1st District (Urban Oahu) / 2nd District (Rural Oahu — Neighbor Islands)
Mazie Hirono
Democrat
Age: 60
Job: Congresswoman Past: Lieutenant governor
What qualifies you to serve in the U.S. Congress?
I have a long-standing commitment to public service and understand the importance of listening to others and applying common-sense progressive solutions to the challenges we face. I was ranked fourth among all freshman representatives for appropriations secured and supported legislation to invest in renewable energy, preserve our environment, fix the economy, and end the war in Iraq. I am a leading advocate for quality early education.
What should the United States do in Iraq and Afghanistan? Explain.
I strongly oppose the war in Iraq but support the multinational force operations in Afghanistan. Our nation was misled into war by the Bush administration, with devastating consequences for our international standing; our economy; our ability to invest in domestic priorities like education, health care and the environment; the families of the soldiers who have died or been severely wounded; and for the Iraqi people. We need a strategy to end the war in Iraq including a timetable for bringing our troops home safely. The Iraqi government needs to take the political steps necessary for national reconciliation.
What should the U.S. do to reduce its dependence on imported oil?
We must support increased investment in renewable energy research and development. We cannot drill ourselves out of this energy crisis. Congress was finally able to raise fuel economy (CAFÉ) standards. We should require that renewables become an increasing share of our energy supply.
What can Congress do to improve the sagging U.S. economy?
The mortgage crisis and its ripple effect on our economy were addressed by major legislation recently passed by Congress. The economic stimulus package in February boosted consumer spending and stimulated business investment. Congress is considering another stimulus package that targets increased infrastructure spending to generate more jobs. We will continue to focus on strategies that will put people to work, find ways to help families deal with these tough economic times, and to continue to invest in our young people.
Should Congress continue efforts to pass a Native Hawaiian sovereignty bill? Explain.
Yes. I believe native Hawaiians deserve the same rights of self-determination as Alaska natives and American Indians. I am a cosponsor of HR 505, the Native Hawaiian Government and Reorganization Act, which has passed the House and is pending in the Senate.
Lloyd (Jeff) Mallan
Libertarian
Age: 64
Job: President, Artful Expressions Ltd.
Past: Play the cello; I love chamber music
What qualifies you to serve in the U.S. Congress?
Integrity. I would not support invading other countries that have not attacked the United States. I would not support the spending of billions of monies to promote the poisoning of humanity with violence and destruction of property. I am a Libertarian, the party of principle, devoted to protecting the Bill of Rights, property rights and noninterventionism in people’s lives and in other countries.
What should the United States do in Iraq and Afghanistan? Explain.
Leave immediately. The U.S. foreign policy of interventionism is responsible for what is described as “terrorism.” The United States should declare an end to interventionism, pay reparations, if necessary, and protect its own borders. Protect liberties at home to once again become a shining example to the world.
What should the U.S. do to reduce its dependence on imported oil?
The northern slope of Alaska, for example, has enough oil and gas to meet the world’s needs for oil — but restrictions prevent much of those resources from entering United States markets. Deals were made with the Saudis to buy Saudi oil with dollars instead of utilizing our viable domestic reserves. Only political reasons have caused a dependence on imported oil.
What can Congress do to improve the sagging U.S. economy?
Forget about printing paper dollars to meet political needs. Back the dollar with a valuable commodity like gold so that congressional spending would be accountable to the market value of the currency backed commodity.
Should Congress continue efforts to pass a Native Hawaiian sovereignty bill? Explain.
I would not support the “Akaka Bill.” But I would support Hawaiian sovereignty, which might include secession from the United States through plebiscite.
Roger Evans
Republican
Age: 69
Job: Retired
Past: Retired owner of Meaner Wiener Restaurant in Pahoa, Hawaii
What qualifies you to serve in the U.S. Congress?
Just being a citizen of the U.S. should be enough, but I know you want more. I was on the management team of Snap-on-Tools, a Fortune 500 company, and an owner of a successful restaurant in Pahoa. I have been both a union and nonunion laborer and have spent my life solving problems. That’s what our representatives should be doing. Too many Americans believe our government creates more problems than it solves. We must start electing our representatives who will ask what can we do to solve our problems instead of telling us why we can’t solve them.
What should the United States do in Iraq and Afghanistan? Explain.
It seems we are in the right direction in Iraq and we should not let up until our job there is finished. The surge is working in Iraq, and both McCain and Obama are calling for more troops in Afghanistan; they might know something I don’t.
What should the U.S. do to reduce its dependence on imported oil?
Drill here drill now. If the world knows we are serious about solving our oil dependence problem the price of oil will come down immediately. Then as the supply increases the price stays down. Seventy percent of oil imported into this country goes to transportation and this is the consumption problem we need to concentrate on. That means if we can bring our MPG up by 10 percent on existing travel our overall consumption goes down immediately and so does the price. Congress will not solve the problem, but it should support the collective genius of the American.
What can Congress do to improve the sagging U.S. economy?
Buy American. Get out of the way and let free enterprise and the entrepreneurs bring this country back to the strong manufacturing leader it once was. Manufacturers leave this country not only looking for cheap labor but because the U.S. has the second-highest corporate tax in the world.
Should Congress continue efforts to pass a native Hawaiian sovereignty bill? Explain.
Not sure. Please check my web page: www.rogerbevans.com
DID NOT RESPOND
Shaun Stenshol (Independent)
