Nearly half of Hawaiʻi’s families struggle to survive with our state’s highest-in-the-nation cost of living. Income inequality has been exacerbated by tax policy which disproportionately impacts our working families, yet fails to confer much benefit to them. Our reliance on a service-oriented economy has meant chronic low wages, forcing parents to work multiple jobs to get by. The cost of housing, meanwhile, has skyrocketed, forcing many talented young people to leave the state, and causing the epidemic of homelessness across our islands to spread at alarming speed.

We must reshape our socioeconomic fabric by implementing public policies that put people first. We must shift the tax burden in our state so that those who can afford to pay more can help the state invest in social programs like Paid Family Leave, Kupuna Care and Family Care to help keep working families afloat. Crucially, we must raise the minimum wage to a truly livable level so that our workers have the purchasing power needed to cycle wealth through our economy. Aiming to implement these goals in tandem will allow us to end our reliance on tourism and make our communities more resilient to recessions and other shocks.

When it comes to affordable housing, it's no secret that we must build tens of thousands of new units to meet our growing demand. But a policy of this significance must be done right. I support strategic, vertical development of affordable housing within the urban core along the transit-oriented development route. But I do not believe this will be sufficient, nor do I believe that the communities along the Rail line must bear the sole burden of this development.

 

We must look for opportunities in each community to maximize housing possibilities that fit with the development plan of each area. In our district, I believe that the Waiʻalae corridor is a suitable location to increase density with mixed-use, mid-level housing with retail on the ground floor. We are all in this together. Solving this problem will require re-examining our zoning laws to allow for strategic, increased density wherever we find that it is possible, while keeping with the character of the community. 

As a career civil rights advocate, I believe strongly in providing access to both justice and opportunity for underserved and traditionally disenfranchised people. I believe every person, regardless of who they are or where they happened to be born, deserves an equal shot at fulfilling their potential. I oppose harmful policies like sit/lie bans and so-called "compassionate disruption" sweeps. To address housing and homelessness, we need a fully-funded, comprehensive approach that includes investments in affordable housing and wrap-around services.

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As a daughter of an immigrant, I am also staunchly committed to addressing the needs of our immigrant community - who should be valued for their contributions to Hawaii; not demonized and ostracized - as been happening at a burgeoning rate on the federal level.

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The people of Hawaiʻi have a great deal to offer the world. I wish to develop policies and pass legislation that support local business and entrepreneurship so that Hawaiʻi may flourish as a nest of prosperity and innovation⁠—where a rising tide lifts all boats.