Housing and Homelessness
Housing
Our housing crisis is rooted in decades of policies that have made Hawaiʻi a hub for a global real estate market disconnected from local realities. I've been a vocal advocate for developer accountability, and I firmly believe we cannot keep giving away public money, land, and resources for housing that local families can't afford. To reclaim housing for local people, we need a comprehensive agenda that curbs speculation, prevents displacement, and strengthens protections for renters and homeowners.
Homelessness
For my Ph.D. research, I spent months interviewing people experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity across Oʻahu — in Kaka'ako, Puʻuhonua o Waiʻanae, and beyond. That experience taught me the importance of a well-funded continuum of care that prioritizes Housing First, centers culturally responsive services, and invests in outreach workers who build the trust needed to connect people with real help.