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ASHLEY OLSON
For Hawaii State House
District 14, West Maui
Working for Maui’s future
since 1993
Meet Ashley
For more than 30 years, I’ve taught, coached, volunteered, worked second jobs, and lived in our community. I spent the majority of my career at Lahainaluna High School teaching Spanish and French, and supporting the Boarding Program when the regular Hoapili dorm counselors were unavailable. I have had the privilege of teaching many of my former students' children. More recently I’ve been assisting our English language learners from all over the world as they transition to life here on Maui.
I believe in supporting not just my students but my colleagues in this profession, so I serve more than 1,300 teachers as the Maui Chapter President for the Hawaii State Teachers Association, the strongest labor union in the state. It is that education and social justice policy development work which helped guide my efforts when I served our community on the most recent Maui County Charter Commission.
Top Priorities
We deserve a community where local families can thrive.
Education
Strong schools are at the heart of strong communities. When schools struggle, families leave, and when families leave, communities shrivel. Our future begins in our classrooms and on school campuses because when schools thrive, communities thrive with local talent that stays, builds, and gives back. When schools thrive, families stay and grow, businesses invest, and our keiki grow up seeing a future for themselves at home.
Housing and Affordability
For much of my career, I worked many second jobs just to make ends meet, from retail to ushering to food service. I am grateful that thanks to affordable, workforce housing initiatives, I can call myself a homeowner. It is painful to watch former students be priced out of the place where they grew up and see so many good people be forced to leave.
Our cost of living is unsustainable for local families. Rising housing prices are pushing residents out of their homes, and while planning and permitting are largely county responsibilities, the State must also act. If we fail to address affordability and housing for our residents, more and more people will leave the islands. Without a labor pool to support our industries, they will falter, and state revenues will decline.
Infrastructure
For too long, we have focused time and money on improving the visitor experience while our own communities have been left behind. Many neighborhoods need major upgrades to roads, sidewalks, water and sewer systems, and the power grid. But infrastructure is more than what we can see—it also includes the technology that keeps our state running and our economy competitive.
ENDORSEMENTS
Proudly supported by these community members and organizations
“Ashley’s love and devotion for her community has been unwavering and she'll fight to ensure a brighter future for Maui.”
- Osa Tui, Jr HSTA State President
