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Aloha Kaua`i Ohana,

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Creative approaches are needed to solve Kaua`i's challenges in this extraordinary time of geo-political instability, rising inflation, and national shifts beyond those brought about by the global COVID-19 strategies, storm events on Kaua`i, as well as environmental catastrophes around Hawai`i and the United States. Kaua`i is a jewel of an island, beautiful, abundant and safe; with the draw of the Garden of Eden. Populations are moving and many of our generational families, as well as our workforce risk being pressured out of their homes and off the island. Many new residents have arrived with their unique strengths and capacities hoping to contribute to their new community. We need to build win-win solutions to help assimilate our new residents, without allowing an eclipse of our vibrant history and rich culture.  

Balance is the keyword in how we carefully craft our approach to diversifying our economy in ways that empower our future and honor our heritage. In 2024, Kaua`i continues in resilience as we face critical & competing challenges between health and economic viability. We honor Ni`ihau's long experience with independence.

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In my first three terms in office I have held the responsibility as Committee Chair for Public Safety & Human Services, and as Vice-Chair for Public Works & Veterans' Services in which I have learned much and it continues to influence my goals. After the Lahaina fire there is a statewide sense of urgency to improve our evacuation routes and upgrade our all-hazard mitigation plans of which I hold continuous involvement.

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Community Commitments & Priorities: Ideas & Visions Underway

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• Housing - exciting opportunities are in front of us to work with the State government that has budgeted $1 billion to address houselessness and affordable housing, with $600 million being allocated to begin addressing commitments to Hawaiian Homelands beneficiaries.

  • Policy Development of allowing homeowners to invest in increasing density with a second, even third unit to provide for their families will continue, increasing size of guest houses to 800 sq ft.

  • Tiny Home possibilities for dignified housing for our people in crisis, promoting community-first transitional villages

  • Support the Expansion of Public Housing and crafting an appropriate housing policy to encourage more privately funded homes

  • Fostering Social Enterprise Partnerships to assist with stability, progress and health for our marginalized populations

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• Remote & Virtual Work - has been strengthened by broadband improvements and support to design more business sectors that operate in this expanding virtual economy. We anticipate new undersea cables in 2025.

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• River & Watershed Management - partnering with state and private ownership beginning with our recent FEMA grants to manage streams and river banks

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• Food Production & Agriculture - prioritizing community food production, crafting policies that support the different layers from export agriculture, small diversified farms, neighborhood food production, community agriculture parks, fishing, hunting, and ranching:

  • Allowance of Small Retail at Farms

  • Removable Farmworker Housing

  • Facilities to Support Value-Added Products

  • Government encouragement for Locally-based Products to continue beyond the pandemic

  • Updated Real Property Tax-Agricultural Dedication Tax Exemptions

  • Pacific Bio-Diesel Sunflower farm and production facility has recently open in Kaumakani

  • Malama Kauai's food hub in Moloa`a has opened and routine distribution of locally grown crops and protiens is underway.

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• Visitor Industry Renewal - working with our existing properties to emphasize a visitor base that arrives for longer time frames to a "clean, green & safe" island with a willingness to comfortably integrate into a safe environment that applauds its rich cultural heritage with a framework that highlights the resilient legacy of Hawaiian traditions. The visitor industry amplifies the example of locally-based resilience as we have recovered from the COVID-19 business disruption.
   

Prosperity is the end goal:

we need to thrive whereas many of our people work hard to just survive. 

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Continuing to serve the people of the County of Kaua`i is my compelling motivation to run for a fourth term on the Council. My style is to actively engage with island residents and community groups by meeting them in their neighborhoods and listening to all perspectives and differing opinions. It's through these conversations at the grassroots level that we build collaborative partnerships and can focus on implementing win-win solutions for our communities.

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As your Full-Time Councilperson, I don't have another job competing for my time and attention. I have made it my priority - and will continue to make it my priority - to dedicate myself to the full-time commitment that the County Council and the people of Kaua'i & Ni'ihau deserves.

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I am also your Fully-Accessible Councilperson, as you can reach me directly via phone (office and cell), text, email, and even hard copy letters to express your concerns. I personally respond to constituents, will show up to meet you, and regularly interact with community members on current events and issues affecting our islands through social media, as well as at community meetings and events across the islands.

All of this helps keep me informed of what's happening and allows me to literally see the problems shown to me by the people impacted, hear from residents about their ideas for solutions, and in the end, I'm able to make better policy decisions because of it. This is how I approach my role as a Councilmember and invite you to reach out to me if you'd like to meet and share your ideas.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and I humbly ask for your support and one of your seven votes for the Kaua'i County Council.

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Mahalo,

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Felicia Cowden