David Tarnas

Environment / Energy Biosecurity programs must be improved to protect our island environment from invasive species. We need to improve our food self-reliance by cultivating our land and ocean resources, and increase renewable energy production while sustaining a healthy environment. Education Because we are a community of life-long learners, offering opportunities locally for college education and continuing adult education is very important to our community. UH-Hilo, Hawaii Community College and the UH Center - West Hawaii at Palamanui must provide a path to successful employment for our high school graduates by offering a variety of academic and technical training programs. Criminal Justice / Public Safety Government must also work with businesses and their communities to better prepare to respond and recover from natural disasters. Environment / Energy Agriculture and forestry are based on long term sustainable use of our environment. Many families depend on our oceans and mountain forests for food. Some of our most difficult challenges are to balance environmental protection with sustainable resource development. Economy The State government needs to increase its support for our core industries of tourism, astronomy, volcanology, ranching, farming, forestry, fishing, marine science and technology, and renewable energy. Infrastructure / Transportation State government has the responsibility to support a healthy economy by maintaining and improving our transportation infrastructure of airports, highways and harbors. Education Providing our teachers and administrators with sufficient support is essential to success at our public schools. Providing appropriate state support for early childhood education is definitely helpful to help prepare our youngsters to start kindergarten and succeed. Housing And the State must work with the County to build more affordable housing, and to address the homelessness crisis.