WE CONTINUE ELECTION COVERAGE ON INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAII.

COVERS PEARL CITY, CREST VIEW AND PARTS OF WAIPAHU.

SEEKING TO REPRESENT HAWAII COUNTY COUNCIL DISTRICT 2.

INCLUDES DOWNTOWN HILO, ROY KEAUKA AND MAU AKANA.

LIVESTREAM OF BROADCAST AND INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAII START NOW.

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

I’M DARYL HUFF.

TONIGHT WE WILL FEATURE TWO MORE RACES WHERE THERE IS NO INCUMBENT.

DUE TO REDISTRICTING HAWAII STATE HOUSE DISTRICT 35, WHICH INCLUDES WAIPIO, MANANA, AND PARTS OF PEARL CITY AND WAIPAHU WILL ELECT ITS FIRST NEW REPRESENTATIVE IN 30 YEARS.

LONG‑TIME REPRESENTATIVE ROY TAKUMI WAS FORCED TO RUN IN ANOTHER DISTRICT AFTER REAPPORTIONMENT.

LATER ON IN THE SHOW WE WILL SIT DOWN WITH THE CANDIDATES FOR HAWAII COUNTY COUNCIL DISTRICT 2.

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, DEMOCRAT CORY CHUN WAS BORN AND RAISED IN HONOLULU AND NOW CALLS WAIPAHU HOME.

HE GRADUATED FROM IOLANI SCHOOL AND RECEIVED HIS LAW DEGREE FROM GONZAGA UNIVERSITY.

CORY HAS WORKED AS A LEGISLATIVE AIDE AND A LEGISLATIVE STAFF ATTORNEY.

REPUBLICAN JOSIAH ARAKI GREW UP IN PEARL CITY AND WAIPAHU AND GRADUATED FROM THE HAWAII TECHNOLOGY ACADEMY.

HE GOT HIS BACHELOR’S DEGREE IN POLITICAL SCIENCE FROM CORBAN UNIVERSITY.

START WITH YOU.

WHAT IS YOUR DISTRICT LIKE AND WHAT ARE THE BIG CHANGES THAT ARE HAPPENING THAT ARE MAYBE BIG CHALLENGES FOR THAT AREA?

>> SURE.

DISTRICT 35 A PART OF IT.

SIMILAR TO THE OTHER DISTRICT 35 BECAUSE OF REAPPORTIONMENT AND GROWTH OUT WE, DISTRICT LINES SHIFTED.

MORE WAIPAHU INCLUDED INTO THE DISTRICT.

WHEN YOU KIND OF LOOK AT DISTRICT, IT IS SORT OF SPLIT BY THE H2 FREEWAY.

BECAUSE I HAVE MANANA PEARL CITY ONE SIDE AND YOU HAVE WAIPAHU, ON THE OTHER SIDE.

SO REALLY, THAT'S I THINK WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE DISTRICT, THERE IS A LOT OF RETIREES.

AVES HAVE A LOT OF YOUNG FAMILIES.

A LOT OF FOLKS JUST TRYING TO MAKE A LIVING IN HAWAII.

>>Daryl: BORN AND RAISE IN A AREA.

HOW WOULD YOU CHARACTERIZE THAT DISTRICT?

>> WELL, FIRST MAKE A CORRECTION.

I WASN'T BORN IN PEARL CITY.

>>Daryl: SORRY.

>> I MOVED TO PEARL CITY WHEN I WAS ABOUT FIVE OR SIX YEARS OLD.

WAY DESCRIBE DISTRICT 35 COMMUNITY SHAPED BY THE ITS PEOPLE.

THERE ARE SEVERAL MAJOR GROUPS OF COURSE, PEARL CITY, WHICH IS LARGELY OLDER, OLDER PRIMARILY JAPANESE FAMILIES.

WAIPAHU, PRIMARILY FILIPINO AND VERY CULTURALLY SO.

THEN THERE IS WAIPIO GENTRY, SORRY.

CREST VIEW, WHICH IS KIND OF THE NICER PART OF TOWN.

I GUESS FOR THE DISTRICT.

IT'S GOT VERY BEAUTIFUL PART OF TOWN, AND SO THE WAY VIEW IT, THREE MINI DISTRICTS IN ONE.

>>Daryl: WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES FACING DISTRICT THE MOST.

>> AS I'VE BEEN WALKING AROUND GOING DOOR‑TO‑DOOR, TEND TO ASK PEOPLE THAT.

WHAT IN FACT, THAT'S MY OPENER.

WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE BIGGEST THING THAT IS CHALLENGING THIS DISTRICT WHAT NEEDS TO BE SOLVED THE MOST.

CRIME AND HOMELESSNESS.

>>Daryl: TO YOU GET THE SAME KIND OF ANSWERS YOURSELF.

>> YEAH, I DO.

SIMILARLY, WITH THE PANDEMIC AND WITH THE ECONOMY HAVING NOT COME FULLY BACK A LOT OF FOLKS STILL HAVE ALL THE JOBS HAVEN'T COME BACK YET.

SO AS NATURE WHEN PEOPLE STRUGGLING SOMETIMES PROPERTY CRIMES INCREASE.

>>Daryl: RUNNING FOR STATE HOUSE, THOSE ARE BOTH MAJOR COUNTY ISSUES, HOMELESSNESS CAN BE SEEN AS STATE ISSUE.

WHAT DO YOU TELL PEOPLE YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT?

>> THE WAY I KIND OF LOOKED AT IT, HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK STATE LEGISLATURE AND ALSO CITY COUNCIL.

AND I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS THAT COULD BE DONE WHEN THE COUNCIL AND STATE LEGISLATURE WORK TOGETHER.

IS IT SHOULDN'T JUST BE ON THE LEGISLATURE OR COUNCIL.

THEY CAN'T DO IT ALONE.

WHEN IT COMES TO CRIME, SO HPD IS UNDER THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU.

BUT FOR THE PENAL CODE, THINGS LIKE THAT, ACTUALLY A STATE ISSUE.

THE PROSECUTORS HAVE TO FOLLOW STATE LAW.

SO THERE ARE WAYS TO CHANGE THINGS WITHOUT HAVING DIRECT CONTROL OVER YOU WOULD SAY THAT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

>>Daryl: I'LL ASK BOTH OF YOU MORE SPECIFIC.

WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE ROOT OF THE CRIME PROBLEMS AND WHAT DO YOU THINK SHOULD BE DONE TO REDUCE CRIME?

>> WELL, MY VIEW OF IT, AND THIS ACTUALLY PART OF MY CAMPAIGN, IS THAT A LARGE PART OF IT IS THE BREAKDOWN OF THE FAMILY.

STATISTICS SHOW THAT THREE ASPECTS THAT GREATLY INFLUENCE IF YOU'RE MORE LIKELY TO END NUMBER POVERTY, HOMELESS, INVOLVED IN CRIME AND THOSE ARE NOT HAVING A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA, NOT HAVING A JOB OUT OF THE COLLEGE, AND HAVING CHILDREN BEFORE YOU'RE MARRIED OR 21.

SO WHAT I VIEW AS THE ISSUE FOR THAT IS LARGELY CONTRIBUTING TO OUR MASSIVE EXPLOSION OF CRIME, FAMILY IS BREAKING DOWN.

PEOPLE ARE, SORRY, MOST FAMILIES IN HAWAII, BOTH PARENTS HAVE TO WORK.

THAT MEANS THAT LESS TIME AT HOME WITH THEIR CHILDREN.

MORE AND MORE, CHILDREN RAISED BY THEIR CELLPHONES OR I‑PADS AND PARENT ARE HAVING LESS AND LESS INFLUENCE ON THEIR CHILDREN.

AND THAT IS FOR THOSE LUCKY ENOUGH TO ACTUALLY HAVE INTACT FAMILY.

>>Daryl: STATE LEGISLATURE, WHAT CAN YOU DO TO ENSURE FAMILIES STAY TOGETHER?

>> WELL, ONE THING I BELIEVE IS TO PROMOTE EDUCATION REFORM.

TO FOCUS ON EMPHASIZING IMPORTANCE OF FAMILY.

TO EMPHASIZE IMPORTANCE OF COMPLETING A DEGREE.

TO ECONOMICS STABILITY AND TO ALSO ‑‑ I'M SORRY.

>>Daryl: IT'S OKAY.

LET ME GO OVER TO CORY.

SPECIFIC WHAT SPECIFIC THINGS WOULD YOU SEE WOULD BE THE BIGGEST THING COULD YOU DO NOW TO REDUCE CRIME?

NOT JUST IN YOUR DISTRICT BUT ACROSS THE STATE?

>> ONE OF THE THINGS WE NEED TO LOOK AT WHEN IT COMES TO CRIME IS JUST THE ENTIRE JUSTICE SYSTEM.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT IT JUST AN HPD PROBLEM, HAVING MORE POLICE OFFICERS IS NOT GOING TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM.

LOOK AT IT AS PROSECUTORIAL ISSUE.

