All issues facing the 2nd Congressional District are important. Having to highlight one, in particular, I would have to address affordable housing.

The federal government's abandonment of affordable housing programs to shift to homeownership programs instead led to the increased number of homeless individuals and families, and families living in poverty. In Hawai'i's 2nd Congressional District, homelessness is a pandemic and poverty a fact of life. The majority of Hawai'i's resident and nonresident transplant homeless population takes comfort in poverty-stricken cities.

Although targeted state and local government-funded housing (transitional and low-income rentals) programs are being implemented, the challenge of diminishing poverty remains the underlying problem. Therefore, it is incumbent of Congress to (1) provide housing-related resources to state and local municipalities and (2) task FEMA and HUD with the responsibility of creating, implementing, evaluating and adjusting federal affordable housing programs to be mandated by an act of Congress.

Withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq is a priority. To ensure a seamless transition, Congress must demand a comprehensive, achievable withdrawal timetable from the Department of Defense.

To effectively improve public education, the mandates of the NCLB Act require 100 percent funding from Congress. Notwithstanding, there are sections, i.e. teacher certification, warranting amendments.

Congress should rightfully recognize Native Hawaiians as an indigenous people. Such act of Congress will enable the perpetuation of the Hawaiian culture "Aloha Spirit" and programs.

I join O'ahu residents in supporting a rail system. As Congressman, I will seek adequate federal funding for Hawai'i' s public transportation needs.

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I believe the most important issue is how we manage growth and its related problems and opportunities, in order to maintain a quality of life that keeps Hawai'i a special and unique place in our hearts.

Concerns over inadequate infrastructure, traffic congestion and affordable housing are tied into government's ability to keep up with economic growth.

As your congressman, I will make it my highest priority to work with the state and county governments to ensure that federal monies are there for roads and schools when needed.

It's not about building houses, but creating communities we can call home.

"We should withdraw all combat troops when a plan is in place that ensures a stable and secure Iraq — with the advice of field commanders."

"Amend the act to require all states to report their results identically. Loopholes and inefficiencies in the current law reward nonperformance. Our taxpayers deserve better."

"Yes, because it's just and fair. The U.S. is woefully behind in its responsibility and obligations to the Hawaiian people. I'll push this issue hard."

"Yes to both. Mass transit will:

• Mitigate traffic congestion increases.

• Focus future growth on existing urban cores and help keep 'the country country.' "

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Equity and fairness. The 2nd Congressional is rural O'ahu and the Neighbor Islands. Each area is unique and deserves a representative who recognizes its respective priorities.

No single issue transcends this very diverse district. Clearly, there's a need to be treated equally and fairly with urban Honolulu.

While urban Honolulu debates spending $3 billion on some form of rail transit, there is no real mass transit on the Neighbor Islands. How will the elderly get around and live independent lives?

Legislation must address the issues of each area, not a single issue for all the 2nd Congressional.

"U.S. should withdraw troops by the end of 2007 as proposed by General Casey. Who defines a stable Iraq? Safety of our troops is paramount."

"NCLB is not improving public education when it demoralizes students and teachers. At minimum, it must be amended to address the uniqueness of Hawai'i."

"The federal government should recognize a Native Hawaiian governing entity with political status. Otherwise, Native Hawaiian programs will continue to be challenged and threatened."

"I support traffic solutions for rural O'ahu that will provide mass transit that the people will actually use. I will seek funding for it."

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People born and raised here need to have affordable housing, jobs that pay a living wage, and the chance to raise their families in the communities in which they grew up. Is there a place for local people in the 21st century? I pledge to support federal legislation that strengthens the abilities of working families to stay in Hawai'i if they choose; higher minimum wages; better affordable housing programs; protecting Social Security and private pension earned through a lifetime of labor.

"U.S. troops have performed superbly. It's time to bring them home as soon as practicable. The Iraqi people must assume responsibility for governing their country."

"I support the NCLB objectives of standards-based education, but Hawai'i and other states need more federal funding to meet the act's requirements."

"Federally funded Hawaiian education, health and other programs must by preserved and strengthened. It is our obligation to the native people of this former kingdom."

"I will support delegation efforts for mass transit federal funding. But we must also address congestion in rural O'ahu and the Neighbor Islands."

