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House District 24
Makiki, Tantalus, Manoa
*Denotes incumbent
Sam Aiona
republican
Age: 35
Job: Loan officer for mortgage broker
Years here: 35What are the unique qualifications you bring to this job?
I have deep roots in Hawaii and strong feelings about the loss of family members to better opportunities elsewhere. We need to create opportunities here and I have the plan that will do so: eliminate hurtful taxes; provide smaller classes and better resources for schools; help victims, not criminals.
What are the top three issues facing Hawaii (from most pressing to least)?
Education: Teach our children right from wrong and respect of individuals' rights; smaller classes and better resources in our schools. Crime: Protect victims and get rid of our drug problems. Crime occurs when children are not educated and do not respect others. Economy: Eliminate the taxes on food, medical and rent.
Are changes needed to the civil service system? If so, what are they?
Yes. We can make government smaller and more efficient without firing anyone. Counties should have their own collective bargaining. I am free of any control of public sector unions and can work on civil service reform on behalf of all of us.
Casey K. Choi
DEMOCRAT
Age: 41
Job: None given
Years here: 16What are the unique qualifications you bring to this job?
I have extensive experience and contacts in the international business arena. As vice president at the Polynesian Cultural Center, I tripled the Asian market share at the PCC. However, my first concern is the economy as it pertains to our workers. I believe that international business can provide well-paying jobs for our residents of Hawaii.
What are the top three issues facing Hawaii (from most pressing to least)?
a) Economy: ... We must grow more crops without the use of herbicides ... We should support an environmentally friendly horse industry. b) Education: With advances in science occurring every day we must have current books. Computers in the classroom are nonexistent in most middle schools and high schools. c) Taxes: We need to reduce the tax burden of the "working poor." Raising the threshold of taxable earning...
Are changes needed to the civil service system? If so, what are they?
I do not feel that there is a need to reform the civil service system. Instead, we should be providing job satisfaction and training. One thing for certain is that we should not penalize any current or retired employee with a reduction in salaries or benefits. If vacant positions were filled properly, there would be fewer complaints about government's inability to provide services ...
Brian Schatz*
DEMOCRAT
Age: 27
Job: State representative/ partner, HubrisOnline Web site Design and Marketing Co.
Years here: 25What are the unique qualifications you bring to this job?
As the youngest House member, I bring a fresh perspective, a desire to change the status quo, and a willingness to embrace new ideas. As a businessman, educator, and nonprofit founder, I understand the needs of Hawaii's people. I also passed more legislation than any freshman in years.
What are the top three issues facing Hawaii (from most pressing to least)?
Our education system must better prepare young people for the workforce. Our economy needs to be kick-started through increased entrepreneurial activity, and government must do its best to get out of the way. Finally, we must reform government to make it open, lean, and more responsive to people's needs.
Are changes needed to the civil service system? If so, what are they?
Yes. Our current system, made fifty years ago, doesn't reward creativity or hard work. Currently, only seniority, not merit, is what determines the pay of our government employees. That must change. We must give ourselves incentives and flexibility to do well, and make government more like the private sector.
