LIHU’E – The Lihu`e American Association of Retired Persons and the Kaua`i County League of Women Voters hosted a party Monday afternoon, and 13 politicians came. All but one of the 14 Kaua`i County Council candidates took the opportunity to
LIHU’E – The Lihu`e American Association of Retired Persons and the Kaua`i
County League of Women Voters hosted a party Monday afternoon, and 13
politicians came.
All but one of the 14 Kaua`i County Council candidates
took the opportunity to give their views on the future of the island at the
AARP and League-sponsored candidates’ forum.
The contenders in the Nov. 7
general election spoke to an audience of about 50 people at the Kaua’i War
Memorial Convention Hall.
First-time council aspirant Joe Prigge couldn’t
attend – he had to work – but through a spokesperson, Prigge did make a strong
political statement: He promised to donate the first year of his council salary
to United Way if he’s elected.
The candidates who did attend made other
promises.
Everyone promised to listen to the people.
And everyone
promised to give at least 100 percent effort.
All the candidates were asked
the same five questions by a panel of local journalists, including Lester Chang
of The Garden Island and Dino Tyler Endo, a Kaua`i Community College journalism
student.
Most of the answers were in the same ballpark.
All of the
candidates said they would vote no “at this time,” as many put it, on proposed
salary hikes for the mayor, prosecuting attorney and appointed county
department heads.
The raise request, recommended by the Kaua`i Salary
Commission after an eight-month study, came at the wrong time, according to
Councilman Ron Kouchi.
“I really feel bad. I believe in the private sector
you try to reward these types of people,” Kouchi said, citing housing director
Matty Yoshioka as someone who took on extra work. But “it is inappropriate at
this time to be considering raises.”
“It’s not feasible for any salary
increases at this time,” first-time candidate Rhoda Libre said.
“No pay
raises. Kaua`i cannot afford it at this time. The people of Kaua`i have won
this round,” said John Baretto, a former council member.
Councilman Bryan
Baptiste said a process must be implemented so that in the future, when raises
are considered, merit is the only issue.
“If you don’t have a process in
place, every decision will be political,” Baptiste cautioned.
The pending
pay raise proposal is scheduled to go before the council’s Finance Committee
Wednesday.
When asked about the future, former council member Bill (Kaipo)
Asing tabbed solid waste as Kaua`i’s future bugaboo.
“That’s the single
biggest item in our budget,” Asing said, noting a new proposed landfill could
cost more than $30 million.
When asked about new and better jobs for
Kaua`i’s youth, Councilman Randal Valenciano plumped for a new spin on an old
way.
“Diversified agriculture. We need to find a way to return the
displaced agricultural worker. New (agricultural) jobs,” he said.
“We need
to help existing companies like Gay & Robinson stay in business,” said
Councilman Jimmy Tokioka.
Anne Donovan noted that she, Libre and J.
Kauilani Kahalekai, the only women in the council race, are all single mothers.
Donovan stressed that education is needed to improve job prospects on
Kaua`i.
Said Councilman Gary Hooser, “We need to give more than lip service
to economic diversity. Unless we do that, we will never get off tourism.”
Councilman Billy Swain wasn’t as ready to limit tourism as
Hooser.
“Our island is dependent on tourism. I’m not saying stay solely
dependent. Make sure the hotels open (top management) to our local people,”
Swain suggested.
Cayetano (Sonny) Gerardo was as worried about
infrastructure as growth. “I know if we continue to grow, then government will
also have to grow,” he said.
After nearly two hours of positioning, the
candidates said good bye to the crowd.
But the candidates will be back out
on the campaign trail today, tomorrow and every day until the election, when
voters will send seven candidates to the council and the other seven back to
the political drawing board.
Staff writer Dennis Wilken can be reached
at 245-3681 (ext. 252) and [
HREF=”mailto:dwilken@pulitzer.net”>dwilken@pulitzer.net]
Staff
Photo by Dennis Fujimoto
