Civil Beat has asked candidates for the Hawaiʻi elections to answer a survey about where they stand on various issues and what their priorities will be if elected.

The following comes from Ashley Awakea Lindsey, nonpartisan candidate for Maui County Council, Wailuku-Waiheʻe-Waikapū District.

Her opponents in the Aug. 8 primary election are James Forrest, Randy Konohia, Alan Lloyd and Marvin Moniz.

Go to Civil Beat’s 2026 Elections Guide for general information, and check out the other candidates on Civil Beatʻs 2026 Hawaiʻi Primary Ballot.

Why are you best suited for the job of council member, and why do you want the job?

I am a mother, an involved community member and I genuinely care about Maui’s future. I’ve made hard decisions on planning, housing, development and land use that have directly affected our community, served on the Maui Planning Commission, the Maui Redevelopment Agency, Maui Historical Society board, a Ka Ipu Kukui Cohort Member and a Partners for Democracy cohort V member. I am a Native Hawaiian kamaʻāina who knows our community and the issues that face Maui.

What is the biggest issue facing Maui County, and what is the first thing you would do to address it in the first six months after being elected?

Jobs. There are too many open positions because none pay enough for the cost of living, and while housing and other other costs keep going up, pay rates don’t keep pace. We can take a hard look at how housing and cost-of-living policies interact with state pay rates, and build a countywide plan that accounts for the gap then identify how to quickly make the greatest impact in local jobs and local housing.

Here’s one question from a constituent: What is your position on upcountry speed humps? Would you remove them? Why or why not?

It’s too early to say. As I understand, they were installed for traffic and speed safety, and we’ve had one traffic fatality since compared to seven at this time last year. We don’t have enough data yet to know whether to remove or replace them.

The county now has a law on the books to effectively phase out several thousand vacation rentals in apartment-zoned districts starting in 2029. The companion measure to grandfather in more than half of those properties has since been rejected by all three planning commissions. What would you do as a council member about this?

The current council has already overruled the three planning commissions.

Hawai‘i has a long-stated goal of growing more of its own food. What would you do to further that effort toward increased food sustainability?

This has been a decade-long passion project of mine through Project Locavore and the Eat Local Maui challenge. The challenge is about learning the gaps in our local food system, sourcing local Hawaiʻi ingredients, and building community — all major components of increased food sustainability. The Maui County Department of Agriculature has already put together the Maui County Food and Nutrition Security Plan, a robust plan that lays out objectives, actions and cites community partners.

The county has been moving forward with plans to bring much more of Maui’s water supply under public ownership instead of private. What steps would you take to get a better handle on Maui’s water future?

Hawaiʻi’s water is a public trust. The ownership we are talking about is actually the delivery system. I plan to work with the various departments, community members, to repair, replace and create more efficient, sustainable water delivery systems — starting with an honest assessment of where the current infrastructure is failing and where capital investment is needed most.

Overtourism can degrade the environment, contribute to wear and tear on infrastructure, generate traffic and disrupt neighborhoods. How well is Maui managing the tourism industry that drives its economy? What would you do differently?

I would encourage proper district use and keep tourism to the places that have the necessary infrastructure. As a Maui planning commissioner I voted in favor of Bill 9, which — in addition to creating local housing — continues to keep tourists in areas of the island with stronger infrastructure in place.

What should Maui County do to get in front of climate change rather than just reacting and adapting to it?

We should take a look at the infrastructure and work with the various departments that have great minds to find solutions. For now, it’s my understanding that the county isn’t equipped to undo 150 years of adapting to climate change. Our people have been learning through observation for generations. Now climate change is accelerating and we need to keep up.

Maui has been targeted for enforcement by ICE agents. What will be the position of your office to requests for more cooperation between county law enforcement and federal authorities?

My position is the foundational hawaiian value of Aloha. Anything but aloha will not be tolerated.

The $1.6 billion federal Community Block Development Grant is the largest disaster loan in U.S. history, but it falls far short of the estimates for recovery from the 2023 wildfires. What would you do to make those dollars count?

In the immediate aftermath, the community’s reaction was, understandably, a trauma response. I would work to create a committee to check in with community members, stakeholders and fire survivors — meeting people where they are in the days, weeks and months after a disaster like this. That’s exactly what we did when I worked with Maui Rapid Response and helped organize Kīpuka Maui, meeting community members and fire survivors where they were.

The cost of living on Maui continues to remain high. How can county government help working and middle-class people buy homes, pay rent or otherwise afford to live and work on the island?

It’s my understanding that the cost and inventory of housing is trending downward. County government can help through better enforcement and education around renters’ rights and enforcement against price gouging. In addition, we can create legislation and support around paying our residents wages that can keep local people here.

What is your assessment of programs combating invasive species in Maui Nui and what other measures would you advocate for you in office?

So many of our local nonprofits have been working tirelessly combating invasive species and are doing a great job. Unfortunately, federal funding cuts have had a huge impact on them, and Maui County should be better equipped to combat invasive species. The county should work with the state entities to manage invasive ungulates for on-island consumption or uses, creating job opportunities and value-added products like venison and firewood.