Name on ballot:

Frederick F. Fogel

Running for:

State Senate – District 2

Political party:

Libertarian

Campaign website:

www.ffogel.net

Current occupation:

Retired Quality Advisor, Hawaii State Department of Defense

Age:

72

Previous job history:

1972-76 Aviator, F4 Phantom Jet, USMC
1976-77 Service Writer, Sandy Brodie’s Motorcycles
1977-91 Industrial Engineer, Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard
1977-87 Aviator, F4 Phantom Jet, Hawaii Air National Guard
1987-91 Civil Engineer, Hawaii Air National Guard
1991-93 Civil Engineer, Louisiana Air National Guard
1993-05 Quality Advisor & Strategic Planner, Headquarters Hawaii State Department of
Defense

Previous elected office, if any:

Pearl City Community Association (but did not serve)

Please describe your qualifications to represent the people of Hawaii.

Lived in Hawaii since 1972, married local lady (Samoan, Puerto Rician), two daughters who graduated from Hawaii’s school system, former president HOIE Community Association, volunteer: Friends of Puna’s Future, Friends of Hawaii National Park, O Ka’u Kakou; no intentions of being a career politician

What is the most pressing issue facing residents in your district and how would you address the problem?

Governmental overreach (excessive regulations, fees and taxes). This applies to the whole state, not just my district. Excessive governmental regulation of the visitor industry, agriculture, power generation, education (you could probably add a few more close to your heart), and taxes relating to food/medicine, an additive sales tax any time a product changes hands, income tax, and the utmost example of double taxation (inheritance tax) simply serve to take the personal discretion (how you want to spend your money) out of the hands of the average citizen. I would work to change governmental processes for the betterment of the people.

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?

Refer to my answer to the previous question. If State Government would stop overregulating peoples’ lives and give them more freedom to spend their money as they see fit to benefit themselves, it would go a long way to helping Hawaii’s hard-workers. On the other side of the coin, if the State Government made it easier and less expensive for businesses to operate in Hawaii, not only would prices decrease, but our keiki would also have the prospect of a better future in the islands.

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?

Although the Hawaii state tax on a gallon of gas is around 16 cents, and Hawaii County tax is around 23 cents, if both taxes were completely eliminated it would only reduce the price of a gallon of gas in Hawaii by about 7%. These taxes supposedly go towards road maintenance. Changes to the Jones Act to allow importation of fuel oil from the mainland would do a lot more to lowering the price of a gallon of gas.

Do you support or oppose efforts to slow or limit the number of tourists to Hawaii? Please explain.

Tourism is our biggest money maker and employer. Until other business enterprises in Hawaii are encouraged (think agriculture and manufacturing), limiting the number of tourists would be counterproductive.

Can Hawaii’s tourism-dependent economy be diversified, and, if so, what can state government do to support the effort?


Refer to answers to questions 1 & 2. Reducing governmental oversight and regulation would encourage diversification.

What is your plan to increase affordable housing in Hawaii, and to help the counties deal with homelessness?

Owning your own house was considered the American dream – something people worked to achieve. Now some people consider it a right. The free market would encourage affordable housing. Unfortunately governmental mandates and fees serve to drive up the cost of new housing. Gainful employment would help more people achieve the American dream.

Homelessness is another issue altogether. A vast majority of the homeless have personal problems affecting employment and contribution to society in general. The State should do more to assist individuals in overcoming these personal challenges, and provide a safe place to temporarily hang their hat.

What would you propose to help protect Hawaii residents’ health during the continuing COVID-19 pandemic?

Sick people should stay home.

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?

Pay down unfunded liabilities and debts. Truly balance the budget. Never spend more than the government takes.

What, if anything, should state government do in response to the decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn Roe vs Wade?

Continue to ensure that adult women have access to safe, effective and affordable.abortion. Continue to encourage parental involvement in under-age abortions.

What should state government do to support and improve public education in Hawaii?

– School vouchers to give parents a say in which schools better suit their children’s needs,
– Standardized tests universally applied, results categorized and published for all to see,
– Teacher pay raises based on performance (“380 degree review” – parents, cohorts and managers), not longevity, and providing poor performing teachers job assistance,
– Dissolve state-wide DoE School Board in favor of county Boards comprised of public and private principals (Hawaii is the only state with a state-wide Board.),
– Giving principals more say in how to run their school and appropriate money,
– Trade school educational pipeline options for students.

What reforms, if any, would you propose to make local government more transparent to the public?

Follow existing laws, to include limited emergency proclamations. Basically, I can only make my activities more transparent, and intend to set the example. If I see a government entity being improperly secretive, I will inform proper authorities.

Do you support or oppose the construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope on the Big Island and why?

Support. Hawaii is one of the best places, if not the best, to view the heavens in the northern hemisphere. Plans to limit the addition of new structures on Mauna Kea are adequate and protect the flora and fauna. The general population supports this construction. The only segment of the population not supporting the construction is native Hawaiians on the Big Island. However, with recent changes to the management of telescopes on Mauna Kea, I wish astronomy in general – good luck.

Is there anything more that you would like voters to know about you?

I have no plans to be a career politician. I take no donations, and owe only you, the resident (and hopefully voter). My main goal is to make government more efficient and effective by improving internal processes, and will work to allow the citizen more freedom to do what they consider best for them. The primary role of government is to protect people from other people – not from themselves.