VISION STATEMENT – TO CREATE A HEALTHY PUNA
My goal, should I be elected to represent the people of District 5, Lower Puna, is to enrich our unique community where health, safety and the environment would be a top priority.
I believe that Puna can be the breadbasket for the rest of the island where we strive to become self-sufficient and reach the highest level of sustainability.
If elected I will work hard to achieve for Puna a community rich in the arts and full of cultural attractions. We will create safe neighborhoods, a major community recreational center, more efficient transit service, and initiate an incentive system by which to help small business grow.
My vision for District 5 is for the very best that this island has to offer in every measurable level of community well being. I believe that with your help we can achieve a bright tomorrow and a healthier district that all of us can be proud to live in.
VOTE BIG DOG – FOR A HEALTHY PUNA
Represent all the people of Puna regardless of race or religious orientation.
Create more walking & biking trails throughout the Puna community.
Develop Railroad Avenue as a pedestrian/bike trail.
Build a Recreation Center in Pahoa with a multi purpose complex to serve as a youth facility as well as providing for the cultural and social service needs of our community.
Increase bus service to Puna and create bus shelters throughout lower Puna District.
Create a satellite county office to take care of various things such as drivers license, finger printing, TB test, etc.
Provide more educational classes through adult education (GED classes) and community college courses in health, physical fitness, family living, and business education.
Provide more economic opportunities for small business to get started and grow in Puna. By providing incentives.
Develop more recycling, reusing and composting methods to reduce landfill garbage.
Oppose the Waste to Energy plans.
Promote self-sufficiency and sustainability.
Support local farmers & encourage made in Hawaii products.
Widen the Pahoa/Keaau Highway from its present 2 lanes to 4 lanes.
Design and develop the Puna Makai Alternate Route.
Support Neighborhood Watch programs while increasing police presence in lower Puna.
COMMUNITY INVOLEMENT
BORN & Raised in Hawaii – graduated from Kailua High School.
Honolulu Community College – Associate of Arts Degree
University of Hawaii – Bachelor of Education Degree
University of Hawaii – Master of Education Degree
Employment:
Public School Teacher for 30 years – retired December ‘06
Executive Director for Big Island International Marathon
Race Consultant for Kilauea Volcano Runs
Race Consultant for Ragnar Relays, USA
Free Lance Journalist for Stevens Media Group
Cross Country and Track & Field Coach
Awards:
Wal Mart Teacher of the Year 2005
Athlete of the Month – June 1998
Sports Person of the Year – 2005
Big Island Sports Hall of Fame – inducted 2004
County Council Proclamation – Community Service Award, 2006
Boards & Commissions
County Cost of Government – Vice Chair 2006 to’07
County Board of Ethics – Chairman, 2004 to April 2008 – resigned to run for office
Board of Directors – Big Island Federal Credit Union, 2007 to present
Big Island Press Club – member 2005 to present – resigned director position to run
Portuguese Chamber of Commerce – member 2006 to present
Big Island Road Runners Club – President, 2002 to present
Big Island International Marathon –Member/President, Executive Director, ‘97 to present
Kilauea Volcano Marathon – Race Director, August 2006 to present
Hawaii State Teachers Association Retired – Hawaii Island Chapter Vice President 2007
HSTA-R East Hawaii Chapter – Chairman Retirement Issues Committee
Athletic Achievements
Has run 40 plus marathons (26.2-miles) including 18 Honolulu, 4 Maui, 8 Hilo, Santa Monica, and the Boston Marathons.
Has run more than 400 road races and has won more than 300 various age group awards, including 20 gold medals at the Hawaii State Games.