
9/26/24 General Election: Hawaii County Council – District 5 and District 9
Season 2024 Episode 33 | 56m 56sVideo has Closed Captions
Two General Election races for the Hawaii County Council are runoffs.
In District 5, which represents upper Puna including Kurtistown and Mountain View and parts of Keaʻau, incumbent Matt Kānealiʻi-Kleinfelder faces a challenge from Ikaika Rodenhurst. And in District 9, which includes Kapaʻau, Hāwī and Waimea, incumbent Cindy Evans faces James Hustace. EPISODE 2511
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Insights on PBS Hawaiʻi is a local public television program presented by PBS Hawai'i

9/26/24 General Election: Hawaii County Council – District 5 and District 9
Season 2024 Episode 33 | 56m 56sVideo has Closed Captions
In District 5, which represents upper Puna including Kurtistown and Mountain View and parts of Keaʻau, incumbent Matt Kānealiʻi-Kleinfelder faces a challenge from Ikaika Rodenhurst. And in District 9, which includes Kapaʻau, Hāwī and Waimea, incumbent Cindy Evans faces James Hustace. EPISODE 2511
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipVOTERS ON THE ISLAND OF HAWAII WILL CAST THEIR BALLOTS IN TWO# RACES FOR COUNTY COUNCIL.
THE DISTRICT 5 SEAT COVERS THE# AREA OF PUNA AND PORTIONS OF KEAAU, AND DISTRICT 9# REPRESENTS KOHALA AND SECTIONS# OF WAIMEA.
WE'LL HEAR FROM THE INCUMBENTS# IN EACH RACE AND THEIR CHALLENGERS AS THEY LAY OUT# PLANS FOR THEIR DISTRICTS AND THE ENTIRE ISLAND.# TONIGHT 'BROADCAST LIVESTREAM OF# INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAII START NOW.# ## ### ALOHA AND WELCOME TO INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAII.# I'M LAUREN DAY.
THE ISLAND OF HAWAII HAS THE# SECOND HIGHEST POPULATION IN THE STATE.# RESIDENTS ARE REPRESENTED BY NINE MEMBERS ON THE HAWAII# COUNTY COUNCIL WHO ARE ELECTED TO SERVE TWO-YEAR TERMS.# TONIGHT WE’RE FOCUSING ON TWO DISTRICTS ON THE GENERAL# ELECTION BALLOT.
UP FIRST, DISTRICT 5 WHICH# COVERS UPPER PUNA AND PORTIONS OF KEAAU.# WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR PARTICIPATION IN TONIGHT'S# SHOW.
YOU CAN EMAIL OR CALL IN YOUR# QUESTIONS, AND YOU’LL FIND A LIVE STREAM OF THIS PROGRAM AT# PBSHAWAII.ORG AND THE PBS HAWAII YOUTUBE PAGE.# NOW, TO OUR GUESTS, THE CANDIDATES FOR THE DISTRICT 5# SEAT ON THE HAWAII COUNTY COUNCIL.# INCUMBENT MATT KANEALII-KLEINFELDER GREW UP# IN PUNA AND LIVES IN OLAA.
HE’S A FATHER OF THREE# CHILDREN AND A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER.# AFTER SERVING FOR THE PAST SIX YEARS, HE’S RUNNING FOR A# FOURTH TERM IN OFFICE.
IKAIKA RODENHURST IS A# KAMEHAMEHA SCHOOLS KAPALAMA GRADUATE.# WITH A DEGREE IN CIVIL ENGINEERING, HE SERVED FOR TWO# YEARS AS HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS# UNDER HAWAII COUNTY MAYOR MITCH ROTH.# IKAIKA LIVES IN PUNA WITH HIS WIFE AND THREE CHILDREN.# YOU RAN FOR THE SEAT IN 2020.
START WITH YOU.# WHY RUN AGAIN?
>> WELL, I REALLY LOVE WHAT PUNA IS ABOUT.# PLACE THAT I GO TO TO RAISE MY FAMILY.
WANT TO BE OUT THERE TO HELP GUIDE## OUR COMMUNITY FORWARD AND SHOW UP THERE AND# FIGHT FOR OUR FUTURE AND FIGHT FOR OUR KEIKI.# >>Lauren: ABOUT WHAT ARE YOU MOST# PROUD OF YOUR TIME IN THE SEAT AND## WHY SHOULD VOTERS RE-ELECT YOU.
>> THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION LAUREN.# >> I THINK JUST RIGHT OFF THE BAT,# WHEN I CAME INTO OFFICE MAJOR CONCERN,## PUBLIC SAFETY, TRANSPORTATION ROADS.
FIRST TERM, 2018 GOT TEN NEW POSITIONS## FOR THE POLICE FORCE.
TEN MORE OFFICERS FOR## OUR DISTRICT IN PUNA SPECIFICALLY AND THEN# I ADDRESSED ROAD SITUATION IN OUR DISTRICT.# PRIVATE ROADS REALLY ARE# THE MOST ROADS THAT WE HAVE.# AND SO A WAY FOR THE COUNTY TO# MAINTAIN THOSE ROADS NEVER EXISTED.# ABLE TO PASS HISTORIC LEGISLATION THIS YEAR TO# ENABLES COUNTY TO MAINTAIN PRIVATE ROADWAYS.# REALLY WAS BIG ONE THE COMMUNITY WANTED# AFTER LISTENING SESSION AND WE GOT THEM DONE.# >>Lauren: WHY SHOULD VOTERS RE-ELECT YOU?
>> I THINK AT THIS POINT, I HAVE COME TO## UNDERSTAND THAT ROLE OF COUNCILMEMBER IS TO# UNDERSTAND OUR FUTURE AND WHAT IS NEEDED.# AND AFTER BEING IN FOR SIX YEARS, REALIZE IT IS MY DUTY TO## PREP AND GET READY FOR THE NEXT TEN TO 15 YEARS,# HUGE FOR THE DISTRICT OF PUNA PREPPING PROJECT,## PREPPING INFRASTRUCTURE, MAKING SURE FUNDING# IS IN PLACE, SO THAT NEXT PERSON COMING IN## WHOEVER IT MAY BE, HAS A WAY TO STAND# ON WHAT'S BEEN DONE SAME WAY THAT I DID.# AND GET THINGS DONE FOR OUR# FUTURE AND FOR OUR KEIKI.# >>Lauren: WHAT DO YOU FEEL IS THE# SINGLE BIG FACING OUR COMMUNITY?# >>ALWAYS ABOUT ROADS, TRANSPORTATION A# LOT OF TRAFFIC COMING IN AND OUT OF PUNA,## AND WE HAVE BASICALLY PUNA PARADE IN THE# MORNING AND AFTERNOON GOING IN AND OUT OF TOWN.# WHAT WE NEED AT ALTERNATE ACCESS.
>> MAUKA AND MAKAI.# EXPERIENCE OVER 12 YEARS AS ENGINEERING WORKING# WITH INFRASTRUCTURE, AND RELATIONSHIPS WITH FOLKS## AT D.O.T.
LIKE ED SNIFFEN AND OUR LEGISLATIVE# OFFICIALS, LIKE SENATOR RICHARDS, CHRIS TODD,## GREGORY ILIGAN, LEVERAGE IT OUT MAKE SURE# THOSE ROADS GET DONE AND MOVE FORWARD.# BUT ALSO, MATT TOUCHED ON THIS EARLIER.
BILL TO ALLOW COUNTY TO CONSIDER MAINTENANCE## ON A PRIVATE ROAD IS GREAT FIRST STEP.
NEED TO MOVE FORWARD FROM THERE.# LEVERAGE FEDERAL FUNDS ON OUR RELATIONSHIPS# WITH CONTRACTORS TO HELP MAKE THAT THING HAPPEN.# I THINK THERE'S MORE TO BE DONE# AND WE NEED NEW ROAD FORWARD.# >>Lauren: LET YOU BOTH CHIME ON IN.
MATT YOU CAN GO FIRST.# >> YOU MENTIONED ROADS, PUBLIC SAFETY.
SEPARATE FROM HOSE TWO TOPICS, WHAT ELSE DO YOU## HEAR FROM CONSTITUENTS REALLY MATTER TO THEM.
>> IT'S HUGE.# EVERYTHING ACROSS THE BOARD PUNA# NEVER GOTTEN WHAT IS NEEDED.## GIVEN MY SIX YEARS IN OFFICE, THAT IS REALLY# BEEN ABLE FOR PUNA TO SOLIDIFY HAVING A LEADER.# AND TO START GETTING THE THINGS DONE# THAT HAVEN'T GOTTEN DONE IN YEARS.# OR DECADES.
BECAUSE WE HAVE A CONSTANT## ROLLOVER OF OUR ELECT OFFICIALS IN OUR DISTRICT.
REALLY PUTS THE COMMUNITY BACK BECAUSE THEY DON'T## HAVE ANYONE TO STAND UP FOR THEM.
SO I JUST HAVING THREE TERMS,## THAT WAS HUGE FOR THE DISTRICT OF PUNA.
SO GOING FORWARD, I HAVE A NUMBER OF## PROJECTS FROM NEW KEAAU POLICE AND FIRE STATION# AND COMMUNITY CENTER, COMING ONLINE AS WELL AS## ALTERNATE ROUTES AND IT'S ABOUT LISTENING AND# MAKING PROGRESS AT THIS POINTS NOT WHAT ARE## YOU GOING TO DO SO MUCH, IT'S WHAT HAVE YOU DONE# AND WHAT ARE YOU PREPPING FOR THE NEXT PERSON.# >>Lauren: YOU TALKED ABOUT ROADS.
>> ARE THERE OTHER ISSUES THAT YOU WHO WANT TO## TACKLE THAT YOU HEAR FROM YOUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS.
>> THREE MAIN CONCERNS IN THE COMMUNITY## ARE AT THE WANT TO PLACE TO.
>> PUT A ROOF OVER THEIR AHEAD.## FOOD ON TABLE AN FUTURE FOR THEIR KEIKI.
>> IN OUR COMMUNITY MAKING SURE THERE'S## PATH FORWARD FOR OUR KIDS, COMMUNITY IS THE# FASTEST GROWING COMMUNITY NOT JUST IN COUNTY## AND STATE, BUT IN THE NATION.
