Building Affordable Homes & Rentals Incentivizing, funding and leveraging the faster building of more Affordable Homes and Rentals for our Growing Families, our Overcrowded (invisible homeless) and our Homeless. An effective tax rate for these homes can incentivize them to convert to resident housing and help fund the construction of affordable housing. FILE - Ross Kagawa to return to Kauai County Council after Gov. In my first four budget sessions, managing the county budget has been relatively comfortable working with the mayors office as they have presented a balanced budget with excess to return to our county reserve fund. One part of the plan calls for us to transition to a new regenerative tourism; one that gives back more than it takes. Addison Bulosan Luke Evslin Lila Balmores Metzger Bernard Carvalho Fern Anuenue Holland Nelson Mukai Felicia Cowden Ross Kagawa Mel Rapozo Billy DeCosta Kipukai L.P. Kualii Rachel Secretario Search by Questions Search by Candidate Having spoken with Hawaii DOT Airports division, my understanding is there has been a change of understanding regarding the sentiment of the community and they are willing to propose far more modest improvements and am waiting for such confirmation in a press release. I was born and raised on Kauai. Government services and infrastructure are much cheaper to provide within our existing town cores than spread across our agricultural lands. Similar numbers transitioned into the vacation rental tax class in 2021 and 2020. Because everything from zoning to property taxes impacts the business community, I send most of my draft legislative work to the Chamber of Commerce for input before finalizing a bill for the agenda. I believe that the aim of regenerative tourism as outlined in the DMAP, if harnessed properly, can assist with economic diversification and an expansion of eco-tourism, true cultural experiences and more revenue staying on Kauai. My life long community and environmental advocacy has motivated me to run for public office. For the 14 years that I have served on the Kauai County Council, I have always had an open door policy for the business community. The TVR industry is booming on Kauai. I am currently well engage in our business community and will continue to interact to ensure their interests are heard and acted upon. Housing is easily the biggest issue that we face on Kauai, and I believe that the county has to pursue an all-of-the-above strategy to help solve the crisis. Past administrations and councils do not favor audits for reasons that I cannot comprehend. Another focus is on prioritizing workforce housing and affordable housing in county permitting processes so that these projects dont increase exorbitant costs because of timing. The other candidates for seven positions are Addison Bulosan, Bernard Carvalho, Felicia Cowden, Billy DeCosta, Luke. 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. I am great with budgeting in my personal life and household and know how to live within our means. While Kauai County doesnt have an inventory of available lands, we must work with the State to allow the use of state lands for the purpose of developing truly affordable housing. 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. Top priority projects would get done first than feasible jobs next and then everything else according to budget and importance. We also made significant cuts to our travel and training budgets. I do not have enough information on the Lihue Airport Master Plan, to really support it. I value the main premise of the Kauai Destination Management Action Plan guiding the aim to rebuild, redefine and reset the direction of tourism over a three-year period. Sweden came up with a way to turn their trash into power by burning it. E-mail: mchock@kauai.gov Council Direct Line: (808) 241-4098 Cell Phone: (808) 651-7013 They are not the same. Homestead small farms with an allowance for small farm worker housing has been the evident need for decades. Josh Green appointed former councilmember Luke Evslin to his direct staff. 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. The County needs to streamline the permitting for affordable housing. This will defiantly make a big impact in our agricultural community by providing more opportunity for growing our own food, marketing and providing educational opportunities for our young farmers. The low hanging fruit is to allow the development of the DHHL farmlands which allows for housing. I am currently the Chair of Public Works, which is the largest division and handles all CIP assignments. Contact Information 4396 Rice Street, Suite 209 Lihue, Hawaii 96766. These problems are going to escalate with the unchecked growth of the vegetation and greater concentrations of rainfall. While I agree with the DMAP that the fee system should be universal and apply to both county and state parks in a simple to use smart phone app, for that to occur requires leadership from the State. Addressing the combined impacts to the climate from ecosystem loss and destruction of environmental services, CO2 production due to transport of food through programs that support local food production and access are critical. I would refer to and continue to support the Kauai Comprehensive Economic Development Plan which provides a variety of strategies including affordable housing, providing better broadband access and the possibility of Kauai Innovation Center. 