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>>MAHEALANI: COMING UP NEXT ON
INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAI'I, ELECTION 2014 GENERAL ELECTION
GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATES.
>>MAHEALANI: ALOHA AND WELCOME TO INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAI'I.
I'M MAHEALANI RICHARDSON. YOUR HOST FOR TONIGHT'S SHOW.
TONIGHT INSIGHTS BRINGS YOU A DISCUSSION WITH ALL FOUR
CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR OF THE STATE
OF HAWAI'I. WE INVITE YOU TO JOIN OUR CONVERSATION BY
CALLING, E-MAILING OR TWEETING YOUR QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS.
SEATING ORDER AND THE FIRST QUESTION WERE CHOSEN BY RANDOM
DRAW. JEFF DAVIS IS THE LIBERTARIAN GUBERNATORIAL
CANDIDATE AT THAT TIME AND SOLAR CONTRACTOR. HOSTS A
RADIO SHOW CALLED HAWAI'I TOMORROW. CALLED HAWAI'I
HOME SINCE 1978. THIS IS HIS FIRST TIME RUNNING FOR
POLITICAL OFFICE. DAVID IGE DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE FOR
GOVERNOR HAS REPRESENTED PEARL CITY AND THE HAWAI'I STATE
LEGISLATURE SINCE 1994. HIS COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS HAVE
INCLUDED SHARING THE STATE HOUSE EDUCATIONAL COMMITTEE,
WHERE HE WROTE THE FIRST CHARTER SCHOOL BILLS RECENTLY
SERVING THE ATS SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS AND MEANS.
DUKE AIONA IS THE REPUBLICAN GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE.
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR DURING BOTH TERMS OF THE LINDA LINGLE
ADMINISTRATION FROM 2002 TO 2010. PRIOR TO THAT, FAMILY
COURT JUDGE AND SPEARHEADED HAWAI'I DRUG COURT PROGRAM.
2010, RAN UNSUCCESSFULLY FOR GOVERNOR AGAINST NEIL
ABERCROMBIE. MUFI HANNEMANN IS RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR AS AN
INDEPENDENT. SERVING ON CITY COUNCIL THROUGH 2000. LATER
AS MAYOR UNTIL 2010. RUNED UNSUCCESSFULLY AS GOVERNOR FOR
NEIL ABERCROMBIE. HE LOST TO TULSI GABBARD. THANK YOU TO
ALL OF YOU. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TONIGHT.
MR. DAVIS, THE FIRST QUESTION GOES TO YOU. WHAT WOULD BE THE
FIRST THING THAT YOU WOULD CHANGE IF YOU'RE ELECTED INTO
OFFICE? >> FIRST THING, I WANT TO THANK
YOU FOR HAVING US ON THIS EVENING.
>>MAHEALANI: YOU'RE WELCOME. >> PUT ALL OF OUR PROBLEMS BACK
TOGETHER AGAIN AFTER THEY'RE BROKEN. I'M UNDER THE
IMPRESSION IF WE COULD CHANGE THE WAY OFFICIALS WERE
ELECTED, OTHER STATES YOU HAVE WHAT'S CALLED STATE FUNDED
CAMPAIGN. THE PAY TO PLAY IS TAKEN OUT OF THE CAMPAIGN
PROCESS AND THE POLITICIAN OR PUBLIC SERVANT IS NOT REQUIRED
TO GO EVERY 2 YEARS, EVERY FOUR YEARS FOR HIS OFFICE AND
COLLECT MONEY IN ORDER TO TO KEEP HIS JOB. IF WE COULD
CHANGE THE VERY NATURE THE WAY POLITICIANS WERE ELECTED,
ALLOW THEM TO BE SERVANTS, TERM LIMITS, FOR INSTANCE, AGAIN, I
LIKE THE IDEA OF STATE FUNDED CAMPAIGNS WHERE YOU DON'T HAVE
UNLIMITED AMOUNTS OF MONEY COMING IN. YOU'RE REQUIRED TO
PAY THOSE CAMPAIGN NOTICES BACK WITH FAVORITISM. THAT'S
WHERE WE LOSE OUR GOVERNMENT, FOR THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE
TURNED INTO FOR THE SPECIAL INTEREST.S.
>>MAHEALANI: LET ME TURN TO MR. IGE. WE'RE HAVING A
LITTLE BIT OF TECHNICAL DIFFICULTY WITH THE
MICROPHONE. MR. IGE, SENATOR IGE, WHY DON'T YOU ANSWER THE
QUESTION. WHAT WOULD BE THE FIRST THING THAT WOULD CHANGE
IN YOUR ADMINISTRATION? >> CLEARLY, IT WOULD THE FIRST
THING YOU WOULD HAVE TO DO IS REALLY ASSEMBLE A TEAM. YOU
CAN'T GOVERN AND LEAD BY YOURSELF. SO IT REALLY IS
ABOUT FINDING THE THE BEST PEOPLE. WE WOULD BE OPEN
REGARDLESS OF POLITICIANS OR BACKGROUND, TO LOOK TO
ASSEMBLE THE MOST QUALIFIED PEOPLE IN EACH AND EVERY
POSITION. WE WOULD BE LOOKING FOR PEOPLE
THAT SHARE MY COLLABORATIVE STYLE ABOUT BRINGING
COMMUNITIES TOGETHER, RATHER THAN DIVIDING THEM. AND
REALLY FOCUS ON THE GUIDING PRINCIPLES THAT I HAVE USED IN
MY PUBLIC SERVICE WHICH IS REALLY OPEN AND HONEST
COMMUNICATION, LISTENING AND BEING RESPECTFUL TO ALL VIEWS
AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, DOING THE RIGHT THING IN THE RIGHT
WAY. >>MAHEALANI: MR. AIONA, IF YOU
WERE ELECTED AND THE NEXT GOVERNOR, HOW WOULD THINGS BE
DIFFERENT. >> THE CHANGE WOULD COME
IMMEDIATELY UPON OUR ELECTION. YOU WOULD HAVE IMMEDIATE
BALANCE IN STATE GOVERNMENT. RIGHT NOW, AS YOU ALL KNOW, WE
HAVE AN IMBALANCE IN REGARDS TO POLITICAL PARTIES IN OUR STATE
GOVERNMENT. SO UPON ELECTING DUKE AIONA AND AHU, WE WOULD
HAVE INSTANT BALANCE. THE FIRST THING THAT WE WILL BESIDE
ASSEMBLING GREAT STAFF, GREAT CABINET, GREAT DEPARTMENT
HEADS AND THE BEST, AND OF COURSE, IT WILL BE DIVERSE.
IT WILL BE OPEN AND ALL STAKEHOLDERS WOULD BE INVOLVED
IN THAT. WE'RE GOING TO ATTACK THE COST OF LIVING.
MAKE SURE THAT WE EXPAND JOBS OR INDUSTRIES ECONOMY. LOOK
FOR ECONOMY IN JOBS AND EDUCATION. THOSE ARE THE
THREE THINGS THAT I THINK REALLY TOUCH EVERYONE'S LIVES
RIGHT NOW. >>MAHEALANI: MR. HANNEMANN?
>> AS THE ONLY ONE THAT'S HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO ASSEMBLE A
CABINET. IT'S NOT THAT EASY. YOU HAVE TO REALLY REACH OUT
AND TRY TO BRING THE BEST AND THE BRIGHTEST IN. I'M GOING
TO TAKE A PAGE WHAT WE DID AT THE CITY WHEN I PUT THAT
CABINET TOGETHER. PARTIES WERE SECONDARY. I HAD
DEMOCRATS IN THERE. I HAD REPUBLICANS THERE. I HAD
INDEPENDENTS THERE. I EVEN KEPT PEOPLE AS HOLDOVERS FROM
THE MAYOR HARRIS ADMINISTRATION. SO THAT'S
VERY IMPORTANT BECAUSE NO ONE PERSON CAN DO IT ALONE. THEN
I'M GOING TO TAKE ANOTHER PAGE WHEN I BECAME MAYOR AND DO A
GOVERNOR'S REVIEW, EVEN AUDIT IF YOU WILL TO LOOK AT THE STATE
OF THE FINANCES. NOBODY REALLY KNOWS WHAT THE STATE OF
THE FINANCES ARE. DAVID IGE WAS TRYING TO SAY HAD HE NOT CUT
WITH THE LEGISLATURE SOME $800 MILLION, WE WOULDN'T HAVE
THAT SURPLUS THAT THE GOVERNOR WAS TALKING ABOUT, THE
GOVERNOR SAID, WE HAVE A SURPLUS. THERE'S LOTS OF WAYS
THAT YOU CAN GO IN THERE AND IDENTIFY WHAT IT IS THAT YOU
WANT TO FUND, WHERE THE WASTEFUL SPEND SOMETHING
TAKING PLACE, AND THEN ALSO PUT TOGETHER A GAME PLAN, WORKING
COLLABORATIVELY WITH THE LEGISLATURE SO YOU DON'T GET
FIGHTS. RECOGNIZE THE PROBLEMS THAT HAVE EXISTED FOR
YEARS AND YEARS WITH THE SAME OLD, SAME OLD MENTALITY AND
SOLUTIONS. HIGHEST ENERGY COSTS IN THE COUNTRY. SOME
300% ABOVE THE NATIONAL AVERAGE. REAL MEDIUM INCOME
HAS DECLINED BY SOME 20% OVER THE LAST 7 YEARS. THOSE ARE
REAL ISSUES THAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING THEY WANT CHANGE, THEY
WANT A NEW APPROACH, SOMEONE WHO'S GOING TO PUT THE PEOPLE
FIRST. THE CITY, GOVERNED IN A NONPARTISAN CULTURE.
WASN'T ABOUT A DEMOCRATIC POTHOLE OR REPUBLICAN POTHOLE.
IT WAS THE PEOPLE'S POTHOLE AND YOU GOT IT DONE. I BELIEVE
THAT STATE GOVERNMENT. >>MAHEALANI: OUT OF FAIRNESS,
YOUR MICROPHONE WAS A LITTLE BIT OFF DURING THE LAST
QUESTION. WE'RE GOING TO GIVE YOU A CHANCE TO ANSWER THE
FIRST QUESTION AGAIN. IF YOU WERE ELECTED AS
GOVERNOR, WHAT WOULD CHANGE? >> I SAID THE FIRST DAY I WOULD
OFFER THESE THREE GENTLEMEN A JOB. I WOULD REACH ACROSS
EACH ONE OF US, AGREE UPON THERE IS NO BOUNDARIES TO
INTELLIGENCE AND COMMITMENT TO A BETTER STATE OF HAWAI'I.
EACH ONE OF US ARE FAMILY MEN. SOME OF US, MY DAUGHTER PART
HAWAIIAN, NOW I HAVE A PART HAWAIIAN BABY GRANDDAUGHTER.
