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What housing issues are currently top of mind for you?
Relating to housing, my top priority has been to identify ways to better finance projects. With rising interest rates, it has become difficult to have projects make sense financially while also being in an “affordable” price range. Many developers rely on federal low-income housing tax credits, but that only creates housing for those earning less than 60 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI). The big need is with workforce housing units which typically ranges between the 60 to 120 percent AMI – but not a lot of incentives exist to build this type of housing. Therefore, there have been numerous pilots that we have been trying in Hawaii to see if we can find success, including investing in regional infrastructure to ensure that developers do not have to pick up this cost and pass it along to homeowners or renters. The other involves a for-sale model using a 99-year leasehold strategy, where the state retains ownership of the land, but the unit itself is sold — and can be resold — to homeowners.
Another pilot we are trying is government housing – both for teachers and for state employees. Like many other states, Hawaii’s workforce is difficult to recruit and retain because of the cost of housing. Having this option will be interesting to see if this can move the needle in the affordable housing arena while solving some of our state’s workforce issues.
The theme of our 2025 CSG West Annual Meeting is “Innovating at New Heights.” What’s something you find innovative about Hawaii – whether related to legislative work or something else entirely?
Here in Hawaiʻi, we are continually working to develop innovative legislative strategies to address the rising cost of living, which remains one of the highest in the country due to our geographic isolation and dependence on imported goods. Our approach has been a keen focus on self-sustainability. Hawaii has a goal of a 100 percent renewable portfolio standard by 2045 that the legislature has been working towards for many years. This year especially, the legislature had to stabilize our electric utility after the devastating Lahaina wildfires to keep us on track.
Food sustainability is also top of mind, ensuring we grow more crops locally and incrementally buying more local agriculture throughout state government. This past session, the legislature placed a focus on biosecurity to ensure we have the right infrastructure to support our agricultural expansion. Most recently, our governor signed into law a “green fee” which is the first-ever lodging tax to get tourists to pay their share of the impacts of climate change, which may include fortifying fire breaks, upgrading technology, combating erosion and invasive species.
Could you share something light or fun about yourself that’s unrelated to legislative work – such as a personal interest, fun fact, or something others might not know?
In my free time, I enjoy challenging myself through jogging. I try to participate in as many local races as I can throughout the year, with my favorite being the Valley to the Sea Half Marathon on Maui. The course is especially meaningful to me, as it winds through the scenic roads of Wailuku just as the sun rises over the ʻĪao Valley—an experience that feels both grounding and inspiring. Running has become more than just a physical activity; it offers me a different lens through which to experience Hawaiʻi and provides a personal outlet for growth and perseverance. To date, I have completed approximately 35 races, ranging from 5Ks to full marathons, and I look forward to continuing this journey and seeing where it takes me next.
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