Decision 2016

COUNTY COUNCIL

Wailuku • Waihee • Waikapu •

Alika Atay

Dain P. Kane

COUNTY COUNCIL

Kahului

New Lineup?

Don S. Guzman

Vanessa A. Medeiros

All nine Maui County Council seats contested for first time in at least 20 years

COUNTY COUNCIL

COUNTY COUNCIL

COUNTY COUNCIL

COUNTY COUNCIL

South Maui

Makawao • Haiku • Paia •

Upcountry

East Maui

Don Couch

Kelly Takaya King

• Legislative races • County Council races • Charter amendments

Trinette K. Furtado

Mike White

Napua Greig-Nakasone

Yuki Lei Kashiwa Sugimura

Robert “Bob” Carroll

Shane Sinenci

COUNTY COUNCIL

COUNTY COUNCIL

COUNTY COUNCIL

West Maui

Lanai

Molokai

Elle Cochran

Ernest Z. Kanamu Balinbin

Riki Hokama

Gabe Johnson

A Supplement of THE MAUI NEWS – Sunday, October 23, 2016 – Page S1

Stacy Helm Crivello

Keani RawlinsFernandez

2016 General Election Candidates

U.S. Senator

American Shopping Party ■ John M. (Raghu) Giuffre Constitution party ■ Joy J. Allison Democrat ■ Brian Schatz* Republican ■ John Carroll Libertarian ■ Michael A. Kokoski

U.S. Representative, District 2 Democrat ■ Tulsi Gabbard* Republican ■ Angela Aulani Kaaihue Nonpartisan ■ Richard L. Turner

House District 8 (Wailuku-Kahakuloa-Waihee Waiehu-Puuohala-Waikapu)

Democrat ■ Joe Souki *

(Spreckelsville-PukalaniMakawao-Kula-Keokea Ulupalakua-Kahului)

Republican ■ Gilbert (Gil) Rebolledo

Democrat ■ Kyle T. Yamashita*

House District 9

House District 13

(Kahului-Puunene Old Sand Hills-Maui Lani)

(Haiku-Paia-East Maui Molokai-Lanai)

Democrat ■ Justin H. Woodson*

Democrat ■ Lynn DeCoite* Green ■ Nick Nikhilananda

House District 10 (West Maui-Maalaea-North Kihei)

Maui County Council

Democrat ■ Angus L.K. McKelvey* Republican ■ Chayne Marten

East Maui ■ Robert (Bob) Carroll* ■ Shane Sinenci

House District 11 Senate District 5

House District 12

(Kihei-Wailea-Makena)

(Wailuku-Waihee-Kahului)

Democrat ■ Kaniela Ing*

Democrat ■ Gil S. Coloma Keith-Agaran*

Republican ■ Daniel A. (Danny) Pekus

West Maui ■ Ernest Z. Kanamu Balinbin ■ Elle Cochran* Wailuku-Waihee-Waikapu ■ Alika Atay ■ Dain P. Kane

Kahului ■ Don S. Guzman* ■ Vanessa A. Medeiros South Maui ■ Don Couch* ■ Kelly Takaya King Makawao-Haiku-Paia ■ Trinette K. Furtado ■ Mike White* Upcountry ■ Napua Greig-Nakasone ■ Yuki Lei Kashiwa Sugimura Lanai ■ Riki Hokama* ■ Gabe Johnson Molokai ■ Stacy Helm Crivello* ■ Keani Rawlins-Fernandez

Office of Hawaiian Affairs Hawaii island resident trustee ■ Robert K. (Bob) Lindsey Jr.* ■ Mililani B. Trask At-large trustee ■ Keli‘i Akina ■ Haunani Apoliona* (* = incumbent)

e t o V D

ain K A NE

CO U N CIL W A IL U K U -W A IH E‘E-W A IK A PU

E xperienced L eadership You Can T rust Paid for by Friends of Dain Kane – P.O. Box 104 • Wailuku, HI 96793

Editor’s note:

About Election 2016 s Maui County voters prepare to cast their ballots in the Nov. 8 General Election, The Maui News continues its tradition of offering contested candidates a way to let voters know who they are and what they stand for.

This supplement features Maui County Council and state House of Representative candidates. They were asked to provide biographical information, choose two of six questions and answer them. Most, but not all, decided to participate.

Repeated efforts to contact South Maui House Rep. Kaniela Ing were unsuccessful.

This voter guide helps residents make informed decisions as they exercise their right to vote. Recognizing a trend toward more mail-in and walk-in absentee votes, this supplement is coming out earlier than it has in years past. Now, voters can take this home or into voting booths as an aid in casting ballots.

Continue reading The Maui News for more General Election coverage.

Copies of this guide can be requested at the front desk of The Maui News offices at 100 Mahalani St. in Wailuku.

Copies cost 50 cents.

A

It’s not too late to register for the 2016 General Election ■ What is late registration?

Late registration allows qualified Hawaii residents, one final opportunity to register for the upcoming 2016 General Election.

■ How do I get registered?

Visit any early walk-in location within your county from Tuesday to Nov. 5.

■ Who can register at early walk-in locations?

To register to vote, you must be: ¯ A U.S. citizen (non-U.S. citizens, including U.S. nationals do not qualify). ¯ A resident of the state of Hawaii. The residence stated by applicants cannot simply be because of their presence in the state, but that the residence was acquired with the intent to make Hawaii the person’s legal residence with all the accompanying obligations therein. ¯ At least (18) years of age.

Locations: Maui: Office of the Count Clerk 200 South High St., Room 708, Wailuku Hours: Monday to Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Molokai: Mitchell Pauole Center Conference Room 90 Ainoa St., Kaunakakai Hours: Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

(Closed noon to 1 p.m.) and Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon.

A Supplement of THE MAUI NEWS – Sunday, October 23, 2016 – Page S2

www.elections.hawaii.gov

Maui County Council candidates

20 years since all Maui Council seats contested he voters spoke during the Aug. 13 primary election, and stage is set for the electorate to decide all nine Maui County Council seats at one time — the first time that’s happened in at least 20 years.

During those decades, there’s usually been two or three council members who’ve been unopposed, but that hasn’t happened this year.

However, two of the nine seats lack incumbents. Maui County Council Members Mike Victorino and Gladys Baisa are leaving their Wailuku-Waihee-Waikapu and Upcountry seats, respectively, because of term limits.

The Wailuku seat is being sought by primary election survivors Alika Atay, a natural farm alchemist and a leader in the SHAKA (Sustainable Hawaiian Agriculture for the Keiki and the Aina) movement, and consultant and small-farmer Dain Kane, a council member from 1999 to 2006. And, the candidates for the Upcountry seat are kumu hula, teacher and businesswoman Napua Greig-Nakasone and Yuki Lei Sugimura, a small-business owner and former field representative for U.S. Sens. Mazie Hirono and Daniel Akaka, now retired.

In other council races: East Maui Council Member Bob Carroll will be challenged by Hana special education teacher Shane Sinenci. West Maui Council Member Elle Cochran will be tested by Ernest Balinbin, food program director at Maui Preparatory Academy. Kahului Council Member Don Guzman will face Vanessa Medeiros, a public housing supervisor. Lanai Council Member Riki Hokama will take on Gabe Johnson, an invasive species technician. And Molokai Council Member Stacy Crivello will defend her council seat against a challenge from Keani Rawlins-Fernandez, project coordinator at the Hale Ho‘omalu Women’s Shelter on Molokai.

The winners of other primary council races include South Maui Council Member Don Couch, who’s being challenged by Kelly King, vice president of Pacific Biodiesel; Makawao-Haiku-Paia council member and council Chairman Mike

T

White, who’s fielding opponent Trinette Furtado, a web and graphic designer/developer.

For biographical sketches and candidate answers to issue questions, see the following:

Maui County Council Wailuku-Waihee-Waikapu

Alika Atay Age: 62 Birthplace: Hana Residence: Hawaiian Homes Waiehu Kou Occupation: Natural farm alchemist Work experience: Hoku Nui Maui Farm and Launiupoko Farm Education: Bachelor of arts degree, Hastings College, Neb.; Kamehameha Schools, Kapalama Community service: SHAKA (Sustainable Hawaiian Agriculture for the Keiki and the Aina), 2014-present; HINA (Hawaiian Indigenous Natural Agriculture), board, 2015-present; Hawaii Farmers Union United West Maui Chapter, Mauna Kahalawai, president 2015-16; Hawaiian Homes Leadership Team, 201315; ‘Aha Moku Council member, 201315 Family: Married, three children (one deceased)

Maui County Council candidates were asked to choose two of the following questions: GMOs. In light of the appeal of a U.S. District Court ruling that Maui County’s voterapproved referendum to enact a moratorium on genetically modified organisms was “invalid and unenforceable,” do you think the Maui County Council should take any action? If so, what?

Post sugar. With this year’s closure of Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Co.’s plantation, what role do you see Maui County taking to help laid-off workers and in paving the way for HC&S to convert its Central Maui lands to diversified agriculture?

Housing. Monthly real estate statistics and a study by the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism show that Maui County residents are being priced out of the islands’ housing market, what could the County Council do to make more housing available to residents?

Community plans. Maui County’s community plan update process has been described as “broken.” What do you think, specifically, should be done to fix it?

Budgeting. There have been disputes between the County Council and mayor about whether department requests for appropriations are adequately funded. Do you believe this situation has affected the delivery of public services? If so, what do you think should be done?

Tourism. Maui County has a track record of supporting the marketing of Maui County as a visitor destination. With Maui County heading toward another record-breaking year for visitor arrivals, does the county’s financial support need to continue at the same levels; or is it time to pull back and fund other priorities?

