2X Sunday, July 29, 2018 | WEST HAWAII TODAY
What’s the most pressing
issue facing Hawaii as it
looks to rebound from the
Kilauea eruption and how
would you lead recovery?
Our immediate mission
is to ensure people and
families impacted by the
volcanic activity receive
appropriate assistance.
We are partnering with
the County of Hawaii and
the federal government to
provide opportunities for
residents to rebuild their
lives. I directed an initial
$12 million of state funds to
be provided to the County
of Hawaii to assist with
disaster relief efforts and am
currently assessing how the
state can leverage its land
holdings and resources to
help our residents.
Besides tourism, what
economic drivers should
Hawaii focus on to diversify
and strengthen the
economy?
The Hawaii County
Comprehensive Economic
Development strategy
identifies ten local industries
that can grow in a way that
is consistent with Hawaii
Island values: agriculture
and aquaculture, astronomy,
aerospace, and aviation,
small businesses, public
investment in infrastructure
construction, education,
renewable energy, health
care, first responder
training and employment,
broadband and technology
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infrastructure, and the
visitor industry. To make
growth possible, over
the past four years I’ve
secured over $1 billion to
make needed investments
in public infrastructure on
Hawaii island.
Do you support rebuilding
in high risk areas like lava
zone 1?
I do not support rebuilding
in lava zone 1. The federal
government has taken the
reasonable position that
future aid will be limited
if we choose to rebuild in
the area. Growth should
be directed to other places
to reduce risk to first
responders and taxpayer
resources. While permitting
construction is largely
a county function, my
administration will work
with the County of Hawaii
on how we should proceed
given the lessons that have
been learned.
Why should people vote for
you over the competition?
I have a true record of
accomplishment and have
developed and implemented
effective and successful
programs and policies to
improve the quality of life
for Hawaii’s residents both
now and in the future. My
administration is making
thoughtful decisions on
behalf of Hawaii’s people
and is ensuring the public
good is the paramount
consideration in all that
we do. We can be trusted
to continue meeting these
standards.
I’ve done things like reestablish
the federal
inspection station that
makes direct international
flights to Kona possible and
support the Hawaii Island
Family Medicine Residency
Program that will encourage
more private practices on
Hawaii island. I have also led
efforts to make substantial
reductions in the number
of homeless individuals
statewide, down 40% over
the past two years on Hawaii
island.
The actions I’ve taken
make Hawaii a national
leader on issues ranging
from environmental
protection to addressing
government’s unfunded
liabilities. I am also making
earning a college degree
more affordable and
increasing the production
of affordable housing. I’ve
laid the groundwork to
foster the strategic growth
of our economy and support
creation of the jobs of the
future. Together, we will
ensure the next generation
can choose to call Hawaii
home and has all the
opportunities they deserve.
What is your plan to fund
the rail and what would you
tell neighbor islands who
feel shorted for funding it?
While the legislature’s
designation of TAT
funds for rail provides a
significant subsidy for rail
from resources collected
statewide, the City and
County of Honolulu is
ultimately responsible for
funding the project. The
State makes significant
investments on the neighbor
islands, including projects
like widening of Queen
Kaahumanu Highway,
modernization of Ellison
Onizuka Kona International
Airport at Keahole, the STEM
learning center at Waimea
Middle School, and a new
Kona Judiciary Complex.
The State must also ensure
it provides appropriate
support for other important
neighbor island needs that
are beyond the financial
capacity of the counties.
Would you support giving
neighbor islands a higher
share of the TAT, or hotel
tax? Why or why not?
I support providing a
straight percentage of TAT
revenues to the counties
so that as more TAT
revenue is collected, more
revenues are allocated for
county use. I would also
support a comprehensive
review of state and county
responsibilities and taxing
authority, and making
appropriate adjustments
to optimize how state and
county government collects
revenues and provides
services.
David Ige - Governor