They redrew the lines. Ewa Beach is no longer in district 1.  So now I am debating who I will vote for in the city council.  Any recommendations.
Main issues I am considering is 2A, of course, and rail.  Looked at all the runners, seems like their websites list no real stance on anything at all, just the basic politician mumbojumbo.  I'm used to Tom Berg, he tells it like it is, even if you don't agree, I've come to respect this type of honesty. Plus he is A big 2A supporter.
Now I'm stuck on deciding from this group I really know nothing about.

Comments and suggestions are welcome.

i've met kim pine
she's got a good head on her shoulders
has a deeply democratic family (grandmother was part of the machine)
went to uc berkeley
came home and saw the light re: what decades of democrat rule have done to our state
married to a navy man, i think
seemed to me she's just trying to provide balance and sanity to politics
i don't understand why she gave up her seat in the leg to go for the city council
near as i can figure, she's doing it to get rid of berg
do a search on kim pine is a crook, and you will see the websites of some nutjob that was trying to blackmail her
a search of star advertiser will give you more background on her battle with this webmaster dude

i've met kim pine
she's got a good head on her shoulders
has a deeply democratic family (grandmother was part of the machine)
went to uc berkeley
came home and saw the light re: what decades of democrat rule have done to our state
married to a navy man, i think
seemed to me she's just trying to provide balance and sanity to politics
i don't understand why she gave up her seat in the leg to go for the city council
near as i can figure, she's doing it to get rid of berg
do a search on kim pine is a crook, and you will see the websites of some nutjob that was trying to blackmail her
a search of star advertiser will give you more background on her battle with this webmaster dude

Yes, I liked Kim Pine as well, and I think she was doing an outstanding job in the house.  I was very disappointed she is running for city council against Berg.  If I were still in dist. 1, I would vote for Berg  for the fact that he is pro gun and anti rail. 

Is there anyone in district 9 out there?   Man I hope you guys are voting.

My inquiries netted only a few responses so far...  I emailed the candidates last week.  The slow responses are NOT encouraging...

Dr. Inam

Thank you kindly Mr. [heavies] for contacting me regarding two very important issues. Please review below my answers to questions I have been asked including Gun control and rail along with other issues. I will be posting these on my website soon. Please be free to contact me if you would like to have a meeting or discuss these issues and others in more detail. Please be free to share my thoughts with your friends and family. Thanks againGod bless

Inam Perreira Rahman 387-6560

BALANCED BUDGET

 

Q-4 How would you propose balancing the city’s budget in the face of today’s economic challenges? What would be your priority areas for budget reallocation, cuts or fees or tax increases?

 

 

A tax increase will always be my last choice in any situation. There are many other ways to balance our budget by increasing revenue and reducing expenses. We can improve economy by supporting projects which create jobs, such as reopening the St. Francis Hospital West which will not only re-create more than 1000 jobs, but also keep the community more healthy by providing immediate access to health care.

We can seek Federal matching funds for available city funds for many other projects that create jobs and boost economy and hire people to monitor them as required to make sure they are used in an efficient and meaningful way.

 

 

Gun Control

 

Q-What is your stance on gun control?

 

While I respect the rights of hunters and sportsmen, in light of recent events where innocent people were shot and killed in Colorado and several others, I am very much concerned about the uncontrolled sale of weapons and ammunition to one individual. I believe that there should be a check and balance to every thing we do. If elected, I am willing to listen to our community and introduce legislation to bring some kind of check-and-balance to protect the lives of innocent people.

 

 

 

RAIL

 

Q-Do you believe that Honolulu should proceed with the 20-mile elevated rail project from East Kapolei to Ala Moana Shopping Center? Why or why not?

 

Before we talk about Rail Transit, I must stress the importance of keeping and maintaining our current city bus service and actually expanding to areas such as Iroquois Point, where people have to walk more than a mile before they can get the bus. Bus is an essential transportation service for our children, families and for our seniors.

There was a time when I was against the rail about eight years ago as I truly believed that rail is going to be very expensive. Then people voted and approved the rail and money was spent contracts were given. The work on rail development has already started. Although I still respect the opinion of our Ohana who are anti rail because they truly believe that rail is going to cost lots of money. However, I truly believe in my heart, after looking at disadvantages and benefits of stopping rail, that continuing rail with rail associated development along with a supportive bus system is in the best interest of our community.

