State Senate

Gladys Gerlich Hayes
Republican
Age: 73
Job: Retired
Past: Elected three terms Palolo Neighborhood Board and serve on three other boards

What qualifies you to be a state senator?
My education, community service, party service and common sense that comes as one grows older.

Do you support a rail-transit system for Oahu? What about the Superferry?
Do not think rail transit is worth the money, and what happens when we have an earthquake or severe hurricane? Need to improve bus system and yes, a Superferry would be nice for tourist and transportation of vegetables, etc.

Should taxes be cut? Please explain your answer.
No, we cannot cut taxes yet, but we can certainly continue better housekeeping in all departments.

Les Ihara Jr.
Democrat
Age: 55
Job: Full-time legislator
Past: Community and organizational development, communications planning

What qualifies you to be a state senator?
I have 20 years of experience in the legislature in such positions as Senate majority leader and majority floor leader in both houses. I care about the future of Hawaii and want to help build a pathway for its success.

Do you support a rail-transit system for Oahu? What about the Superferry?
I will support Honolulu's selection of best transit alternative, which may be a fixed guideway alternative, for moving people with least congestion along its east-west high-capacity transit corridor. I support the Superferry with adequate infrastructure and environmental protection.

Should taxes be cut? Please explain your answer.
I support tax cuts for persons making less than a living wage. Increased revenues should be spent on building the state's capacity to compete in the global knowledge economy, protecting our natural resources, and strengthening our human services safety net.

Carol Fukunaga
Democrat
Age: 58
Job: Attorney
Past: Experienced public servant and community entrepreneur

What qualifies you to be a state senator?
The issues confronting Hawaii are increasingly complex - for example, with competing demands for reduced taxes and better services (such as escalating health care costs, demands for quality education or ending homelessness). I have a proven track record ...

Do you support a rail-transit system for Oahu? What about the Superferry?
I support Leeward-to-downtown transit alternatives backed by effective cost analyses, with the goal of reducing congestion in urban Honolulu (example: using Superferry or other water transportation). I cannot support a specific technology without having more in-depth data.

Should taxes be cut? Please explain your answer.
Before deciding on specific tax cuts, I support (a) rigorous collection of existing taxes (example: Hawaii's use tax on out-of-state sales); and (b) increased cooperation between ... tax agencies to reduce tax burdens on those with fixed incomes.

Phil Meyers
Republican
Age: 50
Job: Pediatrician
Past: Recipient of Star-Bulletin endorsement for U.S. Congress in 2000

What qualifies you to be a state senator?
I see 25-40 families each working day and assist them with medical, social or educational problems their children might be experiencing. I have ground-level experience in dealing with state agencies such as Child Protective Services ...

Do you support a rail-transit system for Oahu? What about the Superferry?
As state senator, I would partner with legislators from the neighbor islands and Windward Oahu and find a state mechanism to block the rail-transit plan. The Superferry will become essential to Oahu's small businesses .

Should taxes be cut? Please explain your answer.
Every family in Hawaii could have received a tax refund of $1,000 this year. Whether our state's economy will continue to generate these surpluses with oil at $70-80 per barrel remains to be seen.

Suzanne Chun Oakland
Democrat
Age: 45
Job: Legislator
Past: Bachelor degrees in communication and psychology

What qualifies you to be a state senator?
Strong desire to help others and provide community service; love working with people; strong facilitating, problem-solving and team-building skills; good listener; resourceful; good working knowledge of how government operates; good working relationships with diverse sectors of our state .

Do you support a rail-transit system for Oahu? What about the Superferry?
Support rail transit if City does exceptional job researching proposals, developing viable long-term financing strategies to support system . Support bus system improvements; new door-to-door options for seniors/disabled; flexible work/school options; walkable communities; bikeways. Support Superferry.

Should taxes be cut? Please explain your answer.
Supported HB957 reducing taxes for middle- and lower-income people starting in 2007. Support a reduction in taxes on food and medical expenses. Support initiatives that keep our economy vibrant and diverse to assure strong tax base for public services.

Paul E. Smith
Republican
Age: 63
Job: Small-business owner
Past: Experience and education bring solid business and financial expertise

What qualifies you to be a state senator?
The Senate needs experience: 45 years as business owner, international volunteer/banker along with honesty and integrity learned early as a minister's son. Special interests gain no advantage since I will use my funds, not taxpayer money, for the campaign.

Do you support a rail-transit system for Oahu? What about the Superferry?
We can spend less transit money and get more with highway and bus ridership improvements. Overpasses, underpasses, flyovers, and HOT lanes will give immediate relief and zip buses to destinations. Superferry is a needed alternative for travelers. Avoid more debt.

Should taxes be cut? Please explain your answer.
Yes. Abolish the tax on food, medical services, non-prescription drugs, and residential rent. Widen the tax brackets and increase the standard deduction. Stop issuing special tax credits that cost taxpayers more than they benefit. Spend wisely and demand results.

Mike Gabbard
Republican
Age: 58
Job: Entrepreneur running several businesses ranging from healthy living technologies
Past: Councilman, small businessman, educator

What qualifies you to be a state senator?
I don't like saying I'm more qualified than anyone else. All I know is ... we need honest leaders who have aloha and courage to address the needs of the people -- leaders willing to put community interest above self-interest.

Do you support a rail-transit system for Oahu? What about the Superferry?
I support rail transit, but would like us to also look at more economical options in the short term. I'm in favor of ... the Superferry as long as concerns related to the environment, harbors, traffic congestion, etc. are addressed.