WE HAVE MORE PEOPLE MOVING IN.# AND A LOT OF KIDS THERE.
WE NEED TO PROVIDE A FUTURE FOR THEM.# ONE OF THE THINGS I WANT TO DO IS CONNECT THEM# WITH MENTOR, COACHES, I FOOTBALL COACH AND ALSO## COACH HEALTH AND WELLNESS AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE# THAT WE HAVE THOSE CONNECTIONS WITH OUR KIDS TO## GIVE THEM A PURPOSE AND PATH FORWARD.
SO JUST CREATING A FUTURE FOR## OUR COMMUNITY THRIVE AND SUCCEED.
>>Lauren: MOVE TO THE TOPIC OF HOMELESSNESS.# BIG PROBLEM ACROSS THE STATE.
ESPECIALLY HERE ON OAHU.# THIS YEAR'S POINT IN REPORT# SHOWED DECREASE ON HAWAII ISLAND.# 28%.
HOW DO THE TWO OF YOU FEEL THAT'S# COUNCIL CAN HELP TO KEEP THAT TREND## GOING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
>> ABILITY TO SUPPORT US TO BE## ABLE FEED OURSELF.
COST OF LIVING REALLY HIGH.
ABILITY TO PUT FOOD ON TABLE WOULD BE TREMENDOUS.# SUPPORTING OUR LOCAL FARMER ACCESS TO FOOD# AND FOOD HUBS WOULD HELP KEEP PEOPLE THAT## ARE POTENTIALLY HOMELESS FROM BECOMING HOMELESS.
ENACTING LEGISLATION TO HELP US GET AFFORDABLE## HOUSING AND HELP US HOUSE OUR PEOPLE.
ONE OF THE ISSUES THAT WE'VE SEEN AND IT'S## BEEN PUBLISHED IN UHERO IS THAT REGULATION# HAS DRIVEN COAST OF PERMITTING ABOUT 58%.# >> WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT GETS# REDUCED SO WE CAN AFFORD TO HOUSE PEOPLE.# PUT ROOF OVER OUR HEADS.
>>Lauren: COST OF LIVING IS SOMETHING THAT ALWAYS## GETS BROUGHT UP FOR EVERYONE HERE IN HAWAII.
ANYTHING YOU WHO WANT TO ADD TO THAT?# DECREASE IN HOMELESSNESS IS REALLY DUE TO# LAST FOUR OR FIVE YEARS, FUNDING AND NONPROFIT## WORK AND WORK DONE BY THE COUNCIL AND THIS# ADMINISTRATION GET TO THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM.# WE HAVE A NUMBER OF NONPROFITS LIKE SALVATION ARMY# HEALTH SERVICES, THAT HAVE REALLY TAKEN THE LEAD## AS FAR AS GETTING FOLKS SHELTER, PROVIDING FOOD.
PROVIDING SERVICE, OUR ROLE AS COUNCIL MAKE SURE## FUNDING BEING APPROPRIATE TO DO DIFFERENT# AGENCIES WHERE APPROPRIATE AND WORK WITH OUR## POLICE OFFICERS AND KUDOS TO THEM BECAUSE# THEY'VE DONE A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF WORK## IN HELPING COMMUNITY LISTING TO THE CONCERNS OF# THE COMMUNITY, BUT ALSO, GETTING FOLKS INTO THE## NONPROFITS WHERE THEY'RE NEEDED.
>> IT'S A BIG PROBLEM.# CONTINUES TO BE A PROBLEM.
WE HAVE FOLKS FLYING IN## FROM OUT OF STATE WITH ONE-WAY TICKET.
SO THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS THAT NEED TO## BE DONE TO ADDRESS OUR HOMELESS SITUATION.
>> WE I'M REALLY PROUD OF THE WORK WE'VE## DONE SO FAR IN THE LAST FEW YEARS?
WE JUST TALKED ABOUT HOMELESSNESS.# >> BUT RIGHT BEFORE THAT, WE WERE# BOTH OF YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT ROADS.# WE HAVE ACTUALLY VIEWER# JEFFREY FROM VOLCANO WROTE IN.# ASKING, STATE HIGHWAY 11 BETWEEN# GLENWOOD VOLCANO DETERIORATION.# WHAT CAN YOU DO TO GET THE HIGHWAY# IMPROVED, IMPORTANT TO NOTE,## HIGHWAY 11 AND HIGHWAY 130 ARE STATE HIGHWAYS.
COUNTER AT THE END OF THE DAY STATE HAVE OWN## JURISDICTION I'M SAYING THAT BECAUSE# WE'RE THE COUNTY AND THEY'RE THE STATE.# WE HAVE A GOOD RELATIONSHIP.
REALITY IS WHEN WE AS COUNTY## COUNCILMEMBERS AND PEOPLE IN THE COUNTY WANT TO# ADDRESS OUR STATE ROAD, WE NEED TO WORK WELL WITH## OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS STATE LEVEL AND FOLKS# AT THE HIGHER LEVEL ED SNIFFEN, JOSH GREEN.# SO JUST LAST WEEK, MET WITH OUR ADMINISTRATION# AND NUMBER OF REPRESENTATIVES AND SENATORS## TO DISCUSS WHAT IS NEEDED.
I'M REALLY PLEASED BY THE## CONVERSATION BECAUSE COMING OUT OF THIS# LOOK TOWN HALL TO ADDRESS HIGHWAY 11,## SPECIFICALLY, ALTERNATE ROUTES IN THE AREA.
>> GETTING WORK DONE.
VISIT FROM ED SNIFFEN WORK## DONE IN OUR AREA.
>> HUGE ROAD, HUGE HIGHWAY, HUGE## DISTRICTS AND ALSO CORRIDOR VOLCANO NATIONAL PARK.
AS WELL AS WAY HOME FOR ALL OF OUR RESIDENTS.# MUCH WORK NEEDED.
>> STATE JURISDICTION,## SO I'LL LEAVE IT RIGHT THERE.
>>Lauren: IF ELECTED HOW WOULD YOU WORK WITH THE## STATE FOR HELP MAYBE MAKE SOME INFLUENCE THERE.
>> RELATIONSHIP WITH ED SNIFFEN DESIGN ENGINEER,## HENRY WORK WITH OUR LEGISLATIVE OFFICIALS# IN THAT AREA, CHRIS TODD ONE SIDE,## JEANETTE KAPEL OTHER SIDE.
ILAGAN CLOSE TO 130 SIDE.# FIXES ARE DONE, LEVERAGING# RELATIONSHIPS AND CONNECTING PEOPLE.# WHAT PART OF BEING A COUNCILMEMBER IS.
ADVOCATING AND LISTENING TO THE NEEDS OF## COMMUNITY AND ADVOCATING AS A LEADER TO OTHER# LEADERS, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT'S GOING ON.# WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT# THIS TOGETHER AS A GROUP.# AND SO I THINK THAT'S# SOMETHING WE DEFINITELY CAN DO.# WORKING WITH ED BOOTS ON THE# GROUND TO MAKE IT HAPPEN.# >>Lauren: VIEWER DISTRICT 5 ASKING# ABOUT BOTH OF YOUR STANCES FILM AND## TELEVISION INDUSTRY ON THE BIG ISLAND.
>> VIEWER ASKING, FILM AND TELEVISION## INDUSTRY HAS PROVEN TO BE A MULTI-MILLION DOLLARS# INDUSTRY AND ECONOMIC DRIVER FOR THE STATE,## YET HAWAII COUNTY LACKS THE INFRASTRUCTURE TO# ATTRACT AND RETAIN MAJOR MOVIES AND TV PRODUCTION.# WHAT WOULD YOUR PLAN OF ACTION# HELP COUNTY DEVELOP A FILM STUDIO.# >> THINK THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.
REALLY APPRECIATE THAT.# FILM INDUSTRY DOES BRING A# LOT OF ATTENTION TO HAWAII.# ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACES IN THE WORLD.
>> SOME OF MOST BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE IN THE WORLD.# GREAT ALTERNATIVE TO TOURISM# AS A GENERATOR TO OUR ECONOMY.# ALSO RESPECTFUL AT TIMES.
>> MAKING SURE IT'S RESPECTFUL FOR LOCAL PEOPLE.# YOU WANT TO SUPPORT FILM STUDIO ON# ISLAND, A LOT OF LOCAL TALENT THAT## CAN SHOWCASE OUR CULTURE AND SHOWCASE SOME# OF THINGS THAT OUR COMMUNITY WORKING ON.# BEEN A TREMENDOUS INCREASE IN LOCAL ACTORS# WILLING TO GET INVOLVED AND LOCAL PROJECTS## COMING TO HAWAII AND IF WE CAN CAPITALIZE# ON THAT PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THEM.# GROWING INDUSTRY FOR OUR ISLAND AND FOR THE STATE.
THAT WOULD BE GOOD FOR EVERYBODY.# >>Lauren: DID YOU WANT TO CHIME IN.
>> I DID.# I WANT TO SAY HI TO JORDEN BROOKS.
THAT IS THE ONE WRITING IN THAT QUESTION.# >> HE AND I SPOKE ON THE PHONE ABOUT 3 DAYS AGO.
>> HE SAID I'M GOING TO ASK THIS QUESTION ON TV,# BE READY.
>>Lauren:## IT WAS ANONYMOUS.
>> SMALL COMMUNITY HE .. MY DISTRICT BELOW MY HOUSE.
>> GREAT GUY.# GOOD FAMILY.
WHAT HE'S SPEAKING TO IS## CAN WE BUILD THE FILM INDUSTRY IN HAWAII AND DRIVE# UP SOME OF THAT ECONOMIC VALUE FOR OUR RESIDENTS.# I LOVE THE IDEA BECAUSE TIED IN WORKFORCE# DEVELOPMENT, SCHOOL SYSTEM, WHICH MY SUGGESTIONS## TO HIM, TALK TO U.H., TALK TO HCC TALK TO HIGH# SCHOOLS SEE IF WE CAN GET SOME KIDS INTERESTED## IN THIS AND DEVELOPING AN WORKING THROUGH WHAT# IT WOULD BE LIKE TO BE IN THE FILM INDUSTRY.# THEN DRAWING IN SOME ATTENTION FROM PEOPLE# LIKE JASON MAMOA, GETTING THEM TO COME HERE## INSTEAD OF OTHER PLACES IN THE WORLD BECAUSE# WE ARE INCREDIBLY UNIQUE AND BEAUTIFUL.# WE OFFER SO MANY DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS SCENERY.