MAYBE THEY'RE NOT CHARGING A LOT OF CASES.

HAVE TO LOOK AT THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM HOW THAT'S WORKING.

IN ORDER TO ACTUALLY ADDRESS THE ISSUE, YOU SORT OF HAVE TO LOOK AT ALL OF THESE IN TANDEM.

FIGURE OUT WHERE THE ISSUES ARE AND HOW WE CAN FIX THAT.

>>Daryl: SO BUT I MEAN, SO IT DONE SOUND YOU HAVE SOMETHING YOU FIRST THING YOU WOULD LIKE TO DO.

EITHER PRISON REFORM OR SENTENCING REFORM OR ANYTHING SPECIFIC LIKE THAT?

DO WE FEED MORE PRISON SPACE FOR EXAMPLE?

A LOT OF PEOPLE SAY WE NEED MORE PRISON SPACE.

>> THINK THE BIGGEST PRESSING ISSUE JUST THE LACK OF UNIFORM OFFICERS.

I THINK THE BIGGEST DETERRENT TO CRIME IS PATROL OFFICERS.

300 POSITIONS SHORT, IN HPD, 30%, THAT IS A BIG HOLE TO FILL.

SO WE SEE HPD HAVING UTILIZE OVERTIME AND HAVING POLICE OFFICERS WORK MANY DIFFERENT SHIFTS JUST TO COVER THOSE PATROLS.

SO.

>> LET ME ASK.

I KNOW YOU ‑‑ YOU WERE TRYING TO EXPLAIN I THINK WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP STRENGTHEN FAMILIES AND AS A CRIME DETERRENT.

IS THERE SOMETHING YOU THINK THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE DOING TO CRACK DOWN ON CRIME?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I'M NOT GOING TO SAY ANY NAMES.

I HAVE FAMILY MEMBERS WHO IN HPD.

I DON'T WANT TO GO INTO SPECIFIC BREAK ANY SORT OF CONFIDENTIAL STAFF.

STUFF.

STORIES I'VE HEARD OFF DUTY, IT'S PRETTY APPARENT THAT A LOT OF HPD AREN'T, HPD ISN'T ONLY UNDERSTAFFED BUT THOSE OFFICERS THEY DO HAVE FEEL RATHER UNSUPPORTED.

THEY ARE HESITANT TO TAKE UP CERTAIN CASES BECAUSE THEY'RE WORRIED THAT IT WILL STRETCH THE RESOURCES TOO THIN.

IT WILL BE NOT EVEN TAKEN UP BY PROSECUTION.

SO I BELIEVE THAT NOT ONLY SHOULD WE LIKE MY OPPONENT SAID, FOCUS ON HAVING TRY TO FILL THE EMPTY POLICE OFFICERS SEATS, WE SHOULD ALSO NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE OFFICERS WE DO HAVE FEEL ADEQUATELY SUPPORTED TO DO THEIR JOB AND DO THEIR JOB WELL.

>>Daryl: DO YOU THINK THAT CORRUPTION IS A BIG ISSUE?

HEAR MUCH ABOUT THAT.

YOU HAD MEMBERS OF LEGISLATURE NOW MULTIPLE PEOPLE IN THE COUNTY LEVEL BEING PROSECUTED.

NOW HAVE MULTIMILLION DOLLAR CASES ON THE BIG ISLAND AND MAUI.

ARE PEOPLE ASKING ABOUT THAT?

CONCERNED ABOUT CORRUPTION IN GOVERNMENT?

>> THE PRIMARY CONCERN THAT I'VE BEEN HEARING PEOPLE TALK WITH IN GOVERNMENT I'VE BEEN TALKING TO THEM, REGARDING NEPOTISM MANY GOVERNMENT.

JOBS TO PEOPLE BECAUSE THEY'RE RELATED TO SOMEBODY.

DEFINITELY EVERYONE KNOWS SOME HERE.

ON SOME LEVEL, CULTURE IN HAWAII, YOUR UNCLE BOB'S COUSIN.

I'LL LET OFF WITH THIS TICKET.

CORRUPTION AND BRIBERY NEED TO BE ADDRESSED AND CRACKED DOWN.

CAN'T TRUST THINGS ARE FUNCTIONING PROPERLY, PEOPLE AREN'T PUTTING FINANCIAL INTEREST AHEAD OF THEIR FINANCIAL DESIRES.

>>Daryl: WHAT DO YOU HEAR ABOUT CORRUPTION FROM VOTERS?

DO THEY ASK YOU ABOUT IT?

DO YOU GET A SENSE THAT TRUST IS AT A VERY LOW LEVEL FOR GOVERNMENT?

>> YEAH, IT IS.

IN CONJUNCTION WITH CORRUPTION, WHICH YOU KNOW, IF YOU'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT TRYING TO CRACK DOWN ON THAT, IT'S VERY HARD.

SOMEONE GOING TO TAKE A BRIBE, I MEAN, GOING TO TAKE A BRIBE, ENVELOPES WHATEVER.

I THINK A LOT OF OTHER CONCERNS ARE MORE TRANSPARENCY.

THE LEGISLATURE UNLIKE COUNTY COUNCIL AND EVEN THE NEIGHBORHOOD BOARDS ARE NOT SUBJECT TO SUNSHINE.

>> I THINK JUST BECAUSE OF WHAT'S BEEN HAPPENING, GREATER PUSH TO SORT OF INCLUDE SOME OF THESE ASPECTS OF THE SUNSHINE THAT YOU COULD APPLY TO THE LEGISLATURE.

>>Daryl: YOU THINK THEY MAKE TOO MANY DEALS BEHIND CLOSED DOORS?

>> WELL, JUST TO OPEN UP THE PROCESS.

I THINK THAT IS WHERE THE DISTRUST COMES.

DECISIONS ARE MADE AND LOT OF TIMES PUBLIC DON'T REALLY UNDERSTAND HOW DECISIONS ARE MADE.

A LOT OF THOSE THINGS ARE NOT SHARED WITH THE PUBLIC.

TRANSPARENCY.

OPENING SOME OF THOSE ASPECTS OF THE PROCESS UP.

WOULD BE VERY HELPFUL.

>>Daryl: LET ME ASK YOU.

SPECIFICALLY ABOUT TRUST IN GOVERNMENT.

AS OPPOSED TO CORRUPTION.

WHAT DO YOU THINK NEEDS TO HAPPEN TO, CORY WAS TALKING ABOUT OPENING UP THE LEGISLATURE FOR EXAMPLE MORE.

WHAT ELSE DO YOU FEEL COULD BE DONE TO TRUST GOVERNMENT?

DO YOU FEEL PEOPLE TRUST GOVERNMENT?

>> I BELIEVE THAT FROM WHAT I'VE SEEN, TRUST IN GOVERNMENT IS VERY, VERY LOW RIGHT NOW.

NATIONALLY, I BELIEVE, SO MANY TO RECALL HEARING ALL TIME LOW.

WHAT WE NEED TO, DEFINITELY NEED TO AS HE SAID, OPEN UP THE GOVERNMENT.

NEED TO MAKE SURE THERE'S TRANSPARENCY.

THAT PEOPLE CAN SEE WHAT IS BEING DONE.

YEAH.

>>Daryl: LET ME MOVE ON.

I GOT A QUESTION QUICKLY.

BECAUSE ON THE SUBJECT.

IT SAYS BOB IN PEARL CITY, ROY HELD THE SEAT FOR 30 YEARS.

TOOK REAPPORTIONMENT WHICH IS AN EMPHASIS ONLY TEN YEARS.

TO CHANGE THAT AND YOU GUYS BOTH OBVIOUSLY HAVE THIS OPPORTUNITY BECAUSE OF THAT.

DO YOU SUPPORT TERM LIMITS?

WHY OR WHY NOT?

WOULD YOU LIKE TO WIN THIS JOB AND THAN GIVE IT UP IN 8 YEARS OR 12 YEARS?

>> SIMPLE ANSWER, MAY I GO FIRST?

>>Daryl: GO AHEAD.

>> SORRY.

MAY I GO FIRST ABSOLUTELY.

I AM VERY IN FAVOR OF TERM LIMITS STATE AND FEDERAL LEVEL.

I BELIEVE THAT IMPOSING TERM LIMITS YOU CAN FOR STARTERS ENSURE THAT NEW BLOOD IS COMING INTO THE MIX.

AND THE PEOPLE WHO TIME OUT, IF YOU WANT TO PUT IT THAT WAY, AGE OUT OF THE POSITION BECAUSE OF TERM LIMITS, THAT DOESN'T MEAN THAT THEY ARE NO LONGER GOING TO BE INVOLVED IN GOVERNMENT IF THEY HAVE GOOD IDEAS.

THEY CAN RUN FOR HIGHER OFFICE.

RUN FOR A DIFFERENT OFFICE.

LET'S SAY 8 YEARS, I WIN, I HOLD SEAT FOR 8 YEARS,.

>>Daryl: RUN FOR COUNCIL.

>> RUN FOR CITY COUNCIL.

