Ernest Caravalho
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Ernest Caravalho (Democratic Party) ran for election to the Hawaii House of Representatives to represent District 28. He lost in the Democratic primary on August 10, 2024.
Caravalho completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Ernest Caravalho was born in Honolulu, Hawaii. He served in the U.S. Air Force. He earned a degree from Drake Business School in 1991. His career experience includes working as a paralegal.[1]
Caravalho has been affiliated with the following organizations:[1]
- Lions International
- Free and Accepted Masons
- Fraternal Order of Eagles
- Knights of Rizal
- Neighborhood Board 13 Downtown-Chinatown
- Democratic Party of Hawaii
Elections
2024
See also: Hawaii House of Representatives elections, 2024
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Hawaii House of Representatives District 28
Incumbent Daniel Holt won election outright against Ernest Caravalho in the Democratic primary for Hawaii House of Representatives District 28 on August 10, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Daniel Holt | 77.4 | 1,466 |
| Ernest Caravalho  | 22.6 | 429 | |
| Total votes: 1,895 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
Endorsements
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Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Caravalho in this election.
2022
See also: Hawaii House of Representatives elections, 2022
General election
General election for Hawaii House of Representatives District 28
Incumbent Daniel Holt defeated Ernest Caravalho in the general election for Hawaii House of Representatives District 28 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Daniel Holt (D) | 74.3 | 3,056 |
| Ernest Caravalho (Aloha Aina Party) | 25.7 | 1,057 | |
| Total votes: 4,113 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Hawaii House of Representatives District 28
Incumbent Daniel Holt defeated Robert Mikala Armstrong and Ken Farm in the Democratic primary for Hawaii House of Representatives District 28 on August 13, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Daniel Holt | 71.0 | 1,768 |
 | Robert Mikala Armstrong | 21.3 | 531 | |
| Ken Farm | 7.6 | 190 | |
| Total votes: 2,489 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Aloha Aina Party primary election
Aloha Aina Party primary for Hawaii House of Representatives District 28
Ernest Caravalho advanced from the Aloha Aina Party primary for Hawaii House of Representatives District 28 on August 13, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Ernest Caravalho | 100.0 | 17 |
| Total votes: 17 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2020
See also: Mayoral election in Honolulu, Hawaii (2020)
General election
General election for Mayor of Honolulu
Rick Blangiardi defeated Keith Amemiya in the general election for Mayor of Honolulu on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Rick Blangiardi (Nonpartisan) | 60.0 | 224,474 |
 | Keith Amemiya (Nonpartisan) | 40.0 | 149,735 | |
| Total votes: 374,209 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for Mayor of Honolulu
The following candidates ran in the primary for Mayor of Honolulu on August 8, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Rick Blangiardi (Nonpartisan) | 25.6 | 69,661 |
| ✔ | | Keith Amemiya (Nonpartisan) | 20.2 | 55,116 |
 | Colleen Hanabusa (Nonpartisan) | 18.4 | 50,234 | |
 | Kymberly Marcos Pine (Nonpartisan) | 14.7 | 40,104 | |
 | Mufi Hannemann (Nonpartisan) | 9.9 | 27,027 | |
| William Stonebraker (Nonpartisan) | 6.5 | 17,757 | |
 | Choon James (Nonpartisan) | 2.0 | 5,538 | |
 | John Carroll (Nonpartisan) | 0.7 | 2,011 | |
| Ho Yin Wong (Nonpartisan) | 0.5 | 1,437 | |
| Ernest Caravalho (Nonpartisan) | 0.4 | 1,140 | |
| Audrey Keesing (Nonpartisan) | 0.3 | 823 | |
| Micah Mussell (Nonpartisan) | 0.2 | 541 | |
| David Bourgoin (Nonpartisan) | 0.1 | 368 | |
 | Karl Dicks (Nonpartisan) | 0.1 | 361 | |
| Tim Garry (Nonpartisan) | 0.1 | 313 | |
| Total votes: 272,431 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2018
General election
Incumbent David Ige defeated Andria Tupola, Jim Brewer, and Terrence Teruya in the general election for Governor of Hawaii on November 6, 2018.
General election
General election for Governor of Hawaii
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | David Ige (D) | 62.7 | 244,934 |
 | Andria Tupola (R) | 33.7 | 131,719 | |
| Jim Brewer (G) | 2.6 | 10,123 | |
 | Terrence Teruya (Nonpartisan) | 1.0 | 4,067 | |
| Total votes: 390,843 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
The following candidates ran in the Democratic primary for Governor of Hawaii on August 11, 2018.
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Governor of Hawaii
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | David Ige | 51.4 | 124,572 |
| Colleen Hanabusa | 44.4 | 107,631 | |
| Ernest Caravalho | 2.3 | 5,662 | |
 | Wendell Ka'ehu'ae'a | 0.9 | 2,298 | |
 | Richard Kim | 0.6 | 1,576 | |
| Van Tanabe | 0.3 | 775 | |
| Total votes: 242,514 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Clayton Hee (D)
Republican primary election
Andria Tupola defeated John Carroll and Ray L'Heureux in the Republican primary for Governor of Hawaii on August 11, 2018.
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Governor of Hawaii
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Andria Tupola | 55.5 | 17,297 |
| John Carroll | 35.2 | 10,974 | |
 | Ray L'Heureux | 9.3 | 2,885 | |
| Total votes: 31,156 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Nonpartisan primary election
Terrence Teruya defeated Link El and Selina Blackwell in the nonpartisan primary
Green primary election
Jim Brewer was unopposed in the Green Party primary
2016
The city of Honolulu, Hawaii, held elections for mayor and city council on November 8, 2016. A primary election took place on August 13, 2016. The filing deadline for candidates who wished to run in this election was June 7, 2016. Five of the nine city council seats were up for election. The following candidates ran in the Mayor of Honolulu primary election.[2]
| Mayor of Honolulu, Primary Election, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
 Kirk Caldwell Incumbent |
44.61% | 74,062 |
| Charles Djou |
43.69% | 72,532 |
| Peter Carlisle | 9.36% | 15,539 |
| Lillian Lai Lam Wang Hong | 0.69% | 1,140 |
| Ernest Caravalho | 0.47% | 781 |
| Ronald Hochuli | 0.38% | 635 |
| Kurt Baker | 0.22% | 360 |
| Lawrence Friedman | 0.21% | 346 |
| Mike Powers | 0.19% | 317 |
| Tim Garry | 0.13% | 210 |
| Zachary Burd | 0.06% | 97 |
| Total Votes | 166,019 | |
| Source: Hawaii.gov, "Primary Election Official Results," accessed November 28, 2016 | ||
Campaign themes
2024
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Ernest Caravalho completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Caravalho's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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Ernest Caravalho is a dedicated community leader and candidate for State House District 28. As Chair of Neighborhood 13 Downtown Chinatown and Past President of the Honolulu Chinatown Lions Club, he has a deep commitment to his community. Ernest advocates for meaningful government reforms, transparency, and accountability. He focuses on addressing critical issues such as crime, homelessness, and housing, aiming to create a safer and more supportive environment for all residents. Ernest's leadership experience equips him to promote fairness, integrity, and effective governance.
- Community Safety and Crime Prevention: I am committed to implementing effective crime prevention strategies and supporting criminal justice reforms to ensure the safety of our residents and businesses.
- Addressing Homelessness: I will tackle homelessness by providing comprehensive support services and addressing root causes like addiction and lack of affordable housing, aiming to create lasting solutions.
- Housing and Economic Stability: I advocate for a resident-first approach to housing, regulating non-resident property ownership, and supporting our kupuna to ensure secure housing. Additionally, I support diversifying our economy to reduce reliance on tourism and promote sustainable industries.
I'm passionate about policies that impact our community. Public safety is a top priority; I believe in effective crime prevention and supporting criminal justice reforms for fairness and rehabilitation.
