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Fourteen candidates are running in a Dec. 29 special election, which is being held to replace former City Council Chairman Todd Apo. He resigned in November to take a private-sector job.

The special election is designed for voters to cast ballots by mail. began sending District 1 ballots to registered voters last week. The City Clerk must receive all ballots no later than 6 p.m. on December 29, 2010, in the envelopes provided by the city.

Voters also have the option to vote in person, starting Monday, Dec. 13. Honolulu Hale and Kapolei Hale will be open for walk-in voting through Dec. 27, between 8 a.m. — 4 p.m., except for Sundays and Dec. 17, a furlough day. No polling places will be open on election day, Dec. 29.

Civil Beat contacted each candidate, and asked for responses to 10 questions.

1. What should Oahu do with its trash?
The current landfill site is an example of a broken treaty. The matter must be brought to a conclusion and the landscape returned to other end uses. After all recycling and burning options have been exhausted to minimize the amount of trash left over – that amount can be shipped out of state. If trash is to remain here in the island, any new landfill site must compensate the nearby community it is impacting with tax credits, direct improvements, or other forms of gratuity to offset the presence of the landfill. In addition, condominium complexes that pay for waste disposal through property taxes but have private refuse pick-up instead, should be duly
compensated for not using city refuse transportation services.

2. How would you address the bed-and-breakfast permitting issue? Is this a viable industry that benefits Oahu?
Rules against thirty-day or less rentals is usually the norm in most residential associations. The criteria that governs planned community associations and condominium complexes for regulating rentals should be extended to residential areas without this stipulation for compliance.

3. Where do you stand on the city’s planned rail-transit project? Are its funding mechanisms sufficient? Will it really attract riders and ease traffic congestion?
Rail can be summed up by this video-why it is being built –

Traffic in West Oahu can be reduced with the UHWO campus costing hundreds of millions of dollars situated in East Kapolei that will take some 10% of the cars currently on the road off of the road heading into town; rail on the other hand is estimated to take 1-3% of the cars off the H-1 Freeway costing over $5 billion. The best traffic reducer is getting the motoring public that should not be driving into public transportation instead. Estimates are some 15 to 20% of those driving on our public roads are driving in uninsured vehicles- and for for a few thousand dollars in software to link motor vehicle insurance companies to law enforcement, we can reduce more traffic on the H-1 Freeway basically overnight than rail and a new college campus is to achieve combined.

4. How would you deal with the growing problem of homelessness?
I favor placing persons lacking shelter who are willfully trespassing on public property to be relocated to a place where sanitization, social services, and transportation can be streamlined to help as many as possible overcome their plight. A safe zone where resources can be centralized to improve conditions for our residents to gain employment and eventual affordable housing should be the step up and step out of homelessness. I want to allow prefabricated housing to enter into the real estate market to offer residents a real chance of attaining a home they can afford. Prefabricated housing would bring the cost of renting a home way down as these types of dwellings are much less expensive to build. I would promote a tax credit be extended to the manufacturer that operates a prefabricated home building plant here on Oahu.

5. How can Honolulu best clean up its troubled Liquor Commission?
No response at this time – however providing noise decibel readers to them to expand their enforcement capabilities is welcomed.

6. Residents have seen property taxes and fees increase to meet budget shortfalls. What’s your big idea for improving the city’s revenue picture?
We have numerous World War II historical sites being ignored that could be turned into public museums generating revenue. The city should allow the private sector to operate a dinner tourist train linking Waipahu Depot area to Haleiwa using the old rail right-of-way/ serving local cuisine to help our farmers and employing hundreds to operate it. Revenue could also be generated by increasing the amount of foodstuffs we purchase from local suppliers instead of importing produce. Keep profits here recirculating
into our own economy — and set a goal of increasing that consumption of locally grown produce to 30% from the current 15% by the year 2020. A 15% increase in productivity sustaining our own farmers will have residuals feeding back into the economy at hundreds of millions of additional dollars per year. The agricultural industry could be even bigger here if handled right, and could have taxpayers seeing some relief and more land preserved in open space.

7. Where do you stand when it comes to the use of agricultural land on Oahu? Should the council tighten zoning regulations, or loosen them?
Loosen them to stimulate private development growth into increasing the supply of affordable housing — elderly housing must be promoted. In contrast, tighten other areas that involve basic infrastructure returns; predominantly roads need to be built first. This could be accomplished by implementing the use of Special Purpose Revenue Bonds. The State needs to allow Special Purpose Revenue Bonds to be used on real estate development-currently this funding mechanism is not permitted in statute.

Transportation experts from around the world agree our level of service on the H-1 Freeway is at a grade/level of service ‘F.’ We have the lowest number of roadway lane miles per capita in the nation making Oahu severely lane deficient. Government has failed to increase the carrying capacity on our roads at a rate equal to the rate of new residential housing developments. To continue this pattern of reckless development without having the roadway connectivity in place must cease. Therefore, I am an advocate of requiring the State Land Use Commission to only approve zone changes when the petitioner has proven no further negative impact on our
roads will transpire in result of the development scheme proposed.

Improving the flow of traffic in the rezoning classification process needs to be a requisite. Oahu has the capability to farm enough land to be self sufficient with plenty of remaining land left over to develop residential dwellings that are sorely needed — just build the roads to serve them beforehand. My plan to get DR Horton of the Hoopili development in Ewa to finish the stretch of the East West Connector Road first is doable with the bond formula aforementioned above. Otherwise, we go back to the Impact Fee concept that passes on an impact fee levied by the City on the developer per unit built and a certain sum- usually around $1,500, is in turn passed back on to the home buyer- raising the cost of housing. The money collected goes into a fund to help build whatever road(s) are identified and obligated. Finishing the East West Connector Road that links Kualaka`i Parkway’s corridor to the Ft. Weaver Road corridor is being ignored and must be built. If the road cannot be built first, then the transfer of agricultural land that the road is supposed to go through to be reclassified to urban use for residential development should not transpire, and not approved by the Council.

8. Relations between the mayor and the Council have usually been contentious. How would you work to improve those relations?
I see our new Mayor as one with a good ear, having an open door policy, and able to reason with an open mind. Not a factor.

9. Name one or two issues the Council should be giving more attention to, and explain why.
When a community wants a traffic light, stop sign, or crosswalk installed because they say it is necessary for improving the safety conditions for pedestrians and motorists, the city needs to take heed and stop ignoring the sentiments of the people having to endure the substandard conditions. Another issue overlooked is the amount of mopeds and other motor vehicles making noise over the decibel limit. All HPD officers on the beat should have access to decibel readers to catch, remove, and rid our streets from those irritants. But most importantly, the Council needs to figure out how to reverse the trend of many families on the west side that cut their water usage down but their utility bill increased in return. Revisiting the desalination plant in Kalaeloa that keeps getting delayed and put off could address this if built.

