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Name on ballot:
Adriel C. Lam
Running for:
State Senate – District 24
Political party:
Republican
Campaign website:
www.LAM4ALOHA.com
Current occupation:
Retired military
Age:
51
Previous job history:
Active duty – US Army, Civil service – US Army Corps of Engineers
Previous elected office, if any:
Kaneohe Neighborhood Board
Please describe your qualifications to represent the people of Hawaii.
Neighbor, citizen, friend, if you want more information download my resume at www.LAM4ALOHA.com
What is the most pressing issue facing residents in your district and how would you address the problem?
Inflation, Cost-of-living
Rising inflation has significantly worsened Hawaii’s already high cost of living. What can be done at the state level to help Hawaii residents cope with high consumer prices?
Ease the tax burden, let residents keep and spend more of what they earn. This multiplies the economy much faster than centrally collecting taxes, selectively dishing it out, and still having the taxpayer pay it all back at tax time.
Hawaii’s rising gasoline prices are among the highest in the nation. Should Hawaii lower or temporarily suspend state taxes on gasoline to help ease the pain at the pump?
Yes, but relief on state taxes on gasoline will do little to solve the problem. Energy policy on misguided goals is threatening the economy and livelihood of our people. Take a step back and give us some breathing space.
Do you support or oppose efforts to slow or limit the number of tourists to Hawaii? Please explain.
Setting artificial limits does little to temper market demand. Learn to accommodate, redirect the tourism industry toward common benefit. Happy residents make happy tourists.
Can Hawaii’s tourism-dependent economy be diversified, and, if so, what can state government do to support the effort?
Yes, the State’s economy can be diversified but don’t let the State get in the way of innovation and interference with crony favoritism. Let both amateurs and professionals try and challenge each other towards diversification. Have better metrics to monitor the market demand for resources that will expand the economy.
What is your plan to increase affordable housing in Hawaii, and to help the counties deal with homelessness?
Stop treating the symptoms and start evaluating and mitigating the causes. Not every homeless situation is the same, empower and allow community organizations to partner with those in need.
What would you propose to help protect Hawaii residents’ health during the continuing COVID-19 pandemic?
More honest reporting and transparent metrics. Parroting opaque information harms public trust more than it helps to solve the problem.
Hawaii isn’t likely to see a repeat of this year’s $2 billion revenue surplus which allowed higher-than-normal spending on state programs and projects. If elected, what will your top spending priorities be?
Top spending priorities are Infrastructure and utilities, the basic services that are expected of elected governments. Allow incentives for community services and program to take on social services they are better suited to handle.
What, if anything, should state government do in response to the decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn Roe vs Wade?
Did the Dobbs decision affect Hawaii law? Maybe the better question should be whether Hawaii should re-evaluate its abortion laws that are to the extreme of European standards.
What should state government do to support and improve public education in Hawaii?
Support more competitive alternatives and prioritize local education toward local economic needs.
What reforms, if any, would you propose to make local government more transparent to the public?
More political subdivisions at the local level. The municipality of Honolulu is too large to handle with just one elected executive. Create lower level municipalities for populations between 10-35,000 and let them manage local revenue locally. If they need more assistance, that is what the collective organization at County and State levels are for.
Do you support or oppose the construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope on the Big Island and why?
Support, for better and more transparent management of the Mauna Kea summit.
Is there anything more that you would like voters to know about you?
Free and fair elections are fundamental to the foundations of a functional democracy, where voting is the singular contractual act by the individual voter to provide consent to elected officials to act on behalf of the governed. Any irregularities, errors or unauthorized changes to the voter record, intentional or unintentional, is a dilution of the power and authority of the individual voter and a grievous violation of the consent of the governed. Election integrity matters and we must have open, transparent and accountable systems in our elections.
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