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CAMPAIGN 2000

A Look At Hot Legislative Races

Challenger wants to
cut bureaucracy

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Treena Shapiro
Star-Bulletin

MARK Hunsaker doesn't aspire to be a politician; he says it's just a sacrifice he's willing to make for a couple years to better his community.

The certified public accountant and businessman thinks his experience can help him streamline the state's bureaucracy, making Hawaii more business-friendly.

Running as a Republican, Hunsaker is challenging seven-term incumbent Kenneth Hiraki for the 25th House District seat (Kakaako, Downtown, Ala Moana). Hiraki, he said, "epitomizes the one-party system full of people who really don't have any experience but politics."

HOUSE DISTRICT 25 Kakaako, Downtown, Ala Moana Kenneth T. Hiraki (D) Occupation: Full-time legislator Background: Member, Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization Mark Hunsaker (R) Occupation: Certified public accountant and businessman Background: Board member, Hina Mauka; major and command pilot in U.S. Air Force Auxiliary

But Hiraki said he does get things done and in eight of the past 10 years he has ranked among the top 10 legislators in getting bills passed. He also said not having another career also allows him to devote himself full time to the Legislature.

Hiraki also points out that with Sen. Carol Fukunaga, he co-founded the Condo Crime Prevention Network -- a fax-connected neighborhood watch-type program, which he said has helped reduce property crime by 30 percent over the past three years.

He said he also helped obtain funds for construction and operation of Kakaako Waterfront Park, renovations for the McKinley High School administration building and a new library at Royal Elementary School.

"I think it's because of the improvements we've made to the community, our residents think our community is the best place to live, work and play," he said.

Hiraki said he will continue to focus on improving the community and reducing crime.

Hunsaker said the key issues are education and the economy. He said he wants to unclog the state's bureaucracy and get rid of the centralized Board of Education.

"I would tear down the Board of Education and turn back education to the counties and communities where those schools are located, and make the schools responsible for their own communities, not to some bureaucratic agency that can't do its job."