I dream of making Hawaii a global economic power in technology, biotechnology, science, e-commerce, film, digital media, and alternative energy, which will benefit everyone. Businesses will be able to expand and diversify. With more businesses around, entrepreneurs will have a lot of fun creating new services and products. Skilled workers will be able to find jobs in Hawaii instead of leaving for the mainland United States. Labor will have more jobs in service, transporting goods, and building and maintaining infrastructure. With more money coming into Hawaii, more revenues will be collected by the state. As a result, social and community programs combatting drugs, domestic violence, sexual assault, and crime will be positively impacted. The knowledge-based economy will be a wonderful addition to our tourism, military, and agriculture industries. This dream inspires me to keep working hard step by step. If island nations such as Japan and Taiwan can do it, so can Hawaii!
In addition, I want to see Hawaii with a comprehensive recycling program where everyone partcipates. Every government building, transportation facility, college, private business, home, townhouse community trash location, and apartment building will have containers for “bottles and cans,” “burnables,” and “others.” I will look to see if Hawaii can have a state-of-the-art facility to turn trash into re-usable material and convert processing energy into electricity. Technology will play a key role in recycling.
In regards to education, I want to have science, technology, art, and business programs emphasized in public schools. We need to begin training our children to be innovative and creative from an early age. Parents’ participation in their children’s education will be crucial.
I would like to see a modern mass transit system on Oahu that blends nicely with our city and environment. This system will stop at major locations throughout the island.
I hope a strong economy and education, and increased parental involvement in their children’s lives will have a direct correlation in reducing crime? If so, that would top off my dream.
JON RIKI KARAMATSU 