Full Name: Deidre Maureen Tegarden

Name on Ballot: Tegarden, Deidre Maureen

Age: 47

Political Party: Democrat

Running For: House

District: 11

Email Address: deidre@votetegarden.com

Current Job: Campaigning

Place of birth: Altoona, Pa.

Campaign website: www.VoteTegarden.com

Job history past 10 years:

>> 2012-2015: Chief of protocol for Gov. Neil Abercrombie and Gov. David Ige

>> 2011-2012: Maui representative for Gov. Neil Abercrombie

>> 2007-2011: Director, Maui County Office of Economic Development

>> 2004-2007: Executive director, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Maui

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

No

Other civic experience or community service?

>> Past president, Rotary Club of Kahului; current member, Kihei Wailea Rotary

>> Board member, Maui Chamber Orchestra

>> Board member, Maui OnStage

>> Recipient of Pacific Business News’ “40 Under 40”

>> Weinberg Fellow

>> Member, Kihei Community Association

>> Member, Association of American University Women

>> Volunteer, South Maui Learning Ohana

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

I grew up on the mainland, Japan, Hawaii and China and I understand the importance of respecting different cultures. I am a collaborative hard worker whose internationalism and skill in Japanese and Chinese are valuable assets and were of great benefit when I served as Hawaii’s chief protocol officer.

What makes you qualified to be a state representative?

I’ve been a business owner; as executive director I guided Maui’s Big Brothers Big Sisters from near bankruptcy to profitability; we awarded $10 million in grants to nonprofits as director of the Maui County Office of Economic Development; and I have international experience as Hawaii’s chief protocol officer.

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?

Raising taxes should be a last resort. South Maui is one of our state’s fastest growing communities and our roads are not keeping pace with our growth. I will request a review of the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program and present arguments for fast-tracking upgrades in South Maui.

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?

Yes, I would support the extension, as a final resort, to ensure completion of the project. However, I believe there needs to be much more oversight on the construction and future operation of this project. Responsible and accountable stewardship of public monies is a vital governmental responsibility.

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

At present, counties have jurisdiction. I feel that Maui County is doing a good job bringing non-permitted transient vacation rentals into compliance with county laws. The process allows for public input regarding granting or denying TVR permits. The state should not get involved unless the counties request it.

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

Yes. In light of recent events on the mainland it seems to me anything we can do in Hawaii to support the police and encourage civil and transparent interaction between the police and the community is worth legislative funding. The public and the police should be trusted partners.

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?

Police officers must be held accountable. If they commit a crime, they should be prosecuted like any other citizen. However, consideration must be given to protecting the public and if disclosures