As an 11 year resident of Kapolei, I have a vested interest in fulfilling the vision created for our community to be the next great city - - a safe place where we can live, work, play, and raise our families. We are the fastest growing district in the State of Hawaii. While our community has grown and flourished, we have witnessed the downside to such rapid growth including traffic, crime, overcrowded schools, lack of infrastructure and economic growth which have undoubtedly impacted our quality of life here in West Oahu. I know the challenges we face and have worked deliberately and thoughtfully to resolve these issues.

As your representative to the Hawaii State House of Representatives for the past two years, I have worked collaboratively with my colleagues in the House and Senate, as well as the administration to address the specific needs of our community. Lack of infrastructure is currently a major issue for us. Accordingly, as a member of the Finance Committee, I urged my colleagues to support the fastest growing district in Hawaii by appropriating capital improvements projects (CIP) funding, or infrastructure funds, into our district. Since the time I took office in 2006, I am proud that our community has received just under $336 million. While infrastructure is not built overnight, it is being built and when finished, will improve the quality of life for our residents.

As the Vice Chair of Public Safety and Military Affairs in the House, I am proud to have spearheaded legislation that will enhance and improve our civil defense and prison systems while honoring our military residents who serve to protect our freedom.

I have enjoyed meeting and learning from our residents during my community talk story sessions. Through our surveys and correspondence, I continue to refine my understanding about the issues facing residents of the 40th District. It is essential, particularly at this critical time while we are in our growth phase, to have an advocate in the state legislature who knows our district, understands the legal and social issues we face moving forward, is willing to speak up on behalf of our citizens, and who is able to separate the issues from the political agendas that try to define them.

Despite the many wonderful experiences I have had over the past two years, I have faced some challenging times personally - - in 2007 I was hit by a drunk driver in Kapolei and in 2008, my father passed away having lost his battle to pancreatic cancer. In the face of adversity, however, I have become a stronger, more compassionate advocate, and continue to channel my energy into drafting legislation that will positively impact the people of the State of Hawaii.

It has been an honor and privilege to serve as your state representative over the past two years. While we have accomplished much in a short time, there is still much work ahead of us to finish. I humbly ask for your support in 2008 so that I can return to the State House as your representative. I hope you will continue to join me in the journey we started two years ago.

Malama Pono,