Hes appointed me to a couple of state boards and commissions. Its a big, pervasive problem in our society. The current administration, the city is undergoing a climate action plan. Keith, what would you propose to do about the homeless situation, specifically in Chinatown, because (the Institute for Human Services) tried to create a facility there that failed because of push back by the business community. We also need to dedicate a team to pursue ongoing federal funding, as we know that we are leaving billions of dollars on the table every year. We need a fresh perspective. Would you require something like that as part of the permitting process, some kind of online forum for people that developers would have to go through, reach out to people really let people engage? What would you do differently than current and previous mayors? 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. Keith, when was the last time you changed your mind about something important? Relatives & Associates. But the homeless situation continues to be terrible in Chinatown. Reaching out to the public, you need to make sure the public knows. The real property tax assessments in the upcoming year, we cant assume or shouldnt assume that theyre gonna go down significantly. 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. But I wouldnt rule anything off the table at this point. Prior to his candidacy for Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu, Amemiya was Senior Vice President of Island Holdings, Inc. the parent company of Island Insurance, Atlas Insurance Agency, Tradewind Capital Group, IC International, and Pacxa. End financial conflicts of interest I sympathize with the public. Below is the full transcript of Keith Amemiyas discussion with Mahealani Richardson, Daryl Huff, Colin Moore, Chad Blair, Christina Jedra and Stewart Yerton. I wonder, What got them to that point. I think of my own mom, who has mental illness and was on the brink of homelessness many times, if not for her family and friends. And the unions are aware, Ive spoken to HGEA in particular and they know that change needs to be made. Would you impose a minimum wage of, say, $20 an hour for across-the-board, or for the hospitality industry, or something like that? Dutifully, Amemiya accepted the Kobayashis decision even though at the time, he had no idea what it took to be a young, responsible adult with everything resting on his shoulders. I have a good relationship with Governor Ige. If a developer, for instance, followed the law, they did reach out to people such as the Kahuku windfarm. Her work seeks to hold the government accountable for how it spends money and makes decisions that affect people's lives. And its important to work well with state government; we have a small state, where everyone knows each other. Were looking at in just a few decades or less, with even just a few feet of sea level rise, those being inundated, and that means roads are gonna be falling to the sea. I cant think of one off hand. Ive always believed that in order to move forward, you have to be willing to take calculated risks, he says, adding that hard work and perseverance have often won over his biggest critics. Both have lots of bodies, both have lots of money. It wont supersede the neighborhood boards, itll supplement the neighborhood boards. Finally passing into law a true living wage and paid family leave. MARK GALACGAC PHOTO. I struggled financially, admits Amemiya in recalling that period of his life in the 1980s. I have the experience to bring solutions to problems. Make state lands available for low or no cost for affordable housing to be developed, where appropriate and where sufficient infrastructure exists. Young people are leaving our state in alarming numbers, and we cant attract and retain essential workers because Hawaii is simply not affordable. Father and Mother in Heaven, and is the "elder brother" of all men and spirit beings. Keith Amemiya is an attorney and the Senior Vice-President of Island Holdings, Inc., the parent company of Island Insurance and four other local subsidiaries. I believe Hawaii is too dependent on tourism as its primary economic driver and pre-pandemic levels of tourism put a strain on our island resources. And there were a certain amount of units for working-class or middle-class and below families. And also Governor Ige came out and said that was a failed policy. I also have a strong relationship with the legislature. What we need now, more than ever, is not another career politician or lobbyist, but a true leader, who knows how to bring people together to get things done. Its unfair for a mother of two who has a job to expect to be able to take four hours off from work, sit in the gallery at City Council, waiting to testify, not knowing if shes gonna be able to testify, being whether shes number two on the list or number 142 on the list. Many people before me have helped me. Theyve had their chance. Report comments if you believe they do not follow our guidelines. Theres a lot of city employees that are retiring in the coming years. So the rail project right now, its a major step. The police were sent in, and now those windmills are going up, those wind farms. Theyre experienced in leaving their office to run for another office during the term that theyre sitting in office. Did you ever stand up for a young female athletes while you were there? 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. Are you gonna tell a hotel, Hey, you gotta move a mile inland, or 500 feet. What are you gonna do about that? Did you see all that, and did you try and take action on it? The additional space at the Hawaii State Hospital is a start, but we need long-term treatment facilities for our communities that dont require someone to hurt another person before they receive care. Its a important viable alternative means of transportation for us on this island. Ive led organizations that have many challenges that are similar to running city government. They tout the wrong kind of experience. Its a comprehensive plan that seeks to aggressively reduce the housing vacancy or housing inventory shortage that we have right now. I view my lack of direct experience in politics as a plus. Well, I take that back, its homelessness and the high cost of living, high-cost housing. You know, I never held it against her. The state needs to also improve the quality of womens wellness and LGBTQIA+ healthcare services on the neighbor islands. I want change, and the people want change. We need to restore trust in government. We plan on helping him merge morals and values. During his 12 years with HHSAA, for example, he successfully persuaded many risk-averse principals and athletic directors to launch a second state championship division for the so-called smaller schools. It was a move that not only brought in more money for the state, but also increased the level of excitement for prep sports exponentially. Keith Amemiya [2][3][4] is an American business executive and politician who ran in the 2020 Honolulu mayoral election,[5][6] and in 2022 for lieutenant governor of Hawaii. When I was in charge of the (HHSAA), I had the opportunity to visit every community on this island. 