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House District 41
Ewa Beach, Waipahu
*Denotes incumbent
Jeff Alexander
DEMOCRAT
Age: 47
Job: Construction consultant
Years here: 40What are the unique qualifications you bring to this job?
Grew up in Ewa Beach, active over 10 years in the area. In construction for 29 years from apprentice to project manager. Filed lawsuit against Honouliuli Sewage Treatment Plant along with Hawaii's 1000 Friends and Sierra Club, which resulted in the Mamala Bay decree. Broke the news in September 1996 on the Ewa Villages scandal, along with my wife Karen and Richard Wasson.
What are the top three issues facing Hawaii (from most pressing to least)?
Economy, water, agriculture/aquaculture.
Are changes needed to the civil service system? If so, what are they?
Where there is a manpower shortage, consolidate departments and then privatize. Make sure the employees get the pay raises they bargained for and get to keep the retirement benefits they were promised.
Willie C. Espero*
DEMOCRAT
Age: 39
Job: State representative/Ewa by Gentry Community Association community events manager
Years here:What are the unique qualifications you bring to this job?
I am the only candidate with almost nine years of city and state government work experience. I also have over 10 years of community service being involved in many organizations and activities in Ewa. I am a strong supporter of Hawaii workers, but I also understand the needs of business.
What are the top three issues facing Hawaii (from most pressing to least)?
a) Improvement of our public school system: Test scores must improve, teachers' pay must increase, schools and materials must be modernized. b) Strengthening of the Hawaii economy: More jobs and higher-paying jobs must be the goal. c) Protection of our environment: Our ocean, shoreline, and the 'aina must be protected for all.
Are changes needed to the civil service system? If so, what are they?
Yes, but all areas of state government should be reviewed and improved where possible. This includes the executive branch and its departments, the Legislature and the judiciary. Government should be improved by minimizing waste, becoming more efficient, and working for the people it serves.
Mary Ann Miyashiro
REPUBLICAN
Age: 50
Job: Graphic artist/negative stripping for print production
Years here: 21What are the unique qualifications you bring to this job?
Unique qualifications: innovative; fair; steadfast, not easily swayed by the majority; straightforward; industrious; approachable; efficient; and accountable.
What are the top three issues facing Hawaii (from most pressing to least)?
a) Lack of a quality educational system and proper facility maintenance; b) excessive taxes on residents and small businesses; and c) over regulation on small businesses.
Are changes needed to the civil service system? If so, what are they?
Civil service system reform: Decentralization by dispersing power which creates new responsibilities, accountability, more opportunities for local autonomy and better responsiveness.
Delores June Muse
REPUBLICANWhat are the unique qualifications you bring to this job?
Did not respond.
What are the top three issues facing Hawaii (from most pressing to least)?
Did not respond.
Are changes needed to the civil service system? If so, what are they?
Did not respond.
Lance M. Rabacal
DEMOCRAT
Age: 34
Job: Corrections Department
Years here: 34What are the unique qualifications you bring to this job?
Love for the future of the islands.
What are the top three issues facing Hawaii (from most pressing to least)?
Education, crime, Hawaii's economy and Hawaii's environment.
Are changes needed to the civil service system? If so, what are they?
Yes. Reorganization, simplify civil service reform.
Pam Lee Smith
REPUBLICAN
Age: 46
Job: Full-time community volunteer
Years here: 25What are the unique qualifications you bring to this job?
I will devote full time, year-round to being a legislator. I have listened to community members and know the challenges we all face. I currently work to resolve problems that affect all of us. I will be able to do even more for our district as a state legislator.
What are the top three issues facing Hawaii (from most pressing to least)?
a) Crystal meth (batu) prison for dealers and rehabilitation for users. b) Education system. School maintenance and capital improvements. Our district has four of the nine hottest schools in the state. This is unacceptable. c) Transportation issues. Construction of the North/South road out of Ewa Beach needs to begin immediately.
Are changes needed to the civil service system? If so, what are they?
The civil service system needs to be revised. Political influence needs to be taken out of the system and make it autonomous. Civil service workers should not have their pay and benefits based upon the outcome of any political campaign.
