Corinne Ching

Republican

Age: 47

Job: State representative

Past: Represent-ative, Maemae Elementary teach-er, neighborhood board member

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

I will continue to work tirelessly toward revitalization and building a sense of community in addition to passing legislation in order to fight crime.

What qualifies you to be a state representative?

It is an honor to be the current representative. The people's support, a record of community involvement and accomplishment and success in securing funding qualifies me. 

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

Cut taxes. We should begin by eliminating the tax on food and medicine which would immediately benefit families, the elderly and those in need. 

Do you support convening a Constitutional Convention? Please explain.

The Constitution establishes both structure and operation of government and a Con Con could greatly improve its efficiency and effectiveness. From our educational system to health facilities, I see it as an opportunity to make long-overdue improvements towards better utilization of state funds. Keeping an eye on its costs, I support it. 

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

This has become a contentious issue yet remains an important decision. I have supported rail as it would provide an alternative for residents struggling with a limited transportation system, yet taxpayers have every right to say whether or not they want it. 

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

We must streamline and simplify the existing system for clearer lines of accountability, allow for more flexibility in use of funds to better utilize limited resources, recruit and retain qualified teachers and promote innovative curriculum in order to inspire learning. 

Sesnita Moepono

Democrat

Age: 57

Job: Attorney

Past: Legislative positions: chief of staff and staff attorney

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

Cost of living. Many of my neighbors are elderly, on fixed incomes and severely affected by rising costs for fuel, real property taxes and increased health needs. If elected, I will introduce legislation addressing issues like (1) decreasing our real property taxes for homeowners, (2) creating a self-supporting program for affordable health insurance, and (3) creating a self-sustaining program for affordable long-term insurance tied in with Medicaid that will reduce our Medicaid costs.

What qualifies you to be a state representative?

I am committed to helping my neighbors with problems affecting their quality of life. As the Neighborhood Board 14 chairwoman for three terms, I co-founded the Kunawai Neighborhood Watch & Patrol (2004) where we continue to walk the neighborhood to keep it safe; clean the Kunawai Pond; fight for park repairs and hold community projects like Sunset at Lanakila, free movie night with refreshments during the summer. I continue to serve as a board member. I am currently serving as the Honolulu Committee on Aging's chairwoman and as a member of the Kupuna Caucus. 

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

We need to work with Congress and the president to create more long-term jobs to stimulate the economy cut our cost of living and increase our disposable income. This is a national problem. We need to stimulate the economy by continuing to provide incentives supporting new and old industries (such as agriculture, bio-fuel, high technology, new media arts, kupuna care, universal design, aging in place and alternative energy) targeting self-sustainability for Hawaii. We need to think “;out of the box”; and look for different ways to solve our problems. 

Do you support convening a Constitutional Convention? Please explain.

No, not at this time. I have not seen a good reason to have one. Our last Constitutional Convention created a State Plan and State Functional Plans that have not been 100 percent implemented. The Food Bank's inventory is down to two months because more people are needing help with food. Our elderly programs are being cut as well as the number of meals served and the number of elderly receiving meals. By 2010, 25 percent of our population will be over 60 and we don't have programs to meet our elderly needs. We need to address our basic needs first. 

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

I am undecided because there are unanswered questions. Honolulu's revenues are decreasing, county departments are ordered to cut their budgets by 3 percent, the finance director predicts a worsening economy. How will we pay for this without increasing our property and general excise taxes? Who will pay for this? Will this become a state burden? The end cost may be three to four times the estimated cost of $5 BILLION or $15 BILLION. Will we be able to afford to live here? Should we be looking at alternatives that achieve the same results, create jobs, and are more affordable? 

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

We need to continue to repair our schools, provide incentives to encourage new teachers, retain our current teachers and to look at alternatives, look at creating schools that offer specialized curriculum such as performing arts, new media arts, agriculture, environmental and marine science. The DOE needs to look at cutting administrative costs and directing the money to the schools. We also need to ensure that programs like music, art, physical education and the library are available at all schools. We need kids that are well-rounded and have opportunities to excel and succeed in life.