Issues & Priorities

I am dedicated to ensuring our community remains safe, cared for and resilient by supporting and advocating for the following:

  • Kūpuna: Protect the safety and well-being of our elders every day.

Bingo nights at the YMCA where everyone has fun!

  • Keiki: Support healthy and active lifestyles by ensuring our children are nourished, educated, and cared for.
YMCA Statewide advocacy days at the Hawai’i State Capitol to advocate for programs that strengthen families.
  • County Roads: Maintain safe roads — fill potholes, repair guardrails, and keep our roadways clean and free from debris.
  • Homelessness: Empower individuals to regain stability and independence, strengthen families, and keep Hawai‘i’s children safe and sheltered. Wendy also advocates exploring brain health initiatives to support those affected by homelessness.
  • Drug Awareness & Rehabilitation: Provide our community with tools, resources, and opportunities for effective rehabilitation, prevention, and recovery.
Non-profits provide services that government is unable to
– I appreciate the services of Kumukahi Health & Wellness.
  • Employment: Expand local job opportunities by creating job fairs and internship programs for high school and college students in partnership with local businesses and educational institutions.
2026 Employment Fair at Prince Kuhio Plaza
  • Healthy Living:  Everyone in our community deserves healthy living opportunities, from safe places to walk and play to access to fresh, local food.  I will champion more parks, trails and recreational programs, especially for keiki and kupuna, and support local farmers and markets so healthy food is within reach for every family.  Together, we can build a cleaner, safer environment that supports physical, mental, and cultural wellbeing for all.
My staff and I show support to our members who have adopted healthy living lifestyles at the YMCA.

Communication

Wendy believes strong leadership starts with open, two-way communication.

  • Community Engagement: I will host regular in-person community neighborhood meetings to listen, learn, and share ideas directly with residents.
Denim Day at the YMCA is an annual day that we’ve spearheaded for the past 5 years. Community comes out to support sexual assault/violence awareness by wearing denim in this global day of recognition.
I believe in bringing people together to make connections, solve issues and build a community.
Keeping connections with our elected officials are important to me.
  • Updates: I will provide monthly bulletin updates.
  • Transparency: I will provide monthly bulletin updates.

Homes Regular Families Can Afford

  • I will support more rental homes with income-based rents for working families.
  • I will advocate support for first-time homebuyers.
  • I will support incentives or zoning changes to allow townhomes, duplexes, and small apartments near jobs.
  • Protect kupuna: support property tax relief and help with repairs so kupuna can age in place safely instead of being forced to sell or move.
  • I support creating rentals and starter homes that match what our kupuna on fixed incomes and our working families actually earn, not just building for off-island investors.
  • I strongly support our local building construction industry.
  • I support local homes, local families, local future.
District 2 has many multi-generational families – long-time family friends!

I have advocated at the State Legislature to support funding for community projects in Hilo.

I visit Capitol Hill and meet with the Hawai’i Delegation to advocate support to improve community projects and support in Hilo.

I participate in domestic violence awareness events at the State Capitol along with the Hawai’i State Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
Scroll to Top