OUR ECONOMY

Our beautiful island home is being impacted by global economic forces that are causing property values to decline and food, gasoline and electric prices to climb.  We are seeing business closures and employee cutbacks and layoffs.  Our people are struggling with serious economic challenges.

The County of Hawai'i must be pro-active in assisting our people and meeting these challenges. 

As your Mayor and with your support, I will use all of my energy and experience to respond to the economic conditions with positive action.

I will propose to the County Council a prudent and realistic budget that focuses on protecting the health and safety of our community and maintaining needed County services and programs.  We must use the most current and best technologies to operate efficiently and within our means.

My administration will streamline the permitting process to make it easier for people to conduct business and build homes.  We cannot keep frustrating people with unnecessary rules and regulations.

We will expedite the permitting process for renewable energy projects and enable agriculture businesses to operate on alternate energy sources such as wind, solar and hydro power.  We will continue to retrofit County facilities for more energy efficiency.  We must do our part to reduce dependency on oil.

As part of this effort, we will expand recycling programs and encourage new business ideas, especially "green" and high tech jobs.

The County's Research and Development Department will work with our farmers and ranchers to promote local products, and will also work with the airlines and visitor industry to increase passenger and air cargo options.  We will assist our entrepreneurs who are working on innovative agriculture-tourism programs.

Relieving traffic congestion will be a top priority and will include road improvements, bike lanes and expansion of the County bus system and shared-ride programs to make it easier for people to travel to work, shopping and recreational activities.

We will move forward with road, police and fire stations, the West Hawai'i Civic Center and other funded construction projects to create jobs, stimulate the economy and improve our infrastructure.

I am an independent voice for our people and have been a leading advocate for the Enhanced 911 Emergency Response System, the successful Bottle Bill, recycling, affordable housing, renewable energy, the University of Hawai'i and its community outreach programs, better health care and early childhood education.

Trust, honesty and character will be the cornerstones of my administration.

As your Mayor, I will welcome your suggestions.  My door will always be open to you and I will treat every person in our community with dignity and respect.