GMOs. “From a legislative point, finish and complete the election of 2014 by certifying the results of the votes tallied. Irregardless of what state this issue is in the ‘judicial branch,’ the Maui County Council still has a duty in the ‘legislative branch’ to finish what the people of Maui County started and voted on. Finish the legislative process and certify the results of the election 2014. The people are still Continued on the next page A Supplement of THE MAUI NEWS – Sunday, October 23, 2016 – Page S3

Maui County Council candidates Continued from Page 3 waiting for the democratic process to be completed.”

Dain P. Kane

Age: 54 Birthplace: Lihue Residence: Post sugar. “I anticipate that Maui Wailuku County should continue to help the laidOccupation: Selfoff workers of Hawaiian Commercial & employed — consultSugar Co. in the same way and fashion ant/small farmer that Maui County assisted other previousPolitical experily laid-off workers from other times such ence: Maui County Aloha Airlines, Molokai Ranch, etc. In adCouncil member (Wailuku-Waiheedition, I would welcome the opportunity Waikapu residency seat), 1999-2006; ran for Maui County to reach out and assist for mayor in 2006; was an Office of HC&S/Alexander & Baldwin in convertHawaiian Affairs candidate for the Maui ing its Central Maui lands to diversified Island trustee seat in 2012 agriculture. It all depends on HC&S/A&B Education: Bachelor’s degree in educaas to what their specific plans are for these tion, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 1985 lands; and as to what specific kind of asCommunity service: Year-around offisistance they would need from Maui cial for Hawaiian Swimming and Maui County.”

orted: Riki proudly supp purchase Peahi “Jaws” land park UpCountry skate ing at Kulamalu dable senior hous or aff lu ao ah M le Ha housing r Lanai affordable fo t or pp su d ue Contin Molokai Base yard rking lot pment municipal pa Wailuku redevelo

of Riki Hokama.

Tourism. “The County Council annually reviews and acts upon this specific question based on many factors. The mayor’s required annual submittal of an operating budget to the council has historically included proposed expenditures for tourismrelated marketing. If the mayor’s required annual budget message proposes any major increase, or decrease to this type of expenditure, the mayor may be required by charter to indicate and explain that change.

The council, through its Budget Committee’s daily work during the months of April and May, provides the public time to testify, both in writing and orally, to express their opinion on this issue. The council is also required by charter to have a public hearing to allow public participation. Only after the required public hearing, does the council have the authority to pass the budget, with or without amendment. The key is, the council makes a final decision only after the public is provided many opportunities to participate in the months-long comprehensive review process. As a council member, my vote will rely on my evaluation of specific factual circumstances presented during that extended review process, along with an evaluation of the consequences of that vote.”

public’s interests are at stake, and it doesn’t only have to be during the annual budget review process period. I say with respect — I hope our mayor and council will be willing to allow more open lines of communication between our branches of county government and take the first steps toward rebuilding trust, without compromising the importance of the separation of authority.”

Upcountry

Napua Greig-Nakasone Age: 42 Residence: Kula Occupation: Halau Na Lei Kaumaka o Uka, nonprofit, president; Seabury Hall, educator; Pihana Productions, business owner Education: Kamehameha Schools, Class of 1992; University of Hawaii at Manoa, bachelor of arts degree in interdisciplinary studies Community service: Commissioner, State Land Use Commission, 2010-13; Halau Na Lei Kaumaka o Uka, nonprofit cultural organization, 1996-present; Waiohuli Hawaiian Homesteaders Association, board member, 2010-present; Maui Nui Botanical Gardens, board member, 201516 Family: Married, four children

Housing. “It is time for the county to be an active partner in creating affordable Budgeting. “Yes. Disputes between the rentals and workforce housing. Our affordcouncil and the mayor, specifically regard- able housing crisis will need to be aping requests for appropriations are nothing proached in various ways as there is not new. In my opinion, one of the major chal- one ‘solve-all’ solution. Here are some lenges the council grapples with is acways I believe we can address our crisis. countability of ‘public’ money and how Initiate an updated, accurate inventory of it’s being spent. The council’s charge is to lands currently owned by the County of translate our financial resources into huMaui. One of the biggest hurdles we face man purposes, and to balance each appro- in creating truly affordable housing is our priation request to deliver a public service high cost of land. When we know what with the ability and willingness of you, our lands are already in our possession, we can tax-paying citizens to pay for it. The mayor move forward with creating affordable and his respective department heads prorentals and housing as the land cost will pose their own policy interests and prefer- have been addressed. Streamline the apences when requesting appropriations, then proval process. Maui County’s population oftentimes struggle, and resist compromis- has grown in such a way that it is imperaing their proposals when the council’s fis- tive we reorganize and modernize governcal policy is (usually) more ausment to adequately address the needs of nai City, HI 96763 tere/conservative. That’s where the fix is | P.O. Box 631258, La our community. The permit approval needed. I think both sides can do a better Continued on the next page job of negotiating compromise when the A Supplement of THE MAUI NEWS – Sunday, October 23, 2016 – Page S4

support! d e u n ti n o c r u o y r Mahalo fo

Paid for by Friends

Age Group Swimming Association (MAGSA) 2007-present; board of directors for Hawaiian Swimming & MAGSA 2015-present; Wailuku Country Estates Community Association Board of Directors president 2011-present Family: Married, three adult children

Maui County Council candidates

Continued from Page 4 process is one area that desperately needs to be addressed.

The City and County of Honolulu has all the people necessary in approving a plan for development in one office, making for a much more efficient approval process. Time is money. The longer we take to approve projects, the more cost gets added on to the consumer.�

Tourism. “I have had extensive work experience in various aspects of the visitor industry. As a young performer, I worked at the various hotels in their convention services, was a hostess at the grand dining room at the Grand Wailea, toured the continent with Maui Visitors Bureau and worked for Hawai‘i Tourism Japan. I currently am a part of the Maui Visitors Bureau’s newest campaign, ‘The Maui Mavericks.’ I know firsthand the importance of adequate funding in these areas as Maui County competes with tropical vacation destinations around the world. I support the continuation of the county’s financial support to the visitor industry. As Maui’s agricultural future is at a crossroad, there is an even greater economic dependency on the visitor industry. Now is not the time to pull back funding from this industry as it is our main economic driver. Also, there are infrastructure issues that must be addressed at the state level to adequately support our visitor industry. The transient accommodations tax percentage payout to counties, the realignment of the Honoapiilani Highway, and adequate agricultural inspections for incoming arrivals are issues that I would actively support our state legislators in seeing through to fruition.�

Yuki Lei Kashiwa Sugimura

ment with 10,811 units. Of these, 4,275 units, or 40 percent, are designated as affordable units. We need more rental units and for-purchase workforce housing units.

But, the building of homes has almost trickled and is in a crisis situation. Affordable/workforce housing is a very diverse and complicated issue spanning areas of land use, design, construction, financing, marketing, legal. The county should consider elevating a position to a housing czar. This housing czar can help streamline the process within the county, re-establish confidence with private developers, build further the working relationship with the state of Hawaii and financial institutions and help increase housing for our working families. Further, the county can develop an affordable housing master plan which defines the county’s affordable housing policy and addresses the current and future needs of the community. Other options: Possibly offer developers the option of donating land to the county to satisfy their affordable housing requirements. Re-establish the first-time homebuyer down-payment program and use the 2 percent real property tax Affordable Housing Fund to help subsidize proposed affordable housing projects from developers and nonprofits.�

Tourism. “The County of Maui provides financial support for the Maui Visitors Bureau, which helps bring visitors to our shores. I believe that this support is even more important as this market is our top economic engine for jobs for our residents. I have testified before the County Council, and I still stand behind my testimony of support to Maui Visitors Bureau funding from the county. I believe the MVB is critical to our economy. In my community work with projects such as Festivals of Aloha, Wailuku First Friday and Maui Friday Town Party, to name a few, I receive visitor inquiries on these events, and I often ask them where they’re from. I have found visitors from all across the continental U.S. as well as international visitors that enjoy our events. Together, we provide the visitor experience once they get to our islands. I believe the MVB line-item appropriation of $4.3 million for this fiscal year has an impressive return on investment. The $4.3 billion in visitor spending is huge, and we must continue to support and fund MVB.�

Family: Married

Housing. “The provision of housing our residents can afford has become a critical concern that is affecting every element of our community and is my top priority as a council member. It is clear that the cost of housing has shot up while the average resident’s income has remained static, creating an economic disconnect and a housing nightmare for anyone who does not already own their home and are earning less than 120 percent of area median income. As the council’s Planning chair, I established a working group to study what the causes of the housing shortage are and what we can do about them. It is clear that there will not be any single ‘silver bullet’ answer to this problem. Economists tell us that we should be building 1,400 housing units a year — both homes for sale and rentals, yet we are only building a small fraction of that.

Some answers appear to be obvious: added density; allowing existing property owners to build more rentals; greatly reducing the drag government puts on the approval process; and focusing our collective attention to this problem. Our government has to become more of a housing facilitator and less of a regulator.�

Community plans. “As the chair of the County Council Continued on the next page

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Don Couch*

Maui County Council candidates Continued from Page 5 Planning Committee for the last six years, I have been very close to the discussion. Earlier this year, my committee held meeting at which both council members and the leadership of the Planning Department expressed frustration with the current process. No one actually called it ‘broken,’ but there are definite issues that need to be resolved. One aspect of the dysfunction is that the county’s current process cannot meet with requirements placed on it by the existing County Code (2.80B). The Maui Island Plan process took close to seven years to create and then implement. The code requires us to update the community plans every 10 years, yet by the requirements of that same code, it is not possible to do the quality of planning we all want to happen within 10 years — the simple math does not work. One suggestion is that a 20-year process makes more sense. There is no consensus on what changes need to happen, but there is consensus among both council members and the planners that something has to change.

