Sesnita Moepono

Party: Democratic

Age: 59

Job: Attorney: Wills, Trust, Probate, represents elderly clients whose assets were stolen.

Born in Honolulu, HI.. In Hawaii from birth

Lives: Kamehameha Heights

Contact: 808 595-3137, ses@sesmoepono.com

Web site: www.sesmoepono.com

Job history past 10 years:
2008 - Chief of Staff/Staff Attorney for Senate WTL. 2007 - Chief of Staff/Staff Attorney for Senate JDL. 1998 - present - Law Offices of Sesnita A.D. Moepono.

Ever run for public office? When? Outcome?
2002-2006 State House of Representative - District 27 - unsuccessful.

Other civic experience or community service:
Liliha Neighborhood Board 29 - Chair - 3 terms, member - 6 years; Honolulu Committee on Aging, Chair; Kupuna Caucus; Kunawai Neighborhood Watch; Puunui Nikkei Jin Kai, Honolulu Planning Commission.

Anything else you'd like voters to know about you?
&Born & raised in District; Spouse: Charles "Austin" Fern, SSC-Hickam Elementary; children: Brooke & Alise Fern; Parents: Moses Anita Kong Moepono; Sister: Monita Brown - 37 yr DOE counselor/teacher.

1) Why are you running for office?
I live in and own the home my parents built. For 30 years I have served our community. I have seen crime increase and families moving out-of-state because of the cost of living. As Chief of Staff for the Senate JDL/WTL, I ensured passage of bills saving businesses $151 million (Act 110-2007) and protecting our elders against crimes. I have a proven track record of getting bills passed.

2) With state revenue growth slowing, what are your top three priorities for government spending?
(1) Stimulate our economy by (a) helping existing and new businesses (b)addressing our cost of living and making it affordable for us to live here, (c) encouraging self-sustainability; (2) Education – provide safe quality education in our public schools, benefits to attract and retain teachers, (3) Crime - fight against drugs, domestic violence, identity theft, gang violence.

3) What steps should the state take to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuel?
Continue tax credits for solar and photo-voltaic systems for existing and new homes. Support local research for alternative energy resources and businesses using this research. "Think out of the box" and create other incentives for residents to use alternative energy technology and transportation. Reduce work travel. Commit to the Second City in Kapolei and create more jobs there.

4) What's the No. 1 thing needed to improve Hawai'i public schools?
A high commitment to public school education, its teachers and students, that provides quality opportunities to all of our children. Provide incentives to attact and retain teachers. Support our teachers. Provide programs for a well rounded student in academics, sports & arts. Equip schools with resources for our children to excel, like up-to-date libraries, gyms, locker rooms and computers.

5) How should the state respond to financial difficulties at public and private hospitals?
We need to have a consortium of all public and private hospitals, government and residents that will work together to serve our community to solve their problems. Our state government needs to leverage its funds by taking federal monies that will ensure continued medical services. We need to recover federal money for medical services that the federal government requires us to provide.

6) What is the No. 1 quality-of-life issue facing Hawai'i, and what would you do about it?
Our cost of living impacted by our local and national economy. Because of the high cost of fuel and other fiscal disasters, our residents are losing jobs, homes, and their futures or are living with the threat of having their life altered. 1800 Aloha employees lost their jobs. Hawaii Bankruptcy is up 169%. Jobs are lost every month. This is real, we cannot ignore this, we must act now.

7) What's the No. 1 piece of legislation you'd work to pass in 2009?
Omnibus Bill that stimulates the economy, provides jobs now and in the future, supports existing industries to retain jobs, helps homeowners who have lost jobs to keep their homes, addresses our growing kupuna population, and develop new industries that are green friendly like elder care, alternative energy, agriculture, computer technology and others. We need a vibrant economy for our future.