Steven Offenbaker

Party: Republican

Age: 32

Job: Council Aide to Councilmember Dominic Yagong, County of Hawaii.

Born in (no info). In Hawaii since 2004, arrived from California via Texas

Lives: Honoka'a

Contact: 808 557-6711, steven@stevenoffenbaker.com

Web site: www.stevenoffenbaker.com

Job history past 10 years:
2006-present County of Hawaii. 2005-2006 Arc of Hilo, Redemption Supervisor. 2000-2004 CCA, Senior Corrections Officer. 1999-2000 Pepsi Merchandiser. 1995-1998 HEB Assistant Service Manager.

Ever run for public office? When? Outcome?
No.

Other civic experience or community service:
16 years of service to various Little League organizations. Coach and Board Member Hamakua Little League 2005-2006. Coach and Board Member Hamakua Cougars Pop Warner.

1) Why are you running for office?
My wife and I have six children. If we don't make changes to the way we are doing things they will be forced to move to the mainland. I want them to have a highly rated education, I want them to have high paying jobs, I want them to be able to afford housing and remain in Hawaii to raise their own families. I am running for office to build a better Hawaii for my children and yours.

2) With state revenue growth slowing, what are your top three priorities for government spending?
Funding education at appropriate levels would be one of my highest priorities, both for the DOE and the university system. Mass transit and infrastructure should also be funded to improve the overall quality of live of the people that have to travel great distances for work. Funding for affordable housing would also be one of my top priorities to help are families stay intact and in Hawaii.

3) What steps should the state take to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuel?
Hawaii has the ability to become a world leader in renewable energy. We need to take advantage of the opportunities to harness energy from the sun and from wind to power our society with 100% green, renewable energy. We can also utilize biofuels by producing crops that can be used to power existing turbines instead of importing oil. Both of these options will also create new high paying jobs

4) What’s the No. 1 thing needed to improve Hawai’i public schools?
To improve our schools we should create local school boards. a local board would be made up of people from our communities that know far better than the folks on Oahu what our schools need and what is not working well. Local boards can direct more dollars to the classroom and end the bureaucratic waste of assigning staff to desk jobs that serve little or no purpose in educating our children.

5) How should the state respond to financial difficulties at public and private hospitals?
Currently Hawaii's insurance company reimburses hospitals and doctors approximately 40 cents on the dollar for services. We must increase this reimbursement rate. Our hospitals are paying a tremendous amount for insurance. These costs must be lowered to allow medical facilities to thrive. Explore modifying state law to allow our hospitals to become non profit organizations.

6) What is the No. 1 quality-of-life issue facing Hawai'i, and what would you do about it?
Hawaii's cost of living is the number one issue facing the people of Hawaii. Families are working long hours, far from home just to cover the costs of the most basic expenses. To grow our economy and create higher paying jobs close to home in fields such as renewable energy and agriculture. This will cut travel expenses, easy traffic concerns, and give our families more disposable income.

7) What’s the No. 1 piece of legislation you’d work to pass in 2009?
I will work to pass legislation to create truly affordable housing in my district. By creating partnerships with County, State, and Federal government as well as private business housing opportunities can be created allowing our families to stay intact and in Hawaii. Costs could be lowered enough to make the dream of home ownership a reality for the people of Hawaii.