2018 General Election Candidates

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EVSLIN, Luke A.
Name on ballot:

EVSLIN, Luke A.

Running for:

Kauai County Council

District (if applicable):

N/A

Political party:

Does not apply/Nonpartisan race

Campaign website:

www.LukeEvslin.com

Current occupation:

Business Owner/ Student

Age:

33

Previous job history:

Current Co-Owner of Kamanu Composites.
Numerous previous jobs including columnist, substitute teacher, retail clerk, and kayak tour guide

Previous elected office, if any:

N/A

What qualifies you to represent the people of Hawaii?

I was born on Kaua’i. It’s my generation that can’t afford a home on Kaua’i and it’s my generation who will have to live with the effects of climate change. Also, I'm a father and I’ve been a small business owner and employer for eleven years, I served on the Citizen’s Advisory Committee for Kaua’i’s General Plan Update, and I’m half-way through a Master’s Degree in Public Administration with a certificate in public policy. I believe that I have both the experience and commitment to represent our island on the Kaua’i County Council.

What are the top three challenges facing the voters you seek to represent?

The cost of housing, traffic, a lack of high paying jobs.

If elected, what will be your highest legislative priority?

To bring down the cost of housing by increasing supply from all angles:
1) making it easier for families to add attached and detached 'ohana units;
2) increasing taxes on vacant or seasonal second homes to encourage them to convert back to housing for residents;
3) to expand the crackdown on illegal tourist rentals by mandating that AirBnB only list permitted rentals;
4) allow for and incentivize more higher density homes to be constructed in Lihu'e to reverse the imbalance between housing and jobs;
5) to follow the principles of our General Plan to ensure the preservation of agricultural land and reduce the amount of time we spend in traffic by mandating that all new subdivisions occur within or directly adjacent to existing towns, that they provide a mixture of commercial and residential space to ensure that jobs are integrated into the community and can be accessed without sitting in traffic, and that development is compact and walkable.

If elected, what can you do to improve the lives of your constituents?

We can develop a stronger job market, lower the cost of housing, and reduce the amount of time we spend in traffic - all while minimizing our contribution to climate change.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?

On my website I have a detailed platform and links to dozens of previously published pieces I've written about the issues Kaua'i faces. But, none of that is enough. To really move forward on solutions we all need to be willing to work together, to have tough conversations, and to be willing to take bold steps. I look forward to working with both the people of Kaua'i and fellow council members on the solutions most important to our community.

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