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Know your 2016 Maui County election candidate: Makani Christensen

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Makani Christensen is another of the four Democrats challenging incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (click here for Miles Shiratori’s questionnaire). He’s relatively young (36), a Marine Corps veteran and runs an activity company on Hawaii Island. But can he beat Schatz, whose campaign has more than $9 million, according to the non-partisan Center for Responsive Politics.

MAUITIME: What is your top priority if elected?

MAKANI CHRISTENSEN: Making Hawaii affordable for everyone. We need to secure more tax dollars that we pay to the federal government. For example, when we focus on a strong military and national defense we in turn create more well-paying jobs. Another example is to help our farmers through federal aid. This will help Hawaii become more sustainable and create more jobs in Hawaii. We will also not allow the federal government to create more burdens to the people of Hawaii. For example, the current administration wants to expand the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Monument without vetted justification. As a result individuals will lose their jobs and the price of fish in the Hawaiian Islands will dramatically increase.

MT: What event in your life best prepared you for public office?

MC: As a combat veteran that served as a Marine Corps Officer in both Iraq and Afghanistan, I understand the importance of national security and taking care of people. We cannot turn a blind eye to the realities of life such as a family working four jobs to put food on the table, homelessness, and healthcare. The leadership I learned during my time at Kamehameha Schools, the United States Naval Academy, the United States Marine Corps and running a small business in Hawaii have prepared me for all challenges to include being Hawaii’s next United States Senator.

MT: Who should be the next President of the United States?

MC: The next president should be the person that is elected by the people who participate at the upcoming Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.

MT: Which person who previously held the office you’re seeking do you hold up as a model? Why?

MC: Senator Daniel K. Inouye who was a combat veteran and warrior that always looked out for Hawaii.

MT: What (if anything) should the U. S. Congress do to reduce gun violence?

MC: Congress should uphold the constitution of the United States which allows individuals the right to bear arms.

MT: What (if anything) should the nation be doing (that it isn’t already doing) to alleviate climate change?

MC: The nation should invest in technology that reduces our carbon footprint. Through technology we will find that we will be better able to reduce carbon emissions in large proportions.

MT: In Strieff v Utah, the U.S. Supreme Court just ruled that police can keep evidence seized from stop made without reasonable suspicion if police find an even minor arrest warrant on the person stopped. Do you support this? Why or Why not?

MC: We need to uphold the fourth amendment as it is our right and civil liberty as Americans.

MT: Do you support full legalization of Marijuana? Why or why not?

MC: I’d be in favor of possible legislation when we get a better grasp on the current process to legalize Marijuana. What I mean is the issue is states v federal government. However, legalizing marijuana creates more jobs and generates more money for state economies, but we cannot lose sight that marijuana, if abused, is dangerous.

Photo courtesy Makani Christensen

Comments

comments

  • OceanLove

    dcsensui – your post is crafted like a politican – evading facts and making happy promises to everyone without a plan on how to deliver. Isnt that what everyone in DC is all about these days?

  • dcsensui

    Makani’s focus has always been about including everyone’s interests in ocean resources. From recreational to subsistence fishing. No one entity has a right to exclusive use, and that our oceans are an important part of how the people of Hawaii will survive in the decades ahead. That’s what Makani is all about. It’s not just for fishing. It’s for everyone.

    And this would be reflected in how he would do his job as a US Senator.

    Some people want all fishing to stop. They don’t like the idea of people killing and eating fish. They don’t care that hundreds of thousands of Hawaii residents rely upon fish to feed their familes.

    Anyone who eats fish, and all who fish for food, should stand together on this, and vote for Makani. He truly understands the big picture and will work to support fishermen, farmers and hunters. Because all of them help feed Hawaii.

  • Hawaii_fisherman

    Please don’t believe Ms. Umberger. She was involved with a well known eco-terrorist group, and had traveled from Maui to the Big Island to harass local fishermen. Whether or not you like certain kinds of fishing, that sort of behavior is absolutely wrong and should not be tolerated.

    Makani Christensen is a good candidate who supports local, working people. He’s got my vote!

    • OceanLove

      Ms. Umberger is a kind soul who is leading marine eco-protection, education and scientific research efforts globally. Your false statements are slanderous.

      Considering that tourism is a major part of the Maui economy ($3.5 billion spent by tourists visiting in 2007), and that tourists come to Maui for the stunning array of ecosystems (especially those in the ocean), one would think that it would be prudent to keep the island’s underwater wildlife as safe as possible.

      Without protected oceans Maui will lose tourists to other eco-friendly places such as Costa Rica- and thousands of locals would lose their livelihoods as a result. So is Makani really the best choice for the people of Maui?

    • Freesia

      Aquarium collecting is not being a fisherman, not even close. And a real fisherman would know that. What it is, is an activity that rapes the ocean and reefs for nothing greater than easy profit$ for few folks who have no respect for the ocean or the aina. That is the behavior (and support of it) that is absolutely wrong and shouldn’t be tolerated. Not to mention it negative impacts tourism costing jobs, not creating them.