Posted on: Thursday, September 9, 2004
Five seeking open seat on council
Advertiser Staff
The spotlight on the Honolulu City Council elections this year is on the 1st District, where five people are vying to fill an open seat.
The vacancy was created because Leeward Councilman Mike Gabbard is running for the U.S. House.
A two-person runoff is held at the general election if no candidate receives a majority of votes in the primary.
County elections are held on a nonpartisan basis.
Four council members are not up for election this year, as their terms expire in 2006. They are Donovan Dela Cruz (2nd, Wahiawa, North Shore), Charles Djou (4th, East Honolulu), Rod Tam (6th, Nu'uanu, Kaka'ako) and Gary Okino (8th, Pearl City, Waipi'o).
The Advertiser did not receive information from 1st District candidate James Manaku.
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Born: April 22, 1967 in Brawley, Calif. In Hawai'i since 1969. Job: VP corporate operations, Ko Olina Community Association. Lives: Kapolei. Experience: First-time candidate. Leeward O'ahu Transportation Management Assn. president. Workforce Development Council board. Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation board. Contact: 680-7660; Todd@toddapo.com; www.toddapo.com Why are you running for office? My skills and abilities can help solve the many significant issues facing West O'ahu. Would you vote for a tax increase to fund a rail transit system? Yes, if alternative funding sources cannot be found. We need long-term transportation solutions. If forced to choose, would you increase property taxes or reduce city services? We cannot cripple necessary services. We may need increased taxes if other efficiencies aren't found. What is the biggest quality-of-life issue facing O'ahu; what would you do? Traffic and transportation. I have new ideas and will actively pursue these with state and federal officials to bring solutions. What's the No. 1 piece of legislation you'd work to pass in 2005? Providing funding and city action for traffic and transportation solutions. |
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Born: May 3, 1974 in Honolulu. Job: Public access manager, Hawai'i state Legislature. Lives: Makaha. Experience: First-time candidate. Pacific Justice and Reconciliation Center sec'y/treas. DeVito/Verdi ad agency. Contact: 265-2397; Shane_H_Peters@hotmail.com Why are you running for office? It is time for fresh new ideas and a dynamic energy in government. If elected, I intend to be a strong advocate for our community; bringing results, not rhetoric. Would you vote for a tax increase to fund a rail transit system? No. We cannot burden the taxpayer with more taxes until we know that the system will be well-used and efficient. If forced to choose, would you increase property taxes or reduce city services? We cannot responsibly eliminate either possibility. Elected officials must examine all avenues, including a combination of both. What is the biggest quality-of-life issue facing O'ahu; what would you do? Economic development. We must nurture tourism as well as other industries. We must begin to invest our infrastructure in our residents, not just our visitors. What's the No. 1 piece of legislation you'd work to pass in 2005? A comprehensive island-wide recycling program to reduce solid waste. |
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Born: April 9, 1952 in Honolulu. Job: Partner in Aunty Betty's crafts. Lives: Ma'ili. Experience: Ran for Council 2002. Wai'anae Coast Neighborhood Board. O'ahu Resource Conservation and Development Council. Contact: 696-0208; CynthiaRezentes@aol.com Why are you running for office? The Leeward Coast needs someone who has the breadth of scope to be able to view large projects and programs from an overall viewpoint and deduce how to best approach those concerns while balancing quality of life issues. Would you vote for a tax increase to fund a rail transit system? It depends on the implementation and benefit versus cost ratio. If forced to choose, would you increase property taxes or reduce city services? Reduce city services as much as possible and only then increase property taxes. What is the biggest quality-of-life issue facing O'ahu; what would you do? Traffic appears to affect more than any others. There needs to be a concerted effort between the state, city and developers to develop a plan to address this issue. What's the No. 1 piece of legislation you'd work to pass in 2005? Resolution of the solid waste management needs for the island. |
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Born: May 19, 1955 in Honolulu. Job: Legislative aide to City Councilman Mike Gabbard. Lives: Nanakuli. Experience: Wai'anae Coast Neighborhood Board. Wai'anae vision team. Leeward Coast Beautification Ohana. Wai'anae Civilian Military Advisory Council. Contact: 271-1281; teruyapatty@aol.com Why are you running for office? I have lived in the district for over 27 years and believe that my community cannot continue to be a stepchild to other communities. Would you vote for a tax increase to fund a rail transit system? No. I would work with our congressional and state elected officials and private business to subsidize this cost. If forced to choose, would you increase property taxes or reduce city services? Neither, if the city focuses solely on core services that address public health/safety. What is the biggest quality-of-life issue facing O'ahu; what would you do? Traffic, I would look to form federal-state-private partnerships to improve or expand public transportation and to construct alternative travel routes. What's the No. 1 piece of legislation you'd work to pass in 2005? Prohibition against expanding/developing any new landfills in my district. |
