I am committed and passionate about serving our community and
ensuring that our state is a place that we are proud to call home.

Supporting Working-Class Families

Growing up in a single-parent home and in a working-class family, I know what it means to struggle and to work hard to make ends meet. My mother worked tirelessly to raise my sister and I, providing for our needs and supporting us on a public school teacher's salary.

I am committed to supporting working-class families and making Hawaiʻi more affordable, so we can improve our quality of life.

I believe that it is important to support tax relief for working-class families, support affordable housing initiatives, and support families through programs like paid family leave.

Strengthening Education

As an alumna of Benjamin Parker Elementary School, King Intermediate School and Castle High School, and a mother of children who will also attend Kāne‘ohe schools, I know how important it is to support our public education system. I will work to ensure that DOE funding goes to the classrooms and schools. I will support teachers and educators by supporting pay increases and professional development.  

Having worked professionally at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa for 12 years, I also understand the importance of higher education and how we should support our local students in obtaining a higher degree, if they choose to do so. I believe it is important to continue to provide opportunities for students to earn college credits while still in high school, as well as support the University of Hawaiʻi system, which includes the community colleges and four-year institutions. I will also work to provide support for vocational and technical education and training.  

I believe it is important to support a strong preschool to college continuum, and support access to preschool for all 3 and 4 year olds.

Growing Our Economy

As the daughter-in-law of a small business owner (Harry Akagi, H&R Nurseries), I know how important it is to support Hawaiʻi’s small businesses, which are considered the backbone of our economy and contribute to Hawaii’s economic growth and stability. Having worked for UH’s College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, I also know how important agriculture is to our State’s economy and economic growth.

As a legislator, I will work to expand renewable energy, as well as high-tech and diversified agricultural industries. I also believe that it is important to support affordable housing efforts, not only as a means to grow our econo‍‍‍my, but also to reduce the high financial burden of living in Hawaiʻi.

Protecting Our Community

As a born and raised Kāne‘ohe girl, I believe it is important to protect our community and the place that many of us have grown up and call home. Over the years, our community has changed.

As a legislator, I will work to reduce Kāne‘ohe and the State’s homeless population. I will support crime and drug abuse reduction programs. I also believe it is important to lessen traffic congestion, as well as protect our environment and the natural resources that make the windward side so special.

Supporting Our Kūpuna and Caregivers

Having lived with my maternal grandparents for most of my childhood and being fortunate to still have my paternal grandmother in my life, I know how important it is to support our kūpuna and those who care for them. My mother was my grandparents' main caregiver when they suffered from Alzheimer’s disease and cancer. I saw firsthand how difficult it was for her to balance the roles of caregiver for her parents and mother for her children.  

Many of our local families are in this same situation, where they must balance caring for their parents and children, and working to earn a living. That is why I support efforts like the Kūpuna Caregivers Program, which provides assistance to caregivers. In addition, I support aging in place programs that encourage our kūpuna to continue to live independent and satisfying lives, as well as paid family leave to assist with elder care. I will also protect pensions and healthcare benefits for retirees, and tax relief for working families. Our kūpuna have worked hard all of their lives and should be taken care of and supported.