District 24 – Della Au Belatti (D)

Full Name: Della Au Belatti

Name on Ballot: Della Au Belatti

Age: 42

Political Party: Democrat

Running For: House

District: 24

Email Address: daubelatti@gmail.com

Current Job: Attorney; state representative, 24th District

Place of birth: Honolulu

Campaign website: www.dellaaubelatti.com

Job history past 10 years:

Attorney, Law Office of Eric Seitz, 2007-present;

State representative, District 24, 2006-present;

Law clerk, Justice Simeon R. Acoba, 2004-2005

Law clerk, Judge Dexter Del Rosario, 2003-2004;

Teacher, high school social studies, Maryknoll School, 1996-2000.

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

Yes. In 2006, I ran for and was elected state representative of the Makiki-Tantalus district that I continue to serve today.

Other civic experience or community service?

Co-convener, Women’s Legislative Caucus, 2013-present;

Commissioner, Hawaii Access to Justice Commission, 2014-present;

State Campaign Spending Commissioner, 1997-2003.

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

Bringing together diverse stakeholders to come up with laws that balance competing interests is what makes politics so difficult. Now more than ever, we need leaders who are willing to listen, collaborate, compromise wisely, and make the tough decisions when necessary. I strive to be this kind of leader.

What makes you qualified to be a state representative?

I am a 20-year resident of Makiki who, along with my husband who is a nurse at Queen’s Medical Center, is raising two young daughters. We are dedicated to improving our community, and I am willing to work hard to tackle the tough challenges of our times.

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?

State roads are critical public infrastructure that need to be adequately funded. We need to have a thoughtful and realistic discussion about the precise funding mechanisms that are most effective and fairly distribute the cost among all beneficiaries. Presently, I do not support across-the-board increases of all three.

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?

In light of the most recent cost projections and serious concerns about HART, I have very strong reservations about the city’s ability to build and operate rail. At this time, I do not support a GET extension unless the city and HART regains the public trust it has lost.

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

Counties are better positioned to enforce against illegal vacation rentals in Hawaii through zoning laws and permits for residential and commercial activity. The state should enforce against illegal vacation rentals on state lands and should ensure that all vacation rentals are paying their fair share of taxes.

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

Body cameras have quickly become an essential part of effective police practice. The Legislature can and should convene stakeholders to come up with the best policies for the state and identify the appropriate revenue sources to ensure that our law enforcement agencies are adequately funded.

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?

Yes. Transparency of the disciplinary records of our police officers — public officials who hold positions of great public trust in our community — is needed to ensure that trust.