The Issues:
Infrastructure and roads - It's far past time to address our worsening traffic problem by building the Laniakea "wiggle road," or failing that reverting to some form of barrier system. We urgently need to address the highway erosion in Ka'a'awa before this coming winter to avoid a repeat of last year's contra-flow.
Jobs - It is imperative that we act to incentivize and encourage the success of local businesses and small farmers, such as bills that allow the selling of "value added" products at farm stands. Vocational training for our high school students in the fields of agriculture, technology, and film will better prepare our youth to land high paying jobs and afford them the opportunity to continue living in the district as adults.
Affordable Housing - A long term affordable housing plan focused on the specific needs and culture of Hawaii is key to providing housing, while still preserving open spaces and farmland. Expanded use of microhousing, native Hawaiian housing and other innovative solutions exist and can be incorporated into the plan. The AirBnB bill is not a good piece of legislation, and if passed next session will only further exacerbate our housing shortage.
Environment - We need to armor our coastline to protect our highway and prevent erosion, carefully consider the impact of development, and concentrate on restoring our native forests and protecting our unique plants and animals, which are essential to leaving a better Hawai'i for our keiki. I will work to protect sensitive populations from unknown chemicals, and support the labeling of GMO foodstuffs. The North Shore and Ko'olauloa communities are and have historically been a rural farming community, and we should seek to preserve their special and unique character.
Cost of Living - Lowering taxes for the middle class, while collecting a fair contribution from non-resident property owners and foreign real estate investors is a good start. Reducing vehicle fees and other regressive taxes will make Hawaii more livable for the average person.
Accountability - Many state agencies have appropriated large sums of money or operate with opaque funds, making it hard to determine if money is well spent. I will demand legislative oversight to increase transparency. A great example of a project that needs greater scrutiny is HART, but similar issues exist throughout the state.
Agriculture - Breaking up pristine farmland to create "gentleman's farms" is a misuse of land that hurts our food security and future sustainability as an isolated island chain.
Affordable Housing - As the affordable housing issue is incredibly complex with numerous contributing factors, we need a long term plan to address it from a variety of angles. We can and should differentiate between owner-occupants and absentee owners when it comes to vacation rentals, increase property taxes on non-resident owners, and create a purchase tax on foreign real estate buyers. We can solve this problem if we embrace innovative sustainable projects such as micro housing similar to Hale Mauliloa, and traditional Hawaiian structures that meet safety codes.
Homelessness - Homeless and Houselessness is a crisis and an embarrassment for Hawai'i. Other states are on their way to eliminating homelessness and we must do the same. Hawai'i is one big 'ohana, and with that comes a responsibility to care for the least among us. That means committing to a long term plan and appropriate funding levels for successful programs. Mental health, Housing First, and other programs that work have been underfunded to catastrophic levels. The "Hale Mauliloa" project is a good one, and I have high hopes that we will replicate it for other communities. Services such as public restrooms and washing facilities can also be expanded, and we should carefully examine our current policy of "homeless sweeps" in our downtown areas to determine if they are truly addressing the issue or merely moving the homeless to more remote areas that lack the services to properly assist them.
