District 37 – Ryan I. Yamane (D)

Full name: Ryan I. Yamane

Name on ballot: Ryan I. Yamane

Age: 46

Political Party: Democrat

Running for: House

District: 37

Email address: friendsyamane@hawaii.rr.com

Current job: State representative

Place of birth: Honolulu

Campaign website:

Job history past 10 years:

Lecturer, Hawaii Pacific University

Lecturer, University of Phoenix

Teacher, Building Industry Association

Lecturer, Honolulu Community College

Medical social worker, Queen’s Medical Center

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

Elected to the state House of Representatives in 2004

Other civic experience or community service?

Volunteer, American Red Cross Hawaii Chapter

Leeward Oahu Lions

Former Waipahu Neighborhood Board Member

Former volunteer, Honolulu Police Department

Former board of managers, Waipahu YMCA

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

Active volunteer with American Red Cross, Hawaii Chapter, with national disaster response experience. Masters in both social work and business administration with extensive executive education.

What makes you qualified to be a state senator or representative?

With the support of my community, I have had the honor to serve for the past 12 years. My background includes working with at-risk children and families and being an educator to our future leaders.

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?

I have serious concerns regarding any increases in taxes and fees. These proposed taxes impact disproportionately those who live in rural areas, on neighbor islands and who own work trucks. Any proposal would need to explicitly delineate how any funds would improve traffic safety or critical transportation infrastructures.

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?

Any discussion of an extension must include a financial plan on how HART will complete the project with efficiency and fiscal due diligence. The rail system has been voted on by the people of Honolulu and should be completed as it was promised, with fiscal transparency and no cost overruns.

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

Illegal vacation rentals have been an increasing problem that plague our communities. Counties are best able to identify and address those neighborhood concerns, however the state should provide the policy authority to ensure that if the county does licenses a rental, that these rentals follow all business laws.

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

I support our law enforcement community and applaud their commitment to ensuring public safety. Body cameras can be a great tool, however this should be negotiated between the department and its officers. If approved, these types of tools should be supported and financed by the city.

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?

The general public has the right to know information impacting its safety after police officers have their day in court and are proven to be guilty of a crime. Everyone has the right to privacy and is innocent until proven guilty.