Rhoda Libre

Party: Nonpartisan

Age: 47

Job: Independent contractor for Smith's; business owner of GIQP and Cultural Activities DIrector at Point at Poipu.

Born in Hawai'i. In Hawaii from birth

Lives: Lihu'e

Contact: 808 645-1210, rhoda@hawaiilink.net

Web site: www.viphawaii.net/~rhoda

Job history past 10 years:
1993, current-performer for Smith's Tropical Paradise. 1992, Executive Director for Kaua'i Westside Watershed Council and GIQP-owner.

Ever run for public office? When? Outcome?
Yes. 2000, 2002, 2004; No success.

Other civic experience or community service:
State Marine and Coastal Zone Advisory Council, Kaua'i Solid Waste Advisory Council, Filipino Chamber of Commerce, Rotary, Kauai Invasive Species Com., GIRC&D, Hanapepe/Ele'ele Community Development.

Anything else you'd like voters to know about you?
First in the state for public access to Sex and Violent Offenders' Registry and Kaua'i Courtroom TV, Founder of Kaua'i Westside watershed council, Pioneered public TV with gov./community meetings.

1) Why are you running for office?
I'm running for office to give our community better options through information to make better decisions towards self-sustainability and prosperity. To help regional socio-economics, safety/security, senior/youth health and wellness, better development, infrastructure and environment, and higher education and research opportunities, and a government that lifts up and not grind down the community.

2) Should county government further boost tourism or invest in creating other types of jobs? Which jobs?
Diversity of jobs is important to adjust to the seasons of tourism and maintain a plateau of prosperity. Our people and their ability of self-reliance and resilience is foremost (i.e., diverse agriculture, community resources management. evolved island development/infrastructure, emergency preparedness, HI-techonology research,Senior/youth health,...) equation to the quality of island life.

3) Do you support the late Mayor Baptiste's tax reform plan?
Our late Mayor's Tax reform plan is not perfect but just so long that the community has the potential to help guide this into a better strategy instead of the "business-as-usual" force feeding bully-tactics. A step in the right direction is the begining of a better partnership in open government that is hospitable to our community of diversity.

4) How would you increase the availability of affordable housing?
Starting from the bottom so we can prevent further homelessness. No affordable housing is complete without the job training/opportunities and alternative utilities and energy strategies as well as the pono infrastructure available. Their ability to "feed themselves" and sustain and progress their development is primal. Outside from that, solutions would be half-baked.

5) Would you support a ban on new gated communities and a moratorium on residential subdivision of agricultural land?
i can't support the furtherance of current gated communities because it separates our island community in more ways than one. Agricultural land for small farmers is island life but to place metropolitan or any detriment would and has ruined many commmunities. We should look at the manner of subdivisions on ag land if it is beneficial to the environment and regional community. I'm pro-development

6) Should Kaua'i consider a waste-to-energy plant to dispose of trash?
Cost effectiveness- Immediate grass-roots recycling/reuse and the adjustments of people's habits toward wiser decisions in their waste-making should be approached (holistic management) then we can see if we have to resort to adding more volatility to surroundings with burning. There are successful plants throughout the world but is our island worth putting it in harm's way? We need to progress.

7) What is the No. 1 quality-of-life issue facing Kaua'i County, and what would you do about it?
Silent water wars and the integrity of our environment (including its inhabitants). The culture of Kaua'i is dependent upon e malama i na wai (ocean and fresh waters) as well as all industries. We must not cut off our noses to spite our face. Our people of Aloha is the soul of our island and not just the economic engine. Self-sustainability is vital to the quality of life in all aspsects.

8) What's the No. 1 initiative you would pursue in 2009?
Stimulating community resources management that will enrich the local communities with opportunities to supply the needs of our own region. That's Banning plastic bags in the kona district of Kaua'i, Recycling/reuse, and alternative energy centers should be regional standard that needs compliance for evolving our society. Action Education is foremost in any resolution to complexed island problems.