I know theres a federal investigation ongoing, and lets see where it takes us. Right, well, I have a lot of broad-based experience, especially for the job of mayor. Ive led large statewide organizations. To leave our site for the link you selected, click PROCEED. Most importantly, we need to be pau with the reasons why no can and start getting it done. The state needs to also improve the quality of womens wellness and LGBTQIA+ healthcare services on the neighbor islands. Well, Plan A is what I hope happens, that we have a viable option that works out for the city. Weve gone too far. Vacation rentals were never intended for residential neighborhoods. I dont think were gonna take away necessarily from any other department, Ive heard from the construction industry, and the development industry, theyre willing to help pay for increased pay for workers or whatever it takes to retain workers in DPP so that they dont leave after six months or a year and start the turnover churn over and over. So my relationship with Governor and Mrs. Ige is strong. We need to restore trust in government. Can I ask, you do talk openly about your mom's mental illness, and I know that must have been very difficult for you. Access and information to ensure that peoples basic needs are met, such as food and housing. I have no opinion on that. We need to provide more services. Their oldest son, Chris, was my best friend. Its the number one issue here as well, based on my feedback from constituents. Well, again, I stand by my party affiliation, but I wanna assure everyone I'll work across the aisle, I'll work with everyone, but my foundation is Democratic Party base. All rights reserved, Central Pacific Bank Business Debit Mastercard, See All Central Pacific Investment Services. End financial conflicts of interest Yes, its a non-partisan race, but almost everybody I come across asks me what party I belong to. Bert and Harriet were great role models for me. Sure, there were issues, there always are, but none to the magnitude that occurred during Chief Kealohas tenure. Hillary Clinton got the other two-thirds, but you basically told one-third of the voters out there, Republican who did not vote Democrat, you know, These are the guys Im going with, cause by the way, David Ige and Scott Saiki and Ron Kouchi, and all of the members of the delegation in Congress, are Democrats too. Make state lands available for low or no cost for affordable housing to be developed, where appropriate and where sufficient infrastructure exists. Like it or not, its almost finished. Provide zero-interest down payment assistance to first time homebuyers. Beyond Leadership. Reaching out to the public, you need to make sure the public knows. I have dedicated my career to public service by working directly in every community statewide throughout my career. Well, it was clearly incompetence. But I also think we can do things like focusing on higher end tourists, higher quality tourists, tourists that spend more money, as opposed to the bargain basement tourists that weve had that havent really added to our bottom line, so to speak, in terms of quality of life and revenue to our hotel workers. At 801 South Street, insiders exploited complex and shifting 'designed-to-fail' affordable housing rules to legally grab cheap units for themselves and . They started that way, and they dont have the resources to pick up and move. For faster navigation, this Iframe is preloading the Wikiwand page for Keith Amemiya . All our focus is on COVID right now, were taking a hit budget-wise, but this is the biggest problem of our lifetime. Amemiya is perhaps best known for his tenure as the HHSAAs Executive Director, during which the HHSAA doubled the number of state championships held annually, including introducing many new sports for female student-athletes, to the point that Hawaii now holds the most state championships in the country. Government needs to continue to be vigilant and make decisions to protect our residents based on science and best practices. ", "Musings from Manoa: Amemiya right man for top job", "Wishing a wonderful 55th birthday to our humble leader and friend, Keith, today from Team Amemiya!! Well, I think we have to wait and see. When I served on the commission, Chief Kealoha wasnt the chief and I wasnt involved in the selection of Chief Kealoha. Well, that was a lot more than three words. Im a firm believer, when I was on the commission 10 years ago, Im a firm believer now, that any effective oversight body, especially one involving the police and law enforcement, needs transparency and accountability. Keith, but some of the complaints that have come out of that, I think of Campbell High School in particular, where there may be a sports team for the girls, but they may not have locker rooms like the boys do that would be very fundamentally unfair. Inspired by the example set by his hnai family following his biological parents divorce when he was 10, Amemiya has graciously opened up his home to neighbor island athletes over the past two decades. Ive been able to bring people together, Ive been able to collaborate, and Ive been able to find solutions through team work. And again, I know you said we cant keep mentioning illegal vacation rentals, but that will play a huge role in limiting the type and quality of tourists that we have. And if they submit shoddy plans, theyre gonna be held accountable in the long run and they wont be allowed to do business with the city. Yes, I do, its happened to me many times. They know that the job functions of many of their employees in HGEA need to be retooled, and so I look forward to working with both unions to make their workers jobs better and more efficient and beneficial to the taxpayers. Everywhere I go around this island, people tell me they want