Full Name: Mason Kamalani Chock Sr.

Name on Ballot: Mason K. Chock Sr.

Age: 45

District: Kauai County

Email Address: mason4kauai@gmail.com

Current Job: Kauai County Council member

Place of birth: Lihue

Campaign website: mason4kauai.org

Job history past 10 years:

Kupu A‘e Leadership Development, president

Kauai Team Challenge Inc., president

Leadership Kauai, executive director

Kauai Fire Department, rescue specialist

Ever run for public office? If so, when? Outcome?

Yes, I will be completing my first County Council term this December. I was first appointed in November 2013 and then ran successfully for office in 2014.

Other civic experience or community service?

County of Kauai, Drug Prevention Coalition, past co-chairman

Kamehameha Schools Association of Kauai, director

Kamehameha Schools Alumni Association of Kauai, vice president

Kauai Planning and Action Alliance, director

Kauai Workforce Investment Board, youth council member

Filipino Chamber of Commerce, member

Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce, member

Association of Experiential Education, member

Leadership Kauai, vice president

Hoouluwehi Sustainability Advisory Council, KCC, member

American Heart Association , first aid and CPR instructor

Kaua‘i Fire Department Relief Fund, board director

Kanu I Ka Pono Charter School, board director, founding board member

Fatherhood Coalition, founding member

Keiki To Career Kauai, Leadership Council

Anaina Hou, Cultural Advisor

Certified Master Facilitators of The Leadership Challenge

Association of Challenge Course Technology, member

Malama Huleia, Steering Committee member

Kauai Education Leadership Alliance member

Kauai Area Complex Ho‘okele Council member

Anything else you’d like voters to know about you?

I have a vision of our island being an example to the rest of the world on how to achieve our desired lifestyle while living in balance with our environment. I see opportunities to make shifts in how we lead and I want to work on positively affecting our system.

What makes you qualified to be a Council member?

With over 17 years of community service prior to my last three years serving on Council, I contribute a reasonable voice that seeks to bring people together rather than segregate, without compromising my beliefs. My background in leadership development along with my values provide a clear vision for the future.

What is your one big idea?

I have an interest in preserving and protecting our most precious resource, water. Fair and equal access as well as preservation of our waterways are a priority for future generations. I intend to work with community at identifying our most significant areas and provide protective overlays preserving its integrity.

What steps can the Council take to reduce the county’s backlog of road repairs?

Since the GET was not passed, we must continue to increase efficiency in operations, save money where possible and deter waste, so that additional money can be attributed to our road needs. I have been researching ways to increase transient revenue, but realization of our full TAT would be helpful.

The Kekaha Landfill has about 10 years of life left. What alternative waste disposal methods should the county take up?

In addition to solidifying a new landfill site, we need to follow our Solid Waste Plan and establish the implementation of our MRF, curbside recycling, composting operations and business recycling ordinance. Education is at the heart of alternative waste disposal and we need to identify funding to support this outreach.

What should the county do to help house the homeless on Kauai?

The county supported KEO to expand its services in addressing homeless needs, this needs to be implemented. The faith-based organizations have agreed to assist with homeless needs, but the county needs to work at establishing housing and support services at these locations. We need the Housing First program here.