Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 9, Number 11, 1 November 1992 — Federal Candidate Profiles [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Federal Candidate Profiles

•Denotes incumbent (R) Republican (D) Democrat

(L) Libertarian (G) Green

U.S. Senate • Daniel Inouye (D) Qualifications: As we find ourselves increasingly affect by national and world

event of whieh we esxercise little or no control, I suggest, most humbly, that the experience and seniority of someone who has been in the United

States Senate for 30 years will help guide Hawai'i through these difficult times. Goals in office: I want to build upon my recent cornerstones for a better and brighter future for all Hawai'i. One of my cornerstones is my special commitment to the cause of Native Hawaiians, a commitment that goes back to my early childhood. My mother, bom in Pu'ukoli, Maui, became an orphan when sbe was very young. She was extremely fortunate to have been taken in by a Hawaiian family and raised as a hanai for a year. In return for this kindness, she impressed upon me the importance of helping Native Hawaiians. Most pressing problem facing Hawaiians today: I am most disturbed by statistics underscoring the serious health problems afflicting Native Hawaiians. Their mortality rates for ehart disease, cancer and diabetes are among the highest in thenation. their infant mortality rates among the lowest in the eountry. Reauthorization of the Native Hawaiian Health Care Act I authored would provide authority for the provision of health promotion, disease prevention services and primary health care services, including the establishment of nine Native Hawaiian Health Centers. On the federal trust responsibility to Native Hawaiians: I am developing legislation for a right-to-sue the United States for its breach of trust responsibilities. I will continue to press for amendments to the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1920 to provide the resources and the assurance Native Hawaiians need to retum to their land. and I will continue to add to the $120 millionl have secured since 1987 for Native Hawaiians for health, education, housing and other needs to underscore our country's trust responsibility to Native Hawaiians. Linda Martin (G) Qualifications: I've been a community activist for more than 20 years, serving on

boards and volunteering my time and f i n a n e i a 1 resources on w o m e n ' s hea-lth eoncerns including reproductive ehoiee and family 'planning and

cancer care; prison reform ad support for altemative community facilities; managed growth policies to preserve the natural environment and resources for future generations; and affordable housing issues.

Last year, I chaired a coalition lobby of citizen activists including realtors, land developers, business, religious and Hawaiian sovereignty leaders, lowineome housing advocates, homeless and related service providers who eame together and worked in parmership wilh key legislators to support the Rental Housing Trust Fund. The resulting $15 million annual tmst fund will provide grants to non-profit developers of units that remain (primarily) affordable to families earning less than 80 percent of the median family ineome. Gov. Waihe'e signed the bill in July. Goals in office: My primary goal will be the restoration of real representation to the political process. Representative democracy only works when the elected members are accountable to the voters. I will be a one term (only) citizen legislator. Since I do not accept corporate or PAC contributions and will not have to spend time catering to special interest demands (to get re-elected), I will be able to devote full time and the full resources of my Senate office to developing creative ways of bringing grass-roots eommunity members into the public policymaking process, especially women and native Hawaiians. Most pressing problem facing Hawaiians today: We must get Native Hawaiians on their lands. All other problems facing me Hawaiian peel are manini in comparison. On the federal trust responsibility to Native Hawaiians: Hawaiians need a real advocate in Washington D.C. Someone who speaks from the heart, and makes a eenuine effort to educate the public on the issues, an elected representative that uses her position to further me Hawaiian cause, not to cater to big money and me defense industry. I would use my senate budget to bring grass-roots sovereignty groups to Washington D.C.to help publicize Hawaiian issues and gamer support for recognition of the Native Hawaiian Nation — me first step toward achieving real bargaining power at me federal and state levels. Rick Reed (D) Qualifications: I believe I am qualified to represent Hawai'i in me United States Senate for many reasons. As a state sena-

I tor representI ing my eonI stituents from 9 M a u i , iMoloka'i and I Lana'i, I have I worked on | problems mat I affect all of I Hawai'i's resI idents. I have been named

