Janis Akuna

Party: Nonpartisan

Age: 59

Job: Vice President, Wealth Advisor, Certified Financial Planner, Certified Investment Management Analyst, Morgan Stanley.

Born in Honolulu. In Hawaii since 1976, arrived from California

Lives: Makiki

Contact: 808-265-1166, janisakuna@gmail.com

Job history past 10 years:
I have worked in the field of finance for the past thirty years.

Ever run for public office? When? Outcome?
No, I have not run for a public office until now.

Other civic experience or community service:
Chairperson, Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund; Capital Campaign Chair, Lanakila Rehab Center (Meals on Wheels); Manoa Valley Theatre, YWCA of Oahu, Hawaii Womens Legal Foundation, Pilot Foundation.

1) Why are you running for office?
I'm running for the Board of Education because I believe our young people deserve an opportunity to achieve their full potential and to get the necessary education to become good citizens.

2) How should the DOE deal with budget cuts? Where should reductions occur?
When dealing with the State's budget cuts, I believe the legislature should minimize any cuts to the DOE. If cuts have to be made, then it should not be at the expense of our schools and students, but rather at the top bureaucratic levels.

3) How should the DOE modify its school funding formula to more fairly distribute money to schools?
Modifications to the current formula should create a base level at all schools to cover basic requirements. For example, the cost of a copy machine is the same for each school, yet one school may be using that machine to service 500 students and another school may be using it for 2000 students. Basic requirements in equipment and personnel should be covered.

4) How should a teacher drug-testing program be administered and funded?
The question is should we even have a mandatory drug-testing program? Should a teacher be tested without cause? A teacher is a professional educator, not a minimum wage employee. There is a difference in how one treats a professional, and I believe we should give teachers the respect they deserve. If there is suspicion or probable cause, then yes, that person should be tested.

5) How many children do you have, and did they attend public or private school?
I have three children and two of them attended and graduated from public schools.

6) What's the No. 1 initiative you would pursue in 2009?
I would work to ensure adequate funding for our schools and teachers.