Economy
Our economy should serve us, not the other way around. In other words, we must promote our economy to improve the quality of life of all the people of Hawai‘i, ensuring we do not lose the very things that make Hawai‘i special. To achieve economic growth that will last, we need to create well-paying jobs in sectors such as health, education, and technology and get serious about energy and food self-sufficiency.
Our economy depends on our unique environment and people. Tourists visit Hawai‘i to experience the beauty of our land and Hawaiian and local culture. If we continue to ignore accelerating environmental degradation and the widening gap between poor and rich, we will no longer be an attractive place for visitors, and our economy will suffer.
As a fisherman, I have seen catches go down when people did not act responsibly, taking more than the ecosystem could sustain. We need to develop our economy with an eye to the future, not short-term profiteering, because we want to make sure there will be good jobs for our children and our children’s children. We will:
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Work to develop a tourism industry based on the values of protecting the environment, supporting Hawaiian and local culture, and investing in Hawai‘i’s people.
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Actively pursue the diversification of Hawai‘i’s economy, with a focus on industries that create quality jobs for our educated workforce and increase our self-sufficiency.
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Support small businesses in recognition of their critical role in our local economy and culture.
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Stop the loss of agricultural lands to luxury and urban development and support local, family-based agriculture to reduce our dependence on imported food.
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Preserve our shoreline from new development to protect our environment, enhance our visitors’ experiences, and ensure public access for current and future generations.
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Grant tax credits for new businesses and industries when they will yield real and lasting benefits to our people and economy.