District 15 – Roman Kalinowski (L)

Full Name: Daniel Roman Kalinowski

Name on Ballot: Roman Kalinowski

Age: 25

Political Party: Libertarian

Running For: State Senate

District: 15

Email Address: scubaroman@gmail.com

Current Job: Self-employed wedding DJ

Place of birth: Atlanta

Campaign website: www.facebook.com/romanforsenatehi

Job history past 10 years:

Cashier at West Marine (2010 to present)

Sailing instructor (UH-Manoa Leisure Center, 2009 to 2015)

Radio DJ (90.1 FM KTUH, 2009 to present)

Self-employed mobile DJ (2013 to present)

Ever run for public office? If so, when? Outcome?

Never, this is my first ever run.

Other civic experience or community service?

I was on the Broadcast Communications Authority (BCA) board at UH-Manoa, which oversaw funding for the campus radio station (KTUH 90.1 FM) and UH Video Productions. Oversaw merger with Board of Publications to create more efficient Student Media Board, overseeing funding of Ka Leo campus newspaper as well.

Anything else you’d like voters to know about you?

I’d like to legalize recreational marijuana for adults 21 and over, legalize industrial hemp, and institute term limits for all Hawaii politicians. Colorado made $135 million in 2015 from marijuana taxes. Industrial hemp is biodegradable, and can be used as paper, plastic, clothing and fuel.

What makes you qualified to be a state senator?

I graduated UH-Manoa with a degree in economics and minors in political science, Spanish, and marine biology. I’ve successfully run a wedding DJ business by myself for over 3 years, which requires a heavy degree of advanced planning and professionalism.

Gov. Ige says he will once again propose increases to the state gas tax, vehicle weight tax and state registration fees to help pay for state road projects. Do you support his proposal?

I do not support additional taxation of any kind. The government should cut wasteful spending before making life more financially difficult for Hawaii residents. Quality state roads are important to commerce, but funding should be found elsewhere in the budget.

If the Legislature is again asked to extend Oahu’s half-percent excise tax surcharge to finance construction or operation of the rail system, would you support such an extension?

I would not support the additional half-percent excise tax. The rail system has gone incredibly over-budget, and must be heavily audited. The rail was initially supposed to stretch to UH-Manoa under the original budget, but now will likely not reach Ala Moana without more huge budget overages.

Should the state play a role in cracking down on illegal vacation rentals in Hawaii?

No. Rather than criminalize vacation rentals, the state should legalize it and tax the activity. Instead of wasting money on law enforcement, the state could be reaping tax revenues.

Should the Legislature require that police officers in Hawaii use “body cameras,” and help to fund the use of those cameras?

I think body cameras have the potential to help justice prevail. If an officer is always being watched, they will be less likely to commit crimes, and video evidence would help speed along court cases. Body cameras could better protect citizens and officers.

Dozens of police officers in Hawaii are disciplined each year for committing crimes or violating departmental policies, but little information is released about the officers or their cases. Do you think there needs to be greater public disclosure?

The public should be aware of what public employees do. If officers are breaking the law, the public has the right to know about it. Public officials cannot be above the law.