And those changes will probably require County Code changes after a lot of serious public debate.”

Kelly Takaya King

Maui has the resources, and we need to come together now to preserve our children’s future and develop the ag model that will feed and fuel our communities. Maui County should be leading the way now, holding its own job fairs and working with our college and industry to create retraining programs for the hundreds of workers laid off by HC&S who have yet to find jobs.”

Housing. “Thirty years ago, my husband and I were able to purchase our first home with a federal low-income loan, and it was the start we needed to get to where we are today. We were a young couple, pregnant with our first child, when we qualified for a loan that allowed us to establish roots in South Maui with a small 750-square-foot home in north Kihei. Due to my second pregnancy, we expanded the house too quickly for the mandatory residency time, so we refinanced and paid back all the interest as required. We still live in our Kihei house and are so thankful for the assistance that was there when we truly needed it. I want that for all families on Maui. I will work with developers, Realtors, concerned citizens and those in need of affordable housing to identify funding and create assistance for affordable homes and rentals. Already I am working with citizens and developers who want to help and are building a plan to increase Maui’s affordable housing inventory. It’s imperative that we all work together so that development can continue in a way that contributes to communities and is welcomed instead of vilified.”

HC&S workers. I will do my part in presenting as many opportunities as possible to the 675 employees as well as thoroughly review the 28,000 acres that is under state protection and the additional 8,000 acres that could be utilized through the process of rezoning and environmental approval. I look forward to, and want to encourage the public to contact my office and share your thoughts, comments and suggestions.”

Budgeting. “The most important responsibility the County Council has is in reviewing and approving the annual budget. Through Maui County Charter Section 7-5, the mayor creates the budget and transmits it to the Budget Committee for deliberation and enactment. Whatever disputes or disagreements that may arise, originates in the serious, indispensable accountability each council member swore to uphold. My belief regarding county operations is to always stay within budget appropriations, in other words ‘spend only the amount agreed upon, not a penny more.’ In some ways, it is a good thing that the Budget Committee evaluates and, when necessary, amends the given fiscal year budget. That is when the committee can see what policies were successful and which programs need adjustment. The council has always engaged in robust and healthy discussion. This is how county improvements are achieved.”

Age: 56 Birthplace: Gardenia, Calif.

Residence: Kihei Occupation: Vice president of Pacific Biodiesel Age: 49 Political experience: Elected to East Maui Birthplace: Hana the Hawaii State Board of Education, Residence: Hana 1994-98 Occupation: Special education Education: Attended community teacher, 1994-present; Kamehameha colleges in Santa Barbara, Calif., and at the University of Age: 73 Schools Bishop Estate Kulia I Ka Hawaii Maui College Birthplace: San Jose, Calif.

Pono instructor, 2000-present Community service: University of Hawaii Maui ColResidence: Hana Education: Teaching certification, lege Advisory Committee to Sustainable Sciences ManOccupation: Maui County CounChaminade University of Honolulu; agement Program, 2012-present; Sustainable Biodiesel cil member, since 2011 bachelor of architecture, University of Oregon Alliance (a national nonprofit), founding member and curPolitical experience: Council Community service: Hana Community Association rent board chairwoman, 2007-present; Aina Mo’ Project, member from 2001-2006 board, 2014-present; Hana Advisory Committee to Maui project developer of soil amendment for the local taro Military service: U.S. Army, County Planning Department, 2009-11; Special Needs farming industry, 2008 to present; Maui Farmers Union 1962-65 Department head, Hana School, 2012-16; Hana School Board of Directors, 2012-14; Hawaii Energy Policy FoEducation: Hana High School graduate Safety Committee 2014-15; Hana Aha Moku representarum, 2009-present Community service: Volunteer Hana community con- tive, 2012-present Family: Married, two children sultant, present; Hana Maui Trust Board president, 1992Family: Single present; Juvenile Justice State Advisory Board, 2005-13 Post sugar. “Agriculture is preservation. It’s food, it’s Family: Married, two children Post sugar. “Maui County has reached a critical point in fuel, it’s fiber and construction materials . . . There was a its history. After 125 years, Hawaiian Commercial & time in Hawaii when local agriculture on each island fed Post sugar. “I strongly believe in the vocational trainSugar Co. is closing sugar operations on Maui. For many over a million people. My company, Pacific Biodiesel, ing programs that worked well in our island’s past. You of us, the sugar cane culture is a large part of us — our obtained over $3 million in federal funding for five years take former agriculture workers and do counseling: ‘Do great grandparents came to Maui to work on the sugar of crop demonstrations that have not only proven the via- you want to continue employment in agriculture?’ ‘Are plantation and it is a part of our identity. I strongly support bility of biofuel crops, but have yielded real potential for you interested in creating a farming business of your the continuation of agriculture into diversified agricultural food, fiber and even skin care co-products. We’re doing own?’ ‘Do you see this present situation as an opportunity practices. Diversification means responding to changing this on the Big Island by bringing in partners and working to enroll in higher education?’ Or, ‘would you prefer vo- consumer demands and using environmentally sensitive with local farmers on our common mission of sustainabili- cational training in such fields as auto or diesel mechanic, methods that replenish the soil and promote overall envity. This is the type of collaboration we need in Maui . . . maybe carpentry, plumbing or other blue-collar caronmental health. It means that workers can easily transiCounty — every interested party should be an agriculture reers?’ It is my intention to discuss these options with the tion into jobs that are familiar and uninterrupted. I feel partner focused on the mission of our own preservaMayor’s Task Force charged with assisting the laid-off tion. With the impending demise of the sugar plantation, Continued on the next page A Supplement of THE MAUI NEWS – Sunday, October 23, 2016 – Page S6

Robert “Bob” Carroll*

Shane Sinenci

Maui County Council candidates

unfilled, can connect with potential employees that have valuable job experience and can fill those positions. As to ‘paving the way’ for HC&S to convert to diversified agriMaui County should create incentives for a food-producculture, the only obstacle I see to that is the mentality of ing economy that will limit its dependence on imported those who make these decisions within the company itfoods. If elected, I will support legislation, policies and self. There is no reason why HC&S can’t already be zoning that promotes Maui’s shift to a greener economy.

It is imperative that we retain Maui’s agricultural lands, its growing diversified crops. We have many wonderful small, organic farmers within our community that are curability to grow food; employ farmers and control the porently growing sustainable and diversified food, ag and tential urbanization of Maui County.” product crops and could be greatly helped by HC&S and its many knowledgeable and experienced employees.

Housing. “I am excited to work for affordable housing in Maui County. However, it will require the cooperation Let’s bring our entire agriculture community to the table; not just larger, select entities. The county could and of all stakeholders. The state of Hawaii provides numerous affordable housing incentives, including fast-tracking should, invest in that.” the permitting process and bypassing time-consuming buHousing. “The first thing the council should do is take reaucracies. The Maui County Council should support and institute these laws, including holding developers account- an accurate inventory of all county-owned and leased properties to determine which properties are being used able for the affordable percentages of their housing projefficiently, effectively and economically. Those spaces ects. I feel the Maui council should research and study that could provide viable short-term rental units or shelter communities that show lower-income brackets and proareas could be evaluated and renovated or outfitted to get vide housing opportunities that suit their income levels. them ready for occupancy, whether they be short- or longLocal government should encourage different types of term rental units. This could address the acute and immehousing units as starter homes where young millennial families can inhabit and begin earning equity. I believe af- diate nature of the necessity for housing now. The county can also repeal the ordinance that allows affordable units fordable housing should not begin at a half million dolto become market-priced units within a matter of months, lars! The County Council should also support nonprofit if no ‘qualified’ buyers can be found. This allowance is organizations that look into affordable alternatives like community land trusts, where residents purchase the value shady and removes affordable units from our housing of their home and not the land. If elected, I will work hard market that we desperately need. Other things the county to put working families into homes. I will work hard to in- could be doing: assisting land trusts in purchasing properclude all stakeholders in the conversation. I will work with ty for communal dwelling (shared ag/housing usage), streamlining the permitting process for smaller units to enindividual communities to hear about their housing courage tiny homes and digitizing the permitting process needs.” so departments involved in permitting various phases, can Makawao-Haiku-Paia view what has transpired and add information into the file to keep the process moving. Finally, the county can research creating its own affordable housing formula, based on federal and state formulas.”

