STATOUS DISTRICTS WITH OPEN SEATS LOOK TO ELECT FIRST TIME LEGISLATORS THIS YEAR.

TALK WITH THE CANDIDATES FROM MAUI COUNTY MULTIISLAND DISTRICT.

STATE HOUSE DISTRICT 13.

INCLUDES MOLOKAI, LANAI, KAHO'OLAWE AND KAHULUI, WAIALUA AND HANA ON MAUI.

ALSO TALK WITH CANDIDATES FROM THE NEWLY REDISTRICTED STATE HOUSE 36.

TAKES LARGE PORTION OF WAIPAHU.

TONIGHT'S LIVE BROADCAST ON LIVESTREAM OF INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAII START NOW.

¶¶ ¶¶ ALOHA AND WELCOME TO INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAII.

I’M YUNJI DE NIES.

TONIGHT WE WILL BE TALKING WITH CANDIDATES FOR TWO OPEN SEATS IN THE HAWAII HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

FIRST WE WILL SIT DOWN WITH THE CANDIDATES FOR STATE HOUSE DISTRICT 13.

DISTRICT 13 IS ONE OF TWO CANOE DISTRICTS IN HAWAII.

IT INCLUDES A PORTION OF EAST MAUI FROM KAHULUI TO HANA, MOLOKAI, LANAI, AND KAHOOLAWE.

INCUMBENT REPRESENTATIVE LINDA CLARK LOST IN THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY SO DISTRICT 13 WILL SEE A FIRST‑TIME LAWMAKER ELECTED.

LATER IN THE SHOW WE TALK WITH THE CANDIDATES FOR WAIPAHU’S STATE HOUSE DISTRICT 36.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR PARTICIPATION IN TONIGHT'S SHOW.

YOU CAN EMAIL US OR CALL US WITH YOUR QUESTIONS.

WE ALSO ENCOURAGE YOU TO GET INVOLVED WITH THE CONVERSATION ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE.

NOW, TO OUR GUESTS WHO ARE JOINING US VIA ZOOM, REPUBLICAN SCOTT ADAM IS A FORMER PROFESSIONAL SNOWBOARD COACH.

HE HAS WORKED AS A PROGRAM DIRECTOR FOR YOUTH AND PROFESSIONAL SPORTS.

HE HAS ALSO WORKED WITH AT‑RISK YOUTH, CREATED SUMMER CAMP FOR KIDS IN THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM, AND A YOGA AND WELLNESS FESTIVAL FOR UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES.

DEMOCRAT MAHINA POEPOE IS FROM MANAE, MOLOKAI.

SHE IS A FORMER SMALL BUSINESS OWNER AND CURRENTLY WORKS AS A LEGISLATIVE ANALYST FOR THE COUNTY OF MAUI.

SHE IS ALSO AN OUTREACH ASSISTANT FOR THE MOLOKAI INVASIVE SPECIES COMMITTEE AND A PROJECT COORDINATOR FOR THE NON‑PROFIT AINA MOMONA.

GREEN PARTY CANDIDATE NICK NIKHILANANDA IS A FORMER MAUI COUNTY TEACHER.

HE SERVED ON THE BOARD FOR MAUI COUNTY’S COMMUNITY TELEVISION STATION, AKAKU.

HE ALSO SERVED AS THE COMMISSIONER OF THE MAYOR’S TASK FORCE FOR HIGHER EDUCATION AND AS THE CO‑CHAIR OF GREEN PARTY OF HAWAII.

THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE TONIGHT.

I WANT TO START WITH YOU.

VERY DISVERSE DISTRICT ENCOMPASSING PARTS OF OUR ISLAND.

WHAT DO YOU THINK THEY ALL HAVE IN COMMON IN TERMS WHAT YOU WOULD SAY MOST CRITICAL ISSUE FACING THE DISTRICT.

>> DISTRICT 13 IS VERY DIVERSE.

ALSO INCLUDES MOLOKINI AND WANTED TO CORRECT THAT I AM NOT CURRENTLY WORKING AT THE LEGISLATIVE ANALYST.

I DID RESIGN FROM THAT POSITION TO CAMPAIGN FOR THIS POSITION.

I THINK THAT WHAT I'VE BEEN HEARING AND FEELING IS THAT COST OF LIVING ISSUES ARE UNITING FACTOR ACROSS THE DISTRICT.

I THINK THAT ESPECIALLY IN THE RURAL AREAS, WE FEEL IT MORE BECAUSE COST OF GOODS, COST OF SERVICES, ELECTRICITY, GROCERIES GASOLINE NOW IS HIGHER IN OUR RURAL AREAS.

ALSO AVAILABILITY OF HOUSING, WE FEEL IT TOO JUST LIKE THE REST OF THE STATE.

SO I WOULD SAY THAT THAT IS PROBABLY THE MOST COMMON UNITING ISSUE THAT I SEE A CROSS OUR DISTRICT.

EACH COMMUNITY AND EACH ISLAND HAVE THEIR INDIVIDUAL ISSUES AND NEEDS AND CHARACTERISTICS AS WELL.

>>Yunji: SCOTT, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY?

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST ISSUE FACING THE DISTRICT?

>> I WOULD AGREE A LOT WITH MAHINA ON THAT.

THIS IS SUCH A DIVERSE DISTRICT AND THE CONTINUAL RISE OF COST OF LIVING IS JUST GOING THROUGH THE ROOF, AND GAS PRICES IS MAKING IT REALLY DIFFICULT ON ANYBODY ESPECIALLY HAVING TO TREK ACROSS THE ISLAND TO GO TO WORK AND SHORTAGE OF HOUSING AND THE RISING COST OF HOUSING IS THE HURTING EVERYBODY.

SO WE REALLY NEED TO COME TOGETHER IF WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO KEEP THE KIDS WHO GREW UP HERE ABLE TO CONTINUE TO LIVE AND SURVIVE HERE.

>>Yunji: NICK WHAT IS YOUR TAKE?

WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE BIGGEST ISSUE FACING THE DISTRICT?

>> AS WAS ALREADY SAID, EACH ISLAND IS UNIQUE.

KAHO'OLAWE TO START THERE, NEEDS TO BE CLEANED UP.

IT'S REPREHENSIBLE THAT'S STILL FILLED ONE EXPLODED ORDNANCE.

THE DISTRICT HAS THESE FOUR ISLANDS, THREE OF THE MOST REMOTE AREAS OF THE STATE IN THIS ONE ISLAND, AND I TESTIFIED AT THE REAPPORTIONMENT COMMISSION FOR THEM TO LOOK AT THIS BECAUSE AS YOU MENTIONED, THERE'S ONLY TWO CANOE DISTRICTS, THE OTHER ONE HAS A LITTLE BIT NIIHAU AND BIT OF HAWAII.

WHAT LANAI IS FACED WITH, BASICALLY, IS HAVING ONE PERSON OWNS MOST OF THE ISLAND.

IT'S IMPACTING THEIR TRADITIONS.

MOLOKAI IS CHALLENGED WITHHOLDING ON TO THEIR WAY OF LIFE.

TIGHT‑KNIT COMMUNITY.

DEFICIENT IN MANY SOCIAL AND GOVERNMENTAL SERVICES.

WHICH IS TRUE ABOUT THE WHOLE DISTRICT.

THEN MAUI IS SO DIFFERENT FROM THE DISTRICT NOW GOES FROM THE AIRPORT, NOT SURE HOW MANY PEOPLE LIVE AT THE AIRPORT REMINDS ME OF THE GEORGE CARLIN LINE, AND IT GOES INTO SPRECKELSVILLE AND PAIA, THROUGH WHERE I LOVE IN HUELO IN THE NORTH SHORE, HANA, KAUPO AND KIPAHULU AND EACH AREA, I MEAN, KIPAHULU IS REALLY DIFFERENT THAN KUELO DIFFERENT THAN SPRECKELSVILLE.

LACK OF GOVERNMENT SERVICE AND SUPPORT SERVICES IS A MAJOR CHALLENGE FOR THIS DISTRICT.

>>Yunji: GIVEN ALL OF THOSE CHALLENGES.

STAY WITH YOU ON THIS ISSUE.

AND DIVERSITY OF THE DISTRICT AS REPRESENTATIVE, HOW WOULD YOU WORK TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU REPRESENT ALL THE COMMUNITIES IN THE DISTRICT?

>> WELL, AGAIN, IT'S QUITE A CHALLENGE.

OF COURSE, CONNECTING WITH EACH COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION, TRAVELING THE DISTRICT, HOLDING NUMEROUS TOWN HALL MEETINGS, AND AT THESE TOWN HALL MEETINGS, WHAT I HAVE SEEN WITH MY PAST REPRESENTATIVES, THEY COME AND THEY TALK TO US AND THEN THEY TAKE OFF.

