Kirk Caldwell in 2022 HI Governor's race

On Environment: Banned single-use plastic items; reduced landfill waste

Kirk's team has made huge strides to make Honolulu a greener city, including bans on single-use plastic items, reducing landfill waste, making H-Power the Oahu's largest provider of renewable energy, installing energy-saving street lighting, and planting tens of thousands of trees. The City acquired miles of shoreline in Kahuku to protect coastal sand dunes. His administration sued to hold major oil companies accountable for climate change impacts that threaten O'ahu. Source: 2022 Hawaii Gubernatorial campaign website KirkCaldwell.com Apr 11, 2022

On Government Reform: We have to reduce taxes, bureaucracy, and over-regulation

Government is not an entrepreneur. It can't start and grow new businesses. But we can do a dramatically better job to foster and attract them. Hawai'i has some of the highest income tax brackets in the US and difficult regulatory burdens. We're at an all-time low in business rankings. We must make our state a better place for innovators and entrepreneurs to do business. If we want to attract more industries and jobs beyond tourism, we have to reduce taxes, bureaucracy, and over-regulation. Source: 2022 Hawaii Gubernatorial campaign website KirkCaldwell.com Apr 11, 2022

On Budget & Economy: As largest landowner, state is key to building new housing

The cost to purchase or rent a home in our state has grown beyond the ability of too many local people. We must encourage more rentals, which I began as mayor, but that's just a part of the solution. We need to build more homes--single family, townhomes, and condos--in areas where our working families live and need them. And as the largest landowner on every island, the state holds a critical key to make this happen. Source: 2022 Hawaii Gubernatorial campaign website KirkCaldwell.org Feb 11, 2022

On Energy & Oil: Strongly support 100% renewable energy by 2045

There is no other state in the country more vulnerable to climate change than Hawai'i. And there are no ecosystems more threatened than those in Hawai'i, especially when you consider the vast ocean environments surrounding us. I have always strongly supported Governor Ige's aggressive goals of 100% renewable energy by 2045, and believe we also need such a commitment to other areas of our environment and preparation for climate change. Source: 2022 Hawaii Gubernatorial campaign website KirkCaldwell.org Feb 11, 2022

On Health Care: Invest much more in mental health, drug treatment programs

The roots of homelessness lie in housing affordability, mental health, and substance abuse. There are no fast or easy answers to any of those. We must invest more, much more, in community mental health and drug treatment programs. Although we may never eliminate homelessness in a free society such as ours, we need leadership to make homelessness rare, brief, and nonrecurring. Source: 2022 Hawaii Gubernatorial campaign website KirkCaldwell.org Feb 11, 2022

On Tax Reform: We have to reduce taxes to attract businesses and jobs

On Crime: Refuses to answer questions about indicted ex-city officials

Caldwell and his attorney repeatedly have declined to respond to questions about whether he was aware that his appointees allegedly intended to evade the city council to issue the payment and whether he in any way directed them to do so. He also has not answered questions about whether he has received a subject or target letter from the FBI nor whether he has been questioned by the feds in this case before a grand jury or otherwise. Source: Honolulu Civil Beat on 2022 Hawaii Gubernatorial race Feb 4, 2022

On Civil Rights: Stand in solidarity with Black community for social justice

[As mayor of Honolulu]: "It is important that our City sends a clear signal that we stand in solidarity with the Black community as we all work together for social justice," said Mayor Caldwell. "But it's also important that we celebrate and lift up the contributions and achievements of Black people in Hawai'i from the time of the Hawaiian Kingdom to today. Recognizing Juneteenth is a way to do both and I'm proud of the way our community has come together and grown stronger in the face of injustice. Source: KHON TV-2 on 2022 Hawaii Gubernatorial race Jun 18, 2020

On Civil Rights: We celebrate diversity and inclusion no matter who we love

Caldwell said that Honolulu Hale will be illuminated in rainbow colors in recognition of Pride Month. "On the 50-year anniversary of the Stonewall riots, Honolulu is once again proud to light Honolulu Hale in celebration of Pride Month," Caldwell said in a press release. "The journey is not over, the march goes on, but we in Honolulu celebrate diversity and inclusion no matter who we love, our chosen gender, and whether we worship a creator." Source: Honolulu Civil Beat on 2022 Hawaii Gubernatorial race Jun 24, 2019

On Immigration: Not a sanctuary city, but protected undocumented immigrants

A report shows a huge increase in arrests of undocumented immigrants since President Trump took office, but some cities are refusing to help with the federal crackdown. Honolulu is not one of these so-called 'sanctuary cities,' but it is close. "We're doing everything that is requested by a sanctuary city status without actually declaring that we're one. And I think it's all in the actions and not just the words," Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell said. Source: Hawaii News Now on 2022 Hawaii Gubernatorial race May 18, 2017

The above quotations are from 2022 Hawaii Gubernatorial race: debates and news coverage. Click here for other excerpts from 2022 Hawaii Gubernatorial race: debates and news coverage. Click here for other excerpts by Kirk Caldwell. Click here for other excerpts by other Governors.
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Page last updated: Sep 22, 2022