Mike Abe

Party: Democratic

Age: 55

Job: Attorney, self-employed. Wills & Trusts, Elderly Law.

Born in Honolulu. In Hawaii from birth

Lives: Kaimuki

Contact: 754-1561, mikeabe@hawaii.rr.com

Web site: abemike.com

Job history past 10 years:
Attorney, self-employed since 1988. Before 1988, worked for a Law Firm, and as a Deputy Corporation Counsel, Honolulu. Deputy Kauai County Attorney.

Ever run for public office? When? Outcome?
Yes. Kaimuki Neighborhood Board, early 2000s. State House District 19 2006 & 2004, lost. Honolulu City Council 2002, lost.

Other civic experience or community service:
Lobbied/testified health care bills before Legislature with HMA, and against real property tax increases. Co-founded citizen tax group. Citizens Adv Coun Haw Health Care Sys. Pres. Hi Okinawa Assn.

Anything else you'd like voters to know about you?
Was primary care taker 5 years for father in law till his death. Prostrate cancer survivor. Had courage to fight cover up of embezzlement in large nonprofit and recovered embezzled funds.

1) Why are you running for office?
I'm running for the State House because I believe we need a change in the attitude and way we govern. People are frustrated. Like the Obama Presidential campaign's hope for change in Washington, we need the same here. We need more openness, transparency and accountability, and bold, new, innovative solutions, and citizens engaged. We must focus on the common good not special interests.

2) With state revenue growth slowing, what are your top three priorities for government spending?
We need to spend repairing and improving our infrastructure, schools, and adequately funding the safety net for people impacted by the slowing economy. Spending will infuse dollars, but we must spend wisely.

3) What steps should the state take to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuel?
The State must be more aggressive in converting to green buildings and facilities, and support solar, wind and ocean wave energy development. It can start by identifying appropriate land and ocean areas, and develope and energy independent vision and plan, including distribution system and cooperative efforts. State should fully investigate gas pricing.

4) What's the No. 1 thing needed to improve Hawai'i public schools?
I don't believe one thing will improve our public schools. We need more money, stronger and decisive leadership, a holistic approach, recognition that there are social and economic factors, we need better trained, dedicated and paid teachers, better facilities and tools, recognition that the arts, music, sports, and other activities are important teaching tools.

5) How should the state respond to financial difficulties at public and private hospitals?
The State should fight for better medicaid and medicare federal reimbursments and rates, reverse its decision to our source to profit making insurance companies, pass medical malpractice reform that allows doctors and hospitals to do their job and yet provide relief for victims of medical error, allow death with dignity option, support cooperation between community clinics and hospitals.

6) What is the No. 1 quality-of-life issue facing Hawai'i, and what would you do about it?
The growing adult and now childhood obesity and its impact on personal quality of life and health care costs is the top quality of life issue. We need to develope and expand diet and nutrition and exercise education, revamp school meals, restrict sale of sugary drinks in schools and parks, even tax sugary drinks to modify behavior like we have with smoking and drinking.

7) What's the No. 1 piece of legislation you'd work to pass in 2009?
I'd like to see a medical malpractice reform bill passed at least on a trial basis to see if it addresses the doctor shortage problem, and reduces prohibitive malpractice insurance costs for doctors, clinics and hospitals, so doctors and do there job, hospitals can survive and serve patients, while providing relief for victims injured by medical mistakes and gross errors.