[ STATE HOUSE ]

51
Lanikai-Waimanalo

Wilson Kekoa Ho

Republican

Age: 62 Job: Banking and financial management Past: 30-year banking career, 20+ years in community service

What qualifies you to be a state representative?

I have community service and leadership ... experience in all phases of government. ... My 11 years as chair for the Waimanalo Neighborhood Board, five years on the Waimanalo Health Center board ... qualify me to work on community issues.

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

Our schools are in "corrective action" and we need to clarify responsibilities in public education ... and help raise student achievement, in our neighborhood and throughout the state. I would like to help convert them to charter schools. ...

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

I support Gov. Lingle's plan. The state is divided into seven school districts. I prefer to let the outer islands, Leeward, Central and Windward govern themselves. All districts have their own distinct needs. ...

---

Tommy Waters

Democrat

Age: 38 Job: Trial attorney Past: None given

What qualifies you to be a state representative?

My achievements speak for themselves. Along with funding critical waste-water treatment, I helped secure over $5 million for area schools. And that was just my first term. I have the idealism, passion and independence. ...

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

Without question, traffic safety is my district's No. 1 concern. I've gone door-to-door to confirm this. We're all tired of governments that don't listen; I've listened. ... And I'm prepared to support better compensation ... for a police force. ...

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

As one of the five Democrats who voted in favor of this measure, I support, in principle, any plan that recognizes how badly our educational system demands improvement. But it must be actual improvement. ...

---