10. What quality do you bring to the job that would help change the complexion of the current council?
The current council approved of expanding the Honouliuli Wastewater Treatment Plant recently and purchased land for that purpose but failed to include the community on the scheme or conduct one public hearing on the proposal before the deal was made. That is not my style. I am one who believes that if folks are given ample time to digest plans, given numerous opportunities to offer their input, we can in the end always find that win-win solution to our problems and challenges we face together. We need a fiscally sound conservative on the Council — that is the lens I bring.

1. What should Oahu do with its trash?
Herhof GMBH, a German company, treats solid waste using a Mechanical Biological Treatment that recovers high purity recyclable products and produces an alternative fuel for power plants, with very environment friendly air quality, and very little ash. It could consume all current trash, and over decades could swallow all of the material now in landfills. As an example of recyclable quality, they even separate glass by color. The city is studying it. I’ve seen presentations, and I support it.

2. How would you address the bed-and-breakfast permitting issue? Is this a viable industry that benefits Oahu?
This is a growing industry. It is not going away. It’s time to license it and regulate it. A bed and breakfast has the owner living on property as opposed to a vacation rental which does not. B&Bs are much more acceptable because of this. Vacation rentals must also be licensed and regulated. The restrictions in the bill the Council considered last year are adequate for community protection, since such a high percentage of neighbors within so many feet must agree to it.

3. Where do you stand on the city’s planned rail-transit project? Are its funding mechanisms sufficient? Will it really attract riders and ease traffic congestion?
I have written two articles on rail transit. One was published by both newspapers; the other has just be submitted for publication. I am attaching both. Basically, I want to see rail put on the ground using light rail, want it to leave UHWO and head makai to join the OR&L right-of-way, and follow that ROW to the stadium, from there following the current route into Iwilei where it should end, with other means of rapid transportation fanning out through the city.

No, we can’t afford it as it currently planned.

What is little known is that studies in the Ho’opili EIS state unequivocally that the freeway will be reduced to gridlock, with two hour commutes into the city by 2030. Yes, people will do anything they can to get onto a train at that time. Even with 30,000 taking the train from this area, traffic will be far worse on the freeway.

4. How would you deal with the growing problem of homelessness?
As just a couple of points, the city must stop trying to sell its affordable rental projects to for-profit entities. At the same time, families in housing that can afford mainstream homes should be “encouraged” to move on up, freeing the rentals for others. More help should be found for people one check away from homelessness.

5. How can Honolulu best clean up its troubled Liquor Commission?
I’ve heard this question for forty years. It’s a real quagmire. I think the results of the recent election allowing the Liquor Commission to fire its administrator could help. We’ll have to wait and see what happens. Perhaps we will need to appoint an Inspector General kind of person, with free-ranging access to everything.

6. Residents have seen property taxes and fees increase to meet budget shortfalls. What’s your big idea for improving the city’s revenue picture?
Tourism is increasing now, building the tax base. We are going to have to do billions of dollars of work on roads and sewers. I would get started on at least a chunk of that, using the additional tax money, to get people back to work. I would hold off raising property taxes until the economy has recovered and people feel it less. User fees can transfer a good part of the burden to tourists. Carefully selecting fees that least affect local people can raise money while causing the least stress to our people.

7. Where do you stand when it comes to the use of agricultural land on Oahu? Should the council tighten zoning regulations, or loosen them?
I have published articles on the need to keep our prime ag lands in farming for food security. I am attaching one. But there are other “farming” industries using agricultural lands which, along with the problems they pose, have not been given much consideration. We need to be aware that Monsanto-type corn seed growers make super bucks on their products, and biomass growers make big bucks on their crops, compared with food farmers just making bucks. A problem we will face is, How do we keep food farmers from growing biomass and seed-corn? Aloun farms already grows some seed-corn. Food growers will need incentives to grow food crops. We will also need to regulate who can grow what, where, or Monsanto types will buy up the islands. Perhaps this can be done by setting percentages for each kind of farming. It will be interesting. Cattle ranges also need to be expanded and we need more dairies, chicken and pig farms if we are to have food security.

There is talk that biomass should be grown on plantations. I disagree. One can make a fine living on a few acres of growing biomass and biofuels. This is our opportunity to put people back on the land. Small family farms for corn-seed, biomass, and food are going to need to be specifically generated. The whole matter is too complex to bring up here, but kids and young adults need to be made excited about the possibility of farming as a career; farming has to become a field where one can make a good living; the price of local food has to be made competitive with imported food; training programs for prospective farmers need to be set up. (There are some programs now at some community colleges and high schools. I have been talking to Chancellor Gene Awakuni about developing a program at UHWO in relation with Aloun Farms, using DLNR land for training.) Areas need to be set aside for farming, and some kinds of cooperatives or government centers need to be created so that small farmers can share equipment that is too expensive for individual small farmers to purchase alone. I would greatly love to be a Councilmember guiding this development. If we elect an ironworkers’ union leader or a young candidate supported by D. R. Horton, one can be positive that we won’t see much of what I have described above. I greatly need your support, and wish you were endorsing a candidate.

Should the city council tighten regulations? Yes. And I want to be there to make sure it is done right. Currently the EIS for a project does not consider effects of the project beyond its immediate surroundings. That is the way 33,000 homes were able to be zoned and fully entitled on the ‘Ewa plain without their effect on freeway traffic to town ever being considered. And that is how the freeway got to its current terrible condition.

8. Relations between the mayor and the Council have usually been contentious. How would you work to improve those relations?
We have three branches of government in order to provide checks and balances, not to get along. Mayor Carlisle, unfortunately, seems to be becoming a clone of Mayor Hanneman. If this continues to be the case, I think I would serve the people far better by being his checks and balances than his good friend.

9. Name one or two issues the Council should be giving more attention to, and explain why.
Here’s a stunning little set of facts that nobody is paying any attention to: Besides costing billions that we don’t have, sewer and street work will create 40,000 jobs. Rail will create 87,500 more jobs according to the EIS. New green jobs, housing construction, etc. will create tens of thousands more. Roughly 120,000 to 150,000 new jobs altogether. This month, however, we have 28,000 people that are jobless in the whole state. We will import 130,000 workers; 350,000 people when family members are included, with 260,000 cars just to fill the jobs. This is insane. They would need 130,000 houses, plus schools, police, water, roads, sewers. We can’t afford to do this to ourselves.

The problem I discussed above about corn-seed, biomass, and food growers has no yet reached Council radar. That will be huge. It will also be a chance to redirect the future of the island, keeping it green.

We are at a critical point with fresh water. We can accommodate only about another 80,000 people. We will soon reach gridlock on our freeways. In many areas, we are exceeding the carrying capacity for this island. We need to come to grips with that.

Rising seas will change this island drastically. The council is not noticing this problem yet.

We need to do more to support “aging in place.” We are at a critical point with Boomers graying, and needing security for their future.

