David's Journey
My journey has been shaped by family, faith, and a deep love for Kauaʻi. My father started the algae farm here in 2010 to create new economic opportunities while advancing true environmental sustainability for the people of Hawaiʻi. I first visited Kauaʻi that summer as a high school student, and because of my father’s work here, my family returned every summer after that. Those early experiences shaped my appreciation for this island and the responsibility we share to care for it.
I completed my Quantitative Economics degree from Cal Poly SLO in 2015 and immediately joined my family's business. My wife Emily and I got married in 2018 and moved to Kauaʻi full-time to manage the business.
Today, as a husband, father of three young children, and President of Global Algae, I carry on our values of hard work, responsibility, and community service. Years of experience leading a local business and its team have given me a data-driven, common-sense approach to solving problems and getting things done.
My decision to run for office comes from a commitment to the people and future of Kauaʻi, and a belief that our island deserves leadership that listens, acts responsibly, and always puts Kauaʻi first.
I humbly ask for your vote on November 3, 2026.
Qualified to Serve Kauaʻi
Kauaʻi deserves leadership built on real-world experience and a commitment to putting our island first. David's background reflects years of responsibility, teamwork, and results that directly benefit families and our community.
Proven Leadership & Professional Experience:
As President of Global Algae Innovations, creating sustainable abundance, David:
• Manages daily operations of their growing research-driven agriculture business
• Leads an interdisciplinary team of ~25 employees across multiple states
• Is pioneering the transition to a true four-day, 8 hour per day workweek, demonstrating innovative leadership to improve work-life balance and support families
• Directs a $6M annual operating budget, ensuring responsible use of resources
• Successfully passed several financial and operational audits with no findings, demonstrating accountability and transparency
• Works closely with federal agencies such as the U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. Department of Agriculture
• Won an XPRIZE Carbon Removal Milestone Award (2021) for innovative environmental solutions, one of the 15 most likely in the world to reach Gigaton scale carbon removal
Commitment to Families & Community
• Husband and father of three young children, understands the challenges facing families
• Married for 8 years, building a strong foundation centered on faith and family
• Led youth staff for several years
• Coached many keiki sports teams
• Active member of Kalaheo Missionary Church, host annual marriage seminars
Education & Foundation
• Athletic Director of Pre-K through 12 private school in California
• California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly SLO), 2011-15
• Bachelor of Science in Quantitative Economics
• Member of SLOCORE Collegiate Ultimate Frisbee Team
• Proud graduate of public schools (K–12)
• Love playing sports, surfing, and playing board games
These experiences have prepared David to serve with independence, integrity, and common sense, always putting Kauaʻi first.
Guiding Principles
These principles guide David's decisions, shape his leadership, and reflect his commitment to serving the people of Kauaʻi with integrity and common sense.
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Care for Our ʻĀina: Protect our air, water, land, and wildlife so future generations can enjoy the natural beauty and resources that sustain our island.
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Put People and Families First: Strong families are the foundation of strong communities. David believes in supporting policies that give families more time together, including promoting workplace practices that strengthen family life.
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Faith-Guided Leadership: David's Christian faith guides his commitment to serve others with humility, integrity, compassion, and a strong sense of responsibility to our community.
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Support ʻOhana and Community: Families, neighbors, and communities should look out for one another, treat each other with respect, and build a culture of kindness and responsibility.
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Use Resources Wisely: Government should spend carefully, avoid waste, and ensure taxpayer dollars are used responsibly and transparently.
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Respect Tradition and Encourage Innovation: We can learn valuable lessons from the past while embracing new ideas that improve our future.
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Empower Local Decision-Making: The people who live in the community understand its needs best, and their voices should guide the decisions that affect their daily lives.
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Honor Hard Work: Hard work deserves respect. David values the contributions of workers, unions, and small businesses that keep our community strong.
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Plan for the Future: Every decision should consider its long-term impact, ensuring our children and grandchildren can live, work, and thrive on Kauaʻi.
About David Hazlebeck
David Hazlebeck is a devoted husband, father, and algae farmer who is deeply committed to serving the people of Kauaʻi. David and his wife, Emily, were married in 2018 and made Līhuʻe their permanent home right after. David had long looked forward to living on Kauaʻi, having spent summers here since 2010 supporting his family’s algae farm. The Hazlebeck family are active members of Kalaheo Missionary Church, where they regularly serve and host an annual marriage and parenting seminar focused on strengthening families and marriages.
David officially joined his family’s company, Global Algae Innovations, in 2015 after graduating from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly), where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Quantitative Economics. During his college years, he played for SLOCORE, the university’s ultimate frisbee team, and served on youth staff at Grace Church, mentoring young people. He developed the leadership skills that continue to guide his work.
Today, as President of Global Algae Innovations, David leads business operations and helps guide the company’s continued growth on Kauaʻi. The company operates a 33-acre algae farm in Kāpaia, adjacent to KIUC’s power station. Their work supports research efforts with the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, as well as partnerships with local aquaculture farmers.
Algae is one of the fastest-growing sources of protein and oil. It captures carbon dioxide and converts it into valuable products. The company earned an XPRIZE Carbon Removal Milestone Award in 2021. Under David’s leadership, the company has implemented forward-thinking workplace policies, including transitioning toward a four-day workweek to better support employees and their families.
Before joining Global Algae full-time, David served as the founding Athletic Director at San Luis Obispo Classical Academy & High School from 2012 to 2015. Throughout his life, he has coached many keiki sports teams, including most recently his son’s Līhuʻe Red Sox T-Ball team in Fall 2025. Coaching has strengthened his passion for mentoring youth and supporting strong families in the community.
David and Emily are also co-owners of Galloping Games, an educational card game company they operate alongside David’s three siblings and their spouses. Their mission is to inspire families and friends to spend meaningful time together while learning and having fun.
Family
Family is the foundation of David's life and the reason he is so committed to serving our community. He and his wife are raising three young children (ages 5, 3, and 1). They remind him every day why it’s so important to protect the future of Kauaʻi for the next generation. David is also incredibly grateful to work alongside his parents and siblings, as algae farmers here on Kauaʻi. Since 2010, they have built their family business together, learning from one another, solving challenges side by side, and supporting each other through every step of the journey. Being surrounded by family—both at home and at work—has taught David the values of teamwork, responsibility, and perseverance, and those same values guide his approach to leadership and public service.