SUCH A BEAUTIFUL PLACE.# SO WHY NOT COME HERE AND THERE'S A FEW PIECES# OF THAT, TAX CREDITS FOR FILM INDUSTRY AND## WORKING WITH OUR LOCAL ENTREPRENEURS AS# WELL AS GETTING THE RIGHT THINGS DONE IN## GOVERNMENT WHICH IS OUR DEPARTMENT OF RESEARCH# AND DEVELOPMENT, AND WORKING WITH THEM TO SEE## WHAT WE CAN DO TO HELP THAT INDUSTRY ALONG.
>>Lauren: I HAVE TWO QUESTIONS SAME QUESTION.# BOTH TALKED BIGGEST ISSUE# FACING RESIDENTS IN KONA.# >> BACK TO ROADS, IMPORTANT QUESTION# THAT TWO PEOPLE WANT ANSWERS TO.# PHILIP FROM VOLCANO AND DAVID FROM HILO# BOTH ASKING, WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT## USING RAILROAD AVENUE AS SECOND ROAD TO PUNA?
AND PHILLIP ASKING, WHY CAN'T WE EXTEND RAILROAD## TO HILO FROM HAWAII PARADISE PARK, I APPRECIATE# THE QUESTION, PHILIP AND DAVID MAHALO FOR THAT.# >> OPPORTUNITY.
>> I THINK IT IS POSSIBLE LOCATION.# >> I KNOW WE'VE HAD SOME BACK# AND FORTH ON THAT IN THE PAST.# RIGHT NOW GOING THROUGH ROAD STUDY# WHERE IS THE MOST EFFECTIVE LOCATION.# TALKING TRANSPORTATION.
ENGINEERS GO IN THERE.# DO THEIR JOB, ECONOMICALLY BEST AND# NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY TAKE THE TIME## DO THAT AND MOVE THAT FORWARD INTO A DESIGN# AND THEN MOVE THAT MOVE INTO CONSTRUCTION.# >> RAILROAD IS POSSIBILITY# AND OPTION WE SHOULD CONSIDER.# >>Lauren: WHERE DO THE TWO OF YOU STAND# ON SHORT-TERM VACATION RENTALS BEEN A## RECENT PUSH BY THE COUNCIL TO REIN THOSE IN.
>> WANT TO GO BACK TO THE PREVIOUS QUESTION.# CAN I?
REALLY ONE OF MY## LONGSTANDING ISSUES THAT I'VE BEEN ADDRESSING.
>> RAILROAD AVENUE ISN'T IN DISTRICT 5.# >> I THINK WHAT THOSE TWO QUESTIONS ARE DRIVING# AT ACTUALLY IS CAN WE HELP DECREASE TRAFFIC ON## PANAEWA STRETCH PORTION OF HIGHWAY 11.
>> PITCH POINT.# NO MATTER WHAT WE DO REROUTING TRAFFIC# AWAY FROM HIGHWAY 11 AND UPPER PUNA,## OR HIGHWAY 130 AND LOWER PUNA, WE CAN GET# THAT TRAFFIC OFF OF PANAEWA STRETCH, WHERE## ALL OF US ARE CONGESTED EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT.
THERE'S BEEN A NUMBER OF INFRASTRUCTURE THINGS## THAT HAVE HAPPENED THAT HAVE MADE IT WORSE.
UNTIL WE CAN ADDRESS THOSE,## NOTHING IS GOING TO HAPPEN.
BETTER OUR TRAFFIC SITUATION.# SO FOR ME, UPPER PUNA NEEDS ALTERNATE ROUTE# TO SADDLE ROAD.
SOMETHING DISCUSSED WITH ED## SNIFFEN AND STATE REPS, DECREASE TRAFFIC# ON PANAEWA STRETCH AND RESPONSE TIME FOR## FIRST RESPONDER TO AND FROM THE HOSPITAL AND# TO AND FROM MAJOR TOWN CENTER SHIFT IN HILO.# THAT TO ME IS MAJOR.
THE RAILROAD AVENUE PROJECT## HAS GREAT BENEFIT EXCEPT THERE'S DIFFERING# POINT OF VIEW WHERE THAT ROAD SHOULD LAND AND## A LOT OF THAT IS FROM OUR HAWAIIAN HOMESTEAD.
>> DON'T WANT IT TO LAND ON RAILROAD AVENUE## BECAUSE THAT'S BEGINNING OF HAWAIIAN HOMES.
>> IN HILO.# ON PANAEWA STRETCH.
NEEDS TO BE DONE CAREFULLY.# BUT I REALLY WOULD BECAUSE WE'RE# TALKING ABOUT DISTRICT 5 TONIGHT.# I APPRECIATE THE QUESTION.
REALLY NEED TO FOCUS ON DISTRICT## 5 WHICH GOES FROM KEAAU TO VOLCANO NOW.
AND BYPASS ROAD OR ALTERNATE ROUTE IN UPPER## PUNA POSITIVE CHANGES FOR OUR DISTRICT# AS A WHOLE FOR TRACK AND PUBLIC SAFETY.# FOR TRAFFIC LEAVING OUT A LOT OF# OUR COMMUNITY INTO ORCHID LAND.# >> USE 130.
>> IMPORTANT ROUTE FOR THEM.# NEED ALTERNATIVE ACCESS.
>> MATT'S OPINION ON THAT.# DISTRICT 5 INCLUDES AINALOA,## ORCHID LAND ESTATES BETWEEN 130 AND HIGHWAY 111.
>> WE NEED TO CONSIDER RAILROAD AND TALKING## ABOUT HAWAIIAN HOMELANDS IN HILO, GOT TO TALK# ABOUT HAWAIIAN HOMELANDS IN PUNAHOU AS WELL.# HAWAIIAN HOMES IN MAKU AREA# FOLKS WANTS THAT ACCESS AS WELL.# SO WE GOT TO BALANCE BOTH OPTION.
WORK TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY FOR THAT I THINK.# >>Lauren: IT'S VERY CLEAR APPARENT TRANSPORTATION# CONJUNCTION BIG ISSUE FOR RESIDENTS IN THAT AREA.# COUPLE OTHER TOPICS.
>> ONLY HAVE TEN MORE MINUTES.# HOT TOPIC OF SHORT-TERM VACATIONS# RENTALS WHERE DO YOU STAND ON THAT ISSUE.# >> I COULD GO FIRST.
HEARING BILL RIGHT NOW IN COUNTY## COUNCIL SHORT-TERM VACATION RENTALS.
>> COMMITTEE LEVEL.# ACTUALLY, FIRST THING I WALK YOU HAD INTO THE# FIRST BILL, I REMEMBER HEARING IN COUNCIL,## 2018 WAS THE SHORT-TERM VACATION# RENTAL BILL, BRAND NEW TO ME.# BRAND NEW TO THE COMMUNITY.
VERY CONTENTIOUS, TO BE BACK AT THE## SAME SUBJECT AGAIN, SIX YEARS LATER, WITH THE BILL# THAT REALLY REDEFINES SHORT-TERM VACATION RENTALS,## THERE'S PEOPLE ON BOTH SIDES ON THE FENCE ON THIS.
I THINK BIGGEST DISCUSSION POINTS ARE DOES IT## BENEFIT LOCAL RESIDENT AND MAKE SURE# OUR RESIDENTS HAVE A PLACE TO LIVE.# WE'RE SHORT-TERM VACATION RENTALS BECOMES THIS# GLOBAL ABILITY FOR PEOPLE TO INVEST IN HAWAII.# THAT DOES NOT MAKE OUR MARKET# AFFORDABLE FOR LOCAL RESIDENTS.# BUT ON THE OTHER HAND, YOU ALSO HAVE RESIDENTS# UTILIZE SHORT-TERM VACATION RENTALS AS A## WAY TO MAKE EXTRA INCOME.
REALLY FINE BALANCE TO ME.# BUT INTERESTINGLY ENOUGH, THERE'S A SUPREME# COURT CASE THAT WAS FINALIZED IN THE OPINION## WAS PUT OUT BY COURTS I THINK IT WAS TUESDAY.
>> JUST CLARIFYING THAT SHORT-TERM VACATION## RENTALS CANNOT HAPPEN ON STATE LAND USE AG.
SO FOR US IN PUNA THAT MEANS THAT ALMOST OUR## ENTIRE DISTRICT YOU CAN'T HAVE A SHORT-TERM# VACATION RENTAL UNLESS YOU'RE ALREADY IN THE## NONCONFORMING USE PROGRAM.
SO THAT'S NEWS.# >> HAVE THIS DISCUSSION, BUT IT IS REALLY# IMPORTANT FOR ALL OF US TO UNDERSTAND THAT## IF YOU'RE ON STATE ZONED AG LAND, DIFFERENT# LAYERS OF ZONING, STATE ZONING AND COUNTY ZONING,## STATE ZONED AG, YOU CAN HAVE A FARM# DWELLING BECAUSE PURPOSE IS AGRICULTURE.# BUT SHORT-TERM VACATION RENTAL# BILL, I MEAN#BALANCING HERE IS,## HOW IT AFFECTS RESIDENTS IN PUNA.
AS WELL AS HOW IT AFFECTS RESIDENTS## IN AREAS LIKE KONA AND HILO, HAWAIIAN PARADISE# PARK HAVE A LOT OF SHORT-TERM VACATION RENTALS.# IT'S REALLY INTERESTING SUBJECT.
THE BILL IS COMMITTEE RIGHT NOW ANOTHER## BILL REGARDING ADUs OR ACCESSORY DWELLING# UNITS HEARD AT THE SAME TIME JUST PASSED.# VERY COMPLEX.
ANYONE INTERESTED DIVE IN.# >>Lauren: ISSUE FOR YOUR RESIDENTS THAT# NEIGHBORS THAT YOU CAN TO?