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. To that end, the top priorities I plan to focus on are: Rebuilding, Diversifying & Strengthening Our Economy Creating Jobs & Supporting Local Business. These products can be made a certified community kitchens in partnership with our local slaughter houses. The Kauai County Council is accepting applications from individuals to render services as County Auditor to conduct or cause to be conducted audits of all county funds, programs, and operations of any agency or operation of the county to include performance audits of funds and programs or operations as requested by Council by resolution, and to We need to ask how we can resolve parking issues, especially on the North Shore. Evolving environmental regulations have eliminated any new location to be an appropriate site for our next landfill. The great work that Grove Farm has done is enable local farmers to be able to connect directly with their consumers at the Grove Farm Market every Saturday. I have been supportive of this idea because of the need to encourage long term leases. Harris debated alongside John D. Waihee III, future governor of Hawaii, as well as future legislative leaders Carol Fukunaga, Helene Hale, Les Ihara, Jr., Barbara Marumoto and Joseph M. Souki . Meaning that you can own a lucrative TVR on Kauai and pay far less in property taxes than even for a resident occupied home on the mainland. But, from a legislative perspective policies A.2 and D.4 are the two where the County Council has the most power to leverage change. Keeping all taxpayers in mind when making decisions that uses everyones tax dollar. A policy I wish to develop is the ability of a tax class to change in the middle of a budget year. Kagawa narrowly lost election to the Kaua'i County Council last November, when he finished eighth in a race with seven winners. Working with the State to ensure irrigation water is available to all prime and potential agricultural lands. 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 can not keep asking our environment to give to us sustenance and for us not to give back. 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. I also want to dive into the things holding approved projects up and work with County departments to understand and address the ways things can be improved and streamlined. We need a greater general parking area and to expand the TSA and ticketing areas. I will work with the Department of Public Works, and other departments, to understand the ways that the council can ensure funding and needs are met for planned infrastructure projects to move them forward in a timely manner. Of the following four areas of the plan. Legislative authority is vested in the seven-member County Council. We could be doing so much more for our island. I would help with any kind of communication that I can do as a county council member. I hear theres a big surplus. Thank you. I will work with our community organizations such as Kumano I Ke Ala, Waip Foundation, Mlama Hulia, Kauai Farm Bureau, Kekaha Agricultural Association, Kauai Cattlemens Association, Mlama Kauai and all other organizations to work on legislation that enables our farmers to meet the demand for local ingredients. Our landfill is almost full and recycling needs to be made a number one priority. We need to address overcrowding and transportation options to our visitor destinations like the current Northshore shuttle program that is currently being discussed with the hope of implementation soon. Another example is the work Kauai Sea Farms is doing with Nomilo Fishpond in Kalaheo. Another example is ina Hookupu o Klauea, Waip foundation, and Hui Makainana o Makana and the work they are doing on the north shore of the island. 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. Kauai County Council. I envision Kauai operating as a large-scale homestead. 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. Our County received a Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery Grant for $13.8 million to transform and construct our roadways, walking and biking paths in our downtown core of Lihue. Food and resource production to feed and support a resilient Kauai is the goal above revenue productivity. We need to continue to better manage and balance the number of visitors that come to our island. This is the first decade since statehood where home construction on Kauai has fallen far below our population growth and its this lack of homes that is the driver of our exploding costs. Providing land and sharing the cost of infrastructure is one way to lower costs. I am a neighborhood food producer at my home in Kilauea and a host of talk radio on KKCR. In council, I do my best to offer these perspectives of balance in our conversations that most often do not make it into the articles of the reporters. The County Councils biggest responsibility is balancing the county budget every year. Tax rates for the Vacation Rental tax class is currently$9.85 per thousand in value as compared to the Hotel/Resort tax class at $10.85 per thousand in value. Acompanhe-nos: bonsall oaks development Facebook. 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). In looking at other counties, Maui tax rate for TVRs is actually higher than that of hotels. All members of the County Council are elected on a nonpartisan, at-large basis to two-year terms. I understand improvements for safety, convenience and comfort; however the people dont want more gates and more flights. However, the process to site and build a new one is expected to take just as long or slightly longer than the lifespan of our existing landfill. 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. There is no need to have a residential rate, then a vacation rental rate and then a hotel and resort rate. I have the time to attend boards and commission meetings, community events, and have on-site visits with constituents, neighborhoods and businesses for stronger understanding of their specific needs. Bold action must be taken to better manage tourism to protect the environment and residents quality of life. The plan states that 1 in 8 homes on Kauai is a vacation rental, compared to 1 in 24 homes statewide. Partnership with organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce, Kauai Board of Realtors, Hawaii Lodging and Tourism Association, Carpenters Union, Lihue Business Association, Hawaii Farm Bureau and so forth is invaluable. I also think there are other ways that we can grow our economy by channeling, appropriately managing and harnessing the tourism revenue we do have in our local economy, so a higher percentage reach and benefit local residents. 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