Candidate Survey Response:Gabby Macaraeg (R)

Gabby Macaraeg (R)

Running for State Senator, District 7 

1. What are your priority goals for Molokai if elected? 

My goals are health care, especially for the kupuna, dependable and reliable inter-island transportation, lowering the cost of living, and higher education that establishes high paying jobs.

2. How would you address the transportation issues that have frustrated Molokai residents in recent years? 

I would follow up with the current pilot program proposal pertaining to ferry transportation from Molokai to Maui. There should be consistent updates from start to finish with the project. With technology today, the ferry should be able to provide high quality resources such as equipment, services and good paying jobs for locals. 

Ferry funding should be eligible under the Federal Aid Highway Funding Act, as the ferry operates to provide residents the ability to travel for work and commerce. We need that option being that airlines are unreliable.

I would revisit the market for additional airlines to provide flights for Molokai. The state or the county should promote more benefits for companies who are able to provide flight services to Molokai. This can create a market for competitive flight prices, allowing the residents of Molokai to save on expenses during emergencies when flights are needed.  

We need to discuss other avenues such as Maui County taking more operational responsibilities and providing services whether an airline or ferry.   

3. How would you help Molokai families who are struggling with the high cost of living?

I would create a team to go through existing housing programs such as Hawaiian Homestead, Section 8, and government financial resource programs. The team would investigate the current housing assistance program and implement an audit that identifies issues that hinder Molokai ohana from receiving benefits. These issues will need to be reviewed with the community, collaborating on ideas that can solve the issue.

I would have programs, support, and resources for all residents towards successful financial independence. The support should be towards businesses, education, and community resources that assist with living expenses.

Likewise, I would implement county projects that lower the cost of living. For example, providing more resources to farmers to lower their financial operation obligations. We can literally provide mulch for crops and related incentives to local businesses. 

We can implement higher education to move towards sustainability resources for Molokai. There should be multiple resources and avenues for Molokai residents to receive education and/or job training. 

Currently, Hawaii does not have rent control laws like some other states, so landlords have broad authority to set rental rates. We need to pass a bill that sharply slows rent growth. There should be a rental cap where rent will not increase at a certain percentage for locals. As a former renter, I know many other locals who are renting and have experienced massively high rent inflation within the last few years.

In Hawaii, the tax burden is disproportionately placed on the poor and working middle class. The residents get hit hard by the state income and general excise tax (GET), yet often don’t own a home and deal with high rent. GET has been rated as the most regressive tax in the nation by more than one study. We shouldn’t be taxed for groceries. We shouldn’t be taxed for medical appointments, procedures, or medication.

Learn more at gabbymacaraeg.com.