I moved to Kona nearly 10 years after living in Thailand for 14 years. I grew up in a suburb of Los Angeles. I am half Mexican, mother was from East Los Angeles, and my father who raised me, was Mexican. They met in graduate school at UCLA and both worked as social workers. From an early age, I learned the importance of hard work, education, and, most importantly, integrity.

I moved to Thailand by myself, with an English teaching certificate from UCLA, a backpack, one-way ticket to Bangkok and the determination to see if I could successfully live in a foreign country, I intended to stay 6 months but that turned into 14 years.

I met my husband there, Brent Madison, and we just celebrated 11 years of marriage. He was a missionary kid and was born in Hong Kong and grew up there and in the Philippines.

We decided to move to Hawaii after being in Thailand for our third military coup.

Community:
- Board member of the Hawaii Fishing and Boating Association, present

- Board member of the Hawaii Big Game Fishing Club, past

- HIBT, Hawaii Big Game Fishing Club, volunteer

- Kona Kohala Chamber of Commerce, member, past

Professional Experience:

- I worked for the West Hawaii Small Business Development Center as an assistant to the director.

- I own a small business that sells locally made offshore fishing lures worldwide. I have had this since 2018
- I also manage operations for my husband’s real estate photography business and his knife sharpening service.

- My husband and I have a small hosted Airbnb in our home that we use to welcome travelers when we do not have friends or family visiting.

Professional Experience in Thailand:

I had the privilege of being a public relations manager for a beautiful boutique hotel in Phuket, owned by a member of the Thai royal family.

I also founded Thailand’s first online health food store in English, which due to its success I sold before moving here.

Prior to that I spent three years as a SCUBA dive instructor/divemaster on liveaboard diving boats (overnight dive boat trips for tourists) in Thailand and Indonesia.

Before leaving the mainland, I worked as a background investigator, an ESL teacher, and for a non-profit.

Education

- I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from California State University, Los Angeles

- I am currently enrolled in paralegal studies at the University of Hawaii, Kapiolani Community College.

Because the voice of the people is not being represented at our state capital! I decided to run to be bring back that voice and to focus only on what matters here and now. It’s time to stop government over-reach and over-spending on legislation that does not reflect Hawai’s issues.

I am driven by a profound sense of justice and a genuine commitment to our community. My goal is to find solutions that ensure working families thrive, rather than merely learning to get by with less
I am tenacious. I am passionate and committed to improving the issues that need to be addressed now, not in 2045. I believe my values align with the majority of my fellow citizens in district 6.

When I learned that my House Representative, for District 6, was running unopposed I decided to run.

Our political system is based on having choices and I thought no one should just be handed the privilege of representing their constituents. It must be earned.

I have been closely following many of the bills passing through the legislature and am shocked and disappointed to see that the voices of the people are not being honored. The urgent needs and concerns of Hawai'i’s citizens are being overshadowed by the influence of lobbyists representing big businesses, national special interest groups, and global agendas.

Despite the fact that testimony from those opposing or supporting a bill often outnumbers that from special interest groups and government organizations, legislators frequently ignore it. This happens repeatedly.

While I acknowledge that some good legislation was passed this session, it should not come at the expense of the community's best interests, safety and budget.

An example is House Bill 2724 (HB2724), which proposed developing a correctional facility next to Honokohau Harbor in Kailua Kona, less than 3 miles from Kealakehe High School. This is completely unacceptable.

I am a small business owner, a concerned neighbor, involved in the local fishing community through my business, and do not have any outside influences or conflicts of interest. I am running because I will always remember I am a representative of the people and beholden to no one else.

If I am elected I will be a tireless advocate for those in my district. I pledge to communicate honestly, and frequently because we all deserve a representative who listens, shares your beliefs, and voices your concerns.

The lack of attainable home ownership and rental homes is the root of so many issues in Hawai’i. This shortage impacts families, making it difficult for them to stay together and thrive, not just get by. On my street alone, one mainland owner has four homes she uses as short-term rentals. This trend must change to prioritize Hawai’i residents rather than mainland owners. State and county efforts have been inadequate while Hawai’i homeowners hesitate to offer long-term rentals, fearing difficulties in evicting non-paying tenants. The Hawai’i Landlord-Tenant Code (HRS 521) needs updating to provide better legal protection for landlords.

Businesses also struggle as potential employees have nowhere to live. This housing shortage particularly affects healthcare and agriculture. Hospitals rely on traveling medical professionals who need temporary housing, and farmers also face housing challenges. Building new hospitals and moving toward a self-sustaining food system requires addressing the housing crisis.

Many in my district use water catchment systems, so Accessory Development Units (ADUs – also known as ohanas) wouldn’t strain the county water supply. Addressing these housing issues is crucial for Hawai’i’s future. To help, there should be fewer restrictions and permitting hassles for residents, especially on agricultural parcels. This would preserve and support extended family living, allowing multiple generations to live and thrive together.

