Newsletter
All 15 candidates running for Mayor were invited to submit 10 videos responding to 10 questions, a headshot and biography. Candidates who submitted their files on time are posted below in alphabetical order by last name. Please take the time to read their biographies and watch their videos.
Headshots and biographies
Hawai`i County Mayoral Candidates
Videos
QUESTION 1 – HOUSING AND HOMELESS
What are your specific plans to provide affordable housing for Big Island residents? What are your specific plans to address the homeless/houseless population on the Big Island?
QUESTION 2 – MOBILITY AND ACCESS
Do you have a plan for improving mass transit on the Big Island, and if so, what is it? Do you have a plan for promoting and facilitating virtual mobility on the Big Island (such as wi-fi hotspots), and if so, what is it?
QUESTION 3 – LOCAL ECONOMY
Detail your specific plans for economic and community recovery post COVID-19 on the Big Island, both for the short- and long-term.
QUESTION 4 – FOOD SECURITY/SUSTAINABILITY
Explain programs you will implement to ensure food security and sustainability on the Big Island.
QUESTION 5 – TMT
Please provide your position on building the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT). If you support this project, what will you do as Mayor to ensure its success? If you oppose this project, what are your plans to bring this conflict to an end?
QUESTION 6 – ASTRONOMY and INDUSTRY IN HAWAI`I
Please provide your position on the future of astronomy for Hawai`i Island. What are your plans to support the continuation and growth of this and other scientific and clean industries?
QUESTION 7 – PREVENTING THE BRAIN DRAIN
Economists predict an increased exodus of local residents to the mainland in search of better paying jobs and career opportunities. Many of our children have already left the island with no intent of returning. What will you do as Mayor to develop and support new industries and businesses to create good paying career opportunities for island residents?
QUESTION 8 – PERSONAL VALUES
What are your most important personal values, and how will they influence programs you will implement on the Hawai‘i Island?
QUESTION 9- ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
Our County’s extreme dependency on fossil fuel for energy – exacerbated by the recent eruption – has severe impacts economically, environmentally and socially on residents and businesses in every corner of this island. As Mayor, what would be your top two strategies to pursue alternative lower cost baseload energy production for this island.
QUESTION 10
Please tell us why you are running for Mayor of Hawai‘i County and what qualifies you to earn our vote.
Participating organizations:
Hawai‘i Island Chamber of Commerce
Japanese Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Hawai‘i
Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce
Hawaii Island Contractors’ Association
Hawai‘i Island Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce
West Hawaii Association of REALTORS®
Kanoelehua Industrial Area Association