And I believe that that is one of the best tools that we have to increase the cost of traveling to Hawaii, reduce numbers at some of our overcrowded sites, and raise money for our infrastructure and natural resources preservation. They are incredibly costly to build and maintain. But, for the reasons stated I think its the right decision. of Water Planners updating the County Water Plan to guide system expansion, improvement, rehabilitation, and rate structures that support growth consistent with housing development plans. Lastly, we need to modify the agricultural dedication process, especially for small farms, to ensure that bonafide farmers are paying minimal taxes and that wealthy land owners arent using the system simply as a tax haven. Council can best help by approving funding, encouraging action through paying attention and supporting progress. Visitors learn about the inequities of our food systems and are encouraged to support local restaurants that use local ingredients. Holland also spoke on her own behalf before councilmembers ultimately chose Kagawa. I would continue to support the completion of existing housing projects such as Lima Ola where the land is available but the need for additional financial support is limited. However, making a real difference for our islands and our planet, more importantly, requires each of us to make meaningful behavioral changes; the kinds that may take away some of our conveniences and may even cost us a little more of our time and energy. If elected it would be important to make sure that there is ample opportunity for the business community to give their input and by providing early evenings and Saturday meeting times. If elected, I would be proactive in working with our business organizations by having monthly meetings with government action committees. The following came from KipuKai Kualii, candidate for Kauai County Council. Thank you. If elected, Ill work with community organizations and our county administration to get this process started. Construction of a materials recovery facility, curbside recycling, diverting commercial food waste to composting facilities, and a recycling facility for construction and demolition debris all of these need to simultaneously be pursued to extend the life of our landfill long enough to enable the siting and construction of a new facility. This is one idea that could create more jobs and solve one of our biggest problems here on Kauai. Regardless of what happens with the Master Plan, its vital for us to work to reduce the number of visitor accommodations on Kauai as that is still the Countys best tool for managing the industry. From the 2008 report available online there are a handful of other suggestions and I need access to the assessments done to make a final decision. What qualifies me most is the genuine concern I have for Kaua`i and Ni`ihau and my commitment to making a difference! Budgeting Responsibly & Limiting Taxes Budgeting Responsibly, Managing Costs and Limiting Taxes (Being Accountable Always). Thank you. QUESTION #4How would you effectively manage the County Budget and operations for the short term and long-term sustainability? Kagawa replaces Luke Evslin, who Gov. I continue to support reduce, reuse, and recycling programs and the need for a Resource Recovery Park where we can create a solid recycling program for our island. I am a strong advocate of performance audits. of Water to ensure water distribution expansion plans line up with plans for increased density and infill development within our town centers, as well as for other housing development in the larger town areas. We live on an island. The mayors administration is responsible for applying for these typically competitive Federal grants. impacts. We have a large population of people and businesses on Oahu that could be our exporting market. Industrial food systems are energy-intensive and fossil-fuel based. Every time I go to these recycling locations I see trash bags and random items in the bins and my gut feeling is that no one is separating this at the main station so therefore it must be going to the landfill. If elected I will dive into the research that has been done on things that have worked in other areas and connect with the groups working on this issue to address the gaps. Similar numbers transitioned into the vacation rental tax class in 2021 and 2020. Explore FeliciaCowden.com for more info! I also want to better understand the differences and demographics of the vacation rentals, home stay units, bed and breakfasts, etc that we have on Kauai before I say yes outright to this question. This power granted by the Kauai County Charter led to a last-minute surge in testimony from residents advocating for Fern nuenue Holland, a community organizer and leader against developers plans to build a hotel at the site of the former Coco Palms resort. With the proposed Maalo landfill site rejected by the state Department of Transportation because of concerns around the impact of birds on our airport, the county is beginning the process of siting a new landfill. I am open to the idea of increasing all TVR property tax rates to resort property tax rates. We need to start the process to bring waste to energy technology to Kauai. The various departments have done a rather impressive job at successfully procuring Federal monies. While we do control the power of the purse, the County Council has no authority over the timelines for infrastructure projects. I am committed to having discussions in the open so that the public is aware of what is happening. We must support our County Planners engaging with Dept. They are not the same. Putting this price tag of a MURF on our residence of Kauai will cripple their monthly budget. To be clear, I am absolutely a strong supporter of recycling, the