Candidate for Hawaii County Council - District 4 in 2026 Hawaii Primary Election.
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Get StartedThe council doesn’t control hiring but does control budgeting so more funding for personnel and needed equipment is needed. Through my involvement with Neighborhood Watch, police need a simple ordinance to enforce noise complaints similar to the boom box ordinance. This is one of the most common calls to dispatch and often escalates into assault. I plan to work closely with our HPD to make positive changes is a priority. Learn more
We need more jobs in Puna so folks don’t have to commute to work. Ensuring good Internet coverage throughout the district is key. Another would be tax incentives for small and locally owned businesses to encourage investment. Developing Puna-branded value-added products (meat, crafts, art, food) for local and tourist markets while encouraging vocational and entrepreneurial training for keiki and residents can be encouraged through grant programs. Learn more
We have limited medical services in Puna which need to be expanded. The new Benioff medical center in Keaau is supposed to open in 2028 which will help. I previously worked on getting a 2nd ambulance for Puna by working with the State legislature. Something desperately needed – a dialysis center in Puna!! Learn more
Continue working to streamline or reform building codes, especially for Lava Zones 1 & 2. Using Habitat for Humanity-style models will achieve more affordable housing. Important to ensure squatting laws are enforced while expanding homeless outreach and shelters. Learn more
This issue requires working closely with our State legislators which I’ve been actively doing the last six years. HB 20, a bill introduced by our D4 Representative Ilagan looks likely to pass this year and will provide some financial relief for low-income households. More work is needed on this piece such as finding ways to unbundle insurance to create affordable coverage programs tailored to Puna’s risk profile. Learn more
Puna needs more programs and facilities for both our keiki and our kupuna. Services need to be expanded along with educational and cultural programs to improve our district without forfeiting its past history. As stated above, we need to expand recreational sites like Ahalanui County Park that was destroyed by lava. Learn more
While recovery of the boat ramp is primarily a State issue, we need to expand safe areas for the public to access the shoreline to fish and recreate. Puna lost significant shoreline access in the 2018 LERZ eruption and we need to work with the State to create new areas for safe access to the shoreline. An initiative started after 2018 in which I was involved was creating plans to replace Ahalanui. Yet, this initiative stalled in the current administration and needs to be re-started. Increasing safe shoreline access will be a priority for me. Learn more
We need alternative roads in an out of both Puna Makai and Puna Mauka. A study for best routes was recently funded through a combination of County and State funding. My goal would be to ensure the study is completed professionally and identifies doable routes. The options will be evaluated by the public. Learn more
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