TWO EXPERIENCED POLITICIANS – MARILYN LEE AND LAUREN CHEAPE MATSUMOTO ‑ ARE IN THE RUNNING FOR THE NEWLY REDISTRICTED STATE HOUSE DISTRICT 38 WHICH COVERS MILILANI AND WAIPI’O ACRES.

WHAT FRESH NEW IDEAS THEY HAVE FOR THE DISTRICT.

PLUS, TWO POLITICAL NEWCOMERS – KIRSTIN KAHALOA AND JONATHAN KENNEALY ‑ ARE LOOKING TO REPRESENT WEST HAWAI’I IN THE RACE FOR STATE HOUSE DISTRICT 6.

TONIGHT’S LIVE BROADCAST AND LIVE STREAM OF INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAI’I START NOW.

ALOHA AND WELCOME TO INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAI’I.

I’M OLENA HEU.

TONIGHT WE’RE SPEAKING TO CANDIDATES LOOKING TO HOLD A SEAT IN THE HAWAI’I STATE HOUSE.

FIRST, WE FOCUS ON THE RACE FOR DISTRICT 38.

THAT INCLUDES PART OF MILILANI AND WAIPI’O ACRES, ON OAHU.

STARTING THIS YEAR, DUE TO REAPPORTIONMENT, THE BOUNDARIES OF THIS DISTRICT HAVE CHANGED PITTING TWO SEASONED LAWMAKERS AGAINST EACH OTHER.

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

YOU CAN EMAIL OR CALL IS WITH YOUR QUESTIONS.

AND YOU’LL FIND A LIVE STREAM GET INVOLVED WITH THE CONVERSATION ON FACEBOOK PAGE.

NOW, TO OUR GUESTS.

DEMOCRAT MARILYN LEE IS A MEMBER OF THE MILILANI NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD.

SHE PREVIOUSLY SERVED IN THE STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FROM 1996 TO 20‑12 WHERE SHE SERVED AS MAJORITY FLOOR LEADER FOR FOUR YEARS.

REPUBLICAN LAUREN CHEAPE MATSUMOTO HAS SERVED IN THE STATE HOUSE SINCE 20‑12… REPRESENTING DISTRICT 45, WHICH COVERED MILILANI AND MILILANI MAUKA, UNTIL THE AREA WAS REAPPORTIONED THIS YEAR.

SHE SERVES AS MINORITY FLOOR LEADER IN THE HOUSE.

WELCOME TO THANK YOU FOR JOINING US THIS EVENING.

FIRST QUESTION IS FOUR, MARILYN.

WHAT KIND OF FRESH AND NEW IDEAS WILL YOU BRING TO THE TABLE THIS YEAR IF ELECTED?

>> WELL, FIRST, THANK YOU FOR HAVING US TONIGHT.

REALLY APPRECIATE THE PUBLICITY AND GETTING TO KNOW THE PEOPLE IN THE DISTRICT.

ACTUALLY, FRESH IDEAS, HARD TO FIND A FRESH IDEA THESE DAYS.

BUT REAL CONCERNS IS AEROSPACE.

I THINK AEROSPACE IS A WONDERFUL IDEA TO BRING TO THE COMMUNITY AND TO THE STATE.

NOW WE'RE HAVING INVOLVED IN THE SHOT TO OCCURRED THE OTHER DAY.

AEROSPACE AND TOURISM SPACE TOURISM, I THINK WOULD BE A WONDERFUL THING TO BRING NOT ONLY TO THE COMMUNITY BUT TO THE STATE.

>>Olena: THANK YOU.

>> I THINK SOMETHING THAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT IS ACCOUNTABILITY.

IF OUR LEGISLATURE.

SOMETHING THAT I'VE INTRODUCED REALLY PASSIONATE ABOUT IS HAVING A FINANCIAL DATABASE OVER THE ENTIRE STATE TRANSPARENCY WHERE OUREN MAUI BEING SPENT.

DEPARTMENTS OPERATE DIFFERENT SYSTEMS.

DIFFICULT TO KNOW WHERE THE TAXPAYER MONEY IS GOING.

NOT MOST FUN OR INTERESTING IDEAS, SO IMPORTANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE MANAGING TAXPAYOR MONEY WELL.

>>Olena: BACK TO YOU.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS THE MOST CONCERNING ISSUE THAT YOU'RE HEARING FROM CONSTITUENTS AND FROM RESIDENTS AS YOU ARE GOING DOOR‑TO‑DOOR AND SPEAKING TO THEM?

>> AS I GO DOOR‑TO‑DOOR, IT'S AMAZING THAT MOST PEOPLE ARE REALLY VERY HAPPY TO BE LIVING IN MILILANI TOWN.

IN MILILANI MAUKA.

I DON'T BLAME THEM.

IT'S A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE.

PEOPLE DO HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT ECONOMY.

PEOPLE HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT CRIME A LOT OF CONCERNS ABOUT TRAFFIC AND ALSO RED LIGHT RUNNING.

ON INTERSECTIONS IN TOWN.

>> I AM SO BLESSED TO HAVE BEEN BORN AND RAISED IN MILILANI.

WHEN TALKING TO PEOPLE, ONE ISSUE THAT THEY TALK ABOUT IS THE COST OF LIVING.

THAT'S SOMETHING THAT I'VE BEEN PASSIONATE ABOUT REALLY LOOKING INTO LAST TEN YEARS THAT I'VE BEEN IN THE LEGISLATURE, FIRST AREA I THINK REALLY NEED TO ADDRESS IS ELIMINATING GENERAL EXCISE TAX ON FOOD AND MEDICAL SERVICES AND FEMININE HYGIENE PRODUCTS.

IMMEDIATELY HELP OUR FAMILIES ESPECIALLY WITH THE HIGH INFLATION THAT WE HAVE NOW.

SECOND THING THAT I THINK WE NEED DO IS ELIMINATE INCOME TAX FOR OUR MINIMUM WAGE EARNERS AND MIDDLE CLASS.

>> ONE OF THE HIGHEST TAX RATES IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY.

SO BEING ABLE TO HAVE MORE MONEY IN OUR POCKET WOULD IMMEDIATELY HELP PEOPLE.

ALSO, ADDRESSING HOMEOWNERSHIP AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

THOSE ARE THE THINGS THAT I HEAR WHEN GOING DOOR‑TO‑DOOR AND DOING TOWN HALL AN DOING SURVEYS IN COMMUNITY.

REALLY THE COST OF LIVING, NUMBER ONE ISSUE FOR PEOPLE.

>>Olena: WE HAVE A LOT OF QUESTIONS ALREADY.

THANK YOU EVERYBODY FOR CONTRIBUTING TO THE CONVERSATION.

WE WILL TRY TO GET TO AS MANY AS POSSIBLE.

LOGAN FROM MILILANI HIGH SCHOOL.

HE WANTS TO KNOW WHAT DO YOU FEEL NEEDS TO BE DONE FOR EDUCATION IN OUR STATE?

>> SUCH AN IMPORTANT ISSUE.

I AM A YOUNG MOTHER.

FIVE‑YEAR‑OLD.

2‑1/2‑YEAR‑OLD.

SOMETHING THAT I'M LOOKING AT ALL THE TIME.

I AM A GRADUATE OF MILILANI HIGH SCHOOL.

SO SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE I THINK REALLY LOOKING AT EDUCATING THE WHOLE CHILD.

SO OFTEN CLASSES HAVE BEEN CUT LIKE CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION.

LOOKING AT THINGS LIKE PHYSICAL EDUCATION.

SO MANY OF OUR SCHOOLS DON'T HAVE THAT ANY MORE.

RESCUES ABOUT THE STANDARDIZED TESTS.

NEED TO LOOK AT EDUCATING WHOLE CHILD AND MAKING SURE WE ARE LOOKING AT DIFFERENT LEARNING STYLES.

>>Olena: WHAT DO YOU FEEL NEEDS TO BE DONE FOR EDUCATION IN OUR STATE?

>> I'VE BEEN VERY ACTIVE IN THE SCHOOLS FOR A LONG TIME.

MY CHILDREN ALL ATTENDED MILILANI SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITY COUNSEL MILILANI HIGH SCHOOL.

BIG THINGS NATIONAL ISSUE, LEARNING LOSS DURING THE PANDEMIC.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS GOING TO EFFECT WHOLE GENERATION OF YOUNG PEOPLE.

IF WE DON'T DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

LEARNING LOSS.

AND OTHER BIG ISSUE IS SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL LEARNING.

LOTS OF CHILDREN WERE ISOLATED DURING THE PANDEMIC.

THEY NEED SOMETHING TO HELP THEM GET BACK INTO THE SWING OF THINGS.

NEED A LOT OF PSYCHOLOGICAL HELP.

AND OTHER DAY, WE HAD ARTICLE IN THE PAPER ABOUT THE LACK OF SCHOOLS PSYCHOLOGISTS.

LIKE TO SEE MORE SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGISTS.

>>Olena: THANK YOU.

VIEWERS CALLED IN.

SAYS, WHAT CAN BE DONE FOR FAMILIES WITH YOUNG CHILDREN STRUGGLING WITH CHILD CARE?

>> ISSUE THAT IS NEAR AND DEAR TO MY HEART.

I HAVE A FIVE‑YEAR‑OLD AND A TWO‑AND‑A‑HALF‑YEAR‑OLD.

BOTH CHILDREN ARE IN PRESCHOOL.

COST OF PRESCHOOL IS JUST ASTRONOMICAL.