critical siting of our next landfill, source reduction and taking advantage of any innovations or new technologies that can help us find a sustainable and resilient way to address our solid waste challenges. We have had four years of additional emergency funding for either our 2018 flood event or the COVID pandemic. Giving friendly reminders that this is what these people are being paid to do. how to get a legendary blook in blooket; 5 minute presentation about yourself So I know that this is a hard decision for all of us. The next step will be to develop measures that can be brought before the council as bills and resolutions that will help to facilitate the needs that are identified. As a Council we dropped the investor class assessment category in order to hold secondary owners accountable and to encourage them to rent their homes to our local families. The focus is on stabilization, recovery, and rebuilding to the desired visitor industry for each island. From A to I, there are many quality and similar action steps. These products can be made a certified community kitchens in partnership with our local slaughter houses. Thats a 38% increase in nightly rates since before the pandemic. I believe we must find ways to discourage off shore vacation rental home buying, which is playing a part in pushing local families out of the market. 3) Ensure that we are capturing adequate tax revenue from vacant homes and vacation rentals. We need to ask how we can resolve parking issues, especially on the North Shore. We must ensure it meets the highest and best environmental standards and we do everything we can to mitigate impact to surrounding communities and the environment. My ideas are focused around establishing a stronger circular local economy that empowers our small businesses and entrepreneurs. I will continue to be supportive of the valuable efforts made by our Mayors administration and the housing department. QUESTION #13What else would you like to share with the Kauai community? Written by on 27 febrero, 2023. Our property tax rates are by far the lowest in the nation, which means that mainland investors find Hawaii an attractive place to park their money and reap the rewards of our appreciating real estate market. 2) Not build any new roads. In a memo to the Hawaii Tax Review Commission, the Commission Chair Beth Giesting writes that: Hawaiis low RPT rates result in low annual expenses, and that also makes local real estate a relative bargain for investors and affluent second home purchasersto the extent that units are purchased for vacation rentals or second homes, there is less housing available for people who live here., #3 If youre taking a home off the housing market, then you should help with the construction of an affordable home. 808-245-7363 4268 H Rice Street, Lihue, HI 96766[emailprotected]. We are wise to remember that these classes of properties have subsidized Kauais working resident-homeowners for decades. I will be following this issue diligently and am interested in public opinion. County of Kauai Office of the County Clerk Council Services Division 4396 Rice Street, Suite 209 Lhue, Hawaii 96766 Telephone : (808) 241-4188 Facsimile : (808) 241-6349 1. A thriving agriculture sector includes small diversified farms, neighborhood food production, livestock, loi kalo, and export crops in which Kauai continues to be the Garden Island. Net working with the right people is very crucial. Although such projects alone will never fill the housing gap, they are essential to providing a safety net and serving those most at need. Establishing a carrying capacity and limiting arrivals for Kauai is critical to retaining our quality of life, environment and extending the operation of our infrastructure. The Kauai County Code gives the County Council the exclusive authority to raise or lower property tax rates via resolution. We know that a lot of knaka iwi (Native Hawaiians) dont vote. According to the Department of Business and Economic Development, the average daily rate for TVRs in 2022 is $386.74 compared to $279.70 in 2019. This middle-income housing shortage has festered for decades on Kauai but has escalated into a crisis with rapid inflation and a strong market demand from the pandemic-driven migrations to rural areas across the nation. As an individual council member, I have been regularly and actively raising this issue with the County Administration. I have personally seen the effects of doing this. LIHU'E With newly appointed state Rep. Luke Evslin heading to O'ahu, the remaining six members of the Kaua'i County Council now must select a replacement to fill his vacant seat. I dont want more expansion for more flights. I envision Kauai operating as a large-scale homestead. While I respect all of the work that went into the DMAP, I dont see that same clarity or bold language in terms of the island being over-capacity and the need to reduce visitor numbers to a more sustainable level. This also makes us more resilient to climate disasters elsewhere. what states require consummation of marriage; new milford ct police scanner; reply to opposition to motion to compel california; environmental opportunities and threats in business; Shipping food in, rather than producing it here, is also a major factor in how we, in Hawaii, impact the climate. In particular, my focus would be for high speed internet access, better roads and bridges, investment in public transit, resilient infrastructure, and investment in environmental remediation. Districts work closely with county, state and federal governments and both public and private organizations in a non-regulatory capacity. I totally support the Kauai Destination Management Action Plan which is a well-developed plan that brings forth the need to better manage and balance our tourism industry with