Rooted in Kaʻū & Aloha

​Serving Kaʻū Through ʻĀina, Food, and Youth Leadership

 

Seeing both food waste and the lack of local dining options, I founded Mauka to Makai Eatery, an off-grid, farm-to-table restaurant that sourced more than 80% of its ingredients from Kaʻū and Hawaiʻi Island producers. It quickly became a gathering place for the community.

 

At the same time, a project I had co-written a year earlier – a $1.5 million EPA Recycling Education & Outreach grant with Recycle Hawaiʻi and Kaʻū Global Learning Lab – was awarded. I made the difficult but important decision to close the eatery so I could serve as Program Director for the grant and commit fully to building a visionary Zero Waste program for Kaʻū.

Through this work, I have:

• Created five well-paying, full-time, local jobs

• Supported 10 part-time youth leadership positions

• Mentored students who went on to earn scholarships and become skilled public speakers

• Helped build a youth-led Zero Waste movement now gaining statewide recognition
   

This project has been one of the most meaningful undertakings of my life and strengthened my dedication to uplifting the people of Kaʻū and District 6.

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Community Service & Giving Back

 

Beyond my professional work, I have consistently shown up for our community through:

• Donating thousands of dollars in food, fruit, and vegetables from my farm and eatery

• Supporting local nonprofits with grant writing, strategic planning, and 501(c)(3) formation

• Organizing cultural site restorations, beach cleanups, and community Zero Waste events

• Attending hearings and supporting Kānaka Maoli in securing kuleana land

• Helping perpetuate Hawaiian culture and creating spaces for gathering, concerts, and education
   

My guiding values are simple: mālama ʻāina, serve the community, respect our kūpuna, and lift up those in need.

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Serving District 6 on the Environmental Management Commission

 

In addition to my community work, I currently serve as the Environmental Management Commissioner for County Council District 6, representing Kaʻū, Lower Volcano, and South Kona on critical environmental issues impacting Hawaiʻi Island.

 

In this role, I work directly with county leadership, department heads, and technical experts on matters related to waste management, environmental protection, sustainability policy, and long-term infrastructure planning. I review complex proposals, weigh environmental and community impacts, and advocate for solutions that balance public health, economic viability, and mālama ʻāina.

 

Serving on the Commission is a learning experience that gives me hands-on experience navigating Hawaiʻi County’s bureaucracy, understanding how decisions are made, and building working relationships within local government – experience that I will bring to the County Council.

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Why I’m Prepared to Serve: Education & Early Public Service

 

Although my roots are here in Kaʻū, my foundation in public service began long before I arrived in Hawaiʻi. Growing up in a small farming town in upstate New York – very similar in spirit to Kaʻū – I witnessed firsthand the challenges that rural communities face: development pressures, rising costs, and the struggle to preserve local identity. Those experiences shaped my understanding of how to protect rural character while improving quality of life.​

 

I attended Hudson Valley Community College, graduated with a 4.0 GPA, and was awarded a scholarship to Columbia University. During that time, I interned for a New York State Assembly Member and was quickly hired as a Legislative Aide, gaining experience in constituent services, policy research, and the legislative process.

 

I learned how government works – and how often it fails to stay connected to the people it serves. Those lessons strengthened my commitment to community-driven, people-first leadership.

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Community Development in the South Bronx

 

After transferring to CUNY Baruch College to study International and Public Affairs, I became a Land Use & Planning Associate at the South Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation (SoBRO), where I:

• Fought for affordable housing and against displacement for low income communities

• Supported major community development projects

• Worked on public health initiatives, youth programs, and community arts

• Advocated for responsible development tied to community benefits

• Collaborated with deputy mayors, commissioners, developers, and federal partners
   

Working in one of the nation’s most challenging urban areas sharpened my skills in planning, policy, and community advocacy – the same skills needed to fight for District 6 today.

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A Commitment to the Future of District 6

District 6 is my home – Kaʻū, Lower Volcano, Miloliʻi, and South Kona are the communities where my roots, relationships, and kuleana lie. Kaʻū is where my heart lives, and it is also where my wife and I are now raising our newborn daughter. Becoming a father has only deepened my commitment to ensuring that the entire district she grows up in is strong, safe, sustainable, and rooted in the values that make our communities unique.

 

I am running for County Council to serve all of District 6 with integrity, transparency, and action – bringing my experience, collaborative approach, and deep respect for aloha ʻāina to county government. My goal is to protect the rural character, culture, and way of life that define our communities, while securing the resources, services, and opportunities our families deserve – so Kaʻū can remain Kaʻū, and each community across District 6 can thrive in its own authentic way.