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Editor’s note: For Hawaii’s Aug. 10 Primary Election, Civil Beat asked candidates to answer some questions about where they stand on various issues and what their priorities will be if elected.

The following came from Melba Amaral, Republican candidate for U.S. Senate Her primary opponents are Paul Dolan, Adriel Lam, Bob McDermott, Arturo Reyes and Emmanuel Tipon.

Go to Civil Beat’s Election Guide for general information, and check out other candidates on the Primary Election Ballot.

1. What is the biggest issue facing Hawaii, and what would you do about it?

Hawaii is faced with many issues and as a candidate for public office, crime is the biggest issue. I see it and personally live it every day.  Assaults are violent crimes and should be treated as such and prosecuted as such.

We need to be tougher on criminals and how they are appointed legal counsel. 

Currently the Office of the Public Defender utilizes the federal HHS poverty guidelines to determine eligibility for defendants. Most often, defendants are funded by taxpayers. 

Do defendants have the right to free counsel as they exercise their constitutional rights at government expense? No.

According to the National Legal Aid & Defender Association (NLADA), there are 42 states that authorize the assessment of fees on defendants for the cost of their appointed legal counsel. Hawaii is one of eight states that do not have a statute that would allow for these fees.

If I am elected, I would introduce into legislation the imposition of Public Defense System Fees and would require a defendant to pay as part of their restitution. HRS 801-4 would also be amended. 

2. What can the U.S. Congress do to reduce gun violence?

Congress can reduce gun violence by education. Only then, can we pass laws that would reduce gun violence without violating the Constitution. Knowledge is power and it governs ignorance. We need to understand the very definition of what our 2nd Amendment means. An individual right to keep and bear arms is an ancient, fundamental and constitutional right that is guaranteed and protected by the U.S. Constitution.

Our current government is openly hostile and completely opposes the 2nd Amendment. Although here in Hawaii, we have the strictest gun law in the country that requires background checks, I fully support it. Why? While I’m at the Koko Head Shooting Complex, I want to be reassured that everyone there is mentally fit and are able to handle their firearm. 

3. The polarization in Congress is worse than ever. Some say democracy itself is in trouble. How would you work to end the political polarization that divides both the Congress and the country?

We are in the midst of a spiritual warfare. Good versus evil. Yes, the polarization in Congress has worsened and will continue to worsen. The polarization of our country and the world will worsen. The polarization in the workforce, among friends and family. It’s a cancer that has metastasized.  

Western democracy is in trouble. This didn’t happen overnight. It was gradual, intentional and methodical. I was a child care provider for over two decades and experienced and witnessed first-hand the policies that are now the problem we see on college campuses. The indoctrination of our children. This is polarization and it’s evil.

Mainstream media is partly to blame. Their failure to report accurate news has created distrust among Americans.

As Americans, we have a responsibility to uphold our Constitution. To respect the American flag. To pledge our allegiance. To stand in solidarity as one nation under God. Honor the men and women who have died for our country.

As an American who believes in God, I have a moral duty to make sure that I am aware of the truth and to speak the truth always. Thus, if I am elected, these very values that I hold dear would be the guiding principles in representing Hawaii.

4. Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, while currently financially sound, risk future funding concerns because of changing demographics. What would you propose to shore up the country’s major safety net programs?

SS, MDCR and MCAID are not financially sound due to the increase in illegal immigration. Who do you suppose will feed, clothe and shelter them? American taxpayers. SS, MDCR and MDCAID are benefits strictly for Americans.

The U.S.-Ukrainian Bilateral Security Agreement was just recently signed, all to secure Ukraine’s borders and to strengthen their security. However, our borders are open and not secured.

To shore up the country’s major safety net programs, I would propose the completion of the border wall and enforce Title 8 of the U.S. Code. §1325 and §1326, which would deport illegal immigrants who have not been vetted in the name of national security. 

5. Currently, the filibuster rule in the U.S. Senate has prevented the chamber from voting on critical issues. Should it be eliminated? Why? 

The filibuster in the U.S. Senate should not be eliminated. It is part of the Constitution. “The purpose of the Constitution is to restrict the majority’s ability to harm a minority,” said James Madison.

6. Is the U.S. on the right path when it comes to mitigating climate change and growing renewable energy production? What specific things should Congress be considering?

First, the U.S. should not be part of the United Nations. There are roughly 28 UN members that do not recognize Israel and their right to defend itself. There are 193 countries that are members and U.S. is its largest donor. Americans should stop funding the UN.

When it comes to climate change and renewable energy production, who is pushing these issues? Is it the UN with their global initiatives? Ever wonder why China is the biggest producer and consumer of coal and is highly dependent on coal, even though its rapid growth of renewable energy is closer toward its climate goals?

Here in Hawaii, there is a big push to be dependent on renewable energy production. Here in Hawaii, having electricity is necessary to function. There is a power demand for electricity and Hawaii is no different. When electricity is out, we lose our marbles. Business is affected by the power outages. An excellent example was the recent outages downtown. Renewable energy didn’t kick in and many businesses had to close their doors and were unable to generate income for those days.   

7. What is your view on the U.S. role in foreign policy? What can the U.S. do to build better relations with the Asia-Pacific region?

My view on U.S. role in foreign policy is that we need to get out of the UN.

If we are to continue to have a relationship with the Asia-Pacific region, we need to be fully aware of what countries that we are having relationships with and is it in the name of DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion)? According to the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies vision, we need “a free, prosperous Indo-Pacific promoting collaborative, inclusive security.”

One of the countries included in the Asia-Pacific region is the Maldives. Maldives is the breeding ground for ISIS.  According to the U.S. Department of Treasury’s (OFAC) pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13224, “designated key leaders and financial facilitators of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and al-Qa’ida in Maldives, including 20 ISIS, ISIS-Khorasan (ISIS-K), and al-Qa’ida operatives.”

8. Should the state renew the U.S. military’s leases on training grounds in Hawaii? Should there be new conditions on the leases and if so, what?

Yes, the state should renew the U.S. military leases on training grounds in Hawaii and we should be charging the military. Yes, these should be updated, with stricter conditions on the new leases, given the Red Hill issue. If you use it, you need to take care of it and clean it after each use.

The reality is that Hawaii needs the military for strategic reasons. Remember the morning of January 13, 2018, where the entire state received an alert instructing everyone to seek shelter due to an incoming ballistic missile? False alarm, but that was after we all thought that we were going to all die without our loved ones with us. Imagine not having the military to intercept a ballistic missile heading toward us for real this time.