14X Sunday, July 29, 2018 | WEST HAWAII TODAY
VOTE
DAVID TARNAS
Democrat for State Representative –
North and South Kohala, North Kona!
✓SUSTAINABLE ECONOMY
✓HEALTHY COMMUNITIES
✓THRIVING OCEANS
✓EFFECTIVE SCHOOLS
VoteTarnas.com VOTE DAVID TARNAS
Paid for by Tarnas for State House, P.O. Box 6882, Kamuela, HI 96743
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Rebecca Shute - County Council 7th District
What’s the most pressing issue
facing the county?
After lengthy talks with
constituents of District 7, a
lack of affordable housing and
homelessness are predominant
topics of concern. From
pan handling, to property
destruction, to the piles
of rubbish in parks and on
vacant property, the effects of
homelessness are vast and far
reaching. The rapid growth and
diverse demographics of the
homeless population are deeply
concerning. The completion
of Village 9 will be a start at
providing temporary housing and
wrap around services for those
with extenuating circumstances.
The Institute for Human Services,
The Neighborhood Place of Kona
and the Hawaii Food Basket have
worked with these populations
for decades. I support working
closely with organizations like
these to identify templates
and paradigms that have
been implemented and are
working in other communities.
Allocating County funds to
finding collaborative solutions
and increasing the inventory of
affordable housing available in
District 7 is top priority.
Would you support new
construction in high risk areas
like lava zone 1?
I would not support new
construction in Lava Zone 1. It’s
tragic that the County and State
ever authorized subdivisions to
be built in the highest risk areas
of Kilauea’s lower East Rift Zone.
The County and State must
review all future development
planned for this area, while
putting a hold on all increased
density rezoning applications.
We are still unsure what the full
scope of damage will be. Finding
safe shelter for those who’ve
lost everything must be the first
priority, followed by long term
relocation solutions.
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David Tarnas - State House 7th District
Why should people vote for you
over the competition?
Voters say they are choosing
me because we share common
experiences and values since I have
raised a family here, run a small
business, volunteer in community
organizations, and know the daily
challenges of making ends meet and
helping our children succeed. Voters
know I served as state legislator
before and are confident I know how
to do the job; I work hard, study the
issues, listen to stakeholders, and
find common ground and solutions
to tough problems. Voters trust me
because I know the community well
after living here for thirty-two years.
What neighbor island issues
will you champion for on Oahu and
how will you go about
getting results?
Neighbor islands and rural
Oahu need affordable housing,
responsible development, reliable
transportation, and effective schools.
We need to build a sustainable
economy producing more food,
more renewable and affordable
energy, and meaningful employment
opportunities for a skilled, locallytrained
Hawai‘i workforce in
industries like tourism, astronomy,
construction, healthcare, forestry,
agriculture, and ocean resources
and technology. We must protect
our ocean, forests, ranches and
farm lands; and support vibrant,
connected communities with safe
schools, roads, trails and parks. By
building alliances with neighbor
island and rural Oahu legislators, this
legislative agenda can succeed.
What’s the number one issue facing
the state and West Hawaii right
now?
The top issue we face is the need for
more affordable housing to create
healthier, safer communities. The
State should provide public lands
with completed environmental
reviews and zoning to private
developers to build affordable
housing. The County can also
develop more affordable housing if
the legislature provides the County
a fair percentage of the TAT by
implementing recommendations
of the 2015 State-County Functions
Working Group Report.