Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 26, Number 3, 1 ʻApelila 2009 — Special mail-in election [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Special mail-in election

About 55,000 registered voters on the Windward side will have until April 23 to have their say in a j special mail-in elee- j tion to decide who j will hll the seat on the Honolulu I City Council left j vacant by Barbara j Marshall, who died j in February after j s a battle with ean- j § cer. The District 3 j Sl race encompassing Waimānalo, j Kailua and parts of Kāne'ohe

has attracted 11 candidates, whose priorities range from creating a Windward County to supporting the Akaka Bill. Eight candidates have identified themselves as Native Hawaiians: Paul Akau, J. Ikaika Anderson, John Henry Felix, Wilson Kekoa Ho. Leona Mapuana Kalima, Keoki Leong, Sol Nalua'i and Pohai Ryan. — Lisa Asata

Steve Holmes Age: 57 Area of residence: Kailua Ūccupation: retired Highest education level: college A poor economy is affecting all of Hawai'i's people, but especially Native Hawaiians. The best thing that city government ean do is invest in public infrastructure projects to create jobs, mueh as President Obama has proposed. Taxpayers benelit when bids eome in lower during a slow eeonomy and interest rates are at an all time low.

Leona M. Kalima Age: 56 Area of residence: Waimānalo Occupation: Culture specialist Highest education level: Some college The eommon equalizer for District 3 is the eeonomie recession. Sobering reality is - more will eome. Paramount: Keep people working, in their homes and food on Ihe table. Promote: getting Ihe city's share of Ihe stimulus, no unneeessary spending, no tax increases, asset leveraging, fiscal accountability, job creation, alternative workweeks.

Keoki Leong Age: 29 Area of residence: Kaiiua Occupation: Director( Senate Minority Research Highest education level: Bachelorof Arts in justice administration Homelessness, derived from a laek of eeonomie opportunities and eultural sensitivities, is Ihe No. 1 issue facing Native Hawaiians in Waimānalo through Kāne'ohe. As eouneilman, I would eollaborate wilh Ihe state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to promote community-driven shelters that offer educational enhancement opportunities and utihze traditional ideologies.

Sol Nalua'i, M.D. Age: 69 Area of residence: Kāne'ohe, 32 years Occupation: Retired physician/surgeon; businessman Highest education level: M.D.( Ph.D. The primary issue is selfsufficiency, and I propose to pelilion Windward communitywide input for our new munieipal govemment, Ihe "Windward County," where our eeonomie foundation is farming, fishing and ranching, benefitting both Hawaiians and nonHawaiians equally to get back to mālama 'āina and mālama i ke kai.

Tom Pieo Jr. Age: 65 Area of residence: Kaiiua Occupation:Attorney( Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Highest education level: Law school The economy and unemployment are eveiyone's No. 1 issue. The city must make every effort to secure federal and state funding to halanee its budget and invest in infrastructure improvements to create jobs and reduce unemployment in our city.

Pohai Ryan Age: 47 Area of residence: Kaiiua Occupation: Legislative office managerfor state Sen. Brickwood Galuteria Highest education level: Honorgraduate( Windward Community College The economy is Ihe top issue facing all of Hawai'i, including District 3. As a eouneil member, I will support Ihe hiring of loeal residents to comprise Ihe majority of labor in all major capital improvement projects, including O'ahu Rail Transit. Loeal labor should also eam Ihe prevaihng wage scale.