Gary Cordery

Gary Cordery was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Cordery's career experience includes owning a construction company. He has been affiliated with the Waikiki Beach Chaplaincy.[1]

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Video submitted to BallotpediaReleased Mar 24, 2022

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Gary Cordery is a successful businessman and entrepreneur. Since 1998, his company, Kingdom Builders, has produced residential and commercial real estate throughout Oahu, HI. Gary’s success as a businessman created a solid reputation throughout his community based on honesty, consistency, quality, and integrity. His commitment toward excellence in his work has far-reaching benefits across the islands through the building of Hawai’i’s schools, churches, homes, and other small businesses.

Gary’s entrepreneurial and leadership spirit also led him to be a voice throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, Gary helped start the Aloha Freedom Coalition (AFC), which advocates for the personal freedoms of all communities in Hawai’i, promoting transformation and transparency of government. Gary’s desire to unite everyone who has been unfairly treated by Hawai’i’s Covid-19 government lockdowns and mandates resulted in massive positive change throughout his community.

Gary also pastored several churches across the island, led many youth groups and sports teams, ministered to inmates at OCCC, and served on numerous Board of Directors for various nonprofits.

Gary is a husband to Kim for 41 years, father to daughters Rachel and Erica, and “PopPop” to seven grandchildren between the ages of 4 and 11.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

I am not a politician, I am a successful businessman and entrepreneur. My company, Kingdom Builders, has produced residential and commercial real estate throughout Oahu and has far-reaching benefits across the islands through the building of Hawai’i’s schools, churches, homes, and other small businesses.I am, and will always be, a voice for freedom. I helped start the Aloha Freedom Coalition (AFC), which advocates for the personal freedoms of all communities in Hawai’i, promoting transformation and transparency of government. My desire to unite everyone who has been unfairly treated by Hawai’i’s Covid-19 government lockdowns and mandates resulted in massive, positive change throughout my community.I am running for Governor because Hawai'i needs help. For too long, we have been bombarded by career politicians making decisions for us that have led to nowhere other than high cost of living, escalating homeless numbers, increased mental health issues and a shocking percentage of people leaving the state by the masses. My administration would help heal Hawai'i and make sure this incredible state becomes of the leading states in the nation.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

There are many policy issues I am passionate about and I can assist with. One of the many issues is our education system. Hawaiʻi is the only state where all school boards are appointed with no parental involvement. This has led to our state having some of the lowest proficiency tests in the nation. My administration would get parents actively involved in their children’s education, offer a voucher program, and get the union out of school policy. Another issue is energy. We cannot adopt an “all-of-the-above” energy strategy. We need to continually evaluate what actually works when tested and not spread our brainpower on technologies that sound good but aren’t feasible or possible to produce on a large scale. We do know that with Hawaiʻi's year-round sunshine, solar energy must continue to improve and be promoted in Hawaiʻi, although prime agricultural land should not be rezoned for ground mount solar farms. My administration would utilize this land for sustainable agricultural business. Drug policy is another primary issue of mine. In 2020, drug-related deaths in Honolulu hit a 5-year high. Much of the focus by the medical and law enforcement establishment in the last two years has been on addressing the worldwide COVID pandemic, but we must turn our attention to methamphetamine because it is clear that in the western half of America (including Hawai’i), methamphetamine is the “top drug involved in overdose deaths," my administration would tackle this issue head-on.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I look up to Thomas Jefferson. I follow Jesus' example because he is truth and grace.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

The book I would recommend to someone who wants to understand my political philosophy is The Bible for the wisdom there within. In addition, the U.S. Consitution.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

The characteristics or principles that are most important for an elected official are integrity and honor, humility, and a willingness to listen speak the truth, and make wise decisions.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Husband to Kim for 41 years, father to daughters Rachel and Erica, and “PopPop” to his seven grandchildren between the ages of 4 and 11, Gary Cordery is a family man, local business leader, a genuine friend, and a light in the community. In every season of his life, Gary has stepped into a role of leadership: family, community advocacy, or business. He gives his all, he holds nothing back.

IN COMMUNITY

Since making Hawaiʻi home in 1982, Gary Cordery has steadfastly given his most valuable asset to others: his time. He has spent several years pastoring churches across the island, pouring into the keiki on the windward side in leading many youth groups and sports teams, and ministering to inmates at OCCC. He has counseled friends and neighbors, mentored and hired young men coming out of a local drug treatment center, as well as served on various non-profit boards of directors.

IN LOCAL BUSINESSES

Since 1998, Gary Cordery has built a successful small business from the ground up in Kingdom Builders. His commitment toward excellence in his work has far-reaching benefits across the islands through the building of Hawaiʻi’s schools, churches, homes, and other small businesses. With Gary at the helm of Kingdom Builders, his leadership within his sphere of influence has inspired, and more importantly, built men and women up toward great responsibility and integrity.