If Rail Transit becomes a reality, then we have to make sure that we maximize its use and maximize gain from it. If elected as a council member, we as a council will have to work with the mayor to negotiate a well-planned, Rail Transit associated development which will tremendously benefit our community in terms of boosting our economy by bringing in new businesses, job creation and attracting more tourism. We could ask developers to build urgent health care centers, elderly care homes, childcare centers for working parents, recreation and games centers for youth, learning centers, senior centers, work force development centers and affordable housing complexes just to name a few. This will also allow developers to give back to our Ohana in exchange for billions of dollars of development contracts.

Hoopili Development

 

Q-If elected, how will you work to manage responsible development in your district

 

This is the statement I recently made on KHON TV which will be broadcasted in two weeks.

 

Aloha

Responsible development requires an appropriate balance between economic development and preservation of scenic beauty and natural resources of our land and the respect for our Aina.If elected, I will work with my colleagues, city experts,  planners and the developers to make sure that the new developments include affordable housing. is well planned and address all the environmental, infrastructure, transportation and community concerns and again respect for our Aina.

Mahalo

 

I have read the statements made for the Hoopili Project by supporters and opponents and I agree with point of view of both as both make very solid arguments. However, given the economy, joblessness, homelessness and need for affordable housing, and including farming as part of project  arguments has been favored by LUC who has changed the zoning to allow development after many years of consideration and wait, it appears that there are more benefits in going ahead for the Hoopili project than disadvantages. Although I have not been part of decision making for this project, I am willing to meet you in person and discuss further especially for any upcoming new development.

 

WAIMANALO GULCH LANDFILL

Q-Should the city continue to send municipal solid waste to Waimanalo Gulch Landfill until it reaches capacity, should it site a new landfill elsewhere as soon as possible, or should it pursue a different path? Why?

I think we have no other choice right now but to use Waimanalo Gulch until city administration with the help of Landfill Site Advisory committee, city consultants choose and recommend the final site to city council after public comments and environmental impact statements. Mean time use of Landfill should be decreased by alternate means such as increased recycling, composting, and waste to energy technologies. Everyone should be encouraged to use yard trimmings, leaves and branches as compost instead of throwing out. Compost replenishes soil, reduces the need to pay for land reclamation and protects the environment by reducing global warming due to decreased methane production from organic matter.

Landfills are good and cheap for non-hazardous waste that cannot be reclaimed or recycled. A good landfill has lining to protect from toxins leaking into water supplies and covers for full landfills. Burning in the technologically advanced incinerator not only quickly reduce the volume but also recycle and reuse refuse as fuel to burn non-recyclable material. It also has the filters and scrubbers to prevent release of acidic gases and also prevent ash from burning in to the air. Lastly we can take personal responsibility to reduce pollution by recycling plastic, buying items in bulk packaging, avoid buying in small bag sand buying recyclable

items.

SIDE WALK BAN ON STORED PROPERTY-HOMELESSNESS

Q-Has the sidewalk ban on stored property, in effect for six months, been a success? What should the city be doing to help Honolulu's homeless population?

I think the law has achieved some success by clearing walk ways especially for seniors and disabled. It has also brought in to discussion and concerns about homeless who seem to be most affected by it.

I think the best way to help homeless population to define homeless population into different categories based upon the reasons why they are homeless and then try to solve the root cause of the problem. It is totally wrong to presume that every homeless is a drug abuser or mentally challenged. Over the past twenty years, as their primary care doctor, I have treated patients who could not afford to rent a place due to lack of enough income or loss of job and were forced to live in the car or park with their families. Some of them went back to live in a rental place when their situation improved. An elderly immigrant homeless had no source on money after her husband passed away. Some came from the mainland and could not find jobs or were not able to work due to different reasons. Some were mentally compromised due to drug or alcohol abuse or other medical problems and there were some who just wanted to enjoy the good weather. It is obvious that one glove cannot fit all. I believe with the collaborative efforts of government, private-non-profit organizations, health care organizations and churches we can come up with appropriate different solutions to help different subgroups of homeless population in a most effective and sensible manner.

TRUST IN GOVERNMENT-UNDERFUNDER EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT SYSTEM-ST.FRANCIS WEST HOSPITAL-WAHIAWA GENERAL

Q-If you could change one city decision of the last two years, what would it be and why?