Housing and homelessness are close to my heart. I'll work to promote affordable housing, regulate non-resident property ownership, and provide comprehensive support services.
Education is another key area. I want to ensure every child has access to quality education and the resources they need to succeed.
Finally, I advocate for economic diversification to reduce reliance on tourism, focusing on sustainable industries. Transparency and accountability in governance are essential to me.
I look up to leaders who demonstrate integrity, empathy, and a commitment to serving their communities with dedication and humility. One example is Barack Obama, whose thoughtful leadership and ability to inspire positive change through inclusive governance have had a profound impact on me. His emphasis on hope, unity, and pragmatic solutions to complex issues continues to resonate as a model of leadership that I aspire to follow.
If you're interested in understanding my political philosophy, I would recommend reading "The Audacity of Hope" by Barack Obama. It provides insights into pragmatic governance, community engagement, and the importance of hope and unity in political leadership. Additionally, the documentary "13th" directed by Ava DuVernay offers a powerful exploration of criminal justice reform and systemic inequalities, which align with my focus on fairness and rehabilitation in our justice system. Both resources reflect values of integrity, equity, and progress that shape my approach to public service.
The most important characteristics or principles for an elected official include:
Integrity: Being honest and transparent in all actions and decisions.
Accountability: Taking responsibility for their actions and being answerable to the public.
Commitment: Dedication to serving the community's best interests and addressing their needs.
Empathy: Understanding and compassion for the challenges and concerns of constituents.
Fairness: Ensuring that all policies and actions are just and equitable.
Transparency: Keeping the public informed and involved in the decision-making process.
Vision: Having a clear, forward-thinking plan for the future.
Collaboration: Working effectively with others, including fellow officials, community leaders, and constituents, to achieve common goals.
Resilience: Staying focused and persistent in the face of challenges and setbacks.
Adaptability: Being open to new ideas and flexible in finding solutions to problems.
I believe several qualities contribute to my potential success as an officeholder:
Commitment to Service: I am deeply committed to serving my community and addressing the needs of constituents with empathy and dedication.
Integrity: I prioritize honesty, transparency, and ethical behavior in all aspects of my work and decision-making.
Effective Communication: I excel in listening to diverse perspectives and communicating clearly to build consensus and drive positive change.
Problem-Solving Skills: I am adept at analyzing complex issues, developing innovative solutions, and navigating challenges to achieve practical outcomes.
Collaboration: I value collaboration and teamwork, fostering partnerships with stakeholders to achieve shared goals and deliver results.
Resilience: I approach challenges with perseverance and adaptability, learning from setbacks to continually improve and serve effectively.
Vision and Leadership: I have a vision for a better future for our community, and I am committed to leading initiatives that promote progress, equity, and prosperity for all.
These qualities, combined with my passion for public service and commitment to making a positive impact, equip me to effectively represent and advocate for the interests of State House District 28.
The core responsibilities for someone elected to State House District 28 include:
Legislation: Crafting, proposing, and voting on laws that reflect the needs and interests of the district's residents.
Representation: Serving as the voice of constituents, ensuring their concerns and needs are addressed at the state level.
Advocacy: Championing issues that are important to the community, such as public safety, housing, education, and economic development.
Community Engagement: Staying connected with residents through town halls, meetings, and other forms of communication to understand their needs and provide updates.
Budget Oversight: Ensuring that state funds are allocated and used efficiently and effectively, prioritizing essential services and programs.
Accountability: Maintaining transparency in actions and decisions, being answerable to the public, and upholding ethical standards.
Collaboration: Working with other elected officials, community leaders, and organizations to address issues and achieve common goals.
Problem-Solving: Addressing and finding solutions to the district's pressing issues, such as crime, homelessness, and economic challenges.
Constituent Services: Providing assistance to residents in navigating government services and addressing individual concerns or problems.
Policy Development: Researching and developing policies that promote the well-being and prosperity of the community.
The legacy I aspire to leave is one of positive change and lasting impact in State House District 28. I envision a community where:
Safety and Security: Crime is reduced through effective prevention strategies, ensuring all residents feel safe in their neighborhoods.
Housing and Homelessness: Everyone has access to affordable housing and supportive services, addressing homelessness and housing insecurity.
Education: Every child receives a quality education with equitable resources and opportunities to thrive academically and personally.
Economic Opportunity: Economic diversification creates sustainable jobs and business opportunities, reducing dependency on volatile industries.
Environmental Stewardship: We prioritize sustainability, protecting our natural resources and combating climate change for future generations.
Cultural Preservation: Hawaiian culture and heritage are honored and preserved, with policies that support Hawaiian rights and sovereignty.
Government Accountability: Transparency and accountability are upheld in governance, ensuring public trust and effective representation.
Through dedicated service, collaboration with stakeholders, and a commitment to ethical leadership, I aim to leave a legacy of a stronger, more resilient, and inclusive community where every individual has the opportunity to thrive.
The first visit of an Emperor of Japan to Hawaii was by Emperor Hirohito (Emperor Showa) in 1975. This visit was historically significant as it marked the first time a reigning Japanese emperor had traveled outside Japan. I was 14.
My first job was working as a bus boy at the Holiday Inn at the Honolulu Airport. I started when I was 16 years old, and I worked there for about two years. My next job was with the USAF. It was a valuable experience that taught me responsibility, customer service skills, and the importance of teamwork.
One of my favorite books is "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee. It's a timeless classic that delves deeply into themes of racial injustice, morality, and compassion. The characters are richly developed, and the narrative challenges readers to confront difficult truths about society while also celebrating the resilience of the human spirit. The book's message resonates strongly with me, emphasizing the importance of empathy, standing up for what is right, and striving for a more just and equitable world.
If I could be any fictional character, I would choose to be Atticus Finch from "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee. His unwavering moral integrity, courage in standing up for justice, and compassionate demeanor make him a deeply admirable character. Being able to embody his values of fairness, empathy, and wisdom would be incredibly fulfilling and impactful.
The last song that got stuck in my head was "Shake It Off" by Taylor Swift.
One significant struggle in my life has been navigating challenges including moments where I faced adversity, felt misunderstood, or experienced mistreatment. These experiences have shaped my understanding of resilience, empathy, and the importance of advocating for inclusivity and kindness.
The ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature should be one of collaboration, transparency, and mutual respect. Both branches of government have distinct roles and responsibilities but must work together to effectively serve the people of the state.
Key aspects of this relationship include:
Communication: Open and frequent communication between the governor and legislative leaders is essential. This ensures alignment on priorities, policies, and legislative initiatives.
Cooperation: Collaboration on key issues such as budgetary priorities, legislative agendas, and policy initiatives ensures that the state government operates efficiently and effectively.
Checks and Balances: While collaboration is important, the legislature also serves as a check on the executive branch's power. This ensures accountability and prevents any branch from overstepping its authority.
Transparency: Both the governor and legislature should uphold principles of transparency in their actions and decision-making processes. This includes public disclosure of budgets, negotiations, and legislative debates.
Respect for Separation of Powers: Respecting the separation of powers ensures that each branch of government can fulfill its constitutional responsibilities without undue interference from the other.
Ultimately, a constructive and respectful relationship between the governor and state legislature leads to more effective governance, better outcomes for the state, and a stronger democracy where the interests of the people are well-represented and served.
Over the next decade, Hawai'i faces several significant challenges that will require proactive and thoughtful leadership:
Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability: Addressing the impacts of climate change, such as rising sea levels, more frequent and severe storms, and threats to biodiversity, is crucial. Hawai'i must prioritize sustainable practices in energy, agriculture, and conservation to mitigate these effects.
Housing Affordability and Homelessness: The ongoing housing crisis demands innovative solutions to provide affordable housing for residents while addressing homelessness through supportive services and prevention strategies.
Economic Diversification: Lessening the state's dependency on tourism by promoting diversified industries like renewable energy, technology, and sustainable agriculture is vital for economic stability and resilience.
