Full Name: Joey Manahan

Name on Ballot: Joey Manahan

Age: 45

District: Honolulu City Council District 7

Email Address: manahanjoey@yahoo.com

Current Job: Honolulu City Council Member

Place of birth: Manila

Campaign website: N/A

Job history past 10 years:

I currently serve as City Council Member for District 7 and was elected in 2012. Prior to my service on the Honolulu City Council these past four years (2012-present), I represented our community in the state House of Representatives for six years from 2006-2012. From 2010-2012, I served as the vice speaker of the House of Representatives and as the chairman and vice chairman of the House Committee on Tourism from 2008-2010 and 2006-2008, respectively.

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

2012 I ran successfully for my current position on the Honolulu City Council.

2006-2012 I ran successfully three times for the state House of Representatives.

2014 I was one of six unsuccessful candidates in the Democratic primary for the Hawaii Congressional District 1 seat.

Other civic experience or community service?

I volunteer at Saint Anthony’s of Kalihi, and am a member of the Knights of Columbus.

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

This year marks 10 years of serving our community (a decade of service) in elected office. Leadership is service, and I am truly grateful and honored for the all the support and the partnerships we have formed by working together over the years. Mahalo to everyone for your continued support!

What makes you qualified to be a Council member?

Ten years of experience serving our district in elected office. I currently serve on the City Council as chairman of the Committee on Transportation and as vice chairman of Budget. From 2006-2012, I was elected and re-elected to serve our community in the state House of Representatives.

What is your one big idea?

Hygiene centers as a core service provide homeless people with a safe place to shower and wash clothes. By providing these basic services free of charge, the unsheltered won’t have to resort to urinating and defecating in public places or trespass onto businesses to use their faucets and facilities.

What steps should elected city officials take next regarding the rail project?

Ensuring that we have a viable financial plan to see rail construction through the urban core beyond Middle Street into Ala Moana is essential. We need to encourage our partners in government to honor our commitment to Honolulu’s residents and to the Full Federal Grant Agreement.

Why has the city not been able to take more homeless off the street and what would you do to improve the situation?

The city and the state combined have the resources to make a significant impact on addressing homelessness. I spend much of my time working to coordinate the shared roles and responsibilities between the city and state administrations in order to implement housing solutions for Honolulu.

What steps can elected officials take to ensure city employees behave ethically?

The city needs to fill the vacancy left by former Ethics Director, Chuck Totto, immediately and ensure that the Commission on Ethics has enough funding and the resources they need to continue to pursue their investigations.

As an elected city official, what would you do to improve the city’s affordable housing supply?

Centralize city and state funding for housing and homelessness solutions and make projects available through an RFP process through the Hawaii Public Housing Authority. This is a nationwide best practice done in Utah and Seattle, that maximizes city, state and private funding sources to expedite low-income housing developments.