AT ONE POINT, I WAS PAYING $30,000 A YEAR FOR TWO CHILDREN TO ATTEND PRESCHOOL.

THAT'S PRETTY MUCH AN ANNUAL SAL WAY ONCE YOU TAKE AWAY TAXES.

ANNUAL SALARY I THINK IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE REALLY NEED TO ADDRESS.

I'VE INTRODUCED BILLS IN LEGISLATURE BUSINESSES GET TAX CREDIT IF THEY PROVIDE CHILD CARE AT THEIR FACILITY.

OR WORKING ON CERTIFICATION FOR OUR PRESCHOOL TEACHERS.

DON'T HAVE ENOUGH PRESCHOOL TEACHERS.

AT ONE POINT, I WAS NUMBER 50 ON THE WAIT LIST TO GET MY SON INTO PRESCHOOL.

REALLY IS A SUPPLY ISSUE.

SO I WAS A CHAIR OF WOMEN IN GOVERNMENT.

NATIONAL ORGANIZATION.

AND AT ONE OF OUR CONFERENCES REALLY LOOKED INTO EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION.

THEY DID A CASE STUDY ON GEORGIA AND NEW JERSEY.

CASE STUDY.

NEW JERSEY SPENT THREE TIMES AMOUNT THAT GEORGIA DID PER STUDENT BUT OUTCOMES BACK WERE THE SAME.

DIFFERENCE REALLY CAME IN LOOK AT A MIXED DELIVERY SYSTEM.

MEANING NOT JUST PUBLIC PRESCHOOL, BUT PUBLIC/PRIVATE AND HOME BASED PRESCHOOL.

INCREASED SUPPLY.

WE NEED DO IN HAWAII.

HELP LOWER CAST.

>> I AGREE CHILD CARE IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT.

I HAVE NINE GRANDCHILDREN.

FOUR CHILDREN.

STILL HAVE VERY YOUNG GRANDCHILDREN.

IN THE FAMILY.

ALL OF MY CHILDREN STRUGGLE WITH THE ISSUE OF CHILD CARE.

THE COST IS JUST OUT OF SIGHT.

OTHER REASONS OUT OF SIGHT, IS THAT SAFETY ISSUES RELATED TO CARING FOR YOUNG CHILDREN.

PRESCHOOL TEACHERS ARE NOT PAID ENOUGH.

VERY LOW PAID.

FOR THE KIND OF RESPONSIBILITY THEY HAVE.

I COULDN'T AGREE MORE WITH LAUREN.

BIG PROBLEM.

SOME CHILDREN ARE BEING TAKEN TO UNLICENSED CARE AND THAT IS SOMETIMES TRAGEDY BECAUSE KIND OF PLACED IN FRONT OF THE TV SET, AND KEEP BEING QUIET AND THAT'S NOT THE WAY THAT YOUNG CHILDREN SHOULD BE TREATED DESPERATE TIMES CALL FOR DESPERATE MEASURES.

DO YOU THINK THERE SHOULD BE TERM LIMITS FOR STATE LEGISLATORS?

>> TERM LIMITS ARE GOOD IDEA.

BUT I DON'T THINK THAT THE MAJORITY OF LEGISLATORS WOULD BE VOTING IN FAVOR OF IT.

WE'VE ACTUALLY DO HAVE THIS YEAR A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE LEAVING LEGISLATURE.

I DON'T KNOW EXACTLY HOW MANY.

BUT QUITE A FEW.

THAT LEAVING.

SORT OF HAVE A NATURAL KIND OF TERM LIMIT WHEN PEOPLE GO OFF TO LEARN FOR HIGHER OFFICE OR DECIDE THAT THEY WANT TO LEAVE THE STATE.

WHICH IS HAPPENED THIS YEAR.

I THINK THAT I'VE HAD TENURE RESPITE BETWEEN MY END OF MY LAST TERM AND NOW, SO I FEEL THAT I DON'T REALLY NEED TO HAVE, BE LIMITED IN TERM NOW.

IT WILL BE PROBABLY LIMITED BY MY AGE.

GOING TO BE A DIFFICULT THING TO ACCEPT BECAUSE WE DO NEED THE EXPERIENCED PEOPLE.

WE ALSO NEED TO THINK ABOUT THE YOUNG PEOPLE LIKE LAUREN TO HAVE THEIR OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE.

>>Olena: WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> ALWAYS STRONGLY SUPPORTED TERM LIMITS.

I THINK THAT IS SOMETHING THAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE BRINGING IN FRESH IDEAS WE DON'T HAVE PEOPLE WHO IN OFFICE FOR SO LONG.

IF YOU'RE SERVING WITH ALL OF YOUR HEART AND PUTTING EVERYTHING INTO IT, IT'S A FULL‑TIME COMMITMENT.

AND SO I THINK MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE ABLE TO REALLY HAVE THE BEST LEGISLATORS THAT WE CAN, AGAIN, TAKES A LITTLE WHILE TO LEARN WHAT YOU'RE DOING.

BUT TO HAVE THOSE TERM LIMITS I THINK IT WILL HELP WITH THE ISSUE OF CORRUPTION.

THAT WE'VE HAD.

WE'VE HAD SO MANY PEOPLE INDICTED IN THE LAST YEAR.

AND SO I THINK TERM LIMITS IS A SOLUTION TO SOME OF THOSE ISSUES.

LENGTH OF TIME IN OFFICE.

HAS ANY RELATION TO WHETHER YOU'RE CORRUPT OR NOT.

THAT'S MY OPINION.

>>Olena: SARAH WRITES IN.

SO HARD TO BUY A HOUSE IN HAWAII.

THAT WHAT IS YOUR PLAN TO HELP PEOPLE IN OUR STATE AFFORD A HOME?

>> THIS IS A TOP ISSUE.

WITH COST OF LIVING, HOMEOWNERSHIP COMES BACK RIGHT THERE WITH IT.

AND I THINK IN THE LEGISLATURE, SO OFTEN WE TALK ABOUT AFFORDABLE RENTALS.

WHICH IS REALLY A GOOD IDEA.

BUT WHAT I THINK WE NEED TO FOCUS ON IS HOMEOWNERSHIP.

SO ISSUE THAT I'VE BEEN WORKING ON IS INTRODUCE A BILL SO THAT WE CAN HAVE REALLY BIFURCATE THE MARKET AND HAVE A LOCAL HOUSING MARKET.

SO MANY FOREIGN INVESTORS COMING IN.

LOCALS ARE NOT ABLE TO AFFORD A HOME.

ENABLE TO BIFURCATE THE MARKET IS THE FIRST STEP.

THE OTHER THING WHEN TALKING WITH PEOPLE, ONE OF THE BIGGEST HURDLES TO BEING ABLE TO BUY A HOME IS THAT DOWN PAYMENT.

BE ABLE TO SAVE ENOUGH FOR THAT DOWN PAYMENT.

SO ANOTHER BILL THAT I'VE INTRODUCED HAVE A PRETAX SAVINGS PLAN.

SIMILAR TO LIKE ISLAND FLEX SPENDING.

YOU HAVE DEPENDENT CARE OR HAVE PRETAX DOLLARS FOR MEDICAL SERVICE.

THAT YOU CAN HAVE A THIRD OF YOUR MONEY BACK IN ORDER TO SAVE UP FOR THAT DOWN PAYMENT.

BECAUSE ONCE WE'RE ABLE TO LOCK IN TO A MORTGAGE, AS PEOPLE GET RAISES AND ABLE TO EARN MORE MONEY, THEIR MORTGAGE IS FIXED ABLE TO HELP LIFT EVERYBODY UP.

TO HAVE MORE DISPOSABLE INCOME AND INVEST IN THEIR FAMILY.

>> REPEAT THE QUESTION?

SO HARD TO BUY A HOUSE IN HAWAII.

WHO IS YOUR PLAN TO HELP PEOPLE IN THE STATE AFFORD A HOME.

>> I THINK WE'LL HAVE TO LOOK AT SMALLER HOMES AND DIFFERENT WAYS OF LIVING.

MAYBE SHARED APARTMENTS THAT HAVE SHARED COOKING FACILITIES.

AND LAUNDRY FACILITIES.

BECAUSE THERE'S JUST NOT ENOUGH LAND TO PUT SINGLE FAMILY HOUSES ON IN HAWAII WITHOUT REALLY USING ALL THE AGRICULTURAL LAND UP.

IS WE DO HAVE TO LOOK AT DIFFERENT OPTIONS.

IT IS A SHAME THAT NOT EVERYBODY CAN BE A HOMEOWNER.

BUT RENTAL IS NOT A BAD IDEA FOR A FEW YEARS.

AND ACTUALLY, RENT TO OWN IS SOMETHING THAT I THINK WE OUGHT TO THINK ABOUT.

KIND OF LIKE RENT TO OWN FURNITURE.

RENT TO OWN A HOUSE.

AS YOU PUT THE EQUITY IN THERE, EVENTUALLY ENDS UP WITH A DOWN PAYMENT.

AND GO ON TO OWN THE HOUSE.

>>Olena: YOU DID BRING UP LITTLE BIT ABOUT AGRICULTURE.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT THE CURRENT STATE OF AGRICULTURE WITHIN YOUR DISTRICT?

>> WELL, WE HAVE A LOT OF AGRICULTURE LAND ESPECIALLY IN BETWEEN MILILANI AND NORTH SHORE.

SO FAR, A LOT OF THAT LAND HAS NOT BEEN DEVELOPED.

PINEAPPLE LAND OF COURSE PINEAPPLES KIND OF GONE OUT AS CASH CROP.

