Council District 6 candidate Bob Vieira discusses the issues
HONOLULU—There are now 10 candidates for Honolulu City Council District 6, as of the Office of Elections Candidate Report on July 23. The Hawaii Independent submitted the same list of questions to each of the 10 candidates. Responses will be published in the order in which they are received.
District 6 is comprised of a portion of Makiki, Downtown Honolulu, Punchbowl, Liliha, Pauoa Valley, Nuuanu, Alewa Heights, Papakolea, Kalihi Valley, and a portion of greater Kalihi.
Candidate Bob Vieira worked for many years as the Director of Economic Development at Hawaiian Electric Company and now owns a real estate company. He served as City Parks director under Mayor Frank Fasi and served on the neighborhood boards of Kailua and Downtown. A fourth generation kamaaina, Vieira has lived much of his life in District 6 and lives in Pauoa Valley.
What do you feel is the single most important issue you will face if elected?
Reducing the cost of basic services of the City by streamlining and consolidation.
What would you change in the way that issue is being handled by the Council presently?
[I would conduct] an internal audit by a national consultant such as Booz, Allen Hamilton.
What is another important issue in your district?
A candidate, Tulsi Gabbard-Tamayo, who was a representative in the Legislature for Ewa, Waipahu, and Honouliuli, who has recently relocated to the district [District 6] and who has not lived, rented, owned property there, or even on Oahu.
What is different about your approach to that issue?
We will feature this in the Star Advertiser so that voters know the truth.
Who is your largest campaign contributor?
Myself, no others.
What’s your strategy in dealing with the “homeless”?
A “homeless” tent city at Sand Island State Park.
What’s your stance on rail? Can Hawaii afford it?
Against. Ridership will not support it. We have other alternatives such as elevated freeways, the same right-of-ways, and contra-flow lanes.
How do we get Hawaii residents active in the elections process?
Advertising in the Star Advertiser, television, and radio.
How can we help Hawaii’s small businesses to stay alive during these hard times?
Create a small business czar with a private sector board of directors.
For more information, visit http://www.bobvieirarealty.com/index.php?page=city-council.
See the responses of all District 6 candidates:
Lawrence Fenton 1| 2
Timothy Garry
Shawn Hamamoto 1
Frank Lavoie 1
Carlton Middleton 1
Sesnita Moepono
Dennis Nakasato 1
Tulsi Gabbard Tamayo 1
Robert Vieira 1
Christopher Wong 1