Currently holds the office of Hawaii County Mayor until December 31, 2028.
Candidate for Hawaii County Mayor in 2024 Hawaii General Election.
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Get StartedWork with the Hawaii County Police Department to enhance the use of police substations and community policing (foot patrol) in hot-spots to increase the visibility of police presence and public safety. Learn more
Support community-driven policing efforts in areas that are most victimized by crime. Learn more
I am confident that building strong relationships between law enforcement and the communities they serve will go a long way toward contributing to the general welfare of our island. Learn more
Public health and public safety go hand-in-hand, and we cannot handle one without the other. Being healthy and safe is the key to positive living for everybody, keiki and kūpuna alike. As the former head of the largest non-profit community healthcare provider on our island during the worst public health crisis of our lifetimes, I understand the importance of public health. We need a Mayor with experience and expertise who understands the role of social and community dynamics in determining health outcomes. For example, the role our County needs to play for our homeless brothers and sisters goes far beyond just law enforcement. Oftentimes, there are mental health, substance abuse, or domestic violence issues involved and these need to be addressed as well. Learn more
Continue educating young people and the general public about the dangers of drug use. Learn more
We need a local government that values its workforce and recognizes that our County is only as good as our employees. Investing in adequate training, resources, and opportunities for growth will pay dividends to both the County and the community we are serving. As a former public sector employee of 15 years, I understand the needs of employees. With my most recent experience as a vice president of business development, I know what it takes to meet those needs and create a positive work environment where employees feel respected, supported, and motivated. Outside of County government, we need to stop the brain drain by cultivating our homegrown workforce. Young people should not have to travel to the mainland to get a quality job or education. As Mayor, I will fight for more opportunities for them right here at home. This is how we ensure that our children and grandchildren will continue to call Hawaiʻi home. Learn more
Partner with the University of Hawaiʻi system to make vocational training and trade programs more available and accessible. Learn more
Expand student internship opportunities at the County to give our local youth first-hand work experience. Learn more
We cannot live in today’s world without power. Unfortunately, our electric grid right now— which powers our homes, businesses, and schools—largely depends on oil markets overseas. Whether it is wind, solar, biomass, geothermal, or hydrogen, we need to explore every natural energy source on our island. That is how we develop an energy system that is self-sufficient and minimizes negative ecological and environmental impacts. Investing in renewable energy also expands our economic portfolio. My goal is a truly sustainable Hawaiʻi for ourselves and our children. Learn more
Expand the Public Access, Open Spaces, Natural Resources Preservation program. Learn more
From mauka to makai, we have been blessed with the most abundant and rich natural environment on Earth for us to enjoy and cherish. As residents of the Big Island, it is our responsibility to properly care for and steward these resources so that future generations can continue to appreciate them as well. My administration will protect and preserve our County’s natural beauty for the benefit and enjoyment of our local residents and visitors alike. Learn more
Incentivize the study and development of renewable energy technologies through County grants. Learn more
Ensure public access to existing shoreline, hunting areas, and trails. Learn more
Increase transparency and public input in the siting and construction of new energy projects. Learn more
Work with the state Department of Health to accelerate cesspool conversion in the most environmentally-sensitive areas on the island. Learn more
Encourage of use of greenways in development to conserve the natural environment, vegetation cover, and water drainage of affected areas. Learn more
Advocate for the expansion of the Natural Energy Lab of Hawaiʻi Authority in Kailua-Kona. Learn more
Update the Building and Electrical Codes to encourage the use of energy efficient construction while keeping cost in mind for the end-user. Learn more
Allow renewable energy projects to apply for a waiver from the permitting process if they are regulated by a public utility under the Public Utilities Commission. Learn more
Making the Mayor’s Office accessible to everybody, not just deep-pocketed donors and developers. Learn more
Ensuring that the community development plans are well represented by every voice in the community, including our kūpuna, young adults, and working families. Learn more
We need to create strong communities where our children can play freely and families can feel comfortable, safe, and proud to live in Hawaiʻi County. Having a sense of community is at the core of why we do what we do. As somebody born and raised on Hawaiʻi Island—and somebody who chooses to raise my family here as well—I am passionate about maintaining our vibrant culture, diverse communities, and distinct identity. When we begin to lose what makes Hawaiʻi special, we risk losing Hawaiʻi altogether. We need a Mayor who 1) understands that his role as a community leader goes far beyond ideas about policy and programs, 2) recognizes that local people are our most valuable resource; and 3) will fight to sustain the Hawaiʻi we all know and love. Learn more
Increasing communication, transparency, and accountability between the Mayor, the departments, and the general public. Learn more
Promoting the use of County facilities for activities and events put on by clubs, non-profits, and other community organizations. Learn more
Conduct an organizational assessment of each County department to highlight strengths and identify areas of needs. Learn more
Upgrade our information technology systems to simplify and synergize work processes both within and across departments. Learn more
Work closely with the Department of Human Resources to provide more training for directors and middle management on employee relations and customer service. Learn more
Reduce barriers for non-profit and faith organizations to increase our supply of temporary housing by constructing “kauhale” (tiny homes) projects on their property. Learn more
Explore the use of alternative construction models to increase housing supply. Learn more
Streamline the permitting process through third-party review of certain building permits and exempting small-scale home renovations from permit requirements. Learn more
Strengthen the Office of Housing and Community Development to ensure real affordable housing growth, not tax credit sleight-of-hand by developers. Learn more
Allow local families to add an ʻohana unit on their property in certain areas for their children or kūpuna. Learn more
Expand workforce housing requirements to make housing projects actually accessible to local working families. Learn more
Increase capacity in and out of growing areas on our island where transportation investment has not kept up with population growth. Learn more
Improving maintenance of County parks and beaches, especially in providing clean and sanitary restrooms. Learn more
Coordinate with the state Department of Transportation to prioritize alternate and evacuation routes for isolated communities. Learn more
Traffic is one of the most pressing issues our communities face. Local residents on their way to work or school are stuck in bottleneck areas all over the island. We need proactive County leadership to fix our broken transportation system. Each community and its needs are different. Puna does not need any more roundabouts; it needs alternate routes. On the other side of the island, Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway has needed lane expansions for multiple years. My administration will prioritize these and other problems to alleviate traffic in the short-term, as well as improve connectivity to our entire island and state in the long- term. Connectivity, however, is more than just roads. Our collective experience with the pandemic has illustrated the need for reliable digital connectivity as well. Now more than ever, so many people depend on our digital infrastructure for things like telehealth, remote work, and emergency communication. The County needs to play a larger role in improving connectivity both within and between communities. Learn more
Encouraging community groups to utilize our parks and other facilities to provide fun and safe recreational activities for youth. Learn more
Seeking out State and Federal grants to plan, design, and construct more facilities, such as covered play courts, in every district on the island. Learn more
Work with the Hawai‘i Broadband and Digital Equity Office to roll out wired and wireless technologies where they are needed most, especially in rural areas. Learn more
Expand our Mass Transit Agency with a larger vehicle fleet servicing more routes. Learn more
Supporting the Office of Aging to expand programs that meet the physical, mental, and recreational needs of our kūpuna population. Learn more
Expand outreach and support services for vulnerable populations, especially those experiencing domestic violence and mental health problems. Learn more
Implement more flexible, staggered hours for employees to better accommodate the busy schedules of working families. Learn more
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