our local infrastructure, natural resources, and our residents. Chapter 8.2 of the General Plan states that All TVRs should pay. She had 1,176 votes less than Kagawa. If Oahu can do it so can we. Councilmember Decosta and I are currently working on some comprehensive changes to our agricultural dedication program along these lines. If re-elected, I will continue to work on policies like those outlined above to help reduce the cost of housing for Kauai residents. I do not support a Lhue Master Plan that does not consider the increased effects on our entire island infrastructure with increased capacity. We need to literally start planting seeds now for a thriving agricultural sector tomorrow. Maintaining or marginally reducing visitor numbers to a sustainable level (23,000-25,000) will be much harder if our airport is built out to accommodate more arrivals. Here is a direct excerpt (lightly edited for length) from the opening statement I made in May, 2022, on my rationale for increasing the vacation rental rate: I am proposing this increase and allocation for three reasons. As we push development into our agricultural areas, were forcing residents into longer and longer commutes. While it may have been necessary to get us out of the deferred maintenance hole, the excise tax is a regressive tax that especially impacts low income folks. Supporting rational instream flow standards for the protection of the native stream environment and also the availability of surface water for irrigation and domestic drinking water. Legislative authority is vested in the seven-member County Council. We must also support our County working in partnership with private entities wherever possible and proposing new residential developments in Lihu`e in order to take advantage of that treatment plants significant excess capacity. Another focus is to create infrastructure incentives for workforce housing and affordable housing in town core centers such as Hanapp, Kloa, Lhue, Kapaa, and Klauea. Traffic, poor maintenance of public infrastructure, and abuse of natural resources are just a few consequences of overtourism. I will be responsible about how we move forward with our operations as well, ensuring we are planning for the long term but ensuring we meet our short-term needs. Staycation At The Royal Hawaiian Hotel, Local Groups Sue County Over Poipu Beach Condominium Complex. I would like to see us growing the majority of food we consume on the island. It has become clear in recent decades that our agriculture practices and system can either hurt our climate, or help save it. I agree it important to get everyones input, especially people who are working with community in the business world. And we have enough land to support it all the issues are water infrastructure, high land costs, and low margins leading to a lack of willing farmers. Reducing our waste generation and then diverting whatever we can from the landfill will be critical in establishing responsible waste management for our small island. Josh Green appointed former councilmember Luke Evslin to his direct staff. I went to KCC and the University of Hawaii to receive my Political Science Degree. I will be proactive with efforts to mitigate the impacts of climate change and reduce our contribution to it. I believe as a County Council Member I would be able to pull together those that know the most about this topic in an effort to better understand the immediate farmer needs and blockages that are stifling progress. We must be cautious to not exhaust our landowners/homeowners ability to adapt to inflationary pressures that are likely to continue. Similarly, the Biden White House released a housing plan that Reward jurisdictions that have reformed zoning and land-use policies with higher scores in certain federal grant processes. Along these lines, its our job to help make these reforms in our zoning code to help set up our various Departments to maximize the chances of receiving grant money. Kauai County Council can support this vision with adapting zoning ordinances to allow for the needed small, potentially moveable farm worker living units coupled with appropriate wastewater technology. When the Council on Wednesday chose Kagawa to replace former member Luke Evslin who is now a member of the Hawaii House of Representatives Kagawas placement in the election was a major reason. Why? My careful scrutiny of our Budget helps ensure we adequately fund these core services and maintain our Public Works infrastructure. We need to improve our port security and get drugs off our streets while we work to address the issue holistically with counseling programs, on island detox and treatment centers and housing first solutions. Click here and log in to view this story Start Free. I believe that my life experience, education and passion will benefit Kauai and I will be a strong voice for our community. they have 20 times more people on Oahu. I would like to hold a town hall meeting specifically for business owners and allow the people to voice their concerns, solutions and ideas to us so that we can go to work on what specifics our community needs. For this reason, I am unwilling to raise any Real Property Tax rates in the coming seasons as it is imperative to avoid collapsing our businesses and property owners that are unprotected by a valuation cap. If we continue on this trajectory, we will end up consuming our agricultural land for home construction while exacerbating traffic and the cost of government services (its a lot more expensive to maintain roads, provide trash pickup, police/fire protection, etc when its spread out thinly). We absolutely need to do more to support agriculture not only for food and sustenance; for export of Kaua`i Grown products or Kaua`i made products with Kaua`i Grown ingredients; but, also to make use of, protect & preserve acres of idle lands that are becoming overgrown with invasive species and becoming more and more arid and depleted. 