Candidate Q&A: House District 8 — Cranston Kapoi
Read what Cranston Kapoi has to say about his candidacy for Hawaii House of Representatives District 8.
Editor’s note:ÌýFor Hawaii’s Nov. 4 general election, Civil Beat asked candidates to answer some questions.
The following came from Cranston Kaleialoha Kapoi, a Republican candidate for state representative for District 8. Democrat Joseph Souki, who did not respond to the questionnaire, is also running.
District 8 coversÌýKahakuloa,ÌýWaiheÊ»e,ÌýWaiehu,ÌýPuÊ»uohala,ÌýWailuku andÌýKahului on Maui.
Go to Civil Beat’sÌýElections GuideÌýfor general information, and check out other candidates on theÌýGeneralÌýElection Ballot.
Name: Cranston Kaleialoha Kapoi
Office: House of Representatives District 8
Party: Republican
Profession: Licensed general contractor
Education: Honolulu Community College and Maui CommunityÌýCollege Building Trades Degree; University of Hawaii at MCCÌýDrafting Technology Degree
Age: 67
Community organizations: Hui Cheif at Waiehu Kou 3; baseball coach and manager for Kihei Little League; golf coach forÌýKaahumanu Hou High School
Cranston Kapoi
1. Why are you running for the Hawaii Legislature?
I’m giving the people in District 8 another choice, since my incumbent has not been challenged for some time. The people in District 8 have been under represented and I would like to restore their faith in our government. I am displeased with SB-1, and now there are other bills coming up (legalizing marijuana and gambling) that will
hurt our families. Pono Choice is a disappointment also.
2. Are you satisfied with the current plans to pay for the state’s unfunded liabilities? If not, how would you propose to meet
pension and health obligations for public workers?
No. Instead we need to stimulate the economy and get a grip on government expenditure. Fortunately, these two goals often go hand in hand with measures which will reduce the cost and improve the quality of health care in Hawaii.
3. Local officials and advocates have worked to address homelessness for years, yet the crisis is growing. What proposals do you have for this complicated issue?
Some homeless people want help, so we should set up a task force to help them in any way that we can. Others just enjoy that free life style should be helped with simple housing needs.
4. Where do you stand on labeling genetically engineered food and pesticide regulation? Are these public safety issues, or are the dangers exaggerated?
Labeling should be voluntary and pesticides should be sprayed when the public is clear of any danger. Our citizens should be notified of all spraying schedules.
5. Hawaii’s cost of living is the highest in the country by many indicators. What can really be done to make things like housing, food and transportation less expensive?
We need to remove all taxes on fuels used to generate electricity and on electricity itself. With the highest electric rates in the nation, the state should not be squeezing Hawaii ratepayerseven harder. Since electricity is used by all small businesses, government, and families, this tax cut would stimulate the economy and reduce government
expenditure.
6. Would you support using liquified natural gas as part of the state’s energy sources? And how can we improve the electrical distribution system so more renewable energy can be utilized to bring costs down?
I support the use of liquified natural gas. We should promote free enterprise and let privatized companies come up with better solutions.
7. Hawaii’s public records law mandates that public records be made available whenever possible. Yet many citizens are unable to afford the costs that state and local government agencies impose. Would you support eliminating search and redaction charges and making records free to the public except for basic copying costs?
Yes, these are public records for the public.
8. Are you satisfied with the way Hawaii’s public school system is run? How can it be run better?
No. Go back to our old system of teaching and get rid of the Common Core Curriculum. Create a parent/teacher committee to evaluate principals, vice-principals, and administrative staff. Too much unnecessary paperwork. More ELL classes for our non-English speaking kids.
9. There is a desire to grow the economy through new development yet also a need to protect our limited environmental resources. How would you balance these competing interests?
When we develop a subdivision, we need to develop large parks for those neighborhoods that will blend in with the environment.
10. What other important issue would you like to discuss here?
Our elected officials should be held accountable to following our Constitution and not trying to tear it apart.
