Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Sunday, December 22, 2024 78° Today's Paper


Election

Alvin A. Akina Jr.

Full Name: Alvin Auhana Akina Jr.

Name on Ballot: Alvin A. Akina Jr.

Age: 72

District / office: Mayor Hawaii Island

Email Address: reefrocks@hotmail.com

Current Job: Retired

Place of birth: Honolulu, Hawaii

Campaign website:

Job history past 10 years:

Currently volunteer commissioner, Kailua Village Design Commission, County of Hawaii

Current vice president, ILWU Kona Pensioners Club

1972 to 2009 hotel industry

Ever run for public office? If so, when? Outcome?

Yes, 1980 not successful

Other civic experience or community service?

Volunteer fireman at KVR

Mobile library driver

Community Advocate …(trash roadside and beach clean-up), other services.

Anything else you’d like voters to know about you?

Born and raised on Oahu

Graduated from Kailua High School

Five years Hawaii National Guard

Five years City and County of Honolulu

1971 moved to Big Island

37 years employment hospitality industry

Married with four children

Community advocate, foster parent

Integrity, accountability, open government

What makes you qualified to be mayor?

Serving the public is my No. 1 priority.

50 years of life’s experiences

What are your top five priorities for the county?

1) Road Maintenance

2) Transportation (bus service)

3) Parks and recreation

4) Kupuna and handicap services

5) Get off fossil fuels

What is your one big idea?

Solar, wind, and ocean currents to harness electricity.

Underground grids to power energy to vehicles within the community.

The Hilo landfill is nearing capacity. When it closes, should trash from East Hawaii be hauled to the Puuanahulu landfill, or not?

Yes, haul to Puuanahulu. Create a way to entomb the trash, to create another energy method, Methane. Using the same formula with Hilo in the closing of their landfill.

The basic fare for the Hele-On bus system is $2, but the system still requires taxpayer subsidies to operate. The county has demonstrated that a lower fare can increase ridership. Should the fare be reduced, increased or left the same?

The fare should be reduced as long as an increase in ridership occurs creating more income for the county and lessen taxpayer subsidy.

The gasoline tax in Hawaii County is now 8.8 cents per gallon, about half that of Kauai, Maui and Oahu. Do you support increasing the county gas tax to provide more funding for maintenance of county roads and the Hele-On bus system?

No increase in gas tax! Work within our set budget for the rest of this year and 2017.

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