Council hopeful Lance Miyao lists the important issues as traffic, tourism, agriculture and aquaculture and offers some solutions that he will work toward achieving if elected. Miyao, 54, listed as a non-partisan, says alternate traffic routes are needed to relieve
Council hopeful Lance Miyao lists the important issues as traffic, tourism, agriculture and aquaculture and offers some solutions that he will work toward achieving if elected.
Miyao, 54, listed as a non-partisan, says alternate traffic routes are needed to relieve main highway congestion and give tourist another scenic drive. One bypass road could go from Wailua Bridge north of Hanama’ulu, connecting with Kaumuali’i Highway. Another bypass could run from Numila to Spouting Horn.
Police should be posted at high-accident areas during rush hours; high visibility will make people be more aware.
On tourism, Miyao said he believes we are not marketing enough to the middle class. Hotel rates are out of sight, so before we even look at another high-priced hotel, we need to consider mid-priced ones, he said.
Companies need to be assisted in any way possible. Without them, open lands and the vistas they provide will be gone.
Seafood products have gained in popularity over meat. There are markets for fish, crabs and lobsters, and with aquaculture, these can be economically raised to fill the markets. The county should find funding for experiments and use companies in business now to see if it’s possible, he said.
“The way I will operate as a councilman is to listen to everyone, see if can resolve their questions, needs, wants, because you the people are who I will be working for,” Miyao said.
Miyao is the second child of Uichi and Kiyoko Miyao of Makaweli. He attended and graduated from Waimea High School, Taft Junior College and California State University at Hayward.
He was offered a commission by the U.S. military but was deferred for medical reasons, after which time he moved to California to start his career.
Miyao started out in a full-time position at Montgomery Wards. He was offered various management positions in the company, taking a job as a group head/foreman, working for the same manager in the same department until the Wards company closed.
Miyao also worked and volunteered for the City of San Leandro’s recreation department. He was a sports official; program supervisor; planned special activities, hired staff for special activities, worked in park planning and substituted for senior supervisors.
Since returning to Kauai in 1986, Miyao has worked as an insurance sales and service agent.
If elected to the Kaua’i County Council, Miyao says he will set up a phone system so people can reach him directly, leave a message to call and he will respond as soon as possible.
Miyao is proud of the fact that he isn’t affiliated to any political party or special interest group. “If signwaving gets you elected, then I won’t be,” he said.
Staff Writer Kendyce Manguchei can be reached at kmanguchei@pulitzer.net or 245-3681 (ext. 252).
