Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 11, Number 12, 1 November 1994 — GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATES [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]
GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATES
Ben Cayetano (D)
Age: 55 Born: Honolulu, Hawai'i Previous political e\perience: Lieutenant Governor, 1986-94; State Senate, 1979-
IS6; State House, 1975-78: HHA Commissioner, 1972. Lmployment/community service experience: Attorney bv profession; Hawai'i Council on Eeonomie Education; Advisory Council, UH College of Business Administration: Chaminade University Board of Regents; Bar E\aminer, Hawai'i Supreme Court; Board of Directors. Honolulu Symphony. V\'hv running for office: Hard decisions must be made in the coming years that \\ ill chart the course for Hawai'i's future. \Iore than ever. Hawai'i needs a governor who has the courage. honesty, integrity and wisdom to guide Hawai'i through the 1990s. regard1ess of the polhieal ramifications or consequences. I have been making those kinds of deci\ions over my twenty years in public office. My efforts to improve the lives of Hawai'i's people are reflected in my record. from the A+ Program, to educauonal reform. to the Heptachlor investigation. to "Wiki-Wiki" voter registration, to reform of the State Employees Retirement System, etc. And 1 will eontinue to make them if I am given the privilege of serving the people of Hawai'i as their governor.
Views on social/economic issues in Hawai'i: • Cost of living: To reduce living costs, w e need to lower our tax burden by downsizing government, and address our high housing costs. • Housing: To address housing costs, we need to make lands available for housing, step up DHHL and OHA housing development for native Hawaiians, and control speculation. • Health: To reduce heahh costs and improve availability, we need to implement managed care. and pursue a eom-munity-rating system for heahh insuranee.
• Jobs: To provide jobs, we need to pursue a long-range, eeonomie development and diversification strategy for Hawai'i's economy. • Education: To improve education, we need to redirect resources to our public schools, complete the SCBM process and clarify school governance. What will you do for Hawaiians? I am committed to increased state funding for Hawaiian homesteads, and helping DHHL build an independent financial basses that it ean make its own construc-
tion decisions. I support the Hawaiian renaissance movement and programs like the Hawaiian Immersion Program. Also, I will work to complete the ceded lands inventory, and help resolve the complex legal issues regarding native Hawaiian water rights.
How should Hawaiian sovereignty and self-determination be addressed? I support sovereignty for native Hawaiians. However. it is incumbent upon native Hawaiians to decide whieh model of sovereignty they want. Dr. Kioni Dudley (G)
Age: 55 Born: California Previous politieal e\perienee: Mayor's Committees. Active in State Legislature.
Employment/community service e\perience: Taught Hawaiian religion on eollege level for years; wrote doctoral dissertation on Hawaiian philosophy; Adult advisor for Nanakuli Hawaiian Boys Club 1987-88; Author of "Man. Gods, and Nature": Co-author of "A Call for Hawaiian Sovereignty": President, Na Kane O Ka Malo; Board member. Hui Na'auao. Why are you running for office: We need a governor who genuinely wants sovereignty. I am absolutely convinced that the other three candidates are eompletely insincere and just mouthing support.
Views on social/economic issues in Hawai'i: • Cost of living: Our government ean bring down the high cost of living dramatically. But to do it, the governor will have to take on the special interests who are causing and profiting from our problems. The other three candidates cannot do that. because the special interest are the ones backing them. I have no ties to anyone but out people. • Jobs: I will open up small-farm diversified agriculture. also trucking, processing, packaging. and distributing of products.
• Education: As a teacher for thirty-four years, I know the problems of our schools first hand. What will you do for Hawaiians? 1 will: • stop sales of all ceded lands; • appoint a fierce, demanding DHHL chairperson, and trade better ceded lands for DHHL lands. How should Hawaiian sovereigntv and self-determination be addressed?
As governor, I will: • encourage deeper discussion of all models so that Hawaiians ean make afully informed decision, knowing all of the possibilities available. • fund the plebiscite, free from all state influence • after the plebiscite, fund a puwalu, or convention of Hawaiians to decide on a form of sovereignty. Also fund TV coverage of the puwalu so that all of the people of Hawai'i will see the arguments given back and forth, and be moved, generally, to accept the same form of sovereignty as the puwalu. • after the puwalu, fund a ratification vote among Hawaiians. • facilitate non-Hawaiian discussion of the puwalu decision for several months. • fund election of Hawaiian and nonHawaiian delegates to negotiate until they work out a friendly, unified agreement on sovereignty whieh all ean support. Give the weight of official State support to the form of sovereignty they agree upon when engaging in future negotiations with the U.S. Frank F. Fasi (B)
Age: 74 Born: Hartford, Connecticut Previous pol itica I e\perience: 195256 Democratic National
Committeeman: 1958-59 Territorial Senator; 1965-69 City Councilman: 1968 Delegate 2nd Constitutional Convention; 1969-81 Mayor of Honolulu; 1985-94 Mayor of Honolulu; Employment/community service experience: Rotary, President-Kalihi Businessman's Association, Central Labor Council. AFTRA-AFL-CIO VicePresident, State Department CommanderVeterans of Foreign Wars, Amenean Legion, Chamber of Commerce, Boy Scouts of America.
