District 07 – Nestorio (Nestor) Domingo

Full Name: Nestorio Lagua Domingo

Name on Ballot: Nestorio (Nestor) Domingo

Age: 63

District / office: Hawaii County Council, District 7

Email Address: nldomingo@msn.com

Current Job: Retired

Place of birth: Solsona, Ilocos Norte, Philippines

Campaign website: facebook.com/Nestorio.L.Domingo

Job history past 10 years:

Armament Engineer, U.S. Air Force, Edwards Air Force Base, California – Integrated weapons to high technology stealth aircraft such as the B-2 Stealth Bomber, the F-22 Raptor Air Superiority Fighter Jet and the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. In this capacity, I also negotiated million-dollar flight test contracts with large defense contractors. Retired in 2012.

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

No. This will be the first time and I hope to win.

Other civic experience or community service?

Membership:

Solid Rock Ministries, Kailua-Kona

Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 12122, Kailua-Kona

American Legion, Post 20, Kailua-Kona

Big Island Retired Military Association, Hawaii Island

West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery Association

National Active & Retired Federal Employees, Kailua-Kona

Rotary Club of Kona Sunrise, Kailua-Kona

Community Outreach Committee, Pualani Estates, Kailua-Kona

Church Volunteer / Involvement:

Solid Rock Ministries Easter Egg Rush; Honu (Half Ironman) Triathlon; Ironman Triathlon World Championship; Kailua-Kona Halloween Kandy Land

Other Civic / Community Volunteer Activities:

Friends of NELHA – Host to Tourists and/or Visitors at NELHA

Retired & Senior Volunteer Program at Hawaii Food Basket, Kailua-Kona

Big Island Community Beach Cleanup participant, Kailua-Kona

Queen’s Lei Tree Planting participant (with PATH and Rotary Club of Kona Sunrise)

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

I earned my associate in science degree through the Navy’s Enlisted Education Advancement Program. I was officer-in-charge of 2 U.S. Navy units and assumed many leadership positions during my 29 years of service. I speak Ilocano, Tagalog and little Spanish. My wife and I have been married 41 years.

What makes you qualified to be a Council member?

I served in the U.S. Navy, rose through the ranks and retired as officer, CWO4; bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mechanical engineering; held Top Secret security clearance while working for the U.S. Air Force; Member of many organizations on the Big Island and do volunteer work in the community.

What are your top five priorities for the county?

Homelessness; rein in tax increases (property taxes, GET); expand tax base – encourage and support new businesses; landfill mitigation and zero waste/recycling initiatives; Alternative sources of energy; promote cultural diversity and ethnic group involvement — represent and give voice to all groups including the large Filipino community in District 7.

What is your one big idea?

My engineering skills would benefit the Council by helping them regarding the many engineering or technical issues that they have to contend with on a regular basis. I have gained the necessary skills and/or capabilities to solve complex issues or problems while working with large Contractors and government agencies.

The Hilo landfill is nearing capacity. When it closes, should trash from East Hawaii be hauled to the Puuanahulu landfill, or not?

I see hauling as an interim solution. I support initiatives to reduce or eliminate wastes going into our landfills. Residents and commercial establishments already sort their wastes (regular, hazardous, green). If elected, one of my top priorities is to propose establishing disposal facilities that sort, recycle, reduce or eliminate waste.

The basic fare for the Hele-On bus system is $2, but the system still requires taxpayer subsidies to operate. The county has demonstrated that a lower fare can increase ridership. Should the fare be reduced, increased or left the same?

It should be left the same but will be visited at a later time to explore other options.

The gasoline tax in Hawaii County is now 8.8 cents per gallon, about half that of Kauai, Maui and Oahu. Do you support increasing the county gas tax to provide more funding for maintenance of county roads and the Hele-On bus system?

Responsible departments must establish the need for funds. They must consider other sources first before proposing a hike on gasoline tax. I oppose raising taxes of any kind but I might make an exception on this one since all drivers pay for it, but must be capped at reasonable amount.