[ STATE HOUSE ]
29
Kalihi-Kapalama
Felipe P. "Jun" Abinsay Jr.
DemocratAge: 53 Job: Former bank branch manager Past: State representative; board, Kalihi YMCA
What qualifies you to be a state representative?
I have lived in Kalihi for over 25 years and am proud of my perfect attendance record during all of my seven legislative sessions that I served from 1996-2002. If re-elected, I will continue to bring to the Legislature leadership, strong work and moral ethics, and deep personal commitment to Hawaii ...
How would you improve Hawaii's public schools, and how would you pay for it?
Funding for all Hawaii's public schools must be a priority item in the state budget. This includes higher pay for highly qualified teachers, smaller student-teacher ratio per classes, improved buildings and facilities, and provide for other resources such as adequate supply of textbooks, computers and other learning materials.
What, if anything, should be done to improve Hawaii's business climate?
I supported the tax credits provided for hotel construction and renovations. I also supported lesser government regulations to give small businesses greater flexibility and cut costs.
Maria-Violetta M. Becera
RepublicanAge: 57 Job: Resident manager Past: Former member, Kalihi-Palama Neighborhood Board
What qualifies you to be a state representative?
I possess tremendous concern in the general status of Hawaii, particularly of state House District No. 29, sincere interest in improving it, and strong desire to be a positive participant of action-oriented activities that will actually solve the problems instead of just talking about issues.
How would you improve Hawaii's public schools, and how would you pay for it?
There are numerous ways to improve Hawaii's public schools. Some of those are: better screening of teachers, hiring highly qualified teachers, quarterly evaluation of teachers (which should be done separately by principals, Board of Education, parents/guardians and students); increasing school hours; standardized curriculum (to include subjects on home economics and etiquette) ...
What, if anything, should be done to improve Hawaii's business climate?
1. Legalize gambling in order to attract more tourists and to create more jobs.
2. Minimize red tape in establishing businesses.
3. Eliminate tax on food and medicine.
