George Thronas Jr.

Party: Nonpartisan

Age: 30

Job: Front Office Manager, Outrigger at Lae Nani.

Born in Lihu'e, Kaua'i. In Hawaii from birth

Lives: Kapa'a

Contact: 808 651-6419, georgethronasjr@gmail.com

Job history past 10 years:
1998-2000, Embassy Vacation Resorts Poipu, Owner Services. 2000-2001, Holiday Inn Sunspree, Front Desk. 2001-2002, PAHIO Resorts, Purchasing. 2002-2003, Outrigger at Lae Nani, Guest Service.

Ever run for public office? When? Outcome?
First Time Candidate.

Other civic experience or community service:
Kamehameha Festivals Floral Parade, Kauai - Participant/Judge. Kauai Mokihana Festival Participant. Aloha Festival, Participant.

Anything else you'd like voters to know about you?
I am committed to working for Kaua'i and the future.

1) Why are you running for office?
As a Kama'aina born and raised on my home of Kaua'i, I feel moved to live up to my Kuleana (responsibility) to take care of the Island and the it's people to ensure that our Keiki will have a place to call home and to make a future for generations to come. I would like to be a new voice, a voice of the younger generation and to help those who have gone ahead of us to make Kaua'i a sucess for all.

2) Should county government further boost tourism or invest in creating other types of jobs? Which jobs?
It is no secret that tourism has been our source of jobs for many years, we have relied heavily on this industry and it is now time to also create jobs that can bring in sources of income to this Island and the community. We need to support trade skills and Kaua'i made products and farming to help sustain a future for our job markets.

3) Do you support the late Mayor Baptiste's tax reform plan?
I do support our late Mayor's tax reform plan. I believe that our county's budget should determine the taxes that are being collected by the residents and businesses of Kaua'i. Accountability must be shown to the people so that they can see where and what the money is being used for and the benefits that all will and can receive from taxes.

4) How would you increase the availability of affordable housing?
I can't honestly say that I alone can do this task. This will take the efforts of all aspects of governments to get this done. We need to increase the cost of life here on Kaua'i by providing affordable housing based upon the economic market today. We, the county must move forward and take action to ensure that something is being done. I hope that a solution or a remdey will be found soon.

5) Would you support a ban on new gated communities and a moratorium on residential subdivision of agricultural land?
I would support a ban on gated communities, because there has been to many rights of the public that have been cut off. Shoreline access for one is an example, the way I look at it we all use the same water, electric, and public utilities why should a community be gated off and increase the cost of living for others surrounding it. We must protect our Agriculture lands.

6) Should Kaua'i consider a waste-to-energy plant to dispose of trash?
I believe a waste to energy plant is a good idea, but should not be our only solution to our solid waste problem here on the Island. We must also look at increasing recycling and reusing before burning our trash. I believe that we can be successful in reusing many of our waste, this is why I would support curbside recycling.

7) What is the No. 1 quality-of-life issue facing Kaua'i County, and what would you do about it?
Cost of living is a big concern for ALL or Majority of our residents, from young to old. So many families are struggling to make ends meet. We must stop the overgrowth and development of high end homes and concentrate on Planned growth so that we can sustain a liveable future for all of Kaua'i. We need to return to simplicity and caring for our Aina (land).

8) What's the No. 1 initiative you would pursue in 2009?
My first initiative to pursue would be to remedy the traffic and congestion here on Kaua'i. To increase our public transportation for our residents and provide more accessibilty for all residents, by offering shuttle service to the less populated areas to get to mainline stops. I would also like to see more increase in service to our resorts to allow visitors to utilize the public transportaion.