Joe Akana

Agree

However, I nor anyone else should be responsible for the decision(s) an individual makes.

Choose not to answer

Our keiki and kupuna are our most vulnerable population and should be protected, why are we okay with easily dispatching them?

Abortion should be available to women who conceive as a result of rape, incest or sexual trafficking. Also if a pregnant mother is experiencing a life-threatening medical emergency certified by a physician, an abortion should be available to her.

Disagree

Bad policies, inflation and high taxes have fed the gap between the economic classes in the United States, and Hawaii. Bad policies which restrict small businesses and cottage industries limit financial growth. Inflation literally robs the working class of their wealth by making our currency less valuable. High taxes on every day goods, like groceries and gas, further erode working class household budgets.

Agree

Fiscal and monetary policies need to be adjusted, re-organized and streamlined. We also need to end bribery and corruption through term limits. Our elected officials must be held to a higher level of accountability, and transparency. The American public needs to know precisely where all of the money goes. It’s my job as a representative that we balance the budget and pay down our debts.

The tax code needs to be adjusted to support the financial wellbeing of American families. There should be more tax benefits for working families. Also, financial literacy and education are key components in maintaining and growing wealth. Educating working families about how to utilize financial tools to become financially independent is very necessary. You can make all the money in the world, but if you do not have the knowledge of how to protect that wealth, you will forever be living hand-to-mouth.

Strongly Agree

Disagree

Compelling an individual or business to compromise its religious beliefs and values is illegal and violates the First Amendment. “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;…”

The word church implies a specific formal religion. Our country was created with faith in mind, not a specific religion or church. Faith in God, or a higher power, is at the core of America’s foundation. The Bill of Rights was created to protect the freedoms endowed by the creator. Based on that, there is a symbiotic relationship between faith and government. Our government was created to protect those fundamental rights. These unalienable rights, are fundamental rights which cannot be taken away or transferred to another. They are yours forever. That amongst those are the right to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.

None, that is a gross overreach of government.

None of the above. Everyone should have access to medical health care, however the government is not the best entity to financially cover that. Our government, in Hawaii and in the US, is currently plagued with corruption and fiscal irresponsibility. We need adequate identification and support of cost-effective solutions to be able to make healthcare accessible to all of our citizens.

C - At this moment in time, the United States has become too involved in others’ policies and must focus on our domestic problems. We have the highest inflation rate in 40 years. American families are struggling to make ends meet. Once we, as a nation, address and fix our problems at home, then we can help others. When our country is thriving and financial healthy, it allows us to be in a better position to truly help others.

Strongly Disagree

Agree

Hawaii is in a unique geographical position, which makes us a key piece of the geo-strategy to safeguard nations in the pacific region from communist China’s aggression. It is critical that we support and invest in cyber security and critical infrastructure that back up our power grids and water security.

To eradicate the threat of Islamic terrorism, the United States must avoid destabilizing regions and offer reasonable support to stabilize vulnerable nations. We also need to monitor radicalization efforts within the United States.

Agree

Agree

The United States needs to be fiscally responsible. It’s irresponsible to send funding to states which fail to uphold our country’s laws.

Anyone who is willing to go through the lawful process to become a citizen. Also, policies like catch and release need to be reevaluated for their effectiveness.

Choose not to answer

Disagree

My spiritual beliefs and values are Christian-based, family values.

Strongly Disagree

We show our ID for travel, banking transactions and everyday usage. Why not for voting? Voting is the most precious right we all have as Americans. It ensures our rights and benefits are secured.

To improve election integrity, every vote needs an ID verification and signature. We use IDs for verification of the most basic things in life. Why wouldn’t we verify such a big decision as voting? Until we can implement blockchain technology, voting and counting should be done by hand and without machines. With the current system, there are too many points throughout the process which can be compromised. The people have a right to vote in a free and fair election. It’s our most basic civil right.

Strongly Disagree

Racism is divisive and a threat to a respectful and a peaceful society. Racism is a byproduct of ignorance and hate, and undermines our unity as a people.

Neutral

If done properly, fracking can provide a source of natural gas production in the United States. However, like many other industries we need rigorous safety regulations. There is not enough oversight to the damage which has occurred to our resources. Enacting better policies which monitor and protect groundwater, surface water and wildlife will reduce the negative impact upon our environment. It’s all of our kuleana to be good stewards.

Neither. Stricter environmental laws with transparent oversight is needed. These must be policies which work in harmony with the economy and the environment.

Conservative

People can read about my views and platform on other organization’s websites. I’ve completed surveys and questionnaires for Civil Beat, League of Women Voters and the Kona Coffee Farmers Association. I have also participated in radio interviews, the most recent was on KHVH on June 18, 2022.

No.

My legislative priorities center around four core principles; faith, family, freedom and fiscal responsibility. Which includes lowering the cost of living for working families, ending bribery and corruption through term limits, protecting our constitution, improving agricultural self-sustainability, protecting our keiki and kupuna and investing in small business development.

Neutral

Everyday police officers on the beat need the freedom to do what is necessary within the scope of their job duty/department policy. However public officials, like the Kealoha’s, must be held accountable when they abuse their position of power and decimate public trust.

Disagree

We should work on securing funding specifically to aid with mental health within our community.

We have over 300,000 gun laws in the United States. It’s not as easy as just saying “let’s ban xyz.” If it were, those 300,000 laws would have worked to dramatically increase public safety. Creating awareness around firearms safety education programs, like Project ChildSafe, are important. Knowing those resources exist, helps communities and families reduce firearms accidents, misuse and thefts. Another piece to protecting public safety relates to access to mental health treatment. In respect to mass shootings, many shooters have had a history of trauma and/or have suffered from some form of mental health issues and the warning signs were ignored. We must have a sobering conversation as to why we, as a country, have not made it a priority to help those who truly need to seek treatment – especially our keiki.

Strongly Disagree