I CAN RUN FOR STATE SENATE.

OR IF I'M FEELING INCREDIBLY RAMBUNCTIOUS RUN FOR MAYOR OR GOVERNOR.

>>Daryl: OR PRESIDENT.

TERM LIMITS FOR YOU CORY CHUN.

>> AT THIS TIME, I DON'T KNOW IF I SUPPORT TERM LIMITS.

HERE'S WHY.

SO THERE ARE LEGISLATURES I WORK FOR ORGANIZATION THAT HAD COLLEAGUES WORKED IN OTHER STATE LEGISLATURES.

AND ONE OF THINGS YOU LOSE WHEN YOU HAVE TERM LIMITS INSTITUTIONAL KNOWLEDGE.

GOVERNMENT ISN'T EASY TO FIGURE OUT.

TAKES YEARS TO ACTUALLY UNDERSTAND HOW THE PROCESS WORKS.

FINANCING WORKS.

ALL OF THESE OTHER THINGS.

I'VE WORKED IN GOVERNMENT FOR OVER A DECADE.

I DON'T KNOW EVERYTHING.

ANOTHER ISSUE TOO IS WHEN YOU HAVE TERM LIMITS, RAIL PROJECT.

HAVE FOLKS START THE PROJECT.

IF YOU BECAUSE THEY'RE INTO THE GOING TO THERE, NOT GOING TO BE ACCOUNTABLE WHEN WHATEVER HAPPENS HAPPENS.

REALLY SHORT TERM WAY OF THINKING SOMETIMES.

THERE ARE NO TERM LIMITS ACTUALLY GOING TO TERM LIMITS GOING TO BE AROUND, LOOK LONGTERM.

>>Daryl: INTERESTING POINT YOU BROUGHT UP.

I'M NOT ADVOCATING ONE WAY OR ANOTHER.

IF YOU LOOK AT FOR EXAMPLE, SAY MUFI HANNEMANN.

SEEN AS THE RAIL GUY.

KIRK CALDWELL RAIL GUY.

TRIED TO GO TO HIGHER OFFICE, THEY DIDN'T DO WELL PARTLY BECAUSE OF RAIL.

MAYBE THE ACCOUNTABILITY WORKS WITH TERM LIMITS.

JUST A THOUGHT.

ANOTHER VIEWER CALLED.

WHAT IS THE FIRST BILL YOU WERE WOULD INPRODUCE IF ELECTED.

GOES TO YOUR PRIORITIES.

WHAT IS THE FIRST BILL YOU WOULD INTRODUCE?

>> SURE.

AS I SAID, TO ME, I VIEW SEVERAL ‑‑ MY ‑‑ SORRY.

MAIN MESSAGE OF MY CAMPAIGN IS FOCUSED ON THREE THINGS.

FAMILY, EDUCATION AND LIBERTY.

ONE OF FIRST THINGS THAT I WOULD LIKE TO FOCUS ON IF ELECTED I WOULD LIKE TO WHAT I WOULD LIKE DO IS BRING BACK THE SUPERFERRY.

NOT GOING TO COMING UP FOR A LONG TIME.

I WOULD LIKE TO LOOK AT WHAT WE'VE DONE WITH THE COVID LOCKDOWNS.

LOOK AT LOOK INTO IT MAKE SURE THAT WHILE PROPOSE LEGISLATION THAT WHILE ENSURES THAT WHILE WE WERE ABLE TO MAKE JUDGMENT CALLS, WHEN THERE ARE EMERGENCIES, THAT IT DOESN'T STOMP ON PEOPLE'S INDIVIDUAL LIBERTY.

>>Daryl: LET ME GIVE CORY A CHANCE TO HE RESPOND.

I'LL ASK YOU ABOUT YOUR FIRST BILL.

>> YEAH.

COVID LOCKDOWNS.

SAYING YOU WOULD BAN LOCKDOWNS.

>> NO.

I'M TALKING ABOUT IS I FEEL THAT IF ARE GOING TO BE LOCKDOWNS THEY NEED TO BE EQUAL.

IF THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE A LOCKDOWN, SAY WAL‑MART IS ALLOWED TO REMAIN OPEN, THEN THEY SHOULD SHOULDN'T BE FORCING A SMALL BUSINESS THAT IS ALSO SELLING EXACT SAME PRODUCTS FORCED THEM TO CLOSE DOWN BUT ALLOW BIG CORPORATIONS TO STAY OPEN.

>>Daryl: OKAY.

PROBABLY SOMETHING WOULDN'T HAVE A BIG PROBLEM?

>> YEAH.

I THINK PANDEMIC TAUGHT US A LOT OF THINGS.

BIGGEST THING POLICY ISSUE THAT'S LEGISLATURE TOOK UP, I THINK SHOULD STILL KEEP LOOKING AT, IS GOVERNOR'S EMERGENCY POWER.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE EMERGENCY POWERS CHAPTER I FORGET THE CHAPTER, DON'T NEED A CHAPTER.

>> ALMOST LIKE HE WAS CONTEMPLATED TOWARDS DEALING WITH NATURAL DISASTERS.

NOT LIKE A 2 YEAR LONG PANDEMIC.

SO HOW DO YOU ADJUST.

>>Daryl: PUBLIC HEALTH.

>> EXACTLY.

NOW THAT WE'VE DEALT WITH IT AND NEXT ONE COULD BE ON THE HORIZON, HOW DO YOU ENSURE THAT THE EMERGENCY POWERS ARE THERE.

SO IN THE CASE OF EMERGENCY THINGS CAN GET DONE.

BUT ALSO PROTECTING THE RIGHTS OF FOLKS.

>>Daryl: NOW WE CAN START TALKING ABOUT PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCIES AND PLANNING FOR THEM LIKE HURRICANES.

>> THAT IS ACTUALLY SIMILAR TO THE OTHER PART OF WHAT WAS TRYING TO GET TO.

VERY SIMILAR LOCKDOWNS.

MAKE SURE THAT THERE IS A GOOD BALANCE BETWEEN ENSURING PEOPLE IN GOVERNMENT, GOVERNOR, STATE HOUSE, CAN DO WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE NOT TRAMP ON LIBERTIES.

>>Daryl: I NEED TO OFFER CORY.

A CHANCE TO SAY, WHAT WOULD THE FIRST BILL YOU WOULD INTRODUCE.

YOUR PRIORITY.

>> I WORKED IN THE NONPROFIT SECTOR.

REALIZE HOW IMPORTANT NONPROFITS ARE TO SOCIAL SAFETY NET OF THE STATE.

GOVERNMENT CAN'T DO IT ALONE.

SAW DURING THE PANDEMIC WAS JUST BECAUSE OF FINANCES, A LOT OF NONPROFITS SUFFERED.

NO GRANT IN AIDS FOR ALMOST 2 YEARS.

AND SO WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO DO IS SIMILAR TO WHAT THE CITY DOES.

SET ASIDE CERTAIN AMOUNT OF FUNDS JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT FOOD BANKS AND ALL OF THOSE THIS THAT ARE REALLY NEEDED DURING TIMES OF CRISIS ARE SUSTAINED.

>>Daryl: YOU GUYS HAVE THE RAIL PRETTY MUCH RUNNING THROUGH PERSON PART OF DISTRICT.

DO YOU GUYS HAVE THE AREA WHERE THE PEARL CITY PARK AND RIGHT WAS SUPPOSED GO AND IT IS?

PART OF YOUR DISTRICT.

SO I KNOW THE TRAFFIC REALLY IS BAD PARTS OF YOUR DISTRICTS.

IT COULD COME UP THIS YEAR OR SOON THAT RAIL NEEDS CONTINUING FUNDING SOURCE.

WOULD YOU SUPPORT CONTINUING SURPLUS TO RAIL.

YOU GUYS NEED BE ABLE TO USE TO GET TO THE STADIUM.

WHAT DO YOU THINK CONTINUING RAIL FUNDING SOURCE?

>> THAT'S SOMETHING I DEFINITELY LOOK AT.

AT THIS POINT.

BECAUSE OF HOW MUCH THE RAIL ALREADY BEEN COMPLETED.

I HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF ACTUALLY WORKING ON THE WAIPAHU TRANSIT‑ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT PLAN.

AND SO THE WHOLE IDEA WITH RAIL WAS ANY PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION IS GREAT EQUALIZER.

CARS ARE EXPENSIVE.

GAS IS EXPENSIVE.

INSURANCE IS EXPENSIVEMENT FOCUS HAVE ROBUST PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM DON'T NEED TO RELY ON A CAR, CAN GET TO WORK OR SCHOOL, THAT'S A GREAT EQUALIZER.

SO YES, RAIL PROJECT HAS HAD A LOT OF CHALLENGES.

AS A COMMUNITY MEMBER, ACTUALLY FACED SOME OF THOSE CHALLENGES WHERE WE SAW THE INITIAL COLUMN LAYOUT ON FARRINGTON HIGHWAY.

