Kirk interviewed on Hawaii News Now Sunrise, outlines plans to increase affordable housing.

Feburary 25, 2022

Kirk Caldwell was recently interviewed by Hawaii News Now’s Grace Lee, where he shared his reasons for running for governor, chief among them the high cost of living and housing.

“Talking story with the people of Hawai‘i,” he said “It breaks my heart, hearing that they can’t find a home they can afford to rent or purchase, that they can’t find an income sufficient to buy food and pay the other necessities of life. And that they’re losing hope in the future.” Caldwell said he would make it possible for every person who wants to rent or purchase an affordable home, and he would build tens of thousands of additional units in the coming years on state land.

“We need to provide it to developers basically free…and then we build the infrastructure for the developer. And we negotiate with developers to build in the $400,000 range on O‘ahu, Maui and Kauai and in the $200,000 range on the Island of Hawai‘i.” He also outlined plans for expanding housing in already developed neighborhoods and relaxed zoning restrictions to allow more housing.

Kirk also answered questions about the Red Hill fuel tanks, Covid-19 restrictions, and the Thirty Meter Telescope.

You can view the entire interview here.