WE ALL HAVE THE SAME MOTIVES BETTER FOR THE STATE. STATUS
QUO IS A VERY EASY PIGEONHOLE TO TAKE WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE
NUMBER ONE PROBLEMS HAWAI'I HAS. HOUSING COSTS OF LIVING,
ELECTRICITY, TRAFFIC, HIGHEST TAXES, HOMELESSNESS,
METHAMPHETAMINE, CHILDREN ARE LEAVING THE STATE OF HAWAI'I,
TAKING THE GRANDCHILDREN WITH THEM. THIS IS NOT A HEALTHY
THING FOR HAWAI'I'S OHANA. FOR OUR FUTURE. I'M LOOKING
AT A 50-YEAR PLAN BASED ON PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN HAWAI'I AND
THE FAMILIES THAT HAVE LIVED HERE THOUSAND OF YEARS AND
SHORT TERM DEVELOPMENT THAT HAS BEEN TAKING PLACE IS WHAT'S
LEADING TO ALL OF OUR CHILDREN HEADED FOR THE MAINLAND.
>>MAHEALANI: SENATOR IGE, DO YOU HAVE THE LEADERSHIP AND
CHARISMA TO INSPIRE PEOPLE AS GOVERNOR AND MAKE THE CHANGES
NECESSARY TO RUN THE STATE? >> I ABSOLUTELY DO, MAHEALANI.
>> I DO HAVE 29 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN THE LEGISLATURE
AND IN EVERY SINGLE ASSIGNMENT, I'VE HAD
SIGNIFICANT POLICY CHANGES AND LEGISLATION PASSED. WHETHER
IT'S THE FIRST COMPREHENSION RESTRUCTURING OF THE PUBLIC'S
SCHOOL SYSTEM, FIRST CHARTER SCHOOL LAWS IN THE STATE,
ESTABLISHING VENTURE CAPITAL PROGRAMS, I REFORMED AUTO
INSURANCE AND WORKER'S COMP INSURANCE. I'M THE ONLY ONE
AT THE TABLE THAT HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN ORGANIZING
MAJORITIES IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE, WORKING WITH
LEADERSHIP, BALANCING THE BUDGET. I FOUGHT THE PENSION
TAXES AND OTHER TAX INCREASES PROPOSED. AND AGAIN, AS MUFI
SAID, I CUT A BILLION DOLLARS OUT OF THE BUDGET REQUEST OF
THE ADMINISTRATION. SO THAT WE COULD HAVE A BALANCED
BUDGET. LIVE WITHIN OUR MEANS AND REALLY FOCUS ON
RIGHT-SIZING STATE GOVERNMENT.
>>MAHEALANI: MR. AIONA, HOW MUCH SAY DID YOU HAVE ON
SPECIFIC ISSUES DURING THE LINGLE ADMINISTRATION ON
ISSUES LIKE FURLOUGH FRIDAYS AND THE SUPERFERRY?
>> YOU KNOW, MAHEALANI, THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION BECAUSE
THE QUESTION IS HOW MUCH SAY DID I HAVE? OBVIOUSLY, THAT'S
NOT MY ADMINISTRATION. THAT WAS LINGLE'S ADMINISTRATION
AND I RAN AT LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR. OUT OF EVERYONE AT
THIS TABLE RIGHT HERE, THAT'S A POSITION THAT NOBODY HAS HAD.
IT'S A VERY UNIQUE POSITION. I TOOK IT VERY SERIOUSLY. I
DIDN'T RUN JUST TO HAVE A TITLE OR TO BE SOMEBODY'S RUNNING
MATE. I RAN BECAUSE IT WAS A SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITY FOR
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR. IN A RESPONSIBILITY WAS VERY
SIMPLE. YOU ARE ONE HEART BEAT AWAY FROM BEING GOVERNOR.
THAT'S YOUR PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY. SOME MAY
TOSS IT ON SIDE AND SAY, THAT'S A DO NOTHING OFFICE, DO NOTHING
RESPONSIBILITY. BUT IT IS IT SOMETHING THAT'S VERY, VERY
IMPORTANT. IF ANYTHING HAPPENED TO THE GOVERNOR, I
WOULD HAVE TO STEP IN. THEREIN LIES WHAT I DID FOR 8
YEARS. I WAS READY TO STEP IN AS GOVERNOR. DID I HAVE ANY
SAY? I HAD INPUT. I WAS PART OF THE DISCUSSION. BUT
ULTIMATELY, IT'S THE GOVERNOR'S DECISION. IF THAT
WERE THE CASE, WE COULD SAY THE SAME THING ABOUT CHAN TSUTSUI
RIGHT NOW. HE WAS A PART OF NEIL ABERCROMBIE'S
ADMINISTRATION. WHY ISN'T HE TALKING ABOUT WHAT THEY DID IN
THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION? LES CHANG IS GOING TO BE MUFI
HANNEMANN'S LG. SO SHOULD HE BE HERE ALSO? I DON'T THINK
SO. IF YOU'RE NUMBER ONE, AND YOU'RE NUMBER TWO WANTS TO BE
GOVERNOR OR WANTS TO HAVE INPUT, YOU BETTER START
WORRYING ABOUT WHAT'S HAPPENING IN REGARDS TO NUMBER
2. >>MAHEALANI: WHAT LESSONS DID
YOU LEARN FROM THOSE CONTROVERTSIES?
>> I LEARNED A LOT. I LEARNED THE GOVERNOR HAS AT HIS OR HER
DISPOSAL IN REGARDS WITH WORKING WITH THE LEGISLATURE.
HOW TO CRAFT THE BUDGET. HOW YOU CAN CRAFT POLICY. HOW YOU
CAN USE LEVERAGE IN REGARDS TO YOUR OFFICE. I LEARNED THAT
THERE WERE SOME VERY TOUGH TIMES IN OUR SECOND TENURE.
IF YOU RECALL, MAHEALANI, IN OUR FIRST TERM, 2002 TO 2006,
ECONOMY WAS BOOMING. GREAT TIME. A LOT OF PEOPLE DID WELL
DURING THOSE PERIODS. FROM 2006 TO 2010, ECONOMY FELL OUT.
AND SOME TOUGH DECISIONS HAD TO BE MADE. I WATCHED IT,
LISTENED, AS WAS A PART OF IT AND I WENT WITH, I SAT WITH
GOVERNOR LINGLE AS SHE PAINED THROUGH MANY OF THOSE TOUGH
DECISIONS SHE HAD TO MAKE. LET THEY SAY SOMETHING --
>>MAHEALANI: LET ME MOVE ON. HANNEMANN YOU'VE BEEN
CRITICIZED AS AN OPPORTUNIST RUNNING FOR THE GOVERNOR'S
OFFICE AS INDEPENDENT. HOW DO YOU RESPOND TO CRITICISM THAT
YOU'RE AN OPPORTUNIST? >> WELL, MAIN THING TO
RECOGNIZE IS THAT I'M ALL ABOUT PUBLIC SERVICE THIS. THERE IS
AN OPPORTUNITY NOW TO CHANGE THE DIRECTION OF THIS STATE.
WHEN I LEFT THE CITY, 2010, WE LEFT IT IN VERY GOOD SHAPE.
DUKE SAYS IN 2006-2010, HE'S RIGHT, MAJOR ECONOMIC DOWN
TURN. BUT THE CITY WAS BETTER OFF WHEN I LEFT. BOND RATING
WAS ONE OF THE HIGHEST IN THE STATE. NEVER RAIDED FROM THE
SPECIAL FUNDS. WE MADE MAJOR IMPROVEMENTS TO OUR SEWERS.
WE HAD NEW INFRASTRUCTURE COMING ON LINE WITH RAIL.
HONOLULU CONTINUED TO BE ONE OF THE SAFEST BIG CITIES IN
AMERICA AND WE BECAME THE LEADING DIGITAL CITY IN
AMERICA. SO THOSE THINGS I FELT WERE IN A GOOD PLACE
BECAUSE I REALLY FORESAW THAT OUR PRESENT GOVERNOR WOULD
HAVE A LOT OF PROBLEMS FROM THE STANDPOINT THAT HE CAME FROM
THE LEGISLATIVE CHAMBER. THIS IS IS LIKE TAKING SOMEONE
WHO'S PLAYED ON THE OFFENSE LINE HIS WHOLE LIFE AND NOW
GIVE HIM THE BALL AND SAY I WANT YOU TO BE A QUARTERBACK. WITH
ALL DUE RESPECT TO DAVID AND SAYING THAT HE HAS THAT
LEGISLATIVE EXPERIENCE, EXECUTIVE HAS A FAR GREATER
RESPONSIBILITY. YOU HAVE TO KNOW WHEN TO HOLD 'EM AND FOLD
'EM AND THE MONEY IS TENT TO THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH. YOU DEAL
WITH UNIONS AND COLLECTIVE BARGAINING. WE ALSO DO PUBLIC
PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS. THE OPPORTUNISTIC TAG HURLED AT ME
IS BASED ON WHAT I SEE IN TERMS OF MAKING A PUBLIC
CONTRIBUTION TO THAT PARTICULAR OFFICE. WE TALKED
ABOUT FOUR YEARS AGO, MAYBE NOT QUITE READY TO MAKE THAT LEAP
IS WHAT WE SAW MANIFESTED IN THE LAST FOUR YEARS.
>>MAHEALANI: WE'VE HAD CONVERSATIONS IN THE PAST
WHERE YOU INSISTED YOU WERE A DEMOCRAT WHEN PEOPLE WONDERED
IF YOU WERE A REPUBLICAN BECAUSE OF YOUR CONSERVATIVE
VIEWS. HOW CAN YOU EXPLAIN YOU'RE RUNNING AS INDEPENDENT.
>> SIMPLE. ONLY PERSON IN HAWAI'I HAS WORKED FOR FOUR
U.S. PRESIDENTS, TWO DEMOCRATS AND TWO REPUBLICANS. ALWAYS
BEEN ABOUT WORKING WITH BOTH PARTIES.
THAT'S WHY WE THRIVE IN A NONPARTISAN CULTURE IN THE
CITY. I ALWAYS GOT ALONG WITH REPUBLICANS.
ALL THE BILLS WAS NEVER OVERTURNED BY THE COUNCIL.
>> NONPARTISAN ENVIRONMENT IN THE CITY COUNCIL, THEY MAY RUN
AS NONPARTISANS, BUT THEY DON'T SERVE AS NONPARTISAN.
EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THE CITY COUNCILS AS WELL AS EXECUTIVES
THAT I'VE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH IN REGARDS TO ALL COUNCILS,
THEY ALL IDENTIFY WITH POLITICAL PARTY. THEY SERVE
AS DEMOCRATS. >> ACT AT DEMOCRATS AND THEY
VOTE DEMOCRATS. SO THIS PARTISAN TAG IS REALLY JUST,
HAWAII SAY, WINDOW DRESSING AND NOTHING MORE. NOTHING
MORE. >> CAN I INTERJECT?