Education Reform: Improving educational outcomes, ensuring equitable access to quality education, and preparing students for a rapidly evolving job market are essential for Hawai'i's future workforce and economic prosperity.
Cultural Preservation and Hawaiian Sovereignty: Upholding Hawaiian rights, preserving cultural heritage, and addressing issues of sovereignty are critical for fostering inclusivity, respect, and justice in the state.
Navigating these challenges will require collaborative efforts across government, communities, and stakeholders, guided by forward-thinking policies that prioritize sustainability, equity, and resilience.
Having previous experience in government or politics can be beneficial for state legislators, but it is not necessarily a requirement. Here are some potential benefits and considerations:
Understanding of the Legislative Process: Experienced legislators often have a deeper understanding of how the legislative process works, including how bills are drafted, debated, and passed into law.
Knowledge of Policy Issues: Previous experience can provide insights into complex policy issues and the ability to navigate legislative challenges more effectively.
Relationship Building: Established relationships with other legislators, government officials, and community leaders can facilitate collaboration and coalition-building to advance legislative priorities.
Familiarity with Constituent Issues: Experienced legislators may already be familiar with the concerns and needs of their constituents, allowing them to better advocate on their behalf.
However, there are also potential drawbacks to extensive political experience:
Risk of Entrenchment: Long-term legislators may become entrenched in political dynamics or special interests, potentially hindering innovation and fresh perspectives.
Disconnect from Everyday Challenges: Over time, some legislators may become disconnected from the everyday challenges faced by their constituents, affecting their ability to represent diverse perspectives.
Barrier to New Entrants: Extensive political experience can create barriers for new voices and ideas to enter the legislative process, potentially limiting diversity and innovation in policymaking.
Ultimately, the effectiveness of a legislator depends on their commitment to serving their constituents, their ability to collaborate, and their dedication to upholding ethical standards and transparency, regardless of their previous experience in government or politics.
Yes, building relationships with other legislators is highly beneficial for effective governance and achieving legislative goals. Here are several reasons why:
Coalition Building: Building relationships allows legislators to form coalitions around shared priorities and interests. This collaboration strengthens their ability to advance legislation and achieve bipartisan support.
Negotiation and Compromise: Effective relationships facilitate open communication and negotiation, enabling legislators to find common ground and reach compromises that benefit their constituents.
Knowledge Sharing: Legislators often specialize in different policy areas or represent diverse constituencies. Building relationships allows for the exchange of ideas, expertise, and best practices, enriching legislative discussions and outcomes.
Legislative Efficiency: Strong relationships foster a cooperative atmosphere in legislative chambers, reducing gridlock and promoting the efficient passage of bills.
Mutual Respect and Trust: Developing relationships based on mutual respect and trust encourages civility and constructive debate, even in times of disagreement.
Constituent Representation: Building alliances with legislators from different regions or backgrounds enhances a legislator's ability to advocate for a broader range of constituent interests and concerns.
In summary, legislative effectiveness often hinges on the ability to build and maintain positive relationships with colleagues. These relationships enhance collaboration, improve legislative outcomes, and ultimately benefit the communities and constituents that legislators serve.
While I respect many legislators for their dedication and service, I strive to forge my own path based on principles of integrity, accountability, and community-centered leadership. I draw inspiration from leaders who prioritize transparency, listen to their constituents, and work tirelessly to enact meaningful change. By learning from a diverse range of legislative approaches and staying true to my values, I aim to effectively represent the interests and aspirations of State House District 28.
At this moment, my focus is on serving the constituents of State House District 28 to the best of my ability. I am committed to addressing the pressing issues facing our community and making a positive impact at the state level. While I am open to opportunities that allow me to serve the public and contribute to meaningful change, my current priority is representing the interests of my district effectively.
Why don't skeletons fight each other?
They don't have the guts!
The oversight and granting of emergency powers is a crucial responsibility of the legislature, ensuring that such powers are used judiciously and in the best interests of the public. Here are key considerations:
Checks and Balances: Emergency powers granted to the executive branch should be subject to legislative oversight to prevent abuse and ensure adherence to constitutional principles.
Transparency: Legislative oversight ensures transparency in decision-making during emergencies, providing accountability to the public and ensuring that emergency actions are justified and proportionate.
Duration and Scope: Legislatures can define the scope and duration of emergency powers, balancing the need for swift action with respect for civil liberties and democratic processes.
Legislative Input: Legislators represent diverse constituencies and perspectives. Their input ensures that emergency measures consider a broad range of interests and are responsive to community needs.
Emergency Management Planning: Legislatures play a critical role in developing and updating emergency management plans, ensuring readiness and effective response to future crises.
In summary, while granting emergency powers may be necessary in times of crisis, legislative oversight is essential to uphold democratic principles, protect civil liberties, and safeguard the public interest.
I have not gotten any endorsements at this time, I am backed by many community activist and leaders in my District
As a candidate for State House District 28, I am particularly interested in serving on committees that align with my priorities and the needs of our community. These include:
Public Safety and Judiciary: Given my focus on crime prevention and criminal justice reform, this committee would allow me to advocate for effective strategies and fairness within our legal system.
Housing and Human Services: Addressing homelessness and advocating for affordable housing is a key platform for me, making this committee crucial for implementing comprehensive solutions.
Education: Ensuring equitable access to quality education and supporting our schools is vital. Serving on the Education committee would allow me to advocate for resources and policies that benefit students and educators alike.
Finance: Given my commitment to financial transparency and accountability, serving on the Finance committee would provide an opportunity to ensure responsible budgeting and resource allocation for our district and state.
Hawaiian Affairs: Recognizing the importance of Hawaiian rights and culture, I am interested in contributing to the Hawaiian Affairs committee to advocate for policies that respect and uphold Hawaiian rights and sovereignty.
Financial transparency and government accountability are fundamental principles in my approach to public service. I believe that the public has a right to know how taxpayer money is spent and that government officials must be held accountable for their decisions and actions.
I advocate for robust financial transparency measures that ensure all expenditures and budget allocations are accessible and understandable to the public. This includes advocating for clear reporting mechanisms, regular audits, and proactive disclosure of financial information.
Accountability goes hand in hand with transparency. Elected officials must uphold ethical standards, adhere to legal requirements, and be responsive to the needs and concerns of their constituents. I support measures that promote accountability, such as strong oversight mechanisms, ethical guidelines, and consequences for misconduct or misuse of public resources.
By prioritizing financial transparency and government accountability, we can build trust with the community, foster effective governance, and ensure that public resources are used efficiently and responsibly to benefit everyone in our district.
As a candidate, I'm committed to addressing the pressing issues of crime, homelessness, education, and affordable housing in State House District 28. If elected, my first bill would focus on comprehensive homelessness prevention and support services. This legislation would prioritize funding for shelters, addiction treatment programs, and initiatives to provide stable housing options. By addressing homelessness, we can create a safer, more supportive community for all residents.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
2022
Ernest Caravalho did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.
2020
Ernest Caravalho did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.
2018
Campaign website
The following themes were found on Caravalho's official campaign website.
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Education We do not see education as something that we should sacrifice in favor of something else or even as something that we can negotiate so as to give all keiki less than they deserve. Nothing less than our future and our humanity is at stake when we talk about education. Therefore, we take a strong progressive stance on what our educational system needs to be here in Hawai'i. Conservative and gradual approaches are not going to cut it. The foundation for our future... It's time to invest. The simple truth is that any state will only be as successful as their investment in education. For some reason, here in Hawai'i, we are always invoking the children. Keiki this, keiki that. Then, when it comes to actually doing something to take care of children the way we need to, we settle for less than our children deserve. There have been some big efforts to restructure and improve Hawai'i's education system and that progress can not be overlooked. But we keep settling when we should be striving for higher. It goes without saying that the very first step we need to take here in Hawai'i is to increase funding. The main way that is being used to help fund public schools is by relying on federal dollars. If Hawai'i is to be as self reliant as possible, we need to be able to fund our education system completely on our own. So the goal should be to wean ourselves from federal funds.
