My Response to
the League of Women Voters Questionnaire

QUESTIONS

Please provide a brief Candidate Statement describing your qualifications and why you are running for this office.

I am a local boy who understands the unique culture of our islands. Growing up in Hawai’i, I embraced the rich diversity of the people here, and recognize the importance of community. Throughout my adult life, I sought to take on the toughest jobs, and find ways to bring the best out of peers and subordinates alike. I served honorably in the US Army and the Federal Government earning numerous awards throughout my career. I know what it means to serve, I know what it means to be accountable, and I know how to solve extremely complex issues alone or with a team of teams.

If elected, what are your top two goals and how will you achieve them?

My top priorities are the economy and our infrastructure. I want to eliminate or reduce the General Excise tax for local businesses and provide incentives for companies willing to invest in our economy; to work with our legislators to revise the Jones Act to help save on shipping and import costs; to modernize our state services to limit redundancy and streamline processes; and to reinvest in agriculture, farming and fishing to protect our food security. We must stop state funding of the rail; bring back the Super Ferry to diversify interisland travel; and repair aging infrastructure.

What would be your first official act if elected?

I would establish a series of committees to assess every state government agency to identify wasteful spending and process inefficiencies. I would then request the committees develop multiple courses of action to streamline processes and eliminate wasteful spending and work with our legislators to implement these changes while maintaining transparency with the public to let them know what we find and any obstacles preventing changes.

Describe your style of decision-making and governing and why your style is effective.

Over the course of my 40-year career in the US Army and supporting the Federal Government, I’ve developed a leadership style that promotes taking input from key stakeholders including peers and subordinates, while thinking critically to make informed decisions. This style is effective because it allows me to see issues from others’ perspectives and provides me greater insight because I better understand all aspects before I make a final decision.

My Response to the League of Women Voters Questionnaire