Richard Fale

Republican

Age: 27

Job: U.S. Army

Past: Military legal specialist, development of intercultural/ inter-national cooper-ation programs

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

The cost of living. With the economy in recession and inflation rising, our community is hurting and needs help. Over the years, I've seen our families and friends forced to sell their homes and move to the mainland in order to stay afloat financially. Our seniors live on fixed incomes, unable to keep up with rising costs, and too many indivi-duals are seeing their 401(k)s and retirement plans shrivel and dry up.

Reducing fuel taxes, removing the tax on essential foods and reducing or freezing property taxes would bring immediate economic relief to the people in my district.

  What qualifies you to be a state senator? 

What qualifies me to be a state senator are the leadership skills acquired in serving in military capacities such as the 100th Infantry Battalion, 411th Combat Engineer Battalion, and the 9th Reserve Readiness Command. I am also a founder of the Polynesian Heritage Foundation and a director of the Polynesian Eyes Foundation, which have provided me with unique opportunities to see the needs of my community and establish possible solutions to these issues facing the state of Hawaii. Above all, it has been instilled in me to serve and work hard in my community to make it a better place for all.

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

Focusing on Innovation and diversification by supporting the private sector in developing culturally and environmentally sensitive businesses, such as life sciences and biotech research. Growing our digital media capabilities and the music industry following the “Nashville” model, and finally by promoting the establishment of a $100 million Hawaii Innovation Fund to promote innovation. 

Do you support convening a Constitutional Convention? Please explain.

Yes. Although I think the Constitution shouldn’t be easily changed, it would be beneficial at this time to clearly define procedures and clarify issues for the Office of Elections in order to prevent future issues, and to maintain the integrity of our democratic process.

Our democratic system of government, including procedures, should never be applied at the whim of one person but must apply equally to everyone. 

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

If the rail-transit system could be structured in a way to benefit the Windward side of the island, and if the city could show they were cutting any wasteful and unnecessary spending, I could support the plan. 

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

Streamlining the educational system to ensure more of the funds reach the teachers and the classrooms would be a priority. Also, it is important that the parents have the final say in their child’s education so I would also support an increase in charter schools. Lastly, I would protect schools and teachers from frivolous lawsuits.

I am against the federal government mandate of a universal, one-size-fits-all model on our local schools. Charter schools and tuition tax credit can benefit public education and enhance the overall educational climate for children.

Clayton Hee

Democrat

Age: 55

Job: State senator, The Cowboy Co. owner

Past: Former public school teacher

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

Balancing the lifestyle of Windward Oahu and preserving open space for future generations while meeting the practical needs of residents in the areas of education, traffic, housing and good-paying jobs.

What qualifies you to be a state senator?

Lifelong Windward Oahu resident; taught in the public school system; 22 years’ experience in elective office, including the state House of Representatives, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and the state Senate.

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

I would strongly consider incentives such as tax rebates and credits to aid working families; for example, a tool that credits their college tuition bills for children so that more money remains in their household to spend on necessities. 

Do you support convening a Constitutional Convention? Please explain.

I support the people’s right to decide. 

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

I support the proposed rail-transit project in conjunction with broadening other means of public transportation (such as busses and van pools) to work in concert with rail, in the absence of a viable alternative to unacceptable traffic levels in Hawaii. 

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

Providing a free, top-quality education system is one of the paramount obligations of a democracy. We should continue to fund our public schools system to the best of our ability. It is producing the future population of our state.