Political Views and Campaign Platform
Climate Change
(Civil Beat Q & A) What more should Kauai County be doing to prepare for the effects of climate change, including sea level rise and threats to the reefs?
Kauai paid for a Climate Action Plan (CAP) in 2016. Rather than reinvent the wheel and spend more money on a new plan, let’s look at the recommendations and move forward with what makes sense. Briefly, not approving building permits on Kauai’s shorelines in anticipation of water level rise is prudent.
Establishing emergency relocation areas in the event of a disaster is also a good idea.I also agree with updating zoning based on current models. On a side note: With the lack of tourism, our beaches are cleaner and our reefs are returning.
Economy, Expenses and Revenue
(Civil Beat Q & A) As the economy struggles, the county may have to cut expenses and seek new revenue sources. What would you cut? And what is an area where you see potential new revenue?
Kauai is resilient. We have survived hurricanes, recession, floods, and now a pandemic. I have no doubt that we will get through this as well. Kauai’s budget is 80% property tax, 20% tourist tax. We have a rainy day fund thanks to our past administration’s forethought; and we have received $28 million in CARES Act monies. In addition, many of us have re-engineered our business to accommodate our local clientele. We will survive this and come out with a new island philosophy and outlook.
Potential revenue:
• Tax companies that bring in packaging that is non-recyclable. We need to make these operations responsible for the waste they bring to our island.
• Tax rental car companies for every car they bring on island that clog our roads and ruin our air; 8,000 to 10,000 cars daily is too much for Kauai.
• Tax any non-residentially-owned business and investment properties to supplement costs for affordable housing, infrastructure and mental health and drug rehab facilities. If you want to buy a piece of Kauai and not live here, you should pay for it.
Economy and Covid
(Civil Beat Q & A) Hawaii’s economy has been hard hit with the outbreak of the coronavirus and measures to prevent its spread, mainly because of the collapse of the tourism industry. Should we continue to rely largely on the visitor industry for economic vitality? What concrete steps would you take to bring tourism back? What else would you do to diversify the island’s economy?
This pandemic has shown us our vulnerability to tourism. It’s not if, but when another pandemic will happen. We need to turn inwards to our own local residents for economic survival and food security. When Kaua’i’s 72,000 residents decide to spend their dollars locally on businesses owned and operated by Kaua’i residents, we move our island economy from a non-sustainable linear one to a sustainable circular one. Our local economy can be improved by supporting our local farmers and ranchers.
We must:
• Create food hubs for local produce and dairy goods at major population zones.
• Support local food hubs by creating a farmer’s network online order and delivery system.
If we were to utilize marketing effectively to promote a local farmer food hub, we could change the way we shop and feed our families. This would:
• Decrease reliance on tourism by assisting to diversify our economy.
• Increase custodial land use.
• Increase employment opportunities in farming, delivery, distribution, marketing and environmental management.
• Decrease non-recyclable plastics from Big Box Stores in our landfill.
• Keep money on Kauai by circulating the dollar.
• Support a circular economy rather than a linear one.
Water Rights
If a farmer needs water to grow produce, he should be able to get it at a fair price. Water is free and is, due to the Public Trust, controlled by our County. The delivery of water is currently controlled by the private sector. We need to work together as stewards of this most precious of resources.
KKCR “OUT OF THE BOX” with Jimmy and Dr. Keahi
OCTOBER 1, 2020 – OUT OF THE BOX with Jimmy and Dr. Keahi CANDIDATE: MIKE DANDURAND, KAUA‘I COUNTY COUNCIL
Talk Story with Mike Dandurand
This video was originally posted by Kauai Chamber of Commerce, and is a special presentation on Ho`ike Kaua`i Community Television.
2020 Kaua`i County Council Candidate Forum September 23, 2020
September 23, 2020 – The Kaua’i County Candidate Forum was held via zoom with the questions being based around Climate Change. https://www.communitycoalitionkauai.o…
We hope you enjoy this 2.5 hour forum where our candidates shared with us their responses to some very good questions about climate issues we face here on Kauai.
Candidate Profiles 2020 with Mel & Charlie
Candidate Profiles with Jade Waialeale-Battad, Mike Dandurand and Addison Bulosan – Sep 22, 2020