Number One Legislator by Small Business Hawai'i for working to improve Hawaii's small business climate. I have worked to protect our 'aina by introducing bills to end me commercial removal of coral and banning thrill craft from waters frequented by the Humpback whale. I have financed and run television ads to protect Mt. Olomana, develop alternative energy sources, and prevent me launching of missiles off Kaua'i. Goals in office: My immediate objectives in the U.S. Senate will be to improve me economy, create jobs, expand affordable housing programs and protect our envi-

ronment. Most pressing problem facing Hawaiians today: One cannot point to a single problem as the one most pressing, because mere are several whieh require immediate attention. The awarding of Hawaiian Homelands, improved heaim care, and better education are me issues most important to me Hawaiian people. I will work to secure me federal funds neeessary for me building of streets and utilities on Hawaiian Home Lands and work to ensure mat lots are awarded upon me eompleuon of these necessary projects. I will also work to obtain federal funds and waivers so loeal schools ean develop a curriculum that includes Hawaiian language and cultural programs. I will work to re-establish Hawaiian water rights and fishing rights. Finally, I will seek funding for traditional-based Hawaiian preventive heaim programs like the Wai'anae Diet, and for programs like Papa Ola Lokahi — whieh offer rehabilitation based on tradiūonal Hawaiian values. On the federal trust responsibility to Native Hawaiians: As a U.S. Senator, I will work to educate omer Washington elected officials about America's trust obligation to native Hawaiians. I believe my independent viewpoint and my record of strong support for Hawaiian rights will help me convince others mat this trust obligation is both essential for Hawai'i and me right thing to do. Richard Rowland (L) Qualifications:I spent 23 years in me military, retiring as a eolonel. Since men I've put in 18 vears in me private sector

and I've had a lot of foreign service. I'm 62 years old and have a lot of experience. Goals in office: I mink the United States govem- | ment is out of

control. It ts not under me control of our elected officials. And our elected officials are not under our control. The whole system has gone berserk. For example: If me federal govemment talks about an ineome tax decrease, whieh means that your pay eheek is going to get larger, mey eall mat a revenue law. In other words, your government is saying if you have more money in your pocket it is a revenue law, This is perversion. We need to get citizens in control of meir government onee again. Most pressing problem facing Hawaiians today: The Hawaiians are being made serfs of the govemment. The government has by hundreds of ways made them into dependents who have to beg and grovel instead of standing upright like the proud individuals they are. I would tum over all me Hawaiian Home Tmst land and any lands mat belong to them. I would slice it up and give mem me land in individual ownership wim no strings attached. That would end meir dependency. U.S. House lst Congressional Dist. (Urban Honolulu)

• Neil Abercrombie (D) Qualifications: I've served a total of 16 years in me state legislature, Honolulu

City Council and the U.S. Congress. More important than experience in elected office, however, is my team approach to representing

Hawai'i's interests in Washington. I work closely with Sen. Inouye, Sen. Akaka and Congresswoman Mink to maximize our effectiveness and forge a coordinated approach to Hawai'i issues. Teamwork is the name of the game in Congress, and I'm proud to be a contributing member of me Hawai'i team. Goals in office: My goals include justice for me working people of Hawai'i and the nation. Wim me end of me Cold War and the draw down of defense activities, we must preserve me livelihoods of families dependent on defense mrough comprehensive peacetime conversion programs. We also need to stimulate employment by reinvesting in our state and naūonal infrastructure. Anomer important goal is justice for me Hawaiian people: aeknowledging federal trust responsibility for me Hawaiian Homes program; apologizing for me overthrow of Queen Lili'uokalani; and funding Native Hawaiian heaim programs. Another priority is protecting Hawai'i's fragile environment mrough federal action to protect endangered species and control toxic mreats to the environment. Most pressing problem facing Hawaiians today: Housing, heaim, sovereignty and employment are among me most pressing issues for Hawaiians today. The solution to mese problems lies not in top-down federal action, but in listening to Hawaiians at the grass-roots level. This means working with organizations like OHA, the Hawaiian Homesteaders Association and Hui Na'auao. As me voice of me Hawaiian people, mey are best qualified to guide us in dealing wim questions like sovereignty, Hawaiian Homes, Hawaiian health care, jobs, etc. On the federal trust responsibility to Native Hawaiians: One of me most frustrating challenges I bave encountered is me Republican administration's refusal to recognize me federal trust responsibility for Native Hawaiians. Until now, every federal administration since me days of Prince Kuhio has acknowledged that obligation. The best solution is to elect Bill Clinton president. He is pledged to correct this injustice and recognize me federal trust responsibility to Native Hawaiians. Rockne Hart Johnson (L) No statement was received from candidate. Warner Kimo Sutton (R) Qualifications: In 1978, Frenchy DeSoto and John Waihe'e, among many omers, and I were in Con-Con. I was on the Hawaiian Affairs Committee mat created OHA. For me past 14 years, I have been active in me community and have even received awards for my services; Mrs. continued on page 16