I would like to form a “think tank” for the council, bringing experts to advise us and together working through these problems.

10. What quality do you bring to the job that would help change the complexion of the current council?
There are two qualities I bring. The issues in question nine are examples of seeing the big picture. I have a doctorate in philosophy. Philosophy is sometimes called the study of the big picture, the overview. I see things that others never notice. We have reached a pivotal juncture on O’ahu. We must plot a way out. The second quality I bring is aloha ‘aina, love for the land. I think that if we look at what is best for the land, we will learn how best to provide for future generations. If we dearly love these islands and want future generations to share the pleasures of the Paradise we enjoy, we must do what will preserve the island for them. We cannot just cover it with cement.

1. What should Oahu do with its trash? ��
The city needs to pursue a long-term 25 year waste management master plan.�� The plan should include creating greater incentives to encourage our citizens to recycle in greater quantities.�� I would consider tax credits for our residents and businesses who have demonstrated a high level of participation in recycling.�� I will also work to insure that curbside recycling is phased completely throughout the county. Additionally, I would also seek to research the feasibility of using more advanced technology to deal with the disposal of our trashsimilar to H POWER that can convert waste to energy such as laser arc, gasification and “methane gas to energy”.

2. How would you address the bed-and-breakfast permitting issue? Is this a viable industry that benefits Oahu? ��
I would favor greater enforcement of this industry given the excessive number of illegal bed and breakfast units throughout our county.���� Although this is a viable industry, the lack of enforcement has created a significant degree of hardships on various communities.�� I would support the creation of a new class of residential zoning specifically for bed-and-breakfast operators, which would provide a greater system of checks and balances and allow a greater incorporation of community input.������

3. Where do you stand on the city’s planned rail-transit project? Are its funding mechanisms sufficient? Will it really attract riders and ease traffic congestion?
Although the recent change of leadership in the U.S House of Representatives will make federal funding more of a challenge, I am confident that through the continuing leadership of Senators Akaka and Inouye, that our county will get its fair share of federal funds for this project.�� While I am ready to move forward with the rail-transit project, I have reservations about the funding process given the economic situation nationally and locally here in Hawaii.��

4. How would you deal with the growing problem of homelessness?
I support the creation of the housing authority, which would work to support the creation of the office of housing which would help assist in the formulation and execution of policies that would alleviate the homeless situation in West-Oahu and elsewhere in the county.�� We must pursue more permanent affordable rental housing units and would also favor interim measures such as safe zones that provide individuals and families with a safe and managed site that also includes programs to allow them to work towards remedying the problems that are contributing to this circumstance. I would also look closely at the implementation of legislation like the Housing First project and others which incorporate phased transitioning for the homeless.
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5. How can Honolulu best clean up its troubled Liquor Commission?
I will support the change of making the Liquor Commission Administrator an appointed position which gave the commission the authority to install and dismiss the administrator.�� This will bring comprehensive oversight and accountability to the liquor commission.�� As a councilmember I will work to ensure that the administrator and commissioners will be fair, honest, and committed to cleaning up the commission.��

6. Residents have seen property taxes and fees increase to meet budget shortfalls. What’s your big idea for improving the city’s revenue picture?
I would not support any increase in real property taxes but am open to increasing user fees for services that are currently being provided at nominal rates, in particular, to non-resident users. I will work to also review current duplicate services that the city and state offers, so that we can minimize waste.�� The city must also look towards continued and expanded pursuance of private-public partnerships.��

7. Where do you stand when it comes to the use of agricultural land on Oahu? ��Should the council tighten zoning regulations, or loosen them?
The county should tighten the regulations so that we can ensure that agricultural lands are used for their intended purpose as opposed to “gentlemen farms.”�� I am in strong support of creating incentives and legislation protections that preserve agricultural lands for agricultural purposes.���� I would have grave concerns about rezoning agricultural lands if it was inconsistent with the community’s input and its sustainable community plan.
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8. Relations between the mayor and the Council have usually been contentious. How would you work to improve those relations?
I am running because I want to serve my constituents.�� In order to work for them I would work to dialogue with Mayor Carlisle and his Cabinet directly on matters where we may differ in opinion as opposed as through the media.

9. Name one or two issues the Council should be giving more attention to, and explain why.
While the West-Oahu community is faced with a great variety of issues that are of equal importance, we should be focusing on responsible development of the Secondary Urban Core. Proper infrastructure must be in place while bringing jobs and economic development along the transit corridor and that city services are being expanded to meet the needs of the growing community.��

Secondly, we need to make sure that rehabilitation and expansion of the sewage system of the urban core is done in order to add density without straining the current fragile infrastructure.�� The current system must be re-evaluated to optimize the planning of additional communities.

10. What quality do you bring to the job that would help change the complexion of the current council?
I have a passion for public service and I am dedicated to make the future better.�� I am committed to this community.�� My professional background and my community experience have prepared me for the city council, and I am ready for any task that is given to me by my constituents.
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1. What should Oahu do with its trash?
We need to continue to recycle: cans, bottles, plastics, cardboards, green-waste, used cooking oil, food scraps. Island wide curbside recycling is a must. Also, we need to continue to send our trash to our H-Power waste-to-energy plant. Lastly, shipping our garbage to the mainland could be an option again.

2. How would you address the bed-and-breakfast permitting issue? Is this a viable industry that benefits Oahu?
There can’t be too many bed-and-breakfast operations on one street, in one neighborhood. There needs to be a limit on how much B&B’s are allowed. There needs be stricter regulations and better enforcement of illegal B&B’s. I believe B&B’s are another option for tourist and another way of livelihood for people.

3. Where do you stand on the city’s planned rail-transit project? Are its funding mechanism sufficient? Will it really attract riders and ease traffic congestion?
I support rail-transit. Rail-transit will create thousands of construction jobs and with TOD it will create thousands of homes, services, businesses and permanent jobs for people on Oahu. I believe that the two main sources of funding (collection of the GET surcharge of 0.5 percent and Federal funds) will be sufficient. People will ride the rail-transit system; therefore, alleviating traffic congestion. Rail transit is friendly on the environment and energy efficient.

4. How would you deal with the growing problem of homelessness?
Homelessness is a complex issue that needs to be dealt with on a case by case basis. There is no easy solution. Through my 2 years working with the homeless, the number one need I hear is “more affordable housing”. Many of our homeless have a limited-fixed income and we need to build more low-income housing. I support using the ‘Housing First’ model to house our most at-risk homeless. It’s been successful in many cities on the mainland. Also, we need more mental health and substance abuse services.

5. How can Honolulu best clean up its troubled Liquor Commission?
It starts at the top level. The city needs to hire managers who are thoroughly screened and qualified. We can also implement training for inspectors and stress ethical and professional behavior for all employees. More oversight on inspectors is a possibility.

