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U.S. House
1st District
Urban Oahu
*Denotes incumbent
Neil Abercrombie*
DEMOCRAT
Age: 62
Job: U.S. representative
Years here: 41What are the unique qualifications you bring to this job?
Twenty-five years of public service to Hawaii's people at the state, city and federal levels of government. A solid record of contribution and achievement including funding for Hawaii military construction, transportation infrastructure, veterans health care, environmental protection, education, housing and support for the visitor industry.
What are the top three issues facing Hawaii (from most pressing to least)?
1) Accelerating economic recovery through continued federal investment in Hawaii; 2) strengthening public schools by federal funding for a) reducing student-teacher classroom ratio, and b) school construction, renovation and repair; 3) improving health care by providing prescription drug coverage to Medicare beneficiaries and passing Patients' Bill of Rights.
What role should the federal government have in the native Hawaiian sovereignty issue?
Congress must pass legislation which: 1) encourages native Hawaiians to define their relationships with the state and federal governments; 2) affirms the trust relationship between native Hawaiians and the federal government; and 3) protects health, education and housing programs which address the needs of native Hawaiians.
David L. Bourgoin
DEMOCRAT
Age: 54
Job: Producer/lawyer/broker
Years here: 23What are the unique qualifications you bring to this job?
My compassion for the environment, our people, and the unique vision called Chi-economy. Chi-economy recognizes the unique blessings in Hawaii of purity and natural beauty, and structures our business economy to respect this value. The plan for a cleaner Hawaii without pollution from chemicals and genetic engineering.
What are the top three issues facing Hawaii (from most pressing to least)?
Pollution to our environment from pesticides and chemicals. Our economic basis of tourism correlates to the purity of our natural ecology. Two, education, not only academics, but respect for the land and health. Three, genetic engineering and how it will affect our environment, and the international acceptance of our products.
What role should the federal government have in the native Hawaiian sovereignty issue?
The federal government should support and assist the Hawaiians with their sovereignty issue. Government of the Hawaiians needs to come from the Hawaiian people, for support and acceptance by the people, with motivation for progress and development, and legal legitimacy accepted around the world.
Gladys Gerlich Hayes
REPUBLICAN
Age: No age given
Job: Retired
Years here: 33What are the unique qualifications you bring to this job?
Have served the Republican Party for over 30 years from precinct president to Oahu County chairwoman. I have also run for office before. My education is in political science and international relations, and I have been active in community organizations. Lastly, I have the energy and time to serve the people of the 1st District for Congress.
What are the top three issues facing Hawaii (from most pressing to least)?
Education needs continued support. There is a need for new programs to train your people leaving high school and leaving the prison system to keep them off welfare and away from crime. Medicare needs to be reworked and the removal of tax on prescription drugs. Military veterans need support in the areas of family and health care for veterans including housing.
What role should the federal government have in the native Hawaiian sovereignty issue?
Government should support "Hawaiian sovereignty," but first let the Hawaiians organize themselves and operate within the laws of the United States.
Phil Meyers
REPUBLICAN
Age: 44
Job: Children's doctor
Years here: 8What are the unique qualifications you bring to this job?
As a doctor providing hands-on service within the health care system, I am confronted daily with the medical needs of children, and the attendant education and economic circumstances which affect their lives. I have run a private practice and understand well the challenges facing small business.
What are the top three issues facing Hawaii (from most pressing to least)?
The economy, health care and education are forefront in the challenges confronting Hawaii. We need personal income tax cuts, and must apply part of the federal budget surplus to preserve Social Security. We need decent school facilities and a workable prescription drug plan for senior citizens.
What role should the federal government have in the native Hawaiian sovereignty issue?
Ultimately, the Hawaiian people must determine their own destiny, but the federal government is a necessary part of the process. There must be cooperation. A prime concern of mine is to ensure that legalized gambling does not somehow work itself into any of this legislation.
Jerry Murphy
LIBERTARIAN
Age: 25
Job: Registered nurse
Years here: 2What are the unique qualifications you bring to this job?
As a registered nurse in Honolulu, I have seen how government interference in health care is raising the cost of health care and preventing access to insurance for poor and working class people of Hawaii. I am dedicated to reducing the size and cost of government.
What are the top three issues facing Hawaii (from most pressing to least)?
The most important issue is excessive taxation. The federal income tax should be repealed. We must stop the insane war on drugs and institute a policy that will reduce crime and drug abuse. We must stop the government from interfering with health care and health insurance so that more people will be able to afford health care.
What role should the federal government have in the native Hawaiian sovereignty issue?
The federal government should immediately return to Hawaii land that is not being used in accordance with Article 1 Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution. The people of Hawaii can decide native Hawaiian rights, ceded lands and sovereignty without interference from politicians and bureaucrats from the other 49 states.