 

There are many issues which still impact the city and its citizens today. Many people lost their jobs due to closure of Hawaii Medical Center West formerly known as St Francis hospital. I am also concerned about the other major hospital" Wahiawa General" which may be needing financial help to keep it open. I am very concerned about our underfunded State Retirement System. Hawaii State has a 5.1 billion dollars liability for retirement pension and 11.9 retiree healthcare liability. That means that all the hardworking people who will retire soon in future may not have access to healthcare because there may not be enough money to pay for it. There are other host of problems related to economy, transportation, infrastructure repair, safety, domestic violence, homelessness, crime and drug and alcohol abuse just to name a few. Some of these are state issues but they affect Honolulu and the city constitutes a major portion of the State of Hawaii. If I have to pick one decision or suggest a change that will be to have an open, friendly and caring government...a government people can trust.

 

PROPERT TAX EXEMPTIONS, ECONOMY

 

Q-Should the city consider eliminating property tax exemptions for homeowners, nonprofits and other special interest groups if it means lowering rates? What other steps should the council take to improve Honolulu Hale's financial picture?

 

I believe this issue is still under consideration by council and if I get elected, I will like to work with them and administration to resolve it for the best interest of the people of Hawaii. My personal thought is that people will have to pay more taxes even if the rate is lowered. In 2007 homeowners paid 26% more tax even after there was a 13% decrease in tax rate.

 

Requiring people, especially our elderly, disabled middle class and non-profit organizations, to pay more taxes in today’s economy may cause more harm than benefits

 

There are many other ways to our financial picture and balance our budget. We need to run the city like a business thereby increasing revenue and reducing expenses. We can think of ways to reduce operational cost by being fiscally responsible and by providing the essential maintenance services such as infrastructure repair, road and sewer maintenance in a timely fashion. We can coordinate city public works such as repairing the sewer, electric cables and road at the same time. Synchronizing the traffic lights will save working hours from being wasted.

 

We can bring in new technology and alternate energy to save money and environment. Encourage use of hybrid vehicles, solar energy panels, recycling and high tech burning.

 

We should continue to pay attention to work force development, employee safety, access to better health care with good benefits including fully funded retirement system as an incentive for our working class to work hard and save money for their families and their future needs.

 

We need to continue to keep lowering debts by refinancing and or acquiring services at lowest interest rate or finance charge. We need to keep our bond rating high.

 

We can improve economy by promoting tourism, local products and crafts and by supporting other projects which create jobs, such as reopening the St. Francis Hospital West which will not only re-create more than 1000 jobs, but also keep the community more healthy by providing immediate access to health care. We can seek Federal matching funds for available city funds and hire people to monitor them as required to make sure they are used in an efficient and meaningful way.

 

 

CITY COUNCIL

 

9. What would you want to be remembered for as a member of the City Council?

 

 

A person, human being who was caring, honest, open minded, accessible, respectful, humble and a true community leader. Someone who was not afraid to speak the truth and always put peoples interests first over his own interests. Someone who got along with his colleagues and mayor but still made sure his point was heard and understood. Someone who looked at the city now with all its beauty, strength and opportunities as well as its short falls and envisioned eight years and beyond to ensure it is still one of the best places to live in the world. A city with full of happiness and glory whose people and leaders knew how to use its rich resources of alternate energy, culture, environment, people and their aloha spirit…a true heaven. Someone who worked hard and gave his best to make that vision happen.

 

 

 

 

 

RELATIONSHIP WITH MAYOR

 

Q-Relations between the mayor and the City Council have been at times contentious. How would you work to improve those relations?

 

I believe both mayor and city council work for the best interest of the people they sever. Sometimes they may have a different way of doing same thing in different way but for the same good. By understanding and respecting each others’ point of view and putting yourself in other person’s shoes, we can go a long way in solving many problems in most effective and sensible way

... And Via Sua

Mr. [heavies],

The Rail in Hawaii is a very hot topic for this election and I hope you don’t mind us providing a long answer for this important topic.

I don’t think there is any question that we need a fix to our transportation infrastructure here on Oahu.  Just two months ago Inrix, a provider of traffic data and information, released a study that Honolulu is the worst city in the Nation for “time wasted” in traffic.

