Aloha Friends,
I would like to say Mahalo to both you and the Lahaina News for your questions.
Name and age:
Chayne Marten 57
Occupation:
Maui Green Team founder. Green Consultant
Education:
Canada College, Bethany Bible College, Standford University, Actors Conservatory San Francisco, Screen Actors Guild Conservatory.
Community involvement:
Odd Fellows, organization to help children in need, Volunteer kicking coach Lahaina High School.
Political experience:
None
1) Why am I running?
I am running for State House to offer the right kind of change, our government and our economy have been on a downward spiral long enough. I am concerned about the future of our islands and what will become of our kekeis if we do not stand up and fight for change. I waited to see who was going to stand up for the christian values we believe in. No one was willing to run for West Maui to defend our core principles such as God, family, community, and a bright future for our kekei. I have a strong sense of unity and respect for traditions. I will be diligent to listen, learn and I promise never to raise taxes or fees. I will stand against any force that would mortgage our kekeis future. It is time to reverse direction and take the path to sustainability. I will be part of a team that will push for term limits, campaign spending limits and government transparency. I am a new breed of statesmen that will put the people first, and model what a representative should be.
2) Biggest issues:
A) Economy I believe the number one concern is the economy, loss of jobs is a bi product as is budget cuts, We can help the situation by embracing clean energy. Clean energy will create thousands of jobs, but we must stand up to big oil and support industries that will employ people without destroying the economy and the environment. If we are to move forward we have to lessen our dependency on oil, tourism and imports. As Hawaii begins its journey toward clean energy, and ecological sustainable agriculture, along with diversification and entrepreneurial opportunities create thousands of jobs and no longer will we import 95% of our food, instead we will become exporters of exotic fruits, vegetables, nuts, and flowers we can sell to speciality markets. The time has come for renewal of ecological sustainable form of agriculture to allow healthy food and families. My vision for an ecological sustainable form og agriculture is based on statewide support for family farms growing diverse crops. This system will create food security, and sovereighty for our islands. We need to keep our best agricultural lands zoned for agriculture and continue to develop water infrastructure. Our institutions can develop educational programs that will train people to farm organic in the tropics. Our farms can recycle organic waste which will increase soil health and form profitability. We need healthy solutions for pest control, and we can assist communities with knowledge for developing community and home gardens. Our rural economic development board can support direct marketing of agricultural products to farmers markets and local restaurants. It is time to move Hawaii to the forefront of the green age and become the model for clean energy and ecological sustainable agriculture
B) School Reform Eliminate the cap on charter schools, expand (STEM) education. Science, Technology, engineering, and math. Decentralize bureaucracy and mandate 90% of funding to reach the class room. Teachers should be compensated based on performance as teachers, not by tenure. WE must have teachers that have high standers and are qualified to teach kekei with special needs. It is important to know what is going on in the classroom and on the school yard. Above all our schools need to be safe for both our kekei and our teachers. Our State has not taken advantage of millions of dollars in Federal funds for safe routes to school program to provide critical infrastructure improvements around schools so that kekei have safe ways to school. Shouldn't government facilitate the safe routes to school program and use these funds. I would like to see seat belts on school buses.We must continue to think both inside and outside the box for creative ideas.
C) Tort Reform West Maui needs a hospital and air ambulance, Maui Memorial doesn't have to feel threatened because they can partner and work together. the bigger problem could be a hospital but no doctors. Hawaii already has the fewest doctors in the nation per ca pita. We need patient-centered health care reform, unfortunately the new health care law fails to adequately address physicians most pressing concerns, including tort reform by far the biggest reform needed to bring down health care costs and the need for a permanent fix. We must not take the decision making power out of the hands of physicians and patients and turning it over to government bureaucrats.They remain more committed to gaining additional power under the umbrella of government than on focusing on solutions that will reduce health care costs and lessen the burden on physicians. Recent polls indicate 46.3% of primary care physicians say the new health care law will either force them out of medicine or make them want to leave their profession. The new health care plan not only fails to address key problems that contribute to soaring health care cost it ignores the factors forcing doctors to leave their profession, including billing inefficiencies, malpractice insurance costs, rising graduate and medical expenses and mountains of paper work. As a result of outrageous new mandates on physicians and falling reimbursement rates under Medicare, higher operating costs will force many doctors to sell their practice to local hospitals an alarming trend that is spiking across the country. The public needs to know that these actions will have devastating consequences on the quality of medical care they're used to receiving including less patient choices and longer wait times for routine appointments. Already health care experts are sounding the alarm about the negative effects of this new law, pointing to the worsening shortage of primary care physicians, the very doctors who will be tasked with overseeing care for the thirty million newly insured. The solution is simple but because our legislature is dominated by lawyers we have a problem, they will not pass this kind of legislation because high liability judgements, means allot of money for trial lawyers. This is what I mean by special interests. Even though this is what the people want, I will always put the peoples best interest first. If we are not going to be there to support doctors, don't expect doctors to be there for us.
