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Maui County
Maui Votes
Your island wide election guide
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September 11, 2008
Maui Votes
House 7th District
(Wailuku)
(Incumbent)
NAME: Joe Souki (D)
AGE: 75
YEARS ON MAUI: Born in Puunene
CURRENT PROFESSION: State legislator
EXPERIENCE: U.S. Army, real estate/development, affiliated with numerous organizations including Hale Makua, Federal Land Bank, Maui Soda & Ice Works
KEY DISTRICT/MAUI ISSUES: Serves as Chair of the Transportation Committee and co-Chair of the Joint Task Force to Conduct a Review of the State Highway Fund and pushes for numerous transportation upgrades but cautions some may take time… Has cited HEALTHCARE, specifically failing hospitals, and the ECONOMY as two key issues facing Maui and the state as a whole.
NOTE: Republican Mark Smith, who initially filed papers for this seat, did not respond to requests for input.
(Challenger)
NAME: Tasha Kama (D)
AGE: 56
YEARS ON MAUI: 25
CURRENT PROFESSION: Pastor of the Christian Ministry Church
EXPERIENCE: Community activism
PRESIDENTIAL ENDORSEMENT: Obama
KEY DISTRICT ISSUES: WATER Cites the lawsuit filed by Na Wai Eha and Earth Justice against the state to restore stream flow as important: "The Iao Aquifer supplies a great deal of the island's water and the aquifer is being depleted faster than it can recharge."… AGRICULTURE Wants to "encourage more farming and food production so that Hawaii is less dependent on imported foods. We must be careful about re-designating our ag lands for residential development."
KEY MAUI ISSUES: ECONOMY/FUEL Calls for Maui, and Hawaii as a whole, to look for stimulation "beyond the visitor industry." Calls for decreasing oil dependency through renewable methods, says agriculture should be "a cornerstone of Hawaii's economy."
"Our legislature has had ample time to respond to changing times, yet we have not seen any serious change in direction. I believe I can be that voice for change."- Tasha Kama
House 10th District
(West Maui)
(Incumbent)
NAME: Angus McKelvey (D)
AGE: 40
YEARS ON MAUI: Born on Honolulu
CURRENT PROFESSION: State legislator
EXPERIENCE: Legislative aid, antique imports, graphic artist
KEY DISTRICT/MAUI ISSUES: HEALTHCARE Helped pass tort reform legislation as Vice Chair of the House Consumer Protection and Commerce Committee; has called for upping physician reimbursements to attract more doctors to the island… TRAFFIC Has pushed for funding for construction of the Lahaina bypass and Honoapiilani Highway widening… ECONOMY Has called on the legislature to consider extending tax exemptions on fuel sold to inter-island carriers, pushes for increased renewable energy, infrastructure projects.
(Challenger)
NAME: Ramon Madden (R)
YEARS ON MAUI: Born on Maui
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: Hospitality industry, graphic designer
KEY DISTRICT/MAUI ISSUES: TRAFFIC Has cited Lahaina bypass as a key priority… ECONOMY Has advocated lowering taxes and fees, easing regulations to help small businesses and stimulate growth.
DISCLOSURE NOTE: Madden has, in the past, provided freelance Web assistance to Maui Time.
County Council
(Upcountry)
(Incumbent)
NAME: Gladys Baisa
CURRENT PROFESSION: Councilmember
EXPERIENCE: Retired executive director of Maui Economic Opportunity Inc., numerous community organizations, affiliations
KEY DISTRICT/MAUI ISSUES: WATER Has called water a public resource and supports the county taking control from private entities whenever possible… HOUSING Has advocated building housing to meet projected growth rather than limiting the number of units to curb population during the General Plan update process; supports vacation rentals on ag land as long as they are supplemental to, and not in place of, farming.
(Challenger)
NAME: Michael Howden
AGE: 64
YEARS ON MAUI: 40
CURRENT PROFESSION: Acupuncturist, Chair of State Board of Acupuncture, Board of Water Supply member
KEY DISTRICT/MAUI ISSUES: WATER Calls for community control of water resources: "The tremendous amount of waters diverted from the East Maui Watershed…have seriously compromised the health of the (watershed) not to mention the cultural genocide perpetrated upon the long-time residents of these areas, who are prevented from practicing their traditional agricultures and subsistence lifestyles."…DEVELOPMENT/HOUSING Says corporate ag subdivisions and "sweetheart deals" are compromising the rural character of the Upcountry district; Calls for construction of affordable housing "through land trust models, wherein ownership of the land remains vested in the county or state or (a) non-profit corporation."
"We are still bound as a society by an inordinate and irrational bias in favor of the great land corporations which were foundational in the overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii and have disproportionately determined public policy for far too many years."- Michael Howden
County Council
(Lanai)
NAME: Alberta De Jetley
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: Journalist, farmer, serves on numerous boards and organizations including Lanai Planning Commission
KEY ISSUES: HOUSING Supports creation of communities to suit different cultural, economic needs; has said she prefers the term "affordable communities" over "affordable housing"… TVRs Supports vacation rentals on Lanai as a way to attract, accommodate visitors who may not stay at a large resort… ECONOMY Has expressed support for public works projects to help the unemployed, boost growth.
NAME: John Ornellas
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: Tour guide, limo driver, U.S. Navy, member of numerous organizations including Maui Police Commission, Lanai High & Elementary School Master Plan Committee
KEY ISSUES: WATER Calls for increased storage, has said Lanai's water use plan should be expedited to clearly assess current and future needs… TVRs Supports vacation units as an alternative to big resorts for visitors, has said the issue should be an action item for the County General Plan… ECONOMY Has said lowering fees and taxes could help ease the strain on citizens, calls for infrastructure improvement projects to create jobs.
NAME: Sol Kaho'ohalahala
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: Community college instructor, former Hawaii State Representative, Maui County Councilmember
KEY ISSUES: WATER Has expressed support for utilization of gray water, increased catchment and storage, conservation in face of growing demand… TVRs Opposes vacation units in residential areas if they infringe on other homeowners, has said transient rentals should not replace farming on ag land… SUSTAINABILITY Advocates widespread conservation, increased renewable energy exploration.
NAME: Matthew Mano
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: Wastewater treatment plant operator, Vice President United Public Workers, Maui
KEY ISSUES: WATER Supports increased use of treated water for nonpotable needs, advocates conservation… TVRs Has said transient units are not appropriate in all places but serve as a vital source of income, visitor incentive on Lanai… ECONOMY Has advocated exploring new, sustainable revenue sources that don't threaten the economy.
NAME: Winifred Basques
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: Paramedical assistance, numerous community affiliations including Lanai Hawaiian Civic Club, Maui County Council on Aging
KEY ISSUES: WATER Has cited development of hotels and golf courses as a key drain on county water supply… TVRs Supports vacation rentals as an alternative to high-priced hotel/resorts… Also has cited the ECONOMY and HEALTHCARE as key issues.
Candidate information for all races was gleaned from interviews, responses to a questionnaire, voting history, campaign materials and statements made in other media.
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