Mike Coots
Non-partisanQ1 As energy prices continue to increase in Hawaiʻi, what role, if any, should alternative energy sources, such as solar, wind, geothermal, and liquefied natural gas, play in Hawaiʻi’s future energy mix? What policies would you support related to alternative energy development, regulation, and/or research, and why?
“I believe Hawaiʻi needs to keep moving toward renewable energy, but we need to do it in a way that makes sense for our people and our island. Nobody should have to choose between paying their electric bill and putting food on the table. We should make the most of solar, battery storage,and other options that work for Kauaʻi, while being careful about where we put large projects and how they affect our farmland, water, and neighborhoods. I’m open to exploring new technologies, when the costs and environmental impacts make sense. At the end of the day, we need practical solutions that lower costs, keep the lights on, protect what makes Kauaʻi special, and give our community a real voice in decisions that affect our future. My family is a huge solar proponent, and feel for Kaua’i that currently is our best resource for alternative energy.”
KEYWORDS: Sustainability, renewable, affordable, less oil more alternatives.
Q2 Every county has faced a major disaster in the last decade, with more and more happening each year. What is your concrete plan to adapt to a world with more volatile, climate-driven risks and protect our communities?
“Wish I had a concrete plan, and be suspicious of any who does. I do feel less oil-driven energy and more options like solar. Not only better for the plant, but also not funding adversary countries and in Hawai’i, solar makes sense.”
KEYWORDS: Not day to day weather, but long term trends.
Q3 While data centers can be important facilities for processing, transferring, and storing data, there are growing concerns about data centers’ environmental impacts and health repercussions. What policies, if any, would you support to balance technological and economic growth with infrastructure reliability, environmental sustainability, and the preservation of land and water? For example, Bill 170 from Hawaiʻi County proposes to ban AI data centers and distinguish them from standard data processing facilities; should other counties follow suit?
“Would oppose any and all data centers on Kaua’i.”
KEYWORDS: N/A
Q4 Across the Hawaiʻi’s Public School System, a little more than 40% of students achieved math and science proficiency in the 2024-2025 school year. However, access to these opportunities varies across the state due to factors such as geography, school resources, and program availability. What policies do you support to expand equitable access to high-quality STEM and general education for students across Hawaiʻi, such as the use of AI in the classroom, increasing public funding, and more support for extracurricular activities?
“Much needed, and strongly support.”
KEYWORDS: N/A
Q5 Hawaiʻi faces unique obstacles in its transportation infrastructure, with inter-island travel, ports, and many rural communities. How can we balance environmentally sustainable technologies (such as sustainable aviation fuel, electric or hybrid vehicles, public transit options like the bus or rail) with equity for different communities?
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KEYWORDS: N/A