Position Running For

Kauai County Mayor

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

Kapaa

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

My goal is to build a resilient agricultural economy that grows more of our own food, creates good-paying careers, supports family farms, develops value-added Hawaiʻi-made products, and eventually positions Kauaʻi to export high-quality products to the world. That begins by protecting agricultural lands for real agriculture—not speculation—and making it easier for farmers to succeed. Food and Island Independence. Farm Housing Communities, Stewardship Programs, Project Based and Vocational Learning Centers. More farms and more farmers.

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

Before major decisions are made, I want to understand how a proposal affects jobs, local businesses, infrastructure, housing, agriculture, and the overall quality of life for our residents. Those conversations should happen openly and transparently, not behind closed doors. Also, remove unnecessary barriers, provide predictable regulations, invest wisely in infrastructure, and create an environment where local businesses can succeed

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

My goal is to make homeownership and rental housing attainable for our working middle class by addressing both sides of the equation: reducing the cost of housing where the County can, and increasing economic opportunity so families can earn a good living here. A strong local economy is the foundation of housing affordability. My administration will support small businesses, expand agriculture, encourage Hawaiʻi-made products and services, promote entrepreneurship, and develop apprenticeships and vocational training that prepare residents for skilled, well-paying careers. The more money our residents earn locally, the more they can afford to live here

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

Rather than continually reacting to crises, I want the County to invest in preventing them. That means improving infrastructure before it fails, supporting local food production before supply chains are disrupted, strengthening watershed protection before water shortages occur, and expanding workforce development before labor shortages become critical.

Every department should have clear performance measures tied to public outcomes. Taxpayers deserve to know not only how much money was spent, but what was accomplished. Managing a budget isn’t just about balancing numbers. It’s about balancing priorities. Every dollar should move us closer to a Kauaʻi that is more affordable, more self-reliant, more resilient, and better prepared for future generations. That’s how I intend to manage the people’s money.

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

My vision is to replace dependency with productivity—grow more locally, build more locally, buy more locally, and export the innovation, products, and services that reflect the best of Kauaʻi. Island and Food Independence, invest in local entrepreneurs to fill gaps, buy and sell local products. Export more than import

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?

Government’s role is not to choose winners and losers—it’s to remove obstacles, invest wisely in public infrastructure, and help local enterprise flourish. Today, we rely heavily on imported goods, imported services, and a narrow economic base. That means too many of our dollars leave the island instead of creating jobs and opportunities here at home. My vision is to build a more resilient economy by expanding industries that reflect our strengths, our culture, and our natural resources. Agriculture and Food Independence, Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Skilled Trades and Workforce Development, Hawaiʻi-Made Manufacturing and Value-Added Products, Resource Recovery, Innovation and Appropriate Technology, and Tourism That Supports the Whole Economy.

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?

My goal isn’t to maximize tourism—it’s to maximize the benefits of tourism while minimizing its impacts. If we protect our communities, our culture, and our natural resources, tourism will remain strong because the very qualities that attract visitors will continue to thrive. That’s how we build a visitor industry that works for both our residents and our economy. Tourism should strengthen our local economy, not bypass it. I want visitors spending more of their dollars with locally owned businesses, farmers, fishermen, artists, cultural practitioners, restaurants, tour operators, and retailers. The more we support Hawaiʻi-made products and local services, the more tourism benefits stay on Kauaʻi.

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 shouldn’t begin at the landfill—it should begin at home. Households reduce and separate materials. Neighborhoods support reuse and collection. Communities and Moku resource recovery centers recover value from what would otherwise be discarded. The County coordinates standards, infrastructure, and oversight. By managing resources at the lowest level capable of doing so effectively, with accountability and coordination at every level above it, we create a system that is more resilient, more cost-effective, and more consistent with the stewardship traditions of Hawaiʻi. In other words, decentralize into our district or Moku style management with county oversight.

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

Regardless of where people stand on the causes of climate change, I believe everyone agrees on one thing: our responsibility is to protect the people of Kauaʻi, strengthen our infrastructure, and leave our island more resilient for future generations. My focus is on practical solutions that improve our quality of life while preparing us for strong storms, flooding, drought, coastal erosion, and other natural hazards. Protect ,our watersheds, .

Build resilient infrastructure, Strengthen local food and water security.For me, resilience is the key.to improve emergency preparedness, and Reduce waste and recover resources.

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

My vision is a Kauaʻi where we grow more of what we consume, build more of what we need, buy more locally, and develop businesses that keep our dollars circulating on the island. That creates good jobs, strengthens our tax base, and reduces our dependence on outside markets. My commitment is simple: People First. Kauaʻi First. Build trust, grow opportunity, steward our resources wisely, and leave the next generation a stronger island than the one we inherited. If we stay focused on those principles, I believe Kauai’s best days are ahead of us.