District 31 – Eric H.L. Ching (R)

Full Name: Eric H.L. Ching

Name on Ballot: Eric H.L. Ching

Age: 54

Political Party: Republican

Running For: State House

District: 31

Email Address: eric.ccrepair@gmail.com

Current Job: Self-employed landscape contractor

Place of birth: Honolulu

Campaign website: www.EricChing.org

Job history past 10 years:

Owner, operator of CC Repair & Maintenance Service Inc. Provided landscape services for the Chevron refinery in Kapolei and right-of-way maintenance for the Kahe and Waiau power plants.

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

This is my first attempt to run for public office.

Other civic experience or community service?

I serve on the Neighborhood Board No. 18 that covers Aliamanu/Salt Lake/Foster Village since my appointment in April 2016.

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

Born and raised in Hawaii, I am a husband and father, and have spent my career running a small business locally. The motto of my campaign is “Trustworthy”; and to be sure it was not a self-proclaimed title, I asked my wife if that word described who I am.

What makes you qualified to be a state representative?

Life experiences from family and business provide me with perspectives that are valuable in making quality decisions for both District 31 and Hawaii. My repair and maintenance mentality provides me with a “Fix It” attitude, which is especially important since the Red Hill storage tanks are in District 31.

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 am generally against raising taxes, the cost of living here in Hawaii make it very difficult for families to make ends meet. I would look for other ways to generate additional revenues needed to fix the roads.

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?

If it was a viable proposal and had a bonding mechanism that held the professionals and contractors reasonably accountable for their numbers. I’d like to see this project completed someday, and its success will be determined by how well the planners coordinate with each other to achieve their vision.

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

The state should enforce compliance for all illegal activity. Maybe legislation could be introduced to accommodate this new and growing segment of our tourist industry with the safety of our visitors in mind.

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

No, I feel the Police Department would be better at making that determination at the precinct level. However, I do believe the Legislature could help to fund this expense.

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?

I support greater public disclosure provided it does not implicate innocent members of the community and expose confidential internal affairs that could jeopardize the Police Department’s business.