AND I WANT TO BE AVAILABLE TO LISTEN.

THAT, TO ME, IS THE REASON TO BE A REPRESENTATIVE AND TO HEAR WHAT IS IMPACTING.

BECAUSE I KNOW WHAT'S IMPACTING MY LIFE.

THAT'S QUITE DIFFERENT THAN OTHER PEOPLE.

OF COURSE, WE HAVE A GROWING HOUSELESS POPULATION.

WITH VERY A LACK OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

SO THERE'S A LOT OF ISSUES THAT I WILL BE LISTENING TO MY CONSTITUENTS.

>>Yunji: SCOTT, SAME QUESTION.

HOW WOULD YOU MAKE SURE THAT YOU REPRESENT ALL THE COMMUNITIES GIVEN THE CHALLENGES THAT YOU ARE TRAVELING BETWEEN ALL OF THOSE DIFFERENT ISLANDS AND THAT NEEDS ARE SO DIVERSE?

>> ONE OF THE BIGGEST ISSUES WE'VE THIS IS LACK OF AVAILABILITY OF THE ELECTED OFFICIALS.

SO IN MY GAME PLAN, IT WOULD BE NUMEROUS TOWN HALLS AS WELL AS ESTABLISHING REGIONAL COMMITTEES THAT ARE ON MY ADVISORY BOARD.

IN THIS WAY, WE CAN CONTINUE TO HAVE A ONGOING CONVERSATION ABOUT THE INDIVIDUAL NEEDS OF THE DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES.

I THINK THAT BECAUSE OF THE LEVEL OF DIVERSITY, BECAUSE OF THE DIFFERENCE IN NEEDS THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE DISTRICT, WE'RE REALLY NEEDS TO HAVE REPRESENTATION IN EACH ONE OF THE REGIONS AND REPRESENTATION ON MY ADVISORY BOARD WOULD BE THE GAME PLAN TO REALLY BE ABLE TO LISTEN AND HEAR WHAT THE PEOPLE NEED.

THAT'S REALLY MY TRUE WAY TO SERVE IN MY BEST AS ELECTED OFFICIAL.

>>Yunji: HOW ABOUT YOU?

WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU COULD DO IF ELECTED TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE NEEDS OF THE FULL COMMUNITY?

>> I THINK I WOULD PLAN TO MAKE REGULAR VISITS TO EACH ISLAND AND EACH COMMUNITY.

THERE'S REALLY NO REASON TO NOT BE ENGAGING OUR COMMUNITY, ESPECIALLY WITH THE TECHNOLOGY WE HAVE NOW.

DON'T NECESSARILY NEED TO BE THERE IN PERSON WHICH BEFORE, IT WAS RESTRICTING FACTOR.

I WOULD LOVE TO SEE DISTRICTS STAFF AND DISTRICT OFFICES FUNDED THE COUNTY HAS DISTRICT OFFICES REALLY INCREASES ACCESSIBILITY.

MAKE SURE THAT OUR COMMUNITIES KNOW HOW TO PARTICIPATE IN TESTIMONY AND PARTICIPATE MORE FULLY AT THE LEGISLATURE.

IT'S REALLY HARD TO KEEP TRACK OF.

AND JUST PROVIDING THAT OUTREACH PIECE, I'M COMING FROM A BACKGROUND IN COMMUNITY ADVOCACY AND BEING ON THE OTHER SIDE AND COMING UP ON CLOSED DOORS AND DEAF EARS IN MY LEGISLATOR.

I KNOW WHAT THAT FEELS LIKE.

I DON'T WANT TO DO THAT.

I WANT TO DO THE OPPOSITE OF THAT.

VERY SENSITIVE TO THE VOICES OF MY COMMUNITY.

I KNOW THE POWER OF WELL ORGANIZED COMMUNITY.

AND SO I THINK THAT SOME OF HOW I WOULD ADDRESS THAT.

>>Yunji: WE ALWAYS LIKE TO BRING IN AUDIENCE QUESTIONS.

WE HAVE A COUPLE ALREADY HERE TONIGHT.

KAILUA SAYS, PRESIDENT BIDEN TOOK STEPS TODAY TO PERHAPS DECRIMINALIZE MARIJUANA ON THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

IS IT TIME TO LEGALIZE RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA IN HAWAII?

SCOTT, LET'S START WITH YOU.

>> THAT'S A VERY INTERESTING QUESTION.

WHY I THINK IT'S VERY VALUABLE MEDICINE AND I THINK ALL PLANTS NATURAL PLANTS AND NATURAL MEDICINES SHOULD BE AVAILABLE TO THE PEOPLE AND UTILIZED, BIGGEST ISSUE THAT I SEEN ACROSS THE NATION WHEN LEGALIZED, BIG CORPORATIONS TAKING OTHER OVER AND CONTROLLING AND TAXATION AND OVERPRICING OF CANNABIS.

AND SO I'M NOT A HUGE FAN OF LEGALIZATION OF RECREATION.

I AM, HOWEVER, A FAN OF DECRIMINALIZATION, BRINGING THE CANNABIS INTO A RECREATIONAL SITUATION THAT'S AVAILABLE IN STORES.

TAKES AWAY IT'S A LOT OF THE POWER FROM THE SMALL FAMILY FARMER.

AS WELL AS THE PUTS A LOT OF EXTRA TAXES INTO AND EXTRA MONEY INTO LARGE CORPORATIONS.

I MEAN, WE'VE SEEN IT IN COLORADO.

SAW IT IN CALIFORNIA.

WHAT IS DONE TO THE PRICES.

ALSO WHAT IS DONE TO THE OVERALL LIKE MARKET OF THAT THE PLANT ITSELF.

>>Yunji: MAHINA, WHAT IS YOUR TAKE ON THIS?

>> DO SUPPORT RECREATIONAL LEGALIZATION.

SCOTT IS RIGHT.

RISK OF CORPORATE PIECE CAPITALIZING BUT I THINK WE COULD TAKE THAT INTO ACCOUNT AND LOOK AT WAYS TO MAKE IT MORE ACCESSIBLE TO SMALL LOCAL FARMERS.

THERE ARE LESSONS TO BE LEARNED FROM THE OTHER MODELS OUT THERE AND FROM THE OTHER STATES DOING IT.

I KNOW IN COLORADO, THEY FUND, RECREATIONAL TAX FUNDS A LOT OF PUBLIC EDUCATION INITIATIVES.

AND WE NEED TO FUND OUR PUBLIC EDUCATION SYSTEM.

SO I THINK THAT THAT COULD BE ONE SOLUTION TO THAT.

>>Yunji: NICK, WHERE DO YOU STAND ON LEGALIZING RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA?

>> WHY LEGALIZED MEDICINAL MARIJUANA 15 YEARS OR SO AGO.

HAWAII LEGALIZED IT TOOK YEARS FOR PLACES WHERE PEOPLE COULD OUTLETS, WHERE THEY COULD OBTAIN THEIR MEDICINE.

IT'S SHOCKING THAT HAWAII DOES NOT HAVE LEGALIZED MARIJUANA AND AS A MEMBER OF THE GREEN PARTY, WE HAVE ADVOCATED THE LEGALIZATION OF MARIJUANA AND CANNABIS AND EVEN LOOKING AT OTHER DRUGS NOW, THERE'S PLACES THAT TALKING ABOUT LEGALIZED PSILOCYBIN.

HAVE TO BE DONE WITH LOTS OF CAUTION, OBVIOUSLY TO HAVE IT ILLEGAL, TO HAVE POLICE STILL ARRESTING PEOPLE FOR UTILIZING CANNABIS, AND THE REALITY IS I'VE BEEN ON MAUI 35 YEARS, AND IT'S RARE THAT I'VE GONE TO A PARTY WITH DOCTORS LAWYER, REAL ESTATE AGENT IT'S, MORTGAGE PEOPLE PROFESSIONALS WHO AREN'T PARTAKING OF CANNABIS.

EVERYBODY IS BREAKING THE LAW.

SO IT'S WAY OVER TIME.

KEEPS ON GETTING KILLED BY THE DEMOCRATIC MAJORITY IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE.

AND THAT IS WHY IT'S REALLY GOOD TO HAVE SOMEONE FROM THE GREEN PARTY WHO WILL BRING UP THE ISSUES THAT REALLY NEED TO BE ADDRESSED.

AND SIMPLY, I DO WANT TO ALSO UNDERLINE WHAT MAHINA AND SCOTT SAID THAT YES, THE BENEFIT OF HAVING NOT LEGALIZED IT IS THAT WE CAN LOOK AT WHAT'S HAPPENED IN OTHER STATES WHERE THEY HAVE LEGALIZED IT.