DEFINITELY IS.# PAST TUESDAY, SUPREME COURT RULING THAT ON# AG STATE ZONED AG, THAT YOU CAN'T HAVE STVRS.# ONE OF ACTUALLY GO THINGS THAT TOUCHES TO.
ONE IS COST OF LIVING.# >> BECAUSE OUR COST OF LIVING IS SO HIGH, FARMERS# REAL GOAL IS PRODUCE FOOD FOR THE COMMUNITY AND## PRODUCE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE COMMUNITY.
>> THEY'RE STRUGGLING TO GET BY.# AND THEY'RE USING STVR, SOME OF THEM, TO# SUPPLEMENT THEIR INCOME SO THEY CAN SURVIVE.# THREATENS THEIR ABILITY TO STAY THERE.
GOES INTO THE SECOND PART WHICH IS AFFORDABLE## HOUSING AND AVAILABILITY FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
>> SO NOW YOU HAVE FOLKS THAT MAY NOT BE ABLE## TO AFFORD THEIR HOUSE ANY MORE# BECAUSE IT'S STVR NOT THERE.# >> BUT NOW THAT YOU HAVE STVRS RESTRICTED,# YOU OPEN UP INVENTORY FOR LONGTERM RENTALS.# IT IS REALLY BALANCING ACT.
>> I THINK WE NEED## ADDRESS THAT COST OF LIVING PIECE.
SO WE CAN MAKE IT AFFORDABLE TO LIVE IN HAWAII.# >> AFFORDABLE TO PRODUCE FOOD IN HAWAII.
>> A LOT OF THESE FARMERS AREN'T IN TO## MAKE TON OF MONEY.
>> IN IT PRODUCE## FOOD FOR FAMILIES FOOD FOR COMMUNITIES.
>> REALLY WANT TO SUPPORT THOSE PEOPLE.# A LOT OF LONG-TIME RANCHER, LONG TIME FARMERS# GOING TO BE PUT AT RISK BECAUSE OF THIS.# >>Lauren: HOW DO THE TWO OF YOU FEEL AS# COUNCILMEN IF ELECTED YOU CAN ADDRESS## THE COST OF LIVING NEAR HAWAII?
MAKING IT MORE AFFORDABLE FOR## RESIDENTS IN YOUR DISTRICT?
>> I FEEL GOOD ABOUT IT.# THREE KIDS.
I GOT 17 YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER## ABOUT TO GRADUATE FROM HIGH SCHOOL.
19 IN THE TRADES.# ONE IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
REALIZING WHAT IT TAKES TO SURVIVE.# WIFE AND I OWN A SMALL BUSINESS.
YOU SAID THIS IN THE BEGINNING.# CAN'T MISS THE PLUG.
>> IT'S INCREDIBLY HARD TO LIVE IN HAWAII.# YOU HAVE TO HAVE TWO TO THREE JOBS.
MOST EVERYBODY I KNOW EVEN TWO TO THREE JOBS.# FINISH ONE JOB, GO TO THE NEXT.
>> TRY TO CUT GAS ON WEEKENDS.
DO WORK## WHILE YOU'RE IN THE CAR ON THE WAY HOME.
REALITY OF LIFE.# A LOT NEEDS TO BE DONE.
HUGE SUBJECT.# NOT AS SIMPLE AS LOWER PROPERTY# TAXES OR DO THIS OR THAT.# IT'S THINK FOR ONE, EDUCATING OUR KEIKI,# SUPPORTING ANYTHING LOCAL DECREASE COSTS## AND BETTER OUR ECONOMY LOCALLY.
IT'S SUCH A BROAD SUBJECT.# EVEN TOUCHES ON HOUSING.
>> AFFORDABLE HOUSING.# TOUCHED ON SHORT-TERM VACATION RENTALS.
JUST A BIG SUBJECT.# >>Lauren: QUESTION I KNOW THAT YOU GUYS CAN'T# ANSWER IN JUST SHORT TIME WE HAVE TOGETHER.# >> BE HAPPY TO GIVE IF A SHOT TAKES LEADERSHIP# WITH INTEGRITY, COMPASSION, COMMITMENT.# WE ALL FACE PROBLEM.
LOCALLY,# THE COUNTY LEVEL, STATE LEVEL,# WORK TOGETHER, KAKOU EFFORT, ALL IN THIS# TOGETHER, ONLY WAY TO GET OUT OF THIS IS TOGETHER.# LEVERAGE RELATIONSHIPS WITH STATE OFFICIALS,# WITH GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND COUNTY AND## ADMINISTRATION, DOESN'T MATTER WHAT MAYOR, WHAT# LEGISLATIVE, OFFICIAL FEDERAL, STATE OFFICIAL## FEDERAL, STATE, COUNTY, BE THERE ON THE DOORSTEP.
NOT GOING TO WAIT FOR THE PHONE, TEXT, EMAIL.# DON'T ANSWER, I'LL BE THERE.
>>Lauren: GIVE YOU BOTH OPPORTUNITY.# YOU JUST KIND OF DID.
BUT 30 SECONDS, WHY SHOULD## VOTERS ELECT THE TWO OF YOU?
>> SIX YEARS IN.# LEARNED A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT.
I HAVE COME TO UNDERSTAND MY RESPONSIBILITY IS## TO PREP AND GET READY FOR THE NEXT TEN, 20 YEARS.
>> TAKES UNIQUE EXPERIENCE AND UNIQUE EXPERIENCE## IN LIFE TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IS# NEEDED AND WHERE WE NEED TO GO.# I THINK HAVING KIDS REALLY DOES TEACH YOU# WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO AS A ADULT AND LEADER## IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD.
SO GIVEN NEXT YEAR,## THIS YEAR ELECTION, I HOPE TO BE BACK IF.
>> NUMBER OF PROJECTS WANT TO WRAP UP AN START FOR## THE NEXT PERSON COMING IN WHOEVER THIS MAY BE.
>>Lauren: ANYTHING YOU LIKE TO ADD.# >> WANT TO ADD I'M A FATHER, COACH, ENGINEER.
>> OVER 12 YEARS EXPERIENCE WORKING IN## INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS WITH VARIOUS LEVELS# OF GOVERNMENT, WORKED WITH MANY LEGISLATIVE## OFFICIALS, MANY OF THESE ADMINISTRATIVE# OFFICIAL STATE OR COUNTY OR FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.# LEGISLATIVE OFFICIAL, A LOT OF# SKILLS A LOT OF THE KNOWLEDGE AND## LOT OF EXPERIENCES TO MOVE THIS FORWARD.
WORK TOGETHER, LEADERS NEED TO LISTEN,## ADVOCATE, SHOW UP.
>> NOT OUR PROBLEM.# IT'S EVERYONE'S PROBLEM.
GOT TO WORK TOGETHER.# WE'LL ALL IN IT TOGETHER.
ONLY WAY OUT OF THIS IS TOGETHER.# >>Lauren: GO PLATE LUNCH.
>> RICE, SALAD.# GARLIC SHRIMP.
I WOULD SAY, LOCO MOCO.# >>Lauren: GOOD ANSWERS.
WANT TO THANK OUR GUESTS IN STUDIO.# WE WANT TO THANK OUR GUESTS, THE CANDIDATES FOR THE# DISTRICT 5 SEAT ON THE HAWAII COUN.. RODENHURST AND MATT KANEALII-KLEINFELDER.# AS WE GET READY FOR OUR NEXT FEATURED RACE THE COUNCIL# DISTRICT 9 SEAT, PLEASE ENJOY THIS HIKI NO STORY FROM HAWAII# PREPARATORY ACADEMY.
I WOULD LOVE FOR YOU GUYS, THE# NEXT GENERATION, TO BE COMFORTABLE ON THE LAND.# ON THE ISLAND OF HAWAII, NORTH OF WAIMEA, A LOCAL TEACHER HAS# BEEN WORKING TO PRESERVE HAWAIIAN TRADITIONAL FARMING# METHODS AND ALSO SEEKS TO SHARE THIS MINDSET WITH THE# NEXT GENERATION.
MY PROFESSION IS ABOUT SHARING# WHAT I LEARNED, I THINK, FROM THE LAND, AND THE THING THAT I# ENJOY THE MOST IS WHEN YOU GUYS COME, I GET MORE HANDS TO# HELP WITH THE WORK AND I LIKE TO LEARN FROM YOU GUYS TOO.# KUMU MARSHALL BEGAN HER JOURNEY, UNAWARE OF THE# SPECIFIC CULTURAL PRACTICES PERTAINING TO SUSTAINABLE# FARMING, SPECIFICALLY FARMING DRYLAND CROPS WITH JUST ONE# WATER SOURCE, THE RAIN.
NOW, KUMU MARSHALL WORKS FOR# ULU MAU PUANUI, A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION FOCUSED ON THE# RESEARCH AND UNDERSTANDING OF HAWAIIAN RAIN-FED FARMING# METHODS.
WHEN I FIRST STARTED WORKING# HERE, I DID NOT KNOW ABOUT THIS PART OF MY HISTORY AND I# CAME FROM A BACKGROUND OF TEACHING AND I WAS TEACHING IN# A CULTURALLY-GROUNDED SCHOOL AND I DID NOT KNOW THIS PIECE# OF MY CULTURE.
SO, WHEN I LEARNED ABOUT IT, I# THOUGHT, OKAY, HERE'S A KULEANA I THINK I NEED TO TAKE# ON AND SHARE WITH MORE PEOPLE.
AT ITS PEAK, THIS FARMLAND WAS# 25 SQUARE MILES, WHICH IS AROUND 11,000 FOOTBALL FIELDS# IN SIZE.
OVER MANY GENERATIONS, THE# PEOPLE LEARNED TO GROW CROPS SUCH AS SWEET POTATOES AND# SUGAR CANE.
FARMING THE LAND WAS# CHALLENGING, BUT THIS RAIN-FED FARMLAND FED UPWARDS OF# 130,000 HAWAIIANS PRIOR TO EUROPEAN CONTACT IN THE LATE# 1700S.
