16. Should there be a moratorium on development in Hawaii until there is adequate infrastructure? If no moratorium, how do we catch up on infrastructure?

In most instances, a moratorium is not necessary. We need to build more affordable housing, but infrastructure must keep pace with development.

There needs to be creative ways for government and business to work in partnership to ensure that developers who are primary beneficiaries of the infrastructure pay a significant portion of infrastructure costs.

One of the insights gained by serving on the City Council is that so much money leaves the state in the form of federal taxes that counties are left scratching the bottom of the barrel. We need to reduce federal taxes so more money is available locally to keep infrastructure ahead of development.

My goal in going to Washington is to make it so there’s less money going to Washington and more money remaining in the people’s pockets and staying on the local level.

Services we take for granted—police, fire, road maintenance, sewer, etc.—are provided at the local level. But local government is strapped for money because all of the money goes to Washington. The result is that local government is left financially strapped just to provide basic services.

We’re overtaxed and underserved. I want to go to Congress to try to change things.

17. Should the Native Hawaiian recognition bill be passed by Congress, why or why not? And do you believe it is constitutional?

Yes, the bill should be passed. It is constitutional because it simply establishes the process for forming a Native Hawaiian government and receiving federal recognition.

Native Hawaiians deserve federal recognition as an indigenous people, with rights and entitlements comparable to those of Native Americans and Alaskan Natives.

This issue again points to Case’s ineffectiveness. A House version of the Akaka bill co-sponsored by Case in February of 2003 has not even been given a hearing.

Case admitted his ineffectiveness as a Congressman in a Honolulu Advertiser article (3/17/03). Case said that with what he called an “incredibly partisan” Congress, passage of the Akaka bill is doomed without the help of Hawaii’s Republican administration.

It’s extremely odd that Case would be blaming Governor Lingle for his ineffectiveness in Congress. Governor Lingle said Case’s remarks were “diminishing the state’s efforts to get the sovereignty bill passed.” I agree with the Governor. Case is not only ineffective, he’s getting in the way.

As a Republican member of the U.S. House, my voice will be heard by the Republicans in control.