(If not now…when?)

These are our HULI PAC positions and priorities.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Housing is a human right!

The lack of affordable housing in Hawai’i is pushing families out of their homes. At the same time, our island is being over-developed by and for the wealthiest among us. It’s time to prioritize the enhancement of affordable housing and implement regulations to prevent development that further displaces local families.

FOOD SECURITY

The fertile lands and sea of Hawai’i have the capacity to sustain our community’s need as an agricultural haven. Through pono land use regulation, ecology education & responsible agricultural development, Hawai’i can establish food security and food sovereignty.

INFRASTRUCTURE

Roads and Bridges

We must build adequate infrastructure to finally meet the needs of our rural communities for internet and telecommunications, roads, bridges, water, and electricity to achieve economic parity. We need to meet the needs of our poorest and most rural people before subsidizing luxury housing and resorts.

Education, Health and Well-Being 

We must build adequate systems for the education, health, and well being of all our people. We need doctors, clinics, specialists and more options for medicines. We encourage the use of Native Hawaiian and other indigenous traditions. 

CIRCULAR ECONOMY + LIVING WAGE

Over the past several decades, the cost of living has increased significantly while workers’ wages have remained relatively stagnant. We need to veer away from a tourism-based economy, and towards one that is sustainable for both ‘āina and local people. Hawai’i Island has the capacity to rebuild an economy that was once fueled by agriculture, ocean ecology, resource optimization, and innovation.

CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION
+ ADAPTATION

“Treat the land as if she were your grandmother.”
~ Ku’ulei Perreira-Keawekane

Now is the time for a comprehensive, once-in-a-generation mobilization that prioritizes front-line communities, combats the climate crisis, and creates good-paying jobs. We need to implement the indigenous concept of acting for the seventh generation at the legislature. Hawai’i Island depends on the health of our reefs and climate systems for wellbeing.

AFFORDABLE
+ EQUITABLE HEALTHCARE

For far too long, our community has struggled to attain proper healthcare coverage. In Hawai’i we must not only be concerned with creating affordable health coverage, but also increasing the number of healthcare providers in our community, particularly in rural areas. Our leaders should be advocating for healthcare infrastructure including telehealth network access.

NATIVE HAWAIIAN RIGHTS

Elevating the status of Native Hawaiian people should be embedded across every HULI PAC candidate’s platform. Kānaka Maoli face the highest levels of poverty, health disparity, and lack of access to public services out of any group on Hawai’i Island. At the same time, Kānaka Maoli are the foundational people of this land. Our leaders need to catalyze flipping this system of oppression.

responsible TOURISM

The time to reduce the impact of over-tourism on Hawai’i Island is NOW. Tourism has been destructive to both the environment and Hawai’i people. Jobs in tourism offer little room for growth for the work force. Candidates should be prepared to propose legislation for alternative economic development, while also implementing regulations to limit the adverse reaction of tourism on the environment.

FREE & FAIR ELECTIONS

Due to current regulations, our elections are monopolized by the wealthiest among us. As it stands, Hawai’i state and county election processes are neither fair nor free. Candidates must propose and promote legislation that increases voting capacity in rural areas, sets term limits, as well as implementing a cap on campaign fundraising.