Antonio Gimbernat

2012 Candidate for U.S. Senate

ANTONIO GIMBERNAT
Democrat

1. Do you believe that the United States government should formally acknowledge the special legal and political status of Native Hawaiians, as it has done for Native American and Alaska Native Groups? If so, what would you do to secure such ackowledgment for Native Hawaiians? If not, why not?

It is my understanding that Polynesian ethnicities and cultures are clearly recognized by the United States and United Nations.
I believe the current plight of the Hawaiian culture is from legal and illegal immigration, and from pollution.
If elected I will support tougher rules and regulations on these issues.

2. What are some examples of actions that you have personally taken to better the conditions of Native Hawaiians?

 I have been a He‘e Nalu since the late 1970s. I have also learned to play the ‘ukulele to perpetuate the Hawaiian aloha spirit.

3. How would you address the challenges of the Native Hawaiian Health Care Act and the Native Hawaiian Education Act?

It is clear to me that the State of Hawai‘i Dept. of Human Services, Medicare/Medicaid Med-Quest, COBRA, ‘Ohana Health Care Plan, Hawai‘i Dental Service etc. are providing “state of the art” health care insurance services for everyone who resides in the State of Hawai‘i. So I would support the continuation and improvements (as requested by health care professionals) of the current health care system.
Regarding education: I trust that Kamehameha Schools is teaching students about their ethnicity and culture, much of which requires no modern technology. So I would support the continuation and improvement (as requested by the teachers) of the current Hawaiian education system.

The opinions expressed here are those of the candidate and do not represent the views of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

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