- Develop and implement a Climate Action Plan for Kaua`i which 1) addresses reduction of greenhouse gases, 2) directs land use and development, and 3) prepares us to respond to extreme weather conditions and sea level rise.
Support
Last year, I voted to accept the grant funding for a Climate Action Plan, however without a majority, the motion was defeated.
While the State and County have already developed Climate Action Plans, our County plan was a 3 Year Plan for April 2013 – June 2016. Thus the priority is to have the Plan reviewed and renewed. Our understanding of issues and solutions is changing constantly with advancing science. It is critically important to regularly conduct top-to-bottom updates, and to include climate in all our planning activities. Simply doing a plan and filing it on a dusty shelf is unfair to our community and robs a sustainable future from our grandchildren.
Thus, I strongly support the development of a Climate Action Plan, however I believe that the recommendations of this plan can be integrated into land use and development policy rather than part of the Plan.
- Ban the sale and use of disposable polystyrene “Styrofoam” food service ware and containers countywide. Ban the sale of single use plastic water bottles at all county facilities and events.
Undecided
Polystyrene is a useful product, but it is problematic in several ways and recycling it, while possible, is difficult. Currently, the Office of Economic Development prohibits all grant recipients from using Styrofoam at funded events or projects. This is a good start that can be expanded to include single- use plastic water containers and other County operations.
We need to make sure that our goal of protecting the environment also supports maintaining food safety particularly the issue of appropriate containers to avoid cross contamination with raw value added products as well as small businesses.
With my grocery store experience, I am acutely aware of the properties of polystyrene to insulate and to keep food fresher. Along with most residents, I frequently stop by favorite delis around the island for chili and rice or poke. We must collectively move forward toward a more responsible and sustainable future which includes our mom and pop small businesses that are so much a part of the fabric of our local culture.
- Commit to increasing sustainable local food production by specifically budgeting a larger percentage of County grants for food-based agricultural projects, and reinstating the County Ag Specialist position.
Support
I strongly support the sustainable food movement and local food production, as well as other kinds of agricultural development. Among the proper functions of the county Office of Economic Development are the support of local agriculture, not just including food products, but also fiber products like hemp and kenaf, oil seeds, medicinal plants and culturally important crops. The Ag Specialist position is an important part of that commitment.
Equally important to increasing local food production is developing a market to support local efforts. In my prior term as a council member, I was able to introduce and pass legislation which allows vendors to sell value-added products derived from produce grown on their farm.
Additionally in September, I co-introduced and passed a bill to expand the Sunshine Market to include local ranch products, beef, poultry, eggs and fish.
However, I strongly believe in preserving the flexibility and integrity of the grant process to award the funds to the projects that are the most viable and will provide the most impact to the community which may include food-based agricultural projects. As a former legislator, annually the Kauai delegation was successful in garnering millions of dollars to support Kauai farmers and agriculture projects like the Moloa`a farmers, Kilauea Ag Park, Waipa and more. I would pursue all funding opportunities to provide resources for Kauai.
- Implement a temporary moratorium on new zoning entitlements, with the exception of affordable housing that is within or adjacent to existing urban areas, until infrastructure needs are met.
Oppose
We absolutely need affordable housing, but it is important that it be guided by sound planning. We currently have housing where there are no jobs, and jobs where there is inadequate housing. The large amount of affordable housing we require will also require associated functions—like health care, neighborhood retail, recreation areas and so on. And some of our existing housing areas still need appropriate non-residential capacity. We need to support Smart Growth principles and mixed used development so that residents can live, work and play within their own communities.
KIUC estimates that by 2023, they will be generating 90% of electricity from renewable energy. A moratorium could stop or hindered the projects that have enabled KIUC to have the goal of 100% electricity with renewable energy within its grasp.
Additionally, zoning moratoriums have the potential to entangle the County with ligation that would unduly strain the limited resources to address the pressing issues of affordable housing, traffic congestion, and solid waste/recycling. A moratorium is a reactive and an overly simple solution to a complex problem, and in my view it would be short-sighted for a number of reasons.
The county’s planning role should be revised to be proactive rather than reactive. We should identify our specific needs and go out and make them happen rather than waiting to see what comes across the Planning Department transom.
- Develop and implement a comprehensive, integrated solid waste management plan with a major focus on maximizing diversion through recycling and composting.
Champion
- Support expanded community based water stewardship to restore and preserve natural and uncontaminated flow of Kauai’s streams, and insure responsible up-stream/down-stream land use and development.
Support
I support community-based water solutions like West Kaua`i’s mediated Waimea Watershed Agreement, which involved government, community, environmental, cultural, farming and energy interests—and resulted in a decision all could support.
The free flow of our streams is critical to the health of our environment. It is also true that agricultural uses like taro, fruit crops and fresh vegetables require irrigation. There is a balance to be struck, and the community must be part of the discussion.
- Establish a higher property tax bracket for operations doing any for-profit proprietary research on agricultural land.
Oppose
I would hesitate to support measures that could make agriculture less viable on our island. If a banana grower, orchid/flower grower, coffee company or a kenaf company want to do for-profit propriety research, I don’t think they should be punished by a tax policy. How would this affect cattle breeding as opposed to cattle for the market? Or a kalo grower doing non-GE varietal research? All of these efforts are a valuable part of our island’s agricultural platform.