Faye Hanohano

Party: Democratic

Age: 55

Job: State House of Representative - Dist. 4 (2006 to present).

Born in Hilo Hawaii. In Hawaii from birth

Lives: Pahoa

Contact: (808) 640-6839, fhanohano@yahoo.com

Job history past 10 years:
Retired Administrative Lieutenant - Kulani Correctional Facility - (1982-2006). Former UPW State Secretary/Treasurer - (2003-2006). Unit 10 - Negotiator (2004).

Ever run for public office? When? Outcome?
Yes, 2006, won the seat.

Other civic experience or community service:
Kamehameha Alumni - Mamalahoe Chapter HI Life membership. Hwy. 130 Advisory board member. VOG Special Legislative Committee.

1) Why are you running for office?
My work experience has given me many opportunities to enhance my administrative, leadership, and negotiating skills. I am proud and humbled to have represented my constituents of District 4. I have worked collaboratively with my colleagues, County, State and Federal legislators and also the departments and agencies to make important improvements for all residents. I am committed to the work ahead.

2) With state revenue growth slowing, what are your top three priorities for government spending?
1 - Protecting our environment while preserving our cultural values and rural lifestyle; 2 - Improving health care services; 3 - Improving public education.

3) What steps should the state take to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuel?
Encourage more usage of public transit, bicycling, and walking. I would support and introduce legislative bills and resolutions that use our natural resources - solar, wind, ocean waves, and expand geothermal.

4) What’s the No. 1 thing needed to improve Hawai’i public schools?
We need to support legislation to amend the State Constitution to repeal the Expenditure Controls, Article VII, Section 5, which controls the State's expenditures by creating an expenditure ceiling and prohibits the State from spending the monies needed to invest in public education.

5) How should the state respond to financial difficulties at public and private hospitals?
We need to conduct an "accurate" audit of the public and private hospitals financial situation. The state needs to re-examine the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation (HHSC) financial situation and the financial "systems" that are currently being used by each hospital.

6) What is the No. 1 quality-of-life issue facing Hawai'i, and what would you do about it?
Preserving our cultural values and rural lifestyle and focusing on health care services is an important issue. We need to build healthy communities and make health care more affordable. I would introduce legislation that would recruit more primary care doctors in rural areas.

7) What’s the No. 1 piece of legislation you’d work to pass in 2009?
I would consider the elimination or reduction of the General Excise Tax on food and medical. We should also reduce or simplify the regulatory burden for business, especially as technological advances increase the ability of government and business to operate more efficiently and cost effectively. Policies that reduce the cost of government will reduce the tax burden on all people in Hawaii.