Aside from re-prioritizing some state funds, the easiest way to achieve this is by cultivating our own marijuana and hemp industry. By fully legalizing recreational marijuana, regulating it and taxing it appropriately, similar to the way we do alcohol, we can drastically increase school funding. Additionally, starting our own Hemp industry for use in a plethora of other applications, would go even farther in empowering Hawai'i to properly educate and feed our keiki. In the short term, that new revenue will allow for an Increase in teacher pay and benefits in order to retain our most valuable educators and serve to lower the number of teachers that leave Hawai'i due to costs of living. The increase in funding will also allow for a gradual increase in the number of teachers through local training and recruitment. It will facilitate food programs and school farms so that schools may have organic fresh produce to feed their students at no cost to any student. The long term goal is to decrease class sizes so that there is always a teacher and an assistant teacher per 12 students. With the end goal of 6 students to 1 teacher. Meanwhile, we will lay the preparatory foundations for all new school facilities for our students. In many places all over the islands, our schools look more like rundown shacks rather than proper educational facilities. People are always talking about their communities and how to make them better, well what better way than to have educational facilities that function in creative ways to invite everyone in the local community to partake in what they have to offer. We also want to diversify the options students have as they progress through their educational levels by providing: apprenticeships, vocational training, understudy programs, focused training and advanced education for those that already know what they wish to do. Incorporating open programs of instruction, for those that want to know more than just one subject, would also go a long way at relieving the stress from many students that have no idea as to what they want to do with their lives.
The focus will no longer be just on college. The focus will shift more on technical skills, tech schools, trade schools, entrepreneurial programs and the like.
We would ensure that all higher education is free for public colleges and universities, thereby helping to end the tragic state of student debt that has so many engulfed and stressed for life. Private educational institutions will have strict new guidelines to operate under to ensure that they are fair, properly taking care of their students and that they are on par with the latest educational standards. One major area that would need to be changed is how we teach our history and from what perspective. Here in Hawai'i we have a rich history long before Hawai'i became what it is today. And we should teach that history from the Hawai'ian perspective first and foremost. In order for our children to understand why Hawai'i is the way that it is and how it came to be what it is, a true narrative must be taught that does not sugar coat our history or sensors it. We need to have real civic education programs that teach about our flawed system and the many laws that govern our daily lives. We need programs to create a new generation of super voters who are ready and engaged that would go a long way to maybe even lowering the voting age. Healthcare Your Life Matters... It's Time To Take Care of All I want to be perfectly clear: there is no reason whatsoever that Hawai'i can not have a healthcare system that takes care of everyone. If there is anything that has shown that Hawai'i needs to step up and take care of its people, it is the terrible situation with our federal government.
When I speak of universal health care I don't just mean a medical system that streamlines administration thereby cutting down on costs and processing times. When I speak of a universal health care system I don't just mean one that covers all of the residents and citizens of Hawai'i. When I speak of a universal health care system I am referring to system that starts with our children and their food and the overall well being of all the people that reside in Hawai'i. The connections between what we eat and our health are undeniable. So to are the connections between what we grow, how we grow it, what is in the dirt it is grown in and what is sprayed on it while it grows. Our health is dependent on clear air and clean water as well so don't limit your thinking into a box where universal health is merely a system that provides medical coverage for all citizens because it is not that simple. A universal health system in Hawai'i will also include dental care, give you options for treatment aside from the standard pharmaceutical approach and focus more on the type of care you want versus trying to persuade you into giving you the care the old system is created to give you. There are many old and new systems and ways of helping people to heal that are not talked about or even widespread as a result of the control that big pharma has on our doctors and healthcare. The creation of a fair and comprehensive system here will help to correct all of those flaws of our current system. Because of this, we can not be sacred to progress, to change and evolve. Your life matters, your health matters, and the amount of stress and worry that will be lifted from the general populace when they no longer have to worry whether being sick will bankrupt them or whether they can afford to get a broken arm looked at, will drastically increase the happiness of our beloved Hawai'i. A universal healthcare system will:
Streamline care, simplify and drastically reduce logistics, saving you time and giving you greater access to the care you seek anywhere and anytime on the islands. A big complaint both from patients and doctors is that they need more time and freedom to actually care for patients. A streamlined system will facilitate this most crucial aspect of care. A huge aspect that will be eliminated with a universal healthcare system are the copay's. Why are your mouth and teeth magically excluded from your healthcare? As though your mouth, what is contained within and what goes into it, does not play an integral part in your health. Dental and oral health will be integrated into a single payer system because digestion starts at the mouth. The new universal healthcare law will also ban any and all drug advertisements in Hawai’i. A new healthcare system will no longer focus solely on medicines and pills as the go to for everything. Food, medicinal plants and herbs as well osteopathic care and exercise will play a major role. We need to reduce the reliance on prescription drugs and drastically change the rules on opioids. Expand the use of medical cannabis and other plants by fully legalizing them and testing them for practical uses to get away from over prescribing medications and opioids. Educate the populace on the dangers of consuming too many processed sugars and the connections between what you eat and your health. This is also by no means a fully comprehensive list. As we collaborate and speak with more progressive professionals we will update our info but rest assured that the way forward is a universal healthcare system. Housing
Acknowledging the Truth. There are many different approaches that can be taken to tackle the housing issue. Most politicians or career political pundits believe that people just need to get an education and then get a good paying job and they will be able to afford a home. Those types of ignorant statements, and ways of thinking, completely ignore what is happening all around us and the circumstances that manifested our current status as a state. Moreover, the general attitude is that the rights of residents come secondary to investors, large property owners, and large land owners. I realize that to many, what you will read, might be controversial in light of the current status quo. But, in light of the problems that we have in the housing economy of Hawai'i, I believe we must have a resident first approach. This approach must solve the problems at the root, and there lies the big difference. Almost all other solutions you hear are only band aids that skirt the problems and keep them in perpetuity while simultaneously blame shifting. Why? Because who wants to commit political suicide by talking about real solutions to permanently fix problems? Certainly not elected officials that are also corporate sponsored politicians.
Regardless, it does not change the truth: we need to seriously consider ideas that will actually solve our housing issues. Ideas like resident first housing, tax increases on the rich, change the rules for those that do not reside in Hawai'i and yet purchase land and housing from afar, new housing construction methods and materials, new rules and taxes for Airbnb style rentals, decriminalizing houselessness, and actually helping the kupuna who are on fixed income with their housing so that they do not become houseless.
The Houseless We Will No Longer Criminalize the Houseless People are struggling. The rent is too just too high. Struggling families and the homeless should not be criminalized. Hiding the homeless out of the public eye in shelters or sweeps is not a permanent solution. We need to do more. The State must revamp its outlook on the houseless to meet the needs of our population. We must be compassionate and loving while at the same time we must be the parent to the child by helping to educate, empower and uplift. We must find creative ways to help our most vulnerable citizens such as looking at what other states are doing. States such as Minnesota and California have shown that Affordable Housing Plans work. Creating more opportunities for housing, and special housing for our kupuna (elders), is essential. Concerted efforts engaging AmeriCorps, private sector groups such as Habitat for Humanity, and other organizations are desperately needed. We must listen to and work with, not against, our housing reform and homelessness activists. We must incorporate mental health professionals, drug and addiction programs, and job training programs into our solution. 21 cities in the continental United States are participating in the "Promise Zone" program, which incorporates AmeriCorps volunteers, HUD, and others to provide comprehensive, lasting solutions. Why shouldn't Hawaii be part of an initiative such as that or why can’t we find a solution that works for our Islands? Here are some ideas we need to seriously consider if we are to move forward: •Restructure, replace if necessary, and properly fund current programs, both public and private, first.
•Unite and cooperate with all groups and activists both public and private in order to have a well organized mission.
