[ HONOLULU CITY COUNCIL ]
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Waianae-Ewa Beach
Donna L. Broome
Age: 56 Job: City Council chairman's aide Past: Board, Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center
What makes you qualified to be a City Council member?
With my eight years, "hands-on" experience with Council Chair De-Soto, I have learned to work with various city departments and agencies; liaison between community groups, neighborhood board and businesses and City Council. With my business background (as both employee and business owner) I know what's involved in working with the city.
What is the greatest problem facing Honolulu and what would you do about it?
There are so many problems facing us today, with many types of government agencies ... involved, it's hard to define only one. The first and foremost would be lack of fiscal responsibility on the part of the administration. Because of this, we are unable to properly serve taxpayers. ...
Do you support Mayor Jeremy Harris' vision team program? Why or why not? How would you improve it?
The original concept of vision teams was great BUT has basically been unsuccessful (except in certain small areas) and fiscally irresponsible. We already have a "grass roots" community group in place - neighborhood boards. ...
Mike Gabbard
Age: 54 Job: Small-business man Past: Founder, Alliance for Traditional Marriage; educatorWhat makes you qualified to be a City Council member?
I don't like saying I'm more qualified than anyone else. All I know is that we need honest leaders who have the aloha and the courage to stand up for the values and concerns of the people -- leaders willing to put community interest above self interest.
What is the greatest problem facing Honolulu and what would you do about it?
Most of our problems are connected to the high cost of living. Both parents have to work, aggravating the traffic problem. Kids don't get the guidance they need and they get into trouble. Government needs to focus on reducing the cost of living. If we work together, we can succeed.
Do you support Mayor Jeremy Harris' vision team program? Why or why not? How would you improve it?
I support this and other programs, such as Brunch on the Beach, because they help restore a sense of ohana in our community. Such programs also bring visitors into that ohana, encouraging those visitors to return. We need to enlist the visitor industry and volunteers to reduce the cost.
John S. Kaopua
Age: 59 Job: Ironworkers Stabilization Fund Past: Member, Waianae Neighborhood BoardWhat makes you qualified to be a City Council member?
My love for my community enables me to recognize the problems that it faces. Also, having worked with many members of government, I feel that I can convey potential solutions to those problems.
What is the greatest problem facing Honolulu and what would you do about it?
The greatest problem facing the Leeward Coast is a combination of traffic and lack of work opportunities. I would encourage government operations to relocate the second city and provide incentives to private industry to make their home the Leeward Coast.
Do you support Mayor Jeremy Harris' vision team program? Why or why not? How would you improve it?
I support Mayor Jeremy Harris' vision team program, because it brings the community together with their vision for their community. I would improve it by expanding the number of groups participating, including the neighborhood boards.
James K. Manaku Sr.
Age: 56 Job: Monitoring legislation Past: Member, Waianae Neighborhood BoardWhat makes you qualified to be a City Council member?
I have engaged in community affairs since the mid-1980s, very actively involved in Waianae issues and concerns, traffic, development and growth issues, "keeping the country, country," served the Waianae Neighborhood Board for nearly 16 years, actively participate in protecting the Leeward environment. I am the Leeward Alternate Representative for HCAP.
What is the greatest problem facing Honolulu and what would you do about it?
Uncontrolled growth, police leaving police force, lack of honesty among elected officials, no public trust in government.
Do you support Mayor Jeremy Harris' vision team program? Why or why not? How would you improve it?
I support the vision team concept with greater neighborhood board oversight and participation.
Cynthia Kim Len Rezentes
Age: 50 Job: Self-employed Past: Member, former chairwoman, Waianae Neighborhood BoardWhat makes you qualified to be a City Council member?
Being successful with complex technical and financial issues in doing large equipment product development, release and support give me the ability to apply those skills learned to the complex challenges facing the Leeward Coast in maintaining the "old Hawai`i" charm while we move into the future.
What is the greatest problem facing Honolulu and what would you do about it?
Honolulu must maintain the features that we currently have and address the health and safety issues (i.e. sewer systems). We must...prioritize taking care of what we have so that we do not find ourselves in the same position that the educational system is in with multi-million dollar repairs.
Do you support Mayor Jeremy Harris' vision team program? Why or why not? How would you improve it?
I support the concept of the vision team program but have reservations about the manner in which it is implemented. I would envision the vision team to be a standing committee under each neighborhood board with a city facilitator and a set core of voting members ...
Pam Witty-Oakland
Age: 43 Job: City Council chairman's aide Past: Owner, accounting firm; Ewa/Kapolei Vision TeamWhat makes you qualified to be a City Council member?
Through my experience as a Council aide, accountant, business owner, and resident of Leeward Oahu, I have gained a working knowledge of regional issues, legislative process, and the community's leaders -- which will greatly benefit Council District I. ...
What is the greatest problem facing Honolulu and what would you do about it?
Resolving traffic congestion is the greatest problem facing leeward residents. I support development of the second urban center in Kapolei to minimize the need to commute, as well as completion of the entire regional roadway system of west Oahu, including second Waianae access road, North-South Road, and additional H-1 interchanges.
Do you support Mayor Jeremy Harris' vision team program? Why or why not? How would you improve it?
I support the Vision Teams -- they foster community involvement. However, the process is redundant to the neighborhood boards and lacks parameters. I would suggest incorporating the teams within the neighborhood boards ...
Did not respond: Mike A. Chambrella (1st district)
