Education
JD Law Degree from Texas Tech School of Law; BA Degree with Double Major in Sociology and Philosophy from University of Texas
Community/Military Service
Legislative Attorney for Maui County Council Office of Council Services; Deputy County Attorney for Kauai County, Manager of Legal Department for Texas Municipal League IEBP, Legislative Attorney for Hawaii House of Representatives, Attorney for Texas Juvenile Justice Department, Assistant Attorney General for Texas Attorney General, Assistant General Counsel for Texas Ethics Commission, Service with the Boys and Girls Club
Campaign Phone
(808)758-9096
I have over 20 years of legal experience and bring a wealth of expertise and dedication to public service. My commitment to upholding the law, advocating for justice, and serving the community has been the cornerstone of my career. I am running for this office to leverage my skills and experience to address the pressing needs of our community, uphold ethical standards, and work towards a more equitable and thriving future for locals. With a proven track record of integrity and compassion, I'm ready to help Maui County recover from the fires, fight corruption, and protect the environment.
To support a vibrant economy in Maui County, I will focus on promoting small business growth through targeted incentives and resources, fostering sustainable tourism practices that protect our natural resources, investing in infrastructure projects to create jobs, and collaborating with local stakeholders to develop innovative economic development strategies that prioritize community well-being and long-term prosperity. By championing entrepreneurship, sustainability, job creation, and community-driven initiatives, I aim to cultivate a resilient and diverse economy that benefits all residents.
We have a plan for affordable housing, The Maui County Comprehensive Affordable Housing Plan. We need new leadership to implement the plan. I will also raise property taxes on our luxury hotels. Luxury hotels enjoy significant revenue from tourism while contributing to the rising cost of living and housing shortages. By targeting these establishments with higher property taxes, Maui County can tap into a lucrative revenue stream without directly burdening locals or small businesses. Revenue generated would go into the Affordable Housing Fund to help locals. I'll also have a vacant home tax.
Luxury hotels benefit disproportionately from infrastructure and do not contribute their fair share. I will propose require hotels to invest in waste water treatment plants and sewers. I would ensure that the County follows complete streets models that provide safe transit for cars, bikes, and walkers. Corporations are benefiting and making record profits from the exploitation of our resources and infrastructure. I will not allow them to put their profit margins before the health and wellness of our people. I'm a very good and creative attorney, and I can draft laws to accomplish this.
Education
Chaminade University - Bachelor's degree in Political Science
Community/Military Service
Numerous boards and volunteer organizations: Maui United Way, Maui Hui Malama, Women Helping Women, Maui Economic Opportunity, Imua Rehab, Affordable Housing Corporation of Maui County, Christ the King School PTG Board, March of Dimes, Family Community Leadership Project, among others.
Campaign Phone
(808)280-0035
I am running for re-election because I care deeply about our community & I want my grandchildren to be able to live, work & thrive in our island home. I was born, raised & educated in Wailuku, earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Chaminade University, worked in real estate, insurance & radio, and owned a small business.
After serving on many non-profit boards, I was a Council member (1989-1999), then the Director of Housing & Human Concerns (1999-2006). I returned to the Council in 2019 to bring fairness, openness, civility, collaboration & balance to our County Council.
We face unprecedented challenges from the August 2023 wildfires: we lost homes & businesses; tax revenues are down; we must repair & replace critical infrastructure, facilities & other services; we face more than 100 lawsuits that we must defend. So, the Council will pass a FY25 budget that keeps most real property taxes for residents, hotels & businesses flat, with increases for 2nd homes & vacation rentals; keeps or adds funding for economic development grants & agricultural programs; and limits increases in personnel or operational costs beyond those needed to respond to the fires.
Our housing crisis predated & was exacerbated by the August 2023 wildfires. I support the generous use of affordable housing funds for entitled & proposed housing projects so they do not languish - they must get built & occupied; projects include Waikapu Country Town, Hale Pilina, Pulelehua & the rebuilding of Kaiaulu o Kupuohi & other West Maui projects. I also proposed the new “Ohana Assistance Program” that was created last year. It is a pilot project to provide $100,000 grants to property owners to build new ohana units that must be occupied by full-time residents at affordable rates.
The Council uses bonds for major infrastructure projects, plus state/federal cost-sharing; we also have dedicated special funds for infrastructure improvements. For efficiency, he Maui Metropolitan Planning Organization reviews & tracks County & State transportation projects (roadways, sidewalks, bikeways & greenways). Cesspools & injection wells have financial & environmental implications, so I support the “community facilities district” financing tool to expand connection to the County sewer system & make recycled (“R1”) water more widely available for irrigation & other non-potable uses.