SO YES.

IT'S LONG OVERDUE.

>>Yunji: GET TO SOME MORE OF THESE VIEWER QUESTIONS.

THEY'RE GREAT.

LOLA ON MOLOKAI.

MAHINA WE'LL START WITH YOU.

HOW WOULD YOU SUPPORT FARM WORKER HOUSING?

WE SAY WE SUPPORT FARMERS BUT HOUSING IS ONE OF THE MOST CRITICAL ISSUES FOR THEM.

WHAT DO YOU SAY TO LOLA?

>> YOU KNOW, THINK WE NEED TO LOOK AT HOW WE'RE PRIORITIZING NEED OF AGRICULTURAL LANDS.

MIGHT BE MORE COUNTY LEVEL.

THINGS WE CAN DO AT THE STATE LEVEL AS WELL.

TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE NOT CONTINUING TO ALLOW PSEUDO AGRICULTURAL USES ON LANDS MEANT TO BE FARMED AN USED FOR FARM DWELLING.

WE SEE A LOT OF LARGE LUXURY HOMES BEING BUILT AND PASSED OFF AS FARM DWELLINGS WITH LOW AGRICULTURAL HAPPENING ON THE PROPERTY.

PROPERTIES ARE FOREVER TAKEN OUT OF THE FEASIBILITY OF ONE DAY BEING USED FOR AGRICULTURE, NOW THE VALUE IS SO INCREASED.

SO I DO SUPPORT FARM DWELLINGS AND EXPANDING FARM HOUSING.

THAT IS ACTUALLY MEANT TO HOUSE FARM WORKERS.

AND I THINK LOOKING AT LAND USE AND ZONING, CAN HELP TO BRING THAT TO FRUITION.

>>Yunji: NICK, WHAT DO YOU SAY TO LOLA?

HOW WOULD YOU SUPPORT FARM WORKER HOUSING?

WE SAY WE SUPPORT FARMERS BUT HOUSING ONE OF THE MOST CRITICAL ISSUES FOR THEM.

>> I'M GOING TO FOLLOW UP WHAT MAHINA JUST SAID.

ZONING NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT BY THE COUNTY.

STATE GETS INVOLVED IN LAND USE.

WE NEED TO LOOK AT SMALL HOUSES AND TINY HOUSES AND ALSO, FOR PEOPLE TO BUILD ON AG LAND SECOND AND THIRD SMALL HOMES.

AND AGAIN, WHAT WE'VE SEEN ON MAUI FOR YEARS, THESE GATED COMMUNITY AGRICULTURAL SUBDIVISION.

WE'VE BEEN FIGHTING THIS FOR YEARS.

AGAIN, BECAUSE OF WHO CONTROLS LEGISLATURE.

AND THE PLANNING COMMISSION IS USUALLY PEOPLE WHO COME FROM THE REAL ESTATE AND DEVELOPMENT AND BUILDING INDUSTRIES.

SO THERE'S SO MUCH THAT NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT.

WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY NOW TO SUPPORT OUR AGRICULTURE ESPECIALLY WITH IN MAUI COUNTY, FOR EXAMPLE, WE NOW HAVE A DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND LOTS OF PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT HOW WE NEED FOOD SECURITY AND FOOD INDEPENDENCE.

SO AGAIN, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS LONG OVERDUE.

AND WE NEED TO PUSH FOR THE OPPORTUNITY AGAIN.

WE KNOW WHAT A GATED COMMUNITY HOUSE AND A FARM HOUSE IS.

THESE NEED TO BE LOOKED AT WITH STRINGENT CONTROLS BUT ALSO ALLOWING OF PEOPLE TO DEVELOP HOUSING IN APPROPRIATE PLACES.

>>Yunji: WHAT DO YOU SAY TO LOLA TONIGHT?

>> LIKE MOST OF THE THINGS THAT MOST OF THE ISSUES WE HAVE HERE, IN THE ISLANDS, OVERREGULATION.

AND WE GIVE PRIORITIES LIKE NICK SAID, TO THESE AGRICULTURAL GATED COMMUNITIES WHILE RESTRICTING ACTUAL WORKING FARMS FROM BEING ABLE TO PROVIDE HOUSING.

THERE'S SO MANY OPTIONS RIGHT NOW OF HOW TO BUILD VERY AFFORDABLE AND QUICK HOUSING.

GOT GREAT TECHNOLOGIES AND GREAT BUILDING TECHNIQUES.

BUT WE SEEM TO HAVE ROAD BLOCKS WITH THE REGULATIONS THAT HAVE BEEN PUT IN PLACE.

SO REALISTICALLY, TO SOLVE THE FARMING HOUSING ISSUE, AS WELL AS THE HOUSING ISSUE IN GENERAL, WE NEED TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE REGULATIONS THAT HAVE CONTINUED TO PUT A STRANGLEHOLD ON THE ABILITY FOR PROPERTY OWNERS TO PUT UP AFFORDABLE HOUSING THAT CAN SUPPORT FARM, WORKERS.

>>Yunji: ON THAT SUBJECT OF REGULATION.

GREGORY HAS A QUESTION.

TIES INTO REGULATORY ISSUES.

WHAT ARE YOUR IDEAS FOR DESTINATION MANAGEMENT?

LET'S STICK WITH YOU FOR THE FIRST QUESTION ON THIS.

WE TALK A LOT ABOUT MANAGING TOURISM.

WE KNOW THAT PARTS OF THIS DISTRICT IN PARTICULAR HAVE FELT THE INFLUX OF VISITORS POST PANDEMIC OR WHATEVER SORT OF HOWEVER YOU WOULD PHRASE THE SITUATION THAT WE'RE IN RIGHT NOW.

NOT OUT OF THE PANDEMIC, NOT 2 YEARS AGO.

WHAT DO YOU SAY TO GREGORY FOR YOUR IDEAS FOR DESTINATION MANAGEMENT?

>> THAT'S A REALLY CHALLENGING ONE.

OVERALL, I REALLY FEEL THAT ONE OF THE BIGGEST SOLUTIONS TO DESTINATION MANAGEMENT STEERING OUR ECONOMY AWAY FROM TOURISTS BASED ECONOMY.

WHERE WE FOCUS SO MUCH ON PROVIDING TOURISTS ACCOMMODATIONS AND WE NEED TO GET BACK TO PEOPLE OF HAWAII.

WE NEED TO GET BACK TO THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE HERE AND FOCUS ON BUILDING ECONOMY THAT CAN ACTUALLY SUPPORT THOSE WHO SURVIVE HERE INSTEAD OF JUST THE CORPORATIONS THAT COME IN AND BUILD LARGE HOTELS OR TOURISTS DESTINATIONS.

EDUCATION IS ANOTHER BIG PART.

NEED TO EDUCATE THOSE WHO ARE COMING IN.

IN ADDITION TO THAT, I FEEL LIKE WE NEED TO REVISIT THE TAXATION POLICY ON TOURISTS ON THE TOURISM INDUSTRY IN GENERAL.

MAKING IT SITUATION WHERE IF YOU'RE GOING TO COME TO THE ISLANDS, THEN YOUR TAX MONEY NEEDS TO BENEFIT THOSE PEOPLE WHO ACTUALLY ARE THE RESIDENTS.

>>Yunji: MAHINA, WHAT DO YOU SAY TO GREGORY TONIGHT ABOUT YOUR IDEAS FOR DESTINATION MANAGEMENT?

>> I SUPPORT VERY BOLD TOURISM MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES.

SOMETIMES I KNOW ON MOLOKAI, WE HAVE OUR OWN WAY OF MANAGING TOURISM.

WE'VE BEEN RESISTANT TO DEVELOPING OUR TOURISM INDUSTRY AND IN THE PANDEMIC, THAT SHOWED BECAUSE OUR ECONOMY WASN'T AS HARD HIT BECAUSE WE WEREN'T REALLY RELIANT ON TOURISM.

WE WERE THE FIRST ISLAND TO SET A CAP OF ZERO SHORT‑TERM RENTALS.

ZERO VACATION RENTAL AIRB&B LODGING.

NO LONGER BE PERMITTED.

I WAS A LEADER IN THAT EFFORT.

TOOK YEARS TO GET IT PASSED.

TOOK A CHANGE IN GUARD AT THE COUNCIL TO GET IT PASSED.

OVER THE PANDEMIC, WE'VE SEEN OUR ENVIRONMENT REALLY COMING BACK TO LIFE.

SO WE KNOW THAT TOURISM MANAGEMENT IS ALSO STRONGLY DESIRED.