A LOT OF THAT CAN BE DONE IN TERMS OF AGRICULTURE.

I'M A BIG SUPPORTER OF ULU BREADFRUIT FOR THOSE UNDERSTAND THE WORD.

CROP THAT IS SUSTAINABLE.

FULL OF PROTEIN.

IT WOULD BE A WONDERFUL THING TO BE ABLE TO HELP THE PEOPLE UNDERSTAND AND USE AS A STAPLE FOOD.

ALSO, THE COMMUNITY GARDENS ARE WONDERFUL LINK.

WE HAVE A COMMUNITY GARDEN AT MY CHURCH IN MILILANI.

TWO PLOTS THERE.

AND WE HAVE 60 PEOPLE WITH LITTLE PLOTS THERE AT THE COMMUNITY GARDEN.

AND EVERY WEEK OR SO, WE GIVE TO EITHER HOMELESS OR ELDERLY.

OR PEOPLE IN NEED IN THE COMMUNITY.

SO AGRICULTURE CAN BE EITHER SMALL IN YOUR BACKYARD, OR BIG, GROWING ULU TREE OUT IN PLANTATION.

BUT I THINK THERE'S SO MUCH POTENTIAL FOR IT.

>> ULU.

VERY DIVERSE ALSO.

>> I LOVE IT.

>>Olena: WHAT IS YOUR PLAN AS FAR AS AGRICULTURE AND AGRICULTURAL LANDS?

>> THIS ISSUE IS SO NEAR AND DEAR TO MY HEART.

MY FAMILY HAS PETERSON'S AG FARM IN WAHIAWA.

GREAT GRANDFATHER STARTED IT IN 1910.

MY MOM IS THE ONE WHO RUNS THE FARM NOW.

SO I'VE GROWN UP IN A FARMING FAMILY.

ACTUALLY WHEN I FIRST GOT ELECTED, IN 2012, I WAS THE ONLY PERSON IN THE LEGISLATURE AT THE TIME WHO HAD EVER LIVED ON OR WORKED ON A FARM.

BRINGING IN THAT EXPERIENCE IS SO IMPORTANT.

WHAT I'VE SEEN IN MY TIME IN THE LEGISLATURE, IS A LOT OF THE LAWS WE PASS REALLY PUT BURDENS ON OUR SMALL FARMERS WITHOUT EVEN REALIZING IT.

SOME OF THE BUSINESS LAWS PASSED, SOME OF THE TAX LAWS WE PASSED BUFFER ZONE LAWS.

REALLY PUTTING A LOT OF OUR SMALL FARMERS OUT OF BUSINESS.

SO WHAT SO DIFFICULT IS FARMERS DON'T HAVE TIME TO COME AND TESTIFY.

SO I'M SO HAPPY THAT WE HAVE REMOTE TESTIMONY NOW.

BECAUSE THEY'RE ABLE TO NOT HAVE TO LEAVE THEIR FARM AND SIT AT THE CAPITOL FOR HOURS.

AND ABLE TO GIVE THEIR INPUT AT THE CAPITOL.

WHAT THE STATE REALLY NEEDS TO FOCUS ON IN MY OPINION IS REALLY INFRASTRUCTURE.

WATER, AND ELECTRICITY.

BECAUSE THOSE ARE THE BIGGEST COSTS OF GETTING YOUR FARM UP AND RUNNING.

I DID REPRESENT THOSE AGRICULTURAL LANDS BETWEEN MILILANI AND NORTH SHORE.

IN MY TIME IN THE LEGISLATURE.

ONE OF OUR FARMER GETTING STARTED IN ORDER TO DOING A WELL, COSTING THEM ALMOST A MILLION DOLLARS.

THAT'S JUST FOR WATER.

THAT'S NOT TALKING ABOUT YOUR BUILDINGS.

NOT TALKING ABOUT EVEN GETTING YOUR CROPS GOING.

SO I THINK WHAT THE STATE CAN REALLY TO AID IN FOOD PRODUCTION IS WORKING ON INFRASTRUCTURE.

SO WE CAN SUPPORT OUR LOCAL FARMERS.

MADE USE OF THE GALBRAITH LANDS.

WHEN I WAS STILL IN THE LEGISLATURE PROBLEM WITH THOSE LANDSES IS SOME OF THE, AREN'T MANY PEOPLE WHO WANT TO GO INTO FARMING THESE DAYS.

WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT MAKING AGRICULTURAL A MORE ATTRACTIVE FIELD TO ENTER.

I THINK THAT IF THE COMMUNITY COUNT GOT MORE ACTIVE AGRICULTURAL AREAS.

THAT WOULD BE A GOOD THING AS WELL.

>>Olena: OBVIOUSLY, BEING IN MINORITY, CURRENTLY.

WE ALSO HAVE A COMMENT FROM JASON FROM MILILANI.

SAYS, SINCE HAWAII LEGISLATURE PREDOMINANTLY DEMOCRATIC, WHAT ARE THE PROS AND CONS OF ONE PARTY CONTROL?

>> PROS, HUM.

THE PROS ONE‑PARTY CONTROL, MAYBE THAT YOU GET COMMITTEE.

I GET TO BE A COMMITTEE CHAIR A LOT OF BILLS PASS THROUGH.

BUT I THINK IN MY TIME IN THE LEGISLATURE, I HAVE SEEN THAT THERE'S A LOT OF DIFFICULTIES ISSUES WITH HAVING ONE PARTY RULE.

94% OF OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS ARE ALL FROM ONE PARTY.

IN OUR STATE.

I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SEE FIRSTHAND HOW BILLS JUST PASS THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE THAT THERE IS NOT REALLY A CULTURE OF CONVERSATION.

SO I THINK THAT IS SOMETHING THAT REALLY NEEDS TO CHANGE.

I KNOW PEOPLE CAN ARGUE THAT EVEN PEOPLE IN THE MAJORITY PARTY, HAVE DIFFERENT OPINIONS.

DIFFERENT FACTIONS.

BUT ULTIMATELY, REALLY IS ONE POWER STRUCTURE.

SOMETIMES NOT WANTING TO SPEAK UP BECAUSE YOU DON'T WANT TO LOSE YOUR CHAIR.

I THINK WHAT IS SO IMPORTANT, WHAT I'VE GOTTEN TO LEARN ABOUT BEING IN THE MINORITY, IS REALLY HOW TO BE COLLABORATIVE AND WORK TOGETHER TO GET THINGS DONE.

I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING THAT IS MISSING IN OUR STATE.

ALSO, ACROSS THE NATION.

SO I THINK BALANCE IS SOMETHING THAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT IN OUR STATE.

SO ALL OF THE VOICES IN HAWAII CAN BE HEARD.

>>Olena: THANK YOU.

SINCE HAWAII'S LEGISLATURE PREDOMINANTLY DEMOCRATIC.

WHAT ARE THE PROS AN CONS OF ONE‑PARTY CONTROL.

>> CERTAINLY, IT'S GOOD TO HAVE A BALANCE.

IT'S NOT THE FAULT OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY THAT WE HAVE SO FEW REPUBLICANS.

SO I THINK IN THE FUTURE, THAT THE REPUBLICANS NEED TO WORK HARD TO GET AN ATTRACTIVE CANDIDATES.

AND REPUBLICAN PARTY NATIONALLY, SO MANY NEGATIVES.

HARD FOR PEOPLE TO VOTE REPUBLICAN WITH THE RECENT ROE DECISION.

LOST OUR REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS.

IF THE NEW CONGRESS IS ALL REPUBLICAN, PASS A BILL THAT MAKES NATIONAL BAN AGAINST REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS.

AND SO I THINK IF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY HAD PEOPLE MORE INTERESTED IN RIGHTS OF WOMEN, FOR INSTANCE, AND RIGHTS OF VOTERS, THAT WE WOULD BE IN BETTER SHAPE.

WE HAVE SEVERAL QUESTIONS IN REGARDS TO FOOD SECURITY.

FROM HANNA AND JEN.

HOW WOULD YOU SUGGEST WE ENSURE FOOD SECURITY FOR HAWAII?

>> THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION.

WELL, AS I MENTIONED, ULU.

I THINK THAT IS, VERY IMPORTANT SUBJECT.

I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE NEED TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO DO IS TO BUY LOCAL.

AND TO ALSO SHOP AT LOCAL ESTABLISHMENTS.

AND AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE, KIND OF A VOID THE BIG BOX PLACES BECAUSE ALL MONEY THAT IS MADE THERE GOING OFF TO THE MAINLAND.

AND WE NEED TO REALLY DEVELOP OUR AGRICULTURE CROP IS NOT ONLY FOR LOCAL CONSUMPTION, BUT ALSO TO EXPORT.

WITH ULU, ACTUALLY CAN MAKE ALL KINDS OF PRODUCTS FROM IT.

WE WANT PEOPLE DO BE WELL NOURISHED.

YOU COULD USE THAT LIKE A POTATO.

LOTS OF PROTEIN IN IT.

FOOD SECURITY IS PROBABLY AT THE TOP OF MY LIST BECAUSE WE HAVE A BIG STORM.

GOING TO BE STUCK OUT HERE MIDDLE OF THE OCEAN WITHOUT ANY FOOD TO EAT.

IF WE DON'T REALLY GET ON THE HORSE AND RIDE IT BACK TO COMMUNITY GARDENS AND FARMING.

>> FOOD SECURITY IS SO IMPORTANT.

I MEAN, WE HEAR THIS STATISTICS ALL THE TIME WE IMPORT 85 TO 95% OF OUR FOOD.

