Hawaii Gubernatorial Election 2018 Political Courage Test

Abortion & Reproductive

1. Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation?
- Pro-life

2. Should abortion be legal when the pregnancy resulted from incest or rape?
- Yes

3. Do you support the prohibition of public funds for organizations that perform abortions?
- Yes

4. Other or expanded principles
- I support the current federal laws supporting the prohibition of public funds for abortion, except in cases of incest and rape. Each state has slightly different laws on the use of public funds. Only 17 states fund abortions for low-income women on similar terms as general health services. Four of these states, including Hawaii, provide funding voluntarily; in 13, courts have ordered public funding for abortion.

Budget, Spending, & Tax

1. Reducing state employee salaries AND/OR pensions?
- No

2. Instituting mandatory furloughs AND/OR layoffs for state employees?
- No

3. Reducing benefits for Medicaid recipients?
- No

4. An income tax increase on any tax bracket?
- No

5. Other or expanded principles
- While inadequate funding certainly is an issue in some areas, increased taxes isn?t the best solution. We should focus on spending efficiency first because there is enough money within the budget to take care of the state?s needs. Efficiency goes hand in hand with government accountability.

Campaign Finance & Government Reform

1. Do you support any limits on campaign contributions to state candidates?
- Yes

2. Do you support the regulation of indirect campaign contributions from corporations and unions?
- Yes

3. Do you support the use of an independent AND/OR bipartisan commission for redistricting?
- Yes

4. Do you support requiring a government-issued photo identification in order to vote at the polls?
- Yes

5. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer

Crime & Public Safety

1. Do you support capital punishment for certain crimes?
- No

2. Do you support the legalization of marijuana for recreational purposes?
- No

3. Should a minor accused of a violent crime be prosecuted as an adult?
- No

4. Do you support the enforcement of federal immigration laws by state and local police?
- Yes

5. Other or expanded principles
- Cases involving minors should be evaluated on a case by case basis.

Economic

1. Do you support state government spending as a means of promoting economic growth?
- No

2. Do you support lowering state taxes as a means of promoting economic growth?
- Yes

3. Do you support reducing state government regulations on the private sector?
- Yes

4. Do you support expanding access to unemployment benefits?
- No

5. Do you support requiring welfare applicants to pass a drug test in order to receive benefits?
- Yes

6. Do you support an increase of the minimum wage of Hawaii?
- No

7. Other or expanded principles
- I support increasing the minimum wage by creating a better atmosphere for businesses to thrive and cutting taxes to put more money into the economy. I want it to be higher than $15 because of the type of economic policy reform we implement.

Education

1. Do you support adopting federal education standards in Hawaii?
- No

2. Do you support state funding for charter schools?
- Yes

3. Should immigrants unlawfully present in the United States who graduate from Hawaii high schools be eligible for in-state tuition at public universities?
- No

4. Other or expanded principles
- I do not support conforming to federal standards if it means that we lose the unique identity of our state curriculums whether cultural or immersion based. I believe the state should have autonomy in school curriculum decisions. I believe we can set our own standard that may be higher than what is required by federal standards. I believe State funds should be focused on educating Hawaii?s long-term residents. Federal law (8 U.S. Code ? 1623) prohibits immigrants unlawfully present to be eligible for in-state tuition at public universities.

Environment & Energy

1. Do you support state funding for the development of renewable energy (e.g. solar, wind, thermal)?
- Yes

2. Do you support state government regulations of greenhouse gas emissions?
- Yes

3. Do you support increasing state funding for clean drinking water initiatives?
- Yes

4. Do you support increasing state funding for replacing Hawaii's cesspools?
- Yes

5. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer

Gun

1. Do you generally support gun-control legislation?
- No

2. Should background checks be required on gun sales between private citizens at gun shows?
- Yes

3. Should teachers be allowed to bring guns into the classroom?
- No

4. Should a license be required for gun ownership?
- Yes

5. Other or expanded principles
- Background checks are required to get a permit to acquire a firearm in Hawaii.

Health

1. Should the state government increase funding for treatment facilities to combat opioid abuse?
- Yes

2. Do you support Medicaid expansion through Hawaii's health care programs?
- No

3. Do you support requiring individuals to purchase health care insurance?
- No

4. Do you support legislation that grants citizens the right to choose to die through euthanasia?
- No

5. Do you support eliminating religious exemptions for vaccinations?
- No

6. Other or expanded principles
- For b), the billions-of-dollars burden that past administrations have put on the state budget with unfunded mandates not only places a burden on our youth, but limits the state's ability to expand programs such as these for our elderly. I do not support euthanasia because it is illegal throughout the US. The only conversations around this issue are in regards to physician-assisted suicide.

Social

1. Do you support the inclusion of sexual orientation in Hawaii's anti-discrimination laws?
- Yes

2. Do you support the inclusion of gender identity in Hawaii's anti-discrimination laws?
- Yes

3. Do you support greater efforts by Hawaii state government in closing the pay gap between men and women?
- Yes

4. Do you support implementing government sanctioned safe zones ("Ohana Zones") for Hawaii's homeless population?
- Yes

5. Other or expanded principles
- I support Ohana Zones as long as these zones have a leader, relationships of trust, strict guidelines, rehabilitation and transition programs, and community support. Without these requirements, any public funding towards homeless initiatives should be focused on proven and effective solutions.

Legislative Priorities

In the following area, please explain in a total of 100 words or less, your top two or three priorities if elected. If they require additional funding for implementation, please explain how you would obtain this funding.
- My vision is to allow more Hawaiians to call this place home for generations to come. We need to decrease the tax burden and cost of housing by supporting local developers, reducing permitting times, better utilizing DHHL lands, and stopping illegal vacation rentals. We can improve education by ensuring equitable funding for all public schools; retaining and sustaining teachers through increased benefits and salary; and streamlining facilities procedures. Lastly, creating an atmosphere where local businesses can thrive will allow more people to stay in Hawaii. I plan to cut unnecessary regulation, increase access to capital grants, and expand vocational training.