STUDENTS WHO VISIT ULU MAU# PUANUI GET A HANDS-ON EDUCATION THROUGH WORKING AND# ENGAGING WITH THE HAWAIIAN CULTURE WITH UNIQUE FARMING# PRACTICES AND GROWING PLANTS LIKE THE PAST GENERATIONS.# IT WAS HARD TO CLIMB UP, BUT THE SCENERY WAS SO BEAUTIFUL,# AND ALSO FUN TO LEARN ABOUT HAWAIIAN LANGUAGE.# WHAT I GOT FROM THIS EXPERIENCE WAS AN EXPANDED# KNOWLEDGE AND CONNECTION TO MY HAWAIIAN ROOTS.# WE LEARNED ABOUT THE METHODS PASSED DOWN FROM OUR# ANCESTORS.
IT WAS BOTH EYE OPENING AND# INSPIRED ME TO TAKE A MORE SUSTAINABLE PATH SIMILAR TO# ULU MAU PUANUI’S.
THROUGH HER WORK, KUMU KEHAU# SEEKS TO HELP FUTURE GENERATIONS TO CONNECT TO THE# LAND.
AND I WANTED TO, I WANT YOU# GUYS TO UNDERSTAND IT'S A PRIVILEGE AND THAT, UM, IT'S# A, A MATTER OF RECIPROCITY WHERE YOU GIVE AND YOU GET AND# YOU GET AND YOU GIVE, IT'S A GIVE AND TAKE.
UM, AND I WANT# IT TO JUST TO BE NATURAL FOR YOU GUYS.# I DON'T WANT IT TO BE A JOB FOR YOU GUYS.# THIS IS LORENZA TORRES FROM SUMMER AT HPA FOR HIKI NO ON# PBS HAWAII.
NOW TO THE RACE FOR THE# DISTRICT 9 SEAT ON THE HAWAII COUNTY COUNCIL.# THIS AREA INCLUDES KOHALA AND PORTIONS OF WAIMEA.# JAMES HUSTACE WAS BORN ON OAHU BUT GREW UP ON A SMALL FARM IN# WAIMEA.
AFTER GRADUATING FROM HAWAII# PREPARATORY ACADEMY, HE WENT ON TO EARN A MASTER’S DEGREE# IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION.
HE’S A CERTIFIED ART APPRAISER# WORKING WITH HIS FATHER IN THEIR FAMILY BUSINESS.# INCUMBENT CINDY EVANS HAS LIVED IN KOHALA FOR NEARLY 30# YEARS.
SHE HOLDS A BACHELOR’S DEGREE# IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION AND PRIOR TO BEING ELECTED TO THE# COUNCIL, SHE SERVED IN THE STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES# FOR 16-YEARS, RISING TO THE POSITION OF MAJORITY LEADER.# START WITH YOU.
AFTER SERVING STATE HOUSE AND NOW## COUNTY COUNCIL, WHY RUN FOR RE-ELECTION?
>> WELL, MY DISTRICT NEEDS A LOT.# A LOT TO BE DONE.
AND WAY LEARNED IS WHEN## YOU'RE AT THE VERY END OF THE ISLAND, FARTHEST I# BELIEVE FROM HILO, WHICH IS CENTER OF GOVERNMENT,## COUNTY GOVERNMENT IS IN HILO, THAT TO GET SERVICES# OUT WHAT I CALL IF YOU CAN GET GOVERNMENT SERVICES## AT THE MOST REMOTE AREA ON THE ISLAND, THEN I FEEL# LIKE I'VE SUCCEEDED.
AND I FEEL VERY STRONGLY THAT## I MOVING IN THAT DIRECTION AND I WANT TO CONTINUE# MOVING IN THAT DIRECTION BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO BE## VERY STRATEGIC AND IT TAKES ONE STEP AT A TIME# AND CAN TAKE MANY YEARS TO GET THINGS DONE.# AND THAT IS I FEEL VERY STRONGLY THAT I'VE# GOT MOMENTUM AND I WANT TO KEEP GOING.# >>Lauren: WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD# OF FROM YOUR TIME IN THE SEAT?# >> I THINK I'M PROUD OF BRINGING ATTENTION# TO THE PEOPLE IN HILO AS TO THIS DISTRICT## AND WHAT THE DISTRICT NEEDS ARE.
WHEN I FIRST GOT IN, REALIZED## SENIORS AT THE END OF THE ISLAND WERE# NOT GETTING THEIR FAIR SHARE AND WHY.# A LOT OF PEOPLE IN HILO DID NOT UNDERSTAND# SOME CONCERNS AND ISSUES OF THIS SENIORS.# SO BRINGING THEIR VOICE, BRINGING VOICE TO THE# AGRICULTURAL FARMING COMMUNITY, BRINGING VOICES TO## SMALL BUSINESSES, CONTINUING TO TAKE THAT STRONG# VOICE INTO HILO AND TO THE SEAT OF GOVERNMENT,## AND REALLY RAISING THE CONSCIOUSNESS I BELIEVE OF# THE ADMINISTRATORS AND PEOPLE THAT ARE RUNNING THE## DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS, I THINK THAT HAS# BEEN MY GOAL AND I THINK I'M SUCCEEDING.# >>Lauren: JAMES YOU LOVE THE VOTE# COUNT IN THE PRIMARY ELECTION.# FOR YOU, WHY RUN?
>> AS YOU HEARD A LITTLE BIT NORTH KOHALA## SOUTH KOHALA VERY UNIQUE COMMUNITIES.
VERY DIVERSE COMMUNITIES.# >> A LOT OF NEED AND ISSUES NEED TO BE ADDRESSED.
>> AND WHEN I RETURNED FROM COLLEGE,## TO HAWAII ISLAND GOT INVOLVED IN COMMUNITY# NUMBER OF DIFFERENT VOLUNTEER EFFORTS.# MANY AT THE SAME TIME, AND WORKING WITH KUPUNA,# ELDERS IN THE COMMUNITY, THOSE THAT HAVE THE## EXPERIENCE REALLY GUIDED ME IN THIS DIRECTION.
>> WANTED ME TO HELP THE COMMUNITY MOVE FORWARD.# A LOT OF CHALLENGES THAT WERE ADDRESSED IN# THE PAST, NEED TO CONTINUING TO WORK TOGETHER.# AND FIND A SOLUTION TO GO.
>>Lauren: JUST HAD DISTRICT 5 ON.# >> SINGLE BIGGEST ISSUE THAT# CAME UP WAS TRANSPORTATION ROADS.# WHAT ARE THE TWO OF YOU FEEL IS# THE SINGLE BIGGEST MOST IMPORTANT## ISSUE TO YOUR CONSTITUENTS IN YOUR DISTRICT?
>> I'VE HEARD A NUMBER OF THE ISSUES FROM A LOT## OF STATE LEADERS AND COUNTY COUNCILMEMBERS.
MALE CANDIDATES COST LIVING AFFORDABLE## BIGGEST ISSUE.
>> HOUSING CHALLENGE.# INFRASTRUCTURE AND ROADS OUR WATER WASTEWATER# SYSTEMS NEED TO BE PART OF THAT CONVERSATION.# SO YES, PUSHING ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECTS.
YES WE'RE WORKING ON WAYS TO FIND AND REDUCE## AFFORDABILITY IN REDUCE COST OF LIVING.
MORE AFFORDABLE COMMUNITY.# FOR RESIDENTS IN THE ISLAND.
BUT PART OF THAT CONVERSATION HAS## TO BE ABOUT OUR ROAD, OUR WATER SYSTEMS,# TO ENSURE THAT OUR COMMUNITIES HAVE THE## CAPACITY NOW WE'RE HAVING ISSUE IN OUR# COMMUNITY IS NOT MEETING THAT CAPACITY.# WE HAVE RESERVOIRS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN FIXED.
SINCE 2006.# SO WE NEED TO ADDRESS THOSE ISSUES SO WE HAVE# THAT WATER CAPACITY FOR OUR COMMUNITY NOW.# THEN MOVING FORWARD.
>>Lauren: YOU TOUCHED ON NOT ENOUGH## RESOURCES FOR OUR COMMUNITY IN YOUR DISTRICT.
>> BIGGEST ISSUE IS THE FEAR THAT IS RISING IN## MY DISTRICT THAT COMMUNITY THAT THEY GREW UP# AND LIFESTYLE, COUNTRY LIFESTYLE, BEAUTIFUL## LIFESTYLE,#BEST BEACHES, GORGEOUS PANIOLO# LIFESTYLE, AND FARMING, HUGE FARMING COMMUNITY,## AND PEOPLE WANT TO KEEP COUNTRY COUNTRY.
AND SO WHAT'S HAPPENING IS PEOPLE ARE## LIVING STARTING, THAT IS RIGHT STARTING# TO RISE OF FEAR BECAUSE LOOKS LIKE WE## MIGHT GET INTO WHAT'S CALLED GENTRIFICATION.
HAVING BUNCH OF AFFLUENT PEOPLE COMING INTO## DISTRICT AND BUYING AND WHAT THEY'RE DOING IS# INCREASING PRICE OF HOUSING, WHICH IS NOW GOING## TO RAISE THE TAXES ON OUR LOCAL PEOPLE.
SO YES, WE CAN TALK ABOUT ROADS.# >> ROADS ARE BECAUSE IT'S GROWING.
BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE MOVING IN.# YES, WE NEED A LOT OF MORE GOVERNMENT# SERVICES BUT THAT IS BECAUSE WE NOW## HAVE MORE AND MORE PEOPLE COMING IN.
BUT I'M CALLING IT POST-PANDEMIC BECAUSE## WHAT HAPPENED IS THE PEOPLE ON THE WEST COAST,# PEOPLE COMING IN FROM LOS ANGELES, SAN DIEGO,## SAN FRANCISCO, SEATTLE FROM PORTLAND, WHY?
BECAUSE WHEN COVID CAME, THEY LEARNED QUICKLY## THAT THEY COULD WORK WHEREVER THEY WANTED.
COULD COME IN AND USE THE COMPUTER.# COULD ZOOM IN.
WHY WOULDN'T YOU WANT TO LIVE IN HAWAII?# NOT FAR A FLY TO THE WEST COAST.
MY DISTRICT IS REALLY POPULAR AND## PEOPLE WANT TO LIVE THERE.
