I look forward to having robust discussions about individual proposals.Ĩ. What will you do to ensure accountability at the Legislature? Are you open to ideas such as requiring the Sunshine Law and open records laws to apply to the Legislature or banning campaign contributions during session?Īs legislators, accountability and transparency should be the basic standard for all leaders.
Hawaii has recently experienced a number of prominent corruption scandals, prompting the state House of Representatives to appoint a commission tasked with improving government transparency through ethics and lobbying reforms. I would like to have a robust discussion on this issue, because the current limits may not be appropriate for all levels of government.ħ. I understand the value in setting term limits. Should there be term limits for state legislators, as there are for the governor’s office and county councils? Why or why not? Thanks to their campaign war chests and name familiarity, incumbents are almost always re-elected in Hawaii legislative races. I would be concerned that initiatives would not include the community.Ħ. I would need more information on this process, because right now my constituents rely on me to help the community vet all constitutional initiatives. Do you support such a process?įrom what I understand, the statewide citizens initiative process allows citizens to propose and vote on constitutional amendments without the need for legislative referral. Hawaii is the only Western state without a statewide citizens initiative process. I hope to provide some ideas to the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement.ĥ. I believe it must be expanded as a requirement for all visitors coming to our state. We must remain steadfast to that type of conduct of treating people with aloha. I have used the aloha mutual respect concept to continue the good work for our people.Īt the end of the day we are all united by aloha. How would you ensure there is an open exchange of ideas, transparency and accountability for decisions? What do you see as the consequences of one-party control, and how would you address that?Īs the Senate minority leader, I have worked across the aisle and have been successful to get the funding for badly needed projects for my district. Hawaii has the most lopsided Legislature in the country, with only one Republican in the Senate and only four in the House. Similar to the Hawaii Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards having discounts for buying local produce, I would like to see a program expanding discounts to Hawaii residents buying local produce.Ĥ.
Relook at the Tax Code to determine if there are any potential changes that can be made to help the middle class save or provide incentives. What ideas do you have to help the middle class and working families who are finding it hard to continue to live here? An estimated 60% of Hawaii residents are struggling to get by, a problem that reaches far beyond low income and into the middle class, which is disappearing. I support private-public partnerships to help the agriculture industry expand local production for the tourist industry, local schools, and other local business.ģ. I support the tourist industry’s commitment to buying local produce and using agriculture industry products primarily in Hawaii hotels and restaurants. We must utilize the tourist industry to help diversify and expand our Hawaii agriculture industry. I believe we have taken initial steps to revamp the tourist industry with successfully awarding the rebranding contract to the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement.
What, if anything, should be done differently about tourism and the economy? Many people have talked about diversifying the local economy for many years now, and yet Hawaii is still heavily reliant on tourism. The Pahika Street Extension needs to be built as it relates to the Haseko Ewa Villages Development Project, and the North Road/Fort Weaver Improvements needs to be built as it relates to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands – Ewa Beach Housing Development Project.Ģ. The Keaunui Drive Extension needs to be built, as it relates to potential Holomua Teacher Housing project. What is the biggest issue facing your district, and what would you do about it?Ĭonnectivity as it relates to potential housing projects. State senator, 2018-present Ewa Beach Neighborhood Board chair Ewa Beach Lions Club president ambassador to Weed & Seed Organization member, JCHS Alumni Association Neighborhood Security Watch block captain.ġ.