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House District 47
Kahaluu, Ahuimanu,
*Denotes incumbent
Heeia, Kaneohe
Iris Ikeda Catalani*
DEMOCRAT
Age: No age given
Job: Attorney
Years here: LifetimeWhat are the unique qualifications you bring to this job?
I am a lifelong resident of Kaneohe, a product of Kaneohe public schools and raising my family in Kaneohe. I have dedicated my legal career to public service and gained the experience to bring change. In my first term as a representative, I brought my community's voice to the Legislature.
What are the top three issues facing Hawaii (from most pressing to least)?
a) Education: increasing funding for schools and smaller classes while maintaining tax decreases. b) Economic Opportunity: creating a diversified economic base that provides stable jobs and develops a business climate that encourages entrepreneurs. c) Public Safety: addressing the roots of crime (i.e., drug use and dysfunctional families) while imposing stiff sentences on repeat offenders.
Are changes needed to the civil service system? If so, what are they?
The 1999-2000 Legislature made many changes to the civil service system, including providing performance-based pay for managers, providing flexibility to state and county agencies by streamlining recruitment processes and grievance procedures and accelerated skills development training for managers. The development of a performance-based system should continue.
Charles Kong Djou
REPUBLICAN
Age: 30
Job: Business attorney specializing in wireless communications
Years here: 27What are the unique qualifications you bring to this job?
I offer an outsider's approach, different from the incumbent one-party power structure. Though many Hawaii politicians understand bureaucracy, too few understand commerce. My business background, private sector work, education in economics, and experience as a husband and father give me a fresh new perspective now missing in the Legislature.
What are the top three issues facing Hawaii (from most pressing to least)?
Economic reform: We need a smaller government that taxes less and supports small businesses more. Education reform: We need an education system less bureaucratic and more decentralized. Government reform: We need a legislature run less by an insider one-party network and more by a real two-party democracy.
Are changes needed to the civil service system? If so, what are they?
Yes. Businesses and government must become more focused and efficient. Civil service reform should include: a) pay more on merit than seniority; b) reducing the amount of paid leave; c) ending binding arbitration (except for police and fire services); and d) eliminating civil service jurisdiction over senior managers.
