 Westside Buddy as we journey to take your health back. We are coming to you live from my home office in Makiki and from downtown Honolulu from the studios of Think Tech Hawaii. Think Tech Hawaii features the hearts of about 45 different and colorful show hosts. Today we will be talking story with my Westside Buddy, Diamond Garcia, who is a voice for change. From public housing to public service. Wow, what a journey. Today we shall be speaking with this young energetic man after Keokula's heart. We will see Diamond's heart and why Diamond wants to represent his people of Nanakuli coast and the Westside. We certainly need more diamonds in our dark and sometimes lost world. We need more diamonds in our government instead of those Zirconians get it that exists. We want the truth as we know that the truth sells set us free. What I would like you to take away from today's discussion is simply that we need more real gems like diamond. His goals will be life changing for many. Aloha and Ikumomai Diamond. Aloha, thank you so much for having me. I really appreciate it. Oh, I'm excited to just talk story and share this time with you and your heart with the community because I know you are a hard worker and it's only just beginning. So I want to just take us back Diamond. Just share with us a little bit about your childhood when you're a Kiki. Sure. Well, thank you so much. You know, I was born and raised out here on the Leeward side of Oahu my entire life. Makaha, Waianae, Waipahu, Oahu. I just went back and forth back and forth from public housing to public housing. That was my life growing up. And like you mentioned earlier, you know, from public housing to public service, my roots really was the typical West Side life. I was raising public housing programs and food stamps and welfare. And so I know the struggle that so many of our local families have to go through on the daily basis. And so yeah. Wow. Wow. That's a journey. I mean, and so that's really important because you were on the inside and now you're on the outside and you're still on the inside in your heart and you understand it. So you want to make a difference because you can because you lived it. And that's so important. So important. Wow. So I know that you are a man of God. So please share with us your heart for your community and share with us. Where did it all begin? Sure. So yeah. So long story short because I could really take hours doing this. Wow. We have some time. You know, my I was raised in a household surrounded by drugs, drug dealing, crime, alcohol. You know, so like I mentioned earlier, that typical life for so many families out here on the West Side and for so many kids growing up out here on the West Side. And what happened was at the age of 12 years old, I found the book and this book was called The Great Controversy. It was written by Ellen G. White in the 1800s and I found it actually in the bottom of this box of cookbooks at my grandma's house. What is this book doing in a box of cookbooks? You know, that whole day it was summer break. I was 12 years old. I was just strolling through a bunch of cookbooks. And I was looking at recipes and things like that. But I got to the bottom of the box and there was a book on Bible prophecy was called The Great Controversy. And I said, what is this about? So I opened to the first page of the book. And the first words was, if thou had known 12 years old now, I said, what in the world does that even mean? So I closed the book, I put it away, I said, I don't know. I went on playing that day. I came back in the house from playing and I saw the book again. And this time I went to the back of the book because that's where the pictures were. I was 12 years old. I saw this man in the sky with a bunch of angels around him. And I said, what is this all about? So I read the chapter God's People Delivered. And I was reading this chapter that was describing the second coming of Christ. And I said, wow, this is actually an amazing event. And so from that point on, I got involved in the local church and fast for, you know, six, seven, eight years. I've been traveling the world preaching the gospel of Christ. I've been to Europe all across the US, Canada, Mexico, South America, Asia, the South Pacific, Australia, New Zealand, all over the world preaching the gospel of Christ. What a remarkable story. And you know, can you see the picture and the journey that it just makes so much sense? You're looking in a box and it was all cookbooks. Right, exactly. And so that's when you started cooking and cooking with a heart to serve the people and then all the different recipes. So then you were given the recipes of life right there. And so, you know, that you were at 12 years old, so brilliant, a young man to see the purpose of your life. And how blessed are you because many of us would not have seen the purpose at that very young age. And then they would have to go through some bumps and then more bumps and then realize, oh my gosh, maybe I should have done this or maybe I should focus on this instead of that. And so you are truly a blessed young man. And I'm just so excited to hear that part of the story and just realize how important that was, the cookbook, the recipe and the vision that you have planted into your head. And at that age, you were able to see it and take it and run with it. Wow. That's good. That is good. Okay. So now, what would make a young man think about running for an office of public service versus just hanging out? You live in Waianae, the most beautiful