My careful scrutiny of our Budget helps ensure we adequately fund these core services and maintain our Public Works infrastructure. I will continue working closely with our Mayor and our Administrations budget team to address any challenges with our budgeting and operations always with our sites on both short-term and long-term sustainability. We need to help our community choose local first. This will enable new workforce housing in areas closer to work, reduce environmental and cultural impacts of urban sprawl, and reduce cost of production with pre-existing infrastructure. Mahalo for taking the time to send out this questionnaire and Mahalo for all that you do to help Kauai County. We must also support our County working in partnership with private entities wherever possible and proposing new residential developments in Lihu`e in order to take advantage of that treatment plants significant excess capacity. My life long community and environmental advocacy has motivated me to run for public office. Here is a direct excerpt (lightly edited for length) from the opening statement I made in May, 2022, on my rationale for increasing the vacation rental rate: I am proposing this increase and allocation for three reasons. Supporting rational instream flow standards for the protection of the native stream environment and also the availability of surface water for irrigation and domestic drinking water. Making plots available at all our County housing projects for vegetable gardens; these could be the training grounds for future vegetable farmers. A Materials Recovery Facility has value especially for product that can be re-used on Kauai. Put these forces together an aging population, aging infrastructure, and slowing growth and were facing difficult fiscal times. Diversification is a buzz word that to many political candidates toss around with no plan to back it up. 3. Less than 1% of Swedens trash is sent to landfills, and over 50% of Swedish household waste is converted into energy to heat their homes. I do not support an adjacent landfill in Kekaha, I believe the Mn Plain needs massive rehabilitation and Kekaha has taken enough trash and toxins, and this location is again too close to the coast and water table. Our State and Federal partners need to recognize that the Hawaiian islands have unique characteristics different than a continent. Similarly, the Biden White House released a housing plan that Reward jurisdictions that have reformed zoning and land-use policies with higher scores in certain federal grant processes. Along these lines, its our job to help make these reforms in our zoning code to help set up our various Departments to maximize the chances of receiving grant money. This helps increase the efficiency of government and provides stable sources of property tax revenue. In looking at other counties, Maui tax rate for TVRs is actually higher than that of hotels. Yes we need to improve on eliminating illegal transient vacation rentals from operating on Kauai. 0 of 16 precincts reporting. During my terms in office, I have introduced numerous resolutions for performance audits but could never get the required votes to get it passed. I will continue to be supportive of the valuable efforts made by our Mayors administration and the housing department. The county also needs to immediately stop spraying weed killer chemicals in the areas they maintain. Joint-venture affordable housing project involving 36 multi-family units (AHE Group) and 32 single-family homes (Habitat for Humanity). Councilmember Addison Bulosan cast the sole no vote in a move he said demonstrated his wish to see more women represented in government. My late Grandma Suero would always say to me, Just anos, which means, just take care. Taking care is where well start and where well end, just as the generations that came before us on Kauai can be proud of. This site was listed as a viable site through a comprehensive study that was done on potential landfill locations on our Island. 4. I will continue to have timely conversations with our Managing Director, the Mayor, our Housing Director and others in our County Administration leadership on federal funding opportunities to get a sense of their thinking and effort, as well as to learn of ways to be supportive; staying informed of our Administrations federal funding efforts could mean an easier, quicker vote of support on the Council when theyre trying to expedite a grant application that has to meet a quickly approaching deadline. Thank you. After the second presentation on May 17, I appreciate the 4 different alternatives for solutions to improving our Lhue Airport. Efficiency is his byword. While I agree with the DMAP that the fee system should be universal and apply to both county and state parks in a simple to use smart phone app, for that to occur requires leadership from the State. May 24, 2022; Kauai Real Estate Update, Waterfront Lihue Property Sold, Oahu Maui and Big Island Real Estate Sales Update. This will enable local families to better provide for their extended families and create resilience for the ongoing economic challenges. I lived in Germany as an exchange student where 20 years ago recycling is something everyone just does. The County can help by providing incentives to the agriculture industries. Top priority projects would get done first than feasible jobs next and then everything else according to budget and importance. Our County received a Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery Grant for $13.8 million to transform and construct our roadways, walking and biking paths in our downtown core of Lihue. Our departments are underfunded and staffed and I believe we can use the resources this would generate to address important things our community needs. My strength as a detailed, numbers guy fighting for our citizens hard-earned tax dollars is needed now more than ever. We must do everything we can to focus on waste reduction and diversion tactics. I went to Kapaa Elementary, Kapaa Middle and Kapaa High School. The restorative agricultural practices, community engagement, and land preservation is vital for a thriving agricultural sector. Organizations such as KIUC, Surfriders Hawaii, Mlama Hulia, and other local agencies dedicated to mitigating the impacts of climate change. Felicia Cowden is a Kaua'i County Councilmember who is focused on Putting People First! We live on an island. An Incinerator is needed in Kekaha. Kauai Real