SO ESSENTIAL WE GROW FOOD HERE.

AGAIN, SUPPORT OUR SMALL LOCAL FARMERS.

ONE OF BIG THINGS THAT WE NEED TO FOCUS ON IS A LOT OF OUR FARMERS ARE REALLY REALLY GOOD AT FARMING.

BUT BUSINESS IS WHERE THEY STRUGGLE.

SO A LOT OF TIMES WE HAVE SO MANY PEOPLE GROWING LETTUCE AND TOMATO AND CUCUMBER, THERE ISN'T NECESSARY ENOUGH OF A DEMAND FOR THOSE TYPE OF THINGS.

SO WHEN I'VE BEEN IN THE LEGISLATURE.

WORKING WITH CTAHR.

UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.

TO HELP CREATE SOME OF THOSE BUSINESS PLANS FOR OUR FARMERS TO BE ABLE TO KNOW WHAT ARE CROPS THAT THEY SHOULD BE GROWING.

WHAT ARE THE BEST THINGS TO BE DOING?

AND THE OTHER THING IS AS A FARMER, YOU OFTEN IF YOU'RE SELLING TO A STORE, ONLY GET TEN CENTS ON THE DOLLAR.

HAVE VERY RAZOR THIN MARGINS.

ANOTHER THING WE'RE WORKING ON IS FOOD HUBS.

A LOT OF THESE SMALL FARMERS CAN HAVE ONE CENTRAL PROCESSING PLANT SO THAT THEIR COSTS GO DOWN AND ABLE TO EARN MORE.

THE OTHER AREA IS AG TECH.

MAKING SURE LIKE IT'S DIFFICULT FOR PEOPLE TO WANT TO FARM.

WAYS THAT WE CAN MODERNIZE AGRICULTURAL IN ORDER TO PRODUCE FOOD.

AND MAKE SURE THAT WE ACTUALLY IS A SMALLER FOOTPRINT AND CAN GROW MORE.

>>Olena: LET'S SWITCH GEARS A LITTLE BIT.

ONE INDUSTRY IN THE STATE IS TOURISM.

WHAT KIND OF IDEAS DO YOU HAVE TO DIVERSIFY OUR ECONOMY.

>> THIS WAS REALLY PUT INTO LIGHT DURING THE PANDEMIC.

WE CANNOT JUST BE DEPENDENT ON TOURISM.

SO WE NEED TO DIVERSIFY NOW.

FILM, TECH AND AGRICULTURE.

SO OUR FILM INDUSTRY I FEEL, IS UNDER UTILIZED HERE IN HAWAII.

IT IS ALREADY EXISTING INDUSTRY THAT WE CAN REALLY FOCUS ON TO BUILD OUR ECONOMY.

UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII HAS THE ACADEMY FOR CREATIVE MEDIA.

JUST ABOUT TO OPEN THEIR BRAND NEW STATE‑OF‑THE‑ART FACILITY OUT IN WEST OAHU.

THIS NOVEMBER.

SO WE'RE ABLE TO HAVE THE EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND HAVE OUR STUDENTS READY TO ENTER THAT FIELD.

HIGH PAYING JOBS, AND FOR TECH, HAWAII IS THE EPICENTER OF BETWEEN ASIA AND MAINLAND.

WE ARE PERFECTLY POISE TO DO HAVE A STRONG TECH IS SECTOR HIGH PAYING JOBS WITH A REALLY SMALL FOOTPRINT.

SOMETHING THAT OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY CAN REALLY LOOK FORWARD TO.

THEY CAN STAY HERE IN HAWAII WITH THOSE HIGH PAYING JOBS.

>>Olena: TALKED ABOUT AGRICULTURE.

TOSS IT OVER TO MARILYN.

HOW DO YOU PLAN TO DIVERSIFY.

>> ALREADY DID MENTION AEROSPACE.

BECAUSE I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING THAT IS REALLY FOR THE FUTURE OF HAWAII.

GIVEN OUR LOCATION IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PACIFIC.

ALSO, ALL OF THOSE WONDERFUL STUDENTS TRAINING WITH STEM.

THAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE ALSO GREATER EMPHASIS ON ASTRONOMY AND BIG SUPPORTER OF TMT.

AND I'M HOPING THAT THAT IS GOING TO EVENTUALLY HAPPEN.

A LOT THAT CAN BE DONE.

ANOTHER BIG AREA HEALTH CARE.

WE WERE THE HEALTH STATE AT ONE TIME.

I DON'T KNOW IF WE STILL QUALIFY AS THE HEALTH STATE.

A LOT WE CAN DO TO BRING PEOPLE HERE TO GET SPECIAL KINDS OF SPECIALIZED TREATMENTS.

AND TO LEARN ABOUT OTHER ALTERNATIVES TO REGULAR HEALTH CARE.

TO TRADITIONAL HEALTH CARE.

>>Olena: CAN YOU CLARIFY WHAT YOU MEAN WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT AEROSPACE.

>> WELL, AT ONE TIME, UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII HAD STUDENTS WHO ARE SENDING SMALL THINGS UP INTO THE AIR.

PRETTY SUCCESSFUL.

KIND OF DIED OUT.

WHEN I LOOK AT THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING ON MAINLAND, THINGS LIKE BRANSON'S, SPACE TOURISM, AND JUST THE WHOLE IDEA OF THAT INTEREST IN OUR OUTER SPACE.

GREAT DEAL OF INTEREST.

ROCKET SENT UP, ANYTHING DO WITH SPACE, ALL KIDS ARE INTERESTED.

GRANDCHILDREN LOVE IT.

GET UP AT 5:00 IN THE MORNING TO WATCH.

>>Olena: THANK YOU.

TWO MINUTES LEFT.

ONE MINUTE ANSWER THIS LAST QUESTION.

RISING INFLATION IS A PROBLEM ACROSS THE NATION.

WHAT IS YOUR PLAN TO ADDRESS IT?

>> BIG PROBLEM.

I DON'T KNOW IF WE CAN DO FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF HAWAII.

IF WE CAN MAKE IT ANY BETTER THAN IT IS.

BUT I DID READ THE REPORT OF UHERO UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.

THEY DO FEEL THAT OUR ECONOMY MIGHT BE DOING BETTER IF THE RECESSION COMES BACK IN 2023.

THAN THAT OF THE CONTINENT.

THAT'S BECAUSE OUR RECOVERY STARTED A LITTLE BIT LATER.

SO HOPEFULLY, THAT IS TRUE.

BUT INFLATION IS SOMETHING THAT IS AFFECTED ALL ASPECTS OF THE COMMUNITY.

AND GO TO THE MARKET AND I USED TO BUY A STEAK.

NOW I BUY HAMBURGER.

GOT TO GET BACK TO HAVING AN ECONOMY PEOPLE CAN GUY NUTRITIOUS FOOD AND BE HEALTHY.

>> ELIMINATE GENERATION X SIZE TAX FOOD MEDICAL SERVICE.

41 STATE ELIMINATE TAX.

ELIMINATE TAX ON FOOD.

NOT A REVOLUTIONRY IDEA.

SHOULD HAVE DONE YEARS AGO HELP PEOPLE IMMEDIATELY.

ELIMINATE GENERAL EXCISE TAX.

WON'T HAVE THE REVENUE THAT IS NEEDED FOR THINGS LIKE EDUCATION AND SOME OF OUR SOCIAL SERVICES, SO IT WOULD BE HUGE DECISION TO ELIMINATE GENERAL EXCISE TAX ON FOOD.

A LOT OF TAXES COME FROM OUR TOURISTS.

>>Olena: THANK YOU LADIES SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

TO ALL OF OUR MILILANI RESIDENTS.

FOR THEIR GREAT QUESTIONS.

WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK OUR GUESTS, THE CANDIDATES FOR STATE HOUSE DISTRICT 38.

MARILYN LEE AND LAUREN CHEAPE MATSUMOTO.

AS WE GET READY FOR OUR NEXT SEGMENT FEATURING STATE HOUSE DISTRICT 6, PLEASE ENJOY THIS HIKI NO STORY FROM KONAWAENA HIGH SCHOOL.

>> ON THE BIG ISLAND, OF HAWAII, ORGANIC FARM IS DEDICATED TO HELPING ABUSED ORPHANED AND ABANDON GOATS.

WE HAD A NEIGHBOR BROUGHT US A BABY GOAT IN THE BOTTOM OF A BUCKET.

THE DANCING GOAT SANCTUARY WAS BORN.

NEVER MET OR WORKED WITH GOAT BEFORE.

CAPTURED ALL OF OUR HEARTS HERE ON THE FARM.

SO SERENA GIVE HER CREDIT FOR STARTING THE DANCING GOATS SANCTUARY.

>> BECAME THE FIRST OF MANY RESCUES AT THE SANCTUARY.

THAT HAS PROVIDED A SAFE ENVIRONMENT WHERE NEGLECTED ANIMALS CAN THRIVE.

SOME OF LARGEST RESCUES HAVE BEEN FROM FOLKS IN THE COMMUNITY BEEN TO THE FARM AND THEY RECOGNIZE WHEN AN ANIMAL IS IN NEED AND NEED HELP.

GIVE US A CALL.

SOMETIMES PEOPLE JUST SHOW UP AT THE GATE AND WE WORK WITH THEM TO HELP THEM FIND A SAFE SECURE PLACE FOR THE ANIMALS.

OFTEN, THEY CARE VERY DEEPLY FOR.

>> MENTORS YOUTH ADVENTURE SCHOOL PROGRAM.