>>MAHEALANI: ONE MORE TIME THEN I'M GOING TO GIVE SENATOR
IGE A CHANCE. >> OBVIOUS HE NEVER SERVED IN
COUNTY COUNCIL, COUNTY GOVERNMENT. THEY HAVE NEVER
IN MY PARTICULAR SITUATION THERE, IF YOU TALK TO BILLY
KENOI, ALAN ARAKAKI, BERNARD CARVALHO, PARTIES ARE NOT AS
PAREN AS GETTING THE BUSINESS DONE OF THE PEOPLE. THIS
BUSINESS OF VOTING ACROSS THE PARTY PLATFORM COULDN'T
DOESN'T HOLD. CHAIR CAME TO US, TRIED TO GET US TO VOTE A
CERTAIN WAY FOR CAMP KAILUA. DEMOCRATS SAID MAYBE IN THE
PLATFORM, BUT WE'RE GOING TO VOTE ON WHAT'S BEST FOR THE
PEOPLE. >>MAHEALANI: SENATOR IGE I GET
THE SENSE YOU WANT TO WEIGH IN ON THIS TOPIC?
>> I DO THINK THAT FOR ME, IT'S ALL ABOUT PUBLIC SERVICE AND
REALLY DOING THE BEST THAT YOU CAN ON BEHALF OF THE PEOPLE OF
HAWAI'I. I'VE NEVER DECIDED TO HEAR BILLS BECAUSE THEY WERE
REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT. I PASSED REPUBLICAN BILLS OUT OF
MY COMMITTEES AND I LOSE TRACK OF WHETHER THEY'RE PAST OR NOT.
IT REALLY IS ABOUT FOCUSING ON THE OPPORTUNITY AND WORKING TO
GET CONSENSUS TO MOVE LEGISLATION FORWARD.
>> LET'S TALK ABOUT THE HEALTH CARE.
>>MAHEALANI: LET ME MOVE ON TO MR. DAVIS. WE HAVE A SPECIFIC
QUESTION FOR YOU MR. DAVIS. YOU'RE RUNNING ON SPECIFIC
ISSUES LIKE HOMELESSNESS, THE JONES ACT AND PAY TO PLAY.
WOULD YOU BE ABLE TO RUN AN ENTIRE STATE WITH 51,000
EMPLOYEES? >> I THINK THAT IF I CAN GET THE
PROPER HELP WITH ME, WHY NOT? I MENTIONED, THESE FELLOWS ARE
ALL OFFERED A JOB. I DON'T REALLY THINK IT'S THE
LEADERSHIP THAT'S MISSING HERE. I THINK IT'S A VISION
FOR THE FUTURE AND LESS ATTACHMENT FROM THE PAST. IN
SOME WAYS, WE COULD SIT HERE AND THEY COULD FIGHT OVER WHO
SPILLED THE MILK. I HAVE A PASS ON THAT. NEVER RUN FOR
OFFICE OR HELD PUBLIC OFFICE. IT'S SAD TO SAY THAT'S ONE OF
THE MY BEST ATTRIBUTES IN OUR STATE THAT HAS A LIST OF NUMBER
ONE BAD THINGS THAT ALL RESULTS IN OUR CHILDREN LEAVING THE
STATE IN DROVES. RUNNING AN OFFICE COMES FROM BEING OPEN TO
CHANGE AND WHAT WE HAVE HERE IN HAWAI'I IS A PICTURE, FROZEN
SNAPSHOT. ONE PARTY CONTROL. IT'S NOT PARTY PARTICULAR?
RIDICULOUS. ONE REPUBLICAN IN THE ENTIRE SENATE OF THE
LEGISLATURE IN HAWAI'I? WE NEED A CHANGE OF THE TOP.
FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE. I CAN GUARANTEE YOU YOU'RE GOING TO
GET, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN A VOTE FOR ME, THAT'S YOUR ONLY
CHOICE BECAUSE THESE GENTLEMEN COME FROM A BACKGROUND YOU'RE
GOING TO GET A LOT MORE OF SAME. >>MAHEALANI: QUESTIONS FROM
THE VIEWERS. DAVID FROM HONOLULU, ASKED US TO SENATOR
IGE FIRST. SHOULD LEGISLATURE FUND U.H.
ATHLETICS WHICH HAS BEEN RUNNING IN DEFICIT FOR 13
YEARS. >> I'VE BEEN A BIG PROPONENT OF
EMPOWERING THE UNIVERSITY AND GIVING THEM FLEXIBILITY. I
GAVE THEM THE LUMP SUM BUDGET A NUMBER OF YEARS AGO AND WE
HAVE GIVEN THEM FLEXIBILITY TO MANAGE THEIR FUNDS. IT REALLY
IS THE REGENTS AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNIVERSITY
WHO REALLY SHOULD BE MAKING THAT DECISION. AND IF THEY
CAN'T, I REALLY TRUST THE REGENTS AND THE PRESIDENT OF
THE UNIVERSITY TO BE ABLE TO MAKE THAT DECISION IF THEY WANT
TO INVOLVE THE GOVERNOR OR LEGISLATURE, I'M CERTAIN THAT
EVERYONE IN THE CAPITOL WOULD BE WILLING TO JUMP IN AND TRY
TO GET INVOLVED. BUT IT REALLY IS ABOUT UNIVERSITY
HAVING AUTONOMY, MAKING THE DECISIONS ABOUT WHAT IS MOST
IMPORTANT FOR THAT MANOA CAMPUS.
>>MAHEALANI: MR. AIONA, WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THAT?
>> WELL, I SAID THIS EARLIER AND I THINK DAVID PICKED UP ON
THIS OBVIOUSLY. I BELIEVE THAT THE PROBLEM AT THE
UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI'I IS LEADERSHIP. THEY HAVEN'T HAD
THAT OPPORTUNITY TO REALLY BE AUTONOMOUS AS WAS JUST
MENTIONED. YOU'VE HAD NOW FOUR PRESIDENTS, I BELIEVE IN
THE LAST 10 YEARS. THE SITUATION AT THE UNIVERSITY OF
HAWAI'I IS SUCH THAT WHENEVER SOMETHING DOESN'T GO RIGHT,
YOU HAVE POLITICIANS INTERJECTING INTO REGARDS TO
BASICALLY WHAT I WOULD CALL MANAGEMENT ISSUES. SO THE
STEVIE WONDER BLUNDER HAPPENS. TO ME, THAT'S A MANAGEMENT
ISSUE. WE HAVE A SENATE INVESTIGATION INTO THAT. YOU
HAVE NOW TWO FINALISTS FOR PRESIDENT. PEOPLE DON'T LIKE
THAT. YOU HAVE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE. YOU HAVE THE
GOVERNOR. YOU HAVE THE HOUSE SPEAKER CALLING UP THE BOARD OF
REGENTS SAYING WHAT'S WRONG WITH THAT PROCESS? WE NEED
MORE. WE GOT TO GIVE THE LEADERS AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEAD
BEFORE WE CAN START TALKING ABOUT THINGS LIKE THIS. THE
LEGISLATURE AS WELL AS THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH SHOULD RESIGN
ITSELF TO THE ROLE THAT IT SHOULD BE, THAT OF SUPPORT.
IF THERE IS A QUESTION OF FUNDING, SO BE IT. THAT'S
THEIR PREROGATIVE. THAT'S THEY'RE GIVING THE MONEY,
LEGISLATURE SHOULD ASK THOSE QUESTIONS. BUT TO INTERJECT
AND PUT CONDITIONS WHICH BASICALLY HAPPENED THE LAST
TIME WITH THIS BUDGET, IT'S NONSENSE.
THIS IS WHY WE ARE WHERE WE ARE WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF
HAWAI'I. >>MAHEALANI: THIS WHOLE ISSUE
ABOUT U.H. ATHLETICS, POINTS TO THE ISSUE OF THE REVOLVING
DOOR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI'I. IT'S BEEN AN
EXPENSIVE ONE WITH THESE TOP LEADERSHIP POSITIONS LEAVING
AND THEN COSTING THE U.H. SO WHAT CAN YOU DO AS GOVERNOR TO
CORRECT THAT PROBLEM? >> WELL, I THINK BOTH DUKE AND
DAVID HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD ON THAT ONE.
IT'S ALL ABOUT LEADERSHIP. IT'S ABOUT REMOVING THE
POLITICS THAT HAS BEEN PREVENTING UNIVERSITY OF FROM
DOING THINGS IN AUTONOMOUS WAY. IT'S NOT JUST THE
LEGISLATIVE BRANCH. SOME OF THE FOLKS ON BISHOP STREET.
WE'VE GOT TO DO THINGS DIFFERENTLY. WHETHER IT'S
ATHLETIC PROGRAMS OTHER PROGRAMS. BIG BELIEVER IN
PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS. LEGISLATURE CAN PUT THE MONEY
IN THERE. IF YOU HAVE THE EXPERIENCE OF REACHING OUT TO
MAJOR ORGANIZATIONS NOT JUST THROUGH THE UNITED STATES,
ASIA-PACIFIC RIM AND USE THE BRAND NAME UNIVERSITY OF
HAWAI'I HAS, MANY PEOPLE HAVE BENEFITED FROM UNIVERSITY OF
HAWAI'I EDUCATION THAT ARE RESIDING, DOING BUSINESS
THROUGHOUT THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION. I WANT IT BE AT THE
FOREFRONT OF SAYING TO THEM, WHY DON'T YOU HELP US MAKE THIS
ININSTITUTION ONE OF THE BEST IN THE PACIFIC ASIA REGION.
WHATEVER THEIR INTERESTS MAY BE, ATHLETICS, SOCIAL SCIENCE,
ACADEMICS. LET'S DO IT. MY BUSINESS IS IN THE
ASIA-PACIFIC REGION. I'M ABLE TO BRING THE CONTACTS,
RELATIONSHIPS AND DO SOMETHING ON THE BEHALF THE UNIVERSITY.
>>MAHEALANI: PUBLIC HAS BEEN VERY SKEPTICAL ABOUT WHAT'S
GOING ON AT U.H. SOME PEOPLE HAVE LOST CONFIDENCE IN THE
U.H. SYSTEM. WHAT WOULD YOU PROPOSE TO DO IN A.
>> I THINK THE U.H. IS BASICALLY MICRO OF THE MACRO.
LOOK AT OUR ENTIRE EDUCATION SYSTEM WHERE REGARDS TO STATE
OF HAWAI'I. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO ISOLATE THE U.H. FOR THAT.