THEN WHEN THEY STARTED PUTTING COLUMNS IN, THEY WERE CHANGING CERTAIN TRAFFIC FLOWS THAT WEREN'T DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT PREVIOUSLY.

CAUSED MORE DELAYS AND ACTUALLY SOME CHANGES.

>>Daryl: LET ME GIVE YOU A CHANCE TO TALK ABOUT RAIL.

YOU GUYS ACTUALLY HAVE NOW THE OPPORTUNITY TO WATCH THE TRAINS GO BY ON A REGULAR BASIS.

WOULD YOU SUPPORT CONTINUING FUNDING OF THE RAIL PROJECT WELL INTO THE FUTURE?

>> RAIL, THAT IS RAIL IS IRONICALLY KIND OF ONE OF THE THINGS THAT FIRST GOT ME INTERESTED IN POLITICS.

AS MENTIONED, WENT TO HAWAII TECH ACADEMY.

CURRENTLY BY THE YMCA IN WAIPAHU.

ORIGINALLY IN THE LITTLE BUILDING RIGHT IN FRONT OF IT.

I REMEMBER FOR YEARS, GOING TO SCHOOL THERE.

I JUST SAW THEM SLOWLY, SLOWLY BARELY MAKING ANY PROGRESS.

SITTING THERE, THINKING IS KIND OF RIDICULOUS.

IN THE 1800'S BUILD TRANS‑CONTINENTAL RAILROAD.

THOUSAND OF MILES LONG.

BUILD IT IN 3 OR 4 YEARS.

ACROSS THE CONTINENT.

AT THIS POINT, I AM LEANING TOWARDS I WOULD NOT LEAN CONTINUED FUNDING OF RAIL.

NEED TO SEE THE DOCUMENT PROPOSAL FIRST TO KNOW.

>>Daryl: COUPLE MORE QUESTIONS.

GET RIGHT TO.

FROM MONICA.

AND CORY.

TAKE THIS ONE FIRST.

WOULD YOU SUPPORT BUILDING NEW JAIL TO REPLACE OCCC?

GOES BACK TO OUR CRIME QUESTION.

THAT'S GOING TO BE SOMETHING IN FRONT OF LEGISLATURE AGAIN.

>> WELL, I GUESS IN SOME RESPECT, YES.

BECAUSE I DO THINK THERE IS OVERCROWDING.

AND WHEN YOU SEE OUTSOURCING TO THE MAINLAND, THAT'S ON ANOTHER ISSUE.

WITH HOW PRISONERS ARE TREATED ALL THE ISSUES WITH THAT.

THEN WHEN YOU LOOK AT CRIME IN GENERAL, AND I THINK THERE IS ALSO NEEDS TO BE INVESTMENT IN PREVENTION AND WITH DIVERSION PROGRAMS.

THAT IS REALLY THE KEY TO ADDRESSING CRIME.

BEFORE IT GETS OUT OF HAND.

>>Daryl: LET GIVE YOU A CHANCE.

DO YOU THINK WE NEED MORE JAIL SPACE?

>> SO IF WE ARE HAVING TO SEND PEOPLE TO ANOTHER STATE TO SERVE PRISON TIME, THAT REALLY SHOULDN'T BE THE CASE.

I BELIEVE THAT WE NEED ENOUGH PRISON SPACE THAT WE CAN BE SURE WE CAN PUT THE PEOPLE WOULD NEED TO BE PUT IN PRISON AWAY.

I HOLD VIEW OF PRISONS THAT PUTTING PEOPLE IN PRISON, THAT IT SHOULD BE THE PRIMARY REASONS THEY EXIST IS FOR THEY OWE SOMETHING OF A DEBT TO SOCIETY AND THAT THEY ARE ALSO BEING KEPT OFF THE STREETS.

ALSO BELIEVE IN REHABILITATION.

THAT IS I STRONGLY BELIEVE IN REHABILITATION.

BUT I THINK THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE TOO CAUGHT UP IN THE REHABILITATION ASPECT AND DON'T FOCUS ENOUGH ON THE WHAT I MIGHT, I CONSIDER TO BE THE PRIMARY PURPOSE.

WHICH IS, YES, COMBINATION OF PUNISHMENT AN KEEP THEM OFF THE STREETS UNTIL PROPERLY REHABILITATED.

>>Daryl: ONE MINUTE LEFT.

LAST QUESTION.

ALSO FROM MONICA.

GAMBLING.

WOULD YOU SUPPORT GAMBLING KIND OF NEED A LITTLE BIT MORE THAN A YES OR NO QUESTION.

>> ABSOLUTELY NOT.

GAMBLING BRINGS WITH IT GAMBLING BRINGS THINGS LIKE PROSTITUTION, INCREASE IN DRUGS.

I KNOW EVERYBODY LOVE IN HAWAII LOVES VEGAS.

BUT.

>>Daryl: DISTRICT.

>> I KNOW.

BUT.

>>Daryl: JUST TEASING YOU.

>> AT THE SAME TIME, I THINK THAT.

>>Daryl: I'VE GOT YOUR ANSWER.

I NEED TO GET APOLOGIZE.

WHAT IS YOUR THOUGHT ON THAT?

>> GAMBLING IN GENERAL, NO.

IF I HAD MORE TIME, I WOULD LIKE TO GO INTO A LOT OF THE OTHER ASPECTS OF IT.

>>Daryl: TIME FOR ANOTHER SENTENCE.

>> JUST THAT I DON'T KNOW IF THE BENEFITS WILL OUTWEIGH THE DETRIMENT TO THE STATE.

>>Daryl: OKAY.

VERY GOOD.

WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK OUR GUESTS, THE CANDIDATES FOR HAWAII STATE HOUSE DISTRICT 35: JOSIAH ARAKI AND CORY CHUN.

AS WE GET READY FOR OUR NEXT SEGMENT, PLEASE ENJOY THIS HIKI NO STORY FROM THE STUDENT JOURNALISTS AT WAIAKEA HIGH SCHOOL.

>> WHEN I FIRST STARTED THIS SHOP, WE HAD PROBABLY 7 DIFFERENT TIMES.

HOWEVER, NOW, 20 YEARS HENCE, WE HAVE PROBABLY 20 SOMETHING VARIETIES.

TWO LADIES KITCHEN STARTED OUT SMALL.

BUT SOON, THINGS PICKED UP AND BUSINESS STARTED GROWING.

I BELIEVE THAT WHEN YOU HAVE A SMALL BUSINESS, IN HILO, VERY SUPPORTIVE.

BECAUSE WE WERE SORT OF HIDDEN AWAY, I DIDN'T ADVERTISE, IT WAS WORD OF MOUTH PRODUCT.

>> RIGHT NOW, MOCHI.

IN THE MIDDLE, HAS SMOOTH TASTE.

>> AFTER PICKING UP STEAM, SHOP QUICKLY GAINED LOYAL CUSTOMERS.

>> I LOVE MOCHI.

SO WHEN I HEARD SHE WAS OPEN, I WENT AND I WAS SO IMPRESSED, SO I KEPT GOING BACK.

I WENT ABOUT 2 OR 3 TIMES A MONTH.

>> TWO LADIES KITCHEN IS TRULY A HOME‑GROWN BUSINESS.

THE VERY BEGINNING, TWO OF US REALLY MADE THE MOCHI MY AUNT AND MYSELF.

PRACTICE IN THE KITCHEN EVERY SATURDAY.

TEACH ME ASPECTS OF MOCHI MAKING.

>> SHE AND HER AUNT TWO LADIES STARTED THIS SMALL SHOP OVER 20 YEARS AGO.

SINCE RETIRED.

BUT LAURA CONTINUES TO RUN THE BUSINESS WITH THE HELP OF OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS.

>> PARENTS, TOOK THE DAY OFF.

>> THAT FAMILY ATMOSPHERE EXTENDS TO THE OTHERS.

>> ALL NEEDS CONTINUE TO OTHERS.

>> BROTHER AND SISTER.

LOVE MOCHI.

>> ATMOSPHERE WE GIVE TO THE PEOPLE, GREETING, SMILES.

>> JUST GET A FEELING THAT'S WELCOMING.

I REALLY LIKE THAT.

>> FANS OF TWO LADIES KITCHEN STRETCH NEIGHBOR ISLANDS AND BEYOND.

CUSTOMERS KNOW TO STICK TO A GOOD THING WHEN THEY FIND IT.

CUSTOMERS WHO COMING BACK, BOYFRIEND AND GIRL FRIEND WHEN THEY COME HERE.

SHOWER, WEDDINGS.

FIRST BABIES.

GRANDPARENTS.

CELEBRATIONS.

WHOLE FAMILY.

AND THIS IS WHAT I LOOK FORWARD TO.

>> THIS IS CASEY MCGUIRE FROM WAIAKEA HIGH SCHOOL.

FOR HIKI NO ALOHA AND WELCOME BACK TO INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAII.

INCLUDES BAY FRONT.

UNIVERSITY FRONT.

KAUMANA.

AND OTHERS.