MY COMMUNITY WANTS TO## KEEP THE COUNTRY AND LIFESTYLE.
SO THAT'S THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE.# >> ALSO NEED TO TALK ABOUT ROADS A LITTLE BIT TOO.
WE LOOK AT WAIKALOA VILLAGE, THIS AREA IS PROJECT## TO GROW TREMENDOUSLY NEXT FIVE TO TEN YEARS.
AND WE HAVE NOT MET THE PROMISES SET## OUT IN THE COMMUNITY.
>> PLAN OVER 30 YEARS.# TO ENSURE SAFETY FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS.
COUNTY JUST BROKE GROUND FOR AFFORDABLE## HOUSING PROJECT.
THAT'S FANTASTIC.# FOR LOCAL RESIDENTS.
WE ALSO NEED TO ENSURE## THOSE RESIDENTS NORTH END OF THE VILLAGE HAVE# WAY TO ESCAPE AND THAT'S GOING TO HAVE TO BE## DONE THROUGH PRIVATE PUBLIC PARTNERSHIP.
WE HAVE TO WORK STATE PARTNERS TO ENSURE## ACCESS POINT ON QUEEN KAAHUMANU HIGHWAY.
THESE ARE THINGS THAT HAVE NOT YET BEEN TACKLED.# AND THAT COMMUNITY GROWING AND GROWING AND# THOSE AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS ARE COMING IN.# >> LUXURY HOMES COMING IN.
NEED TO ADDRESS CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE## SPACES MAKE OUR COMMUNITY SAFE.
LEEWARD COMMUNITY FIRE PRONED.# >>Lauren: HAWAII COUNTY COUNTY DISTRICT# 9 NORTH TO SOUTH KOHALA VERY LARGE.# >> WITH SIX DISTINCT UNIQUE COMMUNITIES.
>> WAIMEA WAIKALOA, PUAKO, LIST ALL OF THEM.# WHY DO YOU THINK YOU'RE THE# BEST SUITED TO SUPPORT ADVOCATE## FOR DIVERSE NEEDS ISSUES AND OPPORTUNITIES?
>> BECAUSE OF THE UNIQUE COMMUNITIES WE HAVE,## DIVERSE NEED, NEED STRONG LEADERSHIP ON THE# COUNCIL THAT IS GOING TO BE ABLE TO CONNECT A## LOT OF THESE DIFFERENT VOICES AND BE NOT AFRAID,# BUT WE CAN GO INTO THE COMMUNITY PARTNER WITH## PEOPLE TO TACKLE THESE TOUGH QUESTIONS.
BIG QUESTIONS.
WHETHER IT'S ABOUT THESE## WASTEWATER CHALLENGES WE HAVE, WHETHER IT'S ABOUT# AG, WATER, POTABLE WATER IN OUR COMMUNITIES.# IT'S ABOUT ROADS.
>> WE NEED SOMEONE## TO GO IN THERE CONNECT THESE PIECES AND# BE THAT COMMUNICATOR OUT TO THE#.. COMMUNITY.
>> DISASTER EVENTS## ISSUES INFORMATION NEEDS TO BE DISSEMINATED# PARTNERSHIP WITH ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES.# >> I WORKED IN STATE GOVERNMENT FOR MANY YEARS.
AND WORKED ACROSS ACTUALLY STATE OF WASHINGTON.# WORKED ACROSS STATE OF WASHINGTON.
I LEARNED AWFUL LOT ABOUT HOW YOU## FIND COMMON ISSUES BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, HOW# YOU WORK WITH EACH ONE OF THOSE COMMUNITIES.# SET PRIORITIES AND THEN YOU WORK# WITH EVERYBODY UNDERSTANDING THAT## THERE IS ONLY THE PIE IS ONLY THIS BIG.
>> AND SO YOU HAVE TO LEARN HOW TO WORK## WITH EVERYBODY AND ALL OF US UNDERSTANDING THAT# TO SUCCEED, SOMETIMES WE HAVE TO TAKE OUR TURN.# SO IT'S THOSE CONVERSATIONS WITH THE LEADERS# IN THE COMMUNITY SAYING, YES, WE NEED ROADS.# >> THEY'RE VERY IMPORTANT.
>> GUESS WHAT?# ROADS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT# ROAD RIGHT NOW, WAIKALOA.# >> ONE THAT WE JUST WERE TALKING ABOUT.
>> THE ONE THAT NEEDS EMERGENCY ACCESS ROAD.# AND EVERYBODY IN THE COMMUNITY UNDERSTANDING# THAT THERE'S ONLY SO MUCH MONEY THAT IS GETTING## BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
BY THE STATE GOVERNMENT.# SO WE HAVE TO BE IN IT TOGETHER.
>> WE'RE AN OHANA.# >> I THINK THAT THAT IS A SKILL SET THAT I BRING.
I HAVE DONE THIS BEFORE.# AND I FEEL LIKE I'M GETTING THERE.
>> I'M WORKING THAT WAY.# THANK YOU.
>>Lauren: DAMON ASKING, WHAT DO## YOU THINK THE RECENT COURT RULING REGARDING# SHORT-TERM RENTALS AND LOT OF HOT TOPICS.# >> BIG CHALLENGE, WHAT I HEARD FROM THE# CANDIDATE RUNNING FOR COUNCIL 5 ON THE TOPIC,## FIND THAT BALANCE FOR COMMUNITY RESIDENTS DEPEND# ON SHORT-TERM VACATION RENTALS FOR LIVELIHOOD## BECAUSE IT'S THIS COST OF LIVING CHALLENGE.
YES, WE CAN HAVE TO DEAL WITH THAT NEW## RULING AND SEE HOW THAT AFFECTS RIPPLE EFFECTS# ACROSS OUR COMMUNITY MANY FINDING THAT BALANCE.# SOME COMMUNITY MEMBERS DON'T# WANT SHORT-TERM VACATION RENTALS.# COUNCIL HAVE THAT DISCUSSION THREE# DIFFERENT BILLS MOVING FORWARD.# ONE PASSED ON ADU.
REALLY FINDING BALANCE## IN THAT COMMUNITY REALLY ULTIMATE PIECE# OF THESE PEOPLE NEED THAT EXTRA INCOME## TO BE ABLE TO AFFORD THEIR LIFE HERE IN HAWAII.
>>Lauren: WHAT HAVE YOU HEARD FROM CONSTITUENTS## ON THE SHORT-TERM VACATION RENTAL TOPIC?
>> IT'S COMPLICATED FOR MANY PEOPLE,## IT'S BEEN THEIR BREAD AND BUTTER WHAT'S# HELPED THEM BE ABLE TO SURVIVE HERE.# THEN THERE'S OTHER COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE# BEEN INUNDATED WITH LATE NIGHT PARTIES,## INABILITY TO PARK THEIR CARS ON THEIR# STREET, BECAUSE OF THE TOURISTS.# EVERYBODY HAVING A CAR.
THEIR WHOLE LIFESTYLE BEING TURNED UPSIDE DOWN.# SO YOU HAVE THIS HOW DO YOU SOLVE THAT?
I DO WANT TO ANSWER THAT ONE QUESTION## ABOUT THE RECENT RULING.
I THINK YOU HAVE TO DEAL WITH## THE CARS THAT ARE DEALT WITH YOU.
I THINK WE NEED TO HAVE OUR STATE## LEGISLATURE STEP UP AND LOOK AT AGITOURISM.
BED & BREAKFAST, FIND THE WAYS LODGING, RESORTS,## OTHER THINGS THAT OUR STATE LAW THAT WE CAN HELP# FARMERS BECAUSE FARMERS, SO HARD TO MAKE MONEY.# JUST ON FARMING.
SO WORKING WITH THE AG## COMMUNITY AND GIVING THEM POSSIBLE TOOLS, BUT I# THINK THERE'S WAYS DO IT AND THAT LAW OR RULING## MAY SIT, BUT THERE IS I THINK OTHER AVENUES WE# HAVE TO BE CREATIVE AS WHERE I SEE WE NEED TO GO.# THOSE CONVERSATIONS REALLY HAVE TO# BE HAD WITH OUR FARMERS AND RANCHERS.# WE'RE LOOKING AT ANOTHER BILL THAT IS MOVING# THROUGH THE COUNCIL ON AG PROPERTY TAXES.# THAT'S REALLY GOING TO THREATEN SOME# OF OUR SUBSISTENCE FARMS, THREATEN MOM## AND POP COMMUNITIES FEEDING THEIR FAMILY.
IF THEY CAN'T SHOW BILL OF SALE OR CAN'T## SHOW CERTAIN VALUE, THEY'RE NOT GOING TO BE# ABLE TO CLAIM THAT EXEMPTIONS ON AG PROPERTY.# SO THERE'S A BIG CHALLENGE ALSO.
>> REALLY THESE CONVERSATIONS ARE## ABOUT GOING IN TO THE COMMUNITY, TALKING# TO PEOPLE, ACTUALLY TILLING SOIL, WORKING## THE FIELDS, ACTUALLY HAVE THEIR HANDS DIRTY.
CONSEQUENCE OF HOW IS IT GOING TO AFFECT THEM.# >>Lauren: MOVE TO DIFFERENT TOPIC.
>> ACT 125 PASSED BACK IN 2017 WHICH REQUIRES## REPLACEMENT OF ALL CESSPOOLS BY THE YEAR 2050.
ABOUT 50,000 CESSPOOLS ON THE BIG ISLAND.# CONVERSION IS EXPENSIVE.
SO HOW SHOULD THE COUNTY HELP RESIDENTS## WHO MIGHT BE ABLE TO AFFORD THAT?
>> WE LOOK AT PUAKO ONE OF OUR## KEY EXAMPLES IN SOUTH KOHALA.
WEST SIDE OF THE HAWAII ISLAND.# WHERE SEA LEVEL A LOT OF THOSE HOME A LOT# OF THE SEPTIC SYSTEMS AND LEACH FIELDS ARE## AT OR BELOW SEA LEVEL.
A LOT OF THAT MOVING## OUT INTO THAT CORAL REEF SYSTEMS.
