Larry Fillhart (R): State House, 15th District

• Name: Larry Fillhart
• Current job: Carpenter
• Residence: How long you’ve lived in the district: 8 years
• Background: What qualifies you for the position? What else have you run for? Have you been in public office before and if so, what position? I have an AA degree, a BA degree education degree, a teacher’s credential, a contractor’s license, an ICC building inspector’s certification, a real estate license. I have been a Union Carpenter for 40 years. I first moved to Hawaii in 1974.
• Major issues: What are the biggest issue in your district/state and your proposed solutions? Jobs and the economy. We can put people to work by building affordable homes, $200,000.00 each paid for by the people buying the homes. We can put people to work by building hydro-electric. This can be financed by the people using the services and available loans from the federal government. It takes around 60 million dollars and Kahuku, on Oahu, obtained 70 million for a wind farm. The earth is going to run out of oil by 2050 so must become self sufficient in power. We need to begin using our agricultural lands to grow more foods, putting people to work and obtaining food.
• Budget philosophy: What is your budget philosophy? Do you foresee increases in revenue through tax hikes and fees or do you believe in cutting spending? At the moment we cannot raise taxes. We must begin trimming the waste that is prolific in our budgets. We cannot keep spending 40 million dollars for such things as The Super Ferry, or even the hundreds of thousands we will spend on Daylight Savings. The first question that should be asked for any bill is “How much will it cost and where are we getting the money?”
• Taxes and fees: Do you believe Hawaii’s taxes should be lowered or increased? If you do plan to raise taxes and fees, which specific taxes or fees would you increase? Or would you sign a pledge that says you will not raise taxes? We should not raise any more taxes. We should begin throwing out unnecessary costs. Maybe dropping the raise the previous legislators gave themselves and keep going.
• Rail: If the city has difficulty raising enough revenue for the rail, would you support state tax support for the rail project? Every City in the world that ends up with rapid transit ends up using it to the maximum. We must figure a way to finance the rail……before we start. Maybe borrow the money from all the unions who are demanding it?
• Legalized Gambling: Do you believe gambling should be legalized in Hawaii in any form and if so, in what form? This is an issue that should be given to the public directly. I believe limited gambling in a limited area could be a beneficial tax base. Full Casino type gambling on Kahoolawe, with OHA involved would be good. Do the people want this? They need to be questioned on the ballot.
• Public Education: What are your plans to support the public education system while ensuring accountability and results for our students? Do you support an appointed or elected school board? I support an appointed school board because not enough people understand nor know the school board. The tenure system has got to go and teachers should get more money for better results. The administration needs to be overhauled. The DOE needs to be audited. We need all new Principals.
• Economic Growth: What are your plans to promote long-term economic growth for Hawaii? We need to begin using the agricultural land and do what the sugar used to do. Lease the land to FARMERS to grow crops for just the taxes and help them grow more. Orange Groves, for example. Hardwoods, Sandalwood, get FARMERS on board who have ideas, not people like me who know little of farming. We need to begin building more self sustaining energy, WE WILL BE OUT OF OIL AROUND 2050. This puts people to work on what we need and pays for itself.
• Crime: What is your solution to making Oahu a safer place to live and visit? Begin the decriminalization of pot and zero tolerance for any types of drugs giving hard labor as an option for breaking drug laws.
• Second Amendment: Would you support concealed carry or more freedom for law abiding firearms owners, do you feel the current laws should remain in place, or do you believe stricter gun laws should be in place? Guns do not make more crime. More awareness of firearms is a good thing.
• Homeless: What is your solution to homelessness? Certain homeless are mentally challenged people who need the public to help them. Many simply don’t wish to get into the work force. Jobs such as cleaning the beaches and parks are just a few that could finance low cost housing.
• Compact with Micronesia: Micronesians are able to freely move to Hawaii, which they are doing in large numbers to take advantage of the public education system, medical services and other government benefits. But the governor and other public officials say they are taxing Hawaii’s resources and costing the state more than $100 million a year. This is a federal decision, but would you share your view on whether the Compact with Micronesia should remain in place, should there be some parameters put on the Compact or do you have other solutions? All immigrants should also have a compact where they pay the same taxes as the rest of us. If they become citizens they can pay taxes. Unfortunately, I don’t know enough about this to speak.
• Akaka Bill: What is your position on the Akaka Bill? Do you believe it will unite or divide Hawaii? What is your vision for how the Akaka Bill will change Hawaii? The Akaka Bill is too little too late and misrepresented. Why can’t the Hawaiians at least have the same rights as all other indigenous groups.
• Jones Act: Opponents of the federal Jones Act say it increases the cost of living in Hawaii through a shipping duopoly while supporters say it is needed to ensure port security and American jobs. While this is a federal decision, would you share your view on whether you support an exemption for Hawaii from the Jones Act or should it remain in place? I think the Jones act is antiquated and in need of repair. We definitely need more competition.
• Endorsements you would like to list:
• Any additional comments: The people of Hawaii, myself included, keep voting in the same people who keep spending more money than we have on programs we don’t want. They don’t listen to the population. Please, If we get rid of all the incumbents, it might be chaotic at first, but our idealism will spark a better form of government for, at least, the immediate future, which would take us out of the mess we’re in.

Contact information:

Phone: 808-651-9111

E-mail: lfillhart@hawaii.rr.com

Mail: 334 Aina Loli Pl. Kapaa, Kauai, Hi. 96746

Web site address: www.fillhartkauai.com

Campaign Slogan or Theme: I’ve got a plan!

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