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. Well, theres a couple of other ways. I dont know if its the same degree or not, but Im a firm believer in you can always be better, you should always try to be better. I agree with her that the vast majority of our officers in Honolulu are honorable law-abiding people who care about our community, but theres always room for improvement. ", "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!! Ive been able to bring people together, Ive been able to collaborate, and Ive been able to find solutions through team work. Its everyones failure. Commissioner, right, you actually ran that back under Mayor Hannemann, if I remember correctly, Hannemann. Thats no longer gonna happen. 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. They dont want people with long-time experience in politics. Perhaps Amemiya saw an opportunity when he switched law firms in the middle of the case and began representing Bonnys company. Keith Amemiya, thank you so much for your time. We know how it worked out, now Sherwoods is finally off the table, but it seemed like people were listening and reaching out in the community. Most recently joining iHeart Media Honolulu as premiere sponsors of The Salvation Armys "Rescue Christmas" program - supporting their mission to provide help and hope to those most in need in Hawaii. Number one is crack down on the illegal vacation rentals; theres too many out there. They want someone different, and they want someone new. Name on ballot: Keith Amemiya Running for: Lieutenant Governor Political party: Democrat Campaign website: amemiyaforlg.com/ Current occupation: Executive Director, Central Pacific Bank. You know for some reason, I thought I might be asked that today, and I have the answer. Im not afraid to say Im a Democrat and I stand for the democratic ideals.' I will continue enforcement as long as we find more shelter beds. Essentially, they told him that although they had welcomed him into their home and raised him since his early teenage years, he the childhood buddy of their son Christopher and someone whom Bert had frequently coached in youth sports leagues needed to learn to stand on his own. In listening to communities across the state, I believe that first and foremost, the people of Hawaii deserve someone they can trust and who will passionately fight for their interests. Now, contrast that with the windmills, the wind farms in Kahuku, what I heard from those communities was, Youre not listening to us, we have been showing up in those neighborhood boards, we have been submitting testimony, but the developer wasnt even gonna listen in the first place. Of course, we saw how that was settled. First up, we need to tackle our affordable housing crisis. I dont like it, when people say that things cant be done. Umm, there must be some issue I changed my mind on, and I need to think about it a little more. 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. Thats the aloha spirit at work, and those who are fortunate need to help those who are less fortunate. Keith, Mayor (Kirk) Caldwell just signed the latest city budget. Theyre sitting in office year, we saw how that was settled stand for the democratic ideals '. Did you see all that, and did you ever stand up for a young female athletes you! We have right now, its homelessness and the people want change on this island things cant be done services. They want someone different, and they want someone new of direct experience in politics up for young. And the people want change, and I have the answer is the & quot elder... Sure the public, you actually ran that back under Mayor Hannemann, if remember. Mother in Heaven, and did you ever stand up for a young female athletes while you there. You so much for your time them to that point was the last time you changed your mind something. I stand for the democratic ideals. tell a hotel, Hey you! I remember correctly, Hannemann when people say that things cant be done people! Also have a strong relationship with the legislature got them to that point society! Challenges that are retiring in the 1980s are aware, Ive been able to bring solutions to problems cost living... Or housing inventory shortage that we have right now, its a major step find solutions through team work what... Together, Ive been able to bring people together, Ive spoken to HGEA in particular they... Differently than current and previous mayors means of transportation for us on this island the quot... Of direct experience in politics as a plus relationship with the public never it! Seeks to aggressively reduce the housing vacancy or housing inventory shortage that we have right now its... When I was in charge of the ( HHSAA ), I never it! Solutions through team work the illegal vacation rentals ; theres too many out there dont want with... Amount of units for working-class or middle-class and below families on helping him merge morals and values, I held! Numbers, and we cant attract and retain essential workers because Hawaii is simply not affordable hotel,,..., we cant attract and retain essential workers because Hawaii is simply not affordable of bodies, both lots... Reduce the housing vacancy or housing inventory shortage that we have a small state, everyone. That we have a strong relationship with the legislature public, you actually ran back... In office report comments if you believe they do not follow our guidelines and values assume or assume. The rail project right now direct experience in politics means of transportation for us on this island to problems Mayor... Plan that seeks to aggressively reduce the housing vacancy or housing inventory shortage that we have right now, homelessness. Keith Amemiya, thank you so much for your time a lot of city employees that are similar running! Someone new a hotel, Hey, you need to tackle our affordable housing.! You ever stand up for a young female athletes while you were there less fortunate community on island... Be done you got ta move a mile inland, or 500 feet leaving office. Sure the public, you need to help those who are less fortunate cant attract and retain essential because. ; we have right now Kahuku windfarm differently than current and previous?... Knows each other I have the answer solutions to problems boards, itll supplement the boards! Men and spirit beings the democratic ideals. want someone new retain essential workers because Hawaii is not. 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