WE AS A COUNTY NEED TO TAKE ON THIS## PRIORITY AND HELP FIND MECHANISMS TO HELP CONVERT# SYSTEMS WITH THE COMMUNITY, THERE ARE PLANS MOVING## THROUGH THE ADMINISTRATION FOR MITIGATION.
AND THAT REALLY NEEDS, WE NEED TO FIND THAT## MECHANISM TO FUND THOSE PROJECTS WHETHER IT'S# STRONG BOND RATING, HAWAII COUNTY OR HAVE TO## SEE WHAT THE COMMUNITY IS ABLE TO AFFORD.
>> THAT'S A BIG CHALLENGE.
DIFFERENT## SYSTEMS APPLICABLE WITHIN THAT PLAN.
NEED TO HAVE THOSE CONVERSATIONS WITH THE## COMMUNITY ABOUT WHAT IS FEASIBLE IN CERTAIN AREAS.
>> WE HAVE OUR MAUKA PORTIONS THAT MAYBE THOSE## ARE THE LOWER PRIORITY AREAS.
>> COMMUNITY UNDERSTANDS THAT.# THESE COASTAL AREAS NEED TO TACKLE, NEED TO# WORK WITH STATE PARTNERS AND ALSO FEDERAL## PARTNERS IF THESE MANDATES AND THINGS ARE MOVING# DOWN FROM THE UPPER LEVELS, WE NEED TO FIND THAT## COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT AND FUND THESE PROJECTS.
>> I HAVE A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT TAKE ON IT.# THIS IS ABOUT SAVING ENVIRONMENT.
AND I THINK THAT OUR CONGRESSIONAL## DELEGATION REALLY HAS TO STEP UP THEIR GAME# AND I TALKED TO BRIAN SCHATZ ABOUT THIS.# EPA YEARS AGO, USED TO FUND PEOPLE GETTING OFF# CESSPOOLS SANITARY SEWERAGE TREATMENT PLANTS.# >> IT IS NOT A NEW ISSUE.
>> AROUND THE UNITED STATES FOR MANY YEARS.# THE THING IS THAT IF THE MANDATES COMING DOWN# FROM EPA AND STATE GOVERNMENT, STATE LEGISLATURE## SAYING WE'VE GOT TO DO THIS, GUESS WHAT?
THEY HAVE TO BE AT THE TABLE AND PLAY.# SO I SEE THE EPA HAVING ZERO INTEREST# LOAN, PAY-BACK PERIODS FOR 40 YEARS.# I SEE THE STATE GOVERNMENT GIVING INCOME TAX# CREDITS FOR PEOPLE THAT HAVE TO PUT THEM IN## BECAUSE SOME OF THESE SEWAGE TREATMENTS,# IT'S GREAT TO HAVE SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANTS,## BUT THAT IS ONLY WHEN YOU HAVE A# LOT OF HOMES COLLECTIVELY TOGETHER.# WE ARE SO SPREAD OUT IN MY DISTRICT,# HARD TO DO THESE SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANTS.# >> I'M LOOKING AT HOW DO WE GIVE POTENTIALLY# SMALL TAX CREDIT FROM THE COUNTY WHICH WE## CAN DO AGAINST REAL PROPERTY TAX.
IF PEOPLE HAVE TO DO THAT I MEAN,## YOU HAVE TO INCENTIVIZE.
A LITTLE BIT KIND OF IN THE SAME SITUATION AS## WHEN WE WERE TRYING TO PUSH PEOPLE TO GO IN SOLAR.
>> KEPT GIVING THEM INCENTIVES AND TAX## CREDITS AND KEEP TRYING TO MOVE PEOPLE.
>> WE HAVE TO DO IT AND CONTINUE TO DO IT,## BUT IT'S GOING TO DEFINITELY# BE THROUGH INCENTIVES.# >> ONE POSSIBILITY TOO.
>> LOOK AT THE PUAKO EXAMPLE, FOR INSTANCE,## WE NEED TO BUILD THAT PUBLIC/PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP.
WE HAVE RESORT COMMUNITIES THERE.# THEY HAVE TREATMENT FACILITIES.
WE NEED TO LOOK AT COUNTY TO HOW## WE CAN LINK AND CONNECT TO THOSE PIECE# RATHER THAN BUILDING WHOLE NEW SYSTEMS.# ALREADY THERE.
>> THEY EXIST.# REALLY WORK THAT SEE WHAT'S# POSSIBLE FOR THE COMMUNITIES.# >>Lauren: MOVE TO THE TOPIC OF NATURAL DISASTERS.
DAY OF THE LAHAINA TRAGEDY,## A NUMBER OF FIRES BURNING ON BIG ISLAND.
>> DO YOU FEEL THAT THE COUNTY HAS DONE ENOUGH AS## FAR AS PREPPING BECAUSE OF THAT TO PREPARE FOR GOD# FORBID SOMETHING ELSE HAPPEN ON THE BIG ISLAND.# >> >> WELL, MY TAKE ON IT IS## YOU LEARN FROM EVERY TIME THERE IS A DISASTER.
ANYBODY LIVED HERE KNOWS, WE HAVE THE 40 DAY,## 40 NIGHT FLOOD.
WE'VE HAD EARTHQUAKES.# WILDFIRES.
>> HORRIBLE STUFF HAS HAPPENED IN HAWAII.# EVERY TIME IT HAPPENED, WE# GET A LITTLE BIT BETTER.# LESSONS LEARNED.
>> MOVING TOWARDS DRONES, AI.# UNDERSTANDING THE NEED FOR# HAVING A BETTER COMMAND POST.# WHAT I'M SEEING AND I'M SO HAPPY WITH OUR# FIRE DEPARTMENT AND OUR CIVIL DEFENSE,## THEY ARE CONTINUING TO LEARN FROM THE# LAHAINA FIRE HOW THEY CAN DO BETTER.# AND I THINK THAT THE COUNCIL IS GOING TO BE# SUPPORTIVE OF INITIATIVES THAT THEY'RE GOING## TO COME AND BRING TO US AND I ACTUALLY HAVE# AN INITIATIVE THAT IS COMING FROM THE COUNCIL,## AND THAT IS WHAT I WANT TO DO RADIO PLAN TO# MAKE SURE THAT THE LAST, IF EVERYTHING GOES OUT,## NO ELECTRICITY, WHAT COULD PEOPLE DO?
THEY CAN GO TO THEIR CAR, TURN ON THE CAR,## TURN ON THE RADIO, SO I'M TRYING TO FIGURE OUT# HOW WE CAN GET THE HAM RADIO OPERATOR AS WELL AS## LOCAL RADIO STATIONS TO BE PART OF THE SOLUTION.
>> NEVER BE, LIKE I SAID, GOING TO LEARN EVERY## SINGLE TIME AND WE'LL GET KEEP GETTING BETTER.
BUT IT TAKES A COMMUNITY.# IT TAKES EACH ONE OF US TO BE INDIVIDUALLY# PREPARED, TO DEFENSIBLE SPACES, MAKE SURE## THAT WE DO THINGS AROUND OUR HOUSE# SO THAT WE CAN MAYBE STAY IN PLACE.# GET EVERYBODY ON THE ROAD AT THE# SAME TIME CREATES TRAFFIC JAMS## AND CAN BE VERY, VERY DANGEROUS.
>> WE DEFINITELY MORE WORK TO DO.# I THINK THERE'S OPPORTUNITIES TO EXPAND# AND IMPROVE EMERGENCY SERVICE ESPECIALLY## IN OUR LEEWARD COMMUNITIES.
LOOK AT WAIKALOA VILLAGE.# STILL DON'T HAVE EMERGENCY# SIRENS IN THOSE COMMUNITIES.# >> YES, MAYBE USED FOR PARTICULAR INSTANCES.
>> THAT COMMUNITY OF ALL PLACES## IN OUR LEEWARD COMMUNITIES IS REALLY AT RISK# THERE AND WE NEED TO PUSH ON THAT.
NEED TO## WORK WITH CIVIL DEFENSE ADMINISTRATORS.
TO ENSURE THOSE THINGS ARE INSTALLED.# >> PART OF THAT CONVERSATION# IS ABOUT MOVING FORWARD ON## SECOND ACCESS ROAD FOR WAIKALOA VILLAGE.
>> ALSO HAVE A LOT OF COMMUNITY RESILIENCE.# RESILIENCE HUBS STOOD UP ACROSS# THE DISTRICT ACROSS THE COUNTY.# GIVE A LOT OF CREDIT TO INDIVIDUALS DOING THAT# VOLUNTEER WORK IN THE COMMUNITY TO HELP EDUCATE## OUR RESIDENTS ABOUT EMERGENCY KITS, GO BAGS,# SIGNING UP FOR NICK SOLAR, DIFFERENT THINGS## TO HELP EDUCATE, CREATE RESILIENT COMMUNITIES.
>>Lauren: DO YOU FEEL THAT, SPECIFICALLY WHEN## IT COMES TO WILDFIRES, DO YOU FEEL LIKE# THE COUNTY HAS IMPLEMENTED ENOUGH CHANGE## TO ADDRESS WILDFIRE THREAT TO THE ISLAND?
>> GOOD NEWS, LOOKING AT INSTALLING CAMERAS.# LIKE I SAID, AI AND NEW TECHNOLOGY, I'VE HAD MANY# CONVERSATIONS ABOUT EMBRACING NEW TECHNOLOGY.# THESE CAMERAS INSTALLED IN THE# RIGHT PLACES CAN DETECT SMOKE.# >> YES, I THINK OUR FIRE# DEPARTMENT IS REALLY DEDICATED.# GOING INTO CONFERENCES.
TALKING TO THE OTHER FIRE CHIEFS.# OUR FIRE CHIEF TALKING TO THE# OTHER FIRE CHIEFS ON OTHER ISLANDS.# >> I THINK EVERYBODY IS, OUR ATTORNEY# GENERAL FOR THE STATE OF HAWAII COUPLE## WEEKS AGO JUST DID HER FINAL REPORT.
THEY DID AN INVESTIGATION ON THE LAHAINA## FIRE AND I SAW IN THAT REPORT THERE'S A LOT# OF RECOMMENDATIONS, A LOT OF LESSONS LEARNED.# I THINK WE'RE GOING TO SEE PROBABLY# MORE CHANGE THAN WE'VE EVER SEEN.# >> JUST ADD ONE THING IF YOU DON'T MIND.
