2019 Elected Official Survey

Hawai‘i Public Health Institute (HIPHI) is a non-profit, non-partisan organization that supports and promotes policy efforts to create a healthy Hawai‘i. Candidates were surveyed about their positions on various health-related issues and potential policies for informational purposes only. The survey was sent to all candidates that filed papers to run for office, based on the Office of Elections website.

Candidates were asked if they support or oppose various policies, with the option to explain their responses. Click on a candidate’s name to view their full survey responses. Responses are organized by topic: Tobacco and Vaping, Food and Nutrition, Active Living, and Other.

Find your polling place and view your sample ballot.

Key

+ SUPPORT

– OPPOSE

BLANK = NO RESPONSE

Party indicated in parenthesis:

C = Constitution
D = Democratic
G = Green
L = Libertarian
NP = Nonpartisan
R = Republican

TOBACCO & VAPING

Electronic smoking devices (ESDs) are any electronic product that is used to aerosolize and deliver nicotine or other substances. Other names for these devices include e-cigarettes, vapes, mods, etc. Use of these products among youth has skyrocketed – the 2017 Youth Risk Behavior Survey found that 42 percent of Hawai‘i high school students have “ever used an electronic smoking device.” Taxation is one of the most effective methods to prevent and reduce smoking, especially among youth. Currently, electronic smoking devices are considered tobacco products by law, yet currently are not subject to a tobacco tax. The statements below are related to tobacco and electronic smoking device policies.

Tobacco Issues

Last Name :

District :

wdt_ID	Position	First Name	Last Name	District	ESDs are unregulated & have health risks.	ESD marketing makes them appealing to youth.	ESD flavors are appealing to youth.	States must regulate ESDs if FDA regulations are delayed/rolled-back.	Age verification online is enough to prevent underage purchases of ESDs.	Online sales of ESDs is a loophole to Hawaii's Age to 21 law.
1	Representative	Mark	Nakashima	1	-	-	-	-	-	-
2	Representative	Joy	San Buenaventura	4	-	-	-	-	-	-
3	Representative	Richard	Creagan	5	-	-	-	-	-	-
4	Representative	Cindy	Evans	7	-	-	-	-	-	-
5	Representative	Justin	Woodson	9	-	-	-	-	-	-
6	Representative	Angus	McKelvey	10	-	-	-	-	-	-
7	Representative	Kyle	Yamashita	12	-	-	-	-	-	-
8	Representative	Nadine	Nakamura	14	-	-	-	-	-	-
9	Representative	James	Tokioka	15	-	-	-	-	-	-
10	Representative	Dee	Morikawa	16	-	-	-	-	-	-
			Last Name	District

FOOD & NUTRITION

Obesity is a growing concern within Hawai‘i. Policies that create environments that encourage healthy eating habits may help to reduce the burden of obesity and chronic disease. Some examples include Farm to School programs and reducing consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (beverages with added caloric sweeteners).

Healthy Eating

Last Name :

District :

wdt_ID	Position	First Name	Last Name	District	State gov. has a role to prevent obesity.	SSBs contribute to obesity more than other foods.	State legislation should reduce consumption of SSBs.	SSB fee revenue should be used for childhood obesity programs.	Double bucks programs make healthy foods more accessible.
1	Representative	Mark	Nakashima	1	-	-	-	-	-
2	Representative	Joy	San Buenaventura	4	-	-	-	-	-
3	Representative	Richard	Creagan	5	-	-	-	-	-
4	Representative	Cindy	Evans	7	-	-	-	-	-
5	Representative	Justin	Woodson	9	-	-	-	-	-
6	Representative	Angus	McKelvey	10	-	-	-	-	-
7	Representative	Kyle	Yamashita	12	-	-	-	-	-
8	Representative	Nadine	Nakamura	14	-	-	-	-	-
9	Representative	James	Tokioka	15	-	-	-	-	-
10	Representative	Dee	Morikawa	16	-	-	-	-	-
			Last Name	District

ACTIVE LIVING

Physical activity is also a critical component of obesity and chronic disease prevention. Only 15.4 percent of high school and 20.2 percent of middle school students in Hawai‘i meet national physical activity recommendations. Physical education in schools is important to help youth develop life-long healthy habits. Physical activity can also be encouraged by improving the physical environment to enable safe access for all users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and transit users of all ages and abilities (Complete Streets Policies).

Active Living

Last Name :

District :

wdt_ID	Position	First Name	Last Name	District	Health and PE should be a mandatory part of middle school curriculum	Counties and state are responsible for improving infrastructure.	Increase the amount of physical activity in PE	State funds should be used to improve school sidewalks.
1	Representative	Mark	Nakashima	1	-	-	-	-
2	Representative	Joy	San Buenaventura	4	-	-	-	-
3	Representative	Richard	Creagan	5	-	-	-	-
4	Representative	Cindy	Evans	7	-	-	-	-
5	Representative	Justin	Woodson	9	-	-	-	-
6	Representative	Angus	McKelvey	10	-	-	-	-
7	Representative	Kyle	Yamashita	12	-	-	-	-
8	Representative	Nadine	Nakamura	14	-	-	-	-
9	Representative	James	Tokioka	15	-	-	-	-
10	Representative	Dee	Morikawa	16	-	-	-	-
			Last Name	District

OTHER

Hawai‘i has a received a failing grade in recent oral health reports for the lack of preventive dental benefits for adults and children. Lawmakers were asked questions on policies and programs that can help to improve the oral health of Hawai‘i residents.

Oral Health

Last Name :

District :

wdt_ID	Position	First Name	Last Name	District	Adult medicaid should include preventative dental benefits.	Fluoridate water to prevent tooth decay.
1	Representative	Mark	Nakashima	1	-	-
2	Representative	Joy	San Buenaventura	4	-	-
3	Representative	Richard	Creagan	5	-	-
4	Representative	Cindy	Evans	7	-	-
5	Representative	Justin	Woodson	9	-	-
6	Representative	Angus	McKelvey	10	-	-
7	Representative	Kyle	Yamashita	12	-	-
8	Representative	Nadine	Nakamura	14	-	-
9	Representative	James	Tokioka	15	-	-
10	Representative	Dee	Morikawa	16	-	-
			Last Name	District

Key

TOBACCO & VAPING

Tobacco Issues

FOOD & NUTRITION

Healthy Eating

ACTIVE LIVING

Active Living

OTHER

Oral Health

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