Governor
DID NOT RESPOND: » Ozell Daniel (Libertarian)
William Johnson Aila Jr.
Democrat
Age: 48
Job: Harbor-master, Waianae Boat Harbor
Past: Raised in Hawaii, I learned to honor elders and 'aina.
Why do you want to lead Hawaii for the next four years?
Hawaii is headed in the wrong direction. We need to return to the values of caring for the land, our elderly, and our children. I understand the problems from the ground up and will consider all sides and solutions.
What is the most important issue facing Hawaii and what would you do about it?
The most important issue is electing a governor who can work with the legislature and solve problems. I'm running because our children and grandchildren need a clean environment and affordable rentals and homes, not debates on political philosophies.
What should the state do about its crowded prisons?
We need to consider drug treatment as an alternative to prison for nonviolent offenders. This would free up prison space for violent offenders. Nontraditional sentencing of offenders should be considered. Use of technology such as ankle GPS monitoring units.
George L. Berish
Republican
Age: 59
Job: Fellow of the Society of Actuaries
Past: Distinguished physics graduate. Five years of military service
Why do you want to lead Hawaii for the next four years?
Replace the 25-year echo of excuses for the noncompetitive education given to Hawaii's children with a great education. Serve all equally, not spend every penny of Hawaii's limited political capital seeking more unearned wealth for the Akaka Bill beneficiaries.
What is the most important issue facing Hawaii and what would you do about it?
Education. Rebuild schools. $500 million overdue school maintenance means the $500 million surplus didn't exist for else. Education raises wages to afford housing; reduces prison populations; removes the crushing burden on parents forced to send ... children to private schools.
What should the state do about its crowded prisons?
Eliminate TVs and weight rooms. Implement a vegetarian diet. That make prisons more onerous (in a healthy way). Permits cutting sentences in half without loss of deterrence. Double capacity overnight. Create land. (One Aloha Tower bidder offered to do that.)
Jim Brewer
Green
Age: 66
Job: Full-time political-economic educator and advocate for Hawaii's employee families
Why do you want to lead Hawaii for the next four years?
I have a vision, political will and solutions which address unsolved problems -- housing, health care, income security, public education, energy, the environment, development, big money politics -- to protect Hawaii's democratic system, economic and environmental sustainability, shared prosperity and cultural heritage.
What is the most important issue facing Hawaii and what would you do about it?
Unfunded public education threatens Hawaii in this knowledge-based world. But just as important is the unaffordable housing crisis. Most local children will never own a home here because of international wealthy mansion buyers and speculators driving them out. ...
What should the state do about its crowded prisons?
Bring the prisoners home. Keep money in the state. Erect temporary minimum-security facilities and transitional barracks to accommodate overall need. Invest in proven methods of crime prevention and early intervention and reduce the return-to-crime rate ...
Daniel H. Cunningham
Nonpartisan
Age: 54
Job: Former doctor
Why do you want to lead Hawaii for the next four years?
Solving problems requires understanding the problem itself. Plutocrats as dual citizen Linda Enron have too many conflicting interests for change. The problem is the inequality of power and we have been lied to about nuclear by the oil lobby, it's safe.
What is the most important issue facing Hawaii and what would you do about it?
There needs to be a floating desalinization plutonium recycle center economy infrastructure to resolve the effects of hurricanes, tsunamis, chemical, ice ages, etc., and provide private magnetic levitation transportation to strengthen the grid for medical and utility progress.
What should the state do about its crowded prisons?
Why not a floating island of any size built by yours truly for our castles in paradise, equal opportunity but segregated? Two wrongs don't make a right. Turn lemons into lemonade with opportunity, "Inherit the kingdom at hand... ," Matthew 25:34.
Bradley Hara
Nonpartisan
Age: 58
Job: Olelo; TV producer - 9 years experience
Past: Calm, organized, hard worker who gets the best results.
Why do you want to lead Hawaii for the next four years?
I can effectively lead Hawaii in changing laws and finding cures in closing the growing gap between the rich and the poor. And make Hawaii the Sweet Spot of the World.
What is the most important issue facing Hawaii and what would you do about it?
I would eliminate poverty by building a $33,000-a-year safety net for our poor people, girls 10+ and boys 13+, handicapped and seniors. Top 10%. Five years at UH free. Pay for everybody's utilities. Redesign our high schools.
What should the state do about its crowded prisons?
