2018 Primary Election Candidates

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MATHER, Jen Kamaho'i
Name on ballot:

MATHER, Jen Kamaho'i

Running for:

State House

District (if applicable):

District 10

Political party:

Green

Campaign website:

http://www.jen4ten.com

Current occupation:

Church Administrator

Age:

40

Previous job history:

N/A

Previous elected office, if any:

N/A

What qualifies you to represent the people of Hawaii?

I have been working since I was 16. I am adaptable, flexible, and a quick learner. I've worked in retail and retail management, the hospitality and tourism industry, debt recovery and management, and also in the non-profit sector. Being a political newcomer, I do not have the institutional knowledge that comes with being an incumbent, however, I have the attitude that anything can be done and I know I am more than qualified to represent the people of District 10.

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

The top three challenges for individual voters is subjective. The top three critical issues for our district as a whole are: affordable housing, management of tourism, and environmental and public protection.

If elected, what will be your highest legislative priority?

My highest legislative priority will be mandated to me by the people that I represent, and at the moment they are calling for our Legislature to invest in our futures by creating common sense legislation that protects our people and our environment by creating more opportunity for us to thrive in a self-sustainable and resilient manner.

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

First, we aren't constituents, we are people who live in a community that needs to demand better representation, communication, and collaboration from our state legislators. The people of West Maui need homes, they need wages that meet the cost of living so we no longer have to work two to three jobs, and that means dealing with the issues of supply and demand not just for housing, but energy costs and food, as well. If we could invest in a more self-sustaining community we could dial back the necessity to inflate our wages and work ourselves to death.

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

I feel it is necessary for people to know that I am running to give our engaged community members a choice in representation. When I pulled my nomination papers, only the incumbent had pulled his and I felt that allowing a candidate to win by default because no one else was going to bring a different perspective to the conversation was depriving us of a choice. An incumbent winning by default in a district effected by the same critical issues that have plagued us for decades is essentially sending a message that we do not care when clearly we do.

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