Steven Antonio

Party: Republican

Age: 36

Job: Worked for state House Minority Leader Representative Lynn Finnegan as a community liaison.

Born in Waipahu. In Hawaii from birth

Lives: Waipahu

Contact: , friendsofstevenantonio@gmail.com

Web site: stevenantonio.com

Job history past 10 years:
 Worked for Minority Leader Representative, Lynn Finnegan as a community liaison for two sessions.  Worked in the Mayor's Office of Culture & the Arts, As a Public Relation Aide for six years.

Ever run for public office? When? Outcome?
This is my first time running for public Office. I'm always behind the curtian not in front.

Other civic experience or community service:
I'm on the Neighborhood Board, Sub-District 8, Waipahu Triangle. Community Organization of Leaders Jaycees, Co-Founder. I was the 54 President Honolulu Chinese Jaycees. Emergency Response Response Team (C.E.R.T.)

Anything else you'd like voters to know about you?
I grew up and lived in Waipahu all my life for 35 years. I enjoy watching UH football and the NFL. I enjoy collecting all types of autographs. The coolest autograph the I got is Rosa Park.

1) Why are you running for office?
My father is the biggest influence in my life and he was one of the first Sakada and also a Republican. He thought me to make a difference in life, I must experience life itself. Everything that I accomplish I life, I need to give back. I worked in the State Capital for two session and I didn't like were the state is heading. I'm running because I am focus in making the State and Waipahu a better place to live. I have experience to get the job done.

2) With state revenue growth slowing, what are your top three priorities for government spending?
1. We must invest on our Education system for our leaders of tomorrow. We need after school programs to provide positive outlook on life and not negative influence we see today. 2. The legislation must support and increase funding for services for our care home provider, due to the high cost of expenses and the lack of proper funding. 3. Programs to help the homeless to jump start their lives.

3) What steps should the state take to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuel?
We need to take advantage of our natural resources. We need other avenues that will save us money that are also environmentally safe. We could use hydro power for electricity in our homes. Another resource is wind power to generate electricity for our homes too. We have sun practically all-year round and should take advantage of harnessing that power. Solar power can power our cars and homes.

4) What’s the No. 1 thing needed to improve Hawai’i public schools?
Public schools and especially charter schools have taken a huge budget cut. I believe that funding in other areas can be cut or decreased and the efficiency of government spending can be improved. I believe that the educational experience could also be improved by empowering students through their participation in community service projects. Implementing character building projects will be one of the goals I will focus on.

5) How should the state respond to financial difficulties at public and private hospitals?

6) What is the No. 1 quality-of-life issue facing Hawai'i, and what would you do about it?
We need to provide higher paying jobs for our family and friends that are working extremely hard to support their families. The cost of food and gas are going up. We need to understand that the some representatives increasing our taxes last session. We need solutions like tax breaks on food to lower our grocery cost. We need to take advantage of our natural resources by purchasing home grown produce or local products first.

7) What’s the No. 1 piece of legislation you’d work to pass in 2009?
We need to enforce tougher laws and impose harsher fines for illegal activities and the defacement of property. And we need to provide programs or support programs to educate our kids to respect and take pride in our community, not to defacing our land. We must all do our part to keep our land clean and green.