Yes, our transit system needs improvement. I didn't support the GET tax increase. I'm open to light rail, provided government first reduces congestion by removing uninsured motorists, considers staggered work, school and university hours. We need better designed residential and work communities to alleviate congestion.

We must provide adequate shelter space and more public housing assistance for those who will live in transitional homes and shelters. The Legislature's $50M appropriation helps the working homeless but emphasis must be placed on the problem of homeless who suffer from psychological conditions to give them proper treatment. Federal and state funding must be expanded. We also need vocational rehabilitation for those who will work but are not being hired.

To better stabilize market conditions we need to provide more tax incentives, reduce tax and building costs, and require developers to provide affordable, market rate and rented units in residential projects. We must encourage renovation funding incentives for vacant public and private housing sites. We must have proper land use guidelines to preserve open green space. I support rent control for publicly funded facilities and as incentives to developers.

The Legislature needs to work with the city, who taxes real property not the state, to provide a fair solution to over taxation. I'm for a simple less burdensome tax system, especially when residents can't afford it. I support enforcing delinquent tax collections. In 2005 the state hadn't collected $341M in unpaid taxes while today's General Fund collections up 5 percent. We need to provide exemptions to seniors on fixed incomes. Experts agree our economies strength will not continue without incentives, sensible land development, and tax savings and growth strategies.

The state Dept. of Health needs to fix its problems with the "Bottle Bill." The Dept. of Taxation must collect the over $341M in uncollected taxes from last year. The Dept. of Land and Natural Resources must come up with a fair plan for maintenance of its small harbors.

We need to curb beach businesses that take away from the Hawaii beach experience and have fair beach access to everyone. We must instill a sense of ownership that these natural resources are finite and must be well maintained. The Transient Accommodations Tax and other revenue sources must be expanded to provide better park and beach maintenance.

My Kakaako district is one of Oahu's fastest growing residential communities. City officials estimate 25,000 people will move into Kakaako over the next 25 years, a 178 percent population increase. Census data from the last 15 years show the state's population has increased each year by about 1 percent. We must follow our sustainability studies and recommendations to the State General Plan. We need enforceable laws that restrict development that is in opposition to our sustainable communities studies.

We need to have proper enforcement, proper punishment and expand our marine life conservation districts. We must start by changing the attitudes of how people buy and eat fish.

We should build a new detention center that will house Hawaii's inmates. If the state does not have the capacity, the only alternative is to house them on the Mainland. We must expand our drug-treatment and rehabilitation capacity.

We must recycle when we can, encourage retailers to package wisely, and H-power must be operational to its full capacity. We need to consider another H-power energy plant and look to new technologies while considering shipping waste out of state if our landfills are reaching capacity.

Personally, I drive less, at home (apartment) I conserve electricity by not using many lights, wash only full laundry loads and conserve water by not letting faucets run while doing dishes etc. The state must lead by example and follow Honolulu Hale's lead by using energy saving lights and recyclable power. The state must offer proper incentives for solar and other power saving technologies.

We need to preserve a sensible relationship between housing and agricultural land by working closely with the city Administration for a comprehensive strategy to have a fair balance and meet our future needs. I am in favor of tax breaks and incentives to keep open green land. We should continue to invest in agricultural research and development to promote Hawaii's economy.

I support our solar energy tax credit, new development and metering. Hydrogen fuel cells are likely the future to smart consistent energy but more development must take place. With the ability to store renewable energy we can better utilize our wind and solar energy.

The distribution of funding needs to be fairly allocated to principals and local school boards for better results while old funding formulas are updated for today's student needs. Repair funding must be properly released for timely maintenance to provide the right environment. We must stress the importance of the family and good values to encourage learning by children.

The federal government did not provide enough funding. We need to make NCLB more inclusive of individualized learning methods and creative teaching. The future of NCLB will likely be to phase it out over time. Its goal was worthy but implementation did not take into account the individuality of school districts.

I support the Act 221 tax credit and acknowledge that it needs to be updated to better serve its purpose. The Legislature needs to revisit the Innovation Fund idea that dedicates funding to our high tech industries of the future and their needs as they mature in our state.

I am open to mass transit solutions like light rail. The government first must reduce congestion by removing uninsured motorists, considers staggered work, school and university hours. We need to see the transit plan that is being presented to the City Council in November before we can formulate a final opinion. I didn't support the GET tax increase. I support the super ferry.

Yes, Our state has recognized the relationship between the United States several "Indian tribes." The rights of Native Hawaiians, their relationship to the U.S. and history demonstrate that the Akaka Bill, in some form, is warranted.

Yes, (See above answer)

1. Efficient, Honest, Government

I believe in accountable, efficient government with appropriate private-public partnerships with proper funding for public health, safety and defense organizations, (Police, Fire, Army reserves.)

I will not stand for increases in our tax collections and GET tax. I will fight for increases in our income tax deductions, expanding our tax brackets and returning more state surplus money back to residents. I will work for a stronger economy since our living standards are determined by a strong business climate.
2. Responsible Development & Land Use

I believe that our State and city government needs to be more responsible in how it develops, (and allows others to develop) and maintains its land and infrastructure. I support providing more affordable housing land when it is practical. We need to give the counties a certain level of home rule to encourage development that serves populations in our median household income bracket to provide more families with housing opportunities.

Currently, VH-1's "Nocturnal Sounds," music videos they play at night. (I worked in radio)

I have been only reading newspapers, Honolulu Weekly, Honolulu Advertiser and Star Bulletin for as long as I can remember.

Photography, I have 100's of great Hawaii people, pictures and issues posted on my website www.tombrower.com I exercise regularly at the gym, I have a fresh water aquarium, I am a fan of mid-century modern and plastic furniture, which I have at my apartment.

I admire Duke Bainum and Les Ihara.