Mazie Hirono

Party: Democratic

Age: 62

Job: United States Congresswoman.

Born in Fukushima, Japan. In Hawaii since 1955, arrived from Japan

Lives: Wai'alae

Contact: 808-592-0100, johnwhite808@gmail.com

Web site: www.mazieforcongress.com

Job history past 10 years:
Lieutenant Governor, Hawaii.

Ever run for public office? When? Outcome?
Yes, 2002, Governor - L; 1994, 1998 Lieutenant Governor, W; 1980 - 1984 State House of Representatives - W.

1) Why are you running for office?
I have a longstanding commitment to public service and understand the importance of listening to others and applying commonsense progressive solutions to the challenges we face. I am working to invest in renewable energy, preserve our environment, fix the economy, ensure every child has access to quality early education, and end the war in Iraq.

2) Should the U.S. set a timetable for withdrawal from Iraq? Explain.
I strongly oppose the War in Iraq. Our nation was misled into war by the Bush Administration, with devastating consequences for our international standing, our economy, our ability to invest in domestic priorities like education, healthcare, and the environment and the needless loss of life. We need a strategy to end the war in Iraq including a timetable for bringing our troops home safely.

3) Should the federal government impose stricter fuel- and energy-efficiency standards on cars, appliances, etc.?
In Congress, I voted for a comprehensive energy package that set higher fuel economy standards for automobiles and stronger energy efficiency standards for lighting and for residential and commercial appliances equipment. With energy efficiency must come increased investment in renewable energy R&D. We must work to make renewables an increasing share of our energy supply.

4) How would you get affordable health care to more Americans?
There are some immediate actions we can take such as providing full quality health insurance to more children, preventing further cutbacks in Medicare reimbursements to doctors, and allowing bulk purchasing for prescription drugs. In the long run, we need to restructure our health care system to focus more on primary care.

5) Do you support the restriction that only U.S.-flagged cargo and passenger ships may serve Hawai'i? Why?
I support the proposed interpretive rule on the Passenger Vessel Services Act that requires foreign flagged vessels stop at a foreign port of call as required in the law. Both the foreign-flagged and U.S.-flagged ships should continue to stop in Hawaii, but I do not believe it is fair to ignore the intent of the law to the detriment of U.S.-flagged vessels, which must comply with higher standards.

6) Do you support a Native Hawaiian recognition bill?
Yes. I believe Native Hawaiians deserve the same rights of self determination as Alaska Natives and American Indians. I am a cosponsor of HR 505, the Native Hawaiian Government and Reorganization Act, which has passed the House and is pending in the Senate.

7) What changes, if any, would you make to the No Child Left Behind education law?
As a member of the Committee on Education and Labor I am advocating for major changes to the law. We must allow states to implement a growth model to give credit for progress over time, recognize the critical importance and relevance of subjects such as arts and sciences, and revamp testing that stifles creativity, forcing schools to prepare for a single test that diminishes overall learning.

8) What's the No. 1 piece of legislation you'd work to pass in 2009?
As the lead sponsor of the PRE-K Act which provides state grants for high quality preschool, I will continue to push for its passage. Research and studies have shown the importance of quality early education in a child's success in school and in life. These studies also show that every dollar invested on quality early education saves us many dollars more in saved long-term costs.