COUNCILMEMBER AARON CHUNG REACHED HIS TERM LIMIT AND HAS GIVEN WAY TO TWO NEW CANDIDATES LOOKING TO BECOME FIRST TIME ELECTED COUNTY OFFICIALS.

JENN KAGIWADA LIVES IN PIIHONUA WITH HER HUSBAND AND TWO KIDS.

SHE HAS SPENT DECADES WORKING IN SCHOOLS AND NON‑PROFITS ON HAWAII ISLAND.

SHE CURRENTLY WORKS AT THE HAWAII COUNTY COUNCIL WHERE SHE HELPS TO CREATE POLICY.

MATTHIAS KUSCH WAS A HAWAII ISLAND FIREFIGHTER FOR 25 YEARS.

HE HAS LED A NUMBER OF NON‑PROFITS INCLUDING WEST HAWAII FISHERIES AND HILO BAYFRONT TRAILS INC.

HE ALSO SERVED AS THE PTA PRESIDENT FOR ERNEST BOWEN DE SILVA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN HILO.

LET ME START WITH YOU.

I WILL ASK SAME QUESTION BOTH OF YOU.

DESCRIBE YOUR DISTRICT FOR FOCUS THAT DON'T LIVE THERE.

NOT BEEN THERE MUCH.

AND WHAT ARE THE BIG CHALLENGES THAT YOU SEE FACING YOUR DISTRICT?

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THANK FOR HAVING US TODAY.

WELL, OUR DISTRICT IS REALLY DIVERSE IN A LOT OF WAYS.

HILO TOWN.

>> DOWNTOWN AREA.

GOING UP ALL THE WAY UP TO KAUMANA AND KAUMANA.

ACTUALLY GOES PAST THAT TO ENCOMPASS MAUNA KEA AND POHAKULOA.

NO PEOPLE UP THERE.

SO LUCKILY DON'T HAVE TO KNOCK ON DOORS THERE.

ALSO GOES OVERALL THE WAY TO WAIAKEA UKA.

QUITE A DENSE POPULATIONS COMPARED TO A LOT OF THE OTHER PLACES ON THE ISLAND.

>>Daryl: A LOT OF SPACE TO COVER.

>> A LOT OF SPACE TO COVER.

I REALLY ENJOY GETTING TO KNOW ALL THE LITTLE NEIGHBORHOOD AND POCKETS OF THE DISTRICT AS I WALKED DOOR‑TO‑DOOR.

>>Daryl: ONE ISSUE THAT JUMPS OUT WHEN YOU TALK TO PEOPLE.

>> SEVERAL.

I WOULD SAY A LOT ENCOMPASSES WORK FAMILY ISSUES.

SUPER IMPORTANT PART OF THIS.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING, GOOD JOBS, AND CHILD CARE.

I FEEL LIKE IF WE COULD IMPROVE THOSE THINGS FOR PEOPLE, THEN PEOPLE'S LIVES WOULD REALLY IMPROVE.

OVERALL.

>>Daryl: SAME QUESTION.

I KNOW SHE GAVE A GOOD GEOGRAPHIC DESCRIPTION.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY THE CHARACTER OF THE DISTRICT AND WHAT ARE YOU HEARING THINGS PEOPLE WANT YOU TO FOCUS ON.

THANK YOU.

THANKS FOR HAVING US OUT.

HILO IS REALLY THE SEAT OF GOVERNMENT IN HAWAII ISLAND.

AND IT HAS A LONG HISTORY.

ILLUSTRIOUS HISTORY THROUGH THE PLANTATION ERA.

RIVALED HONOLULU AT ONE POINT.

ITS POPULATION REALLY REFLECTS ALL OF THE CULTURE THAT WE KNOW THINK OF IN HAWAII.

IN HONOLULU, SO MANY PEOPLE HAIL FROM HILO.

AND IN THOSE NEIGHBORHOOD, LIKE PIIHONUA AND KAUMANA AND WAIAKEA, LATE, AFTER THE TSUNAMI AND SO IT'S AN INTERESTING PLACE.

THE ISSUES REALLY ARE THE SAME ISSUES YOU HEAR ON THE SHOW.

FREQUENTLY.

WHAT JEN POINTED OUT.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING, DOWNTOWN HILO, AND HOMELESS ISSUE REALLY BIG ISSUE ON PEOPLE'S MINDS.

AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING BLEEDS INTO OVERALL COST OF LIVING ISSUES.

THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS COUNTY GOVERNMENT CAN DO AND THINGS THAT I'VE HAD A LOT OF EXPERIENCE IN.

WORKING DOWNTOWN FOR TEN YEARS.

FIRE STATION THERE.

CENTRAL.

AND WORKING ON INFRASTRUCTURE AND UNDERSTANDING THOSE PIECES THAT THE COUNTY CONTROLS, THAT CAN REALLY HELP ADDRESS AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

AND COST OF LIVING ISSUES.

>>Daryl: LET ME GIVE JAN A CHANCE TO FOLLOW UP.

FIRST QUESTION WE GOT VIA EMAIL, WHAT ARE YOUR RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVING APPEARANCE OF DOWNTOWN HILO ESPECIALLY WITH HOMELESS PERSONS LIVING ON THE SIDEWALKS OF DOWNTOWN HILO, THAT IS DEFINITELY STATEWIDE PROBLEM.

HILO IS CLOSE AS YOU GET ON THAT SIDE OF THE ISLAND TO URBAN AREA.

PROBLEMS OF MANY OTHER URBAN AREAS.

HOW WOULD YOU ADDRESS THAT?

WHAT DO YOU THINK NEEDS TO HAPPEN.

>> SO I MEAN, RIGHT NOW, ACTUALLY IN A PRETTY GOOD SPOT TO START ADDRESSING HOMELESSNESS.

THE COUNTY JUST VOTED IN LAST SESSION TO PUT $9.5 MILLION A YEAR FOR NEXT FIVE YEARS TOWARDS HOMELESS ADDRESSING HOMELESSNESS.

ON OUR ISLAND.

SO IT'S A REALLY GOOD TIME FOR THAT WHAT I THINK AT THAT PROBABLY MEANS IS LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO CONSOLIDATE SOME OF THE SERVICES FOR HOMELESSNESS.

>> WE KNOW WE NEED TO GET PEOPLE INTO PERMANENT HOUSING.

>>Daryl: AMOUNT OF MONEY.

$10 MILLION A YEAR ON THE BIG ISLAND.

IS FAIR AMOUNT OF MONEY.

>> EXACTLY.

WHAT I LIKE ABOUT IT ALSO, ONLY FOR FIVE YEARS.

SO IT'S NOT NECESSARILY GOING TO BE EMPIRE BUILDING OR A LOT OF NEW ORGANIZATIONS.

IT'S GETTING TO WORK RIGHT AWAY.

AND STARTING TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM.

WE HAVE TO REALLY LOOK AT THOSE OTHER THINGS LIKE MAKE SURE WE HAVE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AND ADDICTION SERVICE.

IF WE CAN GET THOSE ALL IN ONE PLACE, AND AS WELL AS THINGS LIKE FREE MEALS, THEN PEOPLE ARE NOT NECESSARILY WANDERING AROUND FROM PLACE TO PLACE P TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHERE THEY NEED TO GO FOR SERVICES.

>>Daryl: WHAT IS THE ‑‑ SO MANY WAYS TO PRONOUNCE THAT NAME.

WHAT IS YOUR PERSPECTIVE ON DOWNTOWN HILO AND ISSUES OF HOMELESSNESS AND I THINK SOMETIMES IT'S THE BUSINESS CLIMATE THERE CAN GO UP AND DOWN QUITE A BIT.

>> SURE.

WHEN I TALK TO PEOPLE ABOUT DOWNTOWN HILO, THERE'S TWO SIDES OF IT.

I WORKED FOR TEN YEARS CENTRAL FIRE STATION.

WENT ON COUNTLESS HOMELESS CALLS.

REALLY GOT TO KNOW THE PEOPLE.

DAUGHTERS USED TO LAUGH WHEN I WOULD KNOW A LOT OF THEIR NAMES.

WENT AROUND DOWNTOWN.

AND THERE IS REALLY WE NEED TO TREAT A LOT OF THOSE ISSUES.

JEN BROUGHT IT UP, A WHITE PAPER THAT JUST CAME OUT, DID TESTIMONY AT THE COUNCIL THE OTHER DAY ON TUESDAY.

ABOUT A STRATEGIC PLAN TO START FOCUSING THAT $9.5 MILLION ANNUALLY TOWARDS TREATING SOME OF THOSE UNDERLYING FACTORS THAT HOMELESS FACE.

AND OTHER SIDE OF THAT IS I WORKED ON THE DOWNTOWN MULTIMODAL PROGRAM.

WHICH IS A PLAN, I'M SORRY.

WHICH IS MOUTHFUL BUT REALLY WHAT IT IS RE‑ENGINEERING DOWNTOWN, SLOW TRAFFIC, MORE BIKE AND PEDESTRIAN ACCESS, BETTER LIGHTING NIGHT TIME, DOWN LOW, COVERED AREAS.