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The most important long-term issue is education. Our aspirations as individuals and our collective well-being rest on a quality educational system. The No Child Left Behind Act, with its focus on testing and labeling of schools as failing, is not the answer. The focus should be on improving student learning. Therefore, I support Head Start and expanding the availability and affordability of preschools. Federal support for recruiting, training and retaining qualified teachers is a priority because a caring, competent, qualified teacher in the classroom is key to student learning. I would work with the Department of Education, Legislature and other stakeholders toward real educational reform.

"We should bring our troops home as soon as it can be done safely."

"No, it is a massive underfunded mandate that hurts student learning by forcing teachers to focus only on standardized tests. I would repeal it."

"Yes. I support the Akaka bill. I also support legislation such as that proposed by Senator Inouye to ensure that all programs we have currently can continue."

"Yes, and I would support funding to ease the transportation problems throughout the 2nd Congressional District."

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The most important issue here is also a national issue: access to affordable, quality healthcare. This is something all Americans, regardless of location or income level, deserve.

The 2nd Congressional District is rural; 60 percent is on the Neighbor Islands, the balance in the outlying areas of O'ahu. We must seek federal funding for a comprehensive statewide air ambulance service so that the people of our district can have adequate access to quality emergency care just like the folks who live in urban Honolulu. We must put seniors ahead of the pharmaceutical companies, and ultimately make quality affordable healthcare available for all Americans.

"We must begin now to withdraw our troops and end our role as an occupying force. Stabilization must be led by the Iraqis with international support."

"No, it isn't. We need to repeal (NCLB) or fully fund it, ensure greater accountability and allow states the option of participating or not."

"Yes. The Akaka bill was a step in that direction. I will work to have it or similar initiatives enacted in consultation with Native Hawaiians."

"Yes. High fuel costs hurt working families. A comprehensive public transportation system is good for people, the environment, for land use planning and tourism."

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The challenges facing working families in Hawai'i's 2nd District are more critical than they've ever been. In terms of wages, affordable housing, rising healthcare costs and record-high gas and electricity prices, working families are the ones getting squeezed.

I will support reforms to the tax code that currently favors the wealthiest Americans. I will help sustain small businesses with federal loans and incentive programs. I will offer legislation to shift our energy sources away from oil and toward renewable sources. I will address rising healthcare costs through legislation that offers incentives to businesses to adopt healthy workplaces and offers individuals insurance discounts for lifestyle improvement services.

"We need a time line for troop withdrawal that acknowledges the political realities there, that gets our troops out of harm's way, and that respects the Iraqis who must rebuild their country."

"While the intent behind the law is admirable, the one-size-fits-all approach has imposed too many unfunded mandates and too little flexibility. We need some changes to the provisions for testing standards and sanctions that recognize differences. "

"The federal government needs to adopt legitimate recognition for Native Hawaiians as they have for Native Americans and Native Alaskans. Anything less is an affront to those who originally settled these islands."

"We must improve our transportation infrastructure on O'ahu with short-term and long-term solutions that will maximize assistance from the federal government, including a rail system."

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Public education is the biggest and most critical problem facing the 2nd Congressional District and the entire state. For Hawai'i to be competitive in the Asia-Pacific market and around the world, we need to establish a differential advantage for the state by creating a more highly educated workforce than those with whom we compete.

The ability to diversify our economy and attract investment to our state will depend on how good a job we do in delivering quality public education to our young people.

Aside from the business and economic issues, Hawai'i needs an educated population to provide the wherewithal for our state to function effectively at every level.

Knowledgeable, capable leaders come from a strong public education system. We will need such leaders in all sectors, private, public and nonprofit, if we are going to maintain and attain the quality of life the people of Hawai'i deserve. Our children and future generations will depend on the strong educational foundation we are striving to establish today.

"An orderly withdrawal within a reasonable time frame will encourage the Iraqis to take responsibility for their future, stop the loss of American lives, and enable the reallocation of billions of dollars that are badly needed here at home."

"(Amend and fund NCLB because it's) inflexible ... underfunded ... relies too heavily on standardized testing and ... (forces schools to divert money to) services of questionable value.