6. Residents have seen property taxes and fees increase to meet budget shortfalls. What’s your big idea for improving the city’s revenue picture?
I don’t have a “big idea” for improving the city’s revenue picture. However, if the State gave the City authority, I might propose the idea of “bingo” as way to generate revenue.

7. Where do you stand when it comes to the use of agricultural land on Oahu? Should the council tighten zoning regulations, or loosen them?
Agricultural has been apart of Hawaii’s history since the beginning of its existence. Preserving our agricultural lands is important in sustaining our state. Growing vegetables and fruits locally are a healthy option that creates jobs and opportunities. I’m undecided if the council should tighten zoning regulations.

8. Relations between the mayor and the Council have usually been contentious. How would you work to improve those relations?
I believe that communication between two parties is the best way to solve problems and create a healthy relationship. Talking matters over and being civil and respectiful are ways to improve relations.

9. Name one or two issues the Council should be giving more attention to, and explain why?
I believe that issues that are being talked about at the council are given an equal amount time to be discussed.

10. What quality do you bring to the job that would help change the complexion of the current council?
Homelessness is a major issue on the Leeward Coast and in our state. I believe that my two years of experience working with the homeless gives me a different perspective and valuable knowledge that will help in finding a solution to end homelessness.

1. What should Oahu do with the Trash?
Solid waste is a big problem for this Island, with the limited land space the least we can put in the landfills the better. Curb side recycling is a very good step but more must be done. Expansion of H power would reduce waste to the landfill.

Tax credits for companies that have innovative waste management technologies such as plasma gasification should be seriously considered by the Council. Biodiesel should also be considered for support.

I would consider a small fee on all single serving water/ soda cans. This would move the consumer to more ecological friendly larger bottles /cans. This fee should be used to help with the improvements to the sewer and water treatment needed. While not a “sin tax” per se, it would be a way of discouraging unnecessary use of smaller containers, particularly water bottles, which, given our high quality tap water, are not needed the way they might be on the mainland. It would also mean that those on fixed incomes would not have to pay higher water bills to upgrade our treatment facilities.

Eliminating plastic bags would help both the land fill and the oceans. Policies should be considered that would make strong durable and washable bags, like those made out of hemp, available to the public.

2. How would you address the bed-and-breakfast permitting issue? Is this a viable industry that benefits Oahu?
Bed and breakfasts need to be supported and regulated. Having stayed at Bed & Breakfasts in other locations I realize that they can be a benefit to a certain segment of the traveling public. They should remain in the tourism mix in Hawaii. However, they need to be regulated and monitored so the traveler has a safe, enjoyable experience and the community’s quality of life is not unfairly compromised.

3. Where do you stand on the city’s planned rail-transit project? Are its funding mechanism sufficient? Will it really attract riders and ease traffic congestion?
I am a very strong supporter of rail. Eventually I would like to see it run from Makaha to Mānoa with a possible offshoot to the Mililani area. Rail will create jobs and that is important. To me, however, the greatest benefit to rail is the ability to change from a sprawl mentality to transit oriented design (TOD).

Transit oriented design with an urban mixed use area around the station will bring sustainable growth to the Leeward side. Mixed use communities with shops and residences offer many advantages for our Island. Workforce housing is an essential component to TOD. This means that affordable housing will be available in the community where you will be working eliminating the need for that extra automobile.For employers, people will pay for the convenience of working closer to home. Working at the Villages of Kapolei, I have interviewed and employed many quality people who recognize that earning a higher wage that requires a 3 hour commute is no benefit. They greatly appreciate the time to parent their children and the money they save by not driving to town.

The City will benefit because business pays a higher tax rate than residential. This tax will be split by the business down below and the multiple residences up above this will mitigate the burden to each. TOD is the ecologically sound form of development. Because of the increased density, smaller roads need to be built and maintained. Sewers, cable lines, will be shorter requiring less maintenance. The community will be designed around mass transit. There will be walking destinations. TOD will save the land for agriculture while supplying jobs for a vibrant construction industry. We cannot afford to let our construction industries stagnate. These are well paying jobs that cannot be outsourced. However, the Leeward side is the breadbasket of Oahu. Agriculture is essential to sustainability.

Is the funding adequate? No one knows for sure. This is a multibillion dollar program that depends on the City State, and Federal Government. In this tight economy there is certainly trepidation. That being said I feel very confident that the benefits outweigh the costs. What we truly cannot do is continue waffling on the issue.

Now is the time to start buying the land. This commits the project going forward at a time when the land needed is most affordable to the City/State and the bonds needed to secure financing are near all time lows. Buying the land at this time would also allow us to lease the properties which would further generate income. It would also give business owners a long time period to slowly move businesses as needed.

Will it take cars off the highway? Not by itself. Like most city projects, things need to be done in conjunction with other actions. If we combine the rail with TOD the need for town trips will be reduced. That will take cars off the road. The creation of businesses on the Waianae Coast and Ewa Plain will reduce the trips to town. We should consider bringing back the Ferry and extending the service to the entire coast.

If we do the above things we can reduce the traffic the 10% needed to change gridlock to flowing.

4. How would you deal with the growing problem of homelessness?
This is a complex problem with no single solution. Affordable workforce housing and job programs will work for a certain segment of the homeless population.

My experience with Hale Kipa and Nanakuli Beach Park has impressed upon me the need for expanded addiction / mental services. Chemical dependency and other mental health services are imperative for the eradication of homelessness.

Homelessness is not an issue that can be solved by the City alone. We need to work with the Federal and State Governments and non-profits and religious organizations.

5. How can Honolulu best clean up its troubled Liquor Commission?
I am a believer in the Civil Service process. A person should not lose their job without a complete investigation. We do need to complete these investigations in both an effective and efficient manner, because wrongful terminations often do result in long and costly court cases.

That the Liquor Commission continues to come under fire for various issues, signals, in my opinion, that there is something inherently challenging about the charge of this entity. I believe that a review of the Commission’s purpose and the various problems it has with fulfilling that purpose may be in order.

6. Residents have seen property taxes and fees increase to meet budget shortfalls. What’s your big idea for improving the city’s revenue picture?
I do not have one big idea to increase revenue. I mentioned earlier a fee on bottles that would help with the wastewater upgrades. Renting recreation centers when not in use for parties would increase income. The Recreation Center that I work at generates 80 thousand dollars a year in income. This would be adding a service that is desired by the people and profitable for the city. I am not supportive of casino gaming but I would be open to the possibility of joining in a multi-state lottery or even Bingo. One constituent proposed a “snowbird tax” for residents who do not live in or rent their property. I have doubts about the ability to enforce this also but infrastructure has to be put in and maintained and part time residents usually do not pay income tax and only pay part time GET and other taxes. This idea might be worth studying.

As far as tax increases, they may be necessary. However, tax increases to middle class and working poor decreases the money they can spend and the lack of spending can stall an economy.