MORE OUTDOOR SEATING.

SO AND THEN AT THE SAME TIME, WE NEED TO ADDRESS THE PERMITTING ISSUES AND MAKE IT EASIER FOR BUSINESSES TO BE VIBRANT AND BE A PLACE WHERE A WORKFORCE CAN LIVE, WORK AND PLAY.

>>Daryl: IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO RESPOND ON THAT, GO AHEAD.

OTHERWISE I DO HAVE ANOTHER QUESTION THAT I THINK IS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT ON THE BIG ISLAND WITH EVERYTHING SO SPREAD OUT AND I REMEMBER DURING THE PANDEMIC, LOOKING INTO THE FACT THAT THERE IS LIKE NO INTERNET IN SO MANY PLACES.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT IMPROVING REACTIONAL FACILITIES FOR YOUTH AND KUPUNA?

IS THAT A REAL SHORTAGE IN YOUR PART OF ISLAND?

>> SURE.

I AM GOING TO QUICKLY ADDRESS, JUST TO ELABORATE LITTLE BIT ON WHAT HE SAID.

ONE OF THE OTHER THINGS I'VE BEEN HEARING IS GO DOOR‑TO‑DOOR, THERE IS SOME SMALL THINGS WE CAN DO FAIRLY QUICKLY TO HELP THE DOWNTOWN.

ONE OF THEM THAT I NOTICED, TALKED TO PEOPLE ABOUT, TRASH CANS ARE OVERFLOWING.

TO ME, THAT SEEMS LIKE SOMETHING THAT EVEN THE COUNTY CAN STEP IN WITH AT LEAST FOR A SHORT WHILE.

WE CAN CONTROL PICKING UP THE GARBAGE, HARD TO ADDRESS A LOT OF THESE PROBLEMS WHEN YOU JUST HAVE OVERFLOWING GARBAGE THAT PEOPLE ARE WALKING IN.

SOMETHING LIKE THAT BUT I ALSO AGREE WITH MANY OF THE THINGS HE SAID.

AS FAR AS RECREATIONAL FACILITIES, YES, WE HAVE SOME OF THE OLDEST FACILITIES THAT NEED THE MOST CARE.

ON OUR ISLAND.

AND WE REALLY NEED TO PAY ATTENTION TO THIS, STOP KICKING CAN DOWN THE ROAD TO CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN.

INVESTING IN SOME OF THESE THINGS NOW.

ONE OF THE WAYS THAT PEOPLE CAN LOOK AT IS SOMETIMES WE CAN DO A RECREATIONAL FACILITY.

THAT COULD ALSO DOUBLE AS SOMETHING IN CASE OF EMERGENCIES JUST LIKE WE DID FOR THE HILO HIGH GYM.

AND WE NEED THOSE AS WELL.

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY NATURAL DISASTERS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

>>Daryl: WHAT WOULD YOU SEE ABOUT CONDITION OF THOSE THINGS AND HOW HIGH A PRIORITY IS THAT RECREATIONAL FACILITY?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, THAT'S REALLY CLOSE TO ME AS PRESIDENT OF HILO BAY FRONT TRAILS AND WORKING HARD TO GET THOSE FEDERAL GRANTS IN.

I'VE LEARNED GREAT DEAL HOW TO BRING IN THESE FEDERAL GRANTS RUN THROUGH THE STATE AND ADMINISTERED BY THE COUNTY AND NONPROFITS.

THE STATE OF INFRASTRUCTURE IN HAWAII COUNTY, WHETHER IT'S ADMINISTRATIVE BUILDINGS, ROAD, OR SEWER SYSTEMS, OR OTHER CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE INCLUDING PARKS, BATHROOM, ET CETERA, IS WE'VE BEEN BORROWING FROM THE FUTURE FOR A LONG TIME AND I REALLY WANT TO INTRODUCE A PROCESS THAT'S BASED ON ENGINEERING AND NOT POLITICAL CYCLES OR DEPARTMENT HEAD CYCLES.

MUCH LESS LIKE YOU DON'T WAIT TILL YOUR CAR TIRE BLOWS OUT TO FIX IT WHEN IT GETS TO A CERTAIN TREAD DEPTH.

ENGINEERING SPEC.

I SAY, LET'S GO AND ADDRESS IT.

>>Daryl: REMINDING ME OF STORE WE DID HAWAII NEWS NOW ABOUT HOW THERE'S A LIKE HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS NEEDED IN WASTEWATER INFRASTRUCTURE ON THE BIG ISLAND.

JUST TREMENDOUS NEGLECT OVER MANY, MANY YEARS.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT RECREATIONAL FACILITIES BEING NEGLECTED.

AND IS HAWAII COUNTY GOVERNMENT UNDERFUNDED?

DO YOU HAVE TO START LOOKING AT WAYS TO BRING IN MORE MONEY TO START CATCHING UP WITH THIS THING?

>> YES.

I THINK WE DO.

I DO THINK THAT WE CAN ASK PEOPLE WHO HAVE A LOT TO PAY MORE OF THEIR FAIR SHARE.

WE HAVE A LOT OF VISITORS JUST LIKE SOME OF THE OTHER ISLANDS, MORE AND MORE PEOPLE BUYING VACATION HOMES SECOND HOME, TIME SHARE HOMES AND WE CAN I THINK WE CAN ASK PEOPLE TO PAY THEIR FAIR SHARE SO WE CAN SUPPORT ALL THE INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDED ON OUR ISLAND.

SO I THINK THERE IS MONEY THERE.

BUT WE HAVE TO HAVE THE POLITICAL WILL TO GO AHEAD AND DO THAT.

>>Daryl: OTHER COUNTIES HAVE DONE THAT.

TO A CERTAIN EXTENT.

SEEMS LIKE THEY NEVER QUITE GET TO THE POINT WHERE THEY'RE REALLY GETTING TO THE INCOME LEVEL OF SOME OF THESE FOLKS THAT HAVE THESE THINGS.

DO YOU HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY ON THE BIG ISLAND?

I KNOW WEST SIDE, THERE'S A LOT MORE THAN ON THE EAST SIDE.

IS THERE A WEST SIDE VERSUS EAST SIDE MENTALITY.

>> NOT REALLY.

I THINK THE COUNCIL REALLY DOES A PRETTY GOOD JOB WORK ALL TOGETHER.

BECAUSE I ACTUALLY WORK AT THE COUNTY COUNCIL RIGHT NOW, I'VE BEEN WORKING THERE FOR ALMOST 2 YEARS.

ACTUALLY GOTTEN TO KNOW ALL THE COUNCILMEMBERS.

I KNOW ONE OF THE NEW ONES COMING IN.

ONE OF THE NEW ONES, I DON'T KNOW.

I KNOW ALL OTHER COUNCILMEMBERS AND I THINK WORKING TOGETHER IS THE ONLY WAYS IT'S GOING TO WORK.

MY EXPERIENCE HAS ALWAYS BEEN WORKING IN THINGS LIKE NONPROFITS, SCHOOLS, GOVERNMENT, WHERE IT'S ALL ABOUT WORKING TOGETHER TO MOVE SOMETHING FORWARD.

>>Daryl: ALMOST ALWAYS UNDER FUNDED.

>> RIGHT.

>>Daryl: WHAT ABOUT THAT?

DO YOU THINK COUNTY NEEDS TO FIND MORE REVENUES SOURCES AND WHERE DO YOU THINK IT WOULD COME FROM.

>> STATISTICALLY, HAWAII AS A STATE IS AS MORE OF THE POOREST RECORDS OF GETTING FEDERAL FUNDING.

I REALLY LEARNED THIS WORKING IN A NONPROFIT WORLD, AND THE VOLUNTEER WORK WE DO.

WE CALL IT SILOING.

WHERE THESE, BECAUSE THERE'S SO MANY AGENCIES INVOLVED, AND A LOT OF THIS MONEY IS VERY PRESCRIPTIVE IN HOW IT COMES MUCH A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE TO TOUCH IT AND SIGN OFF ON IT.

SO WE'VE LEARNED IN OUR SUCCESS JUST CREATING THESE BIKE TRAILS, HAS BEEN TO GET THESE PEOPLE TOGETHER.

GET SKIN IN THE GAME.

AND REALLY LIKE WHAT JENNIFER WAS TALKING ABOUT, IS THAT COLLABORATION SO KEY.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE COUNCILMEMBERS, I KNOW A LOT OF THEM FOR AGES.

REBECCA BACK FROM PADDLING DAYS IN THE 90s AND THEY GOOD TEAM OUT THERE WORKING.

>>Daryl: SPECIFIC ANSWER, WHAT SHE PROPOSED DO YOU THINK THAT THE TAX RATES HIGHER INCOME OR TRANSIENT PROPERTIES SHOULD BE HIGHER.

>> I THINK THERE SHOULD BE A LOT MORE PER USE FEES.

PER USE FEES RIGHT NOW, YOU PULL A BUILDING PERMIT.