STUDENTS LEARN ABOUT SUSTAINABLE.

SELF‑DETERMINATION AND HOW TO TREAT ANIMALS COMPASSIONATELY.

>> GOOD ENOUGH?

MOW GOATS ARE PRETTY NICE.

AS LONG AS YOU DON'T TRIGGER THEM BY TOUCHING THEM ON THEIR NOSE.

THAT GOATS FIGHT, WITH THEIR HORNS, USUALLY HIT LIKE RIGHT HERE.

AND HERE.

>> I WANT STUDENTS TO UNDERSTAND HOW THEIR ACTIONS IMPACT OTHERS.

WITH ANIMALS WE CAN SEE THIS VERY CLEARLY.

BECAUSE ANIMALS ARE VERY GOOD ABOUT GIVING US FEEDBACK TO OUR ACTIONS.

FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN STUDENTS COME OUT TO THE FARM, WAVING ARMS BEING VERY LOUD ANIMALS HAVE A VERY OBVIOUS REACTION TO THOSE ALLOW NOISES AND THOSE UNCONTROLLED ACTIONS.

DURING MY TIME ON THE FARM, I DISCOVERED THAT MY ENERGY LEVELS WERE WAY TOO HIGH FOR THE ANIMALS.

SOMETIMES THE OTHER PEOPLE ON THE FARM TO COPE WITH.

LIKE WHENEVER I WOULD APPROACH AN ANIMAL, EITHER SCAMPER AWAY, OR LIKE LEAVE THE AREA SLOWLY.

SO AS TO NOT CAUSE MY ENERGY LEVELS TO SPIKE HIGHER.

>> MADE ME REALIZE THAT SOMETIMES YOU NEED TO BE CALM AND COLLECTED AND DISCIPLINED IN LIFE.

IN ORDER TO GET WHAT YOU WANTED.

AND SO THAT APPLIES TO ALL AREAS.

AND WHAT I LEARNED FROM THE FARM.

>> STUDENT IS NOT ONLY LEARN HOW TO INTERACT WITH ANIMALS ANIMALS HAVE SOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS THAT HUMANS ARE NOT AWARE OF.

VISITORS SPEND TIME WITH THE ANIMALS LEARN WHY ANIMALS HAVE DEVELOPED PARTICULAR BEHAVIORS.

>> SOMEONE THOUGHT HE WAS TRYING TO BE AGGRESSIVE.

BUT HE WASN'T.

HE JUST WANTED TO PLAY.

>> ONCE SAID, TRUE MEASURE OF ANY SOCIETY CAN BE FOUND IN HOW IT TREATS ITS MOST VULNERABLE MEMBERS.

UNDERSTAND TRUST AND PATIENCE, SETTING PATH FOR ANIMAL AND YOUTH TO BUILD LASTING CONNECTIONS.

KONAWAENA HIGH SCHOOL FOR HIKI NO.

ALOHA AND WELCOME BACK TO INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAI’I.

WE ARE NOW JOINED BY CANDIDATES FOR HAWAI’I STATE HOUSE DISTRICT 6.

THE DISTRICT HONAUNAU, NAPO’OPO’O, CAPTAIN COOK, KEALAKEKUA, KEAUHOU, HOLUALOA, AND KAILUA‑KONA.

LET’S MEET OUR GUESTS: REPUBLICAN JONATHAN KENNEALY IS A GRADUATE OF WAIAKEA HIGH SCHOOL.

HE LATER JOINED THE ARMY AS A MILITARY POLICE SOLDIER AND HAS ALSO SERVED AS A FEDERAL POLICE OFFICER.

DEMOCRAT KIRSTIN KAHALOA WORKS AT IOLE STEWARDSHIP CENTER.

SHE RECENTLY WORKED AS PORTFOLIO MANAGER IN SUSTAINABLE INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT FOR KAMEHAMEHA SCHOOLS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR FLYING OVER TO JOIN US LIVE IN STUDIO TONIGHT.

MY FIRST QUESTION, TALKING ABOUT POLITICS A LOT OF PEOPLE WILL TALK ABOUT CORRUPTION.

AND ISSUES WITH TRUST.

AND SO MY FIRST QUESTION FOR YOU IS GOING TO BE, HOW ARE YOU GOING TO CHANGE PEOPLE'S VIEWS ABOUT YOUR TYPICAL POLITICIAN?

>> I STRONGLY FEEL, FIRST, THANK YOU FOR INVITING US TO THIS.

I THINK THAT THE FIRST THING IS THE PEOPLE NEED TO REALIZE THAT WE WORK FOR THEM.

WE ARE THE EMPLOYEES OF THE PEOPLE.

A LOT OF POLITICIANS NEED TO REMEMBER THAT.

AND I THINK THAT THEY LOST THAT MENTALITY.

WAY I WOULD APPROACH THIS, I'M GOING TO, BY HAVING A TOWN HALL, I WOULD LIKE DO IT QUARTERLY.

AT LEAST TWICE A YEAR, WHERE I CAN SHOW THE PEOPLE OF MY DISTRICT WHAT I HAVE DONE, DIRECTION WE'RE GOING, OR WHAT WE'RE WORKING ON, AND WHERE WE'RE TRYING TO GET DONE IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

GET FEEDBACK FROM THEM.

HEAR FROM THEM.

IF WE'RE NOT DOING SOMETHING WE'RE SUPPOSED TO BE DOING, OR IF SOMETHING COMES BACK UP THERE'S A REAL ISSUE, REAL TOPIC THEY WANT TO DISCUSS, THERE'S A LOT OF TIME IN THAT IN THOSE FORMS AND TOWN HALLS FOR THAT.

SO THAT'S WHERE I CAN HEAR BACK FROM THE PEOPLE.

>> MAHALO FOR HAVING US.

I THINK FOR PUBLIC CORRUPTION, I THINK THE BUILDING TRUST.

AND I THINK AS LEGISLATORS AND ELECTED OFFICIALS.

CONNECTING WITH COMMUNITY IS A GREAT WAY TO DO THAT.

WE NEED TO BE PRESENT IN OUR DISTRICTS.

BUT I THINK ALSO, LEGISLATION THAT WAS MOVING FORWARD TO ENSURE THAT CAMPAIGN EVENTS AREN'T HAPPENING DURING SESSION.

GREAT WAY TO MOVE THINGS FORWARD.

OTHER OPPORTUNITIES TO INCREASE PUBLIC TRUST LIKE THAT GREAT EXAMPLE OF LET'S SEE THAT MOVING FORWARD.

AND HOW THAT CREATES AN IMPACT.

ENSURES THAT WE HAVE PUBLIC TRUST.

I THINK JUST ALSO, ENSURING THAT PEOPLE GET OUT AND VOTE.

PART OF HELPING ELECT THE RIGHT ELECTED OFFICIALS FOR NOT JUST KONA COMMUNITY, BUT ACROSS THE STATE.

GETTING INFORMED, AND VOTE.

YOU HAVE A VOICE.

THAT'S ONE WAY TO BUILD TRUST WITH YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS.

>>Olena: SPEAKING OF HAVING A VOICE, VIEWERS DO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO VOICE THEIR QUESTIONS.

YOU CAN CALL IN, EMAIL US OR ALSO POST COMMENTS OVER ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE.

IF ELECTED BOTH FIRST TIME REPRESENTATIVES IN THE HOUSE.

WHAT WOULD BE YOUR TARGET LIST OF THINGS THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS?

>> I THINK RUNNING FOR OFFICE, EXCITING THING IS I THINK ALL OF US HAVE REALLY BIG LISTS OF THINGS WE'D LIKE TO DO AND SEE.

FOR ME, I THINK THERE'S OPPORTUNITIES PANDEMIC HAS SHOWN US IN AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SYSTEMS.

SO ENSURING THAT WE ARE ABLE TO SUPPORT OUR LOCAL FARMERS, AND AGGREGATORS AND FOOD HUBS ADD REALLY ELEVATE OUR LOCAL FOOD SYSTEM.

GREAT OPPORTUNITY THAT OUR D.O.E.

AN PUBLIC SCHOOLS ALSO SOURCE LOCALLY AS MUCH AS THEY CAN INTO OUR LOCAL CAFETERIA.

I THINK THERE ARE GREAT OPPORTUNITIES WITH THE UNIVERSAL PRESCHOOL TO ENSURE THAT WE USE THOSE FUNDING AND CREATE OPPORTUNITIES SO THAT EVERY CHILD IN HAWAII HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO GO TO PRESCHOOL.

AND AFFORDABLE.

ACCESSIBLE IN YOUR COMMUNITY.

I COULD GO ON AND ON.

THOSE ARE JUST SOME OF I THINK EXCITING OPPORTUNITIES AT THE LEGISLATURE.

>> HUGE LIST.

ALL HONESTY, ONCE ELECTED, IT'S REALLY WHAT COMES BACK TO US THAT WE CAN WORK ON.

IT'S REALLY, WE HAVE A HUGE WISH LIST.

IT'S REALLY WHAT WOULD COME TO US.

BUT IN THAT WISH LIST, SOME OF MAIN TOPICS I THINK THAT WE I WOULD LOVE TO WORK ON, AND FOCUS ON, ESPECIALLY IN THE BEGINNINGING, WOULD BE YEAH, CORRUPTION IN GOVERNMENT.

FOCUSING ON THAT'S LARGE OVERREACH THAT HAS BEEN HAD BY OUR GOVERNMENT TO THE PEOPLE.

JUST REALLY SUFFOCATING OUR PEOPLE.