Why running for office: Hawai'i has had 32 years of unbroken Democrat rule. Where have that brought us today? The highest cost of living in the United States, unaffordable housing, rising unemployment, poor schools. and antibusiness tax hell. I want to change all that.
Why am I "the Best"?: First, I am a businessman the only businessman running for office. Second, I work for you, not for special interest. Third, I will end monopoly control of Hawai'i's economy. You know I will deliver because I have a record to prove it. Views on social/economic issues in Hawai'i:
9 • Cost of living: I would step up the state's affordable housing program, . encourage private developers to build more affordable housing using tax ineentives and make cheaper land available. One of my first orders of business would be to abolish the State Land Use Commission, whieh is greatly responsible for Hawai'i's high cost of housing and living.
• Housing: I will reduce the bureaucratic red tape that lengthens processing time for permits and approvals and increases the cost of housing. • Health: In general, Heahh Care in Hawai'i is completely satisfactory. We must try to preserve this. • Jobs: We need to develop environmentally correct industries: sports, medicine, oeean mining, senior care, retirement/wellness villages, education, film industry. • Education: I woukl recommend that we have separate school boards in eaeh county with school boards being elected by the voters or appointed by the Mayors of eaeh county and confirmed by their respective county councils.
What will you do for Hawaiians? Utilizing the vast resources of the State, I will build 5,000 homes on Hawaiian Homestead in 4 years. I'm the only eandidate who has the know how and proven record to get the job done. How should Hawaiian sovereignty and self-determination be addressed? The Native Hawaiians themselves would first have to decide what form of sovereignty and self determination they want. Onee that is decided, all ofthe people of Hawai'i would vote via referendum. The Congress would then make the final determination. Patricia (Pat) Saiki (R)
Age: 64 Born: Hilo, Hawai'i Previous political experience: Member of Congress, 1987-1991; State
Senator, 1974-83; State Representative, 1968-74 Employinent/community service experience: Administrator, U. S. Small Business Administration, Washington, D.C. 1991-1993 Hawai'i Special 01ympics Why running for office: To renew the hope that our children will have better lives than the generation before them and to provide security for our elders who have worked so hard to give us opportunities for success.
Gubernatorial
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Views on social/economic issues in Hawai'i: As Governor. I plan to pursue an agenda whieh will allow more of us to achieve a higher quality of life. Education is my number one priority, children are our most precious resource and their education is the best investment we ean make in our future. I will hold the line on government growth and regulation whieh will lower the cost of doing business and these savings ean be passed on in lower cost housing and consumer goods. With regard to health care, I believe it is better to invest in prevention and I will ask the legislature for full funding of programs like Healthy Start.
What will you do for Hawaiians? I know there are tremendous opportunities upon whieh my administration ean act to assist the Hawaiian community. For more information, please eall my office at: 951-5557 and ask for my issue paper, "On Hawaiian Issues." Specifics include: Directing the preparation of a "master plan" for the orderly development of Trust resources. It will eall for maximizing the potential for commercial revenue
producing properties and a review of future beneficiary demographics and housing demand. Supporting a moratorium on any sales, long-term leasee or exchanges of PLT (Public "Ceded" Land Trust lands) until Hawaiian land claims are resolved. Respecting and working to improve OHA's autonomy and reduce state inlluenee, while maintaining my constitutional responsibilities. Creating a high-level position of Hawaiian Programs Coordinator to oversee the programs within the administrative branch whieh serve Hawaiians and provide an effective liaison with OHA and the Legislature. How should Hawaiian sovereignty and self-determination be addressed? My administration will do all that it ean to support, but never direct, the efforts of Hawaiians to achieve self-determination. In the end. whatever Hawaiians decide with respect to self-determination will impact all the residents of Hawai'i, and the Governor will be central to the debate whieh will follow. Lt. Governor Candidates Fred Hemmings (R)
Age: 48 Born: Honolulu, Hawai'i Previous political experience: Elected to the Hnnep nf
Represen-tatives, 1984-1990; Republican floor leader, 1988-90; Republican nominee for Governor, 1990.
Employment and community service background: Founder/owner, Sports Enterprises. ine.; member, past and pre- ' sent, Friends of Children Advocacy Center, Makana Foundation, Duke Kahanamoku Foundation, Hui Nalu, Small Business Hawai'i, Hawai'i Nature Center.
Why running for office: Hawai'i needs new leadership to bring about positive change. Views on social/economic issues in Hawai'i — Cost of living: Cut taxes, regulations, insurance costs. Housing: Eliminate duplicative agencies (Office of State Planning) so permits ean be processed faster, cut taxes, discourage speculators. Health: Encourage preventive care with incentives. Jobs: Cut workers' compensation rates and taxes to encourage employers to hire more workers. Education: Decentralize and depoliticize schools. Increase efficiency and accountability by taking maintenance and improvement functions from Dept. of Accounting and General Services, give to Dept. of Education.