IN THE FIGHT

With the advent of the coronavirus pandemic, Gary’s season of leadership expanded once again. Standing for truth, Gary became emboldened on the people’s behalf and began a non-profit organization as a means for the neighbors to his right and the neighbors to his left to live out their lives in peace, free from unethical regulation and medical mandates. He is ready to take his service from the private sector and rise into the public service of Hawaiʻi.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

I believe the core responsibility of someone elected to the governor's office is to provide righteous leadership so that the people may live free with equal justice under the law.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I want to leave a legacy of truth, honor, and liberty. I want to leave a legacy that gives hope to the next generation and for generations to come to be able to thrive on island.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

The first historical event that happened in my lifetime that I remember was The Vietnam War when I was 8 or 9 years old.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

When I was 16 years old, I was a Dishwasher for 3 months.

A governor is the top executive authority in his or her state. What does that mean do you?

The governor has the responsibility to direct public policy, uphold citizens' constitutional rights, and be a good moral example to the citizens.

Governors have many responsibilities, which vary from state to state. Which of those do you personally consider the most important in your state?

I personally consider the most important responsibility as governor is nominating people with integrity to offices of authority.

Different states require governors to have different degrees of responsibility for the state budgeting process. If it were your choice, what do you believe is the appropriate degree of gubernatorial involvement with this process in your state?

The governor’s role in establishing state budgets should be to ensure accuracy and integrity while utilizing wisdom from responsible sources of information.

In most states, governors have the power to make line-item vetoes. If that is true in your state, what would be your philosophy for how and when to use this power?

Line-item veto power should be used when laws are submitted that violate the constitutional rights of people or that promote special interests at the cost of the citizens or do not reflect the will of the people.

If the governor's office in your state does not have the line-item veto power, do you believe it should? Why or why not?

Yes, Hawai'i does have the line-item veto power and it should. Many bills may have good intentions but amendments may be added that have little to do with the proposed bill.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

The ideal relationship between the governor and the state legislature would be them working together for the will of the people.

What do you love most about your state?

The things I love about Hawai'i most are the generosity of the people, the aloha spirit, and the unique beauty.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

I perceive that the state's greatest challenges over the next decade are eliminating corruption in government, providing clean water and energy sources, and restoring an economy that will support local families and their legacy.

Under what circumstances should the governor of your state be able to use emergency powers?

The circumstances that the governor should be able to use emergency powers are in times of war and natural disasters.

Campaign website

Cordery's campaign website stated the following:

ECONOMY

Our economy is being crushed by the highest taxes in the country, the cost of living is unsuitable and home ownership is nearly a lost hope.

People are leaving the islands in order to create a more viable future for their children, contributing to the 13k businesses which failed to survive during the last two years.

My administration would work towards bringing back a business-orientated ferry, opening up cost effective methods of bringing goods and services to the islands.

HOMELESSNESS

Hawaiʻi has the highest homeless per capita rate in the nation. As a matter of compassion, we must address this tragic state of affairs. The most important aspect of assisting those living in the streets is accurately assessing their needs as individuals. One size certainly does not fit all and the statistics reflect this fact.

One significant change is to fund homeless individuals’ correct needs. Mental health and drug interventions leading to treatment are among the top actions that reduce homelessness. Individuals’ circumstances where there is temporary need as opposed to those with a willing preference to a homeless lifestyle will be addressed uniquely and accordingly. Again, compassion must translate into effective action.

Recently, the government has cut back on funding for mental illness programs, but my administration would secure funds to programs which can help direct the homeless to some type of path back to a life off the streets.

EDUCATION

Hawaiʻi is the only state where all school boards are appointed with no parental involvement. This has led to our state having some of the lowest proficiency tests in the nation.

My administration would get parents actively involved in their children’s education, offer a voucher program and get the union out of school policy.

ENVIRONMENT

There is always a struggle between development, tourism, local farmers, and the needs of the people over water use in Hawaiʻi.

Many wells and aquifers are capped from pesticide use over the decades. For several years, Red Hill fuel leaks have threatened the most important aquifer on Oʻahu.

We need to do all we can in research to ensure the availability of safe water supplies on all islands.

ENERGY

We can not adopt an “all-of-the-above” energy strategy. We need to continually evaluate what actually works when tested and not spread our brainpower on technologies that sound good but aren’t feasible or possible to produce on a large scale.

We do know that with Hawaiʻi's year-round sunshine, solar energy must continue to improve and be promoted in Hawaiʻi, although prime agricultural land should not be rezoned for ground mount solar farms. My administration would utilize this land for sustainable agricultural business.

COST OF LIVING

Hawaiʻi is the most expensive state to live in throughout the United States. The average home price in Hawaiʻi is $1,158,492, resulting in a steady decline of local-resident home ownership. Unfortunately, this means people are leaving our incredible state in droves, leaving Hawaiʻi as one of two states with a declining population.

We all feel the impact of inflation every time we go to the store or fill up at the pump. I will work to put more money in your pocket by cutting taxes and removing the burdensome regulations that drive up the costs of goods and services, leaving local people with more money to put toward their families and future.

CORRUPTION

Our state is plagued by the misuse of public money and trust in exchange for access, contracts, and services. This corruption occurs in the interaction of both public and private sectors and undermines all aspects of our lives.

We need to completely fund our police and investigative agencies. Crime rots society from the inside out.[2]

—Gary Cordery's campaign website (2022)[3]