1. What do you see as the most pressing issue facing Hawai’i’s congressional delegation?

The most pressing issue facing us is the safety and financial security of our loved ones. To deal with this issue, we must work with equal vigor to protect our homeland from terrorists, improve our economy and lower the deficit.

Everything depends on our state and nation being safe and secure. Without security, we won’t have prosperity, our economy will suffer and the deficit will rise. 9/11 is proof of this.

And without prosperity, we won’t be able to afford all the security measures we need. Furthermore, without national security and economic prosperity, we won’t be able to afford or focus on improving education, defeating the “ice” epidemic, caring for our seniors, or taking care of the countless other issues which face us.

So improving homeland security and the economy will be a priority.

We need to have one person overseeing national intelligence centers and the gathering and interpreting of intelligence. We need to increase the quality and quantity of intelligence, strengthen our capabilities to stay ahead of terrorists, and better coordinate the activities of the various agencies with intelligence responsibilities.

We need to immediately focus on shoring up the defense of our seaports, airports and sensitive sites.

To ensure prosperity, government needs to recognize that small business is the heart and soul of our economy. Government needs to help rather than hinder small business.

To ensure a strong economy, we also need to reduce federal taxes.

That’s why I’ve signed the Americans for Tax Reform Pledge to not vote to increase federal taxes. Ed Case, on the other hand, refuses to sign the Tax Pledge. The Americans for Tax Reform say that as our congressman Case has voted in favor of 80% of the bills that would raise your taxes.

As a small businessman and a member of the Majority Party in Congress, I will be able to be an effective leader in the effort to help small business, reduce the deficit, and thereby enhance the prosperity that is essential to national defense and homeland security.

2. Should the United States stay the course in the war in Iraq or take a different path?

This question touches my family directly. My daughter Tulsi has just volunteered to serve in Iraq with her fellow soldiers from Hawai’i’s 29th National Guard Brigade. I ask the people of Maui to pray for the safety of Tulsi and all of these brave young men and women.