OUR COUNTY HAS BEEN TAKING PRETTY BOLD STEPS IN CAPPING THE NEW HOTEL ACCOMMODATION DEVELOPMENT, THE COUNCIL ALSO PUT FORWARD LEGISLATION TO THE STATE THAT DIDN'T PASS YET, THAT WOULD ALLOW THE COUNTIES TO REGULAR AMOUNT OF TOURISTS CARS ON THE ROAD.

IN JUNE, RECEIVED AWARD FROM HTA ABOUT $34 MILLION TO START REALLY TAKING A DIFFERENT LOOK AT TOURISM AND REALLY GETTING TO MANAGEMENT AND AWAY FROM MARKETING.

REALLY EXCITED TO SEE WHAT COMES BACK OF THAT.

I'LL JUST STOP THERE.

BUT I SUPPORT TOURISM MANAGEMENT.

>>Yunji: NICK, WHAT ABOUT YOU?

WHAT IS YOUR TAKE ON THIS?

>> REALLY GOOD THAT THE HAWAII TOURISM AUTHORITY CANNOT GET THE CONTRACT.

THEY WERE GIVEN USING MAHINA FIGURE OF 34 MILLION, THEY WERE GIVEN $80 MILLION TO MARKET HAWAII.

WHICH IS JUST ABSURD.

WE HAVE, THERE'S GOING TO BE PEOPLE WHO WILL GOING TO WANT TO COME TO HAWAII.

AND OF COURSE, I'M SPECIFICALLY LIVING IN MAUI.

AND WE SAW DURING THE PANDEMIC THE ROAD WAS BLOCKED RIGHT NEAR WHERE I LIVE, WHERE PEOPLE DRIVING OUT TO HANA.

AND YOU COULD SEE THE, IT WAS JUST SO NICE TO, IF YOU DID GO OUT, THERE WAS NO ONE ON THE ROAD.

AND SO WE NEED TO DIVERSIFY THE ECONOMY.

THERE'S A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS, A LOT OF DIFFERENT IDEAS.

ONES THAT I HAVEN'T EVEN THOUGHT OF, TO DIVERSIFY THE ECONOMY.

SO WE DO NEED TO MANAGE OUR TOURISM NUMBERS.

THERE'S CARRYING CAPACITY FOR EACH ISLAND.

AND HERE IN MAUI, OUR COMMUNITY PLAN, GENERAL PLAN, HAS A CARRYING CAPACITY.

AND WE KEEP ON BREAKING IT.

I THINK IT'S LIKE A THIRD OF TOURISTS TO RESIDENTS AND WE OFTEN GO TO HALF OF THE PEOPLE ON MAUI ARE VISITORS.

NOW, I HAVE BEEN TO ALL 50 STATES AND 50 PLUS COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD.

SO I TRAVELED.

SO I DON'T WANT TO STOP PEOPLE FROM COMING HERE.

BUT AGAIN, HAVING A FATHER FOR EXAMPLE THAT WAS DISABLED, TRIPLE AMPUTEE FROM WORLD WAR II, HE COULD NOT BE ABLE TO GET AROUND.

SO ACCOMMODATIONS NEEDS TO BE MADE FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED.

SO YOU CAN'T JUST SAY, EVERYBODY HAS TO THEN GO A CERTAIN PLACE AND CAN'T GO SOMEPLACE ELSE.

BUT WE OBVIOUSLY KNOW THAT TOURISM HAS BEEN DESTROYING THIS STATE.

NOW, THERE'S A LOT OF MOVEMENT TOWARDS BEING ABLE TO MANAGE TOURISM A DIFFERENT WAY.

>>Yunji: WE HAVE JUST A FEW MINUTES LEFT.

THIS IS UNFORTUNATELY THE LAST QUESTION HAVE FOR YOU TONIGHT.

I DO WANT TO GET A LITTLE PERSONAL AND FIND OUT FROM EACH OF YOU JUST IN THE FEW MINUTES WE HAVE LEFT, WHAT IN YOUR OWN PERSONAL EXPERIENCE AND LIFE EXPERIENCE, DO YOU FEEL MAKES YOU UNIQUELY QUALIFIED TO HOLD THIS SEAT?

WE'LL START WITH YOU.

>> WOW, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE QUESTION.

THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO BE HERE AND SHARE WITH THE COMMUNITY.

YOU KNOW, I'VE BEEN, FOR 30 YEARS, I'VE BEEN INVOLVED IN MAUI COUNTY.

NINE YEARS I WAS PRODUCER AND HOST OF MAUI COUNTY AKAKU.

LOCAL PUBLIC ACCESS.

I REMEMBER EVERY TUESDAY NIGHT.

MAUI TALKS TV.

ALSO WAS A TEACHER BOTH IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND MAUI SITE OF HAWAII JOB CORE.

SOME OF YOU OUT THERE MAY HAVE BEEN MY FORMER STUDENTS.

THE QUALITY OF LIFE IS SIGNIFICANT ISSUES FACING THESE MOSTLY RURAL AREAS.

AND SO MY TRAVEL, HAVE I BACHELORS DEGREE AND A MASTERS DEGREE.

I HAVE NUMEROUS ACADEMIC CREDENTIAL.

SERVED ON FEW BOARDS OF DIRECTORS.

I ALSO SERVED ON COUNTY COMMISSIONS.

FOR TWO YEARS I WAS VOLUNTEER MEDIATOR WITH THE SMALL CLAIMS DIVISION OF THE DISTRICT COURT.

SO I HAVE EXTENSIVE UNIQUE QUALITIES.

I HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN THE COMMUNITY FOR YEARS.

BOTH AS AN ACTIVIST AND AS A VOLUNTEER.

AND SO ALL OF THE BACKGROUND THAT I HAVE, REALLY WOULD PLUS A MAJOR ONE THAT I TALK ABOUT, IS WE HAVE OVER HALF THE COMMUNITY‑ >>Yunji: I HAVE TO LET YOU LEAVE IT THERE.

I'M SO SORRY.

WE NEED TO GET TO EVERYBODY.

>> THAT'S FINE.

>>Yunji: TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF AND WHAT IN YOUR UNIQUE, WHAT YOU BRING UNIQUELY TO THIS SEAT.

>> I HAVE A VERY DIVERSE BACKGROUND.

EXPERIENCED EVERYTHING FROM BEING A CHILDHOOD ACTOR, TO BEING EMT, TO BEING PROFESSIONAL SPORTS COACH.

WORKING WITH AT RISK YOUTH AND CHILDREN FROM THE JUVENILE BACKGROUND.

OVERALL, MY PASSION TO SERVE AND BE OF SERVICE AND TO REALLY WANT TO SEE A BETTER FUTURE FOR OUR NEXT GENERATION.

THAT'S REALLY WHAT IT IS.

IT'S THE SAME THING THAT WHAT QUALIFIED BARTENDER FROM NEW YORK TO BECOME A U.S. CONGRESSWOMAN.

PASSION TO SERVE.

SOMEONE WANTED TO GET UP AND MAKE LIFE BETTER FOR THE NEXT GENERATION.

NO MATTER WHAT MY OVERALL EDUCATION BACKGROUND WHAT I EXPERIENCED.

HEART OF SERVICE WHAT WE NEED OF ELECTED OFFICIALS THIS TIME MORE CRUCIAL THAN EVER.

>>Yunji: MAHINA.

>> I DON'T KNOW ALL OTHER POLITICIANS BUT I KNOW WHO I AM.

I'M BORN AND RAISED NATIVE HAWAIIAN FROM MOLOKAI.

I KNOW THE CORE OF WHO I AM, ALOHA AINA.

UNWAIVERING.

I TAUGHT, ALWAYS BE LIKE MY TOP PRIORITY.

THAT WILL ALWAYS BE THE PART OF ME THAT DOESN'T CHANGE EVER.

SO PROTECTING AND CARING FOR RESOURCE WITHOUT FRESH BREATHABLE AIR, CLEAN DRINKING WATER, FERTILE SOIL, LIVING REEFS, ATMOSPHERE THAT CAN STILL TOLERATE HUMAN LIFE, DON'T EXIST.

I THINK IN THAT GOES TO CLIMATE CHANGE.

AND THAT IS THE LOOMING ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM.

WE KNOW WHAT WE NEED TO DO TO SLOW IT DOWN.

GIVE OUR NEXT GENERATION FIGHTING CHANCE.

WE'RE NOT DOING IT.

THAT'S WHAT I BRING.

URGENCY AND THAT IS A TOP PRIORITY FOR ME.

BUILD RESILIENCE AND BUILD COMMUNITIES FOR WHAT'S COMING.

ALONGSIDE THAT AT THE SAME TIME, BRINGING RELIEF TO THE EVERY DAY IN FRONT OF OUR FACE ISSUES THAT AFFECT OUR QUALITY OF LIFE THAT WE'VE BEEN SPEAKING ABOUT THROUGHOUT THIS DISCUSSION TONIGHT.

