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THE HOT LEGISLATIVE RACES
KAILUA-KONA -- West Hawaii is experiencing growing pains, a sign that the area is an economic bright spot, says 5th House District Rep. Paul Whalen. Development,
who is more effective
are issues in Kona raceAs much as possible, Whalen prefers to see county government deal with the problems of growth.
"I prefer not to tell the counties how to do their job," he said.
Whalen, a Republican, is being challenged by Democrat Virginia Isbell, who held the seat for 16 years before vacating it in 1996 in an unsuccessful bid for mayor.
Isbell believes in legislation to protect residents from growth.
"There should be a Right To Be Here First Act," she said, only partly tongue in cheek.
The viewpoints show the difference between the two.
The growth of luxury homes in West Hawaii raises surrounding property values and taxes, she argued.
"The tax base is going to impact everybody around, and that's not fair," Isbell said.
Affordable rental housing and small, expandable, fee simple houses are needed, she said.
Whalen said Isbell, formerly chairwoman of the House housing committee, helped cause a housing shortage by requiring developers to make 40 percent of their construction "affordable."
"The result was to kill our housing industry," he said.
The solution is to provide state land and development funds to individuals, and then let them build self-help housing, he said.
Each candidate said the other is ineffective. Isbell said Whalen hasn't done much. He pointed with pride to a law passed to protect reef fish, which he said she wasn't able to achieve in 16 years.
Both support higher pay for teachers. Whalen said that should include merit pay based on clear standards.
Both support at-home medical care instead of long-term hospitalization. Isbell added that legislation is needed to protect home caregivers from overzealous state regulators.
She also wants a new hospital for the district.
By Rod Thompson, Big Island correspondent
Virginia Isbell (D) HOUSE DISTRICT 5
Central Kona
Occupation: 'Community caregiver'
Background: On Big Island since 1960; in House 1980-96
Paul Whalen (R)
Occupation: Part-time attorney
Background: In Hawaii since 1973; former teacher and overseas aid worker; in House since 1996
Starbulletin.com Election Results
State Office of Elections
