These citizens helped Lynn and I to shape a detailed plan of real solutions to immediately create job opportunities, strengthen our economy over the long term and reform our public education system.

Our plan is aggressive and innovative, but achievable and within our means.

My opponent, on the other hand, is trying to bring the big spending, big government agenda of Washington to Hawai‘i, and he has no plan to pay for it.

He’s not being honest with the people of Hawai‘i about whether he will raise taxes or cut programs to pay for his empty promises.

Our citizens are tired of politics-as-usual, and our positive grassroots campaign offers a fresh approach. To begin a new chapter in Hawai‘i’s history, Lynn and I are laser-focused on improving the business climate, especially for our small businesses.

We are committed to driving down the costs of doing business by reducing the pending unemployment insurance premium increase, cutting business fees and assessments, reducing government-created delays, investing in our human capital and naturally competitive industries, and opposing tax increases.

We will also further reduce the regulatory barriers by imposing and enforcing time limits on state government approvals and permits, and further increase transparency and certainty through online real-time tracking of permit and approval status.

To facilitate immediate private sector job creation, we’ll expedite approximately $946 million of capital investment projects and use the small business preference and set-aside to expend over $200 million on local procurement.

We must also bring accountability into our public education system. I believe the biggest challenge facing our schools is that not enough education funding is getting into the classroom to benefit teachers and students.

A comprehensive, independent audit of the Hawai‘i Department of Education, which hasn’t been conducted since 1973, will show how our education dollars are spent and ensure that funding will go toward student achievement. My opponent has said that “the last thing we need is an audit of the educational system.”

Hawai‘i’s successful Race-to-the-Top proposal contains principles that, if implemented, will ensure every Hawai‘i public school graduate will be qualified and ready for a college education or a career, and I’m committed to implement these critical educational reforms.

For more than 40 years, the people of Hawai‘i have had little choice. One party has dominated politics in these islands.

This campaign is not about electing a political party; it’s about electing an independent, principled leader who will make the tough decisions in the best interests of our citizens.

I’ve served as a city prosecutor, city attorney, state judge, and as Lt. Governor. I take pride in being an impartial, dispassionate decision maker who will stay open-minded and make the right decision.

There are no winners and losers in this campaign. The next Governor must serve all the people of Hawai‘i. That is why it is so important for Hawai‘i voters to turn out and make their voices heard. It is time for real solutions – not rhetoric.

I ask you now for your support and your vote to be a part of ensuring balanced, honest and fiscally responsible leadership for a brighter, more prosperous future for Hawai‘i.

The post The Last Word: Duke Aiona on Why Voters Should Elect Him Governor appeared first on ÌìÃÀÊÓƵ.

Long-standing issues, such as affordable housing, homelessness, jobs, Native Hawaiian rights, and education reform were left unresolved, as no one was there to balance the political landscape and hold those in office accountable for their inaction.

In 2002, Governor Lingle and I provided a balancing force — a check on one-party rule. More importantly, we accomplished real results.

On the economy, education and energy, we brought fresh ideas and innovative solutions.

I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished, but I am by no means satisfied.

I am running for Governor to ensure balance, integrity and good judgment in state government while reducing the financial burden on our working families and small businesses, creating jobs and investing in the quality of our education system.

As Governor, my most important job will be jobs.

To achieve this, I will focus on cultivating a business-friendly environment that creates job opportunities and keeps Hawaii open for business.

That’s why I met with more than 120 small business owners in 100 days. I met with economists, and I met with working families.

I listened to their concerns, hopes and ideas. And they helped me shape an economic action plan that will spark job growth now and build a vibrant local economy.

As Governor, I will:

• Accelerate the private-sector creation of job opportunities;
• Minimize government-created delays and uncertainty for businesses;
• Modernize our airports, harbors, highways and communications links;
• Increase Hawaii’s tourism marketing and outreach to emerging markets;
• Support investment in naturally competitive industries;
• Attract foreign investment, especially from the Asia-Pacific region;
• Create a globally competitive tax system;
• Invest in Hawaii’s human capital;
• Continue Hawaii’s progress toward a clean energy future; and
• Manage the government’s finances knowing it comes from hard-working people like you.

To bring about long-term prosperity and broad-based economic growth, I will make education reform a top priority.

As Governor, I will:

• Propose a budget that directs 90 percent of every education dollar into the classroom;
• Negotiate a new teacher evaluation system that rewards performance;
• Implement “Race to the Top” educational reforms;
• Support public charter schools and home schools;
• Champion a world-class University system; and
• Call for a comprehensive, independent audit of the DOE, which hasn’t been conducted in nearly 40 years.

I am the only candidate who will create jobs and reduce the financial burden on our working families and small businesses, ensure we get the most out of every dollar we invest in education, and provide a check to balance a state legislature dominated by one party.

I am honored to have been afforded the opportunity to pursue my calling to serve the people of Hawaii and to lead this great state toward a brighter future.

I believe in the people of Hawaii and our collective ability to solve the big challenges facing our working families and small businesses.

I want to work hand-in-hand with our citizens to do just that.

Our campaign will be won at the grassroots level, and we’re going after every vote in every community on every island.

It is only through an active and engaged public that we will achieve lasting resolutions to the immediate issues we face, and I ask you now to join our campaign to be a part of this effort.

The post Why I Would Make the Best Governor – Duke Aiona appeared first on ÌìÃÀÊÓƵ.

It is because of our men and women in uniform that America is the land of opportunity, where dreams are achieved through hard work and determination. Our history is full of stories of new ideas and discoveries that have not only revolutionized our nation but also the world.

These tales of innovation and resiliency must continue to be applied in Hawaii, for we have a choice: reduce our dependence on others for economic growth and basic needs like food and energy, or allow the unsustainable status quo to remain.

The people of Hawaii want our state to be more self-sufficient in terms of energy, agriculture and economic diversification. They want to be more independent.

Despite our state’s agricultural legacy and ideal climate, more than 85 percent of Hawaii’s food is imported. Eighty-five percent of our energy comes from foreign sources, and almost a quarter of our gross domestic product is generated by the tourism industry.

That is why I am committed to transforming Hawaii into a worldwide model of clean energy security and sustainability, which will create jobs and keep money circulating in our local economy. Seventy-five percent of Hawaii’s electricity comes from 12 million barrels of oil a year. Cutting that number by just one third will keep $1 billion in Hawaii’s economy.

Through the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative, we will generate 70 percent or more of our energy through energy efficiency and such clean, renewable resources as wind, solar, ocean, bioenergy and geothermal.

We must also encourage a small business climate that promotes innovation, creates private jobs and provides collaboration with the public sector to help solve our public policy challenges.

Successful technologies developed locally and implemented globally provide a win-win for our community businesses by helping to expand and diversify our economy and to create new jobs.

We must also strengthen our efforts to protect and preserve our islands for future agriculture development. Increasing our food self-sufficiency will contribute to local communities instead of sending our dollars out of state.

I believe that to be a true leader, innovation, entrepreneurship and stewardship need to be encouraged, nurtured and rewarded.

It is not enough to encourage today’s citizens and businesses to innovate and think big. Public officials have to do the same. And I want to encourage all our local businesspeople to get involved and play a larger part in securing a brighter future of opportunity and innovation.

The American Dream is based upon our liberty and opportunity to flourish. It is the hope of all to build a prosperous future, and we can achieve it right here in Hawaii.

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