coastline in all this. That's right. I mean, don't tell everybody. Because you know, I'm born and raised Miley. And so I know the beauty out there is the West Side charm and the West Side beauty. And it is God's best kept secret out there. And I know we just want so much more for the people out there. So, you know, what made you start running for office? You could be surfing all day like all the other stuff and all the other Wendy's out there that still serves. What made you decide to run for office? So I, you know, I was traveling the world flying here, flying there constantly, sometimes three, three countries in one month that's constantly going, going, going. And I would always come back the whole way to rest and recuperate here in my apartment in Nanakuli. And I would just look around my community and, you know, there's so much hurt and suffering and addictions and crime and lots of issues that are facing this community that I said, you know what, I just don't see people rising up to the occasion to do something about it. And so I was approached by, you know, by some people. And they said, I mean, you should run for office. I said, no, I would never run for office. I'm traveling the world. I'm preaching the gospel. I love what I do. I don't have time to run for office anyway. The next two days, I literally got like 25 phone calls from a bunch of people who heard my story. I spoke at the local Republican state convention and they're like, you should run for office. I said, oh, no, no, no, no, don't look at me. Don't look at me. Anyway, but within two weeks, I had so many phone calls and I prayed to God. I said, God, if this is your will, then make it evidently clear. And it was pretty clear that people wouldn't stop calling. And so in 2018, I first ran for state Senate against the 14 year incumbent. And people said, oh, that's impossible. You're not going to get over 20%. You know, you're running as a Republican. Nobody really knows your name on a grand scale. And I said, well, you know what, the Lord said to run, so I'm going to run. And so I said, well, I don't know what to do, but you know, for six years growing up, I sold books door to door from 12 years old all the way through high school. I knocked on doors and sold books and that's what paid my way through Hawaiian Mission Academy. So I said, I have no problem knocking on doors. I can do that. I see some guys with a bunch of signs and they're waving. I can do that. And you know, I can call people. I can do that. So I said, well, here we go. Let's campaign. So in 2018, I, you know, I printed a bunch of signs and banners and we got everything going. We had a ground team. We were knocking on doors. I got bit by four dogs. You know, I mean, it was just a crazy campaign trail. But I ran first time candidate. Okay. Nobody really knew who I was against a 14 year incumbent who never really had strong challengers as a Republican. I garnered 44% of the vote in a Senate. People were like, wait a minute, who are you? I said, I don't, I just diamond Garcia ain't nothing special to me, but you know, God, all things are possible. And so I lost the election, of course. It was a close race. Right. That was a darn close race for a first time candidate coming out of the gate. And running against a veteran, a Democratic veteran, that's, that's commendable diamond. And you know, I'm sure she has great things to say about how you ran your campaign, because as you mentioned, she probably went through a lot of campaigning without a lot of strong competition like yourself. So that was all again, in his timing of your life for you to have that experience and to run in the Senate race. That was, well, and that's a lot of books you sold to get yourself to Hawaii HMA, Hawaii Missions Academy. That is discipline. That is, you know, growing up. Yeah, it was six days a week. I would knock on doors six days a week from 530 in the evening to 830 at night for, for six years. And that's what paid my way through Hawaii Mission Academy. Yeah. I can't believe that. That is too surreal. And so tell me now, you lived in Nanakuli and you attended HMA. Is that the one on? At that time, I was in Makaha. So waking up in the morning at like four o'clock and catching the 420 bus, going all the way to town, going to school, jumping on like the five o'clock bus to come home and then go home, grab my books and go knocking on doors. And you know, it was, it was surreal. But that's, you know, and so I wanted a Christian education. I wanted to get a good education for myself. And I said, well, you know what, ain't nobody going to do it for me. My parents are in housing projects. They're broke, they're on drugs or low income, you know, they're on food stamps, but I wanted to rise up. And so, you know, when people tell me, you know, they have all the excuses in the world not to do something, I said, you know what, there's no excuse. If you work hard, if you want something, you, God will come to your site and aid you and you can become and do anything you want to do. We live in the greatest country in the world. There is no excuses for anything. There's so much opportunity. People are wanting to, wanting to come into this country for opportunity. And we have it all here for us. And many of us don't take advantage of those opportunities. And so anyway, fast forwarding to 2020, I'm currently now running for state house here on the Waianae Coast. So district 43 spans from Ma'ili, Nanakuli, Ko'olina, Honokaihale, Campbell Industrial Kalai Loa and a small portion