WE'VE GOT WAY TOO MUCH IMPORTANCE PLACED ON THE
BUREAUCRACIES. WE'VE GOT THE BUREAUCRACY RIDING IN THE BACK
STUDENTS AND TEACHERS PULLING THEM HORSE AND THE CART. IT
SHOULD BE THE OTHER WAY AROUND, WHERE THE U.H. BUREAUCRACY AND
THE PEOPLE WHO RUN IT, THE PRESIDENT, DEANS, YOU NAME IT,
SHOULD BE LEARNING MORE AND MORE TAKING MORE AND MORE INPUT
FROM TEACHERS, AND FROM STUDENTS. SO YOUR QUESTION IS
JUST THE SAME QUESTION, WHAT ARE QUESTION GOING TO DO WITH
THE HOLE EDUCATION SYSTEM AND SOME OF THE MANY PROBLEMS?
FIRST THING YOU HAVE TO DO IS GET A NEW SHERIFF. IT'S AN OLD
ADAGE, NEW BOSS SAME AS THE OLD BOSS. PEOPLE IN HAWAI'I ARE
READY FOR A CHANGE. I REALLY, I'M SO HONORED TO BE HERE, BUT
AT THE SAME TIME, ONE OF MY GREATEST ATTRIBUTES BESIDES
BEING A BUSINESS OWNER AND FATHER AND SOMEONE WHO'S LIVED
IN HAWAI'I FOR DECADES, IS THE FACT THAT I'M NOT A
PROFESSIONAL POLITICIAN. >>MAHEALANI: SOMEONE WANTS TO
KNOW ABOUT UNIONS. THIS IS PUA FROM COVER IT LIVE. SHE
WANTS TO KNOW, WHAT IS YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE UNIONSES
AND HOW CAN WE BE ASSURED THAT THEY WILL NOT STIFLE EFFORTS TO
MOVE HAWAI'I FORWARD? >> YOU CAN ASK THEM WHAT THEIR
RELATIONSHIP WITH THE UNIONS ARE. THEY GOT ALL THE
ENDORSEMENTS. I DON'T HAVE ANY ENDORSEMENTS FROM AM I
PUBLIC OR PRIVATE UNION. IN A DOESN'T MEAN I DON'T HAVE A
RELATIONSHIP. I'M JUST TALKING ABOUT LEADERSHIP. I
HAVE A TREMENDOUS RELATIONSHIP WITH EVERY SINGLE PRIVATE OR
PUBLIC LABOR UNION WE HAVE IN THE STATE. I'VE TALKED TO
MANY OF THE LEADERS ALSO. I LOOK AT IT THIS WAY. BECAUSE
I'VE BEEN ASKED THAT SAME QUESTION IN REGARDS TO WORKING
WITH THE LEGISLATURE. I WOULD BE IN THE MINORITY IN REGARDS
TO PARTIES. SENATE, WE'VE GOT ONE REPUBLICAN OUT OF 25.
WE'VE GOT 7 REPUBLICANS OUT OF 51 IN THE STATE HOUSE. SO WHAT
DOES IT COME DOWN TO? IT COMES DOWN TO RELATIONSHIPS.
THAT'S WHAT MY WHOLE LIFE HAS BEEN ABOUT. PROFESSIONAL
CAREER AS A JUDGE, ATTORNEY, THEN OF COURSE WHEN I WENT INTO
PRIVATE PRACTICE, AND IT'S ALL ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS.
MEDIATOR, I'M AN ARBITRATOR. I KNOW HOW TO BRING PEOPLE
TOGETHER. I KNOW HOW TO FACILITATE. I KNOW HOW TO
MANAGE CONFLICT. THAT'S REALLY WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT.
>>MAHEALANI: SENATOR IGE, WHAT'S YOUR RELATIONSHIP? IS
THERE A BALANCE IN TERMS OF RELATIONSHIP WITH THE UNIONS?
>> YOU KNOW, THERE ALWAYS IS A BALANCE. I HAVE GOOD WORKING
RELATIONSHIPS WITH MANY RANK AND FILE AS WELL AS IT'S UNION
LEADERSHIP. I DO THINK WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE PUBLIC
EMPLOYEE, MANY, MANY HARD WORKING INDIVIDUALS ARE REALLY
COMMITTED TO THE NOTION OF PUBLIC SERVICE. THEY
OFTENTIMES ARE GETTING PAID LESS THAN THEIR PRIVATE SECTOR
COUNTERPARTS AND THEY ARE MANY TIMES JUST COMMITTED TO THE
MISSION OF STATE GOVERNMENT AND WHATEVER THEIR JOB IS. SO
I VIEW THE EMPLOYEE AS REALLY THE SIGNIFICANT AS SET OF THE
STATE GOVERNMENT AND WE FEED TO MAKE INVESTMENTS IN THERE EM.
I THINK FOR THE MOST PART, 90% OF THE ISSUES ARE ALIGNED IN
COMMON. THE PERSPECTIVE OF MANAGEMENT AND THE PERSPECTIVE
OF THE WORKER WOULD BE ALIGNED. IT'S THAT 10% WHERE IT'S
MANAGEMENT'S JOB TO MANAGE THE EMPLOYEES THAT THERE IS THAT
CONFLICT. SO I THINK THAT OFTENTIMES, YOU WOULD HAVE
MORE IN ALIGNMENT THAN DISAGREEMENT. AND THEN AS
EXECUTIVE, YOU HAVE TO MAKE THE TOUGH DECISIONS. YOU HAVE TO
NEGOTIATE. YOU HAVE TO NEGOTIATE
BENEFITS. BECAUSE EVERYTHING NEEDS TO BALANCE. AND AT THE
END OF THE DAY, TAXPAYER HAS TO PAY FOR ALL OF THOSE EMPLOYEES.
>>MAHEALANI: MR. HANNEMANN, WE'VE SEEN PAST GOVERNORS
WHERE THE RELATIONSHIP IS PRETTY ADVERSARIAL. HOW
WOULD YOU WORK OR NOT WORK WITH THE UNIONS.
>> ONCE AGAIN, BECAUSE OF THE PAST EXPERIENCE I'VE HAD OF
HAVING ENDORSEMENTS THAT DAVID IS RECEIVING IN THIS RACE. I
KNOW YOU TRIED FOR ENDORSEMENTS. THE NOT CLEAR.
YOU SHOULD BE MORE FORTHRIGHT ABOUT THAT. I KNOW YOU TRIED
FOR ENDORSEMENTS FROM THE PYUN FROM THE UNION. FACT OF THE
MATTER IS THIS, YOU HAVE TO LEAD BY EXAMPLE AND WHEN I WAS
PREPARED TO MAKE SIGNIFICANT PAY CUTS, I WOULD ALWAYS ASK MY
EXECUTIVE BRANCH TO DO IT FIRST. BECAUSE I SAID,
EVENTUALLY, WE'RE GOING TO ASK UNIONS TO DO THAT. HAVING HAD
THE EXPERIENCE TO HAVE CONDUCTED COLLECTIVE
BARGAINING BEING ONE OF FIVE VOTES THAT GOVERNOR NEEDS TO GO
FORWARD, THAT PUT ME IN GOOD STANDING GOOD FORWARD. YOU
DON'T ALWAYS PLEASE THEM OR DO WHAT THEY WANT IN TERMS OF
PERCENTAGE PAY RAISE. IF YOU LAY OUT A PROGRAM AND YOU'RE
FAIR ABOUT IT AND YOU SAY, IF IN FACT GOING THROUGH TOUGH
TIMES, WE'RE MAKING SACRIFICES, WE NEED TO SAVE
SOME JOBS HERE. WE NEED SO SAVE SOME PROGRAMS. I DON'T
ANTICIPATE THE KIND OF PROBLEMS THAT GOVERNORS HAVE
HAD LIKE LINDA LINGLE WHEN SHE WAS DEALING THE UNIONS OR
ABERCROMBIE DEALING WITH IT'S UNIONS.
>>MAHEALANI: COULD YOU BE FAIR WITH THE UNIONS?
>> ABSOLUTELY. NO QUESTION. IN REGARDS TO SINGLE
ENDORSEMENTS, THAT'S NOT TRUE. I SAW SOUGHT ONE ENDORSEMENT
AND THAT WAS FROM SHOPO. THE ONLY REASON I SOUGHT THAT
ENDORSEMENT BECAUSE I BELIEVE I AM THE PERFECT FIT FOR THEM
AND MANY OF THE MEMBERS ARE SUPPORTIVE OF ME BECAUSE OF THE
WORK THAT I'VE DONE. AS A PROSECUTOR, AS A JUDGE AND THEY
KNOW MY BACKGROUND. LET'S BE TRUTHFUL. THEY
ENDORSED MUFI HANNEMANN. THOUGHT ABOUT IT.
>>MAHEALANI: GO AHEAD. I KNOW YOU WANT TO WEIGH IN.
>> TALK ABOUT THE UNIONS AS IF THEY WERE AN ENTITY INSTEAD OF
HUMAN BEINGS. IT'S QUITE TRUE. OFTEN ARE USED AS CANON
FODDER FOR THE DEMOCRATIC MACHINE IN THE SENSE THAT YOU
THROW THEM A RAIL, KAKAAKO, THEY KNOW WHERE THE BREAD AND
BUTTER IS, THESE GUYS ARE FATHERS AND MOTHERS FIRST.
>> MEMBERSHIP. >> THE MEMBERSHIP. EXACTLY.
I REALLY BELIEVE, APPROACH WITH CHANGE, I DON'T THINK THE
UNIONS ARE GOING TO BE SO STUCK LOCK STEP POLITICALLY THINKING
AS WE MIGHT THINK IF OFFERED A CHANGE. WHEN YOU OFFER THEM
THE SAME OLD SAME OLD BETTER THE W KNOW IN MANY RESPECTS,
KEEP YOUR JOB SECURITY, AT THE EXPENSE OF THE REST OF THE
STATE? I DON'T THINK MOST UNION MEMBERS WOULD GO THAT FAR
IF GIVEN A DIFFERENT OPPORTUNITY, GIVEN OPTION FOR
CHANGE. >> I AGREE. IT REALLY COMES
DOWN TO, AGAIN, RELATIONSHIPS AND WHEN WE DEAL WITH THE
UNIONS, THIS WILL BE ON THE PUBLIC SECTOR SIDE, OBVIOUSLY,
IT'S ABOUT DADS. IT'S ABOUT GRANDPARENTS. EVERYTHING
THAT I AM. GRANDFATHER, DAD, COACH, BROTHER, UNCLE.
THAT'S WHAT IT ALL COMES DOWN TO. ULTIMATELY, IT'S ABOUT
THE MEMBERSHIP. LEADERSHIP IS ONE THING. THAT'S WHERE
DECISIONS ARE MADE IN REGARDS TO ENDORSEMENTS. WE KNOW VERY
WELL, LET'S BE HONEST ABOUT THIS. WHEN HAS A PUBLIC UNION
ENDORSED A REPUBLICAN FOR STATE OFFICE? ANOTHER TOPIC.
