According to the U.S Census Bureau, as of 2017, 13,537 people have left Hawaii for the mainland because of the dramatic changes to their living conditions. Our island home is slowly becoming a distant, unattainable dream. Each year that we wait, each time we settle for incompetency, we are losing precious hope in the future. State Rep. Andria Tupola is determined to make vital changes to the living conditions of the local people in Hawaii by focusing on housing, education and employment.

Homelessness is pervasive in Hawaii. We consistently have the top homelessness rate in the nation. The Ige administration has attempted a central, top-down strategy that has failed to address the needs of the homeless community. Tupola understands that homelessness is a different issue in every community — the needs of the homeless in Waianae are vastly different than the needs of those on Maui. By bringing in regional experts who know their areas better than any governor ever could, Tupola would address the specific needs of each community.

Additionally, she aims to decrease the cost of living by supporting local developers and increasing access to Hawaiian Home Lands. Her solution to increase reporting of trust land management, maximize funding from federal grants, and improve financial literacy education will bring the much-needed change that is sought by Hawaii families.

Education and sufficient funding are imperative because together they allow people to obtain the life skills and knowledge necessary to become successful citizens. However, the Department of Education reported that public schools receive $12,855 per pupil and charter schools receive $7,323 per pupil. Unfair distribution of funding affects Hawaii youth, as they are forced to learn in settings not only unsuitable for learning but downright dangerous.

Teachers are responsible for students’ success, yet the current administration has continued to mistreat them. It is no coincidence that the Hawaii State Teachers Association has felt it necessary to push for a constitutional amendment in order to secure their proper funding; the current government has failed them. Many teachers are moving out of the state because their salary is not suitable with the cost of living. The Ige administration has proved that it cannot be trusted to support our teachers.

Tupola strives to secure equal funding for public schools, support teachers more effectively, and properly assess resources and facilities. She introduced House Bill 1369, a measure that would create a council composed of educators to give input on policy, and HB 2621, which increased education funding for local universities.

Lastly, Hawaii has a low unemployment rate, but problems hide below the surface. Forbes ranked Hawaii as the worst state to start a new business. In addition, Hawaii lacks business resources and is limited to capital grants and local partnerships. Small businesses serve as a means for local families to achieve financial safety, yet the Ige administration has created an environment toxic to those who wish to contribute to the economy.

Tupola intends to decrease the corporate tax rate, increase opportunities for grants and local partnerships in order to aid startup businesses, and identify employment gaps to allow local businesses to remain in Hawaii. Ige has attacked these plans for favoring developers, but he fails to realize that these changes support small business owners as well.

Andria Tupola has been our state House district representative for the past four years. From leading community cleanups to painting lockers, we are personal witnesses of the immense impact and change that she has done in our community alone. Her campaign will decide whether Hawaii will always be a home for the local people to stay.

Evan Gates and Kana’i Kapele are students at Kamehameha Schools Kapalama, Class of 2019.