•Create state of the art rehab, addiction and transition centers for the houseless. •Apply multi stage solutions in order to decrease the houseless population by at least 70% by the end of four years time. •Create and establish education and a culture of respecting all houseless individuals and families by setting an example for the rest of the world through aloha.
•Start the process of getting away from traditional home design and construction with old materials and begin introducing new modular designs with eco friendly materials.
•Create prefab housing with local manufacturing. Explore 3d printed homes. •Begin mapping all old homes in dire need of repair or replacing and work with home owners to assure they do not become houseless. •Income based housing on no more than 30% base income after taxes. •Restructure the housing authority to actually house low income people. The simple bottom line is: anyone that works a full time job should not live in poverty or be homeless. And right now couples, working three jobs, while going to school, are homeless. We can no longer allow situations like this to keep manifesting and to continue. Renewable Energy We Have Solar Spills Every Day. I know this seems like a no brainer, but I will go ahead and get into it anyway. Becoming energy independent by 2045 seems like a goal we can just coast to right? Wrong. With entire nations making giant strides towards ending their dependency on fossil fuels and a few countries having achieved the completely renewable energy mark, and we, as an island chain in the middle of the Pacific, can not afford to take our time on this. One good thing I see more and more of is solar panels. There are all kinds of rules and regulations behind people trying to go solar. We need to clear the way for people that want to go off grid and for those that wish to create smaller community grids. The creation of power grids, in its day, was a huge boon to society. Suddenly the marvels of electricity where available to all. We have now reached a point where technology, again, has empowered us to be able to independently generate our own power. This essential advancement negates the need for a centralized power facility. As we look forward to where these technologies will take us, we must acknowledge the changes that are necessary. We must shift from main grids, to smaller localized grids. And we must transform our power lines and electrical grid systems to suit what will be the new standard. Alternative energy needs to be the new primary energy: Solar, wind, wave. We need to: •Use each intelligently based on geography across the islands •Not all areas will use energy the same way but all areas will use clean energy •Convert all vehicles to electric. •Have Hawai’i invest in battery technology advancements and start ups. As our energy future changes from week to week, so to must we be prepared to upgrade and change our approach to energy. Resiliency is the name of the game and right now Hawai'i has a long way to go. I believe that the sooner we can transform ourselves, the more secure and independent Hawai'i will be. Infrastructure Upgrade & Innovate The handling of our states infrastructure is no small task. Scientists and engineers of all types work on the issues that we have. And there certainly is no easy answer or even one answer to solve them all. It is very expensive to do major infrastructure overhauls and yet it must be done. The city and state have made some efforts in ensuring that our roads get redone and maintained. You can see it in certain areas as the work progresses. But as new technologies come out our outdated methods and tools become more and more obsolete. It is about time that we caught up with other areas of the world and started to use innovation and field test new things here in Hawai'i, such as permeable roads, new construction methods, new construction tools, decentralized power systems, water purification and distribution systems, and energy production from our water.
One curious thing that is being done all over, not just in Hawai'i, is how we force our pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists all to compete for right of way on the streets. Even with the use of bike lanes and sidewalks, when it comes time to cross the street, very often, if your not waiting on one, your waiting on another. Denmark has done a wonderful job of innovating solutions to these types of problems and I believe that the answer to shortening our traffic and making commuting more enjoyable for all, lies within countries or states that have applied solutions to these very issues. We have all sorts of issues here with our infrastructure. From parking, to traffic, to an old grid and old pipes underground. Many of our systems where never really designed to take the future into consideration. There is little resiliency in our systems and most are vulnerable to many types of disruption. My goal as Governor is to revamp all of our infrastructure in order to make all of Hawai'i more resilient and adaptable to the changes the future is bound to bring. Agriculture No Convincing Required To Get People To Eat Clean Food. I want you to think about that for a minute. It doesn't matter if you eat meat or only veggies, if I came up to you and said, here, you can eat the meal on the right which is organic and free and clear of poisons and GMO's or you can eat the meal on the left, which has GMO's, poisons have been sprayed on them to kill pests and the GMO ones have insect poison built into them. Which would you choose? The vast majority of us would choose the clean organic meal. I'm sure some don't care and that's ok. But when it comes to our agriculture here in Hawai'i what we place onto our food before it hits the dinner table, goes into the air, it goes into the soil, it goes into the water, gets absorbed by plants and micro-organisms, it ends up in our water, it ends up in our oceans. That is why this matters so much. There are ways and methods to grow food sustainably which do not involve poisons and chemicals that affect EVERYTHING. And yet the producers of those poisons claim no responsibility to the affect their chemicals have on the people and the environment. So first and foremost we must deal with this issue because it affects all. Here is what we need to do in order to create a more sustainable Hawai'i and to clean up our food: Increase investment in local food production, yesterday. Reclaim agricultural lands as well as prevent any development on those lands whatsoever. Create major incentives for non GMO small farms and organic farming to kick start the industry in Hawai’i. Encourage and incentivise crop rotation farming for each island. Reduce our imports of food to 10% and increase our food production to 90% Mandate that supermarkets prioritize purchasing local fruits and vegetables before importing them. End pesticide use as we know it and apply other effective methods that do not poison our lands, air, water and people. Protect our agricultural produce better by working to eradicate invasive species. Restore and put to use as many of the ahupuahas as possible across the islands Mandate green rooftops wherever practical. Begin the process of establishing vertical farms and indoor farms across the state. Prevent any landowner, corporation, business, or individual from redirecting water to prevent others from using. This is no easy task. And it isn't a simple issue. But the fundamental facts do not change: we are poisoning ourselves and everything around us with our standard practices. If we don't get serious about what needs to be done to clean up our food supply and to increase our resiliency by growing the vast majority of what we eat, Hawai'i's people and economy will always be dependent and vulnerable. Trash & Recycling It's Time We Stepped Up Our Garbage Game. No one really likes to deal with their own garbage. Even in your own home, chances are, that when it comes time to take out the garbage, you can't wait to get it out and away so you can forget about it and go on with your day. Beyond that, most people don't give the garbage they produce another thought. Here in Hawai'i we can no longer afford to treat our garbage as something that is for someone else to worry about. Why? Because we are that someone else and the worlds garbage is swirling around the oceans in giant garbage gyres and a lot of it is ending up on our shores here in Hawai'i. If we do not proactively do something about this, we will literally be living and swimming in our own garbage. That will affect our quality of life. That will affect peoples desire to want to visit Hawai'i. That will harm our plant and animal life in and out of the water. That will affect all oceanic traffic. We bury our garbage. We burn it for energy. We also ship it out of state for someone else to deal with. It is the year 2017, we are living in the future, do those three things seem like something we should still be doing? In the renewable energy section I cover what we should do energy wise but some of it bears repeating here. By switching to renewable energy as fast as humanly possible we can end the trend of burning our garbage for fuel or burying it underground. That just leaves us with more garbage! What to do with it? Well, being as we have all sorts of garbage here both locally produced and imported by the oceans, the only logical thing to do is to build our own state of the art recycling facilities. By doing so we will be equipped to handle our own refuse in a way that can turn it into a resource of materials that we can then use locally for our own means and ends. What would that do? One big thing it would is it would reduce our need to import as many raw materials we do. It would also provide concentrated, well designed and purposeful areas for garbage to be delivered both by our amazing service workers but also by you, the people. There are many places here in Hawai'i were garbage is just dumped by local residents. Everything from abandoned cars to entire household appliances. If we had a place where those items could be delivered, broken down, and then recycled, with an added monetary incentive for what the raw materials are worth, it would go a long way for people to clean up our aina. This includes creating a legitimate state wide composting program with various sites and easy access. We need Hawai'i to be as self reliant and self dependent as possible. By creating our own ecosystem within our islands that enables us to reuse and re-purpose old items or to recycle them for the raw materials, we won't have to worry that someone else in some other part of the world will be swimming in our garbage or that some animal will die because they ate it. We need to: Create state of the art recycling facilities on each island. Once the facilities are built we would start a state wide clean up effort to get all garbage to those facilities. Create state sponsored repair shops and re-purposing sites to encourage people to repair their broken things or use them for other things. Ban the use of materials and chemicals not yet proven safe to the environment or stop using things that we already know are harmful. Eliminate the need to burn trash/rubbish by converting everything to solar/wind/wave energy. Harness the materials gathered from recycling for local sale and manufacturing.