Also, when considering the finances of the City, cost cutting could be considered. Some functions are best done by non-profits or the private for profit sector. We need to examine all city programs and determine who can best solve the problem.

7. Where do you stand when it comes to the use of agricultural land on Oahu? Should the council tighten zoning regulations, or loosen them?
We import almost as much food as oil. If we are serious about sustainability, then local food sources are necessary. Agriculture must be supported. However, housing and construction must be supported also. This is a big reason Rail and TOD is so essential. The denser population will allow for a vibrant construction industry, workforce housing and land available for farming.

When I was out in Waianae someone told me that some people live on land zoned for agriculture without growing anything. Because our land is so limited we must make sure that land zoned for farming is used to grow things.

8. Relations between the mayor and the Council have usually been contentious. How would you work to improve those relations?
I will be honest and respectful of everyone. I will agree when I agree and disagree when I don’t agree. I will understand that all the other Councilpersons and the Mayor are trying to do their best for their constituents. I will not allow it to be personal. As a youth coach I have plenty of experience in team building. I will find common ground and compromise when needed.

9. Name one or two issues the Council should be giving more attention to, and explain why?
I would like to see the city pay more attention to parks and recreation. As a professional recreation person, I realize the impact that parks can play in a person’s life. Parks increase property values, help in the fight against obesity, decrease violence, and make communities more desirable for businesses. Parks and recreation is a cost effective way to improve the quality of life for all citizens.

Lester Chang, the director of Parks and Recreation just resigned because the Mayor does not appreciate Parks. The City Council is saving the Parks Committee Chair for the next guy. These are indications of its low status. I would treat recreation like the vital service it is.

Jobs, Jobs, Jobs…we need to create good jobs outside of Kapolei and Honolulu. I would support limited tax cuts for commercial mixed use developments in Ewa and Waianae/Nanakuli.

10. What quality do you bring to the job that would help change the complexion of the current council?
I believe in the future and am highly optimistic. My future orientation is essential because the decisions the Council makes will impact the Island for years to come. I believe decisions can be made and government can work for the benefit of the public.

I will also bring an appreciation for quality of life issues. Parks, Recreation, Symphonies and other shard common areas that allow people to interact socially are hallmarks of a great city. In a time when it seems counterintuitive to do so, we must make sure that we make the investments needed to maintain our status as a great city; both today, and for the future.

1. What should Oahu do with its trash?
Reduce solid waste by phasing out single-use items and increasing recycling programs to include more plastic items and not just #1 and 2 plastics. Our limited land and financial resources are not wisely spent on buying and burying (or shipping) bulky Styrofoam containers and plastic grocery bags. Incentives to phase out such solid waste will reduce environmental damages and our long-term cost of living, while also reducing the strain on taxpayers.
We can also expand H-Power if burning waste to generate electricity continues to meet stringent air-pollution control standards. Shipping solid waste or burying solid waste is less important than reducing the amount of solid waste we produce. Besides exporting the “pain” of the environmental damages cause by landfill use, it is actually less morally, fiscally, and environmentally responsible to deal with it here instead of burning even more fossil fuels to ship it thousands of miles away. Waste reduction is a central component of my platform.

2. How would you address the bed-and-breakfast permitting issue? Is this a viable industry that benefits Oahu?
Zoning regulations for guest industries must be followed. If someone wants to run a bed-and-breakfast they should get a zoning variance or some sort of permission from the community. I am also in favor of passing laws that punish those who operate such businesses illegally. Those who attempt to hide their bed-and-breakfast activities should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law because ultimately illicit b&b’s raise the cost of living, hurt our hard-working hotel workers, and serve to turn bedroom communities into motel zones filled with people who are not committed to long-term quality of the community. If done correctly, however, I don’t see a problem with issuing permits to locations where neighbors are OK with it.

3. Where do you stand on the city’s planned rail-transit project? Are its funding mechanisms sufficient? Will it really attract riders and ease traffic congestion?
I’m 100% in favor of Honolulu Mass Transit and TOD (Transit Oriented Development). I also believe that the long-term benefits of TOD outweigh the costs. Any new transit corridor must be elevated, otherwise all we will get is more gridlock. Long-term operating and maintenance costs haven’t been adequately factored into selecting which technology gives us the best rail for the best price, and I’ll ensure a fair evaluation of all transit technology and O&M costs. A maglev system would cost $1 Billion dollars less in O & M than SWSR,1 whereas the latest EIS and financial review from the state estimates that SWSR may overrun by $1.7 billion. The difference ($2.7 billion) undeniably warrants an objective look at alternative technologies. We must get this right the first time.
While private public TOD partnerships will help to defray the costs to taxpayers, as a city councilmember I must also ensure that the technology utilized gets us the best transit for the best price. The O & M (operating and maintenance) costs of the current SWSR (steel wheel on steel rail) system are astounding and the city council did not adequately take this cost into consideration when deciding on SWSR technology. Two solutions to this are to (1) ask for bids from contractors to include not just the building costs of the transit system (the current bid structure) but to solicit bids that include building and O & M costs (say over 30 years) so that a realistic picture of the costs comes into focus. This means that if elected I will seek to resurrect and pass Bill 31 (introduced by Cachola, Djou, and Dela Cruz) which calls for bids on O & M as part of the total cost. (2) The City and County must fairly evaluate all qualified rail technologies. Peer-reviewed academic and professional literature tells us that the O & M costs of a maglev system (such as that used in Nagoya, Japan and is being built in Beijing, China, and Incheon, Korea) would save $1 Billion dollars than SWSR, whereas the latest EIS financial review from the state estimates that SWSR may overrun in building costs by $1.2 billion. The difference of $2.2 billion undeniably warrants taking an objective look at alternative technologies. This would ensure long-term fiscal viability of mass transit, and allow for extended corridors to UH-Manoa, Waikiki, and Central O’ahu thus increasing rider-ship among many other benefits. Politics and personal prejudice, it seems, informed blind support for SWSR, but objective fiscal analysis and long-term commitment to quality of life on O‘ahu dictates that we examine all available technologies to ensure that rail does not become a burden but rather a boon to our island community. The political will for rail will not go away anytime soon, and the fiscal and quality of life impact on the City and County will be tremendous, so it is important that we get it right the first time.

As a side note, regarding the airport route, I was disappointed to see the transit corridor moved from Salt Lake where people actually live in densely populated community that is perfect for ensuring transit oriented development since this large population can and will dramatically increase ridership. There should be no problem having rail go the Salt Lake route while also servicing the airport via a non-stop service bus to take riders on a one mile bus trip to the airport (just as the BART services the Oakland airport). I am also in favor of developing a ferry from Ewa Beach to the airport and downtown using Hoakalei’s upcoming harbor and the federal funds available for this project.

