Julia Allen

Republican

Age: 60

Job: Small business owner

Past: Born in Honolulu and lived here continuously for 32 years

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

The most important issue facing my district is the increase in cost of living. I will vote against all tax increases, fees and special funds.

What qualifies you to be a state representative?

  I have worked in retail businesses, owned my own business and worked at the Legislature as a legislative aide for the last four years. So, I understand very well how important small businesses are to our economy and how much those businesses are impacted by legislation. 

What is one thing you would do in office to improve the local economy?

  I would introduce legislation allowing the City and County of Honolulu to use the half-percent GET for any transit project, instead of being required to use those revenues for rail transit only, because there are less expensive ways to reduce our traffic congestion more effectively. Lessening our traffic congestion would lower our use of gasoline and time spent in transit, so we would be able to make better use of our time and money. 

Do you support convening a Constitutional Convention? Please explain.

  I support convening a Constitutional Convention because there are many changes to our Constitution that need to be addressed such as: term limits for state representatives and senators; school restructuring; referendum, initiative and recall; and budgetary accountability for all legislation. 

Do you support Oahu's planned rail-transit system? Please explain.

  Oahu's planned rail-transit system costs too much and does too little. It will not reduce traffic congestion, which is what we really need. The proposed cost is 10 times more per resident for rail transit than any other U.S. city has ever spent. Hot lanes, underpasses at congested cross streets, signal synchronization, telecommuting, reopening freeways faster after accidents and reduce uninsured motorists, can all be done at less cost with greatly improved transit times. 

What can the Legislature do to improve Hawaii's public education?

  The Legislature can improve Hawaii's public education by allowing for the creation of more charter schools and locally elected school boards. Funding needs to be bottom up instead of top down, giving the schools budgetary autonomy. 

Calvin Say

Democrat

Age: 56

Job: President, Kotake Shokai Ltd. (importer/ distributor)

Past: Graduate of UH, B.Ed.; mem-ber, civic groups

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

The high cost of living seems to be the most important issue of district voters. To address the problem, I would work to prevent the further downturn of the economy and loss of jobs, avoid tax increases and hold the line on state government spending. I would also continue working toward long-term solutions to reduce or limit the costs of health care, energy and housing.

What qualifies you to be a state representative?

  I am qualified because of my commitment to the District 20 community and state. My 32 years of experience as a representative will contribute towards the stability, continuity and institutional knowledge needed to weather the current economic downturn. This experience also has taught me to be open to innovative ways of thinking and to be unafraid of change when change is necessary. 

What is one thing you would do in office to improve the local economy?

  During the next two years, I would work toward preventing the imposition upon business of new mandates that may increase the costs of operation or cause employee layoffs. I would, however, also work toward maintaining existing benefits and rights of employees to shield them as much as possible from the economic downturn. 

Do you support convening a Constitutional Convention? Please explain.

  No position on the Con Con at this time. Before making a decision, I want to review the results of the lieutenant governor's and Legislative Reference Bureau's studies on the cost, composition and venue of the Con Con. 

Do you support Oahu's planned rail-transit system? Please explain.

  I support the rail-transit system. It will provide a high-capacity and reliable alternative transportation mode for persons who do not want to be stuck in auto traffic congestion. It will result in less air pollution and gasoline usage through the diversion of persons from autos to rail transit. Additionally, the infusion of federal dollars and construction of the system will benefit the economy. In sum, riders of the rail-transit system will derive direct transportation benefits, and other persons will derive indirect environmental and economic benefits. 

What can the Legislature do to improve Hawaii's public education?

  The Legislature must support highly qualified public school teachers. They are the foundation upon which a quality public education system rests. The Legislature also must maintain its commitment to the weighted student formula under which public schools receive a fairer distribution of resources and more flexibility in spending decisions. The Legislature also must continue its commitment to the repair and maintenance of school facilities.