The end goal is for us to have a garbage shortage and to no longer have to bury any of it, ship it elsewhere, or burn it for energy. Wouldn't it be wonderful to live in a state that was so clean and full of durable and reusable materials that other places started paying us to take their garbage? Trade - Import and Export Do We Want To Remain Dependent For Almost Everything? To me, it goes without saying that we must become more independent in what we produce and consume. At a time when climate change is affecting everything, we first and foremost must grow and consume the vast majority of our own food. Whether it is in traditional farms or vertical farms in the cities and towns or a combination thereof, it is imperative that we not rely in imports to feed us. The consequences of this could be disastrous if we do not change. We also import the vast majority of our building materials. If we create a strong and large hemp industry we can greatly decrease our need to import certain construction materials. Right alongside that Hawai'i lacks its very own state of the art recycling facilities. I mean let's face it, Hawai'i produces a ton of waste and an ever increasing amount of it is floating in the garbage gyres to the north and south of the islands with quite a bit of it ending up on our shores. Just look up Kamilo beach of garbage. What does this mean? With such a production of and an influx of garbage we have a very unorthodox resource that we need to tap into. By building our own modern recycling facilities we can tap into the material resources that will produce to lessen our need on imported materials. We should also try to build new trading relationships and strategies to lessen the cost of our imports. And if through recycling and better management of our resources we can produce more goods to export, we can help Hawai'is economy even more. Lastly, the Jones Act. It goes without saying that modifying the Jones Act intelligently would be beneficial to more than just Hawai'i. The law was created in 1920 before Hawai'i became a state. In that time the plantation owners of Hawai'i didn't like the extra tariffs they had to pay when they exported their goods to the mainland. And while turning Hawai'i into a state helped them with that, the Jones Act was never written to take Hawai'i into consideration. As such, as is often the case in these modern times, we need to revisit old laws and change, amend or completely rewrite them in order to keep up with the rate of change in our world. We are but a relatively small group of islands in the middle of the worlds largest ocean, dependent on foreign fuel, foreign supplies, and foreign food. This must change. In order to achieve these changes we need to raise awareness about this very critical issue until we have the momentum to get it changed in order to lower the cost of living for us all. Transportation We Have To Square With Necessity and Reality. RAIL Lets face the most obvious issue first: the rail. Lets keep it simple, we have been lied to from the get go. You, me, and everyone else and no matter how you view the rail that is an undeniable fact. If you look back at what we were told and then sold versus what has transpired, it is clear it was all lies. If you believe nothing else look up how much we were told it would cost versus how much it has cost. It is, per capita, the most expensive rail project in the world, and is expected to get even more so. This hearkens back to government corruption. We were sold a bill of lies in order to get approval, then after approval, the truth comes out along with the logic of: well, too late to back out now, forward! At who's expense?, is the first question. The second question is, who is getting paid over this? This whole project fulfills the tried and true motto of the wealthy and corrupt: privatize the gains, socialize the costs. The rail should provide for it's own power. O'ahu's power grid isn't built to handle such a large and sudden demand for power from the rail. As such, the rail should provide it's own power through a combination of wind, solar, and wave. How can we build a rail for so much money, have it be yesterdays technology and not have it provide for its own power?
CARS We must set a concrete date to work towards for the transition to 100% electric vehicles. If we are to bring our costs of living down across the state, one of those must accomplish tasks is the end of our dependency on fossil fuels. Our islands are only so big. There is an actual physical limit as to how much we can build and how many cars can exist and operate on the islands. That isn't including the actual limitations of our road infrastructure either. No matter how you feel about it, we will have to square with the notion that we will have to somehow regulate the number of vehicles on the islands. One of the boons of electric vehicles is that they are so quiet. When Hawai'i finally becomes all electric, we will look back at the days of super loud and noisy cars, trucks, and motorbikes and wonder how did we ever put up with all that noise? Well there isn't a day goes by that some child isn't spooked or made to cringe and or cry over super loud vehicles. I have lost quite a bit of sleep at the sound of cars racing at night and motorcycles needlessly revving their engines. The owners of these vehicles feel they have every right to do so. And many in fact purchase these loud vehicles and parts just for the sound they make. It may sound cool and sweet, but they have a very real effect on others. Yet another issue we will have to tackle. Government & Elections The Status Quo Has Got To Go. It really is quite amazing at the amount of progress our state has made given the amount of corruption that we have here. When I speak of corruption though, I refer to the subtle and almost undetectable type of corruption that occurs the moment moral courage fails in the light of a conflict of interest. The sort of thing that happens everyday when a friend, a family member, or a business partner asks you to make them more important than doing what is right. We have many different cultures here in Hawai'i from many different countries. Every single one of them has their own unique sense of family, loyalty, and respect. Those loyalties usually end up leaking into office with whomever gets elected. And very quickly, what should have been an elected person who's loyalty is to the islands and its people, ends up being a person that gives into favors, money, favoritism, and pet projects instead of serving the greater good.
This ties right into elections. We need fair elections in which money and name recognition does not create the winners. We also do not live in a monarchy in which one can just announce who should succeed them. Elections should be about ideas that solve our problems to move us forward and progress. And yet they are anything but that.
Some Ideas We need to create term limits so that we can end career politicians. While you can make a career working government jobs, holding political office and jumping from office to office should not be a career move. Why? Because then it becomes about winning elections to maintain power and influence instead of representing the people. If you are running for office with the sole motive to win at all costs, you aren't running to represent anyone but yourself. (and your donors)
No more unopposed elections. For every office there must be at least two people to choose from. If there is no second person, the election for that seat will be postponed until someone else signs up to run. There should never be a free pass to office.
All elections should be publicly funded. No more he or she who raises the most wins.
All candidates should be afforded ample screen, ad, and interview time. The state should sponsor all candidates equally with equal chances at being heard and interviewed so that the populace is well informed at what their choices are. It is the responsibility of the state to see that the populace is not only well educated but also well informed. It should be no different with elections.
There should be a debate system in place as well as a thorough interview process for the public to see and hear. Relying on political parties, big media, PAC's, Super PAC's, and other special interest groups, invites corruption, favoritism and opens the doors for candidates like Donald Trump. It is important to remember that no matter how you feel about the ideas you see above, that it is our current system that has allowed people like Donald Trump and worse into office. We must change our rules and processes, see how effective they are and then work to improve them. We can not be afraid of changing things, trying new things, and seeing if they work. Our islands and planet will either suffer more or be alleviated by who we elect. In order to elect differently and new, we must change and try something new and different otherwise our results will always be the same. The Kingdom Healing Begins With One Simple Act. The first and most important thing to acknowledge is that no one person can decide the fate of an entire people. I will not attempt to state what needs to be done and by whom. It is the responsibility of the Kingdom of Hawai'i's descendants to organize for themselves and re-establish who they are and what they wish to become as a people. My aim will be to help them and to empower them to do so. One of the first official steps I will take is to acknowledge the history and the act of the overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawai'i and make it clear that the foundation of Hawai'i as a state was not a simple matter of fact. We are the inheritors of all that transpired to bring us to where we are and just like so many will never forget what happened in Pearl Harbor, so too do the originators of these islands never forget what was done to them. The sense that many people have that makes them believe that they have to speak or act in the best interest of the native Hawai'ians, without even consulting with them, is an insult. Too often, and with no known exception, every major government, state, or country, has been established through colonialism of some sort. And as of yet, no major country that I know of has seen to try to make amends for their nations, or states, past transgressions beyond just words. That maintains a long standing tradition of nations conveniently ignoring the truth behind how they came to be. I will strive to make amends. I will strive to do what, to my knowledge, has never been done: to forge a path forward. There is no example to follow, no road to serve as a guide, but the end goal is to uplift and empower a people that for too long now have been the victims that everyone chooses to forget because it is convenient. There is a difference between doing what is right and what is easy, and I choose to do what is right by acknowledging the past first and foremost. Courts & The Judicial System Criminalizing Everyone Is Not The Answer. It should not strike anyone as a surprise that our system of courts and law is severely flawed. I really hate to say it but we arbitrarily jail both the innocent and the guilty alike. What's even worse, is that many non violent offenders get worse and longer jail/prison terms than violent offenders. The system is: punish by making you pay and then making you pay to play if you want a decent chance at fairness. There are many good people working within the system trying to make it fair and just, but even they will tell you that it is severely flawed and needs to change. We need to: Fix problems with the courts to address fairness and accessibility to public defenders.
