Zahz HewLen

Healthcare Healthcare with an emphasis on mental health resources. We need to expand healthcare services in Kona, especially for our kupuna, utilize technology by promoting telehealth, and Increase funding for mental health services, including crisis intervention, counseling, and community outreach programs. Environment / Energy The county must prioritize self-sufficiency and the integration of indigenous knowledge within decision-making spaces. Hawai'i relies too much on external sources for necessities. Our kupuna understood how to steward this land for generations to enjoy with practices and thinking that can be used in contemporary systems to combat any changes in climate. We need to build the infrastructure to capture and recycle water, innovative renewable energy solutions that are both efficient and economical, an agricultural committee dedicated to establishing food security, and streamlined permitting processes for housing development. To be proactive, we can increase setback requirements from shorelines to focus any new development upland, build communities that are integrated with existing topography to reduce land clearing as much as possible, and plant trees in desolate areas to assist in maintaining cool temperatures. Economy I want to support emerging industries like renewable energy, STEM, and agriculture/agritech. I want to advocate for improvements to the Business climate by streamlining permitting processes for starting businesses, eliminating unnecessary regulations that inhibit growth, offering tax incentives for R&D that promote innovation, relieving businesses from heavy tax burdens, and investing in infrastructure. Emerging opportunities that I will definitely support are creative industries like film, music, dance, and traditional craft. Economy Balance is crucial. My holistic approach aims to make tourism work for us, not the other way around. Although precise data on tourism's contribution to Kailua-Kona's GDP is not readily available, it's likely over 50%. We need to invest in studies to leverage this effectively to make data-driven management decisions that don't harm our economy. Let's consider implementing small visitor fees to be allocated to environmental purposes, such as expanding public transit, animal control, revitalizing native species, and preserving coral reefs. Seasonal higher fees or restricted access to specific places during periods when our environment needs recovery from high tourist usage could also be beneficial. A few dollars per visitor could generate millions for environmental initiatives. Ultimately, we must be realistic with our visitors, avoiding the romanticization of Hawai'i, our indigenous culture, and resources. Tourism should be concentrated in resort zones or areas with the infrastructure to support it. When it comes to resources like water and energy, residents must be the priority. Infrastructure / Transportation Traffic congestion would be significantly reduced if we had affordable housing, bike/pedestrian-friendly roads, and adequate public transportation for workers in high employment areas. If more of our workforce didn't have to relocate to South Kona to find affordable housing, Queen Ka'ahumanu Highway wouldn't be as congested, and the same applies to the East side of the island. We either need to create job opportunities in Puna and South Kona or increase the affordable housing inventory in Kailua-Kona. The West side must take priority, as residents moving from Kona to Hilo for housing while still working in Kona will strain Hilo's housing supply, creating a cycle of displacement. Although new roads and expansions are included in our current General Plan drafts, we need to address the root causes of traffic congestion: the lack of affordable housing and public transportation in high-employment areas. Infrastructure / Transportation I will see our parks and public facilities gain the funding we need for repairs. Infrastructure / Transportation Identify and receive funding for new roads and the updating of intersections. Housing I do not support any legislative restrictions on the duration of a lease entered into between a property owner who lives on-site and their tenant. I do not support the government having the authority to tell the public how to live on their own property. I would like to ensure that our current legislation on transient accommodations is enforced before taking action that prevents tourism from shifting to a more circular industry. I do not support making any unreasonable, unjust, and unnecessary attempts to further squeeze residents from a portion of the wealth that tourism brings to our communities. In case of disastersthat cause mass housing needs, like the tragic fire in Lahaina, it should be contractually predetermined as part of the permitting process that short-term rental owners be required to house residents impacted by disaster and be financially supported by state and county emergency funds. Housing Prevent Population Growth: Work with airlines to stop one-way travel for those who cannot show proof of residency or accommodations for however long they stay here. It doesn’t serve anyone when our local houseless compete for resources with those who come to Hawai’i having no intent or capacity to change their circumstances. Housing In Kailua-Kona, housing options are polarized between high-end and low-income, leaving middle-income earners with few choices and high competition. These hardworking individuals and families typically can't afford expensive homes or rent and don't qualify for assistance due to income limits. This leaves a large portion of our population without support. It's crucial for the county to expand assistance programs, cut taxes, establish clear definitions for "affordable," prioritize residents legislatively, and increase the supply of affordable housing and food. Housing Resource Support: Bolster organizations with the resources they need to fulfill their missions, such as the reunification of individuals with families in other states. Housing Cease Sweeps: I would advocate to stop all "sweeps". Humans deserve to be treated with dignity and moving them from place to place without real solutions wastes resources and time. Housing General actions we can take to address housing include the need for an audit of current inventory to ensure there is balance between high, mid, and low-income housing opportunities. Let's ensure that structures in all zones throughout District 7 are being used and make reasonable zoning adjustments to areas with underutilized spaces. Taxes / Budget I will have leveraged taxes to generate more housing inventory for our hard-working locals and native Hawaiians to afford to live in Kona, near the spaces the work.