Full Name: Jocelyn Grace Dei Y. Manipol-Larson

Name on Ballot: Grace Dei Larson

Age: 37

Political Party: Nonpartisan

Running For: State House

District: 2

Email Address: raven_reuboni@yahoo.com

Current Job: Certified court interpreter, entrepreneur

Place of birth: Philippines

Campaign website: www.gracemanipollarson.com

Job history past 10 years:

President, Big Island Courier Service 2008-2016

Owner, JL Pacific Farms 2008-2016

Area Development Manager, Wuerth Philippines

Secretary/agent, Philippine American Insurance Co.

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

Yes, 1996-2002 Sangguniang Kabataan Councilor.

2007- County Council- Maa, Davao City- eighth place

Other civic experience or community service?

Vice-President, Hilo Visayan Club- 2016-2018

Assistant secretary, Congress of Visayan Org 2015-2016

Vice president-public relations officer, Hilo Toastmasters Club- 2009-2010

Volunteer, Legal Aid Society of Hawaii-2009

Volunteer, County Immigration Office- 2009-2010

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

I will pass House Bill 2465. I will campaign against drugs and corruption. Propose death penalty in Hawaii to certain level of crimes committed by recidivists. Increase salaries of teachers, policemen, firefighters and other first-line respondents. Continue the good legacy of Rep. Tsuji and defund other programs that are unnecessary. Mahalo!

What makes you qualified to be a state representative?

I have the heart and mind to serve the people in Hawaii. I love to talk to people and listen to them.

I studied two years in law school in the Philippines. I am a naturalized citizen of America and a resident of Hawaii for eight years. I love people!

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, I will not support his proposal to increase state gas tax, vehicle weight tax and state registration fees. This is an additional burden to all the taxpayers. The state is been taxing the people already for state road projects.

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, I will not support it. However, I will propose to have partnership from the private sector to help finance the operation of the rail system. We should not add more burden to the taxpayers. Tax in Hawaii is one of the highest in the nation.

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

I believe that the governor should not have vetoed that bill today. It could have raise millions in legitimate tax dollars. Sadly, he put all the people that allow Airbnb rentals became illegal.

However, if the state will start taxing Airbnb, the state can regulate and monitor the renters’ behavior.

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

I believe that it’s about time to require police officers in Hawaii to use body cameras. This will protect themselves from any issues like police brutality, abuse of power, etc.

The existence of such device will also protect the apprehended person, or person in custody from the unscrupulous officers.

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?

Greater disclosure that can always benefit the public. However, we should also protect our first-responders against those unscrupulous individual that will blackmail them.