6. At this point we need to look at what resources we have and start creatively using them and also look at what we dont have and create it to meet our needs while simultaneously planning on a way to make money from outsiders. QUESTION #1What is your vision for a thriving agricultural sector on Kauai and how can the County Council support that vision?. I will work to address our solid waste concerns across the board. More effort needs to be done to include various professionals and stakeholders to explore more solutions solve this very complex issue that our whole state is failing at. Collaborating for Community Solutions Working with both Public & Private Partners to develop and implement forward-thinking solutions to longstanding challenges like Climate Change, Drug Abuse, Food Insecurity, Homelessness, Teen Suicide, Traffic Congestion and more. My government experience is based on making sure that any infrastructure projects will need to be to be well planned out and supported at all levels of government with strong input from our community. Cultivating oysters, clams, and other value add products for the community. I would agree with the DMAP in education for tourist coming to the island they should learn all the rules and laws of the island and they should respect the local people and their lifestyle. Increases to the affordable housing inventory are desperately needed. As part of the Kauai Food Hub, and hosting the Ai Pono Eat Local Challenge these last few years, I have had an opportunity to better understand the issues that are holding up expanding local food production on Kauai. But, rather than trying to micromanage the Administration, I spend the bulk of my time thinking about and working on policy that I do have discretion over. I Want to plant more fruits and vegetables that can be dried and sold. I have over thirty years experience working and volunteering in Government, Labor Unions, Non-Profits and Community Organizations. The following came from Ross Kagawa, candidate for Kauai County Council. Profound events are far more challenging with resort properties. I feel the following actions are very important and I would move to implement them right away: A.2, A.6, B.4, C.5, all action items outlined in Action D Community, E.1, E.4, F.1, G.2, G.4, H.1 and I.1. My first focus would be to help local working families by creating incentives and reducing the financial barriers for additional dwelling units and additional rental units. The county recycling program needs to be refreshed as soon as possible. Waste to energy is a clean and safe way to get rid of our trash and create energy. I believe this is what sets me apart with most candidates as I am actively engaged in our small business community. We need to find county solutions to reduce the cost of housing. And that the majority of vacation rentals on Kauai are owned by non-residents. During the pandemic we saw planes, cars, and foot traffic come to a halt and with that pause, our environment took a huge breath of fresh air. A retail shop designed as a membership where were able to provide support systems through workshops and collaboration. Waimea Huakai and Habitat for Humanity Affordable Housing, Waimea, Kauai. Should a measure I am working on relate to the business community, or a specific industry, I will reach out to the chamber, business associations and those stakeholders to discuss the issue at the beginning of the drafting process. In the next two years, Im looking to implement all of the actions that were identified in the DMAP by the steering committee. I hope we can invent a noiseless hybrid type of airplane in the future. Kauai. The Council members asked questions of the applicant regarding the Certificate of Need criteria. Nelson Mukai Rachel Secretario Ross Kagawa Governor Candidates Duke Aiona David (Duke) Bourgoin Kai Kahele Lynn Barry Mariano Caleb K. Nazara Lieutenant Governor Candidates Keith Amemiya Ikaika Anderson Tae Kim Sylvia Luke Sherry Menor-McNamara US Rep Candidates Joe Akana Patrick Pihana Branco Nicole Gi Brendan Schultz Steven B. Sparks 3) We need to continually strive to make it easier for families to add on additional units (ARUs or ADUs) for their parents, children or long-term renters. The next highest tax class which is the Commercial and Industrial class with the rate of $8.10 per thousand. As your Council member I have been fiscally responsible with ensuring that balancing the budget, keeping our county services operating and all of our employees working and thriving. From a zoning perspective, we also need to reduce the demand for developing on agricultural land. If the Master Plan does not contain an option for no-growth in arriving flights, I think its important for our State Legislators to commit to not fund improvements meant to expand capacity. NACo is While I know the Administration already works with a lobbyist in Washington, DC who is tracking all opportunities for federal funding for our County, I will continue to bring back and share valuable information on federal resources available for our County from NACo conferences and other virtual meetings and workshops. We also need to solve our traffic problem as this project once completed will create more traffic as well. Right now our countys vision is to, Increase agricultural income and opportunities on Kauai through working closely with farmer groups to assist them in obtaining resources and other assistance to solve industry problems or take advantage of opportunities. My vision would to be to follow through with more programs focusing on educating the children and families in our community. 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