Public Safety

The Challenge

Hawaiʻi faces real public safety challenges, from crime and emergency response to wildfires, hurricanes, flooding, infrastructure failures, and other disasters that can threaten entire communities.

The Maui wildfires showed that emergency preparedness cannot be treated as paperwork or politics. Lives depend on clear warnings, working communication systems, trained leadership, coordinated agencies, and plans that are tested before disaster strikes.

Residents deserve a government that is prepared before emergencies happen, responsive when they occur, and honest about what went wrong afterward.

Daniel’s Position

Daniel believes public safety begins with trust, preparation, and accountability.

Government’s first responsibility is to protect people. That means supporting first responders, strengthening emergency systems, improving disaster readiness, and making sure agencies are held accountable when lives are at risk.

Hawaiʻi cannot afford a government that reacts after tragedy. We need a government that prepares, communicates, and protects communities before the crisis arrives.

Action Plan

Strengthen Emergency Readiness

Require regular disaster planning, training, and emergency response exercises across state and county agencies.

Improve Warning and Communication Systems

Modernize sirens, alerts, radio systems, backup communications, and public notification tools so residents receive clear information during emergencies.

Support First Responders

Ensure police, fire, emergency medical personnel, dispatchers, and disaster response teams have the staffing, equipment, training, and resources they need.

Improve Wildfire and Disaster Prevention

Invest in firebreaks, vegetation management, water access, evacuation planning, and infrastructure hardening in high-risk communities.

Increase Accountability After Emergencies

Require public after-action reports, agency performance reviews, and corrective action plans after major emergencies.

Measuring Success

Daniel supports annual reporting on:

  • Emergency response times

  • First responder staffing levels

  • Disaster drill completion rates

  • Emergency alert system performance

  • Wildfire risk reduction projects completed

  • Evacuation route readiness

  • Backup communication capacity

  • Public after-action reports and corrective actions

Government should not measure public safety by press conferences. It should measure public safety by readiness, response, and results.