REALLY HELPING OUR FAMILIES BE ABLE TO MAKE ENDS MEET, REALLY, AND BE ABLE TO THRIVE IN THEIR LIVES ALSO, CORRUPTION PIECE.

GOVERNMENT CORRUPTION.

I WANTED TO SPEAK ABOUT THAT TONIGHT.

THANKS.

>>Yunji: THANK YOU SO MUCH.

TIME DOES GO QUITE FAST.

THANK OUR GUESTS.

WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK OUR GUESTS, THE CANDIDATES FOR HAWAII STATE HOUSE DISTRICT 13: GREEN PARTY CANDIDATE NICK NIKHILANANDA, DEMOCRATIC PARTY CANDIDATE MAHINA POEPOE AND REPUBLICAN PARTY CANDIDATE SCOTT ADAM.

AS WE GET READY FOR OUR NEXT SEGMENT.

PLEASE ENJOY THIS HIKI NO STORY FROM THE STUDENT JOURNALISTS FROM HANA, MAUI.

HEART OF KAPU KIPAHI.

TRADITION OF FISHING PRACTICE.

HANA FISHERMEN EXPLAINS PROCESS OF HOW IT'S GATHER AND IMPORTANCE TO OUR COMMUNITY.

>> WHOLE PURPOSE IS THE FISH WE CAN, FOR THE COMMUNITY ACTUALLY.

COMMUNITY USE.

EVERYBODY IN THE COMMUNITY HAVE FISH.

>> FIRST THING WE DO IS MAKE SURE THAT THE NET IS LOADED UP IN THE BOAT.

THAT IS TOP PRIORITY.

THEN KILO MAN, JOB IS TO LOOK WHERE THE FISH ARE.

IF THE FISH IS IN THE BAY, OR SPOT WHERE WE CAN GO AND GET IT, THEN HE'LL GET MY JOB IS TO GO GET THE PADDLERS.

>> WE GET OUT THERE.

WORKING WITH THE KILO, UNCLE BLONDIE, HE'S ON THE SHORELINE.

AND WE'RE IN THE WATER.

WE HAVE COMMUNICATION WITH RADIO.

AND ALL POSSIBLE, ALL WATCHING THE FISH.

HE'LL LET US KNOW WHEN IT'S TIME TO GO, AND PICK UP THE NET, START FROM THERE.

AND GO AROUND THE PILE.

>> THEN WE HAVE THE BUS BOAT.

THEIR JOB IS TO GO AROUND AND AROUND IN THE NET, SO THAT THE FISH BE SCARED AND GO TO THE NET.

AND THEN WE CAN BRING IT UP.

SO WHAT THEY DO WHEN THEY'RE DONE, STAY OVER THERE.

THEN THEY'LL HELP RANDY AND WHOEVER PADDLES WITH HIM, THEY'RE THERE TO HELP PICK UP THE NET, TAKE THE BOAT UP TO THE HOUSE, WE DO EVERYBODY COMES BACK BY THE WHOLE COMMUNITY.

WHATEVER PEOPLE COME FROM THE COMMUNITY AND TAKE OUT THE FISH, PUT THEM IN THE COOLER, ICE THEM DOWN, AND THEN MAHELE THE FISH.

>> MEANS TO DIVIDE AND SHARE.

SHARE WITH THE COMMUNITY.

THIS TRADITION IS MULTIGENERATIONAL TOOL THAT TEACHES RESPECT, HARD WORK, PATIENCE, DISCIPLINE AND ULTIMATELY, KULEANA.

KULEANA TO OUR OCEAN, TO OUR RUNNING STREAMS, TO OUR OHANA AND TO OUR ANCESTRAL LANDS.

HOWEVER, BECAUSE OF THE DEPLETION OF OCEAN LIFE AND OVERFISHING IN THE WATERS OFF OF HANA, THE TRADITION IS ENDANGERED.

>> CHANGE A LOT.

FROM 20 YEARS AGO, AND BEYOND THAT, IT WAS EASY TO GET AKULI.

NOW, IT'S RARE.

GETTING LESS.

GETTING LESS AND GETTING LESS.

>> FROM HANA K‑12 SCHOOLS SIGNING FOR HIKI NO.

ALOHA AND WELCOME BACK TO INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAII.

STATE HOUSE DISTRICT 36 USED TO BE LOCATED IN MILILANI AND SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOODS BUT AFTER REDISTRICTING, DISTRICT 36 IS NOW MADE UP ENTIRELY OF CENTRAL WAIPAHU.

THE NEWLY REAPPORTIONED DISTRICT WILL LOOK TO ELECT A FIRST TIME LEGISLATOR.

WE APPRECIATE YOUR CONTINUED PARTICIPATION PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL US WITH YOUR QUESTIONS.

YOU CAN ALSO JOIN THE CONVERSATION ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE.

LET’S MEET OUR GUESTS, THE CANDIDATES FOR STATE HOUSE DISTRICT 36.

DEMOCRAT RACHELE LAMOSAO WAS RAISED IN WAIPAHU.

SHE IS THE DAUGHTER OF FILIPINO IMMIGRANTS AND GRADUATED FROM WAIPAHU HIGH SCHOOL.

SHE HAS A BA IN POLITICAL SCIENCE FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT MANOA.

SHE IS CURRENTLY AN OFFICE MANAGER AT THE STATE LEGUSLATURE.

REPUBLICAN VEAMONITI LAUTAHA WAS BORN AND RAISED IN TONGA.

HE MOVED TO HAWAII TO ATTEND BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY.

HE HAS EARNED A MASTERS AND A PHD IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY.

HE OWNS ONELEAF TECHNOLOGY, INC. AND IS ALSO THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE TONGAN COMMUNITY OF HAWAII.

WELCOME TO YOU BOTH.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

AS WE SAID RIGHT AT THE START, THIS SEAT WILL HOLD FIRST TIME LAWMAKER.

I'M INTERESTED TO KNOW WHY YOU EACH DECIDED TO STEP INTO THE RACE.

START WITH YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME, MYSELF AND TO BE HERE.

AT PBS FOR THE FIRST TIME.

AND GRATEFUL TO BE HERE WITH ROCHELLE TO SHARE SOME OF OUR THOUGHTS ABOUT DISTRICT 36.

WHY I RUN, THIS GREAT NATION UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, GAVE ME AN OPPORTUNITY TO GAIN EDUCATION HERE IN AMERICA AND TO START A FAMILY.

GAVE ME EMPLOYMENT.

AND ALSO, BECOME A BUSINESS OWNER.

NOW, IT IS TIME TO GIVE BACK TO MY COMMUNITY.

ALSO TO THIS GREAT NATION OF AMERICA.

>>Yunji: WHAT ABOUT YOU?

WHY CAN YOU DECIDE TO THROW YOUR HAT IN THE RING.

GREW UP IN WAIPAHU.

I'VE DEDICATED MY LIFE TO SERVING MY COMMUNITY.

I WORKED AT THE LEGISLATURE FOR WAIPAHU REPRESENTATIVE.

ALSO BEEN SERVING WIPE NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD FOR MANY YEARS.

SERVED ADVISORY BOARDMEMBER FOR THE WAIPAHU HIGH SCHOOL AND NATURAL SCIENCES ACADEMY.

HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE ALONG SIDE OTHER LEGISLATORS AT THE STATE LEGISLATURE.

AND TO SERVE STATE AND MY COMMUNITY.

>>Yunji: INTERESTED GIVEN ALL OF THAT EXPERIENCE, TELL US WHAT YOU THINK IS THE BIGGEST ISSUE FACING THE DISTRICT AND WHAT SPECIFICALLY THE STATE CAN DO ABOUT IT.

>> SURE.

SO AS I'VE BEEN WALKING THROUGHOUT THE DISTRICT, I NOTICED THAT A LOT OF THE CONCERNS ARE ABOUT COST OF LIVING HERE IN HAWAII.

A LOT OF MY FRIEND, FAMILIES, MORE THAN I CAN COUNT IN MY HANDS MOVED TO LIKE STATES LIKE NEVADA.

WASHINGTON STATE, ARIZONA, WHERE THERE IS LESS FINANCIAL BURDENS AND LESS TAXES ON THINGS LIKE FOOD.

AND EVEN INCOME.

SO I WANT TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE FOR THE STATE OF HAWAII AND FOR OUR LOCAL FAMILIES BY LOOKING AT INITIATIVES LIKE CUTTING OUR INCOME TAX FOR OUR LOCAL FAMILIES.

ALSO BEEN A SINGLE MOTHER MYSELF FOR 7 YEARS.

