Duke Aiona in 2022 HI Governor's race
On Crime:
Spearheaded Hawai'i Drug Court for non-violent offenders
In 1996, then Circuit Court Judge Aiona spearheaded the innovative Hawai?i Drug Court program, which offers active and effective drug rehabilitation to non-violent offenders as an alternative to prison.
As its primary architect, he became the Drug Court's first administrative judge for the successful, time-tested, platform. During Judge Aiona's tenure, Drug Court realized an 85% retention rate.
Source: 2022 Hawaii Gubernatorial campaign website DukeAiona.com
Aug 15, 2022
On Abortion:
Would leave decisions up to the Legislature and to voters
On topics like abortion access, which is protected in Hawaii,
Aiona said he would leave such decisions up to the Legislature and to voters.
Source: Honolulu Civil Beat on 2022 Hawaii Gubernatorial race
Aug 13, 2022
On Government Reform:
Has no evidence the 2020 election was stolen
When asked about the 2020 election results at a Hawaii News Now debate, Aiona said that he had no evidence the election was stolen. Numerous investigations in multiple states have shown no evidence of widespread voter fraud.
State and federal courts have rejected numerous baseless claims, including here in Hawaii, that the election was somehow stolen.
Source: Honolulu Civil Beat on 2022 Hawaii Gubernatorial race
Aug 13, 2022
On Health Care:
COVID: not against vaccinations, but opposes mandates
While Aiona said he does not support vaccine mandates like those instituted during the pandemic, he is not against vaccinations and did not go so far as to question the efficacy of vaccinations for
Covid-19 and other diseases. However, he said the lockdowns and mandates did play into his decision to run again.
Source: Honolulu Civil Beat on 2022 Hawaii Gubernatorial race
Aug 13, 2022
On Budget & Economy:
Attract investment by opening a spaceport in Hawai'i
Aiona wants to see the state invest in spaceports on either Kauai or the Big Island. The state would put up the funds to acquire an FAA license and provide some financial support for the infrastructure to open the spaceport as well as possibly land for
the port. Under Aiona's plan, a private developer would share some of the costs for building the spaceport and would then operate it on the state's behalf. The state would get a cut of the revenues generated by the new spaceport.
Source: Honolulu Civil Beat on 2022 Hawaii Gubernatorial race
Aug 11, 2022
On Government Reform:
Wants to make more public records accessible online
Aiona said he would want to make more public records accessible online. Aiona pointed to things like business filings or land leases, which are available online but only if people pay a fee.
He also wants to make available documents that are public records but not easily accessible on the internet, like records of legislative allowances.
Source: Honolulu Civil Beat on 2022 Hawaii Gubernatorial race
Aug 11, 2022
On Education:
Shift control from statewide district to local community
Hawaii is the only school district in the United States that encompasses an entire state. Education is an inherently local issue. Our local communities, whether it be on Molokai, in Hanalei, or in urban Honolulu, understand their needs best. As
a result, they have a better grasp of what their students need than any bureaucrat does. It would be in the best interest of our families and their futures to finally discuss these issues and decide what type of public school structure our state needs.
Source: Honolulu Civil Beat on 2022 Hawaii Gubernatorial race
Jun 21, 2022
On Energy & Oil:
Maximize our many renewable energy resources
Everyone who lives or visits these islands must understand and appreciate this concept of stewardship. We are not the owners of the natural resources that make up Hawaii. We need to understand that we are the anointed and appointed caretakers of our
natural resources, and we must malama the aina, stop the littering, recycle our waste and maximize our many renewable energy resources.[OTI note: "Malama Aina" is a Hawaiian phrase that means caring for and honoring the land.]
Source: Honolulu Civil Beat on 2022 Hawaii Gubernatorial race
Jun 21, 2022
On Government Reform:
Reducing amount of regulations sends message to businesses
Unfortunately, Hawaii's high taxes and fees, and the copious amount of regulations and bureaucracy have made it difficult for new industries to flourish in our islands.
Getting government out of the way by reducing the amount of regulations, permits, bureaucracy, fees and taxes sends a message to the businesses outside of Hawaii that we are open for business.
Source: Honolulu Civil Beat on 2022 Hawaii Gubernatorial race
Jun 21, 2022
On Government Reform:
Stem abuses with term limits for state legislature
As I have said before, political balance provides an immediate check that can ensure accountability at the Legislature.
To eliminate feelings of entitlement and abuse of power by those representatives who have been in the legislature for over a decade, we should create term limits for those positions.
Source: Honolulu Civil Beat on 2022 Hawaii Gubernatorial race
Jun 21, 2022
On Principles & Values:
Hopes to restore system by rebuilding trust, earning respect
Currently, Hawaii's political leadership and structure lacks trust, respect and balance. This imbalance has resulted in criminal charges against those in leadership, corruption, pay-to-play and lack of transparency. There is no civility in our political
systems, and we are losing our moral compass. The spirit of aloha has been diminished in an area where we need it most.I hope to restore that system by rebuilding trust, earning respect and in turn, creating the balance Hawaii needs.
Source: Honolulu Civil Beat on 2022 Hawaii Gubernatorial race
Jun 21, 2022
On Tax Reforms:
Eliminate the general excise tax on food and medicine
We need to cut our cost of living by cutting the fees, taxes and regulations that impact the cost of food, housing and transportation. One area that would have an immediate effect, especially on middle- and low-income families, is to eliminate the
general excise tax on food and medicine. Hawaii is one of only 13 states that taxes groceries, and one of only seven states that tax groceries at the same percentage as other goods.
Source: Honolulu Civil Beat on 2022 Hawaii Gubernatorial race
Jun 21, 2022
On Welfare & Poverty:
Creating affordable housing immediately is a top priority
We need thousands of affordable housing units for middle- to low-income families now, not two, five or 10 years from now, which is the timeline for many of the current housing projects.
Thus, the governor needs to make this a top priority and bring together all stakeholders who have the authority and resources to create housing immediately along with implementing a plan of action.
Source: Honolulu Civil Beat on 2022 Hawaii Gubernatorial race
Jun 21, 2022
Page last updated: Sep 22, 2022