How do you support local businesses?
As the Director of Design & Construction Management for Howard Hughes, my role is to help fulfill the vision for Ward Village as a diverse, inclusive, sustainable community in the heart of Honolulu.

A few of the ways we support local businesses include integrating local vendors and suppliers throughout the construction and development process whenever possible, creating infrastructure and commercial spaces for lease to new local businesses, and tying each development milestone to charitable gifts to local nonprofits. Personally, I also volunteer at the Kaka‘ako Farmers Market, assisting small, local businesses that offer unique products made in Hawai‘i.

How do you give back to your community?
Giving back to our community is important to all of us at Ward Village. Since the neighborhood’s inception, Ward Village has pledged over $3.7 million to organizations that focus on community, culture, education, and the environment. We have also pledged gifts that align with future development milestones in the neighborhood, such as groundbreaking and topping off.

Currently, I volunteer extensively with Honolulu Habitat for Humanity, where I serve on the board and co-chair for their Wahine Build initiative. By creating opportunities for women to take a more active role in the construction of homes, the Wahine Build initiative not only helps provide affordable housing but also fosters a supportive community where women can develop valuable skills and gain confidence.

I have also volunteered with HomeAid Hawaiʻi, supporting their efforts to create safe and dignified housing for those experiencing homelessness, and the Fur Angel Foundation, rescuing and finding suitable homes for dogs.

How can we better support local businesses and entrepreneurs?
To better support local businesses and entrepreneurs, it’s crucial to create opportunities for them within large-scale developments like those at Ward Village. I feel it’s imperative to design spaces that are adaptable and can accommodate a variety of business types, but also important to create spaces that foster networking and collaboration among the local businesses and consumers. We should all continue to implement sustainable building practices that appeal to environmentally conscious businesses and encourage businesses/consumers to source products and services locally.

What is the biggest challenge you see in Hawaii? How do you think it can be fixed?
One of the biggest challenges is housing. Collaboration among the public sector, private sector, and the non-profit sector is vital in making sure, together, we have the investments going into the projects that have the biggest impact on the residents of Hawai‘i.  Encouraging mixed use developments and zoning reforms, along with assistance in securing the right investments that continue to strengthen Hawai‘i, could aid significantly in the housing effort. I’m focused on building housing because that’s where I feel I can make the biggest impact.

Ward Village is making massive investments within our community and for our community, by creating a diverse housing inventory, creating opportunities for local businesses through commercial spaces, parks, and open spaces that encourage wellness, and giving back to local non-profits helping to move our community forward. I’m thankful to be a part of it all!

What resources or programs do you feel are missing in our community?
Along with resources that assist with creating more housing options to accommodate locals and our growing population, I would love to see more resources and investments in solar, wind, and other renewable energy sources which could ultimately reduce Hawai‘i’s dependence on imported fuels and overall support a more sustainable community.