BY PULLING SOME OF THAT OFF ALLOWING PEOPLE TO BREATHE, CUTTING OUR TAXATION, REDESIGNING TAX LAWS HERE AND G.E.T., AND ECONOMIC INDEPENDENCE AND EVEN WITH THE AGRICULTURAL ASPECT OF IT, JUST OVERALL ECONOMICS OF HAWAII, JUST SO WE'RE MORE INDEPENDENT IN OUR ECONOMICS HERE IN HAWAII.

>>Olena: WHY THE DECISION TO RUN THIS YEAR?

>> I THINK IT'S EXCITING TIME.

I WAS ABLE TO BE IN LEADERSHIP PROGRAM THIS EARLIER THIS YEAR REALLY MOTIVATED POTENTIAL ADVOCACY LEADERS IN OUR COMMUNITY.

AND EMERGING LEADERS TO RUN FOR OFFICE.

AND THE GROUP AND PEOPLE I GOT TO ENGAGE WITH ARE REALLY INSPIRING YOUNG LEADERS IN HAWAII.

AND OPPORTUNITY TO DO THIS GREAT WORK TO IMPACT COMMUNITY.

I THINK IS IMPORTANT.

BUT I THINK WE'RE AT A CRITICAL STAGE WHERE COST OF LIVING IS BECOMING INSURMOUNTABLE FOR A LOT OF FAMILIES IN HAWAII.

NATIVE HAWAIIAN FAMILIES, LOCAL FAMILIES BEEN HERE FOR GENERATIONS.

MAKING, FINDING IT HARD TO MAKE ENDS MEET.

I THINK THAT IS SOMETHING THAT REALLY IMPORTANT TO ME.

I'VE SEEN FAMILY MOVE AWAY.

I ALMOST DIDN'T COME BACK AFTER COLLEGE.

WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE TO ENSURE THAT LOCAL FAMILIES CAN STILL LIVE HERE, HIGH PRIORITY FOR ME.

>>Olena: WHAT WAS THE CATALYST FOR YOUR DECISION TO RUN?

>> SAME THING.

ECHO AMONG THE PEOPLE OF HAWAII, OVER AND OVER AGAIN.

AS A POLICE OFFICER, AIRPORT, I SEE PEOPLE PACKING BAGS.

LUGGAGE UPON LUGGAGE.

I STOP THEM AND TRY TO HELP THEM OUT.

ASK THEM, YOU'RE GOING ON VACATION?

NO.

WE'RE MOVING TO THE MAINLAND.

I SEE THAT EVERY DAY.

ALL THE TIME.

CAME BACK HOME, AFTER BEING GONE FOR 20 YEARS, I CAME BACK HOME A FEW YEARS AGO.

AND TAKE CARE OF FAMILY BECAUSE OF COVID.

AND WHAT WAS GOING ON HERE IN HAWAII.

I SAW FIRSTHAND THE DEVASTATION, CORRUPTION, THE OVERREACH, THE TAXATION, THE EVEN THE MANDATES.

WHAT WAS HAPPENING TO HAWAII.

AND IT JUST BROKE MY HEART.

I WAS JUST LIKE TORN BY WHAT HAPPENED.

AND TALKING TO A LOT OF THE FAMILY AND FRIENDS ABOUT THE SITUATION, I ACTUALLY WAS LIVING IN TEXAS PREVIOUS TO THAT.

AND I WAS LIKE, I'M JUST GOING BACK TO TEXAS.

IT'S JUST TOO OVERWHELMING HERE.

AND SO MANY FAMILY AND FRIENDS JUST CRIED.

BROKE DOWN.

SAID, HEY, PLEASE DO SOMETHING.

HELP US.

WE CAN'T RUN FOR OFFICE.

WE CAN'T LEAVE.

LIKE YOU CAN.

WE NEED CHANGE.

WE NEED BETTER.

>>Olena: LET'S DIG A LITTLE DEEPER AND TALK ABOUT YOUR THOUGHTS REGARDING TOURISM.

YOUR HOPE FOR HOW IT'S POSSIBLY MANAGED OR HOW ARE YOU IMPACTED IN YOUR SPECIFIC DISTRICT?

>> HERE IN KONA, AS FAR AS BIG ISLAND GOES, KONA ACTUALLY RECEIVES A GOOD MAJORITY OF THE OVERALL TOURISM FOR THE ISLAND.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE QUALITY OF TOURISM.

NOT JUST QUANTITY OF TOURISM.

RIGHT NOW, WE BRING IN MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF RENTAL CARS AND THEN WE DON'T KNOW WHERE TO PARK THEM.

WE BRING IN MORE RENTAL CARS BECAUSE WE RENTED THEM ALL OUT.

GETTING CONGESTION ON THE ROAD.

LOOKING BACK, LOOK AT COST AND WHAT WE'RE SPENDING INTO TOURISM VERSUS WHAT WE'RE BRINGING IN REVENUE FOR OUR DISTRICTS SPECIFICALLY.

IT'S JUST NOT WORTH THE AMOUNT OF TOURISM THAT'S COMING IN, AND THE DAMAGE TO THE ROADS, TO INFRASTRUCTURE TO EVERYTHING ELSE, TO WHAT WE'RE GETTING, IS NOT THERE.

I THINK WE NEED A HIGHER QUALITY OF TOURISM.

BRINGING IN JUST BETTER QUALITY TO WHAT WE PROVIDE TO OUR TOURISTS.

BECAUSE OF THAT, HAVE.

>>Olena: BETTER QUALITY OF TOURISTS, QUALITY OF PEOPLE OR TREATMENT?

>> ALL OF THE ABOVE.

I THINK THAT THE TREATMENT NEEDS TO BE THERE.

WE NEED TO BRING IN MORE PEOPLE FROM RIGHT NOW, I HAVE A LOT OF FAMILY AND FRIENDS THAT AND PEOPLE THAT WORK IN KONA.

LIKE I WOULD VOTE FOR YOU BUT I LIVE IN HILO.

DRIVE BACK AND FORTH TO WORK IN KONA TO PROVIDE HELP AND SUPPORT TO WORK IN THE HOTEL AN RESTAURANTS THE CAN'T AFFORD TO LIVE IN KONA.

GO BACK TO HILO.

DRIVE BACK TO HILO.

I'M SAYING IS BY WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT, SUSTAINABILITY IN ECONOMICS, INCLUDES THE HOUSING ISSUE THAT WE HAVE.

REAL PROBLEM THAT WE HAVE.

>>Olena: OFF TOPIC.

JUMP OVER.

WE'RE TALKING TOURISM.

AND YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT HOW IT'S IMPACTING YOUR DISTRICT AND WHAT KIND OF PLAN YOU WOULD LIKE IMPLEMENT TO EITHER CONTROL IT OR YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT THAT.

>> DEFINITELY IN KONA, EVERY RESIDENT FEELS THE IMPACT OF VISITOR INDUSTRY.

AGAIN, LIKE JONATHAN SAID, WE HAVE A LOT OF HOTEL AND RESORTS SPREAD OUT ACROSS WEST OAHU.

WE FEEL IT.

DRIVING TO THE AIRPORT, IRON MAN IS IN ITS LAST TRAINING STAGES.

WE FEEL IT.

WHAT'S IMPORTANT LEADERSHIP AT HAWAII TOURISM AUTHORITY AND CEO THAT LIVES AND RECEDES IN KONA.

THAT IS POISED TO FOCUS ON MALAMA HAWAII.

FOCUS ON REGENERATIVE TOURISM.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE HAWAII TOURISM AUTHORITY HAVING IT'S TIME TO EXECUTE THEIR STRATEGIC PLAN.

INITIATED PAST THE PANDEMIC.

SEE HOW WE CAN ALLOW A MORE REGENERATIVE FORM OF TOURISM TO HAPPEN.

AND MOVE INTO A WAY WHERE MANAGING TOURISM IN HAWAII.

AND FOCUS ON GETTING TOURISM THE TYPE OF TOURISM THAT HE WANTS TO SEE IN HAWAII.

>>Olena: I ACTUALLY HAD IRON MAN ON MY NOTES.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT IT?

RETURNING?

>> WE'RE EXCITED TO HAVE IRON MAN.

I THINK IT IS SOMEWHAT PART OF THE CULTURE AND CUSTOMS.

TO HAVE IT BE GONE FOR SO LONG, YOU FEEL IT.

SEE PEOPLE TRAINING.

EXCITEMENT BUILDS.

NEXT WEEK, THAT EXCITEMENT EXPLODES AND IRON MAN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP, A A LOT OF CONCERN IN OUR COMMUNITY, BEEN HEARING ABOUT TWO DAY OF IRON MAN VERSUS ONE.

AND BUSINESSES AND CERTAIN AREAS ARE BEING SHUTDOWN FOR TWO DAYS INSTEAD OF ONE.

I HEAR OUR COMMUNITY AND I THINK THAT IS ONE THING WE WANT TO ADDRESS, MAYBE WE NEED TO KEEP IT TO ONE DAY.

>>Olena: YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT THE IRON MAN RETURNING?

>> ACTUALLY, THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT WE WERE TALKING ABOUT.

REFERRING TO WHEN IT COMES BACK TO OUR TOURISM.

IRON MAN, I LIVE ON ALII DRIVE.

I'M GOING TO BE EITHER STUCK IN IN MY HOUSE OR I HAVE TO LEAVE.

IRON MAN, AWESOME WE HAVE IT BACK HERE.

