[ STATE HOUSE ]
27
Liliha-Nuuanu
Ken Akamine
Republican
Age: 66 Job: Retired Past: Police Academy degree; Kapalama Neighborhood Board
What qualifies you to be a state representative?
Education.
What is the most pressing issue facing your district and what would you do about it?
Education.
What is the best way to stimulate the state's economy?
Education.
Corinne W.L. Ching
RepublicanAge: 40 Job: Schoolteacher Past: Community liaison for two state House members
What qualifies you to be a state representative?
Long community residence, extensive community service & experience with community's concerns: Serving on Ma'ema'e SCBM and the neighborhood board three terms has given me the opportunity to hear, understand and work with our community. ... I have had the honor to work with the parents and grandparents of my students ...
What is the most pressing issue facing your district and what would you do about it?
Government service to the community.
Our seniors deserve better-funded programs, our small businesses need understanding and support by reducing red-tape, bureaucracy and burdensome taxes, our children would benefit from early education and our families deserve increased protection ...
What is the best way to stimulate the state's economy?
Improve effectiveness of government by reducing taxes, eliminating needless red tape, regulation and overlapping duplication. Eliminate/modify the detrimental excise tax which affects business' ability to provide jobs. ...
Sesnita Moepono
DemocratAge: 52 Job: Attorney Past: Member, first neighborhood board (Liliha-Kapalama), 1977
What qualifies you to be a state representative?
As a homeowner, mother, wife, and care giver for my father (89), I have a lifelong commitment to my district. I was born and raised in my district and plan to live here for the rest of my life just like parents and grandparents. My neighbors' concerns are my concerns.
What is the most pressing issue facing your district and what would you do about it?
Issues affecting the elderly such as: neighborhood crime, long-term care, home and respite care, planning for the growing elderly population, and a viable economy to ensure financial stability. I would create self-supporting programs to address immediate needs and then develop a long-range plan to address the future.
What is the best way to stimulate the state's economy?
Create a conducive business environment that will build new businesses/industries and jobs. Look for additional revenues during the interim, such as debt-owed to the State by the federal government, etc., amend the State procurement process to eliminate cost-overruns and questionable prices for repairs, maintenance and replacement.
Jennifer D. Waihee
DemocratAge: 31 Job: Attorney Past: Vice president, Democratic Party Native Hawaiian Caucus
What qualifies you to be a state representative?
I was fortunate to be raised in a family where public service was highly regarded. Each of us has an obligation to give back to our community. My generation must commit itself to serving Hawaii honestly ... with diligence, accessibility, and respect.
What is the most pressing issue facing your district and what would you do about it?
Our current economic climate has resulted in cuts to core programs like education, public safety and health care. All, of which, affect my constituents. The solution lies in rebuilding our economy while being responsible, environmentally conscious and worker-friendly.
What is the best way to stimulate the state's economy?
Diversify by concentrating on our growing industries, like the high-tech industry and by developing niche industries. Improve, not criticize, the business climate by offering workable incentives and promoting those incentives we have. And don't forget, job training.
