Position Running For

Kauai County Council

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

Kekaha/West Kauai

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

My vision for a thriving agricultural sector is one where agriculture is a key part of Kauai’s economy, food security, and environmental stewardship.

A future where existing farms continue to grow and new farmers have opportunities to learn and succeed in a low-risk environment through agricultural parks, incubator farms, and improved access to land. I would also like to see vibrant farmers markets across the island and expanded food hubs that provide processing, distribution, and retail opportunities for locally grown products. Organizations like Malama Kauai have played an important role in strengthening our local food system, and the County and State should continue supporting these partnerships.

Kauai already has strong cattle, coffee, and tropical flower industries, and we also have strong potential to grow cacao, mango, citrus, and other tropical crops, increasing local food production and expanding opportunities to reach markets beyond Hawaii.

The County can support this by investing in agricultural infrastructure, protecting agricultural lands and water resources, supporting farmer development, and partnering with agricultural organizations to make things easier.

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

As a small business owner, I understand how county decisions can directly affect businesses, employees, and our local economy. Before making important decisions, I believe it is essential to hear from those who will be impacted.

I plan to stay engaged with the Kauai Chamber of Commerce and participate in meetings with organizations such as the Lihue Business Association, Kapaa Business Association, and West Kauai Business Association. These organizations provide valuable opportunities to hear directly from business owners about the challenges and opportunities within their communities.

I will make myself accessible through phone calls, emails, one-on-one meetings, and community talk story sessions to hear from business owners of all sizes, including those who may not belong to an organization.

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

Kauai’s housing shortage requires an all-in approach. We have to continue investing in the County’s workforce housing fund while improving the infrastructure needed to support new housing. I also support public-private partnerships and responsible development that prioritizes local families. I am a father of two teenagers and this issue is personal for me. I want my children, and all of Kauai’s young people, to have the opportunity to return home and afford to live here.

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

As a farmer and small business owner, I understand the importance of managing a budget and making responsible financial decisions. If elected, I will take my responsibility as a County Councilmember seriously and put in the time and effort to understand the county budget line by line. I believe the current Council has managed the county’s finances responsibly, and I look forward to learning from experienced Councilmembers while bringing a fresh perspective. My goal will be to make sure our island’s dollars are spent wisely, transparently, and in ways that will benefit our community.

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

Tourism will remain an important part of Kauai’s economy. However, we need to continue growing agriculture, construction, healthcare, renewable energy, and locally owned small businesses. We also need to invest in workforce development by exposing students to the many careers our island needs, including the skilled trades, engineering, healthcare, accounting, and education. Whether a student chooses college, technical training, or an apprenticeship, they should see a future for themselves on Kauai.

Economic diversification is about creating good-paying jobs, supporting local businesses, and building an economy that provides opportunities for future generations to live, work, and raise their families on Kauai.

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?

The priorities for infrastructure are: roads, bridges, water systems, wastewater upgrades, and landfill capacity, with a focus on climate resiliency and maintenance. I would support better coordination between agencies, early community engagement, and realistic project planning and budgeting. Ensuring projects are properly planned, funded, and permitted helps reduce delays and move improvements forward efficiently.

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?

A key part of managing the visitor industry is building on successful solutions that reduce impacts on our communities while creating direct benefits for residents. The existing shuttle system serving Haena State Park has been a successful model for reducing traffic, protecting natural and cultural resources, and improving the visitor experience.

I support continuing to strengthen these types of partnerships in close collaboration with residents, local businesses, and county and state agencies to ensure they remain fair, effective, and sustainable.

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

I believe it is time for Kauai to seriously move toward curbside recycling and stronger waste diversion systems. For decades we have been told that curbside recycling was too costly, yet we have continued to rely heavily on our landfill and have reached capacity faster than anticipated without a clear long term solution in place.

We need to invest in modern waste management infrastructure, including reclamation and sorting facilities that can separate reusable and recyclable materials more effectively. This includes diverting construction and demolition waste, metals, appliances, and hazardous materials such as batteries, including lithium batteries, away from the landfill.

Reducing waste and extending the life of our landfill is both an environmental and fiscal responsibility. A more comprehensive approach to recycling and diversion will help protect our land, reduce long-term costs, and improve sustainability for future generations.

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

I believe addressing climate change requires practical local action that protects our communities, infrastructure, and natural resources. We must invest in resilient infrastructure, including roads, drainage, and water and wastewater systems that can withstand more severe storms. We also need long term planning to anticipate the effects of future events.

Protecting and restoring watersheds, agricultural lands, and shorelines is also critical for flood mitigation and environmental health. These natural systems are part of our resilience.

I support stronger recycling and waste diversion, energy efficiency in county operations, and responsible land use planning that avoids building in high-risk areas.

Climate resilience also requires community engagement so residents are informed and included in planning. By making smart investments and strengthening our infrastructure and natural resources, we can better protect Kauai for future generations.

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

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to share my views and I am respectfully asking for one of your seven votes. Aloha