Currently holds the office of Hawaii County Council - District 2 until December 31, 2024.
Candidate for Hawaii County Council - District 2 in 2024 Hawaii General Election.
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Get StartedPeople talk about the need to create new industries on our island but Hawaiʻi County needs to find ways to make existing jobs, better jobs. We have a huge need to fill critical positions in our community; we need doctors, nurses, teachers, engineers, buiding inspectors, contractors, maintenance workers, bus drivers, etc. Anyone working a full-time job should be able to afford life’s necessities: a roof over their head, reliable transportation, healthy food to eat, medical care and a safe and nurturing place for their children to learn and thrive. We can make this a reality by advocating for living wages, good benefits and providing necessary social services like good public transportation and support for child care. Learn more
In addition to supporting upgrading our wastewater infrastructure and enacting other policy solutions to support our island’s environment Learn more
As your councilmember I have been tackling issues affecting our downtown such as homelessness and parking. I work with our county agencies, community organizations, business owners and residents on these and other important issues so we can ensure that Hilo is a great place to live, work and play! Learn more
I continue to publish a free weekly e-newsletter sharing important policy and issue updates as well as highlighting community events. I also regularly hold public meetings as open talk stories or policy-based forums so people can hear directly from me and ask questions on issues that are important to them. In addition, I make sure our District 2 Office is staffed and open daily to assist constituents with their concerns and available to those who email, call or drop by. Learn more
Hawaiʻi County needs more affordable and attainable housing options-from starter homes for first-time buyers to low income housing for working families to low-income, supportive housing for those who need support getting off the street. With the median price for a home in Hilo at half a million dollars, most folks cannot afford to buy and many cannot afford to rent. The “housing first” model has proven successful and we need to support local efforts to provide attainable housing for all. Learn more
Much of the island’s infrastructure including its roads, bridges, wastewater and energy systems, are in need of serious investment and innovation. Over the past 2 years we have invested significantly in repaving our roads in Hilo, upgrading our wastewater treatment facilities and supporting new recreational opportunities like the Hilo Skate Complex. As your Council Member, I continue to be persistent and tenacious in funding and implementing infrastructure projects in Hilo and Hawaiʻi Island. Learn more
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