The state should continue to ease the pressure of overcrowding by sending the violent and dangerous too be locked up in privatized prisons on the mainland U.S.
Randy Iwase
Democrat
Age: 58
Job: Attorney
Past: City councilman, state senator, chairman, Labor Appeals Board
Why do you want to lead Hawaii for the next four years?
We need real leadership and vision if we are to control our destiny in the global economy. A citizen of this precious place understands that we must care for each other and provide leadership by example, and by ... determination to do what is right.
What is the most important issue facing Hawaii and what would you do about it?
Controlling our destiny in the global economy - we must act to find our niche and grow our economy in a manner consistent with our special values, tradition, culture, and environment. We ... should pursue ... industries such as energy technology, bio-tech, and bio-med. ...
What should the state do about its crowded prisons?
We must build more prison space in Hawaii. Prisons in Hawaii serve at least two important purposes: they provide ... family support ... vital to rehabilitation ; and ... $50 million/year ... to send prisoners to the mainland can be invested in our economy through job creation.
Linda Lingle
Republican
Age: 53
Job: Governor
Past: Mayor of Maui (eight years); Maui County Councilmember (10 years)
Why do you want to lead Hawaii for the next four years?
I believe Hawaii is destined for greatness as a model of a multi-ethnic community that overcomes problems by turning them into opportunities. Through creativity, boldness and hard work ... I want to lead our state to achieve its full potential.
What is the most important issue facing Hawaii and what would you do about it?
Preserving the quality of life for Hawaii residents and ensuring they can continue to increase the standard of living for their families. We should further cut taxes, attract additional high-paying jobs, and ensure that our pristine natural areas ... are protected.
What should the state do about its crowded prisons?
Build more community-based residential facilities for the successful re-entry of inmates while continuing to house prisoners in modern mainland facilities to relieve our current shortage of beds. My administration is also spending millions of dollars to improve existing jails ...
Paul Manner
Republican
Age: 55
Job: Freelance news correspondent
Past: I'm hand-some, have a great body and sparkling personality!
Why do you want to lead Hawaii for the next four years?
Because Linda Lingle's leadership is a joke!
What is the most important issue facing Hawaii and what would you do about it?
I'm running for governor to stop Linda Lingle from being re-elected!
What should the state do about its crowded prisons?
Paul Joel Mattes
Nonpartisan
Age: Not given
Job: Not given
Why do you want to lead Hawaii for the next four years?
[No response given.]
What is the most important issue facing Hawaii and what would you do about it?
Imports and shipping tax reliefs as shown by incremental amounts, and air lottery to any persons traveling interisland, inter-domestic.
What should the state do about its crowded prisons?
Put them to work at the laundry, postal, airport, fire department and road maintenance -- depending on status of prisoner, etc.
George "Pono" Peabody
Republican
Age: 61
Job: Editor, Molokai Advertiser-News
Past: Crime in government investigator
Why do you want to lead Hawaii for the next four years?
The state of Hawaii is a criminal organization that we have allowed to become our masters. Instead of sovereigns over a servant government, we are now the slaves who pay the taxes they extort from us, steal property from us ...
What is the most important issue facing Hawaii and what would you do about it?
Most pressing need of Hawaii residents is individual sovereignty over government: STOP TAX SLAVERY and the War on Drugs, and end the federal occupation of state airports, ban the IRS and DEA from Hawaii, JAIL for judges ...
What should the state do about its crowded prisons?
As governor, I will pardon and release all nonviolent drug offenders to make room for real criminals; end the war on drugs in Hawaii because it is worse than drugs, and offer treatments, reduce the harm, education; reform police ...
Van K. Tanabe
Democrat
Age: 48
Job: Hawaiian Telcom
Why do you want to lead Hawaii for the next four years?
Being "Kanaka Maoli," I have a genuine love for the land and its people. Ineffective government has driven me to come up with solution including the "Ohana Lottery" which will benefit all of Hawaii by providing funding for fixing problems.
What is the most important issue facing Hawaii and what would you do about it?
Our high cost of living. As governor, I will provide better jobs, affordable housing, affordable long-term care, reduce crime and taxes. We also need to improve our education system so we can better prepare our children for the future.
What should the state do about its crowded prisons?
Hawaii should build a high-tech mega facility to address its overcrowded prisons. Sending inmates to the mainland is only a Band-Aid solution, we need to take responsibility for our problems. Improving rehabilitation programs are also essential.
