My Commitment to the people of Kaʻū, South Kona, & Lower Volcano
My campaign is grounded in a simple promise: I will work for the people of District 6 – Kaʻū, Lower Volcano, Miloliʻi, and South Kona. While each community has its own history, challenges, and priorities, we are united by shared values: caring for ʻāina, supporting local families, and ensuring that our rural communities are not left behind.
My focus is on uplifting communities across the district – supporting families, strengthening local agriculture and food systems, expanding opportunities for our keiki and young adults, and ensuring that essential services are accessible, resilient, and rooted close to home. District 6 is often overlooked due to its size and geography, but as its representative, I will fight to ensure that every community - from mauka to makai – receives the resources, attention, and investment it deserves.
Kaʻū’s identity has deeply shaped my values, with its rural lifestyle, cultural depth, and strong sense of community. Those same principles – respect for place, people, and future generations – are shared across Lower Volcano, Miloliʻi, and South Kona. My commitment is to protect what makes each community unique while working collaboratively to create pathways for families throughout District 6 to thrive.
The priorities outlined below are informed by my lived experience, my work in the community, and conversations with residents across the district. I believe the best policy comes from listening, so this platform is a living document. If there are issues or ideas you would like to see addressed, I invite you to share your priorities below, because strong leadership is built through collaboration.
Strengthening Local Agriculture
District 6 is predominantly agricultural. Farming is not just an industry – it is our lifeblood, our identity, and the backbone of our local economy. As a farmer myself, I understand the challenges of growing food in Kaʻū and getting it to markets far from town.
I will champion policies that support our farmers by:
Creating a Small Farmer Incubator Program
A program designed to help farmers succeed through:
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Financial support and grants
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Shared resources for marketing, distribution, and packaging
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Assistance with grant writing and accessing federal/state programs
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Workshops and networking to strengthen the local agricultural community
Developing a Community Agricultural Processing Facility
District 6's farmers grow incredible food - but too much goes to waste. I will pursue funding to rehabilitate underutilized or vacant spaces into shared agricultural facilities that could include:
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Commercial dehydrators
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Value-added production equipment
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Packaging and labeling services
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Cold storage
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A commercial kitchen for food trucks and small businesses
This facility would increase shelf stability, reduce waste, and help farmers earn more from the crops they work so hard to grow.
Cutting Through Bureaucracy
Many farmers have great ideas but struggle with the complex administrative obstacles that stand in the way. My office will be a resource hub to help farmers:
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Navigate county and state permitting
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Access federal agricultural programs
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Find grants, loans, and opportunities to start or expand small agricultural businesses
Expanding Early Childhood Education & Childcare
Our families deserve accessible, affordable childcare. Right now, parents are forced to stay home from work because there are no viable childcare options in the district. This hurts families and limits household income.
I will work to:
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Develop a community-based daycare and early childhood learning center
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Partner with nonprofits and education providers
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Seek federal and state funding to reduce costs for families
Supporting working parents is essential to a healthy, thriving community.
Bringing a Dialysis Clinic to Kaʻū
Many of our kūpuna travel to Hilo or Kona multiple times per week for dialysis. The physical and emotional toll of these long trips is unacceptable.
I will prioritize working with the state, health partners, and federal agencies to:
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Establish a dialysis clinic in Kaʻū
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Reduce travel burdens for our kūpuna
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Bring essential, life-sustaining healthcare services closer to home
Our elders deserve dignified, accessible care right here in their community.
Increasing Opportunities for Our Keiki
I’ve seen firsthand how powerful it is when rural youth are given real opportunities. Through the Zero Waste Youth Group created by the EPA REO grant I wrote and helped launch, Kaʻū students have:
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Testified before the County Council
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Presented at the National Recycling Congress in New York
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Appeared on national podcasts
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Gained leadership and professional development experience
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Earned scholarships, job skills, and confidence
This is what can happen when we invest in our keiki – especially in rural communities that are too often overlooked.
While my hands-on experience began in Kaʻū, the need is shared across Lower Volcano, Ocean View, Miloliʻi, and South Kona, where families face similar challenges: limited access to enrichment programs, fewer career pathways, and long distances to opportunity.
As Councilmember for District 6, I will work with schools, educators, cultural practitioners, and community organizations across the district to:
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Bring more grants and funding to rural schools and youth programs throughout District 6
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Develop career pathways and youth leadership programs rooted in local strengths
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Support internships, apprenticeships, and job training tied to real employment
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Ensure rural schools receive the same opportunities as schools in Kona or Hilo
Our keiki - no matter where they live in District 6 - deserve every chance to thrive. I know how to secure resources, navigate government systems, and turn opportunity into action.
Justin Canelas at the EPA REO grant launch ceremony in Pāhala (2024). The $1.5 million Zero Waste initiative he co-authored and directed supports youth leadership and creates meaningful local jobs - exactly the kind of opportunites Canelas will champion as County Council representative for District 6.
Supporting Unions, Building Green Jobs & Promoting a Circular Economy
Through my work at Recycle Hawaiʻi and as a Commissioner on the Environmental Management Commission, I have been deeply involved in Hawaiʻi’s transition toward sustainability, Zero Waste, and a circular economy.
Kaʻū has shown what’s possible when we align environmental values with workforce development – but these opportunities should not stop at the district line. Communities across South Kona, Miloliʻi, Ocean View, and Lower Volcano are equally positioned to benefit from local, place-based green industries.
District 6 can be a leader in this transition – creating well-paying, meaningful jobs in:
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Composting and organics diversion
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Reuse, repair, and materials recovery
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Sustainable agriculture and manufacturing
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Green technology and community-scale infrastructure
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Local Zero Waste and climate-resilient systems
As Councilmember, I will advocate for pilot programs, infrastructure investment, support for unions, and workforce development that reflect the unique needs of each community - while staying grounded in aloha ʻāina and long-term stewardship.
Corporations have long exploited labor for profits, and in an economy that is increasingly benefiting the wealthiest among us, it is more important than ever to protect unions and their workers that are the backbone of our economy.
I will push for new systems and industries that protect our environment while providing livelihoods for local families, just like the green jobs created through the EPA REO grant - scaling that success across District 6 through collaboration, planning, and action.
Advocating for Affordable Housing
District 6's families should not be priced out of their own community. I will work to:
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Prohibit corporations from buying up single family housing and pricing out locals
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Identify underutilized county and state lands
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Explore partnerships for affordable housing projects
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Ensure developments include local benefits and community protections
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Prevent displacement and protect rural character
Housing should serve our people – not outside investors or developers.