of Ewa villages. And so it's a pretty large district in the district. I have an airport. I have landfills. I have H-Power. I have a resort. I have Hawaiian homelands. I have lots of different things, a power plant just in this one district, you know, so it's almost like a small city in one little house district. Anyway, but I currently serve on the neighborhood board. I was elected in 2019. I got the highest votes on the board against 25-year veterans. And, you know, I currently serve as the chair of health, education, public safety and parks and recreation committees on the neighborhood board. So lots of work to do. I've been involved in my community. I'm now running for state house. You know, this seat, district 43, was held for four years by a very good friend of mine. And your friend is well, Andrea Topola. We all love her. Yes. Very strong, God fearing Republican representative that she was. She served for four years. In 2018, she ran for governor, and we had someone lined up to take the seat. But what happened was last minute, we discovered that she was a U.S. national, not a U.S. citizen. And so she was disqualified last minute. And so Stacy and Eli, the current representative, she won by default with zero votes. She wasn't even on the ballot in the general election. So she got a free ride in. And here we are in 2020, and it's time to take the seat back. Wow. You know, but I want your constituents, your neighbors and mommies and daddies, okay, even without politics involved. Look at this young man that he had the diligence, the obedience, the finacity, the hard work ethic that is so desired in our young people these days. And that's exactly what drove him for six years to get on that bus, not from Nanakuli, which is a little bit closer, but from Makaha, on the public bus system, get his, get his himself to HMA, our admissions academy, study, do well, come home, sell books so he can pay his tuition. And of course, you really live all things are possible through God. That's right. That's right. And so that is so powerful. So as I said, just take all the politics away, just vote for the man with this integrity. And I know you're going to work as hard for the community as you did for yourself, because this is what you were raised and groomed up to be. So not even a miracle. Just God will place you in the rightful position that he has groomed you up to this point. And I'm so honored to just be speaking with you and just, just, yeah. So wow. As I said, parents, moms and dads, look at that. Okay. And no excuses, guys. I'm tired. I'm busy. I don't feel well. You know, no, no, I myself, I mean, it must be a Y night, a West side, when people tell me they tired, I don't believe them. When they tell me they busy, I don't believe them because like you work 20 days, 20 hour days, seven days a week for 20 years, retired at 50. But you know what, it's like I worked 40 years. So it's like, not I'm 60, it's like I'm 80. Right. But, but you know what, and I was able to retire and now I'm serving in capacity like you are, but I'm going to support people like you have the vision to make our communities better. Thank you. Wow. So I know that you love your community. It's already proven, you know, what you have done thus far to make a difference for so many people of the West side. And again, how would you encourage the cakey to get more involved and to have a bit of what you experienced as you were growing up? Right. Well, you know, my, my passion really is I currently serve as a chair of the education committee on the neighborhood board. And my passion really is to talk to our children in the school systems early on, before they hit that adolescence puberty age early on, when they're in elementary school, you know, to instill in them the principles of hard work and ethics and the fact that just because you were born and raised in a unfortunate circumstance or family, that doesn't mean that that dictates your future. I have five siblings, they all went down the same path that my parents led them to and they're homeless today. They're drug addicts today. They're alcoholics today. Someone polkaid based. I'm in Waipahu, Chronix, homeless, living at the park, sitting on the sidewalk, you know, and that could have been me. But without help, I told myself, you know what? I can become anything I want to be in this country. And so I rose up to the occasion. I said, but no one can do it for me. I have to do it myself. So I got out there knocked on doors, worked super hard, did odd jobs, a bunch of different things just to get me some more else. And that's the principles of hard work that our children need to understand and learn. There's lots of movements happening across this country where children and even young adults are feeling entitled. Free education for all, free this, free that. Guys, you don't understand it. Things aren't free. You got to pay for it. Nothing is free. And so anyway, that's why I tend to be more conservative in my politics, because I understand hard work. I understand what it means to work super hard to get something. So yeah. Wow. And hard work is the base of our, or the foundation of our country, of our family. That's right. That's right. You know, all like my family, my mom is Japanese, Okinawa, my dad is Chinese. So they came here, their parents came here as sugarcane, pineapple slaves and they worked hard. And you know, when I look back, they were so blessed because they know what it means to sweat and earn money and have that little bit of extra that they work