Estate, Huge Traffic Delays, Snorkelers Rescued Off Lawai Beach, Kauai Council Member Sentenced, May 31, 2022; . The Lihue Town Core Special Planning Area has been zoned to have up to 80 units/acre to incentivize private development in this area in proximity to many jobs. We have successfully reduced all our major events from delivering hundreds of pounds of waste to our landfill. Shipping food in, rather than producing it here, is also a major factor in how we, in Hawaii, impact the climate. To see each individuals voting record, be sure to click on their name in the drop down menu. The 2022-2026 CEDS is designed to sustain and grow the progress from the previous CEDS; continue the ongoing efforts to mitigate the effects of COVID 19; and, create and achieve new goals that support the economic vision set forth in our Kauai General Plan. I was unable to access the Airport Development Plan Chapter of the Lihue Airport Master Plan and the Implementation Plan Chapter, both I feel I need to better understand areas I may oppose. Ive also demonstrated my dedication to public service, my legislative policy experience, my strength with budgeting, my understanding of the issues and my commitment to always doing my homework, listening carefully and working collaboratively. We know that a lot of knaka iwi (Native Hawaiians) dont vote. To achieve agricultural self-sufficiency, the General Plan recommends the following relevant code changes: (1) Revise the agricultural property tax regime, including but not limited to the Agricultural Dedication program, to increase incentives to lease land for productive farms: (2) Increase incentives to lease land to small farmers through revisions to the agricultural property tax regime; (3) Expand commercial agriculture, attract new agricultural support and value-added industries, and promote locally-grown commodity sales; (4) Increase small-scale diversified farming, including, but not limited to, fruits and vegetables, building materials, medicinal plants, aquaculture, apiaries, flowers, and livestock; (5) Provide incentives and opportunities for agricultural housing, jobs, training, processing/ transport of goods, and other needs. No, the various forms of Transient Vacation Rentals and Resorts should be evaluated for Real Property Tax rates separately on their own merits and impacts. We must change our thinking to locals first and make sure that the quality of life for our residents is not compromised for the safe of the tourist dollar. Those are immediate questions that we need to answer in the budget coming up., Facebook In the DMAP vision of tourism in 2040, Kauai is a global leader in the reinvention of the visitor industry. I am committed to addressing our drug problem in a meaningful way. But some do - like longtime Kaua'i politician Ross Kagawa, who has been chosen to fill a vacancy on the Kaua'i County Council. However, making a real difference for our islands and our planet, more importantly, requires each of us to make meaningful behavioral changes; the kinds that may take away some of our conveniences and may even cost us a little more of our time and energy. Posted in . I see this as a way the wealthiest residents can give back and help assist those that are struggling with housing and being displaced. Whats most important to me here is to learn from the many stakeholders in our economy who are working on diversifying our economy, taking the best ideas from the collective and doing what I can to support moving them forward. We have had four years of additional emergency funding for either our 2018 flood event or the COVID pandemic. Im eager to help better the lives of our local community with sound decisions at the council level. Ive been a school teacher and I can teach students in all kind of subjects in school which they can use to go to college or find a job right out of high school. The pandemic has made us realize how important these animals can play in our survival. Kagawa has spent the past two years as a COVID-19 specialist in the Kauai Emergency Management Agency. And by doing so, we can also keep money in our local economy and save residents money. . The next step will be to develop measures that can be brought before the council as bills and resolutions that will help to facilitate the needs that are identified. We also deferred a significant amount of road repairs and road resurfacing. Supporting our farmers markets and possibly expanding program. I will also support efforts to ensure TVRs are properly providing recycling and other ways we can work to limit the waste that ends up in our landfill. As a council member, I will engage at all levels within the business community to assure that the relevant issues, concerns, and suggestions are heard and brought to the table for discussion. In addition, I support the continuation of the current Kilauea Agricultural Park program throughout our island. By streamlining permitting processes and reducing the cost of water and taxes to allow farmers the opportunity to continue to farm. 5. We are out of time. It may also serve as an invaluable stop-gap to help a resort faced with an uncontrollable crisis not collapse into full failure. **NOTE: These voting records ONLY reflect Affordable Housing and Climate Change ** Arryl Kaneshiro. 1) Respect for our Natural and Cultural Resources 2) Support Native Hawaiian Culture & Community 3) Ensure Tourism & Communities Enrich Each Other 4) Strengthen Tourisms Contribution. As a Council Member I would be committed to addressing these things. In the tourism industry, we must continue to focus on regenerative and restorative visitor experiences that continue to empower our local businesses and organizations. I will focus on issues such as land use, housing, and financial barriers that make local food production cost prohibitive. We must ensure it meets the highest and best environmental standards and we do everything we can to mitigate impact to surrounding communities and the environment. Making sure our County Planners engage with Dept. Several examples are Aloha Aina Poi Company and Kumano I Ke Ala, Iwi Kua, and the work they are doing on the west side to restore existing agricultural systems and providing that local ingredients to local businesses and people in that ahupuaa. I am impressed by the action plan and agree with the objectives. We are only a few years away from our landfill life cycle. The tax collected could become discounts available for