Kanakanui Darrow Aiona

Party: Nonpartisan

Age: 74

Job: Retired Professor of Sociology, Religion, and Hawaiian Studies, Leeward Comm. College; Retired Pastor, St. Mark's Episcopal Church.

Born in Honolulu. In Hawaii from birth

Lives: McCully

Contact: 946-3551

Job history past 10 years:
1996-2007 -- Pastor, St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Kapahulu.

Ever run for public office? When? Outcome?
Elected to the Board of Education, 1976-1995.

Other civic experience or community service:
Former Trustee, Queen's Medical Center; member, Catholic Charities Immigration Committee and Policy Committee; member, Pihana na Mamo (native Hawaiian education program); member, All Believers Network.

Anything else you'd like voters to know about you?
I have been active in the early stages of the Native Hawaiian Renaissance movement, in the development of Hawaiian immersion schools, and remain involved with native Hawaiian education.

1) Why are you running for office?
My longtime involvement with the public education system, both as a community college instructor and as a long-time BOE member, has given me a broad perspective of the strengths and needs of our statewide system. Some progress has been made over the past several years, but now we must institute substantial and long-lasting improvements.

2) How should the DOE deal with budget cuts? Where should reductions occur?
If the education of young minds is so important, the appropriated state education budget should be exempt from all departmental cuts. If absolutely necessary, reductions should be made in non-educational areas, such as lunch, transportation, after-school care, etc.

3) How should the DOE modify its school funding formula to more fairly distribute money to schools?
Each District should receive funding according to a per pupil count, along with earmarked appropriations. Then a body should be formed at each school complex, made up of administrators, teachers and parents from the individual schools, to determine the specific allocation for each school.

4) How should a teacher drug-testing program be administered and funded?
No DOE funds should be used for any teacher drug testing. Education funds are for direct services to students.

5) How many children do you have, and did they attend public or private school?
No children.

6) What's the No. 1 initiative you would pursue in 2009?
I would pursue an adequately funded education budget to ensure that all students are given a solid foundation in basic skills, comprehensive enough to include all areas of learning. In addition to the existing basics, this should include: analysis, thinking, vocational-technical skills, music, art, physical education, foreign language and athletics.