2018 Primary Election Candidates

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BLACKWELL, Selina T.
Name on ballot:

BLACKWELL, Selina T.

Running for:

Governor

District (if applicable):

N/A

Political party:

Nonpartisan

Campaign website:

www.PowerfulHawaii.com

Current occupation:

Small Business Owner

Age:

45

Previous job history:

Private, Public, and Non-Profit- LMT & RS

Previous elected office, if any:

President Kauai Young Democratic Party, Vice Chair, Kauai Democratic Party, Kauai Civil Service Commissioner, Associated Students Kauai Community College, UH Student Caucus Delegate

What qualifies you to represent the people of Hawaii?

I am a daughter of Hawaii, Kanaka Maoli.

I love my home and all people of Hawaii Nei!

I have a broad education (social science, pre-nursing, Pharmacy Technician, RS, LMT, Substance Abuse and Addictions Studies) & real world life experience. I have served in foreign missions, community and civil service.

I have a social science background and have been in the field for nearly 20 years on a fact finding mission working in Tourism Industry (air, transportation, resort), Department of Defense (VA), Department of labor (Workforce development), Construction, Real Estate CBIP, Timeshare, Poipu Beach Resort Association just to name a few.
I have witnessed private, public, and nonprofit sectors and discovered the importance of working together to achieve goals.

I am well traveled and always curious in regards to Society as a whole.

My mission has always been to understand the various needs, challenges and discover viable solutions to be ancheived by working together for all of Hawaii Nei.

I gained an even greater compassion that I ever deemed possible.

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

1- Nationals of the Hawaiian Kingdom are not allowed to vote.

2- Most citizens have lost faith in our Politicians, Political Process and Government.

3.- The majority of our host culture are busy working just to survive , due to the high cost of living here in Hawaii. No time or resources except for family to take part in civic activities. The struggle is real for our people!

If elected, what will be your highest legislative priority?

Decriminalize Marijuana & Legailize Hemp.
Reclamation & Restoration~ Aloha Aina
Audit current State Budget and reassess State funded programs. Improve upon inefficient systems and replace obsolete programs and fund new and efficient programs that have been started and gained momentum by leaders in our island communities.

The State of Hawaii shall return Transient Accommodation Taxes (TAT) back to each respective Counties.

According to DBEDT Tourism Forecasts, 2018 annual visitor arrivals are 9,949,992, annual growth at 6%. Visitor expenditures are estimated a little over 18 billion dollars, annual growth 8.6%.

According to Pacific Business News- Hawaii and Hawaii Tourism Authority’s Annual reportTransient Accommodation Tax collection increased 13.8 % to $508.4 million in fiscal year 2017.

2017 the states General Fund received $292.4 million in TAT revenues. $103 million was allocated to the four island counties.

2018 TAT rate increased from 9.25 %to 10.25%, total collections forecasted to increase 7.3% to $545.9 million.

This money should be returned and used by each respective county to preserve the culture by restoring our fragile ecosystems, repair heavily taxed infrastructure, replenish natural resources and enhance the quality of life for those residents and their island home which continue to be negatively impacted by sewage spills in the ocean, depletion of sand, garbage, diversion of natural streams that no longer support agriculture, let alone the attitudes and lack of respect for our precious home and host culture.

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

Leadership- Oversight- Accountability!

Free Hawaii - Enforce laws that protect our environment, natural resources, most importantly Hawaii’s public’s health and safety.

Work with all segments of our community to heal our fragile ecosystems to fulfill our goal of self sufficiency. Aloha Aina!

Empower our people to believe and act on doing the right thing for the highest good of all. Choose to do business with people and entities that have Hawaii’s best interest at heart! This will bring healing, health, wealth, and happiness to all of Hawaii Nei.

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

I have everyone’s interest at heart... by the grace of God, ALOHA, native intelligence and modern technology, the people of Hawaii will be unified, guided, working in harmony to bring healing, health wealth, and happiness to all of Hawaii Nei.

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