Name on ballot:

Micah La’akea Mussell

Running for:

Honolulu mayor

Political party:

Aloha Aina party

Campaign website:

Facebook- Micah Mussell

Current occupation:

Construction

Age:

33

Previous job history:

Construction by trades, Oil field, Construction Supervisor

Previous elected office, if any:

None

Please describe your qualifications to represent the people of Oahu.

I am of and for the people.. The forgotten working man. Politicians have a one track mind mostly, as in, -spend money to get votes. I don’t care about being elected, but I will be, because my actions are right and for the forgotten ones who carry the burden of dumb programs and projects that solve nothing but cost everything. An perfect example of that is rail. Thank you Mufi.

What is the most pressing need for the people you seek to represent, and what can you do to address that need?

Affordable housing is a huge issue, it effects everything we work and stress over. I have a myriad of proposals that will free up affordable housing and look to streamline the Department of Planning and Permitting to allow for greater access to homes for Hawaiians. Hillsides and hillside elevators to access will utilize more land in new areas for the island. Many areas are too congested as it is, the Hawaiian (as in, those from Hawaii, per the definition by King Kamehameha the 3rd. ) deserves a better standard of living in access and opportunity.

As Hawaii faces the COVID-19 pandemic, what more should county government do to protect residents’ health?

Once they have concrete facts of this sickness that is actually actionable then move on it to protect. But shutting down life as we know based on hearsay and phobia is reckless. Wear the mask if it actually does what they say. Even the “experts” change with the wind on that like Fauci. In the meantime it’s costing people their livelihoods while sparing no one.

What should county government do to help residents who have been economically affected by the pandemic?

Get out of the way of the inventive and innovative Hawaiian spirit that is so beautifully displayed when government knows it’s role to enforce the laws equally and honestly. So much of the covid response was arbitrary and needlessly restrictive with no benefit recognized during or after.

Should public worker furloughs, pay cuts or downsizing be used to help the county deal with lower tax revenues and higher expenses during the pandemic? Why or why not?

If that department in question actually needs it then yes. The private sector has suffered, why is the public sector above it? Only where necessary, I have different deals to offset with greater access and allowances that were always the people’s right. Incentives for businesses can offset. Sensible cuts however are always needed in good or bad times.

What specific solutions do you propose to combat homelessness?

I want public and private Parks that have the privacy and personal freedoms away from the public sidewalks, roads, and parks that will alleviate the currents situation. Some homeless wish to be sent home to the mainland but lack the money. Also I have work initiatives for the roughly 30% that wish to work. Mental and spiritual help through organizations and churches are also needed and will be greatly encouraged. We also need to curtail cities sending their homeless here in any way possible.

Do you support or oppose stopping construction of the rail project at Middle Street? Please explain.

I do support stopping. And auditing, even after the federal investigation is over. In way of waste they’ll look into that but they will not provide solutions to make it make sense. That’s our problem to figure out, thank you Mufi. And Colleen and Kim would make it worse as would Keith. That’s just an opinion on the last two candidates but not the first two. But most of the candidates ideas are stale and outdated. We need innovative ideas, and common sense leadership, so here I am.
With rail Currently the project doesn’t make sense in way of ridership or revenue from, and in general lacks the promised benefits while it is rife with liabilities/maintenance and debt.
They say it’s half way done, it isn’t. And if the private partnerships have no benefit we won’t continue it. If there is a benefit, I would look to build and encourage Hawaiian businesses around rail to have the tourists ride and have tourist supplement the huge shortfall we’ll experience as it is now. Possible investment minded Hawaiians will take their DHHL payout and invest around rail in way of a business but it would have to benefit them greatly to consider. Praise Ke Akua

Do you support or oppose using new city funds to cover any shortfall in HART’s construction or operating costs? Please explain.

Not unless it speeds the project to a close, while opening up new business ventures that will result in revenue from new thriving businesses. The benefits should overwhelmingly be evident. If the question is to reappropriate funds from other budgets then ok, but not to raise taxes in any way on the citizen.
Harts budgets and contracts need to be revisited and have them justified if they actually are. To the extent they spend currently I doubt it, if so, I’ll still find better ways to lower the cost. Praise God

Do you support reforms to policing in Hawaii? If yes, please explain what reforms you support.

Body cams need to be mandatory immediately. There are also suggestions of people of their community patrolling their community in local officers. Any reform that makes sense will be considered and implemented through committee. The Kealohas exemplify the corruption and checks and balances needing to be revisited more than ever. I also think multiple sheriffs rather than one police chief should be considered.

What can county government do to mitigate the affects of sea-level rise on Oahu?

Absolutely nothing. Do we control the tides? Why would we think we could control the rise? Weather and climate is cyclical. It’s arrogant to think we control it. That said, do not confuse that as my standing on obvious common sense environment betterment than we can and will encourage in public policy and private citizenship

Is there anything more that you would like voters to know about you?

I am not accepting money, I am not asking for votes, and I will not be be bought or guilted into any position that isn’t the right one. I will be Mayor, and then in a couple years I will run for president to implement the rightful return to Hawaiian Independence. I look forward to meeting and working with all people to bring that about. Praise God in the good and the bad