[ STATE SENATE ]
12
Waikiki-Downtown
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 understand its workings from the inside.
How would you improve Hawaii's public schools, and how would you pay for it?
We can improve our public schools by increasing community involvement by having locally elected school boards. Money needs to be spent at the school level on our children, not on the state bureaucracy. We need to get our economy growing to pay for public schools and other necessary social programs.
What should be done to improve Hawaii's business climate?
Create a government which works through performance-based budgeting and performance standards for all public employees; eliminate business-to-business taxes; reduce monopolistic influences by fostering competition; promote entrepreneurship; support locally grown and locally produced products, and our children will no longer be forced to leave.
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.
How would you improve Hawaii's public schools, and how would you pay for it?
Increase community involvement and investment in our public schools. Begin by giving citizens in each public school cluster decision-making authority over a specific amount of money for capital expenditures. Introduce legislation to create a state education plan, developed by a community-based process modeled after Honolulu's vision teams.
What should be done to improve Hawaii's business climate?
Tax incentives for new business development. Streamline business-permitting processes. Encourage diversification of visitor industry product. Provide subsidies for development and expansion of aqua and agribusinesses.
