District 09 – Stanley Chang (D)

Full Name: Stanley Pai Chang

Name on Ballot: Stanley Chang

Age: 33

Political Party: Democrat

Running For: Senate

District: 9

Email Address: stanley@stanleychang.com

Current Job: Lawyer

Place of birth: Honolulu

Campaign website: stanleychang.com

Job history past 10 years:

Attorney, self-employed, 2015-Present

Honolulu City Council, Council member District 4, 2011-15

Cades Schutte LLP, associate attorney, 2008-2009

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

From 2011 to 2015, I represented District 4, East Honolulu, on the Honolulu City Council. I served as the chairman of the Public Works and Sustainability Committee, where I oversaw roads, sewers, water, waste disposal, and other basic infrastructure needs of the city. I also served as vice chairman of the Budget Committee, which was responsible for the $2 billion operating budget and the capital improvements budget of the city.

In 2013-14, I was a candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives for House District 1.

Other civic experience or community service?

National Association of Counties, national director, 2011 – 14

Hawaii State Association of Counties, secretary, 2011 – 14

Hawaii Future Caucus, co-chairman, 2013 – 14

Northeast Asia Economic Forum, young leader, 2015

Young Democrats of America Pacific Region and Young Democrats of Hawaii Conference, vice chairman, 2015

Young Elected Officials Network, Hawaii state director

Coalition for a Tobacco-Free Hawaii, 2014 outstanding elected leader

Waikiki Business Improvement District Association, director, 2011 – 15

Family Promise, director, 2009 – 11

Organization of Chinese Americans (Hawaii), director, 2009 – 11

Aspen Institute, Socrates Seminar, William Budinger Scholarship awardee, 2012

Pacific Forum, Center for Strategic and International Studies, young leader, 2014

NewDeal Leaders, member

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

I am a second-generation son of hardworking immigrants from China. I attended Wai-Kahala Preschool, Kahala Elementary, and Iolani School. I attended Harvard College and Harvard Law School. Before serving on the City Council, I practiced law at Cades Schutte, specializing in real estate law.

What makes you qualified to be a state senator?

Having knocked on tens of thousands of doors in East Honolulu, I listen to the community — and deliver. On the City Council, I delivered for our community, spearheading a tripling of the road maintenance program, banning smoking at beaches and parks, and protecting critical lands from development.

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? 

Before considering tax increases, we must ensure that state road projects are efficiently managed and make necessary cuts to unneeded programs. We must also ensure that available federal resources are fully leveraged.

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? 

Before discussing a GET extension, the escalating costs of rail must be properly explained. There must be accountability for those managing the project. Additionally, we must explore all possible other sources of efficiencies and revenues.

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

The state and counties must work together on enforcement of laws prohibiting short term rentals. Illegal vacation rentals transform residential neighborhoods into commercial resort zones, burden infrastructure, disturb neighbors, and evade taxes.

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

I believe in increasing the use of body cameras and the latest best practices to enhance transparency and public safety. I recognize that these measures must stem from the consensus of all stakeholders involved, including the community, the police union and county government.

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?

I believe as much information should be disclosed as possible, as a matter of public interest. There must be strong but fair policies in place to investigate cases of misconduct. More transparency will help the Department develop better procedures and to build public trust and confidence in our police force.