[ STATE HOUSE ]
31
Moanalua-Salt Lake
Brad Sakamoto
RepublicanAge: 32 Job: Managing consultant Past: Former aide, two state legislative sessions
What qualifies you to be a state representative?
I believe that my professional and legislative experience has given me a firsthand opportunity to see the problems that plague our island home and identify specific solutions to solve them.
How would you improve Hawaii's public schools, and how would you pay for it?
We spend a tremendous amount of money on public education. We need to ensure that the money allocated to the DOE reaches our classrooms first and that we set a deadline to make the necessary repairs to our schools.
What, if anything, should be done to improve Hawaii's business climate?
Reduce regulation on business and streamline the permit process. Create tax incentives and credits to encourage our business to invest in infrastructure and create jobs. Have the state improve the business playing field for all types of industries, not just a chosen few (e.g., high tech) and provide small businesses with specific tax relief programs (e.g., tax holidays).
Glenn Wakai
DemocratAge: 35 Job: Former television reporter Past: Volunteer, Shriners Hospital for Children, Make-A-Wish
What qualifies you to be a state representative?
Tenacity. Integrity. Honesty. I built a career based on these attributes. As a television reporter, informed viewers about events in their neighborhoods or decisions affecting their lives. Being a journalist gave me insight into a broad range of issues and taught me how to reach solutions. This background is crucial to crafting laws ...
How would you improve Hawaii's public schools, and how would you pay for it?
Our educational system needs community support, not necessarily more money. How about enticing "former students," namely parents, to get more involved in their child's future through innovative and fun activities. Private schools are part of our community. Why not explore how we can work with them on mutually beneficial projects. ...
What, if anything, should be done to improve Hawaii's business climate?
Our business climate mirrors our state government -- a dinosaur that is hard to move. We can start the economic evolution by furthering the simple idea of extending bids to the best contractor, not the best connected. How about promoting efficiency...