HANG ON JUST A SECOND. WE NEED TO MOVE ON --
>> ENDORSED LINDA LINGLE FOR GOVERNOR. SHOPO.
>> THAT'S SHOPO. SHOPO DID. >>MAHEALANI: I THINK WE'RE
OVER WITH THIS UNION ISSUE. I WANTED TO MOVE ON TO ANOTHER
INTERESTING TOPIC AND THAT IS RELIGION. I KNOW MR. AIONA,
THIS HAS BEEN A VERY CAREFUL TOPIC FOR YOU. A LOT OF PEOPLE
ACTUALLY, SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE E-MAILED US AND CALLED US
TONIGHT WONDERING WILL THERE BE A SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND
STATE ESPECIALLY AS WITH A LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, WHEN AHU,
YOUR ADMINISTRATION. >> ABSOLUTELY. YOU'RE
TALKING TO TWO JUDGES WHO UNDERSTAND WHAT THE LAW IS AND
CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS AND LIBERTIES. WE ARE ADVOCATES OF
THAT. PILLARS OF THAT AS JUDGES. I SAID THIS IN
REGARDS TO TRUST, RESPECT, AND BALANCE, WHICH IS THE THEME OF
OUR CAMPAIGN, WE UNDERSTAND THAT BECAUSE AS JUDGES, WE
UNDERSTOOD WHAT IT MEANT TO HAVE TRUST FROM THE LITIGANTS
WHO CAME BEFORE US BECAUSE WE UNDERSTAND THAT WE HAD TO GIVE
THEM RESPECT SO WHEN THEY CAME INTO OUR COURTROOM, THEY KNEW
THAT OUR DECISIONS WOULD BE BASED ON THE LAW. IT WOULDN'T
BE BASED ON PREJUDICE. IT WOULDN'T BE BASED ON EMOTION.
AND IT DEFINITELY WOULDN'T BE BASED ON ANYTHING THAT WAS
EMOTIONAL. SO BASED ON LAW. AS SUCH, IT WOULD BE THE TRUST
AND WE GIVE THEM THE RESPECT THEY NEEDED AND WE WOULD HAVE
THAT IN THE COURTROOM. >>MAHEALANI: SENATOR IGE, DO
YOU HAVE ANY CONCERNS ABOUT THAT?
>> I DON'T HAVE ANY CONCERNS. I'M A BUDDHIST. I THINK FOR
THE MOST PART, ALL OF US SEPARATE THE PRACTICE OF FAITH
VERSUS OUR JOBS AT THE CAPITOL. FOR ME PERSONALLY, THERE
REALLY HASN'T BEEN ANY CHALLENGE IN TERMS OF
SEPARATING EQUAL RIGHTS, EQUAL TREATMENT OF PEOPLE THROUGHOUT
WHOEVER APPEARS BEFORE THE COMMITTEE SO I'M NOT CONCERNED
ABOUT IT. I'M CERTAIN THAT WE CAN MOVE FORWARD IN A WAY THAT
SERVES THE PUBLIC. >>MAHEALANI: MR. DAVIS?
>> I HAVE BIGGER FISH TO TRY. WE SPEND $16 BILLION A YEAR TO
IMPORT 92% OF OUR FOOD. WE MAKE $12 BILLION WILL THERE BE
A SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE IN YOUR ADMINISTRATION.
>> ASKING ME A QUESTION ABOUT PERSONAL RELIGIOUS BELIEFS
RATHER THAN HARD ECONOMICS, IN MY ADMINISTRATION, CHURCH AND
STATE ARE THE SAME AND COMPLETELY SEPARATED AT THE
SAME TIME. MR. AIONA HAS GOT A DIFFERENT ISSUE TO CARRY WITH
HIM AS WELL KNOWN TO BE, AREN'T A PASTOR AS WELL?
>> NO. NOT A PASTOR. >> YOU'RE ENGAGED THAT'S A
BEAUTIFUL THING. THAT'S WHAT YOU BELIEVE. CHURCH AND STATE
SHOULD BE SEPARATED. MR. AIONA HAS GOT A
PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND IN THAT AND IT WOULD BE UP TO HIM
TO DO THAT. MYSELF, I HAVE NOTHING, NO DOG IN THE FIGHT
FOR CHURCH AND STATE. >>MAHEALANI: MR. HANNEMANN,
GO AHEAD. >> NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH
THIS. AS MAYOR. MAYOR OF ALL OF OAHU. GOVERNOR, MAYOR OF
STATE OF HAWAI'I. YOU HAVE TO RECOGNIZE ALL RELIGIONS.
I'VE BEEN KNOWN TO BE VERY ACTIVE GO TO BUDDHIST BON
DANCES, SERVICES, MUSLIM RELIGION, BUDDHIST RELIGION.
YOU HAVE TO STAND FOR. FAMILIES ARE VERY IMPORTANT.
AT THE END OF THE DAY, YOU HAVE TO RESPECT PEOPLE'S RELIGION
AND RESPECT SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE.
>>MAHEALANI: YOU KNOW, WOMAN FROM KAKAAKO WANTS TO KNOW
ABOUT SOMETHING IN HER OWN NEIGHBORHOOD, DEVELOPMENT OF
KAKAAKO. SO MR. HANNEMANN, IF YOU'RE ELECTED GOVERNOR,
WHAT WOULD CHANGE ABOUT KAKAAKO OR MAU WOULD YOU MAKE
SURE THAT DEVELOPMENT IS MOVING FORWARD IN APPROPRIATE
WAY? >> WELL, I WISH THAT'S
LEGISLATURE LOOKED AT IT VERY CLOSELY IN 2010 BECAUSE WE
TRIED TO INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO MOVE KAKAAKO AT THAT TIME TO
THE CITY. KEEP THE OCEAN AREA WITH DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION AS WELL AS THE DLNL. NEVER EVEN GOT A
HEARING. WHAT HAPPENED NOW, YOU'VE SEEN
THE RUSH OF THESE HIGH-RISE PROPOSALS THAT HAVE COME
FORWARD, REALLY FRIGHTENED PEOPLE ACROSS THE BOARD FROM A
PLANNING PERSPECTIVE AND ALSO FROM THE COST PERSPECTIVE.
HOW MANY PEOPLE CAN AFFORD $10 MILLION, $20 MILLION,
EVEN $100 MILLION HIGH-RISE? THEY COULDN'T DO THAT. I'M
SAYING I KNOW SOME REFORMS HAVE BEEN PUT FORWARD IN THE
LEGISLATURE, ABOUT YOU IT'S BROKEN. SHIFTED BACK TO THE
CITY. LET THE CITY HAVE THE PLANNING AUTHORITY. LET THE
CITY TAKE TRANSIT-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT. PROVIDES
OPPORTUNITIES TO BUILD AFFORDABLE HOUSING. CITY HAS
HIGH SHALL THRESHOLD FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND MAKE
SURE THAT PEOPLE FEEL THAT KAKAAKO IS GOING TO BE THERE OR
RETURN IT BACK AS TO NOW. IF YOU'RE A WEALTHY FOREIGN
INVESTOR, IT SEEMS TO BE THE MAGNET DRAWING PEOPLE TO
KAKAAKO. >>MAHEALANI: DO YOU FEEL CITY
SHOULD BE CONTROLLING KAKAAKO MORE?
>> IF YOU GO BACK TO THE HISTORY OF THE KAKAAKO DEVELOPMENT
DISTRICT, IT WAS A POLITICAL DIVISION THAT STARTED IT WAY
BACK IN 1974. IT BEHOOVES ME IF THAT WERE THE RIGHT PLACE
FOR IT TO BE POLITICKINGS SET ASIDE, WHY ARE WE NOW 30, 40
YEARS DOWN THE LINE, TALKING ABOUT SOMETHING NOW ESPECIALLY
ONLY AFTER YOU HAVE MOVEMENT WITHIN THE KAKAAKO DISTRICT.
UP UNTIL THIS POINT IN TIME, IT WAS PRETTY STAGNANT WHAT
REGARDS TO HAPPENING TO KAKAAKO. IF YOU RECALL
CORRECTLY, IT WAS THE LEGISLATURE THAT PUT A
MORATORIUM IN REGARDS TO WHAT'S HAPPENING ON THE MAKAI
SIDE OF KAKAAKO AND REALLY, I'M GOING TO USE THIS WORD BECAUSE
MAYBE IT'S NOT THE RIGHT WORD, BUT IT KIND OF HANDCUFFED AND
STIFLED EXECUTIVE BRANCH AND TOOK THEM OUT OF CONVERSATION
IN REGARDS TO WHAT WAS HAPPENING IN KAKAAKO. THE
POINTMENTS ARE LIMITED IN REGARDS TO WHAT WHO EXECUTIVES
CAN APPOINT. DOWN TO THREE NAMES SUBMITTED BY THE
LEGISLATURE. PUT THE COMMITTEE OR COMMISSION
TOGETHER. THIS IS WHAT I WOULD DO. I WOULD FIRST AND
FOREMOST TRY TO DO THE BEST I CAN IN REGARDS TO THE
COMMISSION. PUT THE NICE DIVERSITY OF BALANCED
COMMISSION TOGETHER. I WOULD TELL THEM, OKAY, HERE'S THE
DIRECTION. WE'VE GOT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE ENOUGH
AFFORDABLE HOMES AND RENTALS IN KAKAAKO. LET'S MOVE THE
BAR UP. LET'S MOVE IT TO 30%. IN ADDITION TO THAT, THE 30%
AFFORDABILITY REQUIREMENT THAT WE WOULD HAVE AS WELL AS
RENTALS WOULDN'T BE FOR 10 YEARS. IT WOULDN'T BE FOR 15
YEARS. IT WOULD BE FOR GENERATIONS. IN THIS, WE CAN
PICK A NUMBER. 60 YEARS, 30 YEARS, WHATEVER IT MAY BE.
WHAT WE CAN'T DO IS CONSTANTLY HAVE THESE LOOPHOLES WHERE
PENCILS OUT FOR THE DEVELOPERS THAT THEY CAN BUY TAX CREDITS
OR BUY OTHER PIECES OF PARCEL AND MOVE THAT REQUIREMENT THAT
THEY HAVE FOR AFFORDABLE BECAUSE THAT'S HAPPENING ON
THE CITY SIDE TOO. >>MAHEALANI: SENATOR IGE, I'M
GOING TO GIVE YOU A CHANCE TO RESPOND ABOUT THE LEGISLATURE
SIDE OF THIS. WHAT WOULD BE YOUR OVERALL VISION IF YOU'RE
GOVERNOR? >> WELL, CLEARLY, LEGISLATURE
FELT THAT DEVELOPMENT IN KAKAAKO WAS TOO MUCH TOO FAST
AS SAID BEFORE, TOO MUCH EMPHASIS ON LUXURY
HIGHRISES, FOCUSED ON FOREIGN INVESTORS.
