[ STATE SENATE ]

23
Kahuku-Kaneohe

Melodie Aduja

Age: 44 Job: Attorney; senator since 2002 Past: Deputy prosecuting attorney

What qualifies you to be a state senator?

I am the second of three generations raised in Kaneohe, with a deep commitment to the community ... Experience as deputy prosecutor strengthened my resolve ... to protect the rights of victims and to fight those who abuse laws ...

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

Drug abuse. The Legislature adopted major anti-drug laws with tougher penalties, and funding for treatment, prevention and education. The release of $15 million we appropriated will help in evaluating the effectiveness of our legislation ...

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

Oppose. The public recognizes schools need more resources to reduce class size, buy textbooks and computers ... and provide other classroom needs ... elements the governor's plan does not address ...

Jim Henshaw

Age: 44 Job: Legislative aide to Sen. Bob Hogue Past: Former health insurance underwriter and legislative analyst

What qualifies you to be a state senator?

As Sen. Hogue's legislative aide for the past four years, I've read and analyzed legislation, written replies to constituent letters, covered committee hearings, and written speeches. Basically, I've done everything a legislator does ...

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

Traffic. We need to fix potholes; repave worn-out roadways; build seawalls shoring up undercut roads; add lanes to Kahikili Highway from Haiku to Temple Valley; add electronic signs warning about road closures ...

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

I strongly support Gov. Lingle's plan for local school boards that control their funding. A recent poll among Windward residents showed over 80 percent support this idea. We're dead last nationwide in SAT scores ...

Gordon "Butch" Tilley

Age: 52 Job: Private security Past: Military police, retired Honolulu police officer, narcotics investigator

What qualifies you to be a state senator?

Born, raised, educated in Hawaii. Retired from HPD after 26 years service. Last seven as narcotics vice investigator. Certified school safety manager DOE. PTSA president Kahuku High and Intermediate 1999-2002 ...

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

Improvements in the areas of education and our economy are vital concerns. Number one issue in my district is the 'ice problem.' We need to act on eliminating the drug problem in our communities now ...

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

I fully support Gov. Lingle's plan. Creating seven locally elected school boards just makes sense. 1) Funding would be divided equally and fairly in all districts. 2) It would expedite repairs and construction to schools in need ...

Clayton Hee

Age: 51 Job: Teacher Past: Former member: House, Senate, Office of Hawaiian AffairsWhat qualifies you to be a state senator?

A proven record as a classroom teacher and elected official.

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

Traffic; we should explore incentives for ride-sharing and possible contraflow on Kahekili Highway.

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

Oppose.