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Aaron Agsalda
From Ballotpedia
This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.
Aaron Agsalda (Democratic Party) ran for election to the Hawaii House of Representatives to represent District 46. He lost in the Democratic primary on August 8, 2020.
Agsalda completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Aaron Agsalda was born in Honolulu, Hawaii. He earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Hawaii at Manoa in 2006. His professional experience includes working as a landscape/irrigation contractor, as a professional musician, and as an independent record label owner. Agsalda is affiliated with the Wahiawa Community Business Association, the Wahiawa-Waialua Rotary Club, and the Filipino Chamber of Commerce.[1]
Elections
2020
See also: Hawaii House of Representatives elections, 2020
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Hawaii House of Representatives District 46
Incumbent Amy Perruso won election outright against Aaron Agsalda in the Democratic primary for Hawaii House of Representatives District 46 on August 8, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Amy Perruso  | 55.3 | 2,200 |
 | Aaron Agsalda | 44.7 | 1,781 | |
| Total votes: 3,981 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Endorsements
To view Agsalda's endorsements in the 2020 election, please click here.
Campaign themes
2020
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Aaron Agsalda completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Agsalda's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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With 3 generations of my family rooted in Wahiawa, the safety, health, and future of this town are always on my heart. My fondest memories of Wahiawa are of morning walks to the open market with Grandpa & Grandma. We would stop by the pet store next to Big Way, then on to HonFed to get cash for fresh vegetables. If I behaved, I knew we could stop by Cornet for an ice cream cone before heading home. Those were the days Dad started teaching me to fish at Lake Wilson with bamboo poles he bought from the supply shop on California Ave. It was right next to Electronic Music Supply, where he also bought me my first Kamaka ukulele.
- Safer streets for Wahiawa
- World Class Education for Keiki in preparation for Local Jobs in the 21st Century
- Quality Care for Kupuna and Support for Veterans
When I was growing up, my grandma would walk all of Wahiawa. She did all her business on foot - banking, shopping, and visiting friends - she never learned to drive a car! Today, the safety of our streets is threatened by crime, homelessness and deferred maintenance of roads and walkways. Walkability is important to the health of our aging community as well as to the character of our small town. Secondly, we have tremendous potential for economic diversification in Wahiawa. New jobs will be available in Central Oahu in technology, cybersecurity, and food sustainability. We can create a workforce pipeline in the education system with a focus on STEM fields to prepare young people for these new careers that will allow them to afford living in Hawaii. There will also be lots of work for builders and tradesmen. Most homes in Wahiawa are already more than 50 years old; young people can add value to their community by learning the necessary trades that are vital to the system of a home. These include plumbing, electrical, roofing, and carpentry. For me personally, I am most motivated to learn when the education feels relevant, so I want youth to be excited about their education by showing them the tangible benefits to our community. Lastly, I would like to see Wahiawa General Hospital be the premiere hospital of choice for Central Oahu.
My father came to Hawaii from the Philippines with nothing. His mother had just died from stomach cancer and his father was an alcoholic. Dad worked hard to earn a Civil Engineering degree at the University of Hawaii and got a job at one of Hawaii's most reputable construction firms. When he saw that young mainlanders whom he had trained were getting promoted ahead of him, he decided to start his company. Rooted in Wahiawa, it became Wahiawa's longest-standing landscape construction business. His hard work contributed to hundreds of projects that improved the state and gave men - many of them immigrants - the dignity of work, which allowed them to provide for their households and offer a better life to their children.
The Speed of Trust
Earning and maintaining the people's trust is essential.
I grew up in the community I represent. I am an effective communicator and have the ability to work well with others. I have the ability to learn quickly and apply my knowledge practically. As a local businessman, builder, realtor, and musician, I am familiar with various aspects of Hawaii's unique economy and how our different industries relate to and affect one another.
Working with others to pass legislation and steward resources responsibly, for the benefit of the people of Wahiawa and Hawaii.
