Note: Neighbor Island And Uncontested Races Are Not Profiled
District 17: Mililani
Michelle Kidani
Democrat
Age: 59
Job: Exec. assistant, Neighborhood Commission Office
Past: Administrator, MedQuest Customer Service
What qualifies you to be a state senator?
We are beginning a recession and taxpayers’ dollars are at a premium. Holding public office will have monumental consequence if attention cannot be focused on the business of the people.
As an actively involved resident of Mililani for over 30 years, I have served four terms on both the Mililani-Waipio-Melemanu Neighborhood Board and the Mililani Town Association Board. During the past four years, Senator Menor attended only seven of 120 meetings held by two Mililani and Waipahu-area neighborhood boards. This is not serving the people. One must be actively involved with the community to represent them well.
What is one thing you would do in office to improve the local economy?
Build the rail! Create marketing strategy to buy local! Implement incentives for local industries to produce local products so money stays in Hawaii, including agriculture, clothing manufacturers, and home/business renovation companies, and alternative energy businesses to encourage manufacturing of local energy.
Do you support convening a Constitutional Convention? Please explain.
Not at this time. Given our economic situation where agencies are being forced to cut their budgets even further and taxpayers are paying exorbitant costs for fuel and basic needs, this is not the right time.
Do you support Oahu’s planned rail-transit system? Please explain.
Yes. Rail transit has been studied to death. The congestion we are experiencing is because we failed to build it 15 years ago yet continued to develop Central and Leeward Oahu. Our children and their children MUST have an alternative to driving a car. Without a viable option, our precious island environment is doomed. Almost every Department of Transportation director under the past five governors studies, deliberated and came to the same conclusion — we need rail transit.
What can the Legislature do to improve Hawaii’s public education?
Give the schools the funding they need with a dedicated funding source. Amend legislation like Act 51 and No Child Left Behind to create results rather than more red tape for educators. Let the teachers teach!
Ron Menor
Democrat
Age: 53
Job: State senator, attorney
Past: Selected as outstanding legislator by organizations, member, civic groups
What qualifies you to be a state senator?
I am seeking re-election because I have the necessary legislative experience that will enable me to continue to provide effective representation in the Senate. I have also chaired important legislative committees and have authored and helped to get passed landmark legislation that has benefited the lives of people throughout the state. Moreover, I have worked together effectively with other area legislators to obtain funds for school and other district capital improvements. As the father of three young sons, I am committed to working hard to achieve a brighter and more sustainable Hawaii for all of our people now and into the future.
What is one thing you would do in office to improve the local economy?
I will continue to be an advocate for measures to reduce business costs and to remove regulatory barriers that stymie economic growth. As the chairman of the Senate Energy and Environment Committee I will also continue my efforts to reduce energy costs that have a negative ripple effect throughout the economy.
Do you support convening a Constitutional Convention? Please explain.
I did not support. I am concerned about the costs that would be involved in convening a convention. Moreover, policy proposals or changes can always be enacted through appropriate legislation. Voters should ultimately decide this issue.
Do you support Oahu’s planned rail-transit system? Please explain.
I do support it provided that the system employs the most cost-effective, convenient and environmentally sound technology. I also support giving residents the opportunity to vote on this issue.
What can the Legislature do to improve Hawaii’s public education?
I will continue to be an advocate for the maintenance of high academic standards, especially with respect to core subject areas. I will also continue to push for adequate funds and resources for our schools, measures to attract and retain quality teachers and needed school facilities improvements.
Resa Tsuneyoshi
Democrat
Age: 19
Job: Student, University of Hawaii-Manoa
Past: Member, Mililani Neighborhood Board
What qualifies you to be a state senator?
I lead my life by the saying “What is popular is not always right, and what is right is not always what is popular.” A senator never stops learning and therefore a senator should always have an open mind to absorb endless knowledge while being able to distinguish between right and wrong. I bring variety to the table not only through my youth, but also through my diverse roots: Filipino, Hawaiian, Japanese and Spanish ancestry. I represent a new beginning and a new direction to make Hawaii a better place to live.
What is one thing you would do in office to improve the local economy?
I would strongly advocate tax incentives for individuals who volunteer within their community. I will lead a campaign and build partnerships with the government and businesses for the four-day, 10-hour work week. I will also campaign for the “work where you live program” which will keep residents within their community rather than driving into town for their jobs, therefore saving residents time and gas money. With the extra time, residents can not only volunteer within their community but also get involved with their children’s education.
Do you support convening a Constitutional Convention? Please explain.
I support weeding through the current Constitution to examine and determine which laws and amendments apply to today’s Hawaii. However, I believe that there are better ways to spend state funds than convening a Constitutional Convention. The funds necessary to convene a convention would be better directed towards educating the people of their state’s Constitution. If the people understand the Constitution, there is no need to re-evaluate the Constitution.
Do you support Oahu’s planned rail-transit system? Please explain.
I support any transportation system that is faster, cheaper and affordable. I believe that Oahu’s planned rail-transit system is a good idea as long as taxes are not raised. Since the rail would serve the military community at Schofield, I believe the Legislature should consider enlisting federal aid, similar to the federally funded H-3, which not only caters to the military but also to the local residents of Hawaii. However, if tax money is going to be used to pay for the rail, I believe that the taxpayers should ultimately decide whether or not to pursue the project.
What can the Legislature do to improve Hawaii’s public education?
Hawaii’s public education must be structured on a SOLID base between parents, teachers and the school administration. All facets of the foundation must work together in order to function properly. The Legislature must encourage parents to get involved in their children’s education by working with the employers to create accommodating schedules. Legislation must also encourage teachers to continue their education with state assistance to make sure the students are receiving the best education from the best educators. Finally, legislation must keep the administration accountable for student’s educational expectations.