Age: 45 Birthplace: Wailuku Residence: Hamakualoa, Haiku Occupation: Web and graphic designer/developer Age: 67 Education: Maui High School, Birthplace: Oahu Class of 1988; bachelor of fine arts Residence: Olinda degree, University of Hawaii at Occupation: General manager of Manoa, 2001 the Ka‘anapali Beach Hotel; council Community service: Sierra Club, Maui Chapter, execmember utive board member, 2015-16; ‘Aha Kauleo State AdviPolitical experience: Maui Counsory Board for Ka Papahana/Hawaiian Language Immerty Council, 2011-present; Hawaii sion Schools, school/parent representative, 2013-14; State Legislature, House of Repre‘Aha Ho‘oko/Executive Board of ‘Aha Kauleo, recording secretary, 2014-16; Na Leo Kako‘o Maui (Ke Kula Kaia- sentatives, 1993-98 Education: Bachelors of Science from the University puni o Maui PTA), Hope Pelikikena, vice president, of Hawaii at Manoa, School of Travel Industry Manage2010-13 ment Family: Divorced, one child Community service: Native Hawaiian Hospitality Post sugar. “Maui County should be hosting county job Association, treasurer, founding member, board of direcfairs, where county government departments that have had tors, 2005-13; Hawai‘i Employers Council, Board of Governors, 2001-14; Hawai‘i Hotel & Lodging Associchronic shortages or have had open positions that remain

Continued from Page 6

Trinette K.U. Furtado

Mike White*

ation, Board of Directors, 2000-13; University of Hawaii School of Travel Industry Management Advisory Council, 2004-08; Maui Hotel & Lodging Association, president, 1987, vice president, 1988, 1989, chairman, 1990, 1991, board member, 1986-95, member, 19982003, member of the board 2004-present Family: Married, five adult children

Housing. “Looking at the facts, only three affordable homes were built in eight years under the county’s previous 50 percent workforce housing law! Through the leadership of Council Member Stacy Crivello, the requirement was lowered to 25 percent, which I hope will help to spur reasonably priced homes. The basic formula is supply must outpace demand to maintain realistic prices. This can only be accomplished on a large scale through the private sector taking the lead and not government. Government’s role is to set a plan of where development can occur, but cannot micromanage how units are built. Regular review of our policies is a must, and adjustments must be made to ensure they are workable.

One recent example is the council reduced the time for which the county must exercise its purchase option for affordable housing developments from 120 to 90 days. This minor change allowed for buyers to qualify for Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae loans and is estimated to save between $400 to $500 per month on a mortgage.

Lowering the cost of housing will not be solved overnight, but it will take continual focus and dedication to chip away at this issue and I have that commitment.”

Tourism. “Destinations across the world are competing against Maui County for the same visitors and making much larger investments in their efforts. The visitor industry is incredibly competitive and to lose the momentum we have gained is foolish. Tourism is our economic lifeblood, and until an alternative can surpass the economic value of the visitor industry, it is critical that this modest investment continues. The visitor industry is cyclical, and although times may be good now, an economic downturn may be just around the corner. Instead, I firmly believe that our efforts should be focused on increasing the counties share of the transient accommodations tax, or TAT. The state has kept an ever-increasing portion for itself and placed an arbitrary cap on the coun-

A Supplement of THE MAUI NEWS – Sunday, October 23, 2016 – Page S7

Continued on the next page

Maui County Council candidates Continued from Page 7 ties, currently at $103 million. Since 2007, the state’s annual share has increased from $8.3 million to more than $205 million as the visitor industry has grown. The four counties combined, during the same period have received a mere increase of $2.2 million, while the collective counties expenses for parks, police and fire have gone up $170 million. It is simply unfair to place the burden of visitor-related expenses on the backs of residents.”

can’t even afford workforce housing, so they want more affordable rental units built. I also feel that the county and state need to look at pre-fab homes. So that people don’t have to wait too long for their houses to be built. I also feel that the permitting process is flawed. Currently all permits from big developments, to commercial buildings, to residential, are all put into the same basket. Even the person who wants to build a small extension to supplement his or her income is put in the same basket. It seems a lot of times the small projects get overlooked. For bigger residential projects, tax increment financing or a floating bond system could work also.”

Family: Married

Housing. “Housing is a complicated problem with multifaceted solutions. I am the chair of the Temporary Investigative Group on Increasing Housing Inventory, and we have released our report of about 15 things the council and administration can do. One reason that the cost of housing is so high is that the developer bears 100 percent of the cost of infrastructure, and then passes that onto the buyer. Housing is just one reason that our roads, water and sewer systems need to be upgraded, so I will prioritize funding for infrastructure West Maui that will support affordable housing developments. Maui’s proliferation of illegal or unpermitted short-term rentals is also a Post sugar. “Being from the west side major contributor to our housing crisis.

Age: 48 and seeing the devastation of post-sugar More than 1 in 4 rentals in Lahaina and Birthplace: Lahaina, we West Mauians are skeptical Kihei are short-term rentals, and many of Wailuku about what’s gonna happen to post-sugar those were homes for local residents not Residence: Napili Wailuku, Kahului, Kihei, Paia and Uplong ago. I have always supported tough Occupation: Food country. If you are a farmer, you know regulations on illegal short-term rentals, program director, that not too many things can be grown on and now we need to get better at enforcing Maui Preparatory post-sugar soil. I strongly feel that vertithose regulations. The council may have to Academy cal and warehouse farming are the way to fund a special enforcement position in the Work Experigo. This type of farming uses 95 percent ence: Executive chef/owner Nalu Grindz less water, 70 percent less fertilizer and it administration, but we should do whatever we have to do to open up these units for and Coconut Grove Catering yields a whopping 200 percent more our long-term residents.”

Military Experience: 411 Combat product per square foot. Aquaculture is Engineer Battalion U.S. Army Reserve, another self-sustaining area of producing Tourism. “While tourism is a valuable 1986-91 food for our county. Investing into these asset to our economy, I have been a longEducation: Lahainaluna High School, viable and proven methods will help our time advocate of caring for our resources in Class of 1986; U.S. Army Quarter Mascounty become more self-sustainable. a responsible, sustainable manner. It is our ter School, food service specialist 1987 Providing training and jobs in these types kuleana to do so, and we need to recognize (honor graduate) of farming to displaced HC&S workers the fact that without maintenance and Community service: Sacred Hearts could and should be an option.” preservation of everything that makes Maui School Bazaar, co-chairman, 2010-11; no ka oi, we will lose the ability to keep provided food for Lahainaluna Varsity people wanting to come back. Our residents and J.V. teams, 2011-present; Maui High and guests are increasingly frustrated with School Family Fun Night Club food Age: 51 traffic, the safety of our roads and lack of sponsor, 2014 and 2016; Camp KuBirthplace: access during times of natural disasters or malani and Young Life Maui food sponWailuku accidents. We should immediately invest in sor, 2012-present; Hui O Pohaku S-turns Residence: Honupgrades and expansion to our roads, waSurf Club board member, 2006-present; olua Valley terlines and sewer lines. We must work agHui O Pohaku Keiki Surf Contest prize Occupation: gressively to partner with our state and fedcoordinator/food sponsor, 2006-12 Council member, eral leadership to move Honoapiilani HighFamily: Married, four children since 2011 way mauka. Expanding R1 recycled water Education: GED distribution lines would mean we could Housing. “I feel that the county is alCommunity service: The White stop injecting a reusable resource into the ready in a crisis situation when it comes to true affordable and workforce housing. House’s National Ocean Council Gover- ocean, a concept I have been advocating for After speaking with a number of develop- nance Coordinating Committee, member, since I helped found DIRE (Don’t Inject ers, the common denominator that defeats 2015-present; Metropolitan Planning Or- Redirect), a coalition that promotes the ganization, member; Temporary Invesaffordable housing is the cost of infrahealth of our oceans and advocates for adetigative Committee to Increase Affordstructure. I feel that the state and county quate supplies of water by phasing out need to take care of some of these costs to able Housing Inventory, chairwoman; La- wastewater injection wells and re-using hainaluna Boarding Task Force, member, properly treated wastewater on land. We entice developers to build more affordable homes. Even with that said, there are 2015-present; Na kia‘i o Waine‘e (Mala- need these infrastructure improvements for many people whom I have spoken to who ma Waiola Church graveyard), member the safety for our residents and guests.”

A Supplement of THE MAUI NEWS – Sunday, October 23, 2016 – Page S8

Ernest Z. Kanamu Balinbin

Elle Cochran*

Kahului

Don S. Guzman* Age: 47 Birthplace: Philippines Residence: Kahului Occupation: Maui County Council member, since 2013; private practice attor-

ney Education: Bachelor of arts and sciences, Creighton University; juris doctorate, Ohio Northern University College of Law Community service: Lahaina Junior Golf Association; Christ the King lector; (stepped down from all other positions in nonprofit organizations that appear before the council to avoid conflict of interest) Family: Married, three children

Housing. “By 2030, socio-economic studies forecast 30,000 housing units will need to be built. Maui County applies inclusionary zoning, requiring developers to build specific numbers of affordable units, which may fluctuate or be uncertain depending on economic growth, construction costs, interest rates, market value house demands, etc. From 1990-2015, the county granted developer entitlements to build 5,380 affordable housing units and 7,752 market; only 2,068 affordable and 2,804 market were built. A few options in addressing this crisis could be: working with developers to assure that entitlements are completed in a timely manner and affordable units prioritized via ordinances, incentives, reduced fees and private-public partnerships; creating a more diverse ‘revolving’ affordable housing fund, the county could buy land and do its own housing project, and put projects out for bid. Once the developer starts closing, money that the county receives would revolve back into the fund to be used for another project; establish a county Affordable Housing Land Trust, similar to Na Hale O Maui, wherein the land would be held in leasehold keeping the house affordable in perpetuity; reexamine current deed restriction methods of retaining inventory and find ways to assist families qualify for loans.”

Community plans. “The Maui County Continued on the next page

Maui County Council candidates

Continued from Page 8 Charter and MCC 2.80B require updates to the general plan every 10 years. The mandatory timeline for the community plan process for review and recommendations is that the Community Plan Advisory Committee and Planning Commission each have six months; another 12 months for council final adoption. Actual planning to develop a community plan takes the Planning Department about 18 months. During this time, a critical bridge of trust between government and the community must be established to build public consensus. With a limited staff, the council should appropriate more resources to the Planning Division, including professional services. The timelines in MCC should be re-examined. Future consideration, doing the community plan(s) first before the general plan. Notwithstanding, the current process needs to improve communication between the Planning Department, CPAC, commission and council. Instead of a comprehensive review of the plan, a revolving review in segments may be more expeditious via sending completed chapter(s) to the council for review. Important aspect would be clarifying â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;intentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; for the land use designations and the associated maps at earlier stage. Simultaneously, a review of specific zoning ordinance(s) can be done.â&#x20AC;?

