District 3 candidate Kanoa Wilson
was born on O’ahu and raised in Kailua before moving to the Big Island of Hawai’i. After attending trade school in Astoria, Oregon, Wilson worked as a Merchant Marine and traveled the states doing contract work.
Focus Points
Over the years, the number of Republicans in Hawaii has steadily increased. It’s time to take the extra leap and make our islands red. Wilson says, “We’ve been given promises year after year that things will change, be fixed, and improve, but the results haven’t materialized”.
The Education System
His mission is to apply alternate educational options (like trade schools, and hands-on learning programs) to effectively educate learners outside of the traditional classroom despite Hawai’i’s isolation. By offering more alternative options, the needs of every student are addressed within the education system to “arm” the students with practical skills that are beneficial and necessary within the workforce. This mindset will empower a student in their chosen career while addressing the labor market’s needs.
Prioritizing education and information by broadening the scope of existing education systems will promote practical skills beyond computer-based knowledge. For instance, take Job Corps and Youth Challenge: these trade schools should not only offer labor jobs, but they should also have an option where real-life, essential skills are included in the program. With this in mind, the need for outsourcing workers outside of Hawai`i lessens due to the proposed programs within trade schools.
Inclusivity and equality are strong beliefs that Wilson holds but he has concerns when it comes to promoting the LGBTQIA+ values within our education system. Our keiki’s ability to freely choose shouldn’t be forced to dictate their lifestyle choices. We all have the right to choose, however, we should protect the fairness going both ways and ensure that we don’t inadvertently influence our kids of tomorrow. Wilson states, “I want to make it clear that I am not against the LGBTQ community. My concern lies in the potential grooming of children into specific lifestyle choices.”
Sustainability
Sustainability has been a focal point for many politicians but despite this, we are facing limitations; GMOs have multiplied, there’s less land, and taxes have increased. These are a few factors that have negatively affected our local businesses and residents alike as they struggle to make ends meet. It has become more difficult to find non-GMO products, or locally manufactured items unlike before. There is a potential to produce quality meat and produce, but certain regulations are making this harder and it seems excessive and unnecessary. The urgency to stress safety to avoid tainted goods remains a concern. “It’s surprising to know that there isn’t much done to ensure quality, produced goods. If there are more measurements taken, this could boost the economy which will only create more job opportunities and lessen the need for import.” says Wilson.
Housing and Affordability
To build a house in Hawai`i there are checks and balances required to be followed, and this includes snow and tornado protection. Hawaii doesn’t have those issues and many of these regulations drive up housing and affordability costs. In addition, there’s inflation and a substantial development taking place driven by financial interests. There was a recent incident of a house being built on the wrong property. This was a direct result of a rushed mindset that puts profit over care, instead of attention to detail.
Certainly, people need to make a living but some people (not all) rush the process by exploiting the system. There are regulations in place for people who purchase and sell cars after fixing them, similar regulations should be considered for individuals who buy, build, and sell properties. There should be a mandatory 5-year residency requirement for newly built houses, or higher taxes and fees for those who engage in flipping property and these should be implemented for those who have no roots in Hawai`i.
Hawai’i is indeed a slice of paradise but the slice of paradise they came here for is being spoiled by those who seek to profit from it.
There is a dire need for affordable housing options and there are hard-working families who provide for their household yet struggle because costs are on the rise, mostly due to the actions of bureaucrats and special interests.
Welfare and Assistance
Wilson is committed to aiding the less fortunate but the welfare system needs some transformation as well. The system has been great in helping those in need but he opposes those who abuse the system. A solution to address this issue would be putting names on each welfare card to perform ID checks to reduce misuse for profit and unauthorized use.
It’s critical to recognize that these benefits are crucial for many individuals. When a person finds employment and improves their situation with welfare assistance, shouldn’t we keep helping them? By doing so, we can help improve their lives by staying consistent with welfare assistance.
The Right To Bear Arms
Owning a firearm to protect our families and community is important because there are countless criminals in possession of illegal firearms. Law-abiding citizens go through a harsh process to ensure they understand their rights and proper safety before they can even acquire permits or a license to carry.
Reciting The Pledge of Allegiance
To recite the pledge of allegiance and sing the national anthem at schools is to declare the freedom that we now have because of the forefathers who fought so hard for us. It is empowering and patriotic and it uplifts the spirits of Americans.
Paid for by friends and supporters of Kanoa H. Wilson
