[ STATE HOUSE ]
30
Alewa-Kalihi
Dennis A. Arakaki
DemocratAge: 54 Job: Community health planning consultant Past: State representative
What qualifies you to be a state representative?
Lived in the district for over 40 years. Worked in the district for over 15. Attended and graduated from public schools. Served on neighborhood board for the district. I love working with people and very committed to improving the quality of life for our citizens and securing a better future for our children.
How would you improve Hawaii's public schools, and how would you pay for it?
Provide universal access to all 4-year-olds to a quality preschool education. Set a state goal and strategies to have all third-graders reading at the third-grade level by 2007. Provide comprehensive, whole-family learning strategies in low-performing schools, to involve families and communities in strategies to improve academic performance ...
What, if anything, should be done to improve Hawaii's business climate?
We should focus more attention and resources on finding ways to help small businesses survive and prosper. Strategies to help small businesses with employee benefits such as health care and other mandated costs are critical to providing a climate that encourages entrepreneurship.
John Orendt
LibertarianAge: 46 Job: Electrical engineer
Past: Lobbyist, newsletter editor, Libertarian Party of Hawaii
What qualifies you to be a state representative?
I have an integrated understanding of ethics, politics and economics. As an engineer I have many years' experience applying theory to solving real-world practical problems. As a lobbyist I have fought to remove the traffic cameras and prevent a 50 percent rise in the alcohol tax.
How would you improve Hawaii's public schools, and how would you pay for it?
Tax credits for parents who don't send their children to government schools would put private schools on an even playing field. Consequentially, competition between schools would result in better education at less cost. Children will be safer. Unsafe schools will either end the danger or go out of business.
What, if anything, should be done to improve Hawaii's business climate?
Job Creation is my primary concern. Reducing tax and regulatory burdens on all businesses will increase profits, create new jobs and grow the economy. Lower taxes will also encourage additional investment in local businesses. Justice and trust are damaged when incumbent politicians issue favors to their business buddies.