Vanessa A. Medeiros Birthplace: Wailuku Residence: Kahului Occupation: Public housing supervisor V, Hawaii Public Housing Authority Work experience: Special events specialist, county Department of Parks and Recreation; institutional support-financial clerk, University of Hawaii Maui College; station manager, Alamo Rent A Car Education: Bachelor of arts degree, professional services (business administration), University of Hawaii West Oahu, 1996; masterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degree in business administration, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2002 Community service: Community Clinic of Maui, doing business as Malama Ike Ola Health Center, president, 2012-present Family: Single

Hawaiian Homelands/Na Hale O Maui and provide infrastructure; (3) create a more objective process for review of large land development; and (4) revise the Workforce Housing Policy to include both housing and commercial development. Include in change of zoning requests relating to affordable housing an expiration date to â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;incentivizeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; developers to move more expeditiously in meeting their affordable housing requirements or lose the zoning and variances. But the county cannot be the only one with â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;skin in the game.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Developers, contractors, realtors and mortgage lenders must be active participants.â&#x20AC;?

forward, the county needs to find ways of providing consistent and affordable water for agriculture. We need to prioritize water allocation, particularly in regards to diversified agriculture.â&#x20AC;?

Budgeting. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In regards to budgeting and the countyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s budget process, disagreements between the council and mayor are part of a deliberative financial process to ensure our limited resources are spent in the best manner possible. In my opinion, disputes have not affected the delivery of public services. Even within families, it is difficult to get everyone to agree on where to spend the money all the time. I believe the process works and is important to enBudgeting. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The council takes about three months to sure we utilize the publicâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s money in the most prudent and review the budget, chop it up and revise downward the responsible way. In county governments, there are only requests of departments. However, in the ensuing year, two branches of government. The requirement of checks most of the originally requested monies are restored and balances is provided through officials elected by the through a series of budget amendments. So we must ask people. This structure of checks and balances is removed whether the process is efficient. Certainly, the delivery by a county manager system. A system with an executive of public services can be impacted if the departments appointed by the legislative branch would tip the balance cannot adequately plan their operations. Budget amend- of power in an unfavorable way. It would create a system ments are time-consuming. The council will say it is try- that relies on the legislative branch keeping itself in ing to be fiscally responsible to taxpayers, but aside check.â&#x20AC;? from the night sessions for community input, the process involves many late-night meetings resulting in overtime pay for council staff. Fiscal responsibility in both branches of government is critical. The decision on alloAge: 43 cating limited funds is greatly dependent on the continBirthplace: Miami ued provision of accurate data and reporting from the Residence: Lanai City administration and the councilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ability to remain objecOccupation: Invasive species tive in its deliberation.â&#x20AC;? technician Work experience: Pulama Lanai Lanaâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;i; Expeditions ferry; Stables at Koele Education: Bachelor of arts, English, Kent State University, Ohio Age: 63 Community service: Lanai Heritage Subsistence Birthplace: Kauai Fishing Practices, member, 2014-present; Maui County commissioner (Lanai representative), Americans with Residence: Lanai City Disabilities Act, 2014-16 Occupation: County Council Family: Single parent, one daughter member, current term since 2013 Political experience: Delegate to Housing. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There is a strong track record of progresHawaii State Constitutional Convensive methods that can solve our housing crisis. Some tion in 1978; Maui County Council 1999-2008; National Association of may be as simple as building duplex housing instead of Counties, president, 2014-15 Continued on the next page Education: Bachelor of arts degree, University of Hawaii at Manoa 9;;GMFL9:ADALQ KMKL9AF9:ADALQ LJ9FKH9J=F;Q Community service: Lanai Community Plan Advisory Committee, County Solid Waste Advisory Committee, State Community Services Commission and State Department of Transportation Harbors Task Force 2010 Update Family: Single

Gabe Johnson

Riki Hokama*

Housing. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The issue of affordable housing has been exacerbated by: (1) the conversion of potential longterm rental properties to short-term rentals; and (2) a lack of affordable housing options. The current model for single-family dwellings is developer-built homes with lots of bells and whistles. Additionally, the process KL9L= @GMK= g^ J=HJ=K=FL9LAN=K <aklja[l )+ for purchasing homes under the workforce housing poliHY aY$ @Y acm$ @m]dg$ C]YfY]$ FY`acm$ @Ĺ&#x160;fY$ CahY`mdm$ CYmhg$ EgdgcY a$ DYfY a Post sugar. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The county can provide programs and recy is somewhat flawed because it requires families to be sources for job training to help mitigate the effects created ooo&>JA=F<Kg^FAC@AD9F9F<9&[ge at a specific, pre-set income level to qualify. The counby the loss of jobs. The loss of jobs will create hardships cilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s options include: (1) legislate downward the counNgl] Lm]k\Yq$ Fgn& 0l` Yl ]Yjdq oYdc%af! gj Zq eYad3 Zml hd]Yk] NGL= for laid-off workers and their families while they search tyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s calculation of the affordable housing sales price HJG?J=KKAN= AF<=H=F<=FL =FNAJGFE=FL9DAKL guidelines; (2) purchase large land tracts and implement for new employment opportunities. As such, we need to M^e 33 1)1'.0+'NLNL!1010" >fZbe 33 gbdabeZgZg]Z9aZpZbbZgm^e'g^m also look at potential housing support programs. Going a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;land-leaseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; model similar to the Department of HYa\ ^gj Zq >ja]f\k g^ Fac`adYfYf\Y H&G& :gp )/(, EYcYoYg EYma$ @YoYa a 1./.0%)/(, A Supplement of THE MAUI NEWS â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Sunday, October 23, 2016 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Page S9

Maui County Council candidates

Hale Hookupa‘a Drug Treatment Center; resingle-family homes, or using prefabricattired Verizon ed houses to lower costs. But what I am Telecommunications very passionate about is using land trusts island manager, to solve the affordable housing issue. The Molokai and Lanai affordable housing guidelines are set too Education: Colhigh right now for residents of Maui lege of Commerce; County. We want real housing prices that Molokai High School; are affordable, and land trusts have Maui Community College proven a smart way to lower housing Community service: Molokai Land prices significantly. I would go one step Trust, board of directors, 2008-12; Ke further and instead of developers making Aupuni Lokahi, board president, 2008-12; affordable homes we should support non- Kalamaula Homesteaders Association, profits such as Habitat for Humanity.” board of directors, 2008-13; Na Puu Wai Hawaiian Health Systems, board of direcCommunity plans. “I love community tors, 2009-13; Maui County Fire and Pubplans! In fact I think that the county lic Safety Commission chairwoman should do more to empower the people Family: Four children who live and work there. Give the people a say. Let’s remember the county governHousing. “County Council is working to ment has a duty to listen to the communi- make more homes available, but it’s a ty in which it represents. Communityprocess we can abbreviate. The high cost of based government is the progressive way lands and infrastructure add to the detriforward in making our county a true ment of owning a home. As chair of the democracy. If the community plan is reHousing and Human Concerns Committee, duced in power, then corporations and the committee significantly reduced the imlarge landowners will unfairly influence pacts of the workforce bill to provide housthe direction of the community’s future.” ing. We may require developers to build affordable homes before market-rate units.

Molokai Kahoma Residential Project, Waikapu Gardens and the Kulamalu Rental Project are recent developments. Council approved Na Hale O Maui and Maui Habitat for Humanity projects utilizing affordable housing Age: 70 funds for qualified local families. Building Birthplace: Hoolehua, Molokai homes for our families whether it’s fee simResidence: Kalamaula, Molokai ple or rental should be Maui County’s foOccupation: Maui County Council cus. An inventory of available county lands member, since 2013 may be offered to build rentals or affordWork experience: Executive director,

Continued from Page 9

Stacy Helm Crivello*

able units.

The Housing Department should consider partnering with USDA Rural Development. Rural development has several housing programs available. Building ‘start-up homes’ may also be considered. Establish a housing czar or housing facilitator to expedite the ‘maze’ of receiving building permits. It will take a strong team of commitment from council, administration, state, federal government, builders and landowners to meet the needs of our residents.”

and Business Organization, 2012-15; captain (2014-15) of Etes Football Team, 2012-15 Family: Married, two children

Community plans. “Because our islands only have a limited amount of land, we must use it wisely. The community planning process was designed help us do this. Our plans should address people’s needs, like affordable housing and economic development. They should also protect our natural resources, so that we Budgeting. “Council’s deliberations dur- don’t end up destroying them. After all, ing our budget sessions are worked with an investment in our natural resources is consideration and commitment first to our an investment in our economy. By law, county’s taxpayers. Balancing the budget the community plan process must include in accordance to our income and expenses input from the people who live in our are the basic fundamentals of council’s fi- communities. The Planning Department duciary responsibility. The mayor’s 2017 is responsible for coordinating the process proposed budget of $711.5 million may be and documenting the results. The County considered reasonable; however, the ques- Council gets involved at the very end tion posed before council is ‘can we afford when the draft plans are submitted for fiit?’ Council trimmed and approved apnal approval. But the planning process proximately $659 million for 2017. The does not work when our leaders fail to appropriations have not curtailed delivery honor it. As a council member, I will of public services. Our hardworking emwork with the mayor and the Planning ployees exemplify dedication and commit- Department to ensure that when our comment to serve.” munities speak the county respects their voices. And even more importantly, I promise that once a community plan is adopted, I will follow it whenever the council is asked to approve land developAge: 33 ment.”