MAYBE PROVIDING OTHER IS ASSISTANCE PAID FAMILY LEAVE SO FAMILIES CAN FOCUS ON RAISING THEIR CHILDREN AND ALSO ELDERLY FAMILY MEMBERS AS WELL.

>>Yunji: WHAT ABOUT YOU?

WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE BIGGEST ISSUE FACING THE DISTRICT AND WHAT SPECIFICALLY CAN THE STATE DO TO HELP.

>> HOUSING CRISIS IN WAIPAHU.

TELL GOING TO DOOR‑TO‑DOOR DAILY BASIS MULTIPLE FAMILIES LIVES IN ONE HOUSE.

NOT ONLY THAT, ONE INDICATION IS TALKING STREET OVERFLOW.

SO MANY PEOPLE LIVE IN ONE PLACE.

ON TOP OF THAT, CRIME.

SO WAIPAHU, GO DOOR‑TO‑DOOR, ALL HOUSE HAS GATE.

GATED IRON GATE WITH IRON DOOR WITH IRON WINDOWS.

AND THEY PUT CAMERAS ALL OVER.

I REMEMBER LIKE TWO DAYS AGO, SPEAK TO ONE OF THE FATHERS.

CONCERNED, GUY STOLE IN WAIPAHU OF POLICE CAME.

GOT THE GUY I GUESS NEVER PUT HIM IN JAIL.

SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

THAT IS ONE INDICATION CRIME ONE OF THE TOP ISSUES IN WAIPAHU.

SECOND OF ALL, GUY BEHIND MIDAS, LITTLE PLACE.

CONCERNED ABOUT THE STEALING OF CATALYTIC CONVERTER FROM THE AREA.

>>Yunji: YOU BOTH MENTIONED AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND CHALLENGES OF FINDING HOUSING IN THAT COMMUNITY.

SOMETHING WE HEAR THROUGH THE THE STATE.

ONE THING GOES HAND IN GLOVE WHICH IS HOMELESSNESS.

WHAT DO YOU THINK THE STATE COULD DO TO ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS?

>> THANK YOU.

I THINK THIS ISSUE IS NOT A NEW CONCERN OR ANY ISSUE FOR THE STATE OF HAWAII.

THIS ISSUE IS WE HAVE BEEN WITH THIS ISSUE FOR THE LONG TIME.

HAVE A SISTER WORKED FOR SOCIAL WORKER.

HERE IN HAWAII.

SHE MENTIONED THAT'S AN ONGOING ISSUE HERE IN HAWAII.

I THINK THAT PERSONALLY FOR WAIPAHU, NEED TO IDENTIFY, IDENTIFY WHAT IS THE PROBLEM.

WHAT WE CAN DO AND WE CAN COME UP WITH SOLUTIONS.

WE CAN UNITE.

NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS.

PERHAPS MAYBE CHURCHES IN WAIPAHU.

17.

AS FAR AS I KNOW.

COLLABORATE AND INCORPORATE TO COME UP WITH A SOLUTION TO CARE FOR THIS HOMELESSNESS IN WAIPAHU.

THEY ARE OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS.

>>Yunji: WHAT IS YOUR TAKE HOW THE STATE CAN CAN BETTER ADDRESS THIS ISSUE?

>> AS I'VE BEEN TALKING TO STAKEHOLDERS AND JUST TO THE COMMUNITY IN GENERAL, IT'S SEEMS THERE'S A LACK OF PROFESSIONALS TO ADDRESS SOME OF THE MENTAL CONCERNS, SOME OF THE SAFETY CONCERNS, ESPECIALLY OUR RESOURCES FOR POLICE AND MANPOWER.

SO THERE IS I THINK, LAYERS THAT GO BEYOND TO ADDRESSING HOMELESSNESS.

ALL OF THESE THINGS NEED TO BE FUNDED.

WE NEED TO FUND MORE PROGRAMS AND FOR PROGRAMS TO HIRE MORE SOCIAL WORK PROFESSIONALS AND TO HIRE MORE LAW ENFORCEMENT.

SO THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO SERVICE AREAS SUCH AS PLACES IN WAIPAHU, ON A REGULAR BASIS.

AND THEN ALSO, IDENTIFYING, YEAH, SERVICES OR THE NONPROFITS IN OUR COMMUNITY SO THAT WE CAN UNITE TOGETHER AND ADDRESS THE HOMELESS CONCERNS IN OUR COMMUNITY AS WELL.

>>Yunji: WE WOULD LIKE TO BRING IN VIEWER QUESTIONS THIS PERSON SENT IN A QUESTION TO OUR PROGRAM EARLIER IN THE HOUR.

SPECIFY THAT'S FOR BOTH RACES.

I WANT TO READ IT AGAIN.

WE'LL START WITH YOU ON THIS.

IT SAYS PRESIDENT BIDEN TOOK STEPS TO PERHAPS DECRIMINALIZE MARIJUANA ON A FEDERAL LEVEL.

IS IT TIME TO LEGALIZE RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA IN HAWAII?

WHAT IS YOUR TAKE?

>> STATE HAS LEGALIZED MEDICAL MARIJUANA.

ALLOWED GROWING OF HEMP.

OTHER STATES THEY'VE HAD SOME CONCERNS ABOUT CROSS‑POLLINATION AND HEMP.

IF WE START TO GROW RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA, AND WE ALREADY HAVE THE MEDICINAL USE, I HAVE THE CONCERN THAT CROSS‑POLLINATION AND IT AFFECTING THE HEMP MARKET.

ALSO, THE REGULATORY SIDE.

WHERE WE HAVE THE RIGHT LAWS TO ENFORCE RECREATIONAL USE.

WILL WE HAVE THE MANPOWER TO ALSO ENFORCE THAT AS WELL.

THAT IS SOME OF THE CONCERNS I WOULD HAVE IN RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA.

IN THE STATE OF HAWAII.

>>Yunji: IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT YOU WOULD SUPPORT?

>> I'M OPEN TO THE IDEA.

I JUST WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS SOME OF THOSE CONCERNS FIRST.

>>Yunji: WHAT DO YOU SAY TO KENT IN KAILUA?

WHAT IS YOUR TAKE ON RECREATIONAL HAWAII?

>> MAN OF FAITH AND SEMINARY TEACHER FOR MY CHURCH, I TEACH MY STUDENTS WORD OF WISDOM, NO SMOKING, NO TOBACCO, NO ALCOHOL.

WOULDN'T MAKE SENSE TO SAY I SUPPORT IT AND TEACH MY KIDS DON'T SMOKE MARIJUANA.

MY STAND OVER HERE, WE NEED TO LOOK REALLY LOOK INTO THAT.

TALK A SURVEY.

WHAT THE PEOPLE OF HAWAII THINK ABOUT IT.

ESPECIALLY MY CONSTITUENT IN WAIPAHU.

WHAT DO THEY THINK ABOUT LEGALIZING RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA?

WE ALREADY HAVE AN ISSUE WOULD LIKE MEDICINAL USE OF MARIJUANA.

BECAUSE WHEN PEOPLE ARE SMOKING, WE SMOKE TOO.

IF THEY'RE SMOKING CLOSE TO US.

>>Yunji: OKAY.

I'M INTERESTED TO KNOW, WHAT I'M HEARING IS NO FROM YOU ON THAT?

>> YES.

>>Yunji: WAIPAHU IS PRETTY NOTORIOUS FOR ILLEGAL FIREWORKS.

DO YOU THINK THE STATE CAN DO ANYTHING TO ADDRESS THAT ISSUE?

>> I THINK THEY ALREADY DID.

THERE'S A LAW.

>>Yunji: MAY BE A LAW BUT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE IT'S QUITE BEING FOLLOWED.

>> YES.

I GUESS WAIPAHU, VERY BIG ON THAT.

ESPECIALLY ON NEW YEAR.

AND 4TH OF JULY.

FLY WHOLE TOWN OF WAIPAHU.

BUT YEAH, I THINK WE SHOULD INVOLVE COPS FOR THEM TO PATROL MORE OFTEN IN WAIPAHU AND LOOK FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE ACTUALLY DOING FIREWORKS ON ANY GIVEN TIME.

>>Yunji: DO YOU THINK IS A PROBLEM FOR THE COMMUNITY?

OR PART OF CULTURE OF WAIPAHU?

>> I THINK IT'S SOME PART, IT IS.

BUT ALSO, IT IS A BIG CONCERN.

BECAUSE THERE ARE A LOT OF ELDERLY FOCUS THAT LIVE IN OUR COMMUNITY, I NOTICED WHEN I TALK TO STAKEHOLDERS, AGAIN, LIKE OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT, THEY SAY THAT MOST PEOPLE DO NOT WANT TO FOLLOW UP AFTER THEY HAVE REPORTED THE FIREWORKS THAT WERE ROLLING UP NEXTDOOR.