Should taxes be cut? Please explain your answer.
People are taxed enough. We should cut costs by learning how to do more with less. Public servants need to be instilled with a sense of ohana -- taking pride in and enjoying their service to the larger family, community.

George Yamamoto
Democrat
Age: 46
Job: Retired Honolulu police captain
Past: Neighbor- hood board member; SHOPO board member

What qualifies you to be a state senator?
After 25 years of service with HPD, I wish to continue serving the community by applying my experience, training and education towards this opportunity as a state senator. I have been active in the community with the area neighborhood board and supportive of local programs.

Do you support a rail-transit system for Oahu? What about the Superferry?
Yes to the rail-transit system, as it will need to be timely, flexible, and convenient to increase ridership to transport people and reduce the growing gridlock on the H-1, H-2, and Moanalua freeways. Yes, to the Superferry for Oahu ...

Should taxes be cut? Please explain your answer.
At this time, no, and taxes don't need to be raised. Should surpluses continue, I recommend that they be carried over to the following year as a tax credit to reduce the tax burden for individuals and businesses within the state.

Jeff Alexander
Republican
Age: 53
Job: Construction, retired
Past: Grew up in Ewa Beach, active 16 years in community

What qualifies you to be a state senator?
Over 30 years in construction, managed millions of dollars worth of projects. Trained to watch every nickel. Grew up in the district, know it extremely well. Active 16 years, not afraid to stand up for what's right. Will get more roads ...

Do you support a rail-transit system for Oahu? What about the Superferry?
Yes to rail and the Superferry.

Should taxes be cut? Please explain your answer.
Yes. We can cut taxes if we require all state agencies to accept the lowest bid on proposals and purchases as long as they are guaranteed.

Will Espero
Democrat
Age: 45
Job: State senator; community rela- tions manager, D.R. Horton/Schuler Div.
Past: Director, neighborhood boards system

What qualifies you to be a state senator?
I was chairman of the Ewa Neighborhood Board and served three years in the House of Representatives. I am completing my first term in the state Senate after being elected in 2002.

Do you support a rail-transit system for Oahu? What about the Superferry?
Yes; I support an elevated rail system which will be the backbone of our land transportation infrastructure for the next 100 years. High-density housing and job centers should be built around the transit stations. I also support the Superferry.

Should taxes be cut? Please explain your answer.
Real property taxes for owner occupants should be capped annually and should not be raised more than 10 percent each year because of rising property values. I would consider cutting taxes on necessary health or medical expenses.

Keoki Leong
Republican
Age: 26
Job: Director, Senate Republican Research

What qualifies you to be a state senator?
I have the community and legislative experience that matters. A fourth-generation Windward resident, I served as a member of the Kaneohe Neighborhood Board, appointed to Kaneohe Bay Regional Council and served as chief of staff to Sen. Bob Hogue ...

Do you support a rail-transit system for Oahu? What about the Superferry?
No. Publicly funded rail is a horrible idea for Oahu. If a private company wants to build a railway financed like Superferry, with revenue bonds, then I would listen, but raising the GET is wrongheaded. The Superferry is sensible .

Should taxes be cut? Please explain your answer.
Yes. I drafted legislation eliminating general excise taxes on grocery food and medicine along with another to eliminate the state tax on fuel for vehicles . These cuts will save an average family of four $900 annually.

Jill Tokuda
Democrat
Age: 30
Job: Director of community relations and government affairs, Reynolds Recycling
Past: Small-business owner

What qualifies you to be a state senator?
I have gained extensive private and public sector experience throughout my career. To date, I have helped nonprofits and schools raise over $200,000 by creating an innovative recycling program and instituted free curbside recycling programs with zero taxpayer dollars.

Do you support a rail-transit system for Oahu? What about the Superferry?
We must develop a mass transit system to alleviate traffic, but I do not feel that rail is the only solution. The Superferry would increase competition ... and diversify our economy, but it must be environmentally sound.

Should taxes be cut? Please explain your answer.
Yes. As long as government has adequate funds to provide basic services needed by our community, such as teaching our children, protecting our environment, ensuring our safety and providing a support network for our seniors and their caregivers.

Fred Hemmings
Republican
Age: 60
Job: Self-employed
Past: Diverse background

What qualifies you to be a state senator?
Experience, get things done, issue driven.

Do you support a rail-transit system for Oahu? What about the Superferry?
Rail transit -- NO. I can't afford $4 billion
Two more viable alternatives: elevated multi-use toll way and fix existing resources.

Should taxes be cut? Please explain your answer.
Yes. The excise tax on food and medicine is regressive. In Hawaii, the lowest 20 pecent of taxpayers pay the biggest percentage of their income. Auwe!

Frank T. Lockwood
Democrat
Age: 56
Job: Attorney
Past: Over 25 years of skills in conflict resolution and negotiation

What qualifies you to be a state senator?
I care about Hawaii and the Windward community. I have the skills, energy and time to make a difference. I am independent-minded and can work with members of either political party; ... bring new ideas ... to address old problems.

Do you support a rail-transit system for Oahu? What about the Superferry?
I support any solution that actually fixes the traffic problem. Rail proponents have admitted that a rail system will not fix the traffic problem. I am in favor of the Superferry because it provides more choices for Hawaii's citizens.

Should taxes be cut? Please explain your answer.
Absolutely. The people of Hawaii already pay too much in taxes. The people of Hawaii deserve a raise. High taxes reduce the quality of life in Hawaii for its citizens and make Hawaii business less competitive worldwide.