Birthplace: Hawaii Housing: “The cost of the land is one of Residence: Kauthe most significant impacts on Maui’s nakakai Occupation: Proj- high cost of living. We see the conseect coordinator at the quences every day as our families are forced to leave to find housing and finanHale Ho‘omalu cial opportunities in other places. The Women’s Shelter on county has long stated that affordable Molokai housing is a priority, but there is much Education: Juris doctorate degree and more that we can do. One concern is that certificates in Native Hawaiian rights and as houses are taken out of the market for environmental law, William S. Richardvacation rentals, they are unavailable for son School of Law, University of Hawaii our local housing needs. There are policies at Manoa; master’s degree in business ad- we can institute to keep these homes in the ministration, Shidler College of Business, local housing pool. We should be putting University of Hawaii; bachelor’s degree more resources into programs that help in public relations, Hawai‘i Pacific Uniour local people to be financially prepared versity; graduate, Molokai High and Infor homeownership. We can also do termediate School things with new developments such as inCommunity service: Chairwoman, centivizing high affordable housing mixes, Student Bar Association, Legislative streamlining permitting processes without Working Group on Access to Justice, compromising key approvals, and support 2013-15; Moloka‘i Canoe Racing Asso- innovation such as the tiny house moveciation representative, Moloka‘i Canoe ment. Some things will work better than Club, 2012-present; co-chairperson of E others, but nothing should be off the table Malama i ke Kai Committee, Punana Leo when we are talking about the future of o Manoa, 2012-14; vice president, Law Maui.”

A Supplement of THE MAUI NEWS – Sunday, October 23, 2016 – Page S10

Keani Rawlins-Fernandez

State House of Representatives candidates

House races enter final lap fter months of reaching out to voters through neighborhood canvassing, roadside sign-waving, political forums and other activities, candidates are in the final phases of their campaigns before hearing the votersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; verdict on Nov. 8.

There are no races for state Senate seats.

Central Maui Sen. Gil Keith-Agaran is the only one of Maui Countyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s three senators facing re-election this year, and heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unopposed. Maui Sens. Roz Baker (West and South Maui) and J. Kalani English (East Maui, Upcountry, Molokai and Lanai) are in the middle of their four-year terms.

In House races, Kahului-Puunene-Old Sand Hills-Maui Lani Rep. Justin Woodson was unopposed for re-election to the 9th District. In the 12th District, Democratic Rep. Kyle Yamashita won his primary contest and is unopposed for re-election by any other party nominees.

That leaves four contested races for General Election day.

Democratic House Speaker Joe Souki will take on Republican Gilbert Rebolledo for the House District 8 seat (Wailuku-Kahakuloa-Waihee-Waiehu-Puuohala-Waikapu); West Maui Rep. Angus McKelvey will face his third challenge from Republican Chayne Marten for the House District 10 seat (West Maui-Maalaea-north Kihei); South Maui Democratic Rep. Kaniela Ing will defend his seat against a challenge from Republican Daniel Pekus for the 11th House seat (South Maui); and Democratic Rep. Lynn DeCoite will face off against Green Party nominee Nick Nikhilananda for the 13th House seat, the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s only three-island canoe district (Haiku-Paia-East Maui-Molokai-Lanai).

For biographical sketches and candidate answers to issue questions, see the following:

A

State House of Representatives House District 8 (Wailuku-Kahakuloa-Waihee Waiehu-Puuohala-Waikapu)

Joe Souki* (D)

Age: 85 Birthplace: Puunene Residence: Wailuku

Candidates for seats in the state Legislature were asked to pick two of the following questions:

Occupation: Speaker of the House of Representatives, legislator, Realtor Political experience: Member of the state House since 1982; House speaker since 2013; previously speaker from 1993-99; state Constitutional Convention delegate, 1978 Military service: U.S. Army 1954-56 Education: Woodbury University, bachelor of business administration, 1954, distinguished alumni, 2014; St. Anthony High School Community service: Cameron Center, director emeritus; Federal Land Bank, director Family: Married, two children

Maui hospitals. Given the delays in transferring Maui hospitals to Kaiser Permanente management, what should the Legislature do to address this?

Post sugar. With this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s closure of Hawaiian Commercial & Sugarâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s plantation, what role do you see the state Legislature taking to help laid-off workers and in paving the way for HC&S to convert its Central Maui lands to diversified agriculture?

Term limits. Do you believe there should be term limits for state lawmakers? Why or why not?

Schools. What do you think should be done to improve the way the state Department of Education proposes, plans, designs and builds new facilities such as new schools, cafeterias, libraries and auditoriums?

Diversified economy. What do you think the state should do to create and keep high-paying jobs in non-visitor-industry-related segments of the islandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economy?

District priorities. What are the top priorities for constituents in your House District? What would you do to address them?

Maui hospitals. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Presently, negotiations between labor and the governor have been complete. Judge has accepted the state v. union settlement agreement. Kaiser has agreed to continue to run the hospitals.

Transfer is meeting its objectives.â&#x20AC;?

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Term limits. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Opposed to term limits, as we currently have term limits â&#x20AC;&#x201D; two years for the House and four years for the Senate. Both legislative bodies need to face the electorate every two and four years, respectively. The electorate will decide if they should return or not. That is the way our forefathers started the legislative process.â&#x20AC;?

Gilbert (Gil) Rebolledo (R) Age: 55 Birthplace: Los Angeles Residence: Wailuku Occupation: Selfemployed, property management and maintenance busi-

ness Political experience: Vice chairman of the Maui County Republican Party, 2014-present Education: Baldwin High School graduate; Seattle University; Maui Com-

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Please Support our Campaign at

3DLG IRU E\ )266 )ULHQGV RI 6KDQH 6LQHQFL %R[ +DQD +, Continued on the next page A Supplement of THE MAUI NEWS â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Sunday, October 23, 2016 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Page S11

State House of Representatives candidates begin operations, there is the high risk of losing staff and services. If people from Maui, Lanai and Molokai are in need of medical services that are not provided on Maui, funds must be made available by the state to assist people with travel and housing expenses to Oahu.”

Continued from Page 11

both costs of living and taxes. Some of the surplus funds in the state’s general fund should go toward benefitting Hawaii’s taxpayers.”

munity College; ACE (Accelerated Christian Education) School of Tomorrow House District 10 Community service: Volunteer at (West Maui-Maalaea-North Kihei) Maui Community Correctional Center, counsels and helps inmates; youth pastor, District priorities. “Highway improve2010-16; Ka Hale A Ke Ola volunteer, (D) ments are needed to the Honoapiilani 2010-present; Hale Makua volunteer, Highway to help workforce constituents 2001-present Age: 48 who travel to and from Lahaina. AffordFamily: Married, three children Birthplace: Honable housing and rentals are needed as olulu well as stopping any more increases in Maui hospitals. “Given the situation Resicosts of living and burdensome taxes. If as it is currently, the Legislature should dence: Lahaina we continue in the same way we are curmake every way possible for Kaiser to Occupation: State commence procedures for transfer of op- rently going, we are going to see more legislator, since 2006 and more of our people leave the state to erations. It is important that the process / caregiver start immediately rather than waiting un- find opportunity and a more affordable Educalifestyle. I will oppose any increases in til July 2017 to begin. Until Kaiser can tion: Bachelor of arts in political science from Whittier College; juris doctorate, Concord Law School Community service: LahainaTown Action Committee, board member; Lahaina Restoration Foundation, member; Lahaina Rotary Club, member; West Maui Taxpayer’s Association, former diQ: Where is my mail ballot? nature on file. If the signatures do not rector; Lahaina Bypass Now Team, forA: To find out if your ballot has match, your Clerk’s Office will contact mer member been mailed, received and accepted, you.

Family: Single please contact your Clerk’s Office.

Angus L.K. McKelvey*

Voting by mail:

Q: When are mail ballots sent out?

A: Ballots are mailed approximately 20 days prior to an election by the Clerk’s Office.

Q: My mail ballot has not arrived, is lost, or damaged. What can I do?

A: Contact your Clerk’s Office regarding the status of your mail ballot or to request a replacement ballot.

Q: How do I request a replacement mail ballot?

A: Contact your Clerk’s Office to request a replacement ballot.

Q: When must the voted ballot be returned?

A: Mail ballots must be received by close of polls at 6:00 pm on Election Day to your Clerk’s Office or at any polling place within your county.

Q: What if I make a mistake while voting my ballot?

A: If you make a mistake on your ballot do not attempt to correct it or use whiteout. Contact your Clerk’s Office to request a replacement ballot.

Q: Will my vote still count if I forget to put my ballot in the secrecy envelope?

Q: Why do I have to sign the back A: Yes, ballots contained in a valid of the ballot envelope? return envelope will be counted reA: Your Clerk’s Office will verify gardless of whether they are sent back your identity by comparing your signa- in a secrecy envelope. ture on the ballot envelope to the sig-

Maui County Clerk’s Office 200 S. High St., Room 708 | Wailuku | Phone: 270-7749

www.elections.hawaii.gov

Term limits. “Fact is, we already have term limits in place — the election. The voters have the opportunity each election cycle to choose the candidate they believe will best represent them, and the interests of the community at large. For Neighbor Islanders, this would be extremely detrimental because all power would derive from Oahu. This means that critical projects, such as the hospital, would never get funded. By re-electing their representative and building seniority, the Neighbor Islands can develop a powerful voice to offset the unequal advantage for Oahu that term limits would create.”

