Political Priorities & Platform
The lack of affordable housing and the increased cost of living is the biggest issue facing Kauaʻi County. This economic pressure is why we have seen an exodus of local families, and Kauai’s workforce, resulting in the loss of generational families and creating an unsustainable economy.
We must push hard for county solutions to reduce the cost of housing and food to keep local families on Kauai. We need to diversify and prioritize our economy to provide good-paying jobs and keep money on Kauai. I will push for solutions that will provide affordable housing, which we desperately need and tackle urgent infrastructure upgrades.
Another major issue we face are drug and addiction problems on Kauaʻi. Firstly, we need to address the fentanyl emergency. We must also address the deeper issues of addiction using counseling programs, county detox and treatment centers and housing first solutions. I understand intimately what this drug has cost our families, community and Kauaʻi. Im sick of losing friends and loved ones to drug addiction. I understand the struggle and the cost of on our people and society and I am driven to help make things better, however I can.
Environmental Issues are my core background and the base of my higher education and professional work. Expanding local regenerative agriculture, addressing the climate crisis and addressing environmental pollution and ecological collapse is where my skills and passion are.
On Kauaʻi we have a serious problem, our landfill is over capacity, its needing to be shut down. This is now beyond critical. The development of a landfill will take longer to address than we currently have, the fines will cost us, the disposal of waste will be a huge burden on our community. Reducing the waste we generate and diverting what we can from the current landfill will be critical in establishing responsible waste management for our small island. Decision-makers deferred this important issue for far too long and now we have run out of time. I am realistic about the time it will take to finalize a location and build a new landfill and understand that it is likely we do not have many options once the EPA shuts down the Kekaha Landfill in approximately four years.
I will push to move forward on landfill development while we also move on curbside recycling and waste diversion. I have and will continue to support a Dirty MRF (materials recovery facility) for Kauaʻi in conjunction with curbside recycling. Over the last few years I have also worked more to support composting and organic waste diversion measures.
“A role in office is a role in service. The most important thing to consider when making decisions about the future of Kaua’i is what is wanted by the community whom you represent. You must ensure you hear the voice of your constituents, and address the most pressing concerns of the community. You must be open and honest and transparent in your decisions, reasonings & positions. ”