Priorities For District 49
Your Voice Not Big Money:
For years Big Money and Pay-To-Play has been eroding the foundation of democracy in Hawaiian politics. Representatives who accept large contributions to win their seats are then beholden to the interests of these large donors and not the working families they largely represent. This is why I’m only accepting small individual and union donations so that I can represent the interests of working families and not be a puppet to large donors. It is my promise to put your voice first and not big monied interests.
Strengthen Education:
I understand that education takes place both in the classroom and at home. Our local families make tremendous sacrifices to ensure their children succeed, and we owe it to them to provide every opportunity for our keiki to thrive.
It is essential that we support our educators by reducing class sizes, strengthening teacher training programs, offering incentives to retain quality teachers, and expanding access to early childhood education. Education must go beyond standardized testing—our students need the practical skills and critical thinking abilities that prepare them for real-world success.
Alongside a strong academic foundation, schools should provide hands-on, career-oriented learning opportunities through partnerships with local industries and unions. We must also invest in extracurricular programs that inspire students to discover their passions—programs that make them excited to go to school each day.
Preserve Agriculture:
Preserving agriculture is a vital step toward diversifying our economy.
We must strengthen Hawaii’s agricultural industry to promote food independence and instill in our students a deep respect for the land as one of our most cherished resources. While we may never rival mainland states in food production, we can focus on cultivating crops and raising livestock that thrive in Hawaii’s unique climate and conditions.
By investing in these areas, we not only build on our natural advantages but also move closer to achieving true food security—especially in times of crisis.
Support Seniors & Caregivers:
We need stronger training programs for those who support seniors during this critical stage of life, as well as affordable home care services and subsidies for families already making significant sacrifices to care for their loved ones.
Enabling seniors to maintain their independence not only preserves their dignity and freedom but also represents the most cost-effective and sustainable approach to supporting our aging population.
Expand Affordable Housing:
Our local families often open their homes to young families and kūpuna who cannot afford to live independently—a reflection of our strong community values, but also a source of strain on even the closest family bonds. In my own household, three generations live together under one roof: my mother, my wife and I, our young son James, and soon my older son and his family.
To ease this burden, we need to increase the availability of affordable housing in Honolulu’s urban core. Expanding housing options for working families will help stabilize and reduce housing costs across the island, ensuring that every resident has the opportunity to own or rent a home they can truly call their own.
