State Senate
9 KAHALA-PALOLO
Gladys Gerlich Hayes
Republican
Age: 73
Job: Retired
Past: Elected three terms Palolo Neighborhood Board and serve on three other boards
What qualifies you to be a state senator?
My education, community service, party service and common sense that comes as one grows older.
What should be done to make housing more affordable?
Tax incentives to landlords who rent to lower middle or lower income. Require so many units low-middle income in new developments.
Does Hawaii spend enough on public education?
No.
9 KAHALA-PALOLO
Les Ihara Jr.
Democrat
Age: 55
Job: Full-time legislator
Past: Community and organizational development, communications planning
What qualifies you to be a state senator?
I have 20 years of experience in the legislature in such positions as senate majority leader and majority floor leader in both houses. I care about the future of Hawaii and want to help build a pathway for its success.
What should be done to make housing more affordable?
Expand financial subsidies, tax credits, loan programs, and bond financing to increase the inventory of affordable housing and rental units, including in the Honolulu urban core. Use former plantation lands for affordable housing, and give permitting priority for such projects.
Does Hawaii spend enough on public education?
No. Funding issues on the educational basics of books, facilities, and teacher training should be eliminated. Many schools need larger budgets, teachers want and need professional development, and schools should be allowed to negotiate agreements and accountability for support services.
9 KAHALA-PALOLO
Michael "Big Mike" Palcic
Republican
Age: 57
Job: Big Cheese, MacMouse Club Inc. (Computer consultancy, providing hardware, software
What qualifies you to be a state senator?
I have an open mind and a sturdy work ethic. I'll assist Gov. Lingle's efforts to reform state government and to design and implement Hawaii's future course in this new century. I am an advocate for enterprise, supporting small businesses.
What should be done to make housing more affordable?
In large measure, we should allow housing markets to answer the call for housing units by reducing government mandates and interference in these markets and streamlining government procedures and approvals for construction. Excessive government involvement raises costs, decreasing affordability.
Does Hawaii spend enough on public education?
Without question, sufficient financial resources are provided for public education. The monolithic DOE devours money in its mammoth bureaucracy, starving the schools. Learning will flourish with a transfer of spending authority, allowing local schools, students and families to make choices.
9 KAHALA-PALOLO
Randall M.L. Yee
Democrat
Age: 47
Job: Attorney, self-employed specializing in estate planning CPA, current BOE chairperson
What qualifies you to be a state senator?
My legal, accounting and business background and experience on the Board of Education, (city) Planning Commission and various community organizations has given me a broad range of experience that will allow me to bring a new perspective .
What should be done to make housing more affordable?
I support greater public-private partnerships to provide affordable housing. It is important for all stakeholders to designate and preserve prime agricultural areas. I believe that future housing developments can be designed to maintain open space and preserve the environment.
Does Hawaii spend enough on public education?
No. A recent study shows that Hawaii underfunds public education by approximately $278 million.
11 MAKIKI-PUNCHBOWL
Carol Fukunaga
Democrat
Age: 58
Job: Attorney
Past: Experienced public servant and community entrepreneur
What qualifies you to be a state senator?
The issues confronting Hawaii are increasingly complex - for example, with competing demands for reduced taxes and better services (such as escalating health care costs, demands for quality education or ending homelessness). I have a proven track record ...
What should be done to make housing more affordable?
There's no easy fix. Collaborative efforts like the 2006 Joint Legislative Housing and Homelessness Task Force housing initiatives http://www. capitol.hawaii.gov/site1/studies/Joint_Homeless_Task_Force.pdf) are a good start. All stakeholders must pursue focused, specific projects and timelines ...
Does Hawaii spend enough on public education?
No; however, we need greater accountability for today's education expenditures (example: CFO position for DOE in 2006). We must then identify/fund the costs of improving student performance, expanding the qualified teacher pool and providing safe, clean classrooms for learning.
11 MAKIKI-PUNCHBOWL
Phil Meyers
Republican
Age: 50
Job: Pediatrician
Past: Recipient of Star-Bulletin endorsement for U.S. Congress in 2000
What qualifies you to be a state senator?
