[ STATE SENATE ]

21
Nanakuli-Makua

Colleen Hanabusa

Age: 53 Job: State senator and attorney Past: State senator-6 years; attorney-27 years

What qualifies you to be a state senator?

Six years of experience and strong family ties to the area (fourth generation). Familiarity with the needs of the 21st Senatorial District -- Ko Olina to Kaena Point ... the ability to address its issues is what qualifies me to be senator.

What is the most pressing issue facing your district and what would you do about it?

Our biggest problem? The future of our children. To address this, we must begin with a sense of pride and self worth. To accomplish this, education must be made meaningful to them and the battle with drugs must be won ...

Do you support or oppose Gov. Linda Lingle's plan to break up the statewide Board of Education? Explain.

I do not support the plan because the break-up of the board is not the answer (also, governor's plan retained a statewide board). What is the answer is to get the school, teachers, parents ... to buy into a structure ... or it to work ...