Rida Cabanilla Arakawa

Party: Democratic

Age: 59

Job: Legislator-State of Hawaii; Lieutenant Colonel-US Army Reserves

Born in Philippines. In Hawaii since 1970, arrived from Ilocos sur, Philippines

Contact: 808 779-3655, majorcabanilla@aol.com

Job history past 10 years:
Legislator 2004-present; US Army Officer 1986-present; RN-1977-present.

Ever run for public office? When? Outcome?
2004- House won

Anything else you'd like voters to know about you?
I work hard and very dedicated to the mission at hand. I am very honest and straight forward. I do make promises that I may not be able to deliver. I want to work on solutions to reduce homelessnes

1) What qualifies you to be a member of the state House?
I am educated. Wide array of experiences in life. Able to work with people.

2) What do you feel is the biggest problem facing your district and what would you do about it?
Schools, especially Camphell is so crowded. We need to build another High School. We are a bedroom community that is rapidly growing. We need reliable tranvel avenues to our jobs which is mostly in Waikiki, downtown, and in military bases.

3) How would you have voted on House Bill 444, the civil unions bill? Explain.
I saw it as a civil contract between two people and not necessarily of the same sex. It is not marriage. It gives parity in legal entitlements to same sex people. Heterosexual couples also can benefit from it-they can extend benefits to their children outside of marriage. Benefits can be transferred within families-like mother and daughter. I did not see it as a violation of any scriptures in

4) How can the state help the city address the problem of homelessness?
We can return those individuals that want to return to their place of origin-so we can conserve our limited resourses to our people. Majority of homeless people can not be trained to go to work because of mental illness, drug addiction, or just have mental challenges. We need to have safe zones or overnight camps for them for those who cannot or will not be accommodated in shelters.

5) What is your stance on increasing the general excise tax to balance the budget and/or fund needed programs?
No. but we should increase the sales tax.

6) What is your stance on gambling?
I can agree on off shore gambling to reduce addiction to gambling. The locals should have limited access to the boat. The tourist should be allowed but limiting access to locals like once a month will let us keep our money here rather thatn them going to Vegas every three months. All the states in the mainland are able to fund their system through some form of gambling