Hawaii continues to struggle with pay to play politics and corruption in government. What meaningful reforms do you think would change state government for the better?

I would rephrase the statement to ‘Hawai’i continues to allow pay to play politics and corruption in government.

I would like to start by saying I have no conflicts of interest. I am not a paid employee of any non-profits, (nor have I ever been), that would financially benefit from legislation, grants or state contracts nor are any of my family. I am not a politician running for self-interest or self-seeking reasons. I will not accept any union endorsements or donations.

I am a grassroots candidate and small business owner selling Hawaiian fishing lures. My husband, who was a missionary kid, grew up in the Philippines and Hong Kong, is a real estate photographer.

Upon approval of my candidacy by the State Election Commission, I completed a ‘Candidate Disclosure’ with the Hawaii State Ethics Commission. The Hawaii State Ethics Commission must gather more comprehensive information on candidates running for office. Reforms should prevent any conflicts of interest in the awarding of state contracts to businesses associated with legislators.

I would also advocate for future Public Utilities Commissioners to be elected by the public rather than appointed. The Public Utilities Commission (PUC) oversees the rates for shipping (Young Brothers, Matson) and energy (HECO). I think it is quite interesting that the current PUC Commissioner, appointed by former Governor Ige, worked for HECO.

Hawaii continues to allow play to pay politics and corruption in government.

I would like to start by saying I have no conflicts of interest.

I am not a paid employee of any non-profits, (nor have I ever been), that would financially benefit from legislation, grants or state contracts nor are any of my family. I am not a politician running for self-interest or self-seeking reasons. I will not accept any union endorsements or donations.

I am a grassroots candidate and small business owner.
(Big Game Lures Hawai'i is my shop)

My husband, who was a missionary kid, is a real estate photographer.

Upon approval of my candidacy by the State Election Commission, I completed a ‘Candidate Disclosure’ with the Hawaii State Ethics Commission. The Hawaii State Ethics Commission must gather more comprehensive information. Reforms should prevent any conflicts of interest in the awarding of state contracts to businesses associated with legislators.

I would also advocate for future Public Utilities Commissioners to be elected by the public rather than appointed. The Public Utilities Commission (PUC) oversees the rates for shipping (Young Brothers, Matson) and energy (HECO). I think it is quite interesting that the current PUC Commissioner, appointed by former Governor Ige, worked for HECO.

Because I am a Republican. Like Tulsi Gabbard, I left the Democratic party a few years ago. I believe that both Democrats and Republicans want what is good for Hawai’i, however the democratic party has gone so far left it is not recognizable.

Sadly they have lost their way and are applying a one-size-fits-all global solution to these unique islands.

I am confident that my message, values, priorities, and beliefs will resonate with independent voters and those willing to vote for the person rather than just the party.

I am Mexican-American, my mother was from East Los Angeles and was a divorced single mother until I was seven. My father who raised me is from Mexico and they were both social workers, so I naturally believed the Democratic Party was the party of the working people, the party that helped people.

I realized Republican party is the party of family values, a party of patriotism, individual rights and freedoms as defined in the constitution. These are non-negotiables for me.

Although it may be controversial to bring up religion I would like to add I am not a Christian (my husband is). I am agnostic, I believe in a Creator, I pray, I have a moral compass. However it is important to separate religion from politics. I have been very welcome by all members of the Republican party. Religion is not a pre-requisite. I am a proud Republican representing my district on the 2024 ballot!

Do you support ideas such as requiring the Sunshine Law to apply to the Legislature or banning campaign contributions during session?

I like Senator Brenton Awa’s policy of “No Gifts”. It’s very clear and does not allow for a gray area. If elected I will happily adopt the same rule to my candidacy.

I fully support an open legislative function and campaign contributions should only be allowed after a qualified candidate files their papers during an election cycle.

I support all transparency. We are not a corporation protecting propitiatory secrets! We must have transparency to earn the public’s trust.

Get tough on crime, increase our right to protect our family and land, and more support for the county police departments. I did try to join the Hawai'i county police force. I wanted to be an police officer and investigator. I was a few second short on the physical agility test.

Hawaii is the only state in the country without local school boards. The Hawaii Department of Education (DOE) functions as a single, statewide school district in a state where the counties are divided by oceans. The DOE needs to create a Board of Education (BOE) branch for each island with citizen-elected representatives to allow for transparency, accountability, and fairness regarding all school-related issues.

This will create space for monthly in-person board meetings on each island, allowing families to be seen and heard.

Additionally, funding for early childhood education and preschool programs needs to be prioritized.

As a product of public school education, I am committed to fully supporting our public school teachers. If elected I will reach out to them to understand how the state can improve their environments and provide better resources.