2018 General Election Candidates
Name on ballot:
WATERS, Tommy
Running for:
Honolulu City Council
District (if applicable):
Hawaii Kai to Ala Moana. District 4
Political party:
Does not apply/Nonpartisan race
Campaign website:
tommy-waters.com
Current occupation:
Attorney at Law
Age:
52
Previous job history:
Attorney for 23 years. Hawk Sing Ignacio and Waters, Former Deputy Public Defender. Law Clerk to the Honorable Marie Milks.
Previous elected office, if any:
House of Representatives 2002-2008
What qualifies you to represent the people of Hawaii?
I am committed to this island wide community as a life long resident of Oahu. I am a product of public and Kamehameha Schools, UH Manoa undergrad and UH law school. I am a father of two wonderful children who are growing up well in our Honolulu we love and enjoy. My work life and interpersonal skills have prepared me well for elected public office. I have practiced law for 23 years, of which 8 were with the public defender's office. I have experienced first hand the ravages, degradation, and problems that families, businesses, and visitors endure when government does not do its part in providing the infrastructure and means for children, families, business and individuals to thrive and succeed. I served as vice chair of the Judicial Selection Commission and served three terms in the Hawaii State House of Representatives. I chaired the Judiciary Committee, House Higher Education Committee and vice chaired the environmental protection committees. I have witnessed first hand how power struggles for leadership can corrupt and influence even the most idealistic politician. Having stepped away from politics for the past ten years gave me new insight and courage to fight the good fight and fight for the little guy and the greater good and working families and residents who do not have a voice. All too often politicians cater to special interests based on who donated to their political war chest. Unfortunately, the incumbent is one of those people. I'm running because our community deserves better. I have been walking door to door since January 2018. I have knocked on 10,000 doors. I am talking to residents from Hawaii Kai to Waikiki, learning fist hand what people want and expect from their elected representatives.
What are the top three challenges facing the voters you seek to represent?
Homelessness.
Public Safety.
Monster Homes.
Homelessness continues to be a problem in Honolulu. East Honolulu has seen a 7% rise in homelessness recently. We need real solutions rather than short term fixes. I believe Public sidewalks, bus stops, and parks should be clean and enjoyed by all. However, the sit and lie, and compassionate disruption has not worked. I support Housing First efforts as well as empowering the community like RYSE Residential Youth Services & Empowerment as well as faith based initiatives and programs. I support collaboration with state program administrators and emphasize collaboration, not competition.
Public Safety. We need to make sure our police, fire, and ambulance services are adequately staffed and funded as the operating standard and not just during disaster conditions. Property crimes, burglaries, thefts are common occurrences in East Honolulu. Currently, the Honolulu Police Department is 200 plus officers short. I support Police Chief Ballard's efforts to recruit officer candidates from the University system, to strengthen community policing, and to retain, rather than lose, good qualified police officers. Our ambulance services are hanging on by a thread. The one and only ambulance in East Honolulu is often called off as far as Nanakuli to assist other communities, leaving East Honolulu with no coverage. We're understaffed for a daily population (including tourists) of 1,000,000.
Monster Homes and overdevelopment need a comprehensive review starting with the General Plan and Land Use Ordinances. I am deeply concerned when permits are granted routinely for monster homes and other projects that our community is staunchly against. These homes have proliferated over the past four years, and our incumbent council member has done little to nothing to solve the problem. It demonstrates how self serving politics can trump the best plans with community input. Our incumbents so easily turn a blind eye while looking only at the glitter of high end money developments. We've lost our way since the 1960's when city planning actually meant a vision of a future reality,
If elected, what will be your highest legislative priority?
I believe in building community. I believe in the value of a continuing dialogue with our communities who care most about Hawaii to ensure its legacy for our next generations. I believe our city needs to pronounce and promote a strong vision for all social classes, not just the high end upscale investment condos in Kaka'ako but include the faithful seniors who have earned their way to a healthy happy retirement. My volunteers have distributed over 1000 senior assistance information booklets and the city's property tax credit program for income $60,000 and below during this campaign. This is what community building looks like: caring and sharing good news that government can & should help all peoples; caring for and sharing the responsibility to keep our stream beds clean and functioning during floods, to clean our beaches and public bathrooms, not just for tourists but for our own surfing, paddling and swimming communities; caring and keeping our roads and beaches, and homes safe from danger and harm.
If elected, what can you do to improve the lives of your constituents?
Work hard; answer and respond to your phone calls and emails; build community.
Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?
I am called to be a public servant, to help others in the most direst desperate conditions of their lives, to be compassionate and caring, to improve lives everyday whichever opportunity presents to me. That is my calling and my life's purpose, starting with my family.
A vote for Tommy Waters is not a rubber stamp for the Mayor, as my opponent has suggested. My obligation is to serve our community first and foremost. I am able and willing to work with all stakeholders to achieve our goal of a vibrant, healthy, sustainable Hawaii.