[ STATE SENATE ]
12
Waikiki-Downtown
Lei Ahu Isa
Republican
Age: 58 Job: Professor; real estate broker Past: State representative; trustee, United Chinese Society
What qualifies you to be a state senator?
I feel that my years of experience in business and education, knowledge of legislative process/issues regarding economy, education, health public safety qualify me for this most important position, I do have the passion, integrity and compassion to carry out those issues.
What is the most pressing issue facing your district and what would you do about it?
This newly reapportioned Senate district is a most culturally, economically and socially diverse area. The Small Business Committee in Washington, D.C., ranked Hawaii 50th out of 50 states in terms of its climate for small business and entrepreneurs. I'd work to reduce costs for hundreds of small businesses in Chinatown ...
What is the best way to stimulate the state's economy?
Increase expendable income in people's pockets by giving tax credits, tax incentives and credits for investment to create more jobs thereby increasing state tax revenues so competitive pay can be given to teachers, policemen and firemen as well as fund our schools adequately. Also deleting taxes on Medicaid, Medicare, food ...
Les A. Among
RepublicanAge: 41 Job: Entertainment music director Past: Member for seven years, Waikiki Neighborhood Board
What qualifies you to be a state senator?
My experience working with elected officials in my district at city hall and my board meetings. Our district of Waikiki is a city and the heart of our states economy. I am very active with the agenda of Honolulu, education, jobs and the economy are my issues of importance.
What is the most pressing issue facing your district and what would you do about it?
The economy and jobs. We need to use tax incentives and have more government support to attract investment and more industries to Hawaii. We must have a more business friendly environment in Hawaii so people can find good paying jobs.
What is the best way to stimulate the state's economy?
Agriculture development, Biotechnology and Tourism are at the top of my list of ways to stimulate the economy. Growth and economic diversity are possible steps that must be taken to establish policies now.
Jerry Drelling
DemocratAge: 47 Job: Public relations consultant Past: 20 years as a broadcast journalist covering politics
What qualifies you to be a state senator?
I've lived in Waikiki for 15 years and, as a veteran newsman, covered the issues that affect the entire district. As an investigative reporter for KGMB-TV, I earned a strong reputation for going to bat for the average person, exposing the truth, and solving problems quickly.
What is the most pressing issue facing your district and what would you do about it?
Traffic congestion. I would work to ensure that the residents and businesses in Waikiki, Kakaako and Downtown Honolulu have the final say in the ultimate solution. The community must drive the answer to this complex problem.
What is the best way to stimulate the state's economy?
We need to create more jobs by diversifying the economy. We need to cut red tape to make it easier for new businesses to move in and start up.
Doug Luna
DemocratAge: 63 Job: Architect Past: Navy aircraft carrier engineering officer; Wells Fargo vice president
What qualifies you to be a state senator?
What qualifies me to be a state senator is my background; education; military, business and professional experience; and community service just cited.
What is the most pressing issue facing your district and what would you do about it?
The most pressing issue facing us is some in government not serving the public. They must provide honest, fair, competent, and cost-effective procurement and public service or be replaced by ones who will. Some State/county jurisdictions must be restructured to end wasteful overlap, duplication and bureaucratic infighting.
What is the best way to stimulate the state's economy?
The best way to stimulate the state's economy is to improve the business climate; promote Hawaii as a venue for location-independent high-tech enterprises; improve education to provide a skilled local workforce; and enhance Hawaii as a visitor destination with sensitive urban design, beautification and blight remediation.
Patrick McCain
DemocratAge: 46 Job: Former president, Hawaii Restaurant Association Past: Staff, state Senate, House
What qualifies you to be a state senator?
As can be seen from my 20 years of governmental and governmental relations experience, I have trained extensively on the job in the legislative branch of the local, state and federal levels of government.
What is the most pressing issue facing your district and what would you do about it?
The most pressing issue facing Hawaii is job creation. I intend to focus the State's attention on job creation and analyze issues on that basis. Does each piece of legislation encourage or discourage job creation. Legislation must assist in creating jobs or we should change it so that it will.
What is the best way to stimulate the state's economy?
First we need to refocus ourselves to be more of a community, we are all in this together. Second concentrate our efforts on job creation. Third we need to re-market Hawaii as a fun place to visit and do a much better job of promoting business opportunities.
Cindy Rasmussen
DemocratAge: 42 Job: Realtor associate Past: Board, Kalihi Business Association
What qualifies you to be a state senator?
I have served my community for 25 years in many different ways, all of them helping me to better understand the needs of the community. ... My ability to communicate and work well with others and my skill in negotiation has allowed me to demonstrate that I am qualified to serve in the Senate.
What is the most pressing issue facing your district and what would you do about it?
As the residents in my district grow older, there are actually two concerns they share. Services for elderly is foremost on the minds of residents, with safety in our neighborhoods taking a close second. Making sure that we have adequate services and recreational facilities available for seniors would be the first step ...
What is the best way to stimulate the state's economy?
Creating more jobs is a simple way to stimulate the economy. Our unemployment rate seems relatively low, but many people in our state are underemployed. Improving the skill level of our workforce, enabling companies to grow by increasing services and expanding, would be one way to help businesses create more jobs.
Gordon M. Trimble
RepublicanAge: 58 Job: Economist Past: Worked on trade, transportation issues for the state as economist
What qualifies you to be a state senator?
First I have the commitment, the experience and the vision to get our economy growing again. Second, I know that reforms must begin in the state legislature. Third, to reform state bureaucracy, we must have people in the legislature that understands its workings from the inside.
What is the most pressing issue facing your district and what would you do about it?
Our children are our largest export. We must work together to expand our economy from the inside out to create opportunities here at home by expanding locally owned small businesses. We get small business to prosper and expand by reducing costs and improving access to larger markets.
What is the best way to stimulate the state's economy?
We expand locally owned small businesses by reducing ocean transportation cost through competition and creating marine highways of vehicular ferries to unify our islands. This marine highway will grow every small business in Hawaii by offering them larger markets and provide our residents and visitors new travel opportunities at home.
Jon Yoshimura
DemocratAge: 43 Job: Attorney Past: City councilman; board of managers, Kalihi YMCA
What qualifies you to be a state senator?
I represent half the district (Kapalama-Downtown-Kakaako) as Council member and am active in the revitalization of Waikiki. I am accessible, accountable and available to the citizens I serve. This term is for two years and constituents deserve an experienced representative who can hit the ground running.
What is the most pressing issue facing your district and what would you do about it?
District 12 holds many keys to our state's economic recovery. Government must continue to invest in the revitalization of Waikiki. City investment triggered a new cycle of private sector spending creating new jobs. The medical school in Kakaako will anchor waterfront redevelopment creating an economic force from Downtown to Waikiki.
What is the best way to stimulate the state's economy?
Tax incentives that: (1) broaden our economic base; (2) do not significantly reduce tax revenue; and (3) create opportunities for future tax revenue. Utilizing dormant state resources such as the sale, lease or grant of unused and unproductive property to attract new business development.
