Colleen Hanabusa

Party: Democratic

Age: 58

Job: Attorney, Colleen Hanabusa, LLLC.

Born in Honolulu. In Hawaii from birth

Lives: Ko Olina

Web site: www.hanabusaforhawaii.com

Job history past 10 years:
1998-present, State of Hawaii, State Senator.

Ever run for public office? When? Outcome?
Yes, 1998, Elected to State Senate, 21st District.

Other civic experience or community service:
Pro Bono cases which affect the community I represent.

Anything else you'd like voters to know about you?
I have represented the 21st Dist. (Ko Olina, Nanakuli, Maili, Waianae and Makaha) for the past 10 years to fight the inequities that affect the Waianae Coast. I am a firm believer that we must provide the children with educational opportunities for all.

1) Why are you running for office?
I have had the honor and privilege of serving the 21st District for the past 10 years. While we have made great strides, there is still much more to do. I continue to believe that education -- which gives our children the necessary tools to be successful, along with a sense of pride and hope --is the future. We must recognize that employment opportunities are necessary to the survival of all.

2) With state revenue growth slowing, what are your top three priorities for government spending?
Education, Health, and Human Services.

3) What steps should the state take to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuel?
The State must continue to evaluate how quickly we can increase our renewable energy requirements, and understand how we can realistically change our energy sources. We need an educational program to motivate consumers to do their part with a combination of solar energy and photovoltaic systems. The state can lead the way with changes to work schedules and operations to reduce energy demands.

4) What’s the No. 1 thing needed to improve Hawai’i public schools?
eWe need to recognize that "one shoe does not fit all." I believe the 21st District is a microcosm of the types of challenges education faces. Over these years, I have seen a complex be first to comply with the Felix Consent Decree and then be first to be restructured under NCLB. Each school has its unique problems and the solutions must also be unique.

5) How should the state respond to financial difficulties at public and private hospitals?
The States needs to first define what its appropriate role is in the provision of services in its public hospitals. It must understand what the State is doing or not doing which negatively impact the private hospitals. The Legislature is presently holding briefings statewide to gather information to address the problems with the public hospital system. The economic downturn is a factor.

6) What is the No. 1 quality-of-life issue facing Hawai'i, and what would you do about it?
Sustainability. Sustainability means different things to everyone. To me it means the abillity to watch one's grandchild be raised here your children. With the downturn in the economy, the rising cost of fossil fuels, our dependence on tourism, we must define the Hawaii of the future and it must be a sustainable one. The 2050 Task Force must be supported; and its process must be dynamic.

7) What’s the No. 1 piece of legislation you’d work to pass in 2009?
We need to pass legislation which significantly cuts the Hawaii's dependence on goods and services from elsewhere which we can produce ourselves. It addition, the legislation must clealy chart the steps to a sustainable future.