3) Primary needs:
Hospital and air ambulance is needed now we have a large population and many West Side tourists, we also have a large senior population. We cannot put them at risk, life is to precious to put this concern on the back burner. Another major concern is are small business that are the backbone of our economy we must help them now by reducing taxes for both small business and families. I would like to see government partner with small business by reducing roadblocks on their path to progress. Government should take the first step and help promote small business and prove they are willing and able to help. Need more and better schools that are out of harms way. We must find a solution for our homeless. Preserve and protect Honolua Bay.
4) How can state government bolster the economy, create jobs and support small business?
Our state can bolster the economy by embracing clean energy and diversification. We should expand ecological sustainable agriculture. which will bring thousands of jobs to Hawaii, and lower taxes for small business. Shortcut the waiting process to achieve set goals and promote small business. We can also use special funds to make sure we keep jobs of critical importance, until we become more sustainable at which time we will begin putting funds back into the kitty.
5) How can the state do a better job supporting its public schools?
I think it is a little late to be asking that question now. The state has failed miserably it is time to change to local school control. We want quality education for all our kekei including those kekei with disabilities.
6) What talents or insights would I bring to the Hawaii Legislature?
It is important that a legislator be able to sell his ideas to his colleagues and remember every legislator is there for a purpose, never make enemies instead build alliances. It is important to know when to bend and when to stand firm, I have always admired those who stand firm even when it is not politically correct but knowing it is the right thing to do. We must work with the Democratic leadership which is the majority in our government. By building bridges of common concerns, working together as a team, forming strong bonds and making peace is what is truly important. We must rekindle a conservative fiscal responsibility and require government to live under the same constraints as our families and our businesses. I will unite our parties to chart our future and a course we can all be proud of.
7) Why should GOP voters chose me in September?
I will put Hawaii back to work and on a sustainable path by providing jobs, smaller government and hope. I will propose that we streamline government by forming an external oversight committee to go into every department of government looking for waste, duplication and practices that need to be improved for effectiveness and efficiency, rather than looking for what programs can withstand further cuts. why not look for money that is not being used for its highest purpose, lets not cut critical programs. I am a Reform candidate and I believe we can reduce our legislature by two thirds and do away with a part time legislature and go to a full time legislature having fewer legislative jobs w ith higher salaries would increase competition and give us better candidates while saving us tens of millions of tax payer dollars. We should have term limits no more than two terms, and campaign spending limits, this will help reduce corruption. I started the Maui green team to help our people, our motto is Honoring Our Heritage, Embracing Our Diversity, and Sharing Our Future. I am a family man married to my wife since college, we have three beautiful 9 year olds. If I can manage baby boot camp with triplets, I can handle anything.
8) Sound Off
My friends the truth is there are no easy answers. We must put everything on the table and set priorities. I have been campaigning door to door listening and learning. I am deeply concerned that so many of us are struggling to make ends meat. We need hope now, I have spent under $100.00 on my campaign so far I can't bring myself to ask for contributions at a time such as this. Therefore I haven't collected a single penny from anyone I may not have money , but I do have a hunger to serve you, and a strong sense of purpose, hope and compassion. I ask not for power instead I ask for prayer, I ask God for wisdom to lead our people. WE desperately need Gods guidance we cannot be overwhelmed by problems we see around us. Often we fail to pray because we fail to realize just how powerful prayer is . It can affect our circumstances, we are called to pray for those in authority. Faith allows us to pray effectively for our government. Remember by ourselves we are powerless to change things, but when one person is backed up by thousands of individual people than a movement is created, along with a voice that cannot be ignored. Together we become a unstoppable force that can change our government for the better. Fighting for our rights is an ongoing battle I am willing to wage with your help. We can make a difference but we must do more than the average person who will do nothing. I can help those who will help themselves, if you will stand up for me on election day ,I will stand up for you everyday of my 712 day term. I have been campaigning door to door listening to you and learning from you, now I am ready to represent you as your legislator.
Mahalo,
Chayne Marten
Maui Green Team
Honoring our heritage, embracing our diversity, sharing our future.
|
