We asked, they answered! Inform yourself! Those names printed in BOLD below, will be Candidates in the General Election. Vote with your heart and soul!
DNR= Did Not Respond
Questions and Links to Responses are below Candidate Names
US Senate:
Ed Case
- Mazie Hirono (D)
- Linda Lingle (R)
US REPRESENTATIVE, District 2
Matthew DiGeronimo
- Tulsi Gabbard (D)
Mufi Hannemann
Esther Kia’aina
Bob Marx
HAWAII COUNTY MAYOR
- Billy Kenoi (non-partisan)
- Harry Kim (non-partisan)
Dominic Yagong
STATE SENATE, District 3
- Josh Green (D)
- Jeff LaFrance (R)
John Totten
STATE SENATE, District 4
DNR Kelly Greenwell
Lorraine Inouye
- Malama Solomon (D)
STATE REPRESENTATIVE, District 5
- Dave Bateman (R)
- Denny Coffman (D)
STATE REPRESENTATIVE, District 6
DNR Kalei Akaka
Mike Breslin
Fred Housel
DNR Bucky Leslie
- Nicole Lowen (D)
STATE REPRESENTATIVE, District 7
- Cindy Evans
COUNTY COUNCIL, District 6
- Maile David
- Brenda Ford
Lee McIntosh
Bradley Westervelt
COUNTY COUNCIL, District 7
- Dru Mamo Kanuha (non-partisan)
COUNTY COUNCIL, District 8
- Karen Eoff (non-partisan)
Charles Guccione
HAWAII COUNTY PROSECUTOR
- Lincoln Ashida (non-partisan)
- Mitch Roth (non-partisan)
Question #1 – Truth-in-Labeling for Kona Coffee Current state law (HRS 486-120.6) permits the use of the “Kona” name on packages of “Kona coffee blends” which contain as little as 10% actual Kona coffee. No region anywhere in the world (other than Hawaii) authorizes this type of deceptive misuse of the geographic identity of its agricultural products. An economic study by resource economist Marvin Feldman concludes that “Kona coffee blends” cause an estimated annual economic loss to Kona coffee growers of $14.4 million —a loss of more than $20,000 per year for the average grower.
QUESTION: If elected, will you affirmatively work to put an end to the misuse of the Kona name on packages containing 90% foreign-grown coffee? If yes, what do you commit to do?
Click Here for all Responses
Question #2 – Assistance in Combating CBB
In the almost 2 years since Coffee Berry Borer (CBB) was discovered in Hawaii County, the State (including HDOA and UH-CTAHR) has failed to adequately recognize how serious the CBB emergency is and has failed to assign and fund an entomologist on the ground in Kona to help farmers develop a science-based CBB mitigation program to combat this devastating pest.
Question: If elected will you affirmatively work for assignment and emergency funding of an entomologist to Kona? If “yes”, what do you commit to do?
Click Here for all Responses
Question #3 – Video Conferencing of Legislative Hearings
As a practical matter, the current State Legislative system of short-notice hearings and testimony on proposed legislation practically disenfranchises ordinary citizens from the Outer Islands. Short-notice travel to Honolulu for in-person testimony by Outer Island residents is often not possible because reservations are not available and/or costs are prohibitively high. The current system too often leaves the floor at Legislative hearings to lobbyists for special interests and effectively silences the voices of ordinary citizens (such as Kona coffee farmers) from the Outer Islands. As demonstrated by the video system for the taking of testimony from remote locations by the Hawaii County Council, use of video conferencing for citizen testimony is feasible and cost effective.
QUESTION: If elected, will you affirmatively work for implementation of a system for remote video testimony from the Outer Islands? If yes, what do you pledge to do?
Click Here for all Responses
Question #4 – Service of 100% Hawaiian Coffees
Kona coffee and other Hawaiian-grown coffees constitute one of our state’s signature agricultural products. The example of our elected representatives is important to the promotion of Hawaiian-grown coffees.
Question: If elected, will you commit to exclusively serve 100% Hawaii-grown coffee (including 100% Kona Coffee) at events sponsored by your office?
Click Here for all Responses
Question #5 – Support for Kona Coffee & Farmers
Question: Do you have additional thoughts as to how you can promote and protect the “Kona Coffee” name and support the farmers who grow this heritage Hawaii-grown crop?
Click Here for all Responses