Priorities
We have work to do to meet the needs of our people and communities of North & South Kohala.
Strengthening our Infrastructure
Providing resources to every corner of our community requires sound infrastructure. Our roads should allow for safe transit, especially as they interface with major thoroughfares and connection points. We must look for solutions as we identify emergency routes to hazard-prone communities on the leeward side of Hawaiʻi Island. We must strive for greater connectivity to alleviate the strain on current roadways and seek the means to provide equitable access for all users of our roads through mass transit systems as our communities grow.
As we address the impacts of extreme weather events, focus needs to be turned to our ability to store water and pursue initiatives that support our agricultural needs. We have targets in place to convert our outdated wastewater systems and an urgency to assist our residents in making this shift. We will need to take big steps in addressing our solid waste challenges as we protect our ʻaina. We must also look at ways of enhancing our telecommunications networks and reaching energy independence goals for the purpose of strengthening community resilience.
Affordable Housing & Cost of Living
How can we improve government to limit burdens and assist in helping our local families? Are there opportunities for government to provide services that reduce overhead? We need to find a better balance, working with community to understand needs and working with State partners as we develop our workforce housing capacity in our healthcare, education, and agriculture sectors. At times we must proactively manage community growth, while considering the opportunity for our families to become homeowners. It is important to be involved in these discussions with community to better understand these needs. Our policies should allow for multi-generational homes and the capacity to invest in the middle housing sector. There’s also an opportunity to identify our County and State assets to meet this need while also reviewing how codes impact our families.
Food Self-Reliance & Agriculture
From the challenges of the pandemic and the unsustainable costs of goods being imported from outside the State, we must take on a greater role of producing local products. We have the resources to take on this challenge and create efficient food systems, providing healthy meals to our people. We will need to work with our State partners to bring these products to our neighbor islands and to take on the water and pest challenges that threaten our crops and livestock. We must also engage with the community to strengthen our agricultural workforce, streamline our market for small farms, and support our agriculture network through infrastructure and housing projects.
Public Spaces & Access
Our gathering spaces and recreational facilities that improve the morale of our community and ʻohana, are in need of support. We have much work to do to catch up and care for our public parks. These spaces are bastions of community memories and joy; and we need to provide the resources to care for them and realize the need for improvement as communities evolve. There is an opportunity to work with community organizers to understand these demands and help guide decisions in providing greater service. At the same time, we must preserve and care for our wahi pana, finding a balance and understanding of how we can best steward these spaces. Community leaders across North Hawaiʻi have led stalwart efforts to care and protect these unique places for future generations. We must support these initiatives and find that important balance.
Emergency Services
The distance between our communities makes response times a challenge. We must ensure that our emergency services are properly staffed and equipped for the demand. We can improve upon our public communication efforts and connectivity between our different agencies at the local level and across government lines. As a County, we have been the recipient of generous gifts to enhance our emergency service reach and capacity, we must take on the challenge of properly caring for these tools and ensuring we adequately staff these systems. We must also collaborate with community initiatives in helping to provide greater awareness, promoting public health education, and enhancing overall community resilience.
Community Collaboration
Exceptional work is being done at the community level. Community organizations and nonprofits across North & South Kohala are working hard for our people. That energy and those resources need to be harnessed to improve communication and to be the generators of policy, working from the ground up. With my experiences in the community, I aim to build on these relationships, supporting our community efforts, pushing for initiatives that help our rural communities, and working with our State Legislators to meet the needs of District 9. With your support and through collaboration we can connect these pieces.
Representation you Deserve
It is important that your elected representative consistently communicates with you and fellow constituents. Your local elected leader should be available and present within the community. This creates an opportunity to interface often and be heard. I am passionate about the communities of North & South Kohala. I learn from you as I attend community meetings and gatherings. It is my goal to be present. I am here to listen and work for you.