Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Wednesday, April 24, 2024 73° Today's Paper


Election

Lillian Lai Lam Wang Hong

Full name: Lillian L.L. Hong

Name on ballot: Lillian Lai Lam Wang Hong

Age: 75

Office: Honolulu Mayor

Email address: none

Current job: Owner, jewelry store

Place of birth: Shanghai, China

Campaign website: None

Job history past 10 years:

November 2013-March 2015: Operate contract post office at Ranch 99

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

Yes. I ran so many. I lost.

I ran for 1) Honolulu mayor since 1994 2) U.S. Congress representative for the late Patsy Mink’s seat 3) City Council District 7, Salt Lake area

Other civic experience or community service?

Volunteered with: 1) Olelo, volunteer of the year with 1,300 plus hours; 2) Police Department at Waipahu; 3) TheBus (Middle Street, Ala Moana Center, City Hall, downtown); 4) Meals on Wheels; 5) River Street homeless lunch; 6) Punahou School; 7) Montessori School.

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

As Pacific Business News gentleman said that Honolulu’s ground is limited I like to continue his sentence: The Honolulu’s air is still free to the city mayor and City Council, before Gov. Ige gets smarter to proclaim “The Honolulu’s air is mine.”

I like to make good use of the greed of the developers to benefit the poor, the low income, the so-called median-income going down to lower income to poor.

What makes you qualified to be mayor?

I was a victim being bullied by the city/state government in Kakaako 1991-93.

I want to be the good mayor to help little people like me to fight back the powerful, huge, wrong-doing government. Empower the neighborhood board with a handyman committee fixing small beginning broken system within the district.

What is your one big idea?

I want to be a transparent, open-door Honolulu mayor. People told me air-condition has to be inside closed door! I will move mayor’s table/chairs onto the balcony and talk story with the community. With Olelo’s youth-challenge participants, videotape mayor’s daily meeting/activity onto Olelo to share with community.

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

1. Stop the rail. It’s bleeding nonstop. It’s a disaster fire. 2. Make smart and practical use of whatever was built 3. Bring in money a) $8.1 billion rail car show for locals and tourists. Admission $10 per person. Sit/walk/cellphone. b) $1,000 per art carved on pillar or nameplate of a person/organization.

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

A) Homeless needs 1) a legal site called home. 2) a place to go shi-shi, doo-doo, shower. City is giving “luxury hotel room” to selected few. B) Free of taxpayer’s money. “Welcome to mayor’s city’s front yard!” Provide 10-foot by 10-foot, 1 city address. $1 rent/month renewable with condition. City employees volunteer helping hand.

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

As Mayor Fasi said, “You cannot please everybody every time.” There is no way I can ensure every city employee behaves ethically. I like to be a role model to my city employees. I do things from my heart. I do the right thing the first time. I don’t lie.

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

As inflation is nonstop in Honolulu, community and city official need to accept the fact: 4 bedrooms, 2-1/2 bath, a large front yard for $60,000 in 1974, is no longer possible. I will promote building simple, practical, down-to-earth home structure similar to college dorm with community facility on each floor.

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