I see 25-40 families each working day and assist them with medical, social or educational problems their children might be experiencing. I have ground-level experience in dealing with state agencies such as Child Protective Services ...
What should be done to make housing more affordable?
State and city governments need to speed the process of building 30,000-35,000 two-bedroom, two-bathroom single family houses. The state and city governments need to find underutilized parcels of government land to develop small, low-cost housing projects in East Honolulu.
Does Hawaii spend enough on public education?
Yes.
13 KALIHI-LILIHA
Suzanne Chun Oakland
Democrat
Age: 45
Job: Legislator
Past: Bachelor degrees in communication and psychology
What qualifies you to be a state senator?
Strong desire to help others and provide community service; love working with people; strong facilitating, problem- solving and team-building skills; good listener; resourceful; good working knowledge of how government operates; good working relationships with diverse sectors of our state .
What should be done to make housing more affordable?
Continue funding the rental housing trust fund and DHHL to build affordable housing; provide incentives to landlords to help preserve existing/build new affordable rentals; government partnering with landowners, developers, nonprofits, unions -- identifying land, invest in infrastructure, use manufactured homes.
Does Hawaii spend enough on public education?
A 2005 study concluded ... our public education system is underfunded by $278,000,000 per year. We need to continue investing more in public education, particularly at the school level in the classrooms, directly supporting teachers, students and support staff.
13 KALIHI-LILIHA
Paul E. Smith
Republican
Age: 63
Job: Small business owner
Past: Experience and education bring solid business and financial expertise
What qualifies you to be a state senator?
The Senate needs experience: 45 years as business owner, international volunteer/banker along with honesty and integrity learned early as a minister's son. Special interests gain no advantage since I will use my funds, not taxpayer money, for the campaign.
What should be done to make housing more affordable?
Reduce bureaucratic red tape and eliminate building restrictions that will increase the availability of land for homes. Encourage private development of mixed-income housing. Eliminate tax on residential rent. Partner with nonprofits to ... provide on-site support services to tenants.
Does Hawaii spend enough on public education?
Public school children have totaled 180,000 for 30 years BUT the money spent on education increased 1,000% ($2.2 billion). Centrally controlled money hurts classrooms and benefits the top-heavy DOE bureaucracy. Give 90% of money to classrooms ...
19 KALAELOA-MAKAKILO
Chuck Anthony
Democrat
Age: 45
Job: State of Hawaii, Department of Defense
Past: TV News Producer, combat veteran
What qualifies you to be a state senator?
More than 12 years in state government. Proven track record of getting things done. 2002 State of Hawaii Manager of the Year.
What should be done to make housing more affordable?
Discourage real-estate speculation. Set aside below-market homes in new developments for "gap income" families.
Does Hawaii spend enough on public education?
No. We need to ensure we have proper learning environments in all public schools.
19 KALAELOA-MAKAKILO
Robert (Bob) Fong
Republican
Age: 63
Job: State special investigator
Job: 22 years in public manage- ment or admini- stration; MPA Indiana University
What qualifies you to be a state senator?
I care about my home, my community, state and nation, and my experience in the public sector. Also, I want to make a difference by embracing tradition yet shaping the future. I have a civic responsibility to my community.
What should be done to make housing more affordable?
Land is our limiting resource; therefore, attractively developed apartment complexes near main transit lines are a viable alternative.
Does Hawaii spend enough on public education?
No. Because we budget from the top down, too much of our education tax dollars are eaten up by administrative expenses. To effectively fund the classroom, funding should begin at the classroom where education happens.
19 KALAELOA-MAKAKILO
Mike Gabbard
Republican
Age: 58
Job: Entrepreneur running several businesses ranging from healthy living technologies
Past: Councilman, small businessman, educator
What qualifies you to be a state senator?
I don't like saying I'm more qualified than anyone else. All I know is ... we need honest leaders who have aloha and courage to address the needs of the people -- leaders willing to put community interest above self interest.