LEGISLATURE HEARD THAT LOUD AND CLEAR. IT IS ABOUT
CREATING, GOING BACK TO THE ORIGINAL VISION OF OPPORTUNITY
FOR LIVE, WORK, PLAY WHERE PEOPLE PRICE HOUSING AT ALL
PRICE POINTS. WORK FORCE HOUSEWORKING IN WAIKIKI WAS
PART OF THE ORIGINAL VISION. IF YOU LOOK AT THE PLANS, WE DID
CHANGE THE MAKE-UP OF THE BOARD. WE HOPE TO GET MORE
BALANCE. IF ELECT GOVERNOR, I WOULD WELCOME THE OPPORTUNITY
TO REALLY PUT IN PEOPLE THAT ARE MORE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE
PEOPLE OF EQUAL BALANCE AND I THINK MOST IMPORTANTLY, I
THINK WE HAVE TO KEEP THE MOMENTUM MOVING FORWARD,
MOVING IT BACK TO THE COUNTY, STOPS EVERYTHING AND CREATES
ANOTHER, BIG DISRUPTION INTO WHAT'S HAPPENING. I THINK IF
WE LOOK AT THE MASTER PLAN, WE STUCK TO THE DESIGN
GUIDELINES, WE WOULD GET A KAKAAKO THAT IS LIVE, WORK,
PLAY FOR THE PEOPLE OF HAWAI'I. >>MAHEALANI: MR.ER DAVIS, WHAT
WOULD THE PUBLIC SEE CHANGE IN KAKAAKO IF YOU WERE GOVERNOR?
>> I THINK MAHEALANI, THE IF'S AND IT WILL, WE'VE GONE TOO
FAR. HCDA BASICALLY TWIN OF THE PLDC, WHERE THE STATE IS
GETTING INVOLVED IN POLITICS ARE GETTING INVOLVED,
RE-ELECTION IS GETTING INVOLVED. BRING IN THE
DEVELOPER. BRING IN THE UNIONS SO THAT THE REELECTION
IS POSSIBLE. THIS IS THE TYPICAL NEW BOSS, SAME AS THE
OLD BOSS MENTALITY. I AGREE THAT AND HAVE LONG THOUGHT THAT
HCDA HAS SHOWN ITS COLORS ON SO MANY OCCASIONS. RIGHT NOW, WE
HAVE NOT LIVED, WORKED AND PLAYED IN CAULK TAKO DID
SHALL-KAKAAKO BECAUSE THE DEMOCRAT PARTY IS UP THERE.
CONTROLLING THE HCDA. IN SO MANY WAYS AS MANY HAVE SPOKE,
THERE NEEDS TO BE A BROADER ASPECT, MORE REPRESENTATION
FROM THE COMMUNITY AND DIFFERENT PARTIES INSIDE OF A
GROUP THAT HAS SO MUCH CONTROL OVER YOUR BILLIONS AND VERY
FUTURE, BUT SHOULD HAVE BEEN THE LIVE, WORK AND PLAY FOR OUR
CHILDREN NOT LIVE WORK AND PLAY FOR STATE INVESTMENT. I STAY
TAKE THE HCDA APART, GIVE IT BACK TO THE CITY AND LET'S MOVE
FORWARD AGAIN WITH CHANGE. NOT I SWEAR TO GOD, IT'S GOING
TO HAPPEN THIS TIME. WE NEED TO PROVIDE HOUSING FOR OUR
CHILDREN. >>MAHEALANI: TAXING PENSIONS
IS A BIG ISSUE IN THE LAST 2 YEARS. MR. DAVIS, KELLY VIA
E-MAIL WANTS TO KNOW, WOULD YOU PROPOSE A TAX ON RETIREE
PENSIONS? IF WHY HE, COULD YOU EXPLAIN INYOUR RATIONAL?
>> I'LL SAY NO AND EXPLAIN THAT. WE HAVE BIGGER WAYS AND
MORE EASIER WAYS TO GET INCOME INTO OUR STATE. BY REMOVE THE
JONES ACT FROM OUR SHIPPING COSTS. WE USED TO GROW 90% OF
OUR FOOD AS RECENTLY AS 1930. WE NOW IMPORT 92% OF OUR FOOD
AT 16 BILLION, OIL AT ANOTHER 6 OR 7 BILLION. WE MADE 12 IN
TOURISM. IF WE DO NOT INCENTIVIZE AGRICULTURE, WE
WOULD HAVE TO GO AND TAX PENSIONS. THERE ARE OTHER
MORE SUSTAINABLE WAYS OF BRINGING INCOME AND TAXING OUR
SENIORS. >>MAHEALANI: MR. HANNEMANN?
>> I WOULD NOT TAX THE PENSIONS OF SENIORS. I BELIEVE THAT
SENIORS DESERVE TO LIVE THE REST OF THEIR LIVES IN DIGNITY.
I BELIEVE THAT SENIORS ARE ON A FIXED INCOME. THAT'S
SOMETHING THAT WAS EXPECTED OF GOVERNMENT TO PROVIDE. WHEN
IT BECAME A GOVERNMENT. HERE'S THE DIFFERENCE.
RATHER THAN LOOK FOR TAXING ALTERNATIVES, ONCE AGAIN,
HAVING ADVANTAGE OF BEING EXECUTIVE, I WILL BRING IDEAS
TO GROW THE ECONOMY. SO THAT WE CAN HAVE MORE DOLLARS. I
REALLY BELIEVE THERE'S OPPORTUNITIES TO CONTINUE TO
BRING QUALITY TOURISM TO THIS THE STATE. I WANT TO GO FOR
INTERNATIONAL VISA WAIVER PROGRAM, POLICY FOR CHINA AND
HAWAI'I. I SPEND SOME TIME DOING BUSINESS IN THE
ASIA-PACIFIC REGION. COMMONWEALTH OF THE NORTHERN
MARIANNAS HAS A VISA WAIVER WITH CHINA. WHY NOT HAVE A
PILOT PROGRAM IN HAWAII TO BRING IN HIGH END TOURISTS,
CONTROL IT, SUSTAINABLE TOURISM. MODEL WHERE WE'RE
TALKING ABOUT AGRITOURISM, ENVIRONMENTAL TOURISM.
EDUCATIONAL TOURISM, PEOPLE COME HERE, INVEST, LEARN,
PARTAKE OF IT AND LEAVE THEIR MONIES BEHIND TO GROW THIS
ECONOMY. >>MAHEALANI: MR. AIONA, WHAT
ARE YOUR THOUGHTS? IS IT EASY TO SAY NO, I'M NOT GOING TO
RAISE TAXES ON ANYTHING? >> MUFI RAISES A GOOD POINT ON
THE PREMISE OF THE QUESTION. ABOUT REVENUE ENHANCEMENT.
WE ARE IN SOME VERY PRECARIOUS TIMES RIGHT NOW AND THE QUICK
ANSWER IS ABSOLUTELY NOT. DEFINITELY NOT GOING TO RAISE
ANY, INVOKE ANY PENSION TAX. IT GOES DOWN AGAIN TO AS I SAID,
REVENUE ENHANCEMENT AND WHAT ARE WE WE GOING TO DO. MR. IGE
HAS STATED THAT HE ACTUALLY KILLED THE PENSION TAX THAT WAS
INTRODUCED INTO IT'S LEGISLATURE. BUT I HAVE A
QUESTION FOR HIM IN REGARDS TO IN 2003, INTRODUCED A BILL TO
TAX PENSIONS. THAT WAS KILLED IN THE LABOR COMMITTEE BUT IT
WAS INTRODUCED BY SENATOR IGE. AGAIN, THE QUESTION IS, WHEN IT
COMES TO THIS PRECARIOUS POINT WE'RE AT RIGHT NOW, IN REGARDS
TO THE BUDGET IS SHRINKING, WE'RE GOING TO COME TO A POINT
MAYBE EVEN NEXT YEAR, SENATOR SLOM HAS ALREADY BROUGHT THAT
TO THE ATTENTION OF THE LEGISLATORS AS WELL AS TO
KALBERT YOUNG, THE BUDGET AND FINANCE CHIEF. HE'S
ACKNOWLEDGED IT AND SAID, YOU'RE RIGHT. COME 2016,
WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT SHRINKING BUDGET. AT THAT
POINT IN TIME, LEGISLATURE IS GOING TO HAVE MAKE A DECISION
WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO DO. INCREASE REVENUE OR BASICALLY
STREAMLINE GOVERNMENT? BASED UPON WHAT'S HAPPENED IN THE
LAST FOUR YEARS, THEY HAVE NOT STREAMLINED GOVERNMENT. WHAT
THEY HAVE DONE IS, MR. IGE SAID THIS THE OTHER NIGHT, HE SAID,
CUT THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET BY ABOUT A BILLION DOLLARS. WHAT
HE REALLY DID IS HE CUT SPENDING, THE INCREASED
SPENDING THAT'S PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION HAD DONE IN
REGARDS TO THE SUBMISSION OF THEIR BUDGET. WHAT THE
LEGISLATURE HAS DO DONE IN THE PAST FOUR YEARS IS INCREASED
SPENDING BY $1.2 BILLION. THAT'S A BURDEN ON US, THE
TAXPAYERS AND INCREASES THE COST OF LIVING. IN RESPONSE
TO YOUR QUESTION IN REGARDS TO WHETHER OR NOT I WOULD RAISE
THE PENSION, ABSOLUTELY NOT. >>MAHEALANI: SENATOR IGE, YOUR
RESPONSE. >> I'M GLAD THAT DUKE BROUGHT
THIS UP BECAUSE I DO KNOW THAT MY OPPONENTS WILL BE DIGGING UP
ALL KINDS OF VOTES FROM PAST HISTORY. THIS IS 10 YEARS
AGO. THE CONSTITUTION PROVIDES THAT ONLY SENATORS OR
HOUSE MEMBERS WITH INTRODUCE LEGISLATION INTO THE PROCESS.
THE BILL THAT DUKE RAISED IS WAS A CONSTITUENT REQUEST.
I'VE ALWAYS BELIEVED, BE RESPECTFUL REGARDLESS OF
WHETHER I AGREE OR DISAGREE WITH THE PROPOSAL.
CONSTITUENT CALLS, HE SAYS, HE WOULD LIKE THE LEGISLATURE TO
CONSIDER TAXING PENSIONS. DUKE, IF YOU UNDERSTAND THE
PROCESS, I INTRODUCED THAT BILL BY REQUEST. IT'S
EXPLICITLY LAID OUT IN THE RECORD THAT IT WAS A REQUEST
MADE BY A CONSTITUENTS WHO BELIEVED THAT THAT SHOULD BE
CONSIDERED. AS THE SITTING REPRESENTATIVE,
AS THE SENATOR, I FELT AN OBLIGATION REGARDLESS OF MY
PERSONAL VIEW OF THAT MEASURE, TO INTRODUCE IT ON HIS BEHALF.
