New blood in Nalo
There’s often heightened energy in any race that lacks an incumbent, and this is the case in the 51st District, where three Democrats are battling for a chance to face the only Republican hopeful, Quentin Kawananakoa, for the Lanikai-Kailua-Waimanalo seat being vacated by Rep. Tommy Waters.
Waters decided not to re-file after a vicious debate last legislative session with Rep. Josh Green over medical malpractice and so-called tort reform, its effect on the price of healthcare, and what kinds of professional responsibilities legislators should take on outside of the state capitol. His critics also billed him as being too soft on crime.
But candidates Ikaika Anderson, Shawn Christensen, Chris Lee and Kawananakoa are focused on other issues, mainly education and making the cost of living on O’ahu more manageable.
“There is a need for some pretty serious change at the state level,” said Chris Lee, 27, who grew up in Kailua and now analyzes public policy for the Legislature. “Things have really come to a head and we need to tackle affordability. The cost of living here is so high, and the mentality that the government is the problem rather than the solution must change.”
Opponent Ikaika Anderson reiterates Lee’s concerns, and says a focus on sustainable agriculture is essential when formulating solutions.
“We need to look at moving forward with the important agricultural lands designation, the types of benefits we can give, like real property tax breaks, for farmers,” said Anderson, who lost to Rep. Waters in the 2002 election, and is now the senior legislative assistant to City Council Chair Barbara Marshall. “A commitment to sustainable agriculture would put a significant dent into the amount of food we import, create jobs and put more money back into the community.”
Anderson, whose two young children are in school in Kailua, said he’s also concerned about improving education, and wants to push for the state to use money set aside for vacant government positions to pad the education budget.
Quentin Kawananakoa also sees agriculture as an area that can help improve the economy. He writes on his website: “There is potential for a thriving agricultural industry that produces food for our entire state and I want to help increase that productivity.”
Shawn Christensen, a relative political newcomer who serves as vice president of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Union (Local 665), has a different emphasis.
“My top priority is to get funding for a Hawaiian language center,” he said. “There is no such place on the windward side of the island and there’s no way for it to be taught to the community as a whole. That’s something we really need.”
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