REGARDING ELECTIONS
Do you support comprehensive public funding of elections? Please explain why or why not?
I have always supported the comprehensive public funding of elections and voted for all past legislation as introduced by Voter Owned Hawaii during my three terms in the State House. I have indeed filed to run for Lt. Governor using the State’s existing public funding option, as weak as it currently is. I believe that the current “pay to play” system has eroded the public’s trust in government as vividly demonstrated by Hawaii having the lowest percentage of voter turnout in the nation.
Do you have any concerns as to the possibility of voter disenfranchisement related to electronic voting device failure and/or the (in)adequacy voting equipment and systems? If so, what are those concerns and what would you suggest to resolve the problem?
In 2005, I co-sponsored HB1740 (ACT 200) mandating the use of electronic voting devices producing a “paper trail” in order to ensure one person one vote. I am the founder and former CEO of Kids Voting Hawaii (KVH) — a non-profit, nonpartisan, grassroots organization partnering with public, private, charter, home schools and communities across the State to educate youth about the importance of voting and good citizenship. KVH provides an age-appropriate curriculum and classroom activities which align with the Hawaii State Social Studies Standards. The program continues to serve as the institutional base for Project Citizen, a national program with the Center for Civic Education. Kids Voting Hawaii provides K-12 students with the information and a simulated voting experience to practice being responsible citizens to sustain America’s representative democracy. It combines Internet technology to create an on-line ballot with civics education to inspire youth to explore General Election candidates and issues, engage in dialogue with their peers and parents, and prepare for a lifetime of voting.
REGARDING RENEWABLE ENERGY
Do you support a tax or fee on oil or gasoline to promote renewable energy sources?
Yes. As supported by the Blue Planet Foundation, I was one of the introducers of the current HB2421 now advancing in the 2010 Legislature which increases the per-barrel tax on petroleum products “to help promote economic development for local food and energy businesses by providing necessary funding, guidance, and infrastructure; ensure Hawaii is energy and food self-sufficient and sustainable to the maximum extent feasible; and help Hawaii’s natural resources and humankind adapt and be resilient to the inevitable challenges brought by climate change caused by carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions from burning fossil fuels.”
REGARDING EQUAL RIGHTS
Do you support Civil Unions for same-sex couples as a step to full marriage equality? Why or why not?
Yes. I voted for HB444 on Third Reading which tool place in the House on Feb. 12, 2009. I have not waivered in my strong support for civil rights or in my support of Section 3, Equality of Rights, in our State Constitution. I am embarrassed that the House Leadership acted in such a disingenuous manner to effectively kill the legislation. It was an honor for me to have been invited to participate in the May 2005 International Meeting convened by the Inter-Parliamentarian Union and the High Commissioner on Human Rights of the United Nations in Geneva Switzerland. As Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable. Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals.” I urge the GLBT community, their supporters, and all others who are committed to civil rights to persevere in this righteous effort.
REGARDING EDUCATION
Do you support more public funding for pre-elementary education?
Absolutely. In 2008, I authored/sponsored HB2973 which established the Early Childhood Learning System in the State. It created the Early Learning Council to develop and administer the program. Immediately vetoed by Governor Lingle, I worked to organize the House to successfully override her veto and the early learning system became Act 14.
Do you support lower class sizes for public elementary schools?
Definitely. Although the effects of class size on student learning varies “by grade level, pupil characteristics, subject areas, teaching methods, and other learning interventions,” all available research suggests that smaller classes are beneficial to students’ ability to learn.
How would you pay for any of the proposals in your answers above?
Funding for education is, of course, one of the “hot topics” of the 2010 Legislature as we struggle to eliminate the so-called “Furlough Days,” maintain school bus routes, and explore how to find facilities for charter schools. I am currently calling for a management and fiscal audit of the Department of Education to really look at how the DOE manages and spends taxpayer money. Education consumes an enormous percentage of the State budget and with declining revenues, the voters are rightfully demanding more accountability and transparency in their government. I also support an appointed school board and believe the student board member should have voting privileges. There are those of us who really believe our youth matter and that they’re smart enough to sit at the table with us and participate in the decision making process.
REGARDING JOBS
Would you support a bill to establish job security for employees when their employer is sold, merged, or transferred if the employer has at least 100 employees? Why or why not?
Yes. I have always voted to protect our works’ rights and will continue to do so. People are people are worried about their jobs and as corporate mergers and acquisitions continue, our hardworking, loyal workforce deserves some job security during the often-painful process.
REGARDING ECONOMY
As the State’s budget crisis continues, what remedies would you support to help solve the problem?
My Masters of Education Degrees are in Curriculum & Instruction and Educational Administration and my Ph.D. is in Education. I believe the third leg of our economy is education. As Hawaii’s Lt. Governor, I will make use of the office’s visibility and stature to help our State achieve much needed education reform. I remain convinced that the only thing that will turn our economy (and the tragic erosion of Aloha) around is education, education, and more education — from early childhood, while people are in the work force, and after retirement. I also believe that in order to improve Hawaii’s quality of life, we must all work together to create a more just society in which everyone has an opportunity to succeed and find fulfillment.
What kind of tax cuts or increases, if any, would you support?
As stated above, I support the “barrel tax” and I remain undecided about increasing the GET just to maintain the status quo — without taking some hard looks into our entire tax structure. Albert Einstein once said, “The problems that exist in the world today cannot be solved by the level of thinking that created them.” We must somehow begin to eliminate the traditional political barriers in Hawaii — the gridlock — that prevents new ideas and people from being included in a meaningful dialog that could lead to real problem solving and not continue to just “kick the can down the road” as several recent decisions by the Legislature and the Governor have been described. Above all, I believe in our people’s ability to make these needed substantive changes happen and this is why I am running for Lt. Governor.