Increase funding to hire more public defenders.
Courts vary depending on governance. Create stability and continuity through constitutional amendment and or convention.
Establish new rules for training of judges at all levels.
Increase the use of community service versus other forms of punishment.
Decriminalize all marijuana possession, mushrooms, hemp and other plants.
Pardon all non violent marijuana offenders from jail.
End the practice of shipping our inmates to the mainland.
Reform our jails and prisons to be both completely transparent and humane. Ban the use of solitary confinement.
Investigate prison abuse and why prison deaths are covered up and hold those individuals accountable.
Build rehabilitation centers and education facilities for average non violent offenders.
Only jail the habitually violent criminals for long terms while still focusing on humane treatment and mental rehabilitation wherever possible.
End the practice of jailing the mentally ill and homeless.
Those that are wrongfully arrested or are found to be innocent should not have a record that affects their job options for the rest of their life.
When the state fails to abide by a law that they created, the law should be unenforceable until it is fixed.
Empower lower courts to determine not just whether a person is wrong but also whether the state, police, or law is wrong and also to reimburse residents as well as damages as necessary. This is by no means a fully comprehensive list, but it goes without saying that in light of all the flaws in our courts and judicial processes, we have enough data, evidence, and feedback to reform our system and make it better. The attitude that we have the best system and therefore we don't need to change it, or the attitude that it's what we got and you just have to play the game because it's not going to change, has no place in a progressive society that aims to be more humane, fair and just. And in the land of aloha we need to stop just saying that word and actually apply it to all the functions of our daily lives. Police & Law Enforcement Pro change and complete reform, not anti Law Enforcement. Why is it that when we talk about government corruption, everyone nods their heads in acknowledgement. Then, when one shifts the subject and talks about police corruption, suddenly the air gets very still?
I love humanity. It is the reason why I am choosing to engage into controversial political subjects in lieu of a normal quiet life. But the fact remains, if we are to do something about our corrupt government, regular people need to stand up and speak the truth. The same goes for law enforcement.
Everyone that wears a badge has different strengths and weaknesses. That will make your average law enforcer resilient or susceptible to the corruption that can happen in their heart or mind because of the power of the badge.
Does that mean they get a blanket pass when they do wrong?
Here in Hawai'i it is one controversy after another. And instead of adopting a policy of transparency and accountability, in order to maintain the public trust, secrecy, subversion and cover ups are the standard. At what point is enough, enough? I understand that law enforcers are human and the classic argument is that they are just doing their jobs. I understand that it is a tough job. Even so, you do not have the privileged position of saying you are just doing your job when what you do directly affects the lives of others and the trust that the residents of your communities and state have in you. The ramifications of that breach of trust are deep and can be severe. We must re-establish trust with each other and with our law enforcers. In light of that, changes must be made. Retrain all law enforcement on how to serve the people and their communities.
Increase the amount of training they receive in deescalation of force, non violent resolution, community relations, international law and basic human rights.
Change the rules and standards for hiring law enforcement officers.
End needless SWAT raids, especially when serving search warrants. Reserve SWAT for last resort.
Transition to non-lethal weapons and tactics.
Increase the quality of recruits through more stringent screening, higher standards of applicants and higher standards of graduation from training.
Create absolute transparency of their records and behaviors to the public to help with accountability and trust.
All police wrong doing that results in monetary awards shall come from their funding. No more forcing the public to pay for your mistakes.
Include regular psychological evaluations for all law enforcers, especially prior to hiring.
End internal unofficial policy: “the blue line.”
Law Enforcers will be held to a higher standard when dealing and interacting with fellow residents. This includes on or off duty, while driving or even eating in public.
Dismiss all law enforcers that have any history of violence at work or at home. This isn't by any means a fully comprehensive list but it is a good start. The police in our state do a great many a job, from protecting our road workers to assisting motorists when they are in trouble and even in recovering stolen items. I want to help them. I want to improve their work atmosphere, to create an atmosphere of trust and accountability, I want to foster communication and better training. Being a police officer is tough work and I believe that by making some fundamental changes we can rebuild trust and simultaneously improve the moral and overall happiness of our law enforcers. Clean Water Everything that lives in and around Hawai'i needs clean water, not just humans. Why is it that almost everywhere we live in Hawai'i, people are using water filters? Why do we see so many buying water for their homes or paying for water delivery services? Why is it that when one person moves from point a to b, the quality of their water can vary drastically? How come our beaches close every time there is storm? And why is there more and more garbage washing up on our shores? Water is a big issue here in Hawai'i. How should we handle it? I believe that we should: Protect the most important element to our daily lives. Clean up Red-Hill, hold military/Navy accountable for what they have done. Stop water deviations by corporations, especially when those deviations hurt communities and the natural environment around it. No one wants to surf in garbage. Having clean waves to enjoy and surf in will keep the beach goers and wave riders happy. Not to mention, can you imagine if no one wanted to surf our shores because of pollution? Officially declare water a human right and establish that it belongs to nature first and then to the people. Declare that loss of profit is not in any way a justification to privatize or lay claim to water. Establish that land owners still do not own the water that runs through their land, as all water travels through and they have no right to try to exact greed over it but instead have a responsibility to make sure that it is both clean and unpolluted after it leaves their land. Force major polluters to pay for water restoration and clean up. Have the end goal of having all clean waterways once again in Hawai’i. And this is just the beginning and by no means is a full and comprehensive list as each island has its own issues with water, They all need to be and will be addressed in a way that ends with clean water and access to it. Invasive Species To be Hawai'i, or not to be? The bottom line threat of invasive species boils down to this: do you want Hawai'i to be populated by native and indigenous plants and animals or do you want Hawai'i to turn into a clone of the mainland U.S. or various parts of Asia?
Plant ecosystems, animal and insect ecosystems, and our ocean ecosystems, are quite literally at stake. Did you know that 90% of Hawai'i's plants occur nowhere else? The reason why so many invasive species thrive here is because Hawai'i has the vast majority of the many different ecosystem types. On top of that, the plant species that evolved here do not have the self defense mechanisms that invasive species do. Why can't they defend themselves against predation, infestation and other types of attack? Simple, they evolved in an environment where there were little to no predators throughout the entire course of their evolution which negated the need for any defense mechanisms. As a result, our plants get out competed by aggressive, fast growing plants from elsewhere. There are many groups, outside of the state funded programs, that are working diligently and consistently to do their part to control the spread of invasive species or to eradicate them entirely. There are groups working both on the land and in the water on this issue. I believe that we must increase the funding for our invasive species programs. We must embark on more extensive educational campaigns as well as making more time to educate the public and tourists on their way in to visit Hawai'i. Having more eyes and ears that are trained to identify invasive species will only help the state of Hawai'i to control the problem. But, we must be very proactive in our fight.
I believe that with greater funding, awareness, education and coordination, we can effectively manage the invasive species and allow our endangered, native, and endemic species to thrive once again. Taxes The problems begin when those that have less are asked to pay more and those that have more pay a lot less.