4. How would you deal with the growing problem of homelessness?
The candidate elected to this city council seat will chair the committee on Parks and Human Services. This would give me a large role in shaping the recently mandated City Office of Housing, if elected. To this end, I would ensure that the City partners with NGO (including faith-based) programs to provide them with training and oversight through coordinating outreach programs lead by professional social workers.
In addition to this, we must make more work-force housing available. We obviously lack a sufficient amount of such housing. In speaking with sub-contractors in West O‘ahu it has been made clear to me that one of the most frustrating obstacles to building affordable, low-income, or workforce housing is that building codes have been made increasingly stringent – so as to quell competition amongst builders rather than to ensure safety. Refurbished building supplies for example are heavily restricted and so the construction and supply costs have only gone up. Fewer and fewer and larger and larger developers are coming to dominate the construction industry on O‘ahu in part because of these problems. Decreased competition inevitably leads to higher building costs. As a City Council member I can work to open competition, thus suppressing building costs for not only affordable housing but “green” construction as well.
Ultimately, we must remember that there is no single cause to homelessness and that women and children are the largest homeless demographic. Kicking them from place to place is not only inhuman and degrading, it does nothing to address homelessness. We must not lose our humanity in any of the strategies used to address this growing problem.

5. How can Honolulu best clean up its troubled Liquor Commission?
The recently passed city charter amendment will help, but if we want an ethically sound liquor commission then we need ethical leadership. I will work to implement stronger ethics legislation that applies to all city and county and elected officials.

6. Residents have seen property taxes and fees increase to meet budget shortfalls. What’s your big idea for improving the city’s revenue picture?
As a municipality whose top industry is domestic and international tourism, there is little the city can do except weather the current economic storm. That means reducing costs rather than raising taxes – which should always be a last resort. One route for reducing costs is streamlining City and County departments. For example, combining the EMS (Emergency Medical Service) with the Fire Department can save administrative, equipment, labor, and property costs. Nevertheless, any such actions should only occur if they prove to be cost effective without compromising the quality of essential services.

7. Where do you stand when it comes to the use of agricultural land on Oahu? ��Should the council tighten zoning regulations, or loosen them?
Its not about tightening of loosening zoning regulations so much as making sure that the zoning makes long-term sense. I support preserving as much agriculture as we can and long-term plans must be set to ensure that agricultural land remains. We have enough land to grow most of the crops we need to sustain much of the population in our state so this is vital to growing a sustainable local economy. Yet at the same time, the world’s population is not going to stop growing and O’ahu’s population must find a balance between necessary development and agriculture. We cannot just say “no” to every development project that comes along as one of my opponents proudly does. Nor should be just say “yes” to every project as some of my other opponents seem to do. The world is a much more complicated place than either of these views allow for. We need intelligent long-term planning that will retain ag land, create jobs, and provide for our commercial and residential needs. By planning our future around mass transit we can achieve all of the above.

8. Relations between the mayor and the Council have usually been contentious. How would you work to improve those relations?
Both the council and the mayor’s office are supposed to keep a watchful eye on one another. Still they are also supposed to work together to ensure the vitality of our city and county, why has this eroded? Because there is very little trust – councilors and mayors seem to often have their eyes on some other political prize rather than the job at hand… we need to change the culture in city hall and besides leading by example, little can be done to affect the personalities involved. What we can do is change the rule and laws allowing unscrupulous people run for such offices. (E.g., people, including some in this race, do not really live in the districts they run in. they drop out of office early to run for bigger prizes or take high-paying private sector jobs from companies they had dealings with as an elected official.) This results in a Mayor who doesn’t trust the council, council members who don’t trust the mayor, much less each other, and iit is then no surprise that the people don’t trust any of them – hence the terribly low voter turn out and highly cynical views people have of local government.

9. Name one or two issues the Council should be giving more attention to, and explain why.
First a general issue and then an issue specific to my district.
Higher ethical standards to restore faith in local government. The recent verdicts surrounding Councilman Tam has eroded the publics trust in the city council, but issues of questionable integrity of public officials is nothing new. It can be dramatically improved however though strong ethics and elections legislation. For example, ever since we have had district races in Hawaii there has been almost constant carpetbagging where people pretend to “move into” districts just to run for office. This sort of activity has resulted in more than a few officials who have been elected in this unsavory manner, and if they were willing to lie about where they really live just to get elected, you can imagine what they did, do, or plan to do when elected. We must enact stringent election and ethical codes to bring back some degree of the integrity of these offices.

A long-neglected problem in our Leeward community is that most of us live in what is called a “food dessert.” The Ewa Plain, for example, has only��one��store that sells fresh produce, yet there are plenty of fast food and liquor stores. The Leeward coast also faces this problem. Communities that are stuck in food deserts tend to have increased childhood obesity and diabetes rates, regardless of socio-economic status. If elected, I would ensure health-oriented community planning.
The fact that we have so many food deserts in Leeward O‘ahu is rather ironic because we grow most of the islands produce here. Yet we lack adequate access to it. Theoretically, Hawaii has enough agricultural land to produce all of the produce that we need on the islands. We should work to make this a reality. It can be achieve in large and in small ways:
West Oahu completely lacks community gardens and as a council member from District 1, I would be the chair of the Parks and Human Services committee and I could implement a major community garden improvements project for West Oahu and other neglected areas as well.

In addition to this, we need designated spaces in these areas for farmers markets and/or co-ops to sell their produce.
Finally, we need long-term health-oriented community planning to ensure that everyone has adequate access to fresh and healthy food choices in their community.

10. What quality do you bring to the job that would help change the complexion of the current council?
My education, acumen, and ability to transcend different points of view as well as party politics will bring great value to this excitingly new city council. I have been invited to travel all over the planet to share my scholarship and ideas on bringing divergent views together in harmonious ways. If I can achieve this in the deepest of intellectual fields, then I should be able to bring people together to get us the best rail for the best price and ensure that we serve the best interests of our communities rather than ourselves. I am committed to good governance and I think that this is unfortunately rare in today’s political scene. It is time we move to have fewer politicians in politics, and I not only have the ability to bring different people together for a common cause but I also have the sort of can-do practical problem solving skills that we need at the City Council level.

Finally, I consider it a matter of great importance that I have never sought nor do I intend to seek some other elected office if elected. This alone should make me a superior candidate for City Council because more than half of my opponents have repeatedly sought other elected offices and failed. It is clear to me that the City Council seat is for them just a stepping-stone to some other position of power. Indeed, that is one of the chief reasons I decided to enter this race; other candidates have run in so many different elections prior to this one, they don’t seem to care what they are running for anymore. We need someone who will fight for the community without any thought for reward; we need someone who will make decisions based on what is best for the community not best for their political future. I entered this race to give my neighbors a better choice. They deserve a choice that includes more than just repeat candidates and carpetbaggers. I don’t see this as negative, I see it as frustratingly real. Its time we have more regular citizens with working families getting involved in politics and I hope that my candidacy helps to push for this sort of change.

