Local Issues
Accessible and Affordable Healthcare
Apart from the complex issue of providing healthcare for the millions of uninsured and underinsured in our country, many of the rural areas in the 2nd Congressional District suffer from a lack of nearby medical facilities and personnel. I will work for increased funding for rural healthcare so that women do not have to fly off-island to give birth and veterans can get their VA health care from local healthcare facilities in a timely fashion.
Approximately 14 percent of Hawaii's residents are 65 or older (American Fact Finder, U.S. Census). Many of them are on fixed incomes. The higher cost of prescription drugs hits this group particularly hard. The Republican leadership in Congress and the Bush Administration, rather than supporting a health care system that works for families, favors a system that caters to the special interests of the pharmaceutical and insurance industries. I will join Democratic leaders in fighting for common sense measures such as allowing drug re-importation and permitting Medicare to negotiate for lower drug prices.
Education
Education is the foundation upon which our community thrives. In Hawai`i, only 64 percent of our students graduate from high school ("Diplomas Count," The Graduation Project 2006). We can do a lot better.
I know that having a good teacher is one of the most important factors in a student's success. While I was chair of the National Commission on Teaching and America's Future - Hawai`i Policy Group, we successfully passed legislation that included providing financial assistance to teachers seeking national certification so that Hawaii's keiki are taught by the best and brightest teachers. In Congress, I will continue my work to ensure that there is a qualified, caring, and competent teacher in every classroom.
I believe in public education and in life long learning - P to L (pre-school to life). Numerous studies show that a quality pre-school education prepares a student for educational success. As Lt. Governor of Hawai`i, I led the creation of the Pre-Plus program, obtaining $5 million from the legislature to build preschool facilities on elementary school campuses around the state (12 pre-schools so far). One of my top priorities in Congress will be increased funding for preschool programs.
Environment
Our environmental awareness in Hawai`i has led to many laws that protect our land and water. However, the pressures of development and population growth are overrunning some of our islands' unique, scenic areas. I will work to bring federal resources to preserve and protect our environmental resources, including our coastal areas, for future generations.
One of the most important environmental challenges we face today is weaning ourselves from our dependence on oil. This means making cleaner cars. It also means moving toward use of clean, renewable energy. In Hawai`i, we have a resource-rich natural environment that provides access to numerous alternative power sources including wind, solar, wave, seawater, biomass, and biofuel. We have the technology and the know-how to enjoy economic growth while using 20 percent less energy than we do today.
In Congress I will fight for increases in the CAFE standards that make cars cleaner. I will work with experts to move forward on ideas such as Renewable Energy Income Tax Credits and proposals to require utility companies to share a percentage of the cost increases associated with fluctuation in oil prices. Such policies would encourage both public and private investments in alternative energy.
Transportation
The effects of growth and development have put transportation at the top of the list of concerns on every island. I will work with our congressional delegation and with the political leadership within the state to provide a coordinated approach to our transportation needs so that federal resources go to places they will do the most good to alleviate our transportation problems.
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