1) WHAT SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT THE YOUNG CHILDREN ATTEMPTING TO ENTER THE UNITED STATES ILLEGALLY — AND ALONE — FROM MEXICO AND CENTRAL AMERICA?
CAM CAVASSO (Republican)
Children do best when they are nurtured by loving parents. Limited resources warrant that safe, cost-effective measures be considered to restore children to their family, whether it be from Mexico, Central America or another foreign country.
Leadership must communicate orderly immigration of families to come and be a part of this great nation of the United States of America. Our immigration laws need equal opportunity and enforcement for all.
BRIAN EVANS (Democrat)
They should be granted asylum if they are just kids. That’s what America stands for.
HARRY J. FRIEL JR. (Republican)
I believe the United States of America should continue to provide safe haven for those children.
COLLEEN HANABUSA (Democrat)
Every effort should be made to reunite these children with their families in a safe, legal and ethical fashion.
ARTURO REYES (Nonpartisan)
We cannot turn our backs to anyone when it comes to humanitarian efforts. If and when the children are left out unattended, efforts to find a legal volunteer guardian must be in place who would assume the responsibility to carry the children to safety.
Under the Constitution: We have to support and provide safe havens for everyone. Efforts to locate the immediate next of kin of the child(ren) will be made to provide the same protection to the biological parents like asylum that grants immunity.
BRIAN SCHATZ (Democrat)
This is a humanitarian and a moral emergency that requires action. I’ve voted for a comprehensive immigration bill, which Congress should pass. The crisis at the border is, however, not an immigration issue; it is an emergency. The President has asked Congress for emergency funds to address this humanitarian situation, and we need to provide the necessary funds to help these children.
2) SHOULD THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION AUTHORIZE CONSTRUCTION OF THE KEYSTONE XL PIPELINE THROUGH THE UNITED STATES? WHY OR WHY NOT?
CAM CAVASSO (Republican)
Authorization of such a pipeline would not only immediately create many jobs but the process of refining the crude for domestic and export purpose would stimulate manufacturing in the United States. This, in turn, would increase economic prosperity for all and reduce trade deficits with our trading partners around the world. Pursuing independent sources of energy would decrease America’s dependence upon foreign oil and reduce the cost of living.
BRIAN EVANS (Democrat)
No. Lets take care of people who can’t afford their rent first.
HARRY J. FRIEL JR. (Republican)
Having read the environmental impact statement, I believe America should authorize construction of the Keystone Pipeline.
COLLEEN HANABUSA (Democrat)
I oppose the Keystone Pipeline, principally because I believe we need to focus our efforts on reducing our national dependence on fossil fuels while promoting the development of renewable energy. I also do not believe we have enough information about the environmental impacts. Before we can make any decision we need to put it through the regulatory and permitting process and conduct an exhaustive environmental impact assessment. Lastly, many tribal nations strongly oppose construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline because it would, among other reasons, threaten cultural and sacred sites located on Indian lands. The time for ideas like the Keystone Pipeline has passed — we need to be working toward a future powered by renewable energy sources.
ARTURO REYES (Nonpartisan)
The Keystone XL Pipeline is comprised of four phases that had already started and was previously approved by prior administration. To play politics on the preapproved programs is absurd.
It will be for the benefit of improved commerce and trade, regardless. The approval, however, must be associated with the right of the landowners being protected, and that is to pay the legal owners of the lands that will be affected by such projects. Due rightful compensation under the law must be provided and the privacy of such individual domain and ownership must be protected.
BRIAN SCHATZ (Democrat)
We should not encourage the production of Canadian tar sands — some of the dirtiest oil in the world. As such, I strongly oppose the Keystone XL Pipeline. Climate change is the challenge of our generation and we need move forward with policies to support clean energy, not backwards with dirty energy like the Keystone Pipeline supports.
3) WHAT DO YOU THINK HAS BEEN PRESIDENT OBAMA’S GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT — AND HIS BIGGEST FAILURE — SINCE TAKING OFFICE IN 2009?
CAM CAVASSO (Republican)
When the president took office in 2009, many hoped for change and many changes were made to our healthcare and environmental regulations, among other initiatives. Much have failed due to lack of sound policies, its unintended consequences and poor execution.
He has fundamentally changed our nation. His policies have discouraged individual initiative and increased the control by — and dependence upon — the federal government. His international policies have endangered and weakened the security and sovereignty of the United States.
BRIAN EVANS (Democrat)
Accomplishment: Creating the Consumer Protection Act overseeing credit bureaus. Failure: Signing the Monsanto Protection Act.
HARRY J. FRIEL JR. (Republican)
I will let the people decide the answer to that question, I know all four Hawai’i counties are dealing with record unemployment and record foreclosures and I hope the people will decide to replace current “appointed” representation in Washington where Congressional approval is polling at 10 percent with a strong effective leader.
COLLEEN HANABUSA (Democrat)
President Obama is a son of Hawai‘i and we are very proud of everything he has accomplished. Much of the work he has done on behalf of our country is to be commended. The President is living proof that anyone born and raised in these Islands is capable of accomplishing anything.
Where I strongly disagree with the President is his approach to Syria and Iraq. I came out immediately against the President’s plan to attack Syria over their use of chemical weapons. My amendment to prevent the U.S. from re-entering the war in Iraq passed the House unanimously and I truly believe, with respect to our approach to the sectarian civil war tearing the country apart, that the President is making it up as he goes along. I am strongly opposed to risking any more American lives in foreign conflicts. Our nation is tired of war.
ARTURO REYES (Nonpartisan)
President Obama will turn out to be one of the greatest president in American history. His pitfalls had been the adversaries in U.S. Congress and the inability of his cabinet secretaries to raise the flag up when they are needed.
His greatest accomplishment? He is the first black Afro American president whom we, the people, have elected and put our trusts twice.
His failure? The inability of the U.S. Congress to support him, or his ability not to get support from the U.S. Congress.
BRIAN SCHATZ (Democrat)
President Obama’s most important accomplishment was passing legislation to give every American access to quality, affordable health insurance. The Affordable Care Act is a good bill that allows families to keep their children on plans up to age 26, and ends discrimination against those with pre-existing medical conditions. Over the next few years, we will need to fix and improve the law, but it provides a sound basis to provide health care coverage for all Americans.
