Advertisement - Click to support our sponsors.
House District 18
Palolo Valley, St. Louis Heights, Kaimuki
*Denotes incumbent
Wayne W. Gau
REPUBLICAN
Age: 51
Job: Clergyman
Years here: 51What are the unique qualifications you bring to this job?
I bring to this position five university degrees and experience as a teacher, counselor and clergyman. I have been a night minister in the downtown Honolulu area and have experience as a neighborhood board member.
What are the top three issues facing Hawaii (from most pressing to least)?
The three top issues facing Hawaii are the need to move beyond tourism as Hawaii's major economic base, how Hawaii can move into higher technology and finding the means to educate Hawaii's work force to deal with the technological and economic changes.
Are changes needed to the civil service system? If so, what are they?
The changing technology will make much of the work presently done by civil servants doing traditional office work obsolete in the years to come. We have a 19th century-style civil service system in the 21st century.
Calvin K.Y. Say*
DEMOCRAT
Age: 48
Job: Light goods importer/wholesaler
Years here: 48What are the unique qualifications you bring to this job?
My 24 years of public service and 30 years in business have allowed me to gain a much broader perspective of the issues and problems facing our state and the possibilities and failures of state government. This allows me to fulfill a major part of my role as speaker -- to help my colleagues draft better legislation by helping them understand the history behind our existing laws ...
What are the top three issues facing Hawaii (from most pressing to least)?
First and foremost, we must ensure continued economic growth, without which we will not be able to afford to invest in our future. Second, we need to invest more in our children's education to prepare them for the future. Third, we need to help create the future for our children by expanding the employment horizons -- create new job opportunities.
Are changes needed to the civil service system? If so, what are they?
The civil service system should be modernized, not eliminated. As the role and operation of government changes, its human resources system must adapt to those changes to ensure a competent workforce. Flexibility, accountability (up and down the management structure), and efficiency must be the guiding principles of the new civil service system.
