[ HONOLULU CITY COUNCIL ]
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Heeia-Waimanalo
Don Bremner
Age: 70 Job: City planner Past: CEO, Waikiki Improvement Association, ex-president, Hawaii Opera Theatre
What makes you qualified to be a City Council member?
I'll be able to apply my professional skills in city planning, my extensive experience in community and government affairs and mature judgment to City Council deliberations and actions.
What is the greatest problem facing Honolulu and what would you do about it?
The new Council must immediately earn the trust of its constituents by raising the caliber of its deliberations and practicing an exemplary level of ethical conduct, restoring integrity. Then I would stress Council actions that reduce the cost of living in order to improve our quality of life.
Do you support Mayor Jeremy Harris' vision team program? Why or why not? How would you improve it?
Yes. The vision process encourages community involvement and provides opportunities for projects that give communities some individual identity. It can be improved by expanding the number of people involved or providing for greater coordination with other community organizations.
Jeff J. Coelho
Age: 55 Job: Radio general manager Past: Former president, Hawaii Association of BroadcastersWhat makes you qualified to be a City Council member?
A Kailua resident for 30, I bring 35 years of successful business and community leadership. In 1979, at KIKI, I created the Brown Bags to Stardom Talent Show. Served as Vice-chairperson of Hawaii Convention Center Authority (91-98). And a past president and coach, Kailua American Little League.
What is the greatest problem facing Honolulu and what would you do about it?
Let's talk money. Balancing the city budget. My 35 years of proven successful business leadership will go a long way in identifying areas that can be trimmed, areas that can be made more efficient. And there may be good reason to reallocate taxes and user fees to install more fairness into the system.
Do you support Mayor Jeremy Harris' vision team program? Why or why not? How would you improve it?
While the idea has merit, I feel that it is impossible for a city that is struggling financially to promise projects it can't possibly deliver. We can't afford to continue to float bonds to build things and then not provide for the maintenance of these capital improvements. ...
Stan Koki
Age: 55 Job: Manage personal investments Past: Former state senator; managing personal investmentsWhat makes you qualified to be a City Council member?
Extensive exposure to business and community service over the past 28 years have given me unique insight into how government can best serve people. This background, free from financial dependency and/or third party influences, allows me to bring responsible business practices together with ethical governance.
What is the greatest problem facing Honolulu and what would you do about it?
Unquestionably the $150 million budget shortfall projected for next year. In an effort to be all things to all people, city services have expanded beyond financially sustainable levels. Efficiency programs (instituted in other counties), scrutiny of non-essential services, and public/private partnerships should be given immediate attention.
Do you support Mayor Jeremy Harris' vision team program? Why or why not? How would you improve it?
No. Part of the city's budget problem is because of programs like this. The vision teams are given a budget of $38,000,000 a year. An analysis of the spending shows it was not spent efficiently ...
Barbara Marshall
Age: 58 Job: Retired broadcast journalist Past: Former executive producer, Channel 2 NewsWhat makes you qualified to be a City Council member?
More than three decades of reporting, including investigative journalism, have earned me the trust of Hawaii's people, and a reputation for integrity. In addition, they give me the knowledge of government and the communication skills necessary to ask necessary questions, demand answers and ensure that the public is well-informed.
What is the greatest problem facing Honolulu and what would you do about it?
The greatest problem facing Honolulu is disenchantment of the people with their government, which, if unchecked, will stem our ability to work together as a people to turn around the economy, maintain the aina and keep Honolulu a vibrant paradise. ...
Do you support Mayor Jeremy Harris' vision team program? Why or why not? How would you improve it?
I applaud the concept of the vision teams -- letting the people decide how money is spent in their own communities. However, there seem to be problems with some teams. We need to make sure money is spent on legitimate city projects ...
Did not respond: Kimberly A.M. Kalama (3rd district)