NOW, I ABSOLUTELY WOULD NOT TAX PENSIONS AND I'VE INTRODUCED
LEGISLATION TO CHANGE THE CONSTITUTION TO PROHIBIT THAT
FROM GOING ON A GOING FORWARD BASIS. I DO THINK THERE ARE
LOTS OF OPPORTUNITIES TO GROW OUR ECONOMY AND BE MORE
EFFICIENT. I'VE BEEN A BIG PROPONENT OF TAX MODERNIZATION
AND INVESTING IN I.T. SYSTEMS THROUGHOUT ALL STATE
GOVERNMENT BECAUSE THAT ALLOWS STATE GOVERNMENT TO DO MORE
WITH LESS. >>MAHEALANI: GET THE SENSE
THAT ALL OF YOU WANT TO ASK EACH OTHER OTHER QUESTIONS.
MR. HANNEMANN, DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION FOR ONE OF YOUR
OPPONENTS? >> WELL, MY QUESTION IS
BASICALLY THIS: LET ME ASK THIS OF DAVID IGE. THE STATE
HOSPITAL SYSTEM. I RECENTLY CAME UP WITH A PROPOSAL THAT
SAYS, WE HAVE TO MOVE PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS TO SAVE
SOMETHING THAT IS COST US LOTS OF MONEY EVERY YEAR. THIS
YEAR, THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT 30 TO $40 MILLION DEFICIT. LAST
YEAR, LOST $165 MILLION. TALKING ABOUT THE 12 STATE
HOSPITALS. THAT'S NOT A NEW IDEA BUT AN IDEA I WANT TO BRING
BACK TO THE TABLE BECAUSE THERE WAS A KEY PART OF THAT WHOLE
DEBATE DURING THE LAST LEGISLATIVE SESSION WHERE
PROPONENTS NEEDS HELP FROM THE LEGISLATURE IN TERMS OF
SAFEGUARDS PUBLIC EMPLOYEES PART OF IT, WHICH I BELIEVE WE
NEED TO DO. THAT BILL DIED AT THE LEGISLATURE. I
UNDERSTAND YOU WERE ONE OF THOSE THAT VOTED TO KILL THAT
BILL. IF THAT WAS THE CASE, GIVEN ALL OF YOUR
UNDERSTANDING OF THE BUDGET, WHY WOULDN'T YOU TRY TO SAVE
THE HOSPITAL WITH ALL THE CUTS BEING MADE. YOU'VE BEEN AT
THE FOREFRONT OF CUTS UNIVERSITY OF MEDICAL SCHOOL.
750 DOCTORS SHORT. >>MAHEALANI: DO YOU HAVE A
QUESTION? >> I'M GETTING TO IT. THE
QUESTION IS, WHY WOULD YOU THEN CUT THE U.H. BUDGET, U.H.
MEDICAL SCHOOL BUDGET AND NOT SUPPORT AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO A
PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP TO SAVE THE HOSPITALS?
>> MUFI, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THAT QUESTION. AS CHAIR
OF HEALTH COMMITTEE, I HAVE WORKED ON THE PUBLIC HOSPITAL
SYSTEM FOR A LONG TIME. IF YOU GO BACK, FIVE YEARS AGO, I DID
PASS A MEASURE THAT RESTRUCTURED THE PUBLIC
HOSPITAL SYSTEM. IT RESTRUCTURED THE BOARDS
BECAUSE THE NEIGHBOR ISLANDS WERE REQUESTING FOR MORE
REPRESENTATION ON THE MANAGEMENT BOARD OF THE
HAWAI'I HEALTH SYSTEMS. MOST IMPORTANTLY, MUFI, IF YOU LOOK
AT THE LEGISLATION, IT DOES HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR A
TRANSITION TO A PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP. AT THE TIME THAT
WE PASSED THE LEGISLATURE, I WORKED WITH MY COLLEAGUES. I
GOT CONSENSUS IN BOTH THE HOUSE AND SENATE. WE MOVED THE
MEASURE FORWARD. IT PROTECTED INTEREST OF
EMPLOYEES. PREPROVIDES A GATEWAY FOR PUBLIC PRIVATE
PARTNERSHIP. THE CHALLENGE AT THAT TIME THERE WERE NO
PLAYERS ON THE HORIZON. EXACT FORM OF WHAT THAT
PARTNERSHIP WOULD LOOK LIKE WAS NOT DEFINED. IT DOES
PROVIDE FOR A SHELL. A PROCESS TO TRANSITION, BUT
THERE ARE LOTS OF DETAILS TO BE DECIDED. LET ME JUST SAY
THIS: THE BILL ABOUT MOVING THE PARTNERSHIP FORWARD THIS
SESSION NEVER CAME OUT OF CONFERENCE BECAUSE THERE NEVER
WAS AN AGREEMENT ABOUT WHAT THE DETAILS SHOULD BE. HOUSE OR
SENATE. THERE WAS NO VOTE ON IT. I AGREE. I WASN'T THE
POINT PERSON ON THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE AND THE CONFERENCE
COMMITTEE WAS UNABLE TO ARRIVE --
>>MAHEALANI: YOU DID ANSWER THE QUESTION. MR. DAVIS, DO
YOU HAVE A QUESTION FOR ONE OF YOUR OPPONENTS?
>> ANYONE CAN TAKE IT. THE QUESTION IS ISN'T THIS JUST
ANOTHER ELECTION LIKE ALL THE REST OF THEM, WE HAVE THE
LOWEST VOTER TURN OUT? AMERICA. ALONG WITH THE
HIGHTEST HOMELESS PER CAPITA AND HIGHEST *** ISSUES.
STATUS QUO HAS DRIVEN HAWAI'I INTO NUMBER ONE --
>>MAHEALANI: SPECIFICALLY, ONE QUESTION.
>> THE QUESTION WOULD BE, CAN ANY OF YOU GIVE ME THE THE
FEELING THAT INDEED, CHANGE WILL OCCUR IF ANY ONE OF YOU
WERE ELECTED TO THE GOVERNOR? >> I'LL TAKE THAT. I REALLY
BELIEVE THE MODEL THAT I'M REPRESENTING IS WHAT IT'S ALL
ABOUT. I HAVE BEEN A LIFE LONG DEMOCRAT. THOSE ASSOCIATIONS
WILL NOT DISAPPEAR OVERNIGHT BECAUSE I'M AN INDEPENDENT
CANDIDATE. THIS IS HAWAI'I. THERE'S FRIENDSHIPS AND DUKE
SPOKE TO THAT VERY ELOQUENTLY. >>MAHEALANI: DAVID, WHAT ABOUT
YOU? >> YOU KNOW, ABSOLUTELY. I'M
PROBABLY THE BIGGEST CHANGE AGENT AT THE TABLE. I HAVE
BEEN ALL OF MY CAREER SUCCESSFUL IN BRINGING PEOPLE
TOGETHER TO FIND COMMON GROUND, TO GET THINGS PASSED.
AS CHAIRMAN OF THE HEALTH COMMITTEE, I DID ADVANCE THE
NOTION OF A PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP.
>> DUKE? >> WHY DON'T YOU ANSWER THAT.
AND THEN ASK A QUESTION TO ONE OF YOUR OPPONENTS.
IN RESPONSE TO YOUR QUESTION, YOU'RE SAYING STATUS QUO.
NEEDY SAY ANYTHING MORE WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT LONGEVITY,
LONGEVITY IS NOT AT THE TABLE. NOT HERE. I SERVED IN A VERY
UNIQUE ROLE AS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR. THAT'S THE ONLY
OFFICE I SERVED IN REGARDS TO SERVING AS ELECTED PUBLIC
SERVANT. DO YOU EXPECT ANY DIFFERENT? YES. PLEASE,
DAVID, DON'T THINK WE'RE GANGING UP ON YOU. THE
QUESTION ON THE HOSPITAL WAS VERY INTERESTING BECAUSE
THAT'S AN ISSUE THAT IS A CONCERN THAT HAS BEEN WITH THIS
COMMUNITY FOR QUITE SOME TIME. I REMEMBER WHEN I WAS LG, I
REMEMBER THAT THE LEGISLATURE COMMISSIONED A REPORT, I THINK
IT WAS STROUDWATER, QUARTER OF A MILLION DOLLARS REPORT
THAT'S LEGISLATURE FUNDED. THAT REPORT CAME BACK AND THE
LEGISLATURE NEVER, EVER EVEN CONSIDERED IT. BASICALLY, IT
WAS ON THE SHELF, I GUESS COLLECTING DUST. SO IT HAD
SAY PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A LONG, LONG TIME. YOU
JUST SAID SOMETHING ABOUT BASICALLY IT GOT STALLED IN
COMMITTEE BECAUSE THERE WAS NOBODY AT THE TABLE, ET CETERA,
ET CETERA. I AGREE WITH MUFI IN REGARDS TO BEING
LEADERSHIP. YOU ARE THE CHAIR OF THE MOST POWERFUL COMMITTEE
IN THE SENATE. IF ANYBODY WANTS TO MOVE A BILL, YOU CAN.
YOU CAN. YOU NEVER MOVED -- >>MAHEALANI: MR. AIONA WHAT'S
YOUR QUESTION. >> THE QUESTION IS, WHY DID YOU
NOT SEE THE URGENCY IN REGARDS TO THIS ISSUE AND GET IT
RESOLVED? GET IT TOO THE TABLE AND GET IT RESOLVED
BECAUSE IT HAS TO BE. WE'VE BEEN KICKING THIS CAN DOWN THE
ROAD FOR TOO LONG. WOULD LIKE YOU TO ADD UP HOW MANY MILLIONS
OF DOLLARS HAVE WE SPENT ONTO HAWAI'I HEALTH SYSTEMS
CORPORATION BECAUSE OF LEGISLATURE, UNDERFUNDED --
>> I WOULD. IT'S OBVIOUS THAT PEOPLE AT THE TABLE DON'T
REALLY KNOW HOW THE LEGISLATURE WORKS. THERE ARE
PEOPLE THAT ARE PUT IN CHARGE OF THESE BILLS THAT MANAGE IT
THROUGH THE CONFERENCE. YES, I AM CHAIRMAN OF WAYS AND
MEANS AND I AM COCONFERENCE ON MANY, MANY BILLS THROUGHOUT
THE PROCESS. IN THE CASE OF THE REFORM FOR THE HEALTH
SYSTEMS CORP, HEALTH COMMITTEE CHAIR ON THE HOUSE AND SENATE,
THAT LEAD THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE. THEY WORK THROUGH
THE SPECIFIC DETAILS OF WHAT IT WOULD LOOK LIKE TO MOVE A BILL
THAT WOULD ALLOW FOR A PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP TO GO. MY
RESPONSIBILITY AS CHAIR OF THE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE IS TO
REALLY WORK WITH THEM ON THE FINANCIAL ASPECTS OF THAT
MEASURE. I DID WORK WITH BOTH CHAIRS IN THE HOUSE. THEY
COULD NOT GET AGREEMENT ON WHAT THE BILL SHOULD LOOK LIKE
MOVING FORWARD. WE WERE NOT SUCCESSFUL.