District priorities. “Infrastructure and affordable housing continue to be the district’s number one priorities. Specifically, we need to continue the bypass north, find solutions to the seawall and create affordable housing in perpetuity for local working families. As was shown with the seawall situation, I’ve been a decisive and powerful advocate for West Maui. If reelected, I will not only continue to be a vocal advocate on these issues, I will also strive to create innovative short- and longterm solutions for these vexing problems.”

A Supplement of THE MAUI NEWS – Sunday, October 23, 2016 – Page S12

Chayne Marten (R) Age: 63 Birthplace: Stockton, Calif.

Occupation: Green energy consultant Political experience: Republican West Maui House candidate in 2012, 2014 Community service: American Red Cross Disaster Action Team; American Heart Association Family: Married, three children Schools. “Public education in Hawaii has suffered for years. Education receives about 22 percent of the total state budget, an adequate amount if used wisely. The problem is bureaucracy, and our state’s antiquated centralized governing and funding system. Current projects like Kihei high school crawl toward completion. Projects to replace aging educational facilities and schoolhouses have yet to be started — even when black mold is encountered as is the case at one schoolroom at Lahainaluna.

Funds should be prioritized for structural engineers to examine these buildings before thinking of building new ones. We need to streamline and make public the process of school funding. I will scrutinize the handling of school funds. I’m tired of waiting for our schools to receive air conditioning. Immediately, relief should be pursued by establishing an adopt-a-classroom program for community and service groups donations or using social media with its GoFundMe options. We should move away from government dependence.

School reform is needed, decentralizing education in Hawaii and returning control to communities and local school boards.

Strong education is foundational for all other civil liberties. Join me in helping make our schools strong again, structurally, financially and academically.”

District priorities. “Our frontline teachers need respect and appreciation, but also a living wage especially in our expensive state. Coupling a significant pay increase with initiatives to help with housing and health care would help attract and retain quality instructors. Teacher dorms could be pursued for single teachers and priority could be given to their access to low-cost Continued on the next page

State House of Representatives candidates

being misappropriated from the original House District 13 bill’s intentions. We need those funds to (Haiku-Paia-East Maui-Molokai-Lanai) housing. Instructors must be reimbursed maintain the visitor wear-tear facilities for after-hours work they perform to reand infrastructure. Extreme amount of mediate our keiki. I will work with their (D) business vacancies need to be filled. These union to promote our teachers and afford them a comfortable lifestyle regardless of landlords are making money with offsets Age: 46 your union’s endorsement. Expanding ear- of loses to decrease their tax burden for Birthplace: Honly education will strengthen prospects for other investment profits, therefore, we olulu our keiki to graduate as literate productive should give them the same break to fill Residence: Hooleadults at the conclusion of their secondary these vacancies with affordable business hua, Molokai rents. This generates general excise tax schooling. Almost all public schools in Occupation: State revenues, increase employment, and keeps Maui County fail to reach the benchmark House representative the money supply within our community. set by the Department of Education. Lasince February 2015; Economy; bring tech industry with highhainaluna High School ranked 248th out owner and operator of paying positions to our tech park. Educaof 257 public schools in Hawaii and reL&R Farms; owner and operator of RJ’s tion and the new high school, paperceived an F. Subsequently such ranking Snacks; co-owner and operator of V-8 work/building delays, extraordinary costs has been replaced with Strive High with Ranch place a burden on an island with a populaits goal of lessening the achievement gap Political experience: Worked on between the highest- and lowest-perform- tion of 160,000. Cost projections for ini- Molokai for campaigns of David Ige for ing students. If your school is ranked low, tial 800 students will be $160,000 per governor; Colleen Hanabusa for Congress; student or building at $604 per square it qualifies for additional funding by beBarack Obama for president (2008 and foot. Triple of the largest building costs in coming a Focus school. Lahainaluna is a 2012); Neil Abercrombie for governor; focus school. Decentralizing education in New York. Reduce paperwork delays and Danny Mateo for Maui County Council; funding to build the school within a twoHawaii is critical.” and U.S. Sens. Daniel Akaka and Daniel year period and if lack of funding is an isInouye House District 11 sue build it in sections and at costs per Education: Molokai High School, Class (Kihei-Wailea-Makena) square foot that is acceptable. Reduce of 1988; University of Hawaii Maui Colclass sizes, increase teacher pay.” lege, Molokai Education Center, 1988-90 (D) Community service: Farm Service Term limits. “Yes, I believe in term Agency, chairwoman, 2007-15; state Incumbent Rep. Kaniela Ing did not re- limits. It comes down to trust and transBoard of Agriculture, member, 2012-15; parency in our government. Today, most spond to requests to answer issue quesMolokai Homestead Farmers Alliance, people believe that government isn’t being tions for this supplement. president, 2006-15; Lokahi Pacific, board honest with the people and we need to member, 2004-12; Molokai Irrigation Adearn that trust back. Rotating ideas and visory Board, 2008-12 people in these positions can be a good (R) Family: Married, three children check and balance upon our system. A few ways to earn trust back is to: (1) be Age: 58 Post sugar. “With the production of sugar upfront with every bill and all spending alBirthplace: Lake coming to an end, the biggest impact is on locations within the state; (2) lay out Arrowhead, Calif. everything in layman’s terms (government Residence: Kihei tends to be too convoluted and complicatOccupation: Speed); (3) not be afraid to reallocate governcial education ment revenues and reassign or retrain govteacher, Baldwin ernment workers to other government enHigh School Education: Bache- tities that need improvement instead of lor of arts in business administration, San keeping workers in an over-inflated govDiego State; teaching endorsement in spe- ernment administrative system (look at the cial education, Utah State; master’s degree administrative costs per mile of road in education, Portland State building and improvements — Hawaii Community service: Volunteer coach, $90,001 per mile), and fix our unfunded Maui High School and Seabury Hall; debt Employee Retirement System. I becoach, Seabury Hall baseball team, and lieve we can simplify the entire governyouth soccer coach, AYSO; beach and mental system in all areas. As we simplify ocean cleanup volunteer we reduce overall costs which in turn can Family: Divorced, three adult children do a few things: increase wages, hire more, and build trust in the communiDistrict priorities. “Issues cross over ty. With computers, we can make sure all with my website acronym T.E.A.C.H.E.R: systems can communicate with each other Economy is felt in different areas: TAT is effectively and efficiently.”

A Supplement of THE MAUI NEWS – Sunday, October 23, 2016 – Page S13 Continued from Page 12

Lynn Pualani DeCoite*

Kaniela Ing*

Daniel “Danny’ Pekus

our economy. We have 600 skilled workers that were trained for specific tasks that need to find new jobs, most likely that will need different types of training. We have to look at the loss of sugar revenues to the county, state and the economic impact of what will happen with that land. There are plenty of hopes and dreams, but we have to look at the practical applications — what can be farmed there? Can it be used for ranching?

How much development can the land and community handle? And the biggest impact — water! For the plans that do go through, is there enough water to support them? The Legislature will be at the forefront of all of these issues, taking charge on audits, environmental studies and looking into what programs need to be reformed and/or created. We (the Legislature) will have to keep on top of the necessary state departments to make sure these things happen in a timely manner, not rushing or skipping steps, holding accountability to those departments to get these essential tasks done so we can make informed actions.”

District priorities. “My continued priorities for District 13 are: outreach and inclusion of all islands and residents when it comes to services, resources, programs and jobs; (District 13 is the only ‘canoe district’ in the state House of Representatives. The areas (and islands) in the district are considered ‘rural’ and do not always get the attention that urban areas of the state receive); agriculture, food safety, sustainability, promoting local products; education, facility improvement and support services for stuContinued on Page 15

‘Rigged’ voting charge shapes election ‘unlike any before’ Some states are trying to coordinate with local law enforcement to tighten seFacing unprecedented curity without making a warnings of a “rigged” heavy-handed — and poelection from Donald tentially illegal — show of Trump, state officials force. And some schools around the country are that double as polling rushing to reassure the places have canceled classpublic, and some are takes on Election Day for fear ing subtle steps to boost of agitated voters and security at polling places demonstrators in school because of the passions hallways. whipped up by the race.

Over the weekend, a “This election the envi- firebombing heavily damronment is unlike any beaged a local Republican fore,” South Carolina Elec- Party office in North Cartion Commission olina. No injuries were respokesman Chris Whitported. And after a bomb mire said. threat at the Arizona GOP

By ADAM BEAM Associated Press

headquarters on Monday, the state party said it will probably hire security guards.

As Trump’s poll numbers have dropped amid accusations from multiple women that he groped them without consent, the Republican nominee has warned that the election is about to be stolen from him on Nov. 8 by backers of Democrat Hillary Clinton.

Trump has called on people to act as “election observers” in certain areas of the country to help prevent fraud — a move that

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has stirred fears of voter intimidation and confrontations at the polls.

In North Carolina, state election officials are coordinating with sheriffs to make sure law enforcement agencies know the location of each polling place on Election Day, in case they need to be called.

And in South Carolina, election officials have asked local law enforcement to increase patrols near voting locations while being careful not to oversaturate the area and intimidate voters.

Given the nation’s long history of intimidating black voters, especially in the South, local officials must tread carefully in stepping up security. In South Carolina, for example, authorities said that under state law, police are not allowed to enter polling places unless they are summoned by election officials.

“If it is not done correctly, not only can it intimidate voters, it can also be against the law,” said Adam Gitlin, counsel for the Brennan Center for Justice’s Democracy Program at the New York University School of Law. “Many states have laws that specifically provide that election officials are

the ones who are in charge of keeping order.”

