Calvin Say

Party: Democratic

Age: 57

Job: President, Kotake Shokai (importer/ distributor). Secretary, Tokyo Bento Nichiyo (food distributor).

Born in Honolulu. In Hawaii from birth

Lives: Palolo

Contact: 847-3926 (Kotake Shokai), calvinsay@hotmail.com

Job history past 10 years:
Same as above.

Ever run for public office? When? Outcome?
First ran for State House in 1974, but was unsuccessful. Ran successfully in 1976 for State House, and have been re-elected ever since.

Other civic experience or community service:
Hong Kong Business Association, Kaimuki Professional and Business Association, Pacific Rim Foundation, Palolo Community Council, Palolo Lions Club, St. Louis Heights Community Association.

Anything else you'd like voters to know about you?
My wife, Cora, is a public school teacher. We have two sons, Geoffrey and Jared, who are in their 20s. I graduated from St. Louis High and the University of Hawaii with a bachelor's in education.

1) Why are you running for office?
I want to serve the community and State to the best of my ability, especially now that the economy is faltering. I had served as Finance Committee Chair during the economic problems in the mid-90s and as Speaker during the economic crisis after 9/11. Those experiences, combined with my fiscal conservatism and business background, should be useful in addressing the present economic downturn.

2) With state revenue growth slowing, what are your top three priorities for government spending?
(1) Maintain public health and safety; (2) Improve or maintain the quality of public higher and lower education; (3) Approve construction spending as a counter-cyclical strategy for the short-term.

3) What steps should the state take to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuel?
I would continue to promote renewable energy development by: (1) Expediting and streamlining the permit approval process; (2) Encouraging or mandating utility companies to use more electricity from renewable energy generators; (3) Encouraging flex-fuel or hybrid motor vehicles. Energy conservation also must be promoted. That is the easiest and quickest way to reduce dependence on fossil fuel.

4) What's the No. 1 thing needed to improve Hawai'i public schools?
I would support qualified and dedicated public school teachers to the extent possible. They are the foundation upon which a quality public education system rests. They must be provided with adequate pay, good working conditions, and the respect they deserve. Within the Department of Education, public school teachers should have priority over administration and non-instructional activities.

5) How should the state respond to financial difficulties at public and private hospitals?
For public hospitals, I would support identifying the "safety net" of services actually needed by residents. Public hospitals should provide only those services, with reliance on private hospitals to provide services beyond the "safety net". For private and public hospitals, I would support efforts to divert long-term care patients from hospitals to nursing facilities and home care.

6) What is the No. 1 quality-of-life issue facing Hawai'i, and what would you do about it?
At present, the No. 1 quality-of-life issue seems to be the high cost of living. To address the problem, I would work to prevent the further downturn of the economy and loss of jobs, avoid tax increases, and hold the line on government spending. I also would continue working towards long-term solutions to reduce or limit the costs of health care, energy, and housing.

7) What's the No. 1 piece of legislation you'd work to pass in 2009?
I would work to pass an executive budget bill that is balanced yet provides sufficient resources for public health and safety and public education, without imposing new taxes on residents or businesses. This is a mundane answer, but passing such a bill will be more difficult than people realize. Doing so will be a major accomplishment requiring much work by the Legislature and Administration.