THAT'S ONE ISSUE.

LACK OF ENFORCEMENT IN THAT AREA ESPECIALLY WHEN WE DO HAVE GOODS THAT COME IN.

DON'T HAVE ENOUGH INSPECTORS IN OUR SHIPYARDS TO MAKE SURE THAT ILLEGAL CONTRABAND THINGS LIKE FIREWORKS DO NOT COME INTO OUR STATE.

SO WE NEED TO RELOOK AT WHAT WE CAN DO AT THE FOREFRONT OF RECEIVING GOODS TO MAKE SURE THINGS LIKE ILLEGAL FIREWORKS ARE NOT COMING INTO OUR STATE.

>>Yunji: ONE OF THE THINGS PANDEMIC REALLY EXPOSED WAS RELIANCE ON GOODS AND SERVICE FROM THE CONTINENT.

SPECIFICALLY WHEN IT COMES TO FOOD.

MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT HAWAII HAS ABOUT LESS THAN A WEEK OF FOOD ON HAND ANY GIVEN TIME SHOULD THE SHIPS STOP.

WEAKNESSES BROUGHT TO THE FOREFRONT.

WHAT DO YOU THINK THE LEGISLATURE CAN DO TO HAWAII'S FOOD SECURITY AND SUPPORT LOCAL AGRICULTURE?

>> THERE IS A GROWING NEED FOR AGRICULTURE GROWING FOOD IN HAWAII.

ONE WAY TO SUPPORT OUR LOCAL FARMERS IS TO MAKE SURE WE BUY LOCAL.

AND THEN ALSO TO PROVIDE THE STATE CAN ALSO PROVIDE MORE LAND FOR OUR LOCAL FARMERS AND RANCHERS.

AND ALSO PROVIDING OTHER SERVICES FOR LIKE COMPLIANCE AND MAKING SURE THEY ARE MEETING NECESSARY BUSINESS REGULATIONS, FOOD REGULATIONS, THINGS LIKE THAT, THAT IS ONE WAY WE CAN SUPPORT OUR LOCAL FARMERS.

AND I KNOW THERE IS A BIG NEED FOR FARM LABOR.

FOR SOME OF OUR CURRENT FARM OPERATIONS.

IT'S SO HARD TO FIND WORKERS AT THE MOMENT.

SO WHAT ARE SOME WAYS THAT WE CAN INCENTIVIZE FOCUS TO WORK ON A FARM.

SO MAYBE WE CAN LOOK AGAIN AT SOME INCENTIVES LIKE CUTTING OUR INCOME TAX, SO THAT WAY, MAYBE OUR FARMERS CAN PROVIDE MORE INCOME TO THEIR FARM WORKERS AND FARM LABOR.

>>Yunji: WHAT DO YOU THINK THE STATE CAN DO TO BETTER ENHANCE FOOD SECURITY?

>> LET ME TELL YOU THIS, ALMOST EVERY HOME IN WAIPAHU, THEY PLANT ALL KIND FOOD OUTSIDE.

THAT'S AN INDICATION THAT WE NEED LOCAL FOOD HERE IN HAWAII.

FOOD SUPPLIES, FOOD SECURITY, FOOD SUSTAINABILITY.

ONE OF THE THINGS I THINK IS INCORPORATING IDEA GROWING FOOD HERE IN HAWAII IN THE SCHOOL CURRICULUM.

PUBLIC SCHOOL, UNIVERSITIES.

WE'RE FAR AWAY FROM THE MAINLAND.

I'M TELLING YOU THAT.

WE'RE FAR AWAY FROM THE MAINLAND.

AND THERE IS NO TECHNOLOGY THAT CAN PROVIDE US FOOD IN LIKE AN HOUR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

SO WE NEED TO EDUCATE OUR PEOPLE HERE IN HAWAII.

TO LEARN HOW TO GROW FOOD.

HOW TO COOK, HOW TO PREPARE AND EAT IT, TELL ME PEOPLE KNOW HOW TO COOK.

NOT VERY MANY PEOPLE KNOW HOW TO DO THAT.

SCHOOL CURRICULUM, INCORPORATE IDEA OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD SUPPLIES.

LEGISLATORS NEED TO THAT MINDSET.

THIS IS THE ISLANDS OF HAWAII.

UNDER UNITED STATES OF AMERICA BUT ISLAND OF HAWAII.

>>Yunji: ASK YOU ABOUT PUBLIC CORRUPTION.

HIGH PROFILE PUBLIC CORRUPTION CASES IN THE LEGISLATURE AND OTHER PARTS OF GOVERNMENT THROUGHOUT THE STATE UNFORTUNATELY.

IN THE LAST YEAR OR SO.

TO PEOPLE WHO ARE SORT OF FRUSTRATED WITH WHOLE SYSTEM, WHAT DO YOU SAY TO THEM, WHAT IS YOUR TAKE ON HOW WE CAN BETTER ADDRESS ELIMINATING CORRUPTION IN PUBLIC SPACES LIKE THE GOVERNMENT?

>> WELL, THANK YOU.

I MEAN, SOLUTION ALWAYS LONGTERM.

AND SHORT TERM.

SO I MEAN, LONGTERM, FAMILY.

FAMILY IS MOST IMPORTANT UNIT IN SOCIETY.

MOM AND DAD, AND CHILDREN.

THEY ARE THE SMALL GOVERNMENT IN OUR SOCIETY.

IF MOM AND DAD STAYS HOME, AND HELPS EDUCATING KIDS TEACH THEM WHAT TO DO, HOW TO BEHAVE, GOOD IN SOCIETY.

PERHAPS ELIMINATE SOME OF THE CRIME AND CORRUPTION.

THEY'LL TAKE THE MINDSET WITH THEM ALL THE WAY FROM HIGH SCHOOL ALL THE WAY TO COLLEGE AND ALL THE WAY TO EMPLOYMENT.

NOT ONLY THAT, MAYBE FOR SHORT TELL, NEED TO UTILIZE TECHNOLOGY.

TRACK SOME OF THE TRANSACTION, COMMUNICATION.

WE'RE USE TECHNOLOGY TO TRACE AND TRACK, PERHAPS CAN HELP US TO IDENTIFY WHERE THE SOURCE OF CORRUPTION ARE COMING FROM.

>>Yunji: WHAT IS YOUR TAKE ON PUBLIC CORRUPTION?

HOW PROFILE SCANDALS.

HOW DO WE RESTORE TRUST IN PUBLIC GOVERNMENT.

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION.

THOSE CASES ALONE DEVASTATED OUR STATE AND ESPECIALLY OUR COMMUNITY.

SO I'M HEARING FROM THE PUBLIC IS THAT THEY WANT MORE TRANSPARENCY.

THEY WENT TO BE ABLE TO TRUST OUR GOVERNMENT.

AND ONE WAY THE LEGISLATURE CAN START DOING THAT BY EVEN OPENING UP THE TESTIMONY TIME.

RIGHT NOW, FOCUS ARE ALLOWED TO SUBMIT TESTIMONY 24 HOURS AFTER A HEARING NOTICE.

MAYBE EXPANDING THAT TIME TO 48 HOURS OR EVEN LONGER TO ALLOW THE PUBLIC TO PARTICIPATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS.

AND TO ALLOW THEM TO REVIEW THE LAWS THOROUGHLY TO PROVIDE THEIR SUGGESTIONS OR RECOMMENDATIONS TO THINGS AND SO WE CAN JUST BE MORE TRANSPARENT AND BUILD THE PUBLIC TRUST WITH THE GOVERNMENT.

>>Yunji: ONE OF THE THINGS THAT HAS GAINED TRACTION IN THIS CONVERSATION IS IDEA OF TERM LIMITS.

WHAT IS YOUR TAKE ON THAT?

>> I AM OPEN TO THE IDEA OF TERM LIMITS.

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE INSTITUTIONAL KNOWLEDGE.

TAKES TIME TO BUILD THAT.

RELATIONSHIPS WENT LEGISLATURE, ALSO TAKES TIME.

SO BEFORE WE EVEN ADDRESS TERM LIMITS WE ALSO HAVE TO IDENTIFY HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE FOR US TO BUILD THAT INSTITUTIONAL KNOWLEDGE.

I WORK AT THE LEGISLATURE, SOMETIMES READING THE BUDGET CAN BE VERY CUMBERSOME AND CAN BE CONFUSING.

SO I HAVE TO REACH OUT TO MY COLLEAGUES TO FIND ANSWERS AND TO CERTAIN THINGS.

SO I THINK JUST NEED TO LOOK AT INSTITUTIONAL KNOWLEDGE AND PUTTING IMPORTANCE IN THAT.

>>Yunji: WHAT'S YOUR TAKE ON TERM LIMITS?