What will you do for Hawaiians? I would help to eliminate the waiting list for Hawaiian Homes by the turn of the century. How should Hawaiian sovereigntv and self-determination be addressed? The issue should be decided by Hawaiians and ratified at the next constitutional convention. OHA and Hawaiian Homes should be turned over to the sovereign entitv.
Mazie K. Hirono (D) Age: 46 Born: Fukushima, Japan Previous po!itical experience: State Representative. 14 years; Chair, Consumer Protection and Commerce Committee, 6 years; Chair of Committee on Housing, 2 years. Employment/communitv service experience: Attorney in private sector; Deputy Attorney General, Anti-Trust Division, Board of Directors, Mo'ili'ili Community Center & Nu'uanu YMCA. Why running for office: I am running forLt. Governor to give back to the eommunity whieh gave me, a disadvantaged immigrant from Japan, the opportunity for a new life, a good education and a rewarding career. Ben Cayetano and I both have long records of independence and bold leadership on tough issues — the kind of leadership whieh will be crucial in the executive branch of government if we are to deal with the problems facing Hawai'i and her native people.
Views on social/economic issues in Hawai'i: Greater resources must be allocated to open up Hawaiian homelands to housing, to address the high incidence of health problems among Hawaiians and to ensure that educational opportunities for Hawaiians are expanded; shifting resources to do this will require difficult decisions and a commitment to meeting peoples' needs.
What will you do for Hawaiians? I will be an active member of the next administration, and will continue to address the insurance crisis, whieh is a financial burden and makes criminals out of people who can't afford high premiums. I would also like to act as a voice within the administration for groups like Hawaiians who need better access to government. I have proposed tax credits for businesses whieh create full-time jobs. I am a longtime advocate of diversified agriculture and would support programs to encourage taro production, whieh would have not just eeonomie, but also cultural and heahh benefits.
How should Hawaiian sovereignty and self-determination be addressed? I support Hawaiians' efforts toward selfdetermination. and understand that the process of sovereignty is one that Hawaiians must first decide. The State's iniīial role should be primarily one of promoting public awareness and fulfilling its existing moral and legal obligations to the Hawaiian people. Providing the infrastructure to open up HHA lands so that they become available for housing will positively impact the cost of Iiving for everyone: I will advocate this becoming a financial — not just a rhetorical — priority. Danny Kaniela Kaleikini (B)
Age: 56 Born: Honolulu, Hawai'i Previous political experience: I'm a first time candidate who has
helped other candidates; student body president, Kawananakoa School. Employment/community service experience: Kahala Hihon Headliner; President of the Danny Kaleikini Foundation; Serves on severai boards and commissions - i.e.: Servco, St Francis Medical Center; Rotarian; Direct, Keiki Martial Arts and No Hope in Dope; Established Danny Kaleikini Music Scholarships at University of Hawai'i; Worked with Mayor Fasi to organize the "Aloha Pumehana" benefit concert whieh raised $400,000 for victims of Hurricane
'Iniki; 1994 Red Cross Humanitarian Award; Outstanding Hawaiian of the Year, Hawaiian Civic Club. Why running for office: The election will determine whether or not our families will be able to afford to live in Hawai'i. I'm a businessman, not a professional politician. I will bring a new and fresh perspective to solving our problems.
Views on sociaI/economic issues in Hawai'i: • Cost of living: Our cost of living is about 40 percent higher than the mainland, housing costs are three times higher and food costs almost double. We need to break the land monopoly and lower the cost of land. We need to eliminate government red tape whieh increases the costs of doing business.
• Housing: I will work with the Governor to build more affordable rentals and 5,000 new homes on Hawaiian Homestead lands over the next four years. • Health: Everyone should have affordable health coverage. Heakh reform is a must- cost containment, provide for eompetition among the health care providers and educate people in preventive medieine. • Jobs: We must create new jobs in elean industries such as sports, medicine, oeean mining and technology, astronomy, space exploration, senior retirement wellness villages, education and film industries. As a businessman, I will use my Far East contacts to attract new funds.
• Education: We must make it possible that onee we graduate a student, he or she ean get a job. We need to get back to the basics and do what it takes to build all needed school facilities now. We need to offer vocational training to those who don't want to go to college. What will you do for Hawaiians? My door will always be open. I will work for the return of lands that rightfully belong to the Hawaiian people and see that 5,000 homes are built in the next four years on homestead lands.
How should Hawaiian sovereignty and self-deterinination be addressed? Hawaiian sovereignty is important to those of us who are Hawaiian as well as those of us who are not, because all of us in Hawai'i must continue to live, work and play together. There are many groups who have their own idea of what sovereignty and self-determination mean. We need to take the best of the ideas in order to eome up with something that is workable. No matter what we decide, the federal government will make the final decision whether or not to recognize the Hawaiian people as a "sovereign" nation. Jack Morse (G) No response was received from candidate