Mel Apana

Party: Republican

Age: 60

Job: Marine Science Research Assistant, Research Corporation University of Hawaii.

Born in

Lives: Mililani

Contact: (808) 551-1986, apana2008@hawaii.rr.com

Job history past 10 years:
1996-2002, Owner & Founder: Northern Natural Network Nations, 2002-2004, (T/A) Honolulu Community College, Present.

Ever run for public office? When? Outcome?
>1992, O.H.A.- "Power To The People," It was an honor to receive 3000 plus votes from native Hawaiian.

Other civic experience or community service:
Mililani Town Assn, volunteer broad member - facility and ground committee, Member of Neighborhood Board No. 12, (V.P.), Papakolea Community Development Corp., Board member, Papakolea Community Assn.

Anything else you'd like voters to know about you?
We the people reaffirm our believe in a government of the people, by the will of the people, for the benefit of the people, and honor the trust of the people. The people are the TAX PAYERS.

1) Why are you running for office?
I made a choice to be state representative of the people because current policies do not serve the Tax Payer needs. I made the choice to serve the people as state representative and bring character, integrity, accountability, and moral leadership to this office. I beleive its important for a state representative to have a visible presence in the community because you are the Tax Payers.

2) With state revenue growth slowing, what are your top three priorities for government spending?
1). Re-examine Government Service, use a check and balance system. 2). Re-examine Government Projects, a fair and open bidding process. 3). Re-examine Government Budget Surplus, establish a process that will give refunds back to the Tax Payers.

3) What steps should the state take to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuel?
Re-examine the conservation measures within the transit system. Public transportation like buses, trucking industries, Matson shipping, and Youngbrother tug and barge and how they have been using fuel? How the fishing industry is using its fuel? Now, collect all the data an develop a model that will measure, how much imported fossil fuel the state need to reduce.

4) What's the No. 1 thing needed to improve Hawai'i public schools?
"Academic Discipline," fellow this model and successed.

5) How should the state respond to financial difficulties at public and private hospitals?
I believe the state should not fight all financial battles. But, the state need to advise not partnership with both public and private hospitals. The state need to establish a tax relief to off set financial hardship. The state has an obligation to serve our medical institutions because there are TAX PAYERS.

6) What is the No. 1 quality-of-life issue facing Hawai'i, and what would you do about it?
"Accessibility to quality foods," its time to open doors to more natural organic food products. Our citizens need to consume quality food in order to archive a healthy population.

7) What's the No. 1 piece of legislation you'd work to pass in 2009?
Tax relief to lower income tax, and tax exempt on 401K retirement plus interest earned on saving.