1. What should Oahu do with its trash?
Installing the third burner at H-Power will do a lot to reduce the waste stream flowing into Waimanalo Gulch. While recycling burnable waste into electricity, we must support recycling efforts for materials H-power cannot consume such as metals and glass. There is promising new technologies for recycling plastics into useable diesel fuel that should also be evaluated. The ash produced by H-Power is approximately 15% of the original volume of the waste stream, we need to work with local concrete and asphalt companies the State DoT and road contractors to use the ash product as aggregate. In other communities, such initiatives have gone a long way towards utilizing all of the ash product. SEE: “The Use of Incinerator Bottom Ash as Aggregate” Combining all of these initiatives, we can reduce the Municipal Solid Waste stream substantially. We must likewise work to reduce the construction-related waste stream currently flowing into PVT. Too much of our political debate focuses on disadvantaging either PVT or Waimanalo Gulch to benefit the other.

I will also work to protect the community compensation package awarded to our district on an annual basis, as long as the Waimanalo Gulch landfill is in operation. This is fair compensation to our community for bearing the brunt of an island-wide responsibility. It is clearly obvious that some smart and inexpensive mitigation like landscaping the area around the landfill with appropriate vegetation can capture the blowing plastic bags and reduce the odor.

2. How would you address the bed-and-breakfast permitting issue? Is this a viable industry that benefits Oahu?
The November election defeat of Mayor Charmaine Tavares on Maui should be illustrative as to the political risks in attacking small businesses, even if non-permitted. Because Oahu suffers some of the world’s highest real estate prices, many of our residents are only able to afford to keep their homes because they own and operate a vacation rental. I will work for a compromise solution rather than the kind of blind enforcement policy which in recent days has seen State tax inspectors “going Grinch” after mom and pop vendors at farmers markets and Christmas craft markets.

If tax enforcement is to be conducted against non-reporting cash businesses, I suggest that drug dealers, gambling dens, and other illegal businesses should be at the top of the list. As a council member I will work to bring the Honolulu PD and State tax collectors together to coordinate such a policy.

There is a type of non-permitted residential business which is having a very negative effect on communities in District 1–we may have as many as 100 unlicensed half-way houses. I will work to ensure that any half-way house operating in my district to either gets fully licensed or close up shop.

3. Where do you stand on the city’s planned rail-transit project? Are its funding mechanisms sufficient? Will it really attract riders and ease traffic congestion?
I support rail transit for Honolulu. I will be a passenger and i believe many others will be as well. As a council member I will work to ensure that both the local and federal funding mechanisms are in place and sufficient to compete the project. I call on Governor-elect Abercrombie to fully and promptly evaluate the EIS.

Not only will rail transit offer a viable alternative for commuters from Leeward Oahu, but the transit oriented development stimulated by the rail-line and stations will create an incentive to re-develop the urban corridor. This is a much better long-term solution for Oahu than the continuation of low-density sub-urban sprawl.

4. How would you deal with the growing problem of homelessness?
The beaches in my district and parks and sidewalks across Honolulu are inundated with homeless people–many suffering from drug addiction, psychiatric issues or both. Meanwhile shelter operators report the availability of unused shelter spaces. We must continue to direct homeless people into shelters. Nobody has a “right” to obstruct public facilities because they don’t want to get the help that is available. I note that HPD Wednesday made numerous drug arrests in a homeless camp which has developed around McCully Library. Police have made sweeps of Waianae Coast beaches. This type of enforcement should be undertaken repeatedly at every homeless camp on Oahu. I will work to reopen our beaches, parks, and sidewalks to the people of Honolulu and will support the construction of new shelters as needed to ensure that there is always shelter space available. Shelter must be the first step in providing mental health, financial, and employment services designed to quickly move people off of the streets and into their own homes or into supervised residential facilities.

5. How can Honolulu best clean up its troubled Liquor Commission?
The key to cleaning up the Liquor Commission is closing down hostess bars and the gambling dens which are often attached to them. As long as legal liquor is sold in illegal businesses, there will be a core of bar owners who are eager to pay out substantial bribes. When liquor sales are limited to legal businesses much of the bribe money will dry up. Meanwhile, any official caught accepting bribes should face termination, vigorous criminal prosecution, and civil fines.

6. Residents have seen property taxes and fees increase to meet budget shortfalls. What’s your big idea for improving the city’s revenue picture?
I will not support tax increases. The current proposal to raise taxes on hospitals, schools, churches, and other non-profits is a non-starter. Additionally, Honolulu families already suffer from unaffordable housing and small businesses are paying more than their fair share. Hawaii has one of the most regressive tax schemes in the nation, and County-imposed property taxes and GE tax are a significant part of that. I would like to see home owner tax rates pegged to the CPI instead of wildly fluctuating with the rise and fall of the real estate market.

In the short term, the county has a $100m budget shortfall. I will search out ways to cut or delay spending in order to balance this budget until the economy recovers.

In the medium term, City revenue can be enhanced by stimulating the economy. I will work to enact permitting deadlines for projects under $10M in value. Small businesses and individual home builders should not suffer under a regulatory regime intended to control large developers.

The county also owns several industrial and commercial properties which now go unused or underused. These properties should either be sold or leased to generate revenue. After years nothing has been done to redevelop the former Honolulu Raceway site, condemned by the County. It should be made available to reestablish a racing facility. With Honolulu having some of the highest industrial rents in the nation, the County could do a lot more than it already does with its brownfield properties to augment its balance sheet and provide sites for businesses and jobs.

Tourism is central to our economy and will be for the foreseeable future. The appearance of roads from the Airport to Waikiki have been a problem for years. I will work with community groups to beautify our major roadsides from Downtown to Makaha. I will support efforts to streamline the licensing and regulation of small businesses which give Honolulu its unique flavor and attract dollars from tourists and the local economy. The Kalaeloa/Barber’s Point area is home to several significant December 7 sites as well as numerous Hawaiian sites. By restoring these with federal funding we can enhance the amount of military-related tourism, further supporting our economy and our tax base.

Also, I will vigorously defend the county’s share of the transit accommodations tax (TAT). This is fare compensation for facilities and services provided to the visitor population by the counties, and should not be raided by the state, and therefore passed on to city taxpayers, in their efforts to balance the state budget.

7. Where do you stand when it comes to the use of agricultural land on Oahu? ��Should the council tighten zoning regulations, or loosen them?
I will work to develop a policy promoting the redevelopment of urban Honolulu. Since Honolulu has some of the world’s highest real estate prices, such redevelopment projects could go a long way to reducing traffic, providing jobs and affordable housing, and expanding the tax base. Transit-related development can be a major part of this effort and can possibly provide a revenue stream to the newly-authorized Transit Authority.

