Name on ballot:

Tasha Kama

Running for:

Maui county council – Kahului

Political party:

Democrat

Campaign website:

kama4council.org

Current occupation:

councilmemember

Age:

over 21

Previous job history:

Social Justice Organizer

Previous elected office, if any:

None

Please describe your qualifications to represent the voters of your county.

Strong values guide my thought processes; courage to make independent decisions; vote my conscience regardless of the political repercussions; accountable to people of Maui county;

What will be your top priority if elected?

Decrease homelessness

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

Mandate the use PPEs, enforce the mandate, and then provide to those who need them. Put money received into a special fund for those who have little or no medical insurance to pay for COVID 19 treatment.

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

Put them back to work through new training programs, apprenticeship, going back to school, help them start a business.

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?

Furloughs only add to the problem-a pay cut for everyone in government is more reasonable and decrease some programs within government.

What specific solutions do you propose to combat homelessness?

The overarching problem with homelessness is what and how to deal with our unsheltered with mental health issues without violating their civil rights. We need a mental health court that would be able to charge them with vagrancy, put them through a system that would allow them to receive treatment to heal their mind. The others who want shelter will receive the help and those who willfully choose not to will realize that they are all alone on the streets and may reconsider their choices.

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

I believe that there is always room for improvement for policing. What that would look like I am not sure.

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

I want voters to know that I deeply care about them their families and their futures. I do not have all the answers, but I have great faith that things will get better because together We Can. And I will continue to lift up the people of Maui county in my prayers.