2018 Primary Election Candidates

Click to select a candidate

Name on ballot:

RADKE, Mo

Running for:

State House

District (if applicable):

Political party:

Democrat

Campaign website:

moradke.com

Current occupation:

Director of Intruction

Age:

Previous job history:

Currently: Professional Golfers Association of America (PGA) Director of Instruction - U.S. Department of Labor Transition facilitator. Past: U.S. Navy

Previous elected office, if any:

Currently: Kaneohe Neighborhood Board - 3 consecutive terms Kaneohe Bay Regional Council, 2 consecutive terms (appointed by Hawaii State Senate)

What qualifies you to represent the people of Hawaii?

Our unique place requires unique leadership. Culture, sense of place, work/life quality of life and Aloha are a few of the everyday characteristics the people of Hawaii deserve. Those characteristics are part of my daily existence. My brand is about efficiency and effectiveness. I like people to work smarter, not harder. I promote efficient use of time during community meetings where issues are presented and discussed where innovative thought processes are encouraged. I promote effectiveness in that status quo is sometimes not the best way to accomplish something and we seek different solutions. I am a lifelong learner so, to me, there's usually a smarter way to do something. And over the years, I've found that without drastic improvements to an entire system, there may be a smarter way but it may not be practical to implement the new idea until the time is right. In terms of service to my community, county, state and nation, the following applies:
7 years service to Kāne‘ohe as Member and Chair of Kāne‘ohe Neighborhood Board
4 years service to Windward O‘ahu as a Member of the Kāne‘ohe Bay Regional Council
10 years service to O‘ahu and Hawai‘i as member and past president of Rotary Club
10 years service as a master trainer for the U.S. Department of Labor Transition Assistance Program
12 years service to combat-wounded veterans providing golf coaching and special training
30 years service in the United States Navy
40 years of gratifying service over self

What are the top three challenges facing the voters you seek to represent?

The ability to make a livable wage and raise a family in these islands. The is a plan to raise the minimum wage to $15 hr. by 2021. Do the math - It's not enough. I'm not even sure $20 hr. is enough with the cost of living here. Providing a livable wage is going to be a delicate balance between what a small business can afford to pay, the rising cost of health care, the increasing desire for fewer employees and more automation.
The number of seniors in this district is high and we need to be extra-mindful of the services necessary to ensure their ability to thrive are maintained and improved.
In my walks around the neighborhoods and talking with residents, people are very disappointed with scofflaws. From cheating on Temporary Vacation Rentals, to parking boats on public streets, to aerial fireworks or un-permitted development. Residents are inflamed that enforcement is so haphazard and then when enforcement techniques are finally used, they are heavy-handed and miss the mark of the issue at hand. We

If elected, what will be your highest legislative priority?

Sorry - highest legislative priority is plural for me and I'm capable of working on more than one challenge at a time.

Unmitigated development
Like many other ahupua‘a, Kāne‘ohe and Kailua are unique in a variety of ways and are also very separate Cosmopolitan living and a rural feel are intertwined. Development is needed in some areas, and in others, it needs to be left alone. So, here goes; Developers are focused on development. Good developers are focused on development as a dance with their partners; those partners being the community and the ‘aina. We sometimes mistake community uproar for NIMBYism (Not in my backyard) when we’re actually speaking for the ‘aina because we are essentially the voice of the land. With better developed plans that carefully consider cultural practices, water, need for places to live, agriculture, and more efficient infrastructure for homes and business, will we better value the scarceness and richness of the little space we have left. I will help community groups and developers find the “sweet spot” so that what is planned can serve us now and our keiki sustainably into the future.

Affordable housing & options
My vision for affordable housing is simple and efficient. I would endeavor to change the face of government housing from drab, inefficient and outdated to sustainable award-winning designs, a living place imbued with a sense of place and culture . . . a community gathering place, a place that residents would be proud to live and care for and neighbors would like live next to. To execute this idea, I would facilitate a collaborative effort between the state and the counties, to come together and designate land for affordable housing and properly fund the development and construction with cultural consultants, expert builders, quality-grade materials, ample infrastructure, smart streets and play areas. Using this model will better support housing starts to increase the housing inventory of low to mid-range income Hawaii family’s seeking home ownership and the opportunity to remain in Hawai‘i to raise their families.

Creating a culture of effective and efficient change leadership
Government agencies are funded by tax dollars of constituents. I believe as an appointed, elected or otherwise employed public official, it is a moral obligation to use those tax dollars efficiently and effectively and be accountable to those who pay those taxes. Our senior executives in state and local governments have the duty to ensure they and their directors are operating efficiently and effectively and to either praise or better direct those efforts accordingly. We have some of the best leaders in state and local government who work tirelessly to perform to the best of their abilities but when that honest effort is hamstrung by outdated or inefficient processes, it’s time for change. As an elected representative, accountable to the people of my district, I will not condone “marginal performance” as an acceptable result from my constituents’ tax dollar. I will be a vocal advocate and praise those who exceed basic standards of performance and a champion for those who either need or want additional training to improve their processes.

If elected, what can you do to improve the lives of your constituents?

I'm a connector. I will connect communities to processes and make sure the best and the brightest are combined with the cultural and ancestral to make sure our future is sustainable, resilient and pono.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?

As a former Navy Chief, I do not shy away from tough issues. I use the resources all around me and share accomplishments with those willing to step up and kokua. I've never been interested in taking credit but love to share it.