change. Especially during these difficult economic times, its critical that they have the resources needed to continue their important work in helping people get back on their feet.. Keith, if you're augmenting one department, like the Planning Department, what department or other initiatives would you be willing to take away from to help balance the budget? Theyre frustrated with the length of time it takes to approve permits in that department. At the time, he was a young civil litigation attorney and Bonny (formerly Suzui) was the CFO of a local fast food chain. Working closely together, they got to know and like each other. So it is with Keith Amemiya, who, thanks to the lessons taught by his hnai parents and his years of public service, has grown into the next possible mayor of Honolulu. The prices of housing, gas, food, and other essentials are skyrocketing. With 23.2% of the vote, Amemiya placed third in the 2022 Democratic primary election for Hawaii lieutenant governor and was thus eliminated. And unless you provide specifics, I dont remember any major controversies at the time involving the police chief or the police department. Are you gonna tell a hotel, Hey, you gotta move a mile inland, or 500 feet. What are you gonna do about that? Whos really behind your campaign?' And I have a lot of support on the grassroots. It clearly is, and we need to take action now. And the unions are aware, Ive spoken to HGEA in particular and they know that change needs to be made. I mean, theyre all lumped together and its huge, huge concerns, and theyre lumped together and they both have the same solution. Ban fundraising during the legislative session Cory Lum/Civil Beat. Executive Director, Central Pacific Bank Foundation. What makes you the leader that voters should trust to lead Oahu out of this pandemic crisis? Keith Amemiya, an Oahu businessman, attorney and former director of the Hawaii High School Athletic Association, announced on Tuesday that he is running for mayor of Honolulu. I also think we need to enforce and make a stronger ethics commission. She was living independently, but clearly needed help. You say that you want to restore trust in government. Theres only a few hundred shelter beds available at any one time, so in the meantime, when there is this immediate situation, would you continue enforcement? They had a lot of engagement in the community that said, We dont want it. And the developer said, Well, too bad. Werent you part of that same culture, and how are you different from the commission that basically screwed it up? Do you think that it was incompetence or criminality that got us where we are? Because from what I see, youve been a director of a non-profit and you work at an insurance company, but youve got no direct experience in government, no direct experience in a for-profit business. I have the experience to bring solutions to problems. The real property tax assessments in the upcoming year, we cant assume or shouldnt assume that theyre gonna go down significantly. But is it really almost done? Our neighborhoods were being altered, the character of them and the nature of them, and a lot of my friends who lived in areas from Kaimuki to Pearl City to Kailua complained about the proliferation of tourists living right next door to them in residential neighborhoods. I dont wanna say somethings gonna be cut until we know the true situation in terms of the citys finances a year from now. We wanted to move along to some questions about police. Im running for lieutenant governor because Im concerned for Hawaiis future. First up, we need to tackle our affordable housing crisis. It wouldnt make sense to force a $20 an hour minimum wage when companies will shut down because they cant afford to pay their workers, but I do favor a serious look at increasing wages for our front line workers. Ive worked directly with communities on Oahu on an every-day basis. I want change, and the people want change. The stories found here discuss the Financial issues and challenges unique to our island home. Mauna Kea is a special place for Hawaii, for spirituality, and for the universe. Thats why Im big on rail, thats why I wanna emphasize multi-modal transportation. We need their workers back on the payroll. In terms of fundraising, he has spearheaded many successful multi-million dollar campaigns statewide, including to save Junior Varsity sports in our public schools, the construction of Roosevelt High Schools new football field and track, and the creation of middle school sports programs in the most impoverished areas in the state. Right now, my favorite song is Mama Mia, cause. Like it or not, Im forewarning you, we have a campaign song that is sung to that tune. Why cant we have online submittal, or registering for testimony? Its important for a mayor to lead by example, and right now the public has little trust in government and political leaders, says Amemiya. Keith Amemiya, thank you so much for your time. Over the years, Amemiya has given the . Telephone: 808-529-4747, Big Island mayor remembers Hilo couple fatally stabbed, Ron Menor, longtime Hawaii politician, dies at 67, Girl, 17, critically injured in vehicle crash in Hawaii Kai, Passengers video captures last moments before Nepal crash, Police search for suspects after visitor robbed in Kaneohe, Ascending Spyros Chakas named National Player of the Week, Hawaiian Home Lands seeks extension to spending deadline, Community contest announced to resolve name beef, Jan. 13, 2018: Hawaii officials send out false alert about incoming missile. So what do you say to those folks who have some sort of vacation rental, what even to you do to them if youre mayor? Colin Moore, Hawaii News Now Political Analyst: But speaking of cutting, whoever wins this election is going to take