[ STATE HOUSE ]

27
Liliha-Nuuanu

Corinne W.L. Ching

Republican

Age: Not given Job: Legislator, state representative, District 27

What qualifies you to be a state representative?

I have the honor of representing District 27 at the Legislature, serving on various committees and voting on key issues affecting my constituents. Experience working with the community on its concerns, long community residence ...

What is the most pressing issue facing your district, and what would you do about it?

Crime as a result of crystal meth drug use is the most pressing issue in my district. Besides working to pass legislation that prevents drug use, offers treatment and cuts off the influx of drugs ... I will continue to support law enforcement.

Do you support or oppose Gov. Linda Lingle's plan to break up the statewide Board of Education? Explain.

I support what will improve student achievement. The ... statewide system has not produced desired results toward maximizing our students' potential. Decentralization ... offers school governance that is less bureaucratic. ...

---

Sesnita Moepono

Democrat

Age: 54 Job: Trust attorney Past: OHA deputy administrator; Honolulu planning commissioner

What qualifies you to be a state representative?

As a lifelong neighbor with a lifetime commitment, current neighborhood board chair and a three-term member, I understand our community problems. My experience on the Honolulu Planning Commission ...

What is the most pressing issue facing your district, and what would you do about it?

There are many issues, but the one that stands out the most is the rise in crime in our neighborhoods due to drugs. I will work with the law enforcement ... and neighborhood watch groups to develop a plan to help our community. ...

Do you support or oppose Gov. Linda Lingle's plan to break up the statewide Board of Education? Explain.

I oppose the current plan that Gov. Linda Lingle proposed through her CARE group. The plan left major concerns unanswered. Some of these concerns were collective bargaining for teachers ...

---

Stefanie Sakamoto

Democrat

Age: 28 Job: Freelance writer, self-employed Past: Legislative committee researcher, communications director

What qualifies you to be a state representative?

My experiences in and around the Capitol as a staff member, together with my desire to better our communities, qualify me to serve as state representative.

What is the most pressing issue facing your district, and what would you do about it?

Education funding. I would propose a comprehensive audit of the Department of Education. Before making critical structural and changes to the system, we need to find out for sure where the weaknesses lie. ...

Do you support or oppose Gov. Linda Lingle's plan to break up the statewide Board of Education? Explain.

Oppose. A change in governance is not the answer. We need to get the money into the classroom and to the students -- education happens in the schools, not in the administration.

---