"(Yes.) Beginning with recognition of Native Hawaiians as an indigenous people. This recognition should also come with an acknowledgement that as an indigenous group ... they are entitled to affirmative action benefits."

"Rail represents the best option for several reasons ... rail operates on electricity ... Rail is cleaner, quieter and faster for commuters ... (it can increase capacity) more quickly than bus systems."

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The lack of transportation infrastructure to keep pace with growth is creating gridlock from Kapa'a to Kane'ohe to Kona. The solution is to procure federal funding for roads in close consultation with local communities.

The congressperson from Hawai'i's 2nd Congressional District must be able to work with all state, county and federal officials and have a track record of bringing home resources for their home district. It's easy to get distracted by other issues or priorities, but my first priority will be to bring money home for roads so that people can spend time with their families, not their cars.

"This war hurts America and costs $250 million per day. I support Representative Murtha's plan to reduce troop levels immediately (to) help stabilize the situation."

"It's a disastrous law. It punishes good schools and teachers, and sets up public education to fail. It should be radically changed and fully funded."

"Hawaiian recognition is paramount. Since the Akaka bill died, we mustn't rush into a new approach without consulting kupuna and formulating a new, effective strategy."

"I support fully funding rail, because it will alleviate traffic pressure and help working people to spend more time with their families."

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Threats to our nation, large and small, long term and short term, abound. Choices for action also abound, but I note the fiasco in Iraq as my choice for initial action. Iraq is a true cancer on our nation. It kills our young people and makes new enemies for our children and grandchildren. It bankrupts our national spirit and it bleeds our national resources. It was ill-advised. I opposed it from the beginning, and I am sad to say that I was right. Congressmen who continue to try to cover up their errors in Iraq are hurting our country. We have to leave now, and then move forward to build up human cooperation and understanding. It can be done. We need real faith.

The Iraq "Fiasco" is wrong and it hurts America every day. It also makes us less safe every day. If we love our nation, we leave within six months.

It helped by clarifying reading and math levels. Now we need creative funding. Money for mock hotel industry reservation centers, money for at risk students to learn construction trades by repairing state parks bathrooms, fixing vacant public housing units, etc.ÊSchool-government cooperation saves taxpayer money.

"All Hawaiians should register to vote in this election and gain real sovereignty by having a representative government that meets all of our needs."

Yes to rail. Yes to federal funding. Yes to changing our transportation habits. No to double decked highways that blight our beautiful islands. Times change. So must we.

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Among the myriad important issues in the 2nd Congressional District, providing good infrastructure in these times of economic growth and expansion is the most vital. As I campaign around the district, people tell me that they expect a well-planned environment, good schools, affordable housing, safe neighborhoods, uncongested roads and economic opportunity. I live in the district, and I wholeheartedly agree. In Congress, I will specifically seek to appropriate federal assistance to enhance local resources, working together with the federal, state and county governments and local stakeholders to achieve a positive outcome.

"I support our troops and our mission. We're the good guys, and must fulfill our commitment to liberty, freedom and democracy."

"Yes, our local public schools need improvement, but the federal government should not be trying to micromanage them. NCLB should be amended."

"I support Gov. Lingle's goal of federal recognition, but flaws in the Akaka bill must be resolved, and Hawai'i's voters should have the final say."

"I voted against the tax increase. I believe HOT lanes are the most economical, efficient means of rapid transit. Yes, I will seek federal funding."

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The most important political issue facing the 2nd Congressional District and all Hawai'i is our lack of representation with the leadership in Washington. It is essential to Hawai'i's future that we bring balance to our congressional representation. Hawai'i's concerns must be addressed by the leadership of Congress. That is why it's so important to have a Republican in our congressional delegation. Hawai'i can't afford to be shut out of decisions made by the House leadership. The immediate solution is to elect a young moderate Republican to represent Hawai'i in today's Congress and maintain the minority senior status with Sen. Inouye in the U.S. Senate.

"We must continue the effort to place a stable government in Iraq. I will not support a 'cut and run' strategy."

"No Child Left Behind is a bold initiative using accountability to improve education across America, but it must be amended to account for Hawai'i's inherent and unique differences."

"It's a simple matter of fairness to recognize Hawaiians as the indigenous native people of Hawai'i just as Native Americans are recognized across the U.S."