Full Name: Firmo S. Dayao

Name on Ballot: Firmo S. Dayao

Age: 67

Political Party: Democrat

Running For: House

District: 29

Email Address: dayaofo@msn.com

Current Job: Retired

Place of birth: Cebu, Philippines

Campaign website: None

Job history past 10 years:

2002-2005: Financial adviser, Foresters Equity Inc., Renton, Wash.

2006-2008: Investment banker, Chase Bank, Lacey, Wash.

2009-2010: Financial representative, Prudential Financial, Bellevue, Wash.

2011-2013: Sales/marketing specialist, Walmart Supercenter, Auburn, Wash.

2014-2015: Office manager, Hawaii Institute of Pain, Honolulu

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

1998-2004: Won two terms as city councilman, Cebu City, Philippines.

2015: Won term as board member, Kalihi-Palama Neighborhood Board.

Other civic experience or community service?

Current president, school board, St. Theresa Catholic School in Kalihi

Current president, AOAO board, Holiday Apartments in Kalihi

Co-founder and 1st president, Cebuano Association of Hawaii Inc.

Co-founder and 1st president, Congress of Visayan Organizations of Hawaii

Current board member, Senior Care Foundation Inc.

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

Former member of the Honolulu Ethics Commission under Mayor Frank Fasi

Former member of the Honolulu Police Commission under Mayor Frank Fasi

1995 Awardee of the “100 Outstanding Filipino-Americans in North America”

Currently, teaching Bible Class, St. Theresa Co-Cathedral in Kalihi.

What makes you qualified to be a state representative?

To represent District 29 is a continuation of my current involvement in the community as a board member of the Kalihi-Palama Neighborhood Board. As a longtime resident and community volunteer in many activities in this district, I have gained hands-on experience in programs that improve lives.

Gov. Ige says he will once again propose increases to the state gas tax, vehicle weight tax and state registration fees to help pay for state road projects. Do you support his proposal?

No, because the people of the state of Hawaii are overburdened with taxes. I would look into other sources of income, such as lottery sales, to fund needed programs. The Legislature should also closely monitor and review every program by the government to cut unnecessary or redundant expenditure.

If the Legislature is again asked to extend Oahu’s half-percent excise tax surcharge to finance construction or operation of the rail system, would you support such an extension?

No, because the rail system is already over budget. Cutting the length of the system to a manageable level is probably the best option available to decision-makers. Perhaps, in the future, if the system would truly ease the traffic situation, the rail system could be lengthened.

Should the state play a role in cracking down on illegal vacation rentals in Hawaii?

Yes, because doing so will make more housing and apartment units available for long-term rentals to our residents, thereby increasing the supply and thus cutting the rental rates.

Should the Legislature require that police officers in Hawaii use “body cameras,” and help to fund the use of those cameras?

Yes, because this will curb and eliminate the temptation for police officers to use unnecessary/excessive force and discourage overbearing conduct during arrest and/or stop episodes. I would, however, prefer that these “body cameras” be funded from user fees for police or law enforcement services.

Dozens of police officers in Hawaii are disciplined each year for committing crimes or violating departmental policies, but little information is released about the officers or their cases. Do you think there needs to be greater public disclosure?

I believe we have a duty to also protect the civil rights even of erring police officers. I recommend we release only the most basic information on the crimes or departmental policies committed, without endangering the lives of the concerned police officers and/or their families.