Todd Apo

Party: Nonpartisan

Age: 42

Job: Honolulu City Council, District 1

Born in Brawley, CA. In Hawaii since 1968, arrived from California

Lives: Kapolei

Contact: 781-7761, todd@toddapo.com

Web site: www.toddapo.com

Job history past 10 years:
Ko Olina Community Association, VP Corporate Operations, since 2001. Starn O'Toole, attorney, 1997-2001.

Ever run for public office? When? Outcome?
Yes, just once. Elected to the City Council in 2004

Other civic experience or community service:
Board of Directors for: Special Olympics Hawaii, Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation, College Connections Hawaii; Administrator of Ko Olina Charities, a non-profit corporation.

1) Why are you running for office?
I have had the privilege of serving West Oahu for the past four years and am excited abou the chance to continue that service. I entered elected office in 2005 with no previous experience, and have found great potential for helping our district and island move forward through numerous issues. I will continue to address the top issues facing our community and bring about real solutions.

2) Do you support the city's rail transit plan? If not, what alternative do you support?
Yes. Rail transit is a real solution for the transportation infrastrucutre needed for the future of West Oahu. If we are to continue growth, we must have real traffic soIutions. I have examined numerous alternatives. None provide the the kind of solution that rail can provide. I look forward to the November vote on the issue and will continue to push for the City to this project right.

3) Should the city extend/expand the Waimanalo Gulch landfill? How else should the city deal with its solid waste?
We do not need a new landfill. Nor do we need to expand our existing landfill, which has been ordered to close in late 2009. We must focus on coverting more waste to energy. In today's economy, it's a no-brainer. Shipping waste is a necessary gap measure to prevent the burying of more waste in Waimanalo Gulch or trying to locate a new landfill. No community needs to be burdened this impact.

4) What role should the city play in helping homeless people who are moved out of public parks and beaches?
Provide truly affordable rental housing. The City, through it's land use policies, must facilitate the private development of affordable rentals. The State has provided emergency and transitional shelters. They are only transitional if people have a place to transition to. Affordable rental units are the first step towards these individuals moving towards market units and home ownership.

5) With revenues in decline, should the city increase property tax rates or cut programs? Be specific.
We must comply with the federal mandates. We must also continue to push for environmentally sensitive solutions that do not unnecessarily burden the City's financial capabilities, through continued discussions with the EPA. We are still playing catchup with past maintenance that was defered. We must fix these issues today, as it will cost us more in fines and repair if we continue to wait.

6) What is the No. 1 quality-of-life issue facing O'ahu, and what would you do about it?
Traffic. Especially for West Oahu residents, traffic takes away time from our families and friends. Shortening commuting times, creating more jobs where people live, and providing true transportation alternatives are necessities for all of our residents. I will continue to push for the mass transit solution, the UH West Oahu campus, and other transportation solutions to improve our lives.

7) What's the No. 1 initiative you would pursue in 2009?
Real improvements to the City's land use policies and procedures. Our city could be much more effective in our efforts to insure the proper use of land. This means both areas that should be preserved and those that need to be developed. Transit Oriented Development will provide real home and job solutions, while preventing urban sprawl. More than ever, we must get this effort done right.