What should be done to make housing more affordable?
We should reduce red tape and provide incentives to developers so that more affordable housing projects get built faster. We should also look at policies that will a) benefit local residents and b) discourage land and housing speculation.
Does Hawaii spend enough on public education?
As a lifelong educator, I understand the necessity of paying our teachers better so we can retain qualified quality teachers. Additionally, we need to maximize the amount of money spent in the classroom, and minimize bureaucratic costs.
19 KALAELOA-MAKAKILO
Janice Salcedo Lehner
Democrat
Age: 47
Job: Legislative office manager, Sen. Brian Kanno for eight years; past legislative office manager, Rep. Mark Moses
What qualifies you to be a state senator?
Experience, knowledge of the process, interaction with personnel, and my dedication. District resident for 16 years, small business owner, office manager, volunteer, wife and mother. Past 10 years worked as Legislative Office Manager for our district senator and representative.
What should be done to make housing more affordable?
Government should participate in building affordable housing and developers should be given tax incentive to build affordable housing.
Does Hawaii spend enough on public education?
When a $500 million backlog of repairs is allowed to happen, we are not spending enough on education.
19 KALAELOA-MAKAKILO
George Yamamoto
Democrat
Age: 46
Job: Retired Honolulu police captain
Past: Neighbor- hood board member; SHOPO board member
What qualifies you to be a state senator?
After 25 years of service with HPD, I wish to continue serving the community by applying my experience, training, and education towards this opportunity as a state senator. I have been active in the community with the area neighborhood board and supportive of local programs.
What should be done to make housing more affordable?
Task local experts to analyze model affordable-housing successes in other jurisdictions and implement them or modify them to be also successful in Hawaii.
Does Hawaii spend enough on public education?
I really don't know. I believe that funds earmarked to reduce class size and improve teacher's salaries are important to fund. I would like to have educational program accounting information simply presented and accounted for, not convoluted and complicated to decipher.
20 EWA, KAPOLEI, EWA BEACH
Jeff Alexander
Republican
Age: 53
Job: Construction, retired
Past: Grew up in Ewa Beach, active 16 years in community
What qualifies you to be a state senator?
Over 30 years in construction, managed millions of dollars worth of projects. Trained to watch every nickel. Grew up in the district, know it extremely well. Active 16 years, not afraid to stand up for what's right. Will get more roads ...
What should be done to make housing more affordable?
Designate areas where only affordable housing can be built; land designated lease with option to purchase later; build prefab homes ... with nonprofit company. We could sell a three-bedroom home for $150,000 to $200,000 without land. ...
Does Hawaii spend enough on public education?
Yes. We need to oversee the spending. We need a law that states when a school project, whether new construction or repair work, the low bidder gets the job as long as the company is bondable.
20 EWA, KAPOLEI, EWA BEACH
Will Espero
Democrat
Age: 45
Job: State senator; community relations manager D.R. Horton/Schuler Div.
Past: Director, neighborhood boards system
What qualifies you to be a state senator?
I was chairman of the Ewa Neighborhood Board and served three years in the House of Representatives. I am completing my first term in the state Senate after being elected in 2002.
What should be done to make housing more affordable?
The permit process could be streamlined and approvals completed quicker. I will introduce legislation to landbank up to 2000 acres statewide for affordable housing projects. I also support state-funded infrastructure for non-profit developers or homebuilders.
Does Hawaii spend enough on public education?
Yes; however, how we spend it is the issue. I support lower student/teacher ratios, higher teachers' pay with bonuses for excellent teachers, comfortable well-equipped classrooms, high-tech schools, after school tutoring and more parental involvement.
20 EWA, KAPOLEI, EWA BEACH
Celeste K. Lacuesta
Democrat
Age: Not given
Job: Not given
What qualifies you to be a state senator?
[No response given.]
What should be done to make housing more affordable?
Realtors and other investors should stop purchasing homes in all areas. It should be where a new home owner will be the one that is actually living in the home at least 10 years. ...
