO FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION