Daynette ‘Dee’ Morikawa
• Age: 66
• Occupation: State representative
• Town of residence: Waimea
• Duration of Kaua‘i residency: 48 years
• Prior experience in government/leadership: 12 years as representative for South/West Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau; 36 years employed with County of Kaua‘i, mostly in Parks and Recreation, high school golf coach, youth baseball officer and team mom, soccer coach and team mom, Project Grad volunteer.
Q: The median price of a single-family home on Kaua‘i is over $1 million, and the county’s 2018 General Plan reported 44% of all households are cost-burdened. How will you address the affordable housing crisis in your district?
Habitat for Humanity has built and will build over a hundred homes in their ‘Ele‘ele Iluna Housing project. Habitat will also be building more homes in Waimea. The County has begun workforce housing construction of the ‘Ele‘ele Lima Ola project which is proposed to build over 500 homes. These projects are truly affordable because of government funding assistance for infrastructure. We can look forward to more Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) homes being built in Hanapepe for beneficiaries, since DHHL will receive $600 million in funding to help speed up development and assistance for more homes and rentals.
Q: The coronavirus pandemic decimated the tourism industry Kaua‘i – and the state – is so reliant upon. Should your district make economic diversity a priority, and if so, how?
Tourism has increased tremendously this year. The pandemic did halt it for a while, but as soon as travelers felt safer to travel, they came back. Now we need to address capacity issues.
We have learned through the pandemic that we must diversify and strengthen agriculture and farming for food sustainability. I am very excited about funding for an agricultural innovation center in Kekaha. This is an opportunity for Kaua‘i schools to teach and learn about food sovereignty and entrepreneurship.
Q: The legislature was rocked this year by bribery allegations against two former legislators, leading many to call for reforms to the campaign financing system. What steps, if any, would you take to reduce the influence of money in politics?
We passed legislation this year for no fundraising during the legislative session. The House of Representatives under the leadership of Speaker Scott Saiki, created a Commission to Improve Standards of Conduct. This commission will submit a report to the legislature by the end of this year, “to provide recommendations to further the goals of the Code of Ethics, lobbying laws, campaign finance laws and other applicable laws and rules that will increase awareness of, compliance with, and deterrent effects of those laws”.
Q: The Massachusetts Institute of Technology Living Wage Calculator reports the living wage in Hawai‘i is currently $21.99 per hour for a single adult working full-time with no children. This year, the State Legislature took action by increasing the minimum wage to $18 an hour by 2028. How would you build on this recent accomplishment, to ensure Hawai‘i’s workforce can afford to live in Hawai‘i?
We also made the earned Income tax credit, refundable and permanent. Investing in early childhood education, college credits for high school students and college tuition assistance will also help individuals obtain better paying jobs. Good education is key to employment success.
Q: What is driving you to seek re-election, and why should voters give you their vote?
I have represented District 16, soon to become District 17, for the past 12 years and am currently the Majority Floor Leader. This leadership role comes with trust from colleagues and shows their confidence in my ability to perform the responsibilities of that position. My legislative experience and seniority allows me to serve you better. I believe my constituents expect accountability and action. We may not always agree, but we can respect each other’s opinions and beliefs and compromise on solutions. It is my responsibility to respond to constituent inquiries, and I hope to continue doing that with your vote this election.