>>MAHEALANI: FINALLY, SENATOR IGE IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ASK ONE
OF YOUR OPPONENTS A QUESTION. >> MR. AIONA TALKS ABOUT BEING
ABLE TO BE COLLABORATIVE. 8 YEARS THAT HE WAS LIEUTENANT
GOVERNOR, GOVERNOR LINGLE WAS GOVERNOR, THERE WASN'T A WHOLE
LOT OF COOPERATION. THEY PROPOSED ALL KINDS OF MEASURES
THAT VERY FEW OF THEM GOT ADOPTED. RECORD NUMBER OF
VETOS. RECORD NUMBER OF OVERRIDES. WHAT WOULD BE
DIFFERENT? IF ELECTED GOVERNOR, HOW WOULD YOU MOVE
THE STATE FORWARD?. I'M NOT HERE TO DEFEND GOVERNOR
LINGLE BUT YOU KEEP REFERENCING AND PUTTING ME HIP
WITH GOVERNOR LINGLE. I WILL SAY THIS. YOU SAID THERE WAS
A LACK OF, I GUESS YOU COULD SAY RELATIONSHIP WITH THE
LEGISLATURE. THEN WHY IS IT THAT ENERGY, WHICH IS A BIG
TOPIC RIGHT IN THE STATE OF HAWAI'I, PROBABLY THE ONE OF
THE DRIVERS IN COST OF LIVING IN THE STATE OF HAWAI'I, WHY IS
IT THAT IT WAS GOVERNOR LINGLE'S LEADERSHIP IN REGARDS
TO THE HAWAI'I CLEAN ENERGY INITIATIVE THAT NOT ONLY
PASSED IT'S LEGISLATURE, BUT MADE HISTORY IN REGARDS TO
SETTING UP NOT ONLY A PROGRAM WITH THE STATE GOVERNMENT, BUT
ALSO WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. IT'S A MODEL
RIGHT NOW, NOT ONLY HERE IN HAWAI'I, BUT ALSO THROUGHOUT
THE NATION, IN REGARDS TO WHERE WE ARE IN RENEWABLE ENERGY AND
BRINGING ENERGY SECURITY TO THE STATE OF HAWAI'I. THAT
WAS GOVERNOR LINGLE THAT DID THAT. IT WAS HER LEADERSHIP.
I DON'T THINK THE PREMISE OF YOUR QUESTION IS AS ACCURATE AS
YOU WANT IT TO BE. HOW WILL IT BE DIFFERENT WITH ME? AS I
MENTIONED EARLIER, THIS IS ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS. AS MUFI
SAID, THIS IS HAWAI'I. BORN AND RAISED HERE. I GOT MANY
RELATIONSHIPS WITH MANY PEOPLE NOT ONLY IN THE LEGISLATURE BUT
ALSO IN THE SENATE. IT COMES DOWN TO THAT. I GOT MANY
RELATIONSHIPS WITH PEOPLE HO ARE MEMBERS IN THE UNIONS WHO
ARE LEADERS IN THE UNIONS ALSO T COMES DOWN ON THAT. AS I
MENTIONED EARLIER, I CAN TELL YOU RIGHT NOW, IT'S GOING TO
HAPPEN. THINGS WILL HAPPEN. >>MAHEALANI: LEANA FROM HAUULA
BRINGS UP THE ISSUE OF THE SUPERFERRY. A LOT OF
QUESTIONS ABOUT THAT. MR. DAVIS, WHAT'S YOUR
POSITION ON BRINGING SUPERFERRY BACK?
>> I SPEAK SEVERAL LANGUAGES AND MOST OF THEM, I COULD GO TO
ARCHIPELAGO, WHETHER CHINA, INDONESIA, FILIPINO, CENTRAL
AMERICA. >>MAHEALANI: WOULD YOU BRING
THE SUPERFERRY BACK. >> THERE'S NOT A SINGLE
ARCHIPELAGO ON THE PLANET THAT DOESN'T HAVE INTERISLAND
TRANSPORT FOR INDIVIDUALS. IT'S RIDICULOUS HAWAI'I DOES
NOT HAVE SOME MANNER FOR TO US GO BACK AND FORTH FROM ISLAND
TO ISLAND. IT SEEMS MORE OF THE SAME. MONOPOLY TYPE OF
POWER PLAY. IT NEEDS TO BE CHANGED.
>>MAHEALANI: SO YES? >> OF COURSE.
>>MAHEALANI: SENATOR IGE? >> OBVIOUSLY, IF THERE IS A
BUSINESS THAT IS INTERESTED IN RESTARTING THE FERRY, AS
GOVERNOR, I WOULD WORK WITH THEM TO ENSURE ENTRY TO PORTS.
THE REAL ISSUE IS FOLLOW ALL THE RULES, COMPLETE ALL THE
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENTS, AND COMPLETE ALL
OF THE ASSESSMENTS THAT REQUIRED TO PROCEED. THAT WAS
THE PROBLEM OF THE ORIGINAL PROJECT. ADMINISTRATION CUT
CORNERS. AND DIDN'T FOLLOW THE LAW. THAT'S WHAT BLEW IT
UP. YES, I SUPPORT IT. FOLLOW LAW, DO THE STUDIES E.
ENGAGE THE COMMUNITIES. >>MAHEALANI: MR. AIONA A. YOU
SAW FIRSTHAND THE PROTESTS BUT THEN THERE WERE SO MANY PEOPLE
WHO REEL LIKED THE SUPERFERRY. WOULD YOU TRY TO DO IT AGAIN?
>> FIRST OF ALL. YES. OBVIOUSLY. IF, JEFF BROUGHT
ONE POINT OUT, IF YOU HAVE THE BUSINESS MODEL FOR IT. THAT'S
THE MOST IMPORTANT THING RIGHT NOW. DO YOU HAVE THE BUSINESS
MODEL FOR IT? EVERYTHING ELSE WILL FOLLOW FROM THAT. IS
THERE AN INVESTOR FOR THIS? IS THERE SOMEONE WHO'S
INTERESTED IN BRINGING THIS BACK? IF NOT, WHAT KIND OF
MODEL ARE WE GOING TO DO? HAVING LIKE THE RAIL? I MEAN,
THERE IS A HUGE PUBLIC WORKS PROJECT THAT WE'RE GOING TO
BRING ON, IF WE ADOPT IT AS A PUBLIC WORKS PROJECT BECAUSE
THAT'S THE OTHER ALTERNATIVE. EITHER YOU BRING IN A PRIVATE
INVESTOR, PRIVATE COMPANY, TO MAKE THE SUPERFERRY HAPPEN, OR
IT MAY HAVE TO BE A PUBLIC WORKS INVESTMENT. OR A PUBLIC
PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP. EITHER WAY, IT'S A LOT OF MONEY. AND
IT'S A LOT OF COST. AND IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT YOU JUST PUT
OUT IN FRONT OF PEOPLE AND SAY, YOU BRING FALSE HOPE AND SAY,
YEAH, WE'RE GOING TO BRING BACK THE SUPERFERRY BECAUSE THERE
WAS A LOT MORE THAN WHAT SENATOR IGE JUST SAID.
>>MAHEALANI: I KNOW YOU SUPPORT BRINGING THE
SUPERFERRY BACK. >> YES, I DO.
>>MAHEALANI: HAVE YOU GOTTEN ANY COMMITMENTS FROM INVESTOR
OR COMPANIES, THAT IF YOU ARE ELECTED GOVERNOR, THEY WOULD
SUPPORT FINANCIALLY A SUPERFERRY?
>> WHEN I FIRST, I WAS THE FIRST ONE IN THIS CAMPAIGN TO TALK
ABOUT BRINGING IT BACK. BASED ON WHAT I WAS HEARING. I'VE
EVEN SEEN A SURVEY STAR ADVERTISER DID, 87% OF THE
PEOPLE SAID THEY WOULD SUPPORT IT IF THEY DID THE EIS. I'M
GRAD TO SEE THAT SENATOR IGE IS NO LONGER SAYING THAT HE WOULD
STUDY. I'M GLAD TO HEAR THAT DUKE AIONA IS SAYING NO
COMMENT. THERE'S A LOT OF SUPPORT FOR THIS. EIS SHOULD
HAVE BEEN DONE. YOU NEED A LEADERSHIP MODEL FIRST AND
FOREMOST. LISTENING TO THE PEOPLE AND SOMETHING THEY
WANT. YOU NEED TO LET THEM KNOW YOU'RE GOING TO TRY TO DO
IT. THE THIS MODEL TALKED ABOUT WORKING WITH THE FOUR
MAYORS. >> I EXPECT FOUR MAYORS TO BE
COLLABORATIVELY WORKING ON THIS TO CONVINCE THE PEOPLE
THIS IS THE BEST THING TO DO. THOSE WILL OBJECT TO IT.
BRING THEM IN THE TENT. EXPERIENCE OF DOING RAIL WILL
BE VERY, I BELIEVE, CAN COMPLIMENTARY IN THIS REGARD
BECAUSE THAT WAS A BIG PROJECT THAT HAD TO GO OUT TO THE
PEOPLE. NOW, >>MAHEALANI: WE'RE RUNNING OUT
OF TIME. WE HAVE TO END OUR CONVERSATION. I WANTED TO
SAY, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE TODAY. WE'RE GOING
TO GET CUT OFF. MR. HANNEMANN, SENATOR IGE,
MR. AIONA AND MR. DAVIS. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING
US TONIGHT. IT'S BEEN A VERY SPIRITED AND WONDERFUL
CONVERSATION. >> THANK YOU.
>>MAHEALANI: NEXT WEEK ON INSIGHTS, WE BRING YOU THE
CANDIDATES FOR TWO STATE HOUSE RACES. WINDWARD SIDE OF OAHU
AND THE OTHER ON THE ISLAND OF HAWAI'I. HOUSE DISTRICT 51,
INCUMBENT DEMOCRATIC CHRIS LEE CHALLENGED BY REPUBLICAN
HIKIDAED FOR A CHANCE TO REPRESENT KAILUA AND
WAIMANALO. AND THEN MIDWAY THROUGH THE SHOW, WE'LL BRING
YOU THE TWO CANDIDATES VYING TO REPRESENT HOUSE DISTRICT 4 IN
PUNA, PREVIOUSLY HELD BY CONTROVERSIAL REPRESENTATIVE
FAYE HANOHANO AND JOY SAN BUENAVENTURA WILL TALK ABOUT
THEIR PRIORITIES. NEXT TIME ON INSIGHTS ON PBS
HAWAII. I'M MAHEALANI RICHARDSON. A HUI HO.