I'M REALLY EXCITED TO SEE THE EFFECT IT IS GOING TO HAVE ON OUR COMMUNITY.

AGREE WHAT SHE SAID, AS FAR AS BRINGING IT TO KEEPING IT AT ONE DAY INSTEAD TWO DAYS.

WHAT I MEAN BY THE QUALITY OF TOURISM.

THE WHAT WE'RE GETTING TO WHAT WE'RE SPENDING.

RIGHT NOW, PULLING IT INTO 2 DAYS A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE SAYING, THEY CAN'T HANDLE TWO DAYS OF THAT.

CAN ONLY REALLY HANDLE ONE.

>>Olena: SOME PEOPLE HAVE SAID THAT IF YOU WANT TO CHANGE THE TYPE OF TOURISTS COMING IN THAT WE SHOULD ADD FEES AND ADDITIONAL TAXES.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT THAT?

>> I WOULD DEFINITELY BE OPEN TO LOOK AT WHAT THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT WHEN IT COMES BACK TO THAT I DON'T THINK THAT BENEFICIAL OVERALL.

IF THERE'S A SPECIFIC AREA WHERE THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT, FOR EXAMPLE, GROWING UP ON THE HILO SIDE, WE HAVE AKAKA FALLS.

I USED TO GO AKAKA FALLS ALL THE TIME, GO THROUGH THE HIKING TRAILS.

I WENT BACK OVER THERE.

AND YEAH, YOU HAVE TO PAY TO PARK NOW.

AND THEN YOU PAY TO GO DOWN INTO AKAKA FALLS IF YOU'RE A TOURISTS.

IF YOU'RE LOCAL, YOU DON'T HAVE TO PAY.

AND THOUGHT THAT WAS KIND OF WEIRD.

IT MADE SENSE.

PUTTING A LOT OF MONEY TO KEEP UP THOSE TRAILS AND STUFF LIKE THAT HOW YOU BRING THAT BACK IN.

I DO THINK THAT'S A GREAT IDEA IN SOME REGARDS.

SPECIFIC TO CERTAIN SITUATIONS.

I WOULDN'T JUST BLANKET THAT TO JUST EVERYTHING.

>>Olena: WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT TAXING TOURISTS?

>> YOU KNOW, REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY OF FEES AT SITES.

THOSE FEES GOING BACK INTO MAINTAINING THOSE SITES LIKE DIAMOND HEAD AS AN EXAMPLE.

I THINK THAT IS BEEN A GREAT OPPORTUNITY THAT RESIDENTS GET TO GO FOR FREE, LOCALS GET TO GO FOR FREE.

IF YOU'RE A VISITOR, YOU HAVE TO PAY AND THAT THEN GOES INTO THE MANAGEMENT OF THOSE SITES.

IN OUR COMMUNITIES, WE'RE SEEING WAIPIO VALLEY SHUTDOWN TEMPORARILY.

WHAT THAT HAS DONE ANECDOTALLY MORE TOURISTS ARE FINDING OTHER LOCATIONS TO GO AND SEE.

THEY'RE GOING TO PALOLO VALLEY AND WITH NO FEE STRUCTURE, IN PLACE, JUST KIND OF STARTS TO IMPACT THOSE SITES.

THEN WHAT MONEY GOES BACK INTO ENSURING THAT THERE IS REGENERATION OF THOSE SITES.

SO I THINK FEE SYSTEM IN THAT WAY MIGHT BE HELPFUL.

AGAIN, THERE'S A LOT OF OPPORTUNITIES I THINK TO ENSURE THAT OUR SITES GET STEWARDED AND THERE'S FUNDING FOR THOSE STEWARDSHIP OPPORTUNITIES OF THOSE MY TRAFFICKED SITES IN HAWAII.

>>Olena: OBVIOUSLY, SOMETHING THAT IMPACTS MAYBE MORE SO HILO SIDE, BUT OBVIOUSLY YOUR ISLAND, RAPID OHIA DEATH.

MAJOR IMPACT ON AGRICULTURE AND SOME OF THE COMMUNITY AS WELL.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT YOU WOULD ADDRESS TO TRY TO QUELL THAT SITUATION.

>> YEAH.

INVASIVE SPECIES, AND MOLDS OR RAT LUNGWORM.

ALL OF THESE DIFFERENT THINGS THAT ARE IMPACTING OUR CONSERVATION EFFORTS AND AGRICULTURE EFFORTS.

HOW WE DEAL WITH THEM CHALLENGE.

FIND WAYS TO PUT MORE FUNDING TO SOME OF THOSE SPACE.

A LOT OF WAYS TO PROTECT CERTAIN CONSERVATION SITES ARE FENCING, FENCING IS HIGHLY COSTLY.

BECAUSE THERE'S JUST ALL DIFFERENT KINDS OF HUMAN IMPACT.

BUT ALSO, UNGULATES THAT WE HAVE TO LOOK AT.

AS WELL.

I JUST THINK WE NEED TO DO IT, WE NEED TO PROTECT OUR NATIVE SPECIES.

WE ALSO NEED TO WORK ON REFORESTING AND GROWING MORE OF THEM.

NOT JUST OHIA, ALL OF OUR NATIVE SPECIES IN TURN, PROTECT OUR WATERSHED AND WATER SOURCES.

>>Olena: WHAT YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT INVASIVE SPECIES AND RAPID OHIA DEATH.

>> YEAH.

FOR MOST PART, I THINK THAT IS SHE JUST HIT THAT ON THE HEAD.

SO MUCH RIGHT NOW COMING IN THAT IS, I MEAN, DESTROYING EVERYTHING INCLUDING WHAT'S GOING ON WITH AMOUNT OF GOATS BRINGING IN.

NOT BRINGING IN, BUT LETTING JUST KIND OF RUN WILD.

THEY'RE JUST DESTROYING A LOT OF THINGS ON THE MAUNA .

ACROSS THE ISLAND.

TALKED TO A LOT OF THE FARMERS AND THEY'VE COME UP WITH IN SOME REGARDS, NATURAL REMEDIES FOR THEIR FARMS BECAUSE OF THE FACT THAT THEY TRIED OTHER DIFFERENT METHODS AND THEY WERE TOLD BY DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS YOU CAN'T DO THIS.

YOU CAN'T DO THAT.

YOU HAVE TO MAKE IT LIKE THIS.

SO THEY FOUND NATURAL REMEDIES THAT HAVE BEEN WORKING.

WE NEED TO HAVE A HUI BETWEEN THOSE FARMERS.

I KNOW THAT YOU'VE BEEN WORKING A LITTLE BIT WITH THAT AS WELL.

TALKING WITH SOME OF THE FARMERS A AS WELL.

HEARD GREAT THINGS.

BRINGING FARMERS TOGETHER, WHERE THEY CAN SHARE THESE REMEDIES.

THAT ARE NATURAL REMEDIES THAT IS NOT GOING TO INVADE WHAT THESE DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS ARE SAYING THEY CAN AND CANNOT DO.

WE NEED TO IMPLEMENT THOSE.

>>Olena: PIGGYBACK ON YOUR CHAT ABOUT FARMERS.

WE DO HAVE A QUESTION FROM A VIEWER.

DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEAS ABOUT PROVIDING AFFORDABLE HOUSING ON AG LANDS FOR FARMERS?

>> YEAH.

ACTUALLY, THERE'S A FRIEND OF MINE, RIGHT NOW, IN HAWAIIAN BEACHES.

THAT SPENT $100,000 IN PERMITS AND FEES AND SO BEFORE HE COULD EVEN START BUILDING HIS HOUSE.

ACTUALLY BUILT HIS HOUSE ON AG LAND AREA.

TOLD THEM HE COULD ONLY BUILD IT CERTAIN AMOUNT OF SQUARE FOOTAGE.

SO ON AND SO FORTH.

TO SOME DEGREE, I DO RESPECT THE IDEA OF MAKING SURE YOU'RE NOT GOING TO JUST OVERWHELM YOUR AG LAND WITH HOUSING.

I MEAN, MAKES NO SENSE.

JUST DESTROYED THE PURPOSE OF AG LAND.

HOWEVER, AGAIN, THERE'S OVERREACH FROM GOVERNMENT WHERE THEY CONSTANTLY ARE SAYING YOU CAN'T DO THIS.

THAT GARAGE HAS TO BE THIS BIG IS JUST OUTRAGEOUS.

WE NEED TO PULL BACK.

>>YOU THINK IT'S OUTDATED?

>> WAY OUTDATED.

>>Olena: WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT AFFORDABLE HOUSING OR FARMERS?

>> WE HAVE TO FIGURE IT OUT.

EXCITED ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY TO FIND OUT WHICH WAYS WE CAN ALLOW AND SEE IF THERE'S REFORMS TO OUR LAND STRUCTURING TO BE ABLE TO PUT AGRICULTURAL HOUSING ON AGRICULTURAL LAND.

I'M IN FAVOR OF IT.

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT WE HAVE EMPLOYMENT CHALLENGE IN WEST OAHU.

BUT ALL ACROSS THE STATE, I BELIEVE BUT PRIMARILY, WHEN THE VISITOR INDUSTRY IS DOING HOT, IT'S HARD FOR EVERY OTHER INDUSTRY TO HIRE PEOPLE.

AND AG IS ONE OF THEM.

IF THERE WERE HOUSING, THAT COULD BE KIND OF, THAT IS ENCOURAGEMENT TO GET MORE AGRICULTURAL WORKERS AND KONA HAS A GREAT LARGE VAST AGRICULTURAL COMMUNITY.

