Full Name: Ronnie C. Menor

Name on Ballot: Ron Menor

Age: 60

District: VIII

Email Address: ronmenor@hawaii.rr.com

Current Job: Councilmember

Place of birth: Hilo

Campaign website: www.facebook.com/RonMenorHawaii

Job history past 10 years:

City Councilmember (2012-present)

State Senate (2000-2008)

Attorney

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

Yes. City Council, District 9 (2012)

State Senate (1986, 2000, 2004)

State House (1982, 1984, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998)

U.S. Congress (1990, 2007)

Other civic experience or community service?

>> Past president and current member, Mililani Lions Club

>> Past member, Mililani Middle School Community Council

>> Past chairman, National Federation of Filipino American Associations, Region XII

>> Past member, West Oahu YMCA board of directors

>> Past member, Mililani Waena Elementary SCBM Committee

>> Past president, Mililani High School Advisory Council

>> Past chairman, Mililani Crime Watch Program

>> Volunteer legal counsel, Mothers Against Drunk Driving

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

Family: Spouse – Patricia Menor, public elementary school teacher

Sons – Benjamin, graduate of UH – Manoa (Class of 2016); twins Andrew and Anthony, students at UH –

Manoa and UCLA respectively

Education: Georgetown University Law School, Washington, D.C, juris doctor

UCLA, bachelor of arts degree (Commencement Speaker)

Iolani School

What makes you qualified to be a Council member?

During my first term, I have demonstrated my effectiveness in obtaining basic core services for my district including improvements to our roads, parks. I have been responsive and accessible, devoting countless hours meeting with residents. I am seeking re-election because I have unfinished work to complete,including pushing for more district projects.

What is your one big idea?

Every resident on Oahu is affected by the high cost of housing.

The city needs to make the issue of affordable housing a top priority and implement more proactive measures in addressing this issue (see below).

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

HART needs to do a much better job in formulating cost projections. City officials also need to work closely with the federal and state governments and the private sector to explore financing options to complete rail that will minimize the tax impact on residents and businesses.

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

There isn’t a simple solution to addressing homelessness when factors involved include substance abuse, mental illness, individuals refusing help. I support a multi-pronged action plan: expanded outreach, rental assistance programs, temporary shelters, using programs implemented in other jurisdictions as models, supporting law enforcement, and establishing more permanent supportive housing (Housing First).

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

I will continue to support vigorous enforcement of our ethics laws and providing adequate funding to the city Ethics Commission and staff so the agency can effectively carry out its enforcement responsibilities. I am also open to strengthening our ethics laws.

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

>> Strengthen implementation of Accessory Dwelling Units program I helped to establish.

>> Create incentives for development of affordable housing under our city’s Land Use Ordinance.

>> Promote public-private partnerships.

>> Work with state government to facilitate financing of affordable rentals.

>> Rehabilitate city rental housing inventory.

>> Explore availability of city land for development of affordable housing.