Jay Furfaro

Party: Nonpartisan

Age: 58

Job: Resort Manager with International business experience with Outrigger and Sheraton Hotels. Waianae High, Kapiolani CC system Hotel and Restaurant School. Makaha Inn Managment trainee. Currently retired.

Born in Waianae, Oahu (hometown). In Hawaii since 1957, arrived from worked/lived South Pacific Islands

Lives: Princeville

Contact: (808) 652-1550, jay@jayfurfaro.org

Web site: www.jayfurfaro.org

Job history past 10 years:
General Manager,Sheraton & Outrigger Hotels working and living in South Pacific, New Zealand, Rarotonga Cook Islands and French Polynesia 1996-2006. Currently a Hospitality Consultant self-employed.

Ever run for public office? When? Outcome?
Elected County Council at Large in 2002, 2004, 2006. Chair of Finance Committee. Was unsuccessful in House of Representatives race in 1998 a canoe district, that included Northshore Kauai/Haiku, Maui.

Other civic experience or community service:
Member 1999/2000 General Plan Commission. CZO Review Committee. Citizens Planning Commission. President Habitat Kauai. President Historical Society. Trustee Kauai Museum. Treasurer Salvation Army.

Anything else you'd like voters to know about you?
Jay's wife of 35 years is Ema Gomez, raised in Hanalei they have 3 daughters, Nicole, Jennifer and Marissa; a grandson Kale. The girls are all graduates of Kamehameha and the University of Hawaii.

1) Why are you running for office?
Kaua'i is my family's home for many generations, I offer a unique balance of management and fiscal skills that add to the composition of a 7 member Council. I will provide a nurturing exchange between potential new Councilmembers, citizens and government agencies. I strive to seek solutions and work towards achieving balance in what is going to be some difficult economic times for our community.

2) Should county government further boost tourism or invest in creating other types of jobs? Which jobs?
Any growth at all must require attentive oversight while improving on a quality process and control. I do beleive that agriculture is critical for Hawaii's future and the industry needs investment by government for water supply and management for food, potential fuel and sustainability in a global economy. Potential export opportunities may exist in the future. We must encourage alternative energy.

3) Do you support the late Mayor Baptiste's tax reform plan?
Only portions. Tax predictability is important to local homeownership. The process and data that we base our decisions on must support the financial viability and operational responsibility of the county in what will be some very difficult times. Major Capital Improvement must be well planned for at least a 5 year period and therefore a 5 year project tax cycle is needed in a tax revenue plan.

4) How would you increase the availability of affordable housing?
Acquire State lands for County affordable projects. Support town core developements in Lihue central that have current zoning in place. Invest bond monies and impact fees from new projects for water and sewer projects in exisiting plants to expand central capacities, transmission and storage. Explore the potential of 35 year mortgages with banking industries. Partner with self-help housing.

5) Would you support a ban on new gated communities and a moratorium on residential subdivision of agricultural land?
Yes, I do beleive that we can be better neighbors without gates. As much home rule as possible is important on this subject but we could be tested in court on private land owner rights and should be prepared to defend a county policy in federal court. Regarding agricultural lands, I would first support reducing density on open-zoned lands that currently allow more desity than agriculturally zoned.

6) Should Kaua'i consider a waste-to-energy plant to dispose of trash?
A central Material Recycle Facility (MRF) is urgent. We have budgeted for the start of curbside recycle in certain location. We must have a MRF that demostrates to us how much can we first divert from a landfill or a waste to energy plant actual cost effectiveness. $650,000 for design, $1,000,000 for land aquisition $4,500,000 for construction, $300,000 for permits. Let's go -- the next step MRF.

7) What is the No. 1 quality-of-life issue facing Kaua'i County, and what would you do about it?
Land use management and caring capacities are always at the top at many levels of government. Making government work better with a nurturing exchange of ideas is Mayor Baptiste's legacy. It is a concept that government must articulate ideas that encourage dialog so we restore trust and confidence in the community and government process so that more of our ohana realize their dreams an live Aloha.

8) What's the No. 1 initiative you would pursue in 2009?
Work on any and all programs that help reduce the economic cost of living no matter how small that saving might be. Some examples of that are: expand the bus system by 20% per year in a five-year plan. Encourage community gardens, participate fully in an energy sustainability plan. Promote greater development of bike path system. Retain and recruit more officers to to reduce loss prevention