IT'S REALLY PRETTY CHEAP.

AND MY GUESS, IT WOULD BE SOMETHING I REALLY WANT TO LOOK AT, IS TO SEE HOW MUCH IT ACTUALLY COSTS TO PROCESS A BUILDING PERMIT.

MAKE SOMETHING LIKE THAT INSTEAD OF HAVING YOU AND JENNIFER SUPPORT ANOTHER PERSON'S BUILDING PERMIT THROUGH YOUR PROPERTY TAXES.

SO THOSE THINGS, AND THEN THEY DO THINK THERE'S A LOT OF ROOM.

SO MANY, GO DOOR‑TO‑DOOR, IT'S CRAZY HOW MANY VACANT HOMES THERE ARE.

>>Daryl: VACANT FOR WHAT REASON?

PEOPLE AREN'T ONLY USING THEM PART OF TIME?

>> I DON'T KNOW, JUST VACANT AND I KNOW THERE'S A VARIETY OF REASONS BACK THERE.

BUT I KNOW HAVING LIVED IN WEST HAWAII, TON OF HOMES THAT SIT AS VACATION HOMES THAT ARE USED ONLY A COUPLE MONTH A YEAR.

THERE IS REVENUE STREAMS THAT CAN BE LOOKED AT, I KNOW THEY'RE ALREADY STARTING.

>> AS FAR AS VACANT HOMES, YES WE COULD DO MORE.

VACANT HOME TAX OTHER COUNTIES ARE LOOKING AT DOING.

WE NEED TO MAKE IT MORE PROFITABLE FOR PEOPLE TO RENT TO LONGTERM RESIDENTS THAN IT IS TO HAVE THEM SIT VACANT.

RIGHT NOW, THAT IS NOT REALLY THE CASE.

SO IT'S HAVING A CARROT AND A STICK.

NEED TO HOPEFULLY HELP PEOPLE MAKE THOSE DECISIONS TO DO THAT.

ANOTHER THING I KNOW I'VE HEARD FROM PEOPLE WHO HAVE RENTAL, AND SOMETIMES THEY'RE WORRIED ABOUT PLACE GETTING NOT WELL TAKEN CARE OF, THINGS LIKE THAT.

I KNOW THERE'S ALSO A PROGRAM IN OAHU THAT SIMILAR WHERE YOU CAN THERE'S A POT OF MONEY FOR LANDLORDS IN CASE THEY RENT TO LONGTERM PEOPLE AND THEY HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THEM.

LIKE TO SEE US DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT TO INCENTIVIZE LANDLORDS TO RENT LONGTERM.

>>Daryl: ANOTHER QUESTION.

OCCURS TO ME.

YOU FIRST.

WITH THIS ONE.

JUST RIPPED FROM THE HEADLINES TWO EXTREMELY HORRIFY CRIMES LAST WEEK ON THE BIG ISLAND.

CRAZY CRIMES ON THAT ISLAND.

RECENTLY.

FEELS ALMOST SPOOKY HOW MUCH STUFF IS HAPPENING.

WHAT DO YOU THINK IS HAPPENING IN TERMS OF CRIME ON YOUR ISLAND AND WHAT DO YOU THINK NEEDS TO HAPPEN TO ADDRESS IT?

>> WELL, DON'T WANT TO RUSH THROUGH QUESTIONS.

WORKING WITH SHOPO, JUST TALKING TO SERGEANT THE OTHER DAY, ABOUT THAT.

AND ASKING THEM, IF THEY COULD ASK ANYTHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

THERE'S NOT MUCH.

THE POLICE ARE NOT AS UNDER FUNDED, I MEAN, ARE SHORT STAFF AS THEY ARE HERE IN HONOLULU.

WHERE IT'S LIKE CRISIS LEVEL.

THEY ARE STRUGGLING.

NO DOUBT.

AND I THINK THE BASIS OF IT TIES IN WITH AFFORDABLE HOUSING, TIES IN WITH THOSE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES WE HAVE A DERTH OF MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH FACILITIES ON HAWAII ISLAND.

AND SO THAT'S A BIG PROBLEM.

PEOPLE ARE NOT GETTING HELP AND PANDEMIC WITH THE SHUTDOWN, I WOULD BED IN PUNA FOR A LONG TIME.

WORKED IN PUNA FOR A LONG TIME.

GET STUCK OUT THERE.

NO JOB OPPORTUNITIES EASY TO FALL INTO THIS WEB OF DRUGS AND VIOLENCE AND YOU KIND OF FORGET ABOUT CIVIL NORMS AFTER A WHILE.

POLICE, MINE, THEY WORK SO HARD.

REALLY DO.

DO A GREAT JOB.

WE HAVE GREAT POLICE OFFICERS.

AND THEY HAVE ENORMOUS CHALLENGE.

BUT I THINK THAT IS THE ROOT CAUSE OF IT.

COST OF LIVING ISSUE AND FINDING GOOD JOB AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.

AND ALL OF THOSE THING.

TIE TOGETHER.

AND THERE'S THINGS THAT THE COUNTY CAN DO.

I WOULD LOVE TO DO THAT.

>>Daryl: YOUR TAKE ON THE CRIMES SITUATION?

>> YEAH.

AGREE WITH WHAT A LOT OF HE IS SAYING.

BUT YEAH, STRESS SOME OF THE, REALLY LACKING SOME OF THE SERVICES FOR ADDICTION AND MENTAL HEALTH.

AND IT'S MORE A LONGTERM SOLUTION.

I ALSO MY BACKGROUND IS ACTUALLY EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION.

AND I THINK WE REALLY NEED TO LOOK AT HOW WE'RE STARTING KIDS OFF EARLY.

POLICE DEPARTMENTS KNOW THIS.

THAT INVESTING EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS, REDUCE CRIME.

INCREASE HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION RATE.

HELP PEOPLE GET JOB AND BECOME PRODUCTIVE MEMBER OF SOCIETY.

I KNOW IT'S A LONGTERM THING AND PEOPLE THAT ARE ELECTED INTO OFFICE DON'T OFTEN WANT TO WORK ON THINGS THAT ARE THAT LONGTERM.

BUT IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE START LOOK AT INVESTING IN OUR COMMUNITY IN THAT WAY.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>>Daryl: ALSO, SOUNDS LIKE YOU AGREE ON A LOT OF THOSE ISSUES IN PARTICULAR.

BUT WHAT DO YOU DO, START WITH YOU, WHAT DO YOU DO TO GET AN INCREASE IN SOME OF THESE SERVICES AND SO ON?

ARE WE TALKING ABOUT $9.5 MILLION.

PART OF PLAN IS TO GET MORE IN SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE.

>> YES.

IN FACT, TOP TWO MEMBERS MENTIONED A PLAN THEY CAME UP TOP TWO THINGS ARE PERMANENT HOUSING AND SERVICES, MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AND ADDICTION SERVICES.

THOSE TWO THINGS ARE DEFINITELY ON THE TOP OF IT.

WE NEED TO INVEST IN GETTING PEOPLE TRAINED AND MAKING BETTER JOBS SO THAT PEOPLE CAN STAY AS MENTAL HEALTH WORKERS.

WE'VE GOT PEOPLE IN OUR KAISER FACILITY STRIKING RIGHT NOW.

DRIVE PAST EVERY DAY.

WHEN I GO HOME.

AND YOU KNOW, BETTER JOBS.

IT MEANS BETTER PAY.

ALSO MEANS OTHER THINGS.

LIKE GETTING PAID FAMILY LEAVE A LOT OF WOMEN FEEL LIKE IT'S NOT EVEN WORTH IT FOR THEM GO TO WORK IF THEY DON'T HAVE BETTER CHILD CARE.

AND FLEXIBILITY.

SO THEY CAN TAKE CARE OF THEIR FAMILIES.

>>Daryl: MOVE ON, ON THAT POINT.

IN FACT I THINK I'M GOING TO CHANGE.

I'VE GOT TO HONOR OUR AUDIENCE HERE.

BECAUSE THIS IS ANOTHER THING WE JUST HEARD ABOUT.

WHAT IS YOUR OPINION ON SOLID WEAPON AND RECYCLING.

LAND FILLS ARE FILLING UP.

ISSUE ON THE BIG ISLAND.

SOLID WASTE.

>> OPPORTUNITIES THAT ARE BEING USED IN ASIA AND EUROPE TO TURN THIS LIABILITY AROUND.

WITH SOME MANAGEMENT.

AND TURN IT INTO A POSSIBLE POSITIVE.

AND WASTE MANAGEMENT IS COMPLICATED BECAUSE WE'RE A SMALL, MINOR, HONOLULU IS STRUGGLING WITH IT.

BIG PLACE WITH HPOWER.

SCALABLE INCINERATION PLANTS.

I WOULD LOVE TO REVISIT THAT AS AN ENERGY SOURCE AND PLACE TO DIVERT.

