LIHU’E-Joe Prigge was born and raised on Kaua`i. The 44-year-old father of one (and grandfather of one), like many Kauaians, is working more than one job. He’s tied to the land, too. He owns a small pig farm. Why would
LIHU’E-Joe Prigge was born and raised on Kaua`i.
The 44-year-old father of
one (and grandfather of one), like many Kauaians, is working more than one
job.
He’s tied to the land, too. He owns a small pig farm.
Why would
he, at this point in an active middle life, decide to run for County
Council?
“I’ve worked on a lot of big (community) projects over the years
on this island, and all the time I seemed to be butting heads with government
entities,” Prigge said.
He said he wants everyone on the island to pull
together, not just local government.
“I have a strong belief that when the
community takes part in sharing the lifestyle, that’s better for the tourist,
too,” said Prigge, who believes local people “become more friendly” when their
lives are better.
The best way to empower residents, according to Prigge,
is to be more inclusive.
“We’re going to a lot of timeshares now. I feel we
should treat them (timesharers) like residents. They stay two weeks, and while
they are here they shop at local stores, shop at local vegetable markets,” he
said.
Another problem to be addressed, according to Prigge, is population
growth.
“The infrastructure we have in place barely takes care of our
population now,” he said. “The solid-waste (problem) has been around forever.
I’m sure everyone has done their best. But we need to be a little more
open-minded. We’re in the middle of the ocean. Can we take apart some of this
solid waste” and use it?
For Prigge, it always comes back to consensus,
unity and improving Kaua`i’s sense of togetherness.
“The community needs to
get involved in all these issues. We lose sight of the total goal, which is to
make Kaua`i a cleaner and safer place,” he said.
Prigge knows it’s tough to
make the final cut of seven in his first time running for council. But even if
he isn’t a council member after the votes are counted in the general election
in November, he promises to remain a presence in the community.
“I’d have
to wait and see about running again. But I won’t go away. I would support the
people elected who were working toward getting a better infrastructure, because
that has to be done,” Prigge said.
Staff writer Lester Chang can be
reached at 245-3681 (ext. 225) and [lchang@pulitzer.net]
