No candidate is perfect, and each brings to the table their own unique “world view”.

Rep. Della Belatti has come out strongly against government corruption, and in support of increased public participation in our government. Her background is humble and working class.

Her support base includes residents on every island who are at the moment, just trying to survive, pay their bills, and put food on the table. She also has a growing and positive reputation among citizen advocates committed to the support and defense of social justice, environmental protection, and the rights and needs of local working people.

The early and aggressive support of Mayor Kawakami by a SuperPac connected to Pacific Resource Partnership (PRP) demonstrates without question his core support among developers, contractors, bankers, and the big business elite of Hawai’i.

Yes, of course he’s also supported by regular working people, but both his individual campaign fundraising AND his SuperPac support is fueled almost exclusively by big money, big construction, and big development.

My start in policy and politics began on Kauaʻi with a fight to “save Makaleha Springs” some 30 years ago.

My world view was and remains grounded in environmental protection.

Without exaggeration, every year since then I’ve fought tooth and nail against big money and big development seeking to weaken environmental protections under the guise of “streamlining” the permitting process.

We each look at the same thing, but yet see entirely different things.

I look at HRS 343, Hawai’i’s EIS law and see a sacrosanct fundamental environmental protection.

The PRP’s of the world look at this law and see an “impediment to development” and are relentless in their efforts to eliminate this and similar environmental protections, and/or provide an endless array of exemptions.

Ditto to many other areas of our community.

Big business and big development will ALWAYS seek first and foremost to increase profits and limit government regulation. That’s how capitalism works.

Candidates will always work hard to deliver for their base of supporters. And the supporters count on that. After-all, that’s why they offer help, support, and money.

My vote in the Hawai‘i Lieutenant Governor’s race is going to Della Belatti.

Myself, and many others from across the islands are supporting her because we’re counting on her to deliver, and to be the person she says she is.

The same holds true for the PRP SuperPacs, and big money donors who’ve lined up to support Mayor Kawakami. They also are counting on him to come through for them.

Yes, I’m fully aware that as a Kauaʻi resident, voting for someone other than the hometown boy, Kauaʻi Mayor Derek Kawakami, will disappoint some of my friends and neighbors.

However, my own personal world view and core public policy values are much more aligned with Rep. Della Belatti’s than any other candidate in the Hawai’i Lieutenant Governor’s race.

So naturally, that’s where my vote will be going.