SHOULD WE HAVE THEM IN HAWAII?

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE, WHEN THEY FOUND OUT THAT I'M RUNNING FOR THIS POLITICAL OFFICE, THAT IS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THEY TOLD ME.

AT LEAST SUPPORT.

TERM LIMITS.

THE REASON WHY BECAUSE TERM LIMITS MAKES LEGISLATORS ACCOUNTABLE FOR WHAT THEY'RE DOING BECAUSE YOU GO IN, YOU KNOW EXACTLY ONLY HAVE 2 YEARS.

GO IN, DO WHATEVER YOU CAN WHATEVER PROJECT NEEDS TO BE DELIVERED, TO DELIVER IN A TIMELY MANNER.

AND NOT ONLY THAT, HELPS OTHER DEPARTMENTS IN THE GOVERNMENT DO THEIR JOBS TOO.

>>Yunji: I ASKED THIS ONE OF IN THE LAST PANEL.

VERY INTERESTED IN YOUR RESPONSE.

WE'LL ASK IT OF YOU BOTH AS WELL.

WHAT IS UNIQUE IN YOUR LIFE EXPERIENCE DO YOU BRING TO THIS OFFICE IF YOU WERE TO HOLD THIS SEAT, WHAT IN INN YOUR LIFE EXPERIENCE DO YOU THINK WILL HELP YOU SERVE.

>> I'M A PEOPLE PERSON.

I AM A SCHOOL TEACHER.

SUBSTITUTE TEACHER FOR HAWAII SCHOOL.

SEMINARY TEACHER FOR CHURCH.

RETURNED IN HAWAII 2013.

CHAIRPERSON OF THE TONGAN COMMUNITY OF HAWAII.

I LOVE TO WORK WITH PEOPLE.

I SERVE ON MISSION FOR MY CHURCH THIS NEW ZEALAND.

LIKE 1998 TO 2000.

I LOVE TO TALK TO PEOPLE AND I BELIEVE THAT ALLOWS ME TO BE VERY EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT LEADER IF ELECTED MUCH.

>>Yunji: WHAT ABOUT YOU?

WHAT ABOUT IN YOUR PERSONAL LIFE EXPERIENCE, WHAT HAS SORT OF LED TO YOU THIS POINT THAT YOU THINK BRINGS YOU UNIQUE ABILITIES TO THIS SEAT?

>> THANK YOU.

SO LIKE YOU SAY, I GREW UP IN WAIPAHU.

WAIPAHU IS MY HOME.

EVER SINCE I COULD WALK, I REMEMBER BEING AT THE CHURCH AND SERVING THE PEOPLE THERE.

AND THAT HAS BEEN MY LIFELONG COMMITMENT.

JUST TO SERVE THE PEOPLE OF WAIPAHU.

AND ALSO, I'VE BEEN A SINGLE MOM FOR 7 YEARS NOW.

AND I WANT TO BE ABLE TO LEAVE A LEGACY ESPECIALLY IN WAIPAHU, SO THAT MY SON CAN LOOK FORWARD TO LIVING THERE.

OUR HOME THAT WE LIVE IN RIGHT NOW, AND BE ABLE TO SAY THAT THIS IS MY HOME.

AND I'M GOING TO LIVE HERE FOREVER.

I WANT PEOPLE JUST LIKE MYSELF TO, COME BACK TO HAWAII AND FIND A HOME HERE.

>>Yunji: ON THAT TOPIC, I'M INTERESTED TO KNOW WHAT DO YOU THINK WE CAN DO TO DIVERSIFY THE ECONOMY?

IF YOUR SON AND MY CHILDREN AND YOUR SON, AS WELL, I KNOW WE'RE ALL PARENTS ON THIS PANEL.

WANT TO STAY IN HAWAII.

FIND GOOD PAYING JOBS.

WHAT KIND OF FUTURE CAN WE GUARANTEE THEM WITHOUT DIVERSIFYING THE ECONOMY?

WHAT DO YOU THINK THE STATE SPECIFICALLY CAN DO THAT TO THAT END?

>> ONE THING IS THAT HAWAII IS SO SPECIAL, EVERYONE WANTS A PIECE OF PARADISE.

ONE DAY, ONE THING, CAPITALIZE AGRICULTURE.

WE CAN SHIP VALUE ADDED ITEMS AND FRESH PRODUCE AROUND THE WORLD.

SO INSTEAD PUTTING FOCUS ON JUST TOURISM, WHY NOT PUT A FOCUS ON CAPITALIZING OUR GOODS THAT WE CAN PROVIDE TO THE WORLD THAT EVERYBODY WANTS.

THAT IS ONE WAY WE CAN DEFINITELY DIVERSIFY OUR ECONOMY.

SUPPORTING LOCAL FARMERS IN THAT SENSE PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES TO CREATE THESE VALUE ADDED ITEM.

>> HOW THINK WE CAN BEST DIVERSIFY ECONOMY SO ALL OF OUR CHILDREN AND WATCHING AT HOME HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO STAY IN THE ISLANDS?

>> THANK YOU.

REMEMBER BACK IN 2020, THERE WAS A LONG LINE IN COSTCO PEOPLE GOING FOR FOOD FOR WATER.

AND TOLD, ONLY CAN TAKE TWO CASES OF WATER FROM COSTCO.

SO AGRICULTURE IS A GOOD THING.

KEY FOR THE STATE OF HAWAII.

AGAIN, WE ARE FAR AWAY FROM THE MAINLAND.

WE NEED AGRICULTURE.

WE NEED TO ALSO BRING IN THE INDUSTRY OF ART AND CRAFTS OF THE ONE THING IS UNIQUE ABOUT HAWAII.

PEOPLE ALL OVER WORLD WANT TO COME TO HAWAII TO LOOK AT THINGS THAT BEEN MADE IN HAWAII.

NOT CHINA OR MEXICO OR ANYWHERE ELSE.

MADE HERE IN HAWAII.

AND ANOTHER THING IS TECHNOLOGY.

WE NEED TO MAKE PARTNERSHIPS.

IF ELECTED, I WANT TO MAKE SURE WHETHER WE HAVE PARTNERSHIP WITH GOOGLE.

FACEBOOK, AMAZON.

BUILD LONGTERM RELATIONSHIP SO CHILDREN IN PUBLIC SCHOOL, HIGH SCHOOL, LEARNING EXPERIENCE FROM TECHNOLOGICAL COMPANY.

MAYBE GRADUATED FROM UNIVERSITY, CAN WORK FROM HOME.

>>Yunji: HAVE ABOUT 2 MINUTES LEFT.

I WILL ASK FOR A FINAL STATEMENT.

I KNOW THAT YOU BOTH HAVE BEEN GOING DOOR‑TO‑DOOR.

AS YOU GO AND POUND THE PAVEMENT, WHEN YOU'RE MAKING THAT FINAL PITCH TO FOCUS, WHAT DO YOU SAY TO THEM AND WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY TO THE FOCUS WATCHING TONIGHT ABOUT WHY THEY SHOULD PLACE THEIR TRUST IN NEW?

>> WAIPAHU, THANK YOU SO MUCH THANK YOU FOR WATCHING OUR SHOW TONIGHT.

AND WE WANT TO EXTEND OUR LOVE AND ALOHA FOR ALL OF YOU FOCUS.

AND PLEASE VOTE FOR MYSELF AND I'M HERE.

I'M HERE TO HELP OUR DISTRICT 36 WAIPAHU.

THANK YOU.

>>Yunji: ROCHELLE, WHAT DO YOU SAY TO THE VIEWERS TONIGHT ABOUT WHY THEY SHOULD ENTRUST YOU WITH THIS RESPONSIBILITY?

>> I LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO JUST BE YOUR DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE.

I GREW UP IN WAIPAHU.

AND I WANT TO SERVE THE PEOPLE OF WAIPAHU FOR AS LONG AS I CAN.

I HOPE THAT YOU WILL VOTE FOR ME FOR THIS NOVEMBER 8 GENERAL ELECTION, VOTE ROCHELLE.

THANK YOU.

>>Yunji: THANK YOU BOTH FOR BEING HERE TONIGHT.

MAHALO FOR JOINING US.

MAHALO FOR JOINING US TONIGHT AND WE THANK OUR GUESTS, CANDIDATES FOR HAWAII HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES DISTRICT 36: REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE VEAMONITI LAUTAHA AND DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE RACHELE LAMOSAO.

NEXT WEEK WE WILL TALK TO THE CANDIDATES LOOKING TO REPLACE KAI KAHELE FOR DISTRICT 2 OF THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

PLEASE JOIN US THEN.

I’M YUNJI DE NIES FOR INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAII, ALOHA.

HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

¶¶ ¶¶