Democratic incumbent state Rep. Roy Takumi is seeking another term to represent District 35, pledging to implement an after-school program to interest middle school students in learning.

Takumi, 64, and Republican candidate Roger Clemente, 54, supervisor of community service aides for the city Elderly Affairs Division, will face off in the Nov. 8 general election to represent the district that encompasses Pearl City, Manana and Waipio.

“I continue to be committed to the community and committed to improving the lives of people in our state. I haven’t lost that desire,” Takumi said. “It’s a job that still … I really enjoy and look forward to continuing.”

Chairman of the House Education Committee, Takumi vowed to implement a structured after-school program for middle school students to include tutoring, classes and activities geared toward the students’ interests. “When students are engaged in learning, the outcomes are better,” he said.

Takumi wants something similar to the A+ program, which is available on every elementary campus.

There are 41,376 middle school students statewide, but there isn’t a comprehensive after-school program based at all schools. Programs are offered by the YMCA, Boys and Girls Club of Hawaii and R.E.A.C.H. Out Hawaii but are held at the organizations’ facilities, not at schools. And After-School All-Stars Hawaii offers school-based programs at only 10 schools on Oahu and Hawaii island, not statewide.

Takumi introduced a resolution this past legislative session that requested the Department of Education create a working group to come up with a proposal to look into funding sources and ways to facilitate a program.

Born and raised in Puunui, Takumi has lived in Pearl City for 35 years. He was first elected to serve the district in 1992. During his tenure, the district underwent two district reapportionments.

Asked whether he would support Gov. David Ige’s plan to propose increases in the state gas tax, vehicle weight tax and state registration fees to help fund road projects, Takumi said he would need more information on the issue to make a decision.

“The devil is in the details. I’m not opposed to it out of hand,” he said.

He also wants more information before deciding whether the Legislature should extend Oahu’s half-percent excise tax surcharge to help finance rail construction or operation.

“I want to see the rail completed, but I have serious concerns of just writing out a blank check,” he said. “Some people have expressed concern that the costs are a lot more than they had anticipated. I do believe we have to complete the rail. It only raises questions of how it’s going to be done.”

Originally from Ilocos Norte, Philippines, Clemente came to Hawaii with his family in 1969 when he was a child. He lived in Kalihi before eventually moving to Pearl City, where he has lived for the past 24 years.

Clemente said he had no desire to run for elected office, but issues neglected by lawmakers compelled him to do so.

“Things have gotten worse with traffic. No one has really done anything about it,” he said. “I don’t think the current Legislature or decision-makers have addressed it enough.”

To reduce congestion, Clemente said the University of Hawaii should offer more core courses at its West Oahu campus. He also thinks the state should set staggered work schedules for employees during the weekdays and open some state offices on Saturdays.

He opposes an increase in Oahu’s half-percent excise tax surcharge to support rail construction.

Clemente is also against increases in the state gas tax to help fund road projects. But he supports increasing the weight tax to pay for wear and tear on roadways, as well as a hike in state registration fees specifically for vehicles parked on streets.

With education as a high priority, Clemente said teachers deserve more support, adding that there should be a better reward system for teacher certification requirements.

And with a 26-year-old daughter living in Arizona because of Hawaii’s high cost of living, Clemente pledged to tackle the state’s high housing costs. “We have to find a solution to the high cost of living in Hawaii,” he said, adding that his son wants to move to the mainland for the same reason.

“The cost is driving them away,” he said.

Clemente had worked in hotel management at the Holiday Inn, Waikiki Marina and Miramar at Waikiki until it was torn down to make way for the redeveloped International Market Place. Clemente has worked with the Elderly Affairs Division since 2005.

If elected, he seeks to provide more assistance and funding for seniors. “I believe seniors deserve more,” he said.

In 2014 Clemente unsuccessfully ran for the district seat as a candidate for the Hawaii Independent Party.

Running as a Republican in the upcoming election, Clemente said political parties are not a concern. “I’m more about representing the people and what’s best for our community, the needs of our community. That’s what I’m concerned about,” he said.

“I would truly make the best decision possible for the people and not for any political reason.”