The problems continue when your tax dollars are misspent. And what is worse is that there is little to no motivation to improve our tax system or to reform it so that it is more efficient, less wasteful, fair, but most importantly, that it is used to also empower the populace. How exactly? Read on to find out. Some sense and some out of the box thinking. Short and Sweet. There is very little political will in Hawai'i to do something about the tax rates in various areas. Why? Easy, political disagreements, ideological disagreements, corruption and pressure from corporations and the rich. Their philosophy for the most part has always been to socialize the costs to those below them and to privatize the gains all for themselves. Whenever that model is challenged, they rise against it. It is time we change that.
My views on what we need to do as a state are simple: Increase the taxes on the rich and wealthy.
Simplify the state tax system so that it is easier to navigate and understand for everyone.
Cut out needless administrative time and costs as well as doing away with any and all loopholes.
Create a state system so that state residents may file taxes free of cost. This will help in reducing the number of people that have to pay for services online or in person.
Relieve the tax burden on the poor and low income.
Change how we tax homes, home rentals, foreign own housing, non resident owned housing, Airbnb style rentals, and a whole lot more. The end goal is to refine that tax system so that it is simple, uncomplicated, and increases taxes on the rich, raises revenue for the state more efficiently, and relieves the tax burden on the poor and low income. We would also like to introduce a new idea to Hawai'i: choosing what your tax money goes to. We want to try a pilot program whereby once residents file their taxes, they can choose to allocate what state programs they want to fund in contrast to others. The first couple of years of the program would be for data gathering purposes and then a full program would be tested following the trial. But this is just one idea out of many that could work or should be tried here in Hawai'i if we are to truly change things for the better. Think about how empowering that would be and how that would affect how a state operates. Only by trying new ideas, evaluating the results and trying again, will we ever break out of the status quo when it comes to your tax dollars and what is done with them. Fishing Industry Use Your Boats to Fish or Something Else? Let me start by saying, I am not against fishing nor am I anti fisherman. I love to eat fish as a matter of fact. I used to love to fish with my grandfather. But what I am about now is taking care of the fish and the oceans and making sure that there is something there for our future generations to eat.
We need to let fish be fish, to thrive and multiply. We have let our greed take over what we consume. Before we used to fish for what we wanted to eat, now we fish to catch as much as we can to make as much money as we can. We have become corrupted and now we are having to square with paying the price of our greed and over consumption. It is an undeniable fact that the number of fish in the sea has been steadily declining for some years now. With bigger boats, larger nets, bigger fleets, and a growing demand, we have plundered the oceans bounty to the point where there are more garbage/polluting particulates in the oceans than there are fish for us to eat. Think about that. We have replaced fish with garbage.
There is plenty of literature out there to show that if we continue on our current path, before 2050, our oceans major ecosystems will likely collapse. I believe that it will likely happen well before that if we don't act now. The problem is that if there is any kind of a moratorium on fishing, immediately the fisheries are up in arms, and rightly so, as that is how they make a living. And for most, that is all they know. So the question becomes, how do we take the pressure off of our oceans ecosystems so that they may recover and regenerate for future use and still provide the fisheries a way to use their skills and equipment to earn a living? I have an idea that just might be able to address those issues: we create an international ocean clean up trust. What are the details? Stay tuned for that as we will reveal the full idea behind the plan once the election really kicks off.
Let's keep it real The sad truth is that there is all sorts of contamination in the oceans as it is. In the Pacific Ocean we are dealing with all kinds of garbage that is both inside the fish and other sea life like dolphins, whales, and turtles. And to make matters worse there is the addition of nuclear radiation from the Fukushima disaster in Japan. Radioactive water has been leaking into the Pacific Ocean for years now. It has spread to pretty much every corner of the Pacific and beyond. This matters because all of this and more is in our fish. Then we eat it without a thought just because we like or love the taste of fish. For others it's more a matter of tradition or a primary food source. I don't want you to live in ignorance of what is going on in our oceans. I want you to be informed so that we may act. The more we know the better armed we will be when it comes time to do something about these issues. And the time to act, is now. We have been kicking the can down the road for decades now, refusing to take responsibility for our pollution. And this is the whole world we are talking about here, not just Hawai'i. The worlds garbage and pollution infests the ocean all around us. Not a single state or country has stepped up to honestly do something about this astronomically enormous issue. No one person can solve it and no one state can fix it. Hawai'i being positioned where it is can not afford to ignore what is happening and we cannot fail to act. So this becomes a two fold issue: 1) the decline of our fisheries. 2) the pollution of the oceans and by extension, the contamination of our fisheries. It is up to you as to how we move forward. Join me and our campaign for Governor, and let's take charge of our future. Labor Human Workers Are Not Robots. Workers Are Not Slaves. Every group of workers here in Hawai'i has the right to unionize. It is through collective bargaining that workers can bargain for higher wages, better benefits, all so they can have a living wage and not have to struggle through life while employed full time. With that being said, it is the states job to ensure that it's citizens are protected, empowered, and uplifted. Ideally the state should be so responsive that the people should never have to unionize in order to ensure they are treated well and paid fairly. By extension one could argue that businesses and corporations should also have the consciousness of mind to pay their employees well and take care of them. But the truth is that historically, they don't. It always takes some kind of law and organizing to force them to behave and act in moral ways, kicking and screaming the whole way. Laborers are the backbone of our State and the machine which keeps our economy going. Without Laborers, our state would not be able to operate. Unions are there for the tool in which the laborers are organized to demand better paying wages and conditions in which they operate. You cannot separate the laborer from the Union, by doing so you put the laborer at the mercy of the Management or Master as it was known in old Hawaii. Not all people are in Unions and not all people agree with Unions but when it comes down to it, being in a Union does have its advantage. Unions are in place to protect workers, give them fair wages, and make the workplace safer.
The International Longshoremen and Ware-houseman's Union, the ILWU, unified the former Japanese and Filipino racial unions into Hawai‘i's biggest single union representing sugar, pineapple and long-shore workers across the island chain. In the seventies with the passage of the state's collective bargaining law for public employees, amongst the lowest paid and least secure workers whose employment and wages were generally at the mercy of political caprice, state and county, workers now had the right to bargain contracts and file grievances like their brothers and sisters in the private sector.
Today major corporations nowadays are raking in record profits. The kind of profits that could easily pay for living wages for their employees. On the other hand, many small businesses are struggling to get by for one reason or another. And yet, there are some small businesses that are doing really well and they still do not pay their employees a living wage. A whole separate issue is how more and more human beings are asked to operate, think like, and act like robots. What to do?
Laborers are productive and bring about economic gain.
Laborers are a people engaged in such activity, especially those working for wages.
Laborers are a people considered as a class.
We will support our Labores for better wages.
We shall insure more access to benefits.
We shall insure Job security through the Unions
We shall support the Unions to ensure that our workers jobs are not outsourced to third parties.
We shall support all our Unions in Hawaii that they may do justice for the workers.
We shall call upon for wages that are fair and the same as our peers in the states.
We shall see to it that all workers are paid fairly, regardless of race, sex, religion, and gender identification. With technology advancing and with greatly accelerated changes in the jobs of the future, it is very important that we have transitionary systems for workers whenever their traditional line of work is phased out or replaced. Job security does not have to mean that you require absolute security in your current job in perpetuity. Job security should be something that fills you with ease because you know that if your life changes for one reason or another, there will be systems there to help you transition into another line of work. In order to be more resilient in the face of all the issues we are facing we owe our workers the peace of mind they need in order to be happy while they are contributing to society.[3] |
” |
| —Friends of Ernest Caravalho[4] | ||
Campaign finance summary
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See also
2024 Elections
External links
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Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on July 10, 2024
- ↑ Hawaii.gov, "2016 Candidate List," June 7, 2016
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Ernest for Hawaii, "Issues," accessed March 19, 2018