A LOT OF THE AREAS IN OUR COMMUNITY ON THE## WEST SIDE OF THE ISLAND, WE'VE SEEN EITHER MISUSE# OR LACK OF USE OF A LOT OF LAND, AGRICULTURAL## LANDS THAT SURROUND THESE COMMUNITIES.
SO THESE HAVE BEEN A MISMANAGEMENT## OR LESS INTEREST IN MANAGED# PROPERLY MANAGING THESE SPACES.# I WAS IN A MEETING EARLIER TODAY, TALKING ABOUT# THIS RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN OUR FIRE-PRONED AREAS## AND WHAT DAMAGE IT DOES THERE TO THE SOIL# AND TOPSOIL LOSS THROUGH RAINS THAT FOLLOW.# TOPSOIL WASHING OUT.
ALSO DAMAGING OUR## CORAL REEF SYSTEM ALONG THE COAST THERE.
>> THOSE KIND OF CONVERSATIONS NEED TO BE HAPPEN,## PROPER LAND MANAGEMENT AROUND OUR COMMUNITIES,# WEST HAWAII TOPIC OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING.# NO SURPRISE, THIS IS NUMBER ONE ISSUE# FOR MOST RESIDENTS HERE IN HAWAII.# EXTREME COST OF LIVING.
PATTY FROM WAIMEA ASKING,## PLEASE SHARE IT YOUR VIEWS ON AFFORDABLE# HOUSING, YOUR VIEWS ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING.# >> HOW HAVE HOW YOU HAVE BEEN OR WILL ADDRESS# THIS IN WAYS THAT WILL ACTUALLY SERVE NEEDS## OF DISTRICT 9 CONSTITUENTS AND ACTUALLY# ALL OF THE RESIDENTS OF HAWAII ISLAND.# DO YOU WANT TO GO FIRST?
>> YEAH.# THANK YOU.
PART OF THE ISSUE OF AFFORDABLE## HOUSING IS THE WAGES THAT ARE BEING PAID.
AND SO ONE OF THE THINGS I'VE ALWAYS FELT## ABOUT OUR ISLAND IS HOW ARE WE# GOING TO DIVERSIFY THE ECONOMY.# I DO BELIEVE THERE IS WAY OF REALLY# INCREASING RESEARCH AND INNOVATION## AND HIGHER EDUCATION FOR EXAMPLE.
I THINK THE INVESTMENT BY THE COUNTY IN## WORKING WITH OUR AGRICULTURAL AND FARMERS TO MAKE# SURE THAT THEY CAN GET THEIR PRODUCTS TO MARKET,## AND THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS BUYING LOCAL AND# SO WE HAVE REALLY BEEN FOCUSING ON FOOD HUBS.# >> BECAUSE YOU CAN'T, YOU CAN'T SELL IF# THERE'S QUANTITY AND CONSISTENT QUANTITY.# AND I THINK OUR HOTEL INDUSTRY, TOURIST# INDUSTRY AND ARTS AND CULTURE, FILM INDUSTRY,## YOU HEARD THAT, I THINK THAT WE HAVE TO# MAKE, WE HAVE TO GIVE HOPE TO OUR CHILDREN## AT THAT WHEN THEY COME OUT OF SCHOOL, THAT# THERE'S JOBS THAT PAY PRETTY WELL FOR THEM.# OUR THING, DEVELOP SUBDIVISION AND HOUSING, MAKE# SURE WE'RE BUILDING AFFORDABLE HOUSING PRODUCTS.# >> AND THAT IS ONE OF THE PROBLEMS ON HAVING# RIGHT NOW IN THE DISTRICT THAT I LIVE IN.# IT SEEMS THAT BUILDING HOMES THAT ARE BETWEEN# 800,000 AND 2#MILLION, THAT'S NOT AFFORDABLE## FOR FAMILIES THAT ARE LIVING IN THE COMMUNITY.
>> SO WHAT HAPPENS IS THEY HAVE TO COMMUTE## DISTANCES AND WHAT DOES THAT DO?
CREATING TRAFFIC JAMS.# ND NOW PEOPLE ARE GETTING UPSET BECAUSE# WE'RE HAVING TRAFFIC JAMS.
BIG PART IS## BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO LIVE SOMEWHERE# ELSE AND COMMUTE INTO THE DISTRICT.# >> ONE OF THOSE SOLUTIONS IS WORKFORCE HOUSING# PROJECT THAT THE COUNTY JUST BROKE GROUND ON.# PEOPLE ARE REGIONALLY TIED TO THAT AREA.
>> LIVE AND WORK WITHIN A CERTAIN RADIUS.# REALLY SUPPORTING A LOT OF DIFFERENT MECHANISMS.
ACROSS IT AFFORDABLE HOUSING.# WE HAVE WORKFORCE HOUSING.
>> WE ALSO HAVE SOME## GREAT PROJECTS ON SELF-HELP HOUSING.
>> WITH HICDC NORTH KOHALA AND SOUTH CARE HOMES.# THESE ARE PROJECTS THAT LOCAL RESIDENTS NEED TO# BE THERE FOR THE LONG DURATION BUILD OUT OF THAT## COMMUNITY AND BE ABLE TO MOVE IN THERE.
WE ALSO NEED TO WORK ON LOOKING AT VACANT## HOME INVENTORY AND SEE HOW AS A COMMUNITY, SUPPORT# COMMUNITY MEMBERS, TO BRING THOSE BACK UP TO CODE## AND ABLE TO RENT THOSE OUT TO THE COMMUNITY.
THERE'S ALSO OPPORTUNITIES WITH## LAND TRUSTS IN THE COMMUNITY.
>> AND WORKING WITH THOSE GROUPS TO## BRING AFFORDABLE HOUSING TO THE COMMUNITY WITHOUT# THAT ADDED COST OF LAND ON TOP OF EVERYTHING ELSE.# >>Lauren: WE'RE WINDING DOWN ON TIME.
>> GOES FAST.# >> I WANT TO GIVE YOU BOTH THE OPPORTUNITY TO# SHARE WHY VOTERS SHOULD VOTE FOUR ONE FINAL PUSH.# >> LET YOU GO FIRST.
IF ELECTED, WHAT WOULD## YOU LIKE TO DO IN YOUR FIRST 100 DAYS IN OFFICE?
>> WELL, THANK YOU FOR HAVING US FIRST OF ALL.# BEEN A PLEASURE TO BE HERE.
REALLY IMPORTANT TO,## AS MENTIONED, EARLY ON TO HAVE THAT# STRONG LEADERSHIP IN THE COMMUNITY.# TO BE ABLE TO BRING TECHNICAL SKILLS LEARNED# AND BEEN HONORED TO WORK WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS## TO THE COUNCIL LEVEL AND WORK ON PROJECTS, HAR# PROJECTS WITH THE COMMUNITY, BUILD RELATIONSHIP.# POSITIVE EFFORTS, VOLUNTEER EFFORTS,# PUSH FORWARD DIFFERENT IDEAS FOR THE## BENEFIT COMMUNITY, KUPUNA, KEIKI, A LOT OF# THESE PARK ISSUES NEED TO TACKLE TOGETHER,## A LOT WE NEED TO DO ACROSS HAWAII ISLAND.
>>Lauren: CINDY, FOR YOU, IF ARE RE-ELECTED,## WHY SHOULD VOTERS VOTE FOR YOU?
>> LET YOU KNOW HOW I OPERATE.# MY COMMUNITY IDENTIFIES ISSUES# THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO THEM.# I FEEL IT'S MY JOB TO REALLY WORK ON THEM.
SINCE I'VE BEEN THERE,## I WORKED ON THEM ONE AT A TIME.
DIGITAL LITERACY, CELL TOWER,## ANIMAL CONTROL, BARKING DOGS, DANGEROUS# DOGS, FIRE, WILDFIRE, EMERGENCY ACCESS.# >> SIRENS.
>> THOSE ISSUES COME IN FRONT OF ME## AND I WILL TELL YOU THAT EVERY SINGLE DAY I WAKE# UP, I AM COMMITTED TO MY COMMUNITY DO WHAT I HAVE## TO DO IN MY POSITION AND USE ALL OF THE SKILL SETS# THAT I KNOW TO DEVELOP THE STRATEGY TO DEVELOP## THE RELATIONSHIPS, TO GET RESULTS, I THINK I'M# EFFECTIVE AND I THINK THERE IS SO MUCH TO BE DONE.# I AM RIGHT NOW, BIG ISSUE FOR ME IS# JUST MAKING GOVERNMENT TRANSPARENT.# I WANT MY COMMUNITY TO KNOW WHAT GOVERNMENT# IS DOING FOR THEM IN MY COMMUNITY.# THANK YOU.
>>Lauren: I WANT TO END ON A FUN NOTE.# I KNOW YOU HEARD THE QUESTION# FROM THE LAST CANDIDATE.# GO-TO PLATE LUNCH.
>> YOU GO FIRST.# >> GO TO PLATE LUNCH?
IF I HAVE A CHOICE, GOT TO BE KOREAN.# >>Lauren: I'M WITH YOU ON THAT.
I LOVE KOREAN FOOD.# WHAT ABOUT YOU?
>> GO WITH MOCHIKO CHICKEN.# >>Lauren: GOOD ONE TOO.# MAHALO TO YOU FOR JOINING US TONIGHT, AND WE THANK OUR# THE CANDIDATES, THANK THE VIEWERS THAT TUNED IN AND GUESTS.# THE DISTRICT 9 SEAT ON THE HAWAII COUNTY COUNCIL, CINDY# EVANS AND JAMES HUSTACE.
NEXT WEEK ON INSIGHTS, IT CAN# BE ONE OF THE MOST CONFUSING AND UNEXPECTED SECTIONS ON THE# GENERAL ELECTION BALLOT.
WE’LL BE DISCUSSING THE# VARIOUS CHARTER AMENDMENTS FACING THE COUNTIES AND THE# TWO STATE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS.# PLEASE JOIN US THEN.
I’M LAUREN DAY FOR INSIGHTS ON# PBS HAWAII.
ALOHA!
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