Does Hawaii spend enough on public education?
No. Not enough text books for students. Insufficient supplies for all teachers. I feel that all public schools should be on par with the same curriculum as any private school, such as college prep. Many schools need repairs.
24 KANEOHE-KAILUA
Keoki Leong
Republican
Age: 26
Job: Director, Senate Republican Research
What qualifies you to be a state senator?
I have the community and legislative experience that matters. A fourth-generation Windward resident, I served as a member of the Kaneohe Neighborhood Board, was appointed to Kaneohe Bay Regional Council and served as chief of staff to Sen. Bob Hogue ...
What should be done to make housing more affordable?
We need to make increasing workforce housing a top priority. The governor's task force on affordable housing and the governor's economic momentum commission both pointed to the shortage of affordable houses and rentals devastating to our working families and the economy ...
Does Hawaii spend enough on public education?
Hawaii's per pupil spending is in the top three nationally by most any measure, but I fear we are losing some efficiency in the bureaucracy. ... I want to see more money get to the classroom level. ...
24 KANEOHE-KAILUA
Tom Pico Jr.
Republican
Age: 62
Job: State health insurance attorney Past: Small-business owner; deputy prosecutor and deputy attorney general.
What qualifies you to be a state senator?
I have the experience necessary to be an effective state senator. I've been an attorney in Hawaii since 1968. I've served over 13 years as a government attorney, criminal and civil. I've also chaired Kailua's Neighborhood Board.
What should be done to make housing more affordable?
Make more government land available. Eliminate duplication of state and county zoning powers. Provide public-private financing and development of infrastructure. Provide incentives for landlords to keep lower-rent housing units on the market.
Does Hawaii spend enough on public education?
Yes, but we don't spend it wisely. The money needs to get to the classrooms. We need smaller classrooms. We have known for 30 years (at least) that we spend too much for bureaucracy in our public education system.
24 KANEOHE-KAILUA
Jill Tokuda
Democrat
Age: 30
Job: Director of community relations and government affairs, Rey-nolds Recycling
Past: Small-business owner
What qualifies you to be a state senator?
I have gained extensive private and public sector experience throughout my career. To date, I have helped nonprofits and schools raise over $200,000 by creating an innovative recycling program and instituted free curbside recycling programs with zero taxpayer dollars.
What should be done to make housing more affordable?
First, we need to preserve, not sell, truly affordable housing complexes in our communities. We must also do more to increase our inventory of affordable housing options and look at loan programs to assist Hawaii residents.
Does Hawaii spend enough on public education?
As a product of our public schools, I would increase compensation to attract and retain qualified teachers into the profession. We must increase our investment in our schools and ensure that the funds are being used efficiently and effectively.
25 LANIKAI-WAIMANALO
Fred Hemmings
Republican
Age: 60
Job: Self-employed
Past: Diverse background
What qualifies you to be a state senator?
Experience, get things done, issue driven
What should be done to make housing more affordable?
1. Tax credits.
2. Use of state land for low-income housing.
3. Increase tax on offshore investors in Hawaii housing real estate.
Does Hawaii spend enough on public education?
Yes. $2.2 billion -- about 182,000 students = around $12,000 per child. Management is the problem, not money.
25 LANIKAI-WAIMANALO
Frank T. Lockwood
Democrat
Age: 56
Job: Attorney
Past: Over 25 years of skills in conflict resolution and negotiation
What qualifies you to be a state senator?
I care about Hawaii and the Windward community. I have the skills, energy and time to make a difference. I am independent-minded and can work with members of either political party; ... bring new ideas ... to address old problems.
What should be done to make housing more affordable?
Improve the processing of building and development permits. Eliminate duplication of state and county zoning. Improve efforts in tapping federal, state, county, nonprofit and private funds available for housing programs. Tax incentives for development of affordable housing.
Does Hawaii spend enough on public education?
Yes. It's not how much we're spending on public schools. It's what we are getting for our education dollar. % of $$ that don't go into teaching.