BUT THERE'S ALSO THINGS LIKE COMPOSTING, IF URBAN AREAS, AND PUNA, HILO, KONA, WAIMEA, IF WE COULD START COLLECTING THE GARBAGE WORK WITH RESIDENT EDUCATING THEM TO COMPOST, RECYCLE.

DOUBLE DOWN ON RECYCLING.

THEN SOLID WASTE, WE WOULD REALLY, REALLY, WE HAVE A HUGE POTENTIAL OF REDUCING WASTE STREAM.

SOME OF THOSE WINS WE CAN TURN FROM THE LIABILITY.

>> I AGREE WITH A LOT OF WHAT HE IS SAYING.

MY CONVERSATIONS WITH PEOPLE LIKE SIERRA CLUB AND PEOPLE LIKE THAT, WE DEFINITE ALI'I THINK THERE ARE SOME REALLY GOOD WAYS TO LOOK AT SMALLER AS OPPOSED TO ONE LARGE OR TWO VERY LARGE SITES THAT YOU END UP TRUCKING LOTS OF THINGS TO.

IT'S NOT GOOD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT.

TO DO SMALLER WASTE MANAGEMENT.

AND I THINK YEAH, SO I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF OPPORTUNITIES THERE.

I WOULD DISAGREE SLIGHTLY ON I KNOW RECYCLING IS A THING THAT MAKES PEOPLE FEEL GOOD.

RECYCLING DOESN'T DO A WHOLE LOT FOR OUR ENVIRONMENT AND WE NEED TO REDUCE OUR USE OF PLASTICS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

IT'S A LOT BET FOR THE ENVIRONMENT THAN TRY RECYCLE IT AFTER WE USE A BUNCH IT.

>> YOU BOTH MENTIONED JOB.

LACK OF JOBS OR THE BIG ISLAND.

LACK OF DIVERSITY IN THE ECONOMY.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOUR GUYS COUNTY PERMIT SITUATION IS.

I THINK I HEARD TODAY STILL TAKES LONG TIME TO GET A PERMIT.

CONSTRUCTION IS ALWAYS DELAYED.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THINGS DOES A COUNCILMEMBER DO TO DIVERSIFY ECONOMY AND GENERATE JOBS?

PARTICULARLY IN YOUR DISTRICT.

BUT ISLANDWIDE.

>> PEOPLE ARE ALWAYS TALKING ABOUT THAT AND KIND OF LOOKING FOR THAT NEXT NEW THING.

IS IT NEW SUGAR INDUSTRY OR THE NEW WHATEVER THAT IS GOING TO BE BIG FOR OUR ISLAND.

I ACTUAL DON'T THINK THAT IS WHAT WE NEED RIGHT NOW.

WE HAVE A TON OF JOBS THAT NEED FILLING.

WE NEED DOCTORS.

WE NEED NURSES.

WE NEED TEACHERS.

WE NEED PEOPLE IN THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT.

WE HAVE EVERY WEEK, I GET A BIG LONG LIST OF JOBS THAT ARE AVAILABLE THAT ARE NOT BEING FILLED FOR ENGINEERS AND PERMANENT INSPECTORS.

ALL OF THOSE PEOPLE.

AND WE NEED TO MAKE THESE JOBS GOOD JOBS.

IF PEOPLE CAN, IF WORK FAMILIES CAN GO TO WORK, COME HOME, PAY THEIR BILLS AND STAY IN HAWAII, THEN THEY'LL BE HAPPY.

>>Daryl: SOUNDS LIKE GOOD JOBS PARTICULARLY ON THE BIG ISLAND.

>> THEY'RE NOT BECAUSE, I JUST SAW TODAY, THERE WAS AN ARTICLE IN THE PAPER ABOUT HAWAII IS ONE OF THE HIGHEST PLACES TO AFFORD TO LIVE IN.

IT'S JUST VERY, VERY HARD FOR WORKING FAMILIES TO MAKE IT WORK.

BUT THERE ARE THINGS WE CAN DO.

WE DO, LIKE I'M THINKING OF COUNTY JOBS.

>>Daryl: LET ME GIVE HIM A CHANCE.

JOB DEVELOPMENT.

AND DIVERSIFICATION.

>> IT'S HUGE PROBLEM.

AGAIN, TIED INTO THINGS THAT THE COUNTY CONTROLS.

LIKE THINGS THAT YOU DON'T THIS I ABOUT.

EXPANDING OUR SEWER SYSTEM.

NEEDS ENGINEERS, BUT IT WILL CREATE JOBS, IT WILL HELP US BUILD GREATER DENSITY WHERE IT'S IN THAT SERVICE AREA.

IT WILL HELP DRIVE HOUSING DOWN.

CREATE PUSH RENTS DOWN.

SO THERE'S ALWAYS THINGS THAT ARE TIED TOGETHER.

>>Daryl: YOU'RE SAYING THAT IF YOU IMPROVE THE WASTEWATER SYSTEM, AND THE INFRASTRUCTURE, YOU CAN BUILD MORE HOUSING THAT PEOPLE CAN AFFORD?

>> WELL, YOU COULD DO THINGS LIKE DENSITY.

ADD OHANA, MAKE THEM CHEAPER.

OUR VERSION OF THE ADU.

AUXILLIARY DWELLING UNIT.

MASS TRANSIT BECOME MORE USABLE AND MORE APPLICABLE AND PEOPLE USE IT MORE IF IT'S EASIER TO USE.

IN OUR IN TOWN AREAS, HIGHER DENSITY WOULD BE GOOD AND LIKE DOWNTOWN, MIXED USE, ZONING, USE THOSE UPSTAIRS FOR RESIDENTIAL.

AND HAVE THE DOWNSTAIRS BE BUSINESSES.

THOSE KIND OF MODELS THAT WE'VE USED 100 YEAR AGO AND WE'RE VERY SUCCESSFUL.

BUT THOSE ARE THE KINDS OF CHALLENGES THAT WE FACE IS DRAWING PEOPLE IN.

IT'S A CHICKEN AND THE EGG KIND OF THING.

SO IT'S AN INCREMENTAL APPROACH.

WHAT JENNIFER MENTIONED BEFORE, ALL OF THESE THINGS ARE SMALL BITES.

THERE IS NO SILVER BULLET.

I HEARD SOMEONE ELSE MENTION THAT ON THIS SHOW.

THERE IS NO BIG DEAL OUT THERE.

IT'S LOTS OF SMALL BITES THAT ARE COLLECTIVELY MAKE AN IMPACT.

>>Daryl: LET ME GIVE YOU A CHANCE TO TALK ABOUT AFFORDABLE HOUSING LITTLE BIT.

HAVEN'T REALLY HEARD.

WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE MAIN BEST WAY TO GET AFFORDABLE UNITS AVAILABLE?

>> YEAH.

ONCE AGAIN THERE ARE A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS IMPINGING ON THAT.

MENTIONED PERMITTING SYSTEM.

WE'VE HAD DECADES OF PROBLEMATIC PERMITTING IN OUR COUNTY.

WE HAVE A NEW SYSTEM IN PLACE CALLED EPIC.

TRANSITION TO EPIC HAS BEEN VERY CHALLENGING.

MADE THINGS EVEN SLOWER FOR MANY PEOPLE.

BUT I DO THINK IT'S THE RIGHT WAY TO GO.

IN THE LONG RUN, GOING TO BE MORE FAIR, YOU HEAR ABOUT THESE SCANDAL.

>> BRIBERY SCANDALS.

WON'T BE ABLE TO DO THAT.

YOU PUT YOUR PLANS IN AND THEY JUST GO IN ORDER.

THEY COME.

>>Daryl: I NEED TO WRAP THIS UP.

ONLY GOT ABOUT A MINUTE.

TWO QUESTIONS ABOUT TRAFFIC.

GIVE YOU EACH A CHANCE TO SAY WHAT IS THE FIRST TRAFFIC THING YOU WOULD DO TO FIX CONGESTION?

>> WELL, IN ABOUT 15 SECONDS.

>> USED UP 7 OF IT RIGHT THERE.

>>Daryl: SORRY.

>> MORE BIKE TRAILS.

MORE PEDESTRIAN ACCESS.

AND MASS TRANSIT.

THEY ALL GO HAND IN HAND.

A LOT OF THAT.

>>Daryl: GOOD.

>> MASS TRANSIT IS FREE FOR EVERYBODY ON OUR ISLAND RIGHT NOW.

I WANT TO GET EVERY HIGH SCHOOL IT DO FIELD TRIPS WITH THEIR TEENAGERS.

>>Daryl: OKAY.

STOP.

MAHALO FOR JOINING US TONIGHT AND WE THANK OUR GUESTS, CANDIDATES FOR HAWAII COUNTY COUNCIL DISTRICT 2, MATTHIAS KUSCH AND JENN KAGIWADA NEXT WEEK ON INSIGHTS WE WILL TALK TO THE CANDIDATES FOR HAWAII STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN DISTRICT 38 AND IN DISTRICT 6.

PLEASE JOIN US THEN.

I’M DARYL HUFF FOR INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAII, ALOHA.

¶¶ ¶¶