[ HONOLULU CITY COUNCIL ]
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Mililani Mauka-Ahuimanu
Donovan Dela Cruz
Age: 29 Job: Director of marketing, Watermark Publishing Past: Chairman, Wahiawa Neighborhood Board
What makes you qualified to be a City Council member?
I serve as the Wahiawa Neighborhood Board chair and participate in various community projects, volunteering service as a communications specialist. My private-sector experience has been primarily in the visitor industry, the backbone of our economy. I value honesty, and openness, and vow accessibility as a member of the City Council.
What is the greatest problem facing Honolulu and what would you do about it?
The current revenue shortfall is our greatest immediate problem. Our primary responsibility is to provide basic city services including public safety, transportation systems, parks and recreation, wastewater management and solid waste and recycling programs. Conditions could be improved through targeted economic diversification and pursuit of federal, state and private-sector partnerships.
Do you support Mayor Jeremy Harris' vision team program? Why or why not? How would you improve it?
I support the vision team concept. However, we need guidelines to ensure that vision team projects are viable and complement sustainable community development plans. ...
Gerald Hagino
Age: 52 Job: Research Oceanic Institute Past: Former state representative, senatorWhat makes you qualified to be a City Council member?
I have 14 years of legislative experience in the state House and Senate, plus two years working as an executive assistant in the Managing Director's Office. I have an understanding of how government works and where to go to get things done or for information.
What is the greatest problem facing Honolulu and what would you do about it?
The greatest problem facing Honolulu is the budget shortfall but that will be covered in another question so I believe the next greatest problem is the general public's distrust and disgust in government. I would spend additional time and meetings with communities on a regular basis and it would be a time to exchange ideas and information.
Do you support Mayor Jeremy Harris' vision team program? Why or why not? How would you improve it?
Yes. It gives the community a sense of ownership and pride in the projects they choose. How would I improve it? I would improve it by getting more people involved in these meetings. I would also convey a need for long range planning.
Kekoa Kaapu
Age: 65 Job: Publisher, Hawaii Public Interest Past: Ex-city councilman; ex- governor's administrative assistantWhat makes you qualified to be a City Council member?
Experience.
What is the greatest problem facing Honolulu and what would you do about it?
Economy.
Do you support Mayor Jeremy Harris' vision team program? Why or why not? How would you improve it?
Yes.
Ernest Yorihiko Martin
Age: 42 Job: Attorney Past: Executive, city Office of Special Projects; degree, University of Hawaii law schoolWhat makes you qualified to be a City Council member?
I have over 15 years of experience in the city in developing and administering a diversity of programs that have addressed critical community issues. Secondly, I am the only candidate that has actually drafted, introduced and lobbied for county legislation that has allowed the city to be more responsive to our communities.
What is the greatest problem facing Honolulu and what would you do about it?
Problem: Sustaining and preserving the quality of life that our families, neighbors and communities envision ... Solution: The Council must work together to prioritize the budget towards essential projects that would allow our families the opportunity to live in a county that is safe and affordable, with decent roads ...
Do you support Mayor Jeremy Harris' vision team program? Why or why not? How would you improve it?
I support the vision project because it allows the community the opportunity to dictate its own future. Improvements: Provide additional educational and technical resources to educate the vision teams ...
Did not respond: Charles Penn (2nd district)
