Dear friends,

I will be running for re-election to the County Council.

It’s a privilege to serve, and I love this work, the demands and frustrations notwithstanding. I want to contribute my experience and know-how from 20 years in government as mayor and as a councilmember. It also gives me great joy to work with you, the community, and with a committed team of elected and appointed leaders in solving problems and creating opportunities.

I have been able to do my work only because of supporters like you--thank you so much for your past support!

As you know, we are blessed to live on Kaua`i. The things we enjoy and love about Kaua`i are due to the many acts of hard work, sacrifice, talent and foresight of those who went before us. It’s our job now to improve the present and prepare for our grandchildren’s future.

In the past, starting the Sunshine Markets (1978) and the Kauai Bus (1990) and acquiring lands to expand Poipu Beach Park (1991), the Ninini Coastline (2008) and Blackpot Beach Park (2010) were ways of preparing for the future. In the next term, these would be my priorities.

1. Getting off of Oil by reducing energy waste and inefficiencies, developing cost-effective renewable energy, expanding the Kauai Bus and creating walkable and bikeable communities.
2. Achieving Zero Waste by diverting waste from our landfill and setting up systems that make it easy to reduce, re-use and recycle.
3. Providing Permanently Affordable Housing for our young families, singles and seniors.
4. Protecting and Wisely Using our Agricultural Lands and Water, providing training for new farmers and developing processing and value-added products.
5. Taking Care of Our Parks, and Building Needed Priority Facilities, including a large performance arena for sporting events and performing arts.
6. Planning with Foresight and Courage.
7. Educating Our Children Well, Keeping Them Off Drugs
8. Adhering to the Highest Standards of Service in County Government
9. Creating Jobs and Diversifying the Economy—doing all of the above in a pono way will create many jobs.

I will need your support to do this work—first, to get re-elected and then to do the work. Campaigns require money and kokua. I would be most grateful for your help. Please click here and contribute. Contributions can also be mailed to JoAnn Yukimura’s Many Friends, P. O. Box 187, Lihu`e, HI 96766.

Campaign time is a time for re-connecting with old friends and making new friends. . . a time to discuss what we care about most. . . and a time for me to listen and learn. It’s also about having fun.

For starters, please join me for a campaign kick-off at Nani Moon Mead in the Yasuda Center in Kapa`a next week Thursday, March 22 from 5-7 p.m. Come taste some locally made mead and pupus (non-alcoholic drinks also available) while enjoying lively political (and non-political) discussions.

Thank you, again, for your support.

With warmest aloha,

A privilege

Former Mayor and Councilmember JoAnn Yukimura signed out nomination papers for a seat on the council. Taking this action last Friday, she signaled her intention to run for the County Council in the primary and general elections that will be held this fall.

My heart has always been at the local level,” Yukimura said in a news release. “Over the years, I’ve been invited to run for lieutenant governor, the state House and Senate and even Congress, but I prefer the level closest to the people.

“What I love best is listening to concerns and working with others to address our problems and create new opportunities on Kaua‘i,” she said. “I also feel that the policies established at the county level are pivotal. It is our island plans for energy, land use, solid waste and drug prevention and how well we implement them at the local level that makes the biggest difference.

My Vision

My vision: a community living aloha, co-creating its future with love and unity.

My values: integrity, excellence, respect, compassion, humility, faith in community, good planning, inclusiveness, sustainability, continuous self-education & learning.

Guiding principles: aloha, it's Kaua`i's spirit. “Ua mau ke ea o ka`aina i ka pono” (the life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness).

Mission: to help make Kaua`i a sustainable, healthy, and prosperous island community living aloha.

Goals

• Planning: Support and work for a highly professional, visionary, effective and knowledgeable Planning Department that provides leadership and support to an island community committed to good planning.
• Energy: Advocate, legislate, and facilitate energy conservation and the production of affordable, efficient, clean and renewable energy.
• Affordable Housing: Adopt a well researched and structured affordable housing inclusionary zoning law which ensures, over time, an inventory of housing that is sturdy, attractive, energy efficient and permanently affordable.
• Traffic/Transportation: Work with community, County and DOT to develop a multi-modal land transportation plan that will provide sustainable, affordable, effective and convenient mobility for the people of Kaua`i.
• Public Education: Work for schools of excellence, a strong foundation for our community
• Solid Waste: Monitor and contribute to the ongoing update of the County's Solid Waste Management Plan to ensure a sustainable and environmentally and fiscally sound plan.
• Sustainability: Vigorously promote Sustainability Education and the application of sustainability principles in all aspects of life on Kaua`i.