Note: Neighbor Island And Uncontested Races Are Not Profiled
District 35: Pearl City-Waipahu
Henry James Aquino
Democrat
Age: 31
Job: Waipahu Community Association
Past: Master’s degree, communication; bachelor’s, public/justice admin.
What qualifies you to be a state representative?
I believe that a state representative should know the community and have the experience to carry out needed initiatives. As a program coordinator for a Waipahu-based nonprofit organization and an active member of various civic-oriented organizations, I have worked closely with our community leaders and residents to address diverse needs in Waipahu. I enjoy working with people and making a difference for the future of our community and state.
What is one thing you would do in office to improve the local economy?
Our local economy can be strengthened by being more welcoming to businesses, which would provide better jobs for our local workforce. To make this happen, we need to support local businesses. In addition, government needs to be responsible and efficient in its spending and services to the people. When this is done, savings should be passed to the people and to businesses. Policies that reduce the cost of government will help to reduce the tax burden on everyone
Do you support convening a Constitutional Convention? Please explain.
I do not support a Constitutional Convention at this time. Constitutional rights such as environmental, workers and cultural rights may be vulnerable to unnecessary changes that would affect many of our island residents.
Do you support Oahu’s planned rail-transit system ? Please explain.
I support Oahu’s planned rail-transit system. It is an alternative that will alleviate our traffic congestion problems and would provide many job opportunities for our local workforce. A transit system, along with our current transportation infrastructure (TheBus, TheBoat, etc.) would provide a variety of ways to get around Oahu. However, I believe that community input on the development of the transit stations should be strongly considered and addressed by government and the developers.
What can the Legislature do to improve Hawaii’s public education?
Public education can be improved through the hiring and retention of more teachers, investing more funding for our schools, and modernizing our schools’ facilities and equipment. Our Legislature should support the need for more quality teachers for every public school which would ensure that each student will receive a good education at every level. In addition, we need to invest more state funding for our schools and commit to reducing the backlog of facility repairs. This would allow our schools to be safer for our students, teachers, administrators and community members.
Constante Domingo
Democrat
Age: Not given
Job: Self-employed
Past: Waipahu Neighborhood Board member, former City Council aide
What qualifies you to be a state representative?
Aside from my innate desire to serve the community, I strongly feel that my educational background (B.A. in journalism/political science, M.A. in political science from the University of Hawaii at Manoa) and my past leadership experience will help me well at the Legislature.
What is one thing you would do in office to improve the local economy?
Tourism is the most important industry in Hawaii now, but the number of tourists visiting the islands is declining. We have to do something about it. I will actively support and lobby for the allocation of ample funds to promote our tourism industry.
Do you support convening a Constitutional Convention? Please explain.
Yes. We have to carefully review/pursue our existing laws to keep us in par with laws of other states. Further, I feel very strongly that there is a need to overhaul our state judicial system.
Do you support Oahu’s planned rail-transit system? Please explain.
Yes. Rail transit will alleviate our dependence on cars, and will also reduce traffic problems.
What can the Legislature do to improve Hawaii’s public education?
Hawaii is unique. It is home to people coming from different ethnic backgrounds. Because of this multiple kinds of students, SAT results are not good. We have to hire competent, able education specialists to help those students with special needs. We have to also hire competent teachers and have them take continuing education courses to upgrade their teaching skill. To do these more money must be allocated for the DOE. If elected, I will actively work for the release of those needed funds. We must invest for children’s future.
Ilalo Parayno
Democrat
Age: 68
Job: Retired vice principal, James Campbell High School
Past: Retired from Department of Education
What qualifies you to be a state representative?
I have a total of four years’ experience as a legislative aide at the state Capitol. I have lived in District 35 community for 42 years. I know the Waipahu, Crestview and Sea View communities. I am well qualified to be an elected representative with my background and experiences. I am married to Brigida Sabangan Parayno for 42 years. My wife and I have raised our children as responsible adults and law- abiding citizens. My wife is also retired and she is supportive of my legislative career. I can and will be a full-time legislator upon being elected.
