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House District 29
Moanalua, Fort Shafter, Kalihi Waena, Kapalama
*Denotes incumbent
Jun Abinsay*
DEMOCRAT
Age: 51
Job: Full-time state legislator
Years here: 26What are the unique qualifications you bring to this job?
What I will bring to this job is leadership, strong work and moral ethics and deep personal commitment to public service, with five years of experience in the state house and over 20 years of community service not only in Kalihi, but in other parts of the state as well.
What are the top three issues facing Hawaii (from most pressing to least)?
Although all indications point to a slowly growing economy, I believe that economic development is still our number one priority. Second is education and prevention of drug and alcohol abuse among schoolchildren. And third is health care for children and the elderly.
Are changes needed to the civil service system? If so, what are they?
Yes. I believe that our civil service system must be reviewed, improved and upgraded or modernized. To do this, employers, unions and possibly a third party, with input from all sides, should get together to study and find ways to implement fair and appropriate recommendations to the state Legislature.
Lester L. Fung
DEMOCRAT
Age: No age given
Job: Consultant
Years here: 43What are the unique qualifications you bring to this job?
I have very unique qualities, I am intelligent, charming, forgiving and happy. People are my business, and making people and the infrastructure like government, and business work together will be my success, as well as helping people live in better conditions through social programs.
What are the top three issues facing Hawaii (from most pressing to least)?
1) Funding programs to aid our elderly, the disabled, and poverty-stricken class get medicine, health insurance, and financial monies to cope with living conditions until they become employed ... 2) What can we do if the economy fails? Relying upon our own natural resources as well as improving the public and private sector of business and government. 3) Education improvement in the public sector is in great need.
Are changes needed to the civil service system? If so, what are they?
Yes, there is a definite need for restructuring the present Departments of the States organization. The Office of the Director should take the offices he is in charge of like the Civil Service Commission, and Compensation of Public Employees Appeals Board, and the Board of Trustees Deferred Compensation Plan and combine all three departments into one department having sole discretion ...
Ken Harding
REPUBLICAN
Age: 59
Job: Community development worker/ small business entrepreneur/ teacher/writer
Years here: 33What are the unique qualifications you bring to this job?
As an advocate for community justice, I am very focused on community needs, in terms of small business development, educational improvements, key policy issues and quality of life concerns. I bring vision, leadership, imagination and energy, and I offer a clear-cut choice for those who are tired of "politics-as-usual."
What are the top three issues facing Hawaii (from most pressing to least)?
The three top issues concern education, the economy, and government integrity. Regarding education, teachers are the key, especially their pay and preparation. I believe teachers in our public schools should be the best-paid in the nation, not the worst-paid! To fund pay raiser, I support a visitor "sun" tax.
Are changes needed to the civil service system? If so, what are they?
Clearly, state civil service reform needs to be accomplished, and can be, with proper communication, respect, wisdom and leadership. Change brings opportunity as well as crisis, and we have the potential to show the world how well we can work, if we consider downsizing, ending duplication, reorganizing and applying new technology.
