2018 General Election Candidates
Name on ballot:
GATES, Cedric Asuega
Running for:
State House
District (if applicable):
District 44
Political party:
Democrat
Campaign website:
www.cedricgates.com
Current occupation:
State Representative
Age:
25
Previous job history:
Chairman Wai'anae Neighborhood Board, Intern in the Offices of Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, Former State Representative Karen Awana, and Councilwoman Kymberly Pine, Education Assistant at Makaha Elementary School, Chief Operating Officer of Active Hawai
Previous elected office, if any:
N/A
What qualifies you to represent the people of Hawaii?
I am a lifetime resident of the Wai’anae Coast. I have attended Kamaile Elementary, Wai’anae Intermediate, Wai’anae High School, YouthBuild Honolulu, and Leeward Community College. Prior to being elected in 2016, I have had the honor of serving on the Wai'anae Coast Neighborhood Board for 3 years and served as Chairman until 2016. As Chairman of the Wai’anae Coast Neighborhood Board, I received a wealth of knowledge from residents about the issues our community faces daily as well as the solutions to our most pressing issues. I served for over two years on the board of directors for the Wai’anae Coast Comprehensive Health Center, which is one of the largest employers on the Wai’anae Coast, and the only Health center on the Wai’anae Coast that is open 24/7. I have had the honor of working for U.S. Representative Tulsi Gabbard, former State Rep Karen Awana, and City Councilwoman Kymberly Marcos Pine. By working alongside other elected officials, I was able to gain valuable experience in various aspects and forms of government. Most importantly, I have learned how real progress is achieved. As a freshmen legislator, I have passed three momentous pieces of legislation and have been able to secure millions of dollars for District 44's most pressing issues including homelessness, traffic and education.
Community Achievements & Recognition:
• Certificate of Recognition by Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard on behalf of U.S. Congress for Community improvement success and advocating for transportation and public infrastructure improvements in rural communities on Oahu such as Wai’anae.
• Awarded 2013 Hawaii Outstanding Children and Youth Advocate by Governor Neil Abecrombie and the Hawaii State Legislature in recognition of community outreach efforts targeting at-risk youth.
• Co-founded the Active Hawaii Organization, a 501(c)3 nonprofit founded in 2011 to provide nutritional education, physical activities, and community advocacy to the Wai’anae Coast Community.
• Certificate of Recognition from the Honolulu City Council for community outreach efforts, totaling 50+ events, servicing approximately 10,000 community members.
• Recognition at Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s 2016 State of the City Address for the revitalization, renovations, repairs and facility improvements of Makaha Community Park
• Helped spearhead numerous, impactful community projects targeting unemployment, environmental advocacy, community health and family support such as the Stay Active Family Fun Fest, Hire Leeward, and Malama Makaha.
• Featured on the cover of Hawaii Business Magazine’s May 2015 issue to highlight community works, and the personal hardships overcame in the process.
What are the top three challenges facing the voters you seek to represent?
Housing/Homelessness, Traffic, and Employment
If elected, what will be your highest legislative priority?
Housing/Homelessness: As housing prices continue to rise, our community residents are at a constant risk of being priced out of paradise. I believe it is important that we maintain a market that locals can afford and address our current homeless crisis with a sense of urgency. As a State Representative, I have authored legislation to crackdown on illegal vacation rentals, create a rent stabilization program, encourage development of low-cost rental units, and develop "Ohana Zones" to ensure housing for our most vulnerable populations. I will continue to work to find solutions to address one of our most pressing issues.
If elected, what can you do to improve the lives of your constituents?
If re-elected, I will continue to push our state to develop solutions to address our most pressing issues effecting State House District 44. Traffic woes impact everyone on the Wai'anae Coast that is why in my first term, I was able to secure $5 million to create a parallel access route into the coast, $3 million to extend the fifth lane from Kalaeloa to Hakimo Rd, and $2 million to condemn and upgrade Pa'akea Rd to open our emergency access routes for daily use. In regards to improving our educational system, it will remain a top priority because I believe it is important to provide our keiki with the opportunities needed to truly succeed in Hawai'i by enabling our schools to have the flexibility to adapt to the changing times. If re-elected, I will fight to ensure every kid on the Coast has access to a pre-school education, qualified teachers, and 21st century facilities needed to nurture our youth to become well-rounded adults. Creating employment opportunities for residents is an area that impacts our traffic and quality of life. I will continue to encourage the development of more livable-wage paying jobs focused in the industries of agriculture, technology, and supporting the creation of more small businesses within the Wai'anae Coast.
Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?
N/A