Federal Candidate Profile

Sutton, from page 15 Waihe'e has presented me with her First

L a d y * s V ol un t eer award, Mayor Fasi's proclamation award for Revenue Sharing and IReal Property Tax reduction, and the H o n o 1 u 1 u Board of Realtors VIVA award fVerv

Important Volunteer Award). Goals in office: H elected to Congress, I, Kimo Sutton, would like to continue working with the People of Hawai'i for Hawai'i. I have been endorsed by Pat Saiki (the Administrator for the Small Business Administration). I hope to woik closely with her and the administration to return the juice to Hawai'i from Washington. With her help and Secretary Jack Kemp of HUD, we may see the day when Hawaiians are given their true rights to the land that was promised to them — this land to be given in fee simple and loans to build on the land! No Hawaiian should be homeless or waiting 20 years for leasehold land and water. On the federal trust responsibility to Native Hawaiians: I will continue to fight to Congress and respect the federal trust responsibilities to Native Hawaiians. I will strive to allow a $5,000, first-time home buyer iax credit, that Abercrombie voted against, to build on their fee-simple land. I will push for use of a penalty-free use of pension savings for a first home purchase and push for tax-free status for Native Hawaiians! I will vote for tbe apology to Hawaiians for the illegal overthrow of the Monarchy in 1893, like the U.S. Senate passed but not the U.S. House of Representatives. And most of all, to create a mechanism for self-deter-mination, similar to other Native Americans, for Native Hawaiians. The benefits to all Hawaii's populaūon from these actions will create a new eeonomy and allow greater personal ability to live a comfortable lifestyle. My roots are in Hawai'i, My father,. Richard "Ike" Sutton, is na keiki o ka 'aina also. Please kokua, Kimo Sutton for Congress, First District, Nov. 3, 1992. 2nd Congressional Dist. ( Rural O'ahu, neighbor islands) Lloyd Jeffrey Mallan (L) QuaIifications: My qualifications for office include having been a Peaee Corps

volunteer īn India, a eollege professor and a writer with a deep understanding of economics. My experienee with homelessness intimately

īnuooueeu me to the problems of the poor and a government that harasses people, institutionalizes poverty and oppresses them with bureaucracy.

Goals in office: The restoration of civil rights and respect for human beings through non-intervention in the private lives of its citizens by the government. The United States should also cease its intrusion in tbe affairs of other nations. Most pressing problem facing Native Hawaiians: The most pressing problem facing Hawaiians is the economy and the debilitating effects of poverty. I would lower taxes, cut spending and re-establish the worth of the dollar. Freeing up and selling government land would make property more available. Then, the purchasing power of people would increase and rents would decrease. On the federal trust responsibility to Native Hawaiians: I would make every effort to pressure the United States government to return ceded lands to the Native Hawaiians through legislation and executive order. The Hawaiian home lands controlled by the state should streamline the process of getting the land back into the hands of the people that are entitled to them. I would assist every Hawaiian with a land elaim on a case-by-case basis. The prolonged holding of lands should aeenie interest and payments for back rents. • Patsy T. Mink (D) Qualifications: I have served the people of Hawai'i at every level of government,