I am dedicated to being a good man and faithfully taking care of my responsibilities. I believe, if a man does these things, he will not have to be concerned about his legacy.
I was a high school senior when the twin towers fell. My mom came up to my room to wake me and told me we were at war.
My first job was working for my dad's landscape construction company, Royal Palm Group. During that time I served on the Landscape Industry Council of Hawaii and earned the designations of Certified Arborist, Certified Landscape Technician, and Certified Landscape Manager. In a sense, I am still at my first job, as we have shifted the focus of the family business to construction and home renovation.
Love In the Time of Cholera. This was the first book I read after college, which meant this was the first book I wasn't compelled by someone else to read. I never enjoyed reading or read for fun before this. The book itself is good, but the reason it's special to me is because, afterward, I began to fall in love with reading. As I began to read more books (of my choosing), I discovered that I enjoyed learning and I found that lifelong learning is a key component in a full and meaningful life.
None comes to mind. I like my life =)
First Choice by Gabe Bondoc
Growing up, I struggled with my minority ethnic identity in America.
No. I believe they should have experience walking in the shoes of the people they represent. That said, new representatives must have the ability to learn quickly and new candidates should have a track record that shows the ability to learn new things and apply their newly acquired knowledge effectively.
1) Unity 2) Rebuilding the state economy
Like melody and harmony, they are distinct, but complementary.
Yes. Nothing great gets done without people working together, whether in politics, business, or family life.
As a first time candidate, I am not familiar with this subject.
Not at this time.
Marcus Oshiro. He represented Wahiawa in this seat for 22 years because his hometown trusted him. He told me that their trust was what gave him the confidence to act. As a builder, the first and most important thing I would seek to build with this community is trust.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
See also
2020 Elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on July 4, 2020
Current members of the Hawaii House of Representatives
Leadership
Speaker of the House:Nadine Nakamura
Majority Leader:Sean Quinlan
Minority Leader:Lauren Matsumoto
Representatives
District 1
Matthias Kusch (D)
District 2
Susan Lee Loy (D)
District 3
Chris Todd (D)
District 4
Greggor Ilagan (D)
District 5
Jeanne Kapela (D)
District 6
Kirstin Kahaloa (D)
District 7
Nicole Lowen (D)
District 8
David Tarnas (D)
District 9
Justin Woodson (D)
District 10
Tyson Miyake (D)
District 11
Terez Amato (D)
District 12
Kyle Yamashita (D)
District 13
Mahina Poepoe (D)
District 14
Elle Cochran (D)
District 15
Nadine Nakamura (D)
District 16
Luke Evslin (D)
District 17
Dee Morikawa (D)
District 18
Joe Gedeon (R)
District 19
Mark Hashem (D)
District 20
District 21
Jackson Sayama (D)
District 22
District 23
Ikaika Olds (D)
District 24
Adrian Tam (D)
District 25
Kim Iwamoto (D)
District 26
Della Belatti (D)
District 27
Jenna Takenouchi (D)
District 28
Daniel Holt (D)
District 29
Ikaika Hussey (D)
District 30
Shirley Templo (D)
District 31
Linda Ichiyama (D)
District 32
Garner Shimizu (R)
District 33
Sam Kong (D)
District 34
Gregg Takayama (D)
District 35
Cory Chun (D)
District 36
Rachele Lamosao (D)
District 37
Trish La Chica (D)
District 38
Lauren Matsumoto (R)
District 39
Elijah Pierick (R)
District 40
Julie Reyes Oda (R)
District 41
David Alcos (R)
District 42
Diamond Garcia (R)
District 43
Kanani Souza (R)
District 44
Darius Kila (D)
District 45
Chris Muraoka (R)
District 46
Amy Perruso (D)
District 47
Sean Quinlan (D)
District 48
Lisa Kitagawa (D)
District 49
Scot Matayoshi (D)
District 50
Michael Lee (D)
District 51
Lisa Marten (D)
Democratic Party (42)
Republican Party (9)