so hard towards. I mean, my mom, she worked as a waitress and she got three of us into public school. I mean, I'm sorry, private school. So my brothers did go to St. Louis and I went to Marino and I lived in Waipahu after living away from Miley and my mom worked as a waitress so that she would earn that extra money to send us to those opportunities. Wonderful. Yeah. I mean, that's the American dream, you know, work hard and, you know, and really lots of these immigrants and people who come in legally, they want the best for their children, you know, and so they're willing to work two, three, four jobs and almost kills them, but they want to make sure that their children succeed. And that's really what this country is all about. Right. And that's the whole generation that we need to continue to build up. I've seen my parents work so hard. So I was mentored that way. They didn't give me a lot of like, love you, huggy, huggy love. It was just, they're working. We got to take care of the home. They go, we clean. We had chores. We knew what it meant to work hard and look at what it created. I mean, you're just a different gem diamond. You're just a different gem that you were self motivated and that you could have that obedience and the tenacity to continue. And that's, that's admirable, but not, not everyone has those qualities. So that's when you got to step back and realize that. But if you just encourage them to, you know, stay one more hour and pick up more rubbish and just push them, push them, push them. And then they're like, Hey, uncle, I tired already. No, bro, just one more bag, one more hour, one more hour. Let's go. You can do it. If it's too heavy, you take two trips, you know, but don't, no excuses. And that's exactly what you, yeah, you're saying we're enabling them to be a lazy generation, but we need to pick out those other diamonds in the rough as well, to encourage them, to encourage them and to build them up so that your community can get stronger and better. And that's what I know. That's what your heart is. So you know, I want to, of course, I have to ask you this question about how has COVID-19 affected the people of the West side? And do you feel that the COVID is under control there? Well, you know, so COVID-19 really has affected not just the West side, our state, but in our country and not just physically, perhaps, but more economically. And, you know, what's unfortunate is that lots of people on the West side have been laid off because they work blue collar jobs, you know, they work in the hotel industry, they work in the hospitality industry, they work in the food industry, you know, lots of small businesses out here, you know, the farmers who rely on selling their produce to the hotels, but now there's no tourists to buy the stuff. So they're hurting. And so COVID really has affected us more economically than it has physically. Yes, there has been, you know, some cases of COVID out here. And I think one or two deaths, perhaps, on the entire West side. But they, of course, were old and had preexisting health conditions, you know, just like the flu would affect you and lots of other types of viruses, right? Anyway, but COVID economically has impacted many, many, many families out here on the West side. And so I worked a lot with Andrew Topola in getting over 13,000 meals to families out here on the Waianae Coast throughout this COVID pandemic, you know, and I was helping out with the Waianae Coast Community Foundation in hosting drive-through food banks. And I literally saw people come through there who were hiding their face as they were driving through because they were embarrassed to be in a food bank line. You know, they've never done this before, but they lost their jobs. They had to pay their mortgage and they have no food left. So they have to resort to a little box of zucchini, carrots, potatoes, and, you know, whatever it is just to get their family by. And that's what we're facing right now, you know, we're facing economic hardship. And it's not fair to the families out here to what they're going through. So Wow. Yeah. And you know, I guess, you know, I always try to see the bright side of everything. And so for those friends or neighbors that, you know, are embarrassed, just want you to know that it could be any one of us. And that's why we're all here. We're in it together to support you in any which way we can. And you know, when you receive that food, just take it as a blessing because I know that you've probably were the one that was always giving. And so now to receive, that's very difficult for people who are very giving. And so we have to learn that we have to learn to receive and be gracious and, you know, and just be joyful that we're able to receive. So that when we receive it, you know, you Mahalo Kiakua, right? And then you now know, so it's a building, it's a building tool that God has given to us. So then when we get back on our feet, we're never going to, you know, we're never going to turn our backs on the people that need. And so we're going to turn around and continue to need give. And that's what this is all about. So with that, it may seem dark and embarrassing, but it's not, it's a growing tool that he has placed in our lives to make us better people, better neighbors, better community servants and more diamonds so that you too can turn around and make a difference in the help. Well, you know, I know that most young men on the West side, as I mentioned, I mean, I need to, I still serve. They serve and they hang