What is one thing you would do in office to improve the local economy?
One thing I would do in office to improve the local economy is to provide legislative actions to promote the state of Hawaii to compete in the global marketplace. Provide enabling legislation in improving the state’s human and physical infrastructure to bring the level of business activities to compete globally. In improving the economy, it would entail all the players to support a statewide movement of activities to focus in improving our economy. Along with alternative energy sources of wind, solar, wave oscillation, garbage to energy, etc., our K through 12 and university systems must support math, science, engineering programs.
Do you support convening a Constitutional Convention? Please explain.
Yes, I support convening a Constitutional Convention. It is a function of the democratic process. There is a heavy consideration for the increasing cost of having a convention. The democratic process is an expensive system which we need to maintain. Responsible government is needed to review and assess what issues need to be discussed.
Do you support Oahu’s planned rail-transit system? Please explain.
Yes, I support Oahu’s planned rail-transit system. Our roadways are clogged with congested traffic during commute times. The situation is complicated when there are accidents which at times even close the roadways. Our residents deserve an efficient transportation system. It is one of several solutions to improve mobility of our people.
What can the Legislature do to improve Hawaii’s public education?
The Legislature can continue reviewing, assessing and providing legislative actions for proper education delivery of Hawaii’s public education. Our state’s future is highly dependent on properly educated population. In properly monitoring the education system, it is expected that an adequate funding to have a high-level functioning education will result in successful programs developing our local human resources for global market competition. Also, continued review and evaluation of other states’ and countries’ successful programs for possible adoption. When carefully nurtured our educational system will improve as a result.
I. Perreira Rahman
Democrat
Age: 50
Job: Doctor of medicine
What qualifies you to be a state representative?
Being a physician, educator, small businessman and a community volunteer, I had the opportunity to understand and work on the problems and issues related to health care, education, economy and environment. I strongly feel that if elected I can do more, especially in the areas of health care and healthy lifestyles in our community.
What is one thing you would do in office to improve the local economy?
Support incentives for economical growth and job creation such as rail and small business, including care homes, foster homes, local agriculture and solar energy.
Do you support convening a Constitutional Convention? Please explain.
No. I think changing the Constitution creates more problems and loopholes. However, if it has to be changed, then it should be changed by elected legislators and voters.
Do you support Oahu’s planned rail-transit system? Please explain.
Yes. It provides a good alternative for transportation, it will create jobs and boost economy, curb pollution and it will help our future generations.
What can the Legislature do to improve Hawaii’s public education?
Make sure that there is enough funding to improve and upgrade school’s infrastructure to maintain libraries and classroom needs including books. There must be growth and economical incentives to retain and attract highly qualified teachers.
Dante Verdadero
Democrat
Age: 48
Job: Real estate professional
Past: Administrative hearing officer and assistant legal arbiter
What qualifies you to be a state representative?
My sincerest desire to serve my constituents with utmost dedication, honesty and transparency, and my philosophy that I get my mandate from the people and will be solely accountable to the people.
What is one thing you would do in office to improve the local economy?
Make Hawaii competitive with other tourist destinations. Make Hawaii the greenest and safest place to visit. Make it more affordable, too. Allocate more funding for tourism industry for more aggressive marketing.
Do you support convening a Constitutional Convention? Please explain.
Yes. We need to amend or introduce new provisions to embrace new trends in politics, business, technology, economy, environment and education. Our justice system needs changes more particularly on the issue of repeat offenders or habitual delinquents.
Do you support Oahu’s planned rail-transit system? Please explain.
Yes, for the following reasons:
It alleviates traffic congestion. It creates jobs. It is environmentally friendly.
What can the Legislature do to improve Hawaii’s public education?
Increase more funding for public education and give teachers greater control of funds. Eliminate voucher system, too.
DID NOT RESPOND
DIST. 35: Steven Antonio (R)