territorial, state, county and federal. I have been involved in many issues relating to N a t i v e Hawaiian eoncerns such as child care,

lana use ana native gathering rights, the Hawaiian Homelands, heallh care, protecting the environment, and especially education. My political career, based on traditional Democratic Party ideals, has always been supportive of Native Hawaiian, and all underprivileged people's causes. I am the author of legislation establishing the Kalaupapa and Kaloko-Honokohau National Historic Parks. Goals in office: The rightful recognition of Native Hawaiian claims to land and trust entitlement are my highest priorities. I believe a federal obligation does exist that goes back to Annexation to provide and fund programs that enhanee the edueauonal, heahh, social and cultural wellbeing of Hawai'i's aboriginal people. In 1974 I introduced an amendment to the Native Americans Programs Act to include "Native Hawaiian" under the definition of "Native Americans." Since then, Native Hawaiians have been entitled to the full range of federal programs in heallh, family, seniors and child care services administered by the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services to people such as American Indians and Alaska Natives. The Apology Resolution currently before Congress that I co-sponsored is another step towards full recognition of Native Hawaiian rights by tbe federal government. Most pressing problem facing Hawaiians today: I would plaee two at the very top: improving the achievements of Hawaiian children in education, and

the health of the Native Hawaiian eommunity. To meet these goals we need more funding support and creative, communitybased programs that work in coordination with traditional educational and heallh care systems, but that have greater sensitivity to the unique socio-cultural aspects of Hawaiian families. What would you do to make Congress and the Administration recognize and carry out the federal trust responsibility to Native Hawaiians? Networking on Capitol Hill is the key to successful legislating. The credibility and trust that I have established and maintained with my eolleagues through the years have already been brought to bear on this issue. Electing a new President more sympathetic to historical Native Hawaiian claims would be most productive to this cause. I vigorously support the candidacy of Gov. Bill Clinton for this reason. Kamuela Price (R) (The candidate didn't respond to the questions, below is his submission.) On Native Hawaiian entitlements: For two decades, Mr. Price has been an advo-

cate of the entitlements of native Hawaiians under the H a w a i i a n homestead and 5(f) provisions of the H a w a i ' i Admissions

Act. Kamuela served as a member of the federal/state task force on the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act. He was instrumental in amending the Native Ameiiean Religious Freedom Act to include native Hawaiians. Furthermore, he helped make it possible

for native Hawaiians to participate in the Administration of Native American (ANA) programs. The decision of federal court law suits brought pro se by Kamuela Price and his son Maui Loa have become the comerstone of modem day Native Hawaiian law. On the economy: Kamuela expounds the views of President Bush and the Republican party that the government should explore ways to fuel the economy by motivating the private sector with tax incentives, free trade zones and other innovative ways conducive to preserving the free enterprise system. He feels people are drawn to the USA from every part of the world to get away from the type of bureaucratic demagoguery existing in other countries. On environmentally sound development: Mr. Price takes the position that all of us, regardless of eeonomie status, live in the same world. It, therefore, behooves one to keep the islands and planel as elean and pristine as possible. The candidate is the president of Price & Goodrich Ecosystems, whose primary project on the drawing board is a toxic-free organic golf course. On women's rights: The candidate is a strong advocate for women receiving equal pay for equal work and being treated with dignity and respect in all human endeavors. On the abortion issue: In the face of 1.6 million abortions reported in the U.S. last year, freedom of ehoiee becomes a badly misunderstood slogan. In truth, counseling recommending abortion demeans women ana panicuiariy minority women, who are being encouraged to commit racial genocide by killing the babies in their wombs. Mr. Price feels the federal emphasis should be placed on preventing fertilization rather than encouraging abortion.

Warner Sutton