Honolulu Weekly

1. What was your biggest accomplishment this session?
“After trying for 3 years, winning passage of HB 1504, Hawaii Health Care Authority in memoriam of Ah Quon “AQ” McElrath, Social Worker and Community Activist (December 15, 1915 –December 11, 2008)”

2. With which piece of 2009 legislation are you most proud to be affiliated and why?
“HB 200; State Budget Bill. Chairman, House Committee on Finance. Biggest cuts to any State Budget over the last 50 years. HB 31 – Limits Employers use of Credit Reports in hiring and firing of employees. HB 28 – Prohibits the commercial display of plastinated human bodies in Hawaii and increases fine for sale of human body or part to $5,000.”

3. What was the biggest disappointment of the session and how might a similar disappointment be prevented in the future?
“Lingle-Aiona Administration. November 2, 2010.”

4. Debating which issue turned out to be the biggest distraction from your priorities?
“Karen’s Law. Dangerous Bi-partisan political pandering at its worse.”

5. What’s one thing you wish voters better understood about you or the political process as a whole?
“Hopelessly idealistic, honest, and God fearing. Brings out the best and worst in people but still a noble enterprise.”