4. Hawaii has the most lopsided Legislature in the country, with only one Republican in the Senate and only four in the House. How would you ensure there is an open exchange of ideas, transparency and accountability for decisions? What do you see as the consequences of one-party control, and how would you address that?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\nUnfortunately, there has been a one-party rule for nearly 40 years. The only way to have an open dialogue, transparency and accountability of decisions is by increasing the number of Republicans in the Legislature. This will promote nonpartisan ideas and set in motion bills that contribute to positive impact in our communities.<\/p>\n
Voters need be made aware that every vote counts and not buy in to the old adage of, \u201cI\u2019m only one person and my vote doesn\u2019t count.\u201d We have the consequence of a one-party rule; big government, over-spending, high taxes, self-imposed regulations and with the rising inflation, our Hawaii citizens are moving mainly to red states.<\/p>\n
5. Hawaii is the only Western state without a statewide citizens initiative process. Do you support such a process?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\nI am in favor of a statewide citizens initiative process. This would give each Hawaii citizen a stronger voice with the ability to propose and vote on constitutional amendments without referral of their legislators.<\/p>\n
6. Thanks to their campaign war chests and name familiarity, incumbents are almost always re-elected in Hawaii legislative races. Should there be term limits for state legislators, as there are for the governor\u2019s office and county councils? Why or why not?<\/strong><\/p>\nI absolutely advocate for term limits. Corruption runs rampant when career politicians remain in office.<\/p>\n
7. Hawaii has recently experienced a number of prominent corruption scandals, prompting the state House of Representatives to appoint a commission tasked with improving government transparency through ethics and lobbying reforms. What will you do to ensure accountability at the Legislature? Are you open to ideas such as requiring the Sunshine Law and open records laws to apply to the Legislature or banning campaign contributions during session?<\/strong><\/p>\nWhen transparency is allowed, accountability always follows suit. Requiring the Sunshine Law enables Hawaii citizens the opportunity to observe and participate in the proceedings of discussion and decisions.<\/p>\n
I support the banning of campaign contributions during session. I believe it is unnecessary and may be used to influence the decisions of lawmakers that will not benefit their constituents.<\/p>\n
8. How would you make the Legislature more transparent and accessible to the public? Opening conference committees to the public? Stricter disclosure requirements on lobbying and lobbyists? How could the Legislature change its own internal rules to be more open?<\/strong><\/p>\nTransparency should be the rule in government. The public should be allowed to review records of discussion and decisions, before, during and after each session.<\/p>\n
Hawaii citizens are to be served first and foremost, and conference committees should be made open to the public.<\/p>\n
Full disclosure should be required of\u00a0lobbyists so the public is well-informed of their intent.<\/p>\n
9. Hawaii has seen a growing division when it comes to politics, development, health mandates and other issues. What would you do to bridge those gaps and bring people together in spite of their differences?<\/strong><\/p>\nPolitics has become a game of division. It\u2019s managed to pit the poor against the rich, Democrat against Republican, conservative against liberal, and the list goes on. We need to go back to the basics of human decency and stop the great division. Take responsibility for our own actions and remember that we are culturally connected.<\/p>\n
The aloha spirit needs to be in action at all times and the influence of it needs to be perpetuated starting with government officials and flowing down through the public.<\/p>\n
10. The coronavirus pandemic has exposed numerous flaws in Hawaii\u2019s structure and systems, from outdated technology to economic disparity. If you could take this moment to reinvent Hawaii, to build on what we\u2019ve learned and create a better state, a better way of doing things, what would you do? Please share One Big Idea you have for Hawaii. Be innovative, but be specific.<\/strong><\/p>\nIn order for Hawaii to have a viable and sustainable future, we need to deregulate laws that make no sense such as the zoning laws that prevent the development of affordable housing, and promote local businesses by removing regulations that hinder good and honest progress.<\/p>\n
We need to pass laws that are sensible and promote trust and security for Hawaii citizens. It\u2019s sad how common sense is no longer common.<\/p>\n
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