charge of the city at a time of financial crisis. Is this the green visitor fuel youre talking about? Why my dad is a great leader | Keith Amemiya for Honolulu . Additionally, Amemiya was the one who, despite early opposition from school administrators, fought to expand the number of girls sports programs, and won. The police were sent in, and now those windmills are going up, those wind farms. Facebook gives people the power to share and makes the world more open and connected. And one of the initiatives I wanna undertake as mayor is to create an Office of Community Engagement, and that offices job is to go out in the community and speak to people way ahead of any project thats gonna be proposed. Since then, the family has lived a rather ordinary life within the walls of their Pauoa home. Obviously, I cant speak for the current administration, and what theyre gonna do from now to the end of the year, but we need to have a balance, like in all things in life, and if the hotels need a tax break, and the city can make it work on their end, and we should look at it. Perhaps Amemiya saw an opportunity when he switched law firms in the middle of the case and began representing Bonnys company. Would you continue that practice. Let me say this: When I see homeless on the sidewalk, I feel sad. Weve known about this problem for a long time, and nothings really been done. So what specific steps would you take to do that? We need to find a different place for them. We still own the unit, were renting it out to a local family who cant afford to buy a unit of their own in town, but wanted to live in town and are renting from us. Stopping it actually makes a situation worse again. Well, we need to get out of our cars and car pool. This pandemic has been horrible for many, many reasons, but if theres any by-product of it, its proven we can communicate pretty effectively without being face-to-face. I think that was clear to everyone that thats too many tourists. He was born and raised in Windward O'ahu, where his maternal grandparents Whitney and Hannie Anderson, and mother and stepfather Kim and John Puchalski, raised him . Theyre tired of the same old politicians running for office and making the same type of decisions that arent improving the lives of working-class families. from the William S. Richardson School of Law. And number two, we didnt rent it out as a vacation rental or Airbnb unit. Let me ask though, other candidates in the race have been making a lot of accusations about fraud, corruption, contractor, even theft from the system. To be honest, there's 15 candidates, I know some better than others, but I view myself in terms of the candidates I know, to be the most liberal. But if not, were gonna have to look at making changes, whether its alterations to the rail station or the like. One of the things about working class people we hear, with the hotel workers, for example, one job should be enough, and calling for better wages. As lieutenant governor, Senator Schatz built such a team, and we should reconstitute it. I felt it was important to take a stand to show what party I belong to. You cant announce a proposal and expect everyone to like it. I also believe we need to improve in the following areas: Clearer, more consistent communication to the public, with coordination from all levels of government and business and community leaders. I know that costs money, but one organization that I feel strongly about, that I know can help domestic violence in particular is the Domestic Violence Action Center. And I think the Galapagos Islands and other tourist locals (use them). Being able to house our families is at the heart of our responsibility to ensure a basic quality of life for our communities. Number two, requiring an affirmative duty of an officer to intervene if a fellow officer is engaged in wrongdoing, especially in the use of physical force. Are you the candidate thats going to end homelessness on Oahu once and for all? Its not for personal gain, for wealth or fame, but its to fix problems and make the community better.. Contact & Personal Details. Would you be willing to freeze or reduce city worker salaries, for example? There were cell block beatings, the scandal where they were selling food out of the police stations kitchen that was meant for prisoners, things like that were happening. I think my career has shown that. I know his wife, Dawn Ige, because she was a former public school vice principal. [19], In February 2021, Amemiya was appointed as executive director of Central Pacific Bank Foundation. We need new leadership. It seems like the commission was the same culture that it had back when you were there, that led to Kealoha, that led to the payoff to Kealoha. We have lost trust with the public. High cost of living is the number one concern I hear from working class families across Oahu, and I was the first, and Im the only candidate to have a housing-for-all plan. Amemiya's campaign web site says he and his wife purchased a. They dont want people with long-time experience in politics. I am the only candidate who has a detailed plan to clean up corruption so that we can focus on the critical issues facing working families statewide, such as affordable housing, homelessness, and climate change. We dont have the money to pay that back. In supporting my mother and her challenges with mental health, I have seen firsthand the lack of resources needed for individuals and families. Yes, its gonna cost money to the city in terms of more sewage and more water infrastructure and the like, but I like to tell people, they ask me, How can we afford to? And I say, How can we afford not to? The longer we delay these tough decisions, the harder its gonna get to build more housing. 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