8. Relations between the mayor and the Council have usually been contentious. How would you work to improve those relations?
Mayor Carlisle comes from outside the factional structure which as dominated Honolulu politics since the Harris administration. We have an opportunity to turn over a new leaf and build a more productive and open dialogue with the Mayor’s office. I support a non-factional organization of the Honolulu council where leadership responsibilities are not denied to any council minority. Mayor Carlise’s stated policy of transparency is very much in keeping with my approach.

9. Name one or two issues the Council should be giving more attention to, and explain why.
Job Creation – Our district has many skilled workers who are not fully deployed. In addition to helping stimulate the economy and getting people back to work, we need to create a long term career path for our young people. The city can play a larger role in making internet access and green job opportunities a stimulus for kids to succeed and be excited by their own potential.

Affordable Housing- Solving our homeless issues is not just about shelter space, but it involves the availability of affordable rentals that set much of the current problem in motion. I would like the city to be more aggressive in partnering with the state and the private sector to build and re-develop more affordable options for families in our district.

10. What quality do you bring to the job that would help change the complexion of the current council?
As a long-time resident of Ewa Beach, I feel the biggest difference in my political style would be more open and inclusive. The City Council has become more of an establishment within Honolulu Hale than a functioning, interactive part of the community. I would focus on constituency service, getting input from the communities and trying to be responsive to the needs of the residents of the entire district. I would like to instill a more transparent and accessible relationship with the people. To that extent I would like to have an active satellite office in Kapolei Hale that would take the process of city government back to a more “grassroots,” participatory level. I would like the people of West Oahu to see me as one of them, as someone who is simply helping them to get their voice, their ideas, heard at the city level.

1. What should Oahu do with its trash?
Todd Apo did a good job of trying to think ‘out of the box’ but the tribe in Washington is too wary, as we are, of invasive ‘species’ (regardless insects or other). There are new technologies that even a few years ago seemed ‘untried.’ The first thing we should do is deal with what we have- with the three R’s: recycle, reuse, reduce. There are innovative programs, such as one in Japan wherein the foods not finished in a school are immediately gathered for neighboring farm fertilizer. This is also a practice in Taiwan. There are many possibilities- with low investment- just requiring ,legwork.’

2. How would you address the bed-and-breakfast permitting issue? Is this a viable industry that benefits Oahu?
Neighbor island ‘success’ is the direction we should go. That there are ‘grandfathered’ B&B’s, and ‘non-licensed’ B&B’s (never given the opportunity/option to) is a disheveled field. There are people with valid complaints for B&B’s; also are those who have come into having a ‘non-licensed’ B&B. By permitting, we take & place parameters so that ‘abuses’ to any given neighborhood by a B&B could be addressed. Those B&B’s that are positive parts of their neighborhood (while being unlicensed, but taking care of neighbors’ concerns, etc.) could continue- in a regulated manner- just as they have been as self regulators. There is a balance, and we can find it.

3. Where do you stand on the city’s planned rail-transit project? Are its funding mechanisms sufficient? Will it really attract riders and ease traffic congestion?
5.5 Billion Dollars is a $250,000 Ferrari when we could have a $50,000 Ford. At grade ‘light rail’ going all the way to Nanakuli along the OR&L Right of Way, with the Oahu Bike Plan combined- would cost 1/5 of the $5.5 billion. This is the route to take. By taking care of those furthest, going 30 miles out instead of 20, and spending less money is: a) responsible budgeting for the city, b) taking care of the high rates of bicycle (2nd highest rate) and pedestrian (5th highest rate) fatalities, c) allowing us to look at other problems such as old septic lines and trash, d) making rail accessible by just being able to ‘walk on easily.’

4. How would you deal with the growing problem of homelessness?
‘Safe Zones,’ Fasi’s solution, produced drug & alcohol mahems. It is difficult, especially because the last ‘snapshot’ found such an overwhelming number of new homeless coming from the mainland. We need these ‘safe zones’ in areas wherein homeless are required to go, and feel safe to go; that would also decrease coming in from other states. There are many that work with homeless- coordination among NGO’s is required. Very difficult problem.

5. How can Honolulu best clean up its troubled Liquor Commission?
Personalities and conflicts within an organization come to rest through a culture of cooperation and taking people where they are- and dealing with concerns. For mistakes made and accusations, we have set standards of behavior. Efforts to create a new tone must be accompanied with good will, and positive community building.

6. Residents have seen property taxes and fees increase to meet budget shortfalls. What’s your big idea for improving the city’s revenue picture?
$250,000 for a Ferrari is good for those who have earned it like Olympic Gold skier Alberto Tomba, but the city should get a $50,000 Ford, that operates for more people. We would immediately be in the black on projections for rail, and taking care of other programs would be viable. At grade light rail will save the city money, and instead of spending big bucks on people to come in and use ‘expertise’ to build elevated rail, we could use at grade rail technology that has been in existence in Hawaii for a long time.

7. Where do you stand when it comes to the use of agricultural land on Oahu? Should the council tighten zoning regulations, or loosen them?
Oahu needs this agricultural land for true farmers. There is such rich earth and produce from Hawaii- we can grow more for ourselves, and in our tourism advertise our produce too. We need to keep this great resource, and keep this fabric of Hawaii- farming of the land. 20 years ago I delivered, and 19 years ago I sold produce, grown in Waianae, on the mainland and in Canada. I know the great resource we have in our farmers. Let’s make it stay that way- agricultuarl land must stay, that we continue to produce.

8. Relations between the mayor and the Council have usually been contentious. How would you work to improve those relations?
Mayor Carlisle was very frank the time I briefly spoke to him while he and I campaigned. Regardless of disagreements, we can do things- the mayor and council- in a way that produces the best result. It takes a spirit of cooperation and a culture of Aloha- that is what we need. I know the mayor cares of Hawaii greatly- we would work in the spirit of these values that join us all.

9. Name one or two issues the Council should be giving more attention to, and explain why.
The council needs to reach out more, not just to ‘get votes,’ or ‘fill coffers.’ Involving the citizenry in paradise can be challenging as when there is such beauty around- some times it is easy to just ‘let the breeze flow.’ The council must be facilitators increasing the involvement of the community in issues that, with greater involvement, can bring greater good. Self-preservation should always go behind the greater good for the community. Increasing involvement should not be to ‘get votes,’ but instead to make a ‘Great Hawaii’ and a wonderful city and county of Honolulu for us all to live.

10. What quality do you bring to the job that would help change the complexion of the current council?
I am a health care worker (mental health) and serve my clients- I take it seriously. This same commitment, I bring to my work on the city council, where all of the citizens of City Council District 1 become my clients. I care and just ways of doing things is important to me. I do the ‘legwork’ and try to find ways to make better the lives of my clients. This, I bring to the new city council, a commitment I made long ago- of making a better place.

Other candidates in the race

• Victoria Carvalho-Yuen
• James Manaku
• Patricia Teruya
• Gary Velleses