Vai’s campaign is not about “Yes Rail”, “No Rail”, or “GO Rail”, “Stop Rail”.  The residents of Oahu have already approved the rail twice, first in 2008 when the steel-on-steel charter was passed and then in 2010 when they voted for the formation of the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transit (HART).  The “Yes Rail” “No Rail” discussion is in the past and the voters have spoken.   As a representative of this District, I think it’s important to represent the “Voice” of the constituents and their interests.  I think now it’s more about “Moving the Rail Forward”.  The more we spending time stuck in the past discussing “No Rail” “Yes Rail” we are adding up unnecessary costs.  A problem all too familiar to the Residents of Hawaii as we saw when the H3 went from a budget of $250 million dollars and ended with a project cost over $1.3 Billion.  It’s time we focus on a responsible infrastructure plan.  Whenever building a large project like this the most important thing is to build proper partnerships and to learn from the mistakes of other similar projects both in Hawaii and around the nation so they are not repeated on the Rail Project.

Vai's staff believes what scares most people about the rail is the actual costs when it’s all said and done.  Rail has been built across the nation at or even under budget in many cases.  It’s important we make the rail project efficient and curb unnecessary spending here in Hawaii.

Will the Rail even reduce traffic?

With land at a premium on the island of Oahu we are limited in our methods to combat traffic congestion. We don’t think any ONE answer will solve the problem, but a creative and well thought out plan addressing; the bus system, the rail project, and road widening is the only answer to combat this problem. 

For many critics of the rail, national independent studies have shown that ridership is often above expectations.  Once a roadway reaches capacity, even a small reduction in volumes can significantly reduce delays. For example, a 5% reduction in peak-hour traffic volumes on a road at 90% capacity can reduce delay by 20% or more. Rail transit can provide significant congestion reduction benefits, even if it only carries a small portion of regional travel, because it offers an alternative on the most congested corridors. Reducing just a few percent of vehicles on such roads can significantly reduce regional congestion benefits.

In Short, we must intelligently invest in all three transportation infrastructures which will need to be appropriately integrated with each other to provide maximum efficiency for each independent system and for the entire system as a whole.   However, excessive spending must be curbed!  If any of these projects cannot escape; excessive budget overruns, improper contract assignment or execution, and/or unnecessary increases in taxes, then alternatives must be sought or projects may even need to be terminated, including the Rail.

Public Range on leeward Oahu.

                As a former veteran of the Iraq War and Retired Army Veteran, Vai and his staff are strong supporters of defending the 2nd Amendment to the United States Constitution.

                Currently, the island’s only public shooting range is located at Koko Head.  This location has several issues that have concerns for Vai and his staff.  Currently the range is not open 7 days a week for residents to use.
1) Outside funding or coordinating with local gun clubs needs to be sought to make this range more available to the public.
2) The range is inconvenient and effectively “unavailable” for residents on the leeward side of the island.
3) The rang needs to have better supervision and enforcement as commercial vendors have been holding some of the only available tables limiting use by residents who the range is designed for

These are just a few of the issues Vai is committed to resolving.  Vai is fully supportive of another public gun range on Oahu to serve the residents on the leeward side.  With the proper support of the residents of District 9, procedures and policies in place to ensure nearby residents of a safe and non-disruptive facility, and funding within budget limits, Vai would be proud to support such an initiative.

I hope this answers your questions and/or concerns.  Please feel free to share Vai’s stance on these important topics with the important constituents of District 9.  Thanks for your questions and involvement in this important government process.  Please do not hesitate to contact us with any additional questions or concerns.  Don’t forget to Vote and “Together we can make a difference”.

Mahalo,
John Miller
Campaign Staff – PR/IT
jmiller@VoteVai2012.com

From Ron Menor...

Aloha Mr. [Heavies],

Thank you for your interest in my candidacy.Yes, I support rail, but we should proceed carefully and with greater transparency than has been provided by the City in the past.However, I understand the concerns of many in the public about the cost of rail.  If we proceed with rail, it needs to be done right as efficiently and cost effectively as possible--and within budget.  In this regard, I plan to monitor implementation of the project very closely from the cost standpoint.In response to your questions about firearms, I have taken the position that law abiding citizens have the right to own and possess firearms.  I would also be very willing to work together with you and other residents in exploring the feasibility of establishing a gun range on our side of the island.  I would be willing to meet with you and other interested persons to discuss this issue further with you.Thank you for giving me the opportunity to respond to your inquiries.  Please feel free to contact me should you need additional information.

Thanks for sharing their responses, Heavies!