A LOT OF KONA COFFEE FARMERS, HOW WE SUPPORT THEM.

I THINK IS REALLY CRITICAL.

AND WE NEED TO FIGURE IT OUT HOW TO MAKE AGRICULTURAL HOUSING HAPPEN.

>>Olena: TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT HOMELESSNESS.

IS THAT SOMETHING THAT YOU'RE SEEING GROW, ESPECIALLY SINCE COVID AND WHAT THE STATUS IS WITHIN YOUR COMMUNITY?

>> WEST HAWAII AND KONA, HOMELESSNESS IS ALWAYS BEEN A CHALLENGE.

OUR HOUSING PRICES ON OUR ISLAND ARE SOME OF THE HIGHEST IN KONA AND WEST HAWAII.

WE DO SEE HOMELESSNESS AND THE COUNTY WAS IN THE WORKS TO PROVIDE MORE HOMELESS OPPORTUNITIES.

RIGHT BEFORE THE PANDEMIC.

AND SO WE HAVEN'T SEEN THAT COME TO FRUITION.

ONE THING I'M REALLY PASSIONATE ABOUT IS SEEING THAT VILLAGE 9 OR ONE OF NEW VERSION OF THAT OR A MODEL OF THAT REALLY COMES BACK TO FRUITION.

SUPPORT OUR COUNTY AND MAYOR TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT HAPPENS AS A STARTING POINT.

>>Olena: YOUR THOUGHTS.

>> I THINK THAT IN MANY WAYS I THINK THERE WAS A LOT OF GREAT IDEAS ON PAPER AND I DON'T THINK IN ACTION OR WHEN IT WAS FOLLOWED THROUGH, THAT THE ANYTHING REALLY HAPPENED TO BENEFIT THE HOMELESSNESS AND THE PEOPLE OF HAWAII.

I HAVE SOME FRIENDS, I HAD SOME RELATIVES IN THE PAST THAT WERE HOMELESS.

SOME OF THEM PASSED AWAY.

SOME OF THEM MOVED ELSEWHERE.

JUST BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T AFFORD A PLACE TO LIVE.

HERE IN HAWAII.

I BELIEVE IN A HAND UP INSTEAD HANDOUT.

METHOD.

SO I BELIEVE IN FINDING WAYS TO GET THEM BACK ON THEIR FEET, WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO GET THEM INTO A JOB, NOT JUST HAND OUT FOOD SHARE OR DIFFERENT OPTIONS FOR THEM IN THIS WAY.

BUT HEY, LET'S GET YOU A JOB.

HELP YOU WITH THAT.

IN THE MEANTIME, IF WE NEED TO DO THIS, GIVE YOU THESE THINGS, YES, LET'S DO THAT.

LET'S GET YOU INTO SOME SORT OF HOUSING.

BETTER HOUSING THAN RIGHT NOW, IN KONA.

WHAT THEY'RE TRYING TO PROVIDE, WAY TOO SMALL.

NOT REALLY EFFECTIVE.

WE HAVE A LOT OF FAMILIES WITH KIDS.

WHO ARE HOMELESS.

>>Olena: WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT THE TRAFFIC?

OBVIOUSLY, THIS HAS BEEN KIND OF MAJOR SITUATION FOR SEVERAL YEARS.

IT SEEMS LIKE IT'S GOING TO BE AMPLIFIED COMING UP SOON AS WELL.

ANY KIND OF SOLUTIONS OR ANY THOUGHTS OF WORKING WITH DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION?

>> YEAH.

I WOULD LOVE TO SIT DOWN WITH DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND CONVERSE WITH THEM AND COLLEAGUES IF ELECTED ON THE FLOOR WHAT THEY'VE ACTUALLY ACCOMPLISHED.

IN HAWAII SOMETIMES THINGS TAKE FOREVER TO GET THROUGH.

WE NEED TO SPEED THAT UP.

BUT ONE OF THE IDEAS THAT WAS HAD AMONGST GOOD AMOUNT OF PEOPLE IN HAWAII, IS THERE'S SOMETHING CALLED TRACKLESS TRAMS.

LOOKS LIKE KIND OF LOOKS LIKE TRAIN OR BUS THAT'S CONNECTED LIKE THREE TIMES LONG AND CONNECTED.

RUN ON THESE MAGNETS.

STILL HAS A DRIVER AND EVERYTHING ELSE.

ON A ROAD JUST LIKE A ROAD LANE, BUT YOU DON'T HAVE A RAIL ISSUE.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO PAY FOR ALL OF THESE RAILS EVERYWHERE.

STUFF LIKE THAT.

YOU JUST HAVE A LANE FOR THIS TRAM.

>>Olena: WHERE WOULD IT GO.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO SEE TESTING GROUND, WHETHER IN HERE IN HONOLULU OR PEOPLE ARE REALLY TOUCHY BECAUSE OF WHAT'S BEEN GOING ON WITH THE RAIL SYSTEMS.

MAYBE TRYING THAT IN MAUI.

RIGHT NOW, MAUI IS STARTING TO GET CONGESTED.

I THINK THAT THEY WOULD BE OPEN TO MAYBE TESTING THIS AND IF IT WORKS, MAYBE OPENING IT UP FOR MORE AREAS.

>>Olena: YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT TRAFFIC AND CONGESTION?

>> ALWAYS AN ISSUE ACROSS THE STATE.

ESPECIALLY IN KONA.

WE'VE SEEN TRAFFIC LOOSEN WITH THE EXPANSION OF LANES FROM KONA AIRPORT TO KAILUA TOWN.

BUT THAT EXPANSION IS ONLY RIGHT THERE IN THAT CORRIDOR.

WE NEED TO SEE THAT EXPANSION GO FROM KAILUA NOW GOING SOUTH AND MAUKA.

BUT WE DO UNDERSTAND THAT THOSE ROADS ARE MUCH NARROWER.

HARD TO GET AROUND.

BUT I WOULD LOVE TO WORK WITH D.O.T.

TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE CAN HAVE EXPANDED AND BYPASS ROADS IN KONA ESPECIALLY BECAUSE THAT SENIOR CORRIDOR FROM KAILUA TO UP MAUKA, THAT'S WHERE WE GET TO THE AIRPORT AND NOT TO HAVE IT EXTRA ROAD WHEN AMBULANCE VEHICLE IS GOING PAST.

EVERYBODY HAS TO PULL OVER.

>>Olena: BYPASS ROAD.

>> DOESN'T MAKE IT EASY FOR ANY KIND OF AMBULANCE TO GET SAFELY FROM TOWN WHERE PEOPLE LIVE, TO THE HOSPITAL CURRENT LIMIT.

>>Olena: WE ARE RUNNING SHORT ON TIME.

LITTLE UNDER 2 MINUTES LEFT.

OBVIOUSLY WERE YOU IMPACT BY TROPICAL STORM IN 2014.

JUST REAL QUICK.

WHAT KINDS OF NATURAL DISASTER PREPAREDNESS DO YOU FORESEE NEEDED OR NECESSARY THAT YOU WOULD WANT TO IMPLEMENT OR DISCUSS WITH LAWMAKERS?

>> YEAH, WE ARE BLESSED TO HAVE HUALALAI AS MOUNTAIN THAT DOES DO SOME PROTECTION.

2014 GREAT EXAMPLE.

NOT PROTECTED IN ALL CASES.

THERE IS THAT PROTECTION FOR SOME NATURAL DISASTERS.

COUNTY DOES AN EXCELLENT JOB WITH REMINDING PEOPLE WHEN IT'S TIME TO PREPARE FOR NATURAL DISASTERS.

HOW THE STATE CAN HELP AND EXPAND THAT REALLY IMPORTANT.

WE DO NEED TO KNOW THAT WE'RE IN RURAL COMMUNITIES, SO ALARM SYSTEMS, THAT GET TESTED, TO ENSURE THAT THEY ARE WORKING SO THAT IN RURAL COMMUNITY, OUR COMMUNITY CAN HEAR THEM AND BE ABLE TO RESPOND QUICKLY.

I THINK THAT IS ONE OF THE SAFETY ISSUES TO ADDRESS IN THE IMMEDIATE, AGAIN, IF THERE ARE NATURAL DISASTERS, ROADS AND BYPASSES ARE CRITICAL.

>>Olena: YOU HAVE LIKE 30 SECONDS.

>> WITH MY BACKGROUND FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT.

WORKED WITH FEMA.

OTHER EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCIES.

I WOULD LIKE TO REDESIGN, UPDATE, WAY BEHIND THE TIMES WITH OURS.

WITH CIVIL DEFENSE AND HAWAII EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY.

WE NEED TO MERGE THE TWO TOGETHER.

PROVIDING BETTER FUNDING FOR CIVIL DEFENSE.

IN ALL THE COUNTIES AND EVERYONE ON THE SAME PAGE.

THEN WE CAN ACTUALLY BECAUSE OF THAT, ACTUALLY COME UP WITH MODERN APPROACHES TO EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT.

>>Olena: THANK YOU.

GREAT CONVERSATION.

MAHALO FOR JOINING US TONIGHT AND WE THANK OUR GUESTS, CANDIDATES FOR HOUSE DISTRICT 6: JONATHAN KENNEALY.

AND KIRSTIN KAHALOA.

NEXT WEEK WE WILL FEATURE CANDIDATES FROM TWO RACES... STATE HOUSE DISTRICT 13 AND STATE HOUSE DISTRICT 36.

PLEASE JOIN US THEN.

I’M OLENA HEU FOR INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAI’I, ALOHA AND A HUI HOU.