In Falmouth, Maine, local officials decided to call off classes at public schools that will be used as polling places on Election Day. “Mr. Trump has a way to get people excited, I would say. It’s on both sides. I think everybody has seen it on TV enough to be concerned,” Falmouth Police Chief Ed Tolan said. “We don’t need those kinds of demonstrations with students on school grounds.”

In Washington, city election officials will meet with the federal Homeland Security Department to discuss security at polling places and will take extra measures if necessary, Board of Elections spokeswoman Tamara Robinson said.

Officials in a number of states said they are following standard security procedures for elections and not taking any special precautions beyond that.

“There is a reasonable level of paranoia,” said Ken Menzel, general counsel for the Illinois Board of Elections. “But I’m not hearing that the level of paranoia is much different from in previous years.”

In metropolitan Atlanta,

the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office said that the Georgia Constitution requires the county sheriff to provide security at each polling place and that the department does that for every election.

Officials also sought to reassure the public that the election is secure against rigging.

Kentucky Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes, a Democrat, said Trump’s comments were “dangerous and divisive.”

In Tennessee, GOP Secretary of State Tre Hargett said the election will be “fair and honest.”

“Anything that causes people to have less confidence to vote, I frown upon. Regardless of what party that comes from,” he said.

In heavily Democratic Philadelphia, a city Trump singled out as a place to watch for fraud, elected leaders bristled at such allegations as an attempt to disrupt voting and discourage minorities from going to the polls.

“We will not tolerate any sort of foolishness on Election Day, and it’s even insulting to suggest that Philadelphians would,” said Democratic City Councilwoman Cindy Bass.

Important 2016 election dates ■ Early walk-in voting on Maui and Molokai: Tuesday to Nov. 5.

■ Absentee mail applications due: Nov. 1.

■ General Election: Nov. 8.

Days and times for absentee walk-in voting

■ Office of the County Clerk, county building, Wailuku — 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Monday to Saturday. Closed Sundays.

■ Mitchell Pauole Center conference room, 90 Ainoa St., Kaunakakai — 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (closed noon to 1 p.m.), Mondays to Fridays; 8 a.m. to noon, Saturdays. Closed Sundays.

Voters need to bring a picture identification for absentee voting.

A Supplement of THE MAUI NEWS – Sunday, October 23, 2016 – Page S14

2016 Maui County Charter amendments Five Maui County Charter amendments appear on the Nov. 8 ballot. They are: ■ “Shall the charter be amended to require council approval of the mayor’s appointment of the managing director, director of finance, director of public works, director of parks and recreation, planning director, director of housing and human concerns, director of transportation, and director of environmental management and to allow additional qualifications for department directors to be established by ordinance?”

cil Services as special counsel to serve as legal representatives for any special matter presenting a real necessity for such employment?”

■ “Shall Sections 11-4 and 11-5 of the charter be amended to correct clerical errors and to provide consistency within the charter by allowing an individual to withdraw their signature from a supplemental petition?”

State House of Representatives candidates Continued from Page 13 dents and teachers; health, health care and access to health services for all residents; housing, affordable and quality housing and addressing the ‘Hidden Homeless’; Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, adequate funding for operations and administration.”

Nick Nikhilananda (G)

Age: 65 Birthplace: Brooklyn, N.Y. Residence: Huelo Occupation: Candidate, state House of Representatives Work experience: Working on private land/property in Huelo Political experience: Maui County Council candidate, 1992, ’94, ’98, 2000, ’06, ’14; candidate, U.S. Congress, 2nd Dis■ “Shall Section 11-5 of trict, 2002, ’03 the charter be amended to Education: Master of Arts degree, Public Law/Urban allow the County Clerk Affairs, The American University, Washington, D.C., twenty (20) days to review 1975; bachelor of arts degree, political science, Bradley ■ “Shall Sections 3-6, a supplemental petition in- University, Peoria, Ill., 1972; Hawaii facilitator certificate, 3-7 and 8-2.3 of the char- stead of ten (10) days?”

Mediation Services of Maui, 2008; Legal Research and ter be amended to allow atLexis/Westlaw certificate; Maui Community College, Oftorneys within the Office ■ “Shall the charter be fice of Continuing Education and Training, 2002; Mediaof Council Services, in ad- amended to change the tion Certificate Mediation Services of Maui Inc., 1991; redition to the attorneys name of the Civil Defense al estate salesman license, Hawaii Institute of Real Estate, within the Department of Agency to the Maui Coun- 1987 the Corporation Counsel, ty Emergency Management Community service: Producer/host, Maui Talks-TV, to serve as legal advisers to Agency?”

2002-11; co-chairman Green Party of Hawai‘i, 2009-14; the council and its memHawaii delegate to the Presidential Nominating Convenbers and to allow the counMore information on the tion of the Green Party of the United States, 2012 cil to designate by twocharter amendments is availFamily: Single thirds vote of its entire able at www.mauicounty. membership attorneys gov/DocumentCenter/ Term limits. “We have term limits for president of the within the Office of Coun- View/105779.

United States. We have term limits for governor. We have term ‘pauses’ for our Maui County Council. It is time for

State Constitutional amendments

the Hawaii state Legislature to impose strict term limits on members of the House and Senate. With the influence of money in politics and the gerrymandered districts, it is next to impossible to defeat an incumbent. It does happen; yet it is quite rare. We do not need individuals to spend their lifetime as career elected officials. It is high time we rotate members of our community into these elected offices and bring fresh ideas into our Legislative body. I will not set at this time the maximum number of terms and/or years, but it has to happen. The legislators get too cozy with those who truly control our government, the large multinational corporations, developers and landowners who seem to have undue influence on the mechanics of government.

With new people elected every few years, each and every district would have a new individual with different qualifications and talents to share with all of us. This would be a total win/win for the entire state and residents of Hawaii.”

District priorities. “District 13 is the only canoe district, including three islands with some of the most remote communities in the state, each with its own challenges. The quality of life is issue number one. The high cost of living, especially in Hana and on Molokai. The lack of affordable housing, for both purchase and rent. Our houseless population is growing. We lack adequate infrastructure, for both roads and water distribution. On Molokai and Maui, private, for-profit corporations control, what our Constitution demands in the public trust doctrine, the people’s water.

Lanai is owned by a single person. Many of our residents lack affordable health care and easy access to medical facilities. Our public schools rank poorly nationwide, while we are the only state with a centralized Department of Education. We must deal with food sovereignty/security, and we must protect our farmers and agricultural lands. Our fishing stocks are depleted, and urgent action is needed.

We must ban open-air testing of restrictive-use pesticides. I would protect our environment; the air, land, reefs and water. We must preserve our natural resources and defend Native Hawaiian rights. I would expand remote testimony from the Neighbor Islands.”

of two successive fiscal years exceeds 5 percent of the general fund revenues for each of the two fiscal years, the addition■ “Shall the threshold al alternatives of appropriating general funds for value in controversy rethe pre-payment of either quirement for jury trials in civil cases at common or both of the following: (1) Debt service for law be increased from general obligation bonds $5,000 to $10,000?” issued by the State; or (2) Pension or other ■ “Shall the Legislapost-employment benefit ture be provided, when the state general fund bal- liabilities accrued for state employees? ance at the close of each

There are two state constitutional amendments on the ballot Nov. 8:

A Supplement of THE MAUI NEWS – Sunday, October 23, 2016 – Page S15

Election day information conducts a single party primary election in which voters select candidates from the party of their choice. A voter’s choice of party and candidates remain secret as Q: Am I entitled to time off for voting on provided by the Hawaii State Constitution.

Election Day? A: If you are working on Election Day, Q: How do I switch political parties? you may be entitled to a maximum of A: Individuals should contact their polititwo consecutive hours off from work in or- cal parties directly for more information der to vote. Voters shall not be subject to regarding membership. any penalty, rescheduling of normal hours, Voters are not required to declare a party or deductions from salary or wages because preference prior to voting. The Hawaii State of such absence.

Constitution provides for the secrecy of the The law does not apply to employees vote, including the voter’s political party whose work hours include a period of two selection. consecutive hours while the polls are open when the employee is not working for the Q: I will be out of town on Election Day. employer. Polling place hours are 7 a.m. to How can I vote?

6 p.m.

A: You can request a mail ballot by completing a Wikiwiki absentee application and Q: What identification can I bring to the submitting it to your Clerk’s Office. You polling place? can also vote at an early walk-in A: Forms of acceptable identificalocation — dates and locations are available tion include a valid photo ID (driver’s closer to elections. license, state ID, etc.), a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, or Q: What is the difference between a pluother government issued document that rality election vs. a majority election? shows your name and address.

Plurality elections: In elections that are Q: What time are the polls open on decided by plurality, the candidate who reElection Day? ceives the most votes wins the election. The A: Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. candidate does not need a certain percentage If you are in line at 6 p.m., you will be of the votes to be elected. allowed to vote.

Majority elections: Majority is defined as: “At least 50 percent of the votes plus Q: I did not receive my yellow card. one or a number greater than half of the total A: Contact your Clerk’s Office to find out votes cast.” the status of your voter notification and adIf no candidate receives a majority of the dress confirmation (yellow) card. votes, the two candidates that received the highest number of votes move on to the Q: Do I have to vote according to party general election, where a winner is then affiliation? determined by who receives the most votes A: Voters are not required to declare a (plurality). political party preference prior to voting.

However, voters should know that Hawaii www.elections.hawaii.gov A Supplement of THE MAUI NEWS – Sunday, October 23, 2016 – Page S16 Q: Where is my polling place?

A: You can find your polling place by calling at (808) 453-VOTE (8683).