Democrat
Age: 57
Job: Program/project manager; Robert A. Ige and Associates Inc.; state senator
Background: Former state representative
Democrat
Age: 42
Job: Lieutenant governor
Background: Former state senator; formerly with Atlas Insurance Agency; Maui Economic Opportunity
Do you support the constitutional amendment to allow public money to be spent on private preschool? Why?
No. We should first successfully implement early education programs in our public schools before considering spreading our limited tax dollars to private preschools. The amendment asks voters to approve a preschool program with no details on how much it will cost and how the program will work.
Should the state Office of Hawaiian Affairs be allowed to pursue residential development in Kakaako makai? Why?
No. OHA’s settlement with the state in which it received the Kakaako Makai property needs to be re-examined. I’m open to considering alternative solutions that provide OHA with an equivalent value of the settlement while enabling the preservation of Kakaako Makai as publicly accessible open space without residential high-rises.
What would you do to combat homelessness?
Multiple causes of homelessness require multipronged solutions. As governor I will increase the supply of low-cost rental housing by increasing funds to the Rental Housing Trust Fund, support the Housing First initiative to provide emergency housing, build micro-housing and maintain support for state homeless shelters and military veterans outreach programs.
What is your one big idea?
Improving public education creates unlimited academic opportunities and skilled workers who will grow and strengthen our economy. I’ll work to empower public school principals and teachers, and appoint individuals to the Board of Education who have children in public schools, and therefore have a vested interest in the system’s success.