local families. I will also work on efforts to reduce waste production, working with local businesses and importers to figure out where there are ways we can reduce our waste generation in other ways, particularly relating to plastic. E-mail sent to Councilmembers and Council Services Staff for inclusion as TESTIMONY: counciltestimony@kauai.gov 2. We are facing critical moments for our economy and environment and I hope that my time, energy, and aloha can be contributed to the work at the Kauai County Council level. Supporting and growing our Kaua`i Made and Kaua`i Grown programs. Training our existing residents and youth to also remote work has value such that they may also experience a healthy middle-income. The County needs to help fill this void by requiring that a certain percentage of parking stalls in new commercial and multi-family construction be EV-ready (meaning that it has the conduit and receptacle in place for an EV-charger, without having to rip up the parking lot in the future), we need to help reimburse property owners for installing EV chargers, and we need to facilitate access to the $16M in Federal EV infrastructure money getting funneled through the State. We have implemented a shoreline set back already. At this point we need to look at what resources we have and start creatively using them and also look at what we dont have and create it to meet our needs while simultaneously planning on a way to make money from outsiders. I do support expanding our TSA lines and hope that in the plan TSA will also be provided with more up to date equipment so that everyone can get to their next destination. Instagram. This posting is for the County of Kaua'i, Office of the County Clerk Recruitment #: EXEMPT-2223-021 If you have any questions regarding this non-civil service exempt position, please contact the County of Kaua'i, Office of the County Clerk at (808)-241-4188 (Monday - Friday, 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. HST). One of the greatest things that has to happen for our island is to have our own recyclery. The technology is available and we need to get up to speed with what our options are. The council was effectively permitted to select anyone to fill Evslins seat. If elected, Ill work with community organizations and our county administration to get this process started. Resorts have a more enduring impact. I understand we have the lowest property tax rates in Hawaii, and the entire nation. If elected, my focus will be to work with our administration and departments to secure as much funds as we can to improve our infrastructure on Kauai. One part of the plan calls for us to transition to a new regenerative tourism; one that gives back more than it takes. This will drastically reduce methane emissions at the landfill, it can save restaurant owners money by reducing their service levels for trash hauling, and it can help create a viable by product (compost) that can be used by farmers all of which helps keep money circulating on Kauai. NACo is While I know the Administration already works with a lobbyist in Washington, DC who is tracking all opportunities for federal funding for our County, I will continue to bring back and share valuable information on federal resources available for our County from NACo conferences and other virtual meetings and workshops. This ongoing trend means that when it comes to building more homes for Kauai residents and trying to meet the General Plan goal of 9,000 new homes by 2035 were going backwards. Affordable housing refers to those projects funded through County support, Federal tax credits, and/or imposition on developers. #2 Vacation rentals take away resident occupied housing and increase the cost of housing island wide. Josh Green appointed to represent House District 16 in the state House of Representatives earlier this month. If all community events adopted a Zero Waste effort, we can reduce our trash significantly. Government services and infrastructure are much cheaper to provide within our existing town cores than spread across our agricultural lands. Evolving environmental regulations have eliminated any new location to be an appropriate site for our next landfill. It will be sad, if a local family (2-3 generations) needs to sell their vacation home because they cannot afford the taxes. I would use my management skills from working for Central Parking in Managing parking for Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center, Halekulani Hotel, and Hawaii Prince Hotel managing 19 employees and a 2.5 million dollar budget. Applying most of this additional $49 M was expressed in the Capital Improvement Projects area of the budget to resist raising the yearly operating expenses. The rising seas and flooding require us to look at limiting and even restricting any further structures being built along our shorelines and along our rivers. The top two objectives that I work on daily are the focus on creating positive contributions to the quality of life for Kauai residents and supporting the maintenance, enhancement, and protection of Kauais natural resources. Thank you. As a computer programmer I always had to solve problems. We need to site a new landfill. All local sellers source from local vendors, thus fulfilling the circular economy. The problems we face are graver than ever, but I am confident that we have the tools as a county to reduce the cost of housing while transitioning to a zero carbon economy and to do it all while improving our quality of life and strengthening our communities. Improving our Airport in order to make it more efficient and safe is important. Providing land and sharing the cost of infrastructure is one way to lower costs. The absence of the general public and business adding dimension to policy considerations can easily result in reckless policy development. Have eliminated any new location to be an appropriate site for our island is to have our own recyclery island... Fulfilling the circular economy in Germany as an invaluable stop-gap to help the... In addition, i support the continuation of the current Kilauea agricultural Park program our. Lived in Germany as an invaluable stop-gap to help our community needs ; Kauai Real Estate Update, Lihue... 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These things for the ongoing economic challenges after the second presentation on may 17, i appreciate the different!
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