Education, economy issues tie diverse district
| • | Map: State House District 32 |
By Catherine E. Toth
Advertiser Staff Writer
The reapportionment of House District 32 presents not only a geographical challenge to the candidates running for its seat, but cultural, generational and lifestyle differences that they say are both provocative and problematic.
The new boundaries are now from a sliver of Kalihi through Salt Lake all the way west to Kaonohi Street in 'Aiea. The district includes Honolulu International Airport, Moanalua Gardens, Hickam Air Force Base and Pearl Harbor. With 48,815 residents, it is the largest House district in the state.
The inclusion of the Hickam and Pearl Harbor military bases changes the ethnic makeup of the district. Nearly 38 percent of the total population is white, 15.9 percent is Filipino and 8.9 percent is black.
The district has a wide range of residents, from retirees to military to young families, and communities, all with their own specific concerns about roadwork and crime. But what ties the district together, candidates say, are broader issues about education and the economy, concerns residents feel will have impact both at the state and neighborhood levels.
• Address: P.O. Box 17045, Honolulu 96817 • Occupation: Legislator • Family: Married, one child • One big idea: "To push for education because education is so important to our kids and we need to make sure all of them can compete with their counterparts on the Mainland," he said. Lynn Finnegan (R) • Occupation: Mortgage loan officer, Primary Residential Mortgage • Family: Married, two children • One big idea: To start a community e-newsletter to keep district residents informed. "It's a way for people who are very interested in the community and want to be active to communicate with each other," she said.
Republican candidate Lynn Finnegan sees possibilities in stimulating the economy in Hawai'i, which may provide more jobs for people — a concern among district residents.
House District 32
• Ben Cabreros (D)
• Address: 99-195 Ohekani Loop, 'Aiea 96701
"We need to support businesses and deregulation that will allow businesses to survive and thrive here," she said.
For Democratic candidate Ben Cabreros, traffic, though a huge concern among commuting residents, is one problem that isn't easily solved. He supports finding alternative solutions to the growing congestion.
"It's always been a problem," he said. "(Finding a solution) will take cooperation between the city and the state."
Education is high on the list of priorities for both candidates, who say residents in the area are clamoring for improvements to the infrastructure of district schools.
"We pay high taxes, but where is the money going?" asked Finnegan, 32, a resident of Halawa Estates for four years. "It's a matter of what should residents believe — that there isn't money to spend on schools or that there is money but it's not wisely spent?"
Finnegan doesn't think increasing taxes to support schools will help. She believes the government needs to manage its money better, to be more fiscally responsible. Decentralizing the state Department of Education may be one solution that wouldn't cause a burden on taxpayers.
"I think that can make a large impact," she said. "Parents, teachers and administrators can come together and share ideas and work for a common cause. When you get ownership down to that level and get the community support and financial control, you're actually giving the power to the schools to make choices that are important to them."
She will also propose setting up a monthly adopt-a-school program, which would get the community more involved in directly helping its schools.
Keeping teachers at local public schools is a big concern for Cabreros, who plans to advocate any legislation that supports teachers, from pay raises to increased benefits. He believes the key to enhancing education in Hawai'i is to keep quality teachers in the schools.
"We want our kids to be prepared (after they graduate)," said Cabreros, 54, who lives in Aliamanu. "We have to ensure adequate training (for them), but at the same time have competent teachers there for them."
Cabreros proposes more education and awareness about drugs in the community, which is also concerned about drug use and drug-related crime. He would like to implement the Weed & Seed law-enforcement program, a community-based program that has been successful elsewhere.
"Drug problems are not just in Kalihi," Cabreros said. "Some kind of education program would be good (for this district). Kids need to be educated about drugs and their effects on their bodies. That's something we can do."
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