out at beaches and they probably get into some trouble here and there, you know, whatever they decide, sometimes not the right choice, but how do you enjoy spending your time? I know you're doing the public, the neighborhood board, and all that. That's like a big responsibility diamond. It is, it is, you know, and I, I really enjoy talking to people, meeting people. And you know, as a preacher, as a pastor, as a minister, I love sharing the gospel with people. And that's not always, you know, the Bible that could be a health message that could be, you know, just giving somebody a hug after, you know, they've been going through things, they're showing Christ through different ways. I love doing that. And so campaigning, I get to knock on doors and meet people and pray with people and introduce them to different things. And I, that's what I enjoy doing, knocking on doors, knocking on doors. I did that for six years right throughout high school. So that's a, that's a first nature to me. And of course, I love the water like you. I sometimes will wake up in the morning at like six o'clock before the sun is really up. And I go down to yolks and down to Makua. And oh, it's just so beautiful out there, you know, and there's nobody on the beach and seeing the seals on the beach. And I just walk down and get my morning walk in. It's just relaxing, you know, I get to just look at and behold the, the wondrous creations of God. And that's really what recharges me. Yes. And we all need that and make sure you get a lot of that in, in your beginning of your day, in the middle, throughout to refresh, because it can be very grueling. And you need to refresh. And another topic that we're going to talk about that's grueling is I know that sex trafficking is a very hot topic. And I know you're very aware of this situation. And I know it's all around, but being that we're from the West side, we're going to focus in on the West side. And I know you put on talks and stuff, but what are you doing about it thus far in your community? Sure, sure. Thank you. You know, just last Wednesday, we put on a Protected Arkeke Town Hall meeting in Waena, you know, just to bring awareness and education that sex trafficking isn't always the the white monopola van of that creepy guy who drives around and kidnaps kids. I mean, that happens, you know, sometimes, but that's not really 90% of all the sex trafficking that goes on is really things that we don't expect our own family members, our own friends, our own uncles, our own fathers, our own whoever it is, the closer they are to you, unfortunately stats show that that's where the risks are, you know. And so bringing awareness to our families, because you know, I was shocked to find out and even realize that one out of four children have been touched inappropriately molested. That's a lot. I mean, one out of four, that is a lot and that is unacceptable. And we need to bring awareness to people, teach kids early on, you know, what is inappropriate that way they know, because a lot of kids, they trust their uncles, they trust their father, they trust their brothers, they trust their cousins, they don't know what's inappropriate. So bringing awareness, I was shocked to find out, you know, from law enforcement that evening that in our own public school systems, we have school counselors who are offering kids money for sex. These are issues that have to be addressed in our community. And lots of kids out here are vulnerable, they don't have much, they're broke, they're raised on food stamps, 20 bucks, that sounds good. Yes, it does, and the enticement is so great for them. And, you know, I just mahalo you because I did see you on Facebook and I called my girlfriend, as I said, hey, let's get out there and learn and understand and support them. And it is venture to continue to educate the people. But I mean, we could talk hours on this and it's, but I know that you're addressing it and so to shape for you and we're going to continue to support you and have more events that way. But I know our time is running out soon. So I just want to say, hey, you know, you're the new kid on the block. How are you getting your platform out and how do you're and getting your constituent's attention? You know, what are you doing? Well, our campaign is totally grassroots. You know, I am so happy to have the ability to knock on doors, to sign with, to call people, to phone back and just let them know, hey, you know, I'm running for office because I really believe that we need change here in Hawaii. And I'm sick and tired of being overlooked by politicians and so just getting our message out there. Like you just saw, I'm so blessed to have the endorsements of many community leaders like Bird Mahelona and the fixtures of men ministries, you know, and lots of churches out here, lots of pastors who are putting their trust and faith in you. They see your heart diamond. They see and they feel your heart. And you know what? I just appealed for the people, the residents of your district, please go out and vote for Diamond Garcia. He's a diamond in the rough and he is the man that you want to guide your community and in a very great way so we can mentor our kids as well so that they can become great residents and citizens. So Diamond, unfortunately, we run out of time and I could go on and on with you, but just Mahalo. Mahalo Kiyoko for your heart and for you being so obedient. So good luck to you as you become our next house of rep in your district. Aloha Diamond. Mahalo. God bless. Aloha.