2018 Primary Election Candidates

Click to select a candidate

Name on ballot:

IWASA, Natalie

Running for:

Honolulu City Council

District (if applicable):

Political party:

Does not apply/Nonpartisan race

Campaign website:

www.NatalieIwasa.com

Current occupation:

CPA and Certified Fraud Examiner

Age:

50ish

Previous job history:

30 years of experience in public and private accounting. Started own CPA firm in 2003.

Previous elected office, if any:

Hawaii Kai Neighborhood Board since 2012. Chair from July 2016 – January 2018.

What qualifies you to represent the people of Hawaii?

As a CPA and Certified Fraud Examiner, I will bring a much-needed skill set to the council and be able to analyze and interpret budgets and other financial information.

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

Homelessness. While the point in time count for the homeless population has gone down in the state, it has gone up in District 4. During the past decade or so, band-aid policies have been implemented that merely move homeless from one spot to another. This isn’t working. What we need is a multi-faceted approach.

A good first step is to focus on helping those people who are homeless as a result of severe mental illness. In addition, I continue to support housing first and partnerships with nonprofit organizations that provide services and assistance to the homeless population.

High cost of housing. Younger families have a difficult time saving for down payments, while older adults are living on fixed incomes and have a hard time paying increasing taxes and sewer and water fees. As a result, multi-generational housing is the norm. I will carefully analyze proposed policies for potential unintended consequences that hurt local families as well as look for efficiencies in the way government runs and taxpayer money is spent, so that we can reduce the overall burden on residents.

In addition, I would like to see affordable housing in all of Kakaako. This would increase the supply of housing, and more people could move into town, closer to jobs.

Rail. When we voted on rail in 2008, the cost was estimated to be about $4 billion. It is now more than double that, but no one knows for sure how much it will cost. The section from Middle Street to Ala Moana will be the most difficult and therefore most expensive. That contract has not yet been put out to bid.

Rail is taking resources from other programs and city services. I support stopping at Middle Street and increasing and improving bus service, then redirecting our limited budget to more pressing needs. I support ride hailing and ride sharing services. I also support a forensic investigation of rail costs.

If elected, what will be your highest legislative priority?

We can have the best programs and best policies, but if they are not properly funded or money is wasted, they will not be successful. This is why my highest priority will be to review the real property system, special funds and usage of sewer fees and expenditures as well as selection and award processes for all city grants and propose changes to improve efficiencies and fairness.

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

Make sure tax dollars are not wasted.

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

I have not taken, nor will I take, donations from special interest groups and am only obligated to serve the residents of Oahu. In addition, I pledge to honor the letter and spirit of the U.S. Code of Ethics from 1958.