 Aloha and welcome to Ehana Kako. We're here every week on the Think Tech Hawai'i Broadcast Network. I'm Kili Akeena, president of the Grassroot Institute. Here in the state of Hawai'i, we are impacted by the federal government, perhaps more than any other state of the union. And so the people that we send to Washington, D.C., to represent us play an extremely important role. But sometimes we wonder, how well are they representing us? We have a rare opportunity now to fill a vacant seat in Congress. And I'd like to say at the outset how sad I am personally and how much I send my condolences to the family of the late K. Mark Takai, who served Hawai'i well. I had the privilege of knowing him since his youth at the University of Hawai'i and saw his career. He has truly been a great servant for the people of Hawai'i and we extend our aloha to his family and to all who are close to him. What that means, however, for the rest of the state is that there is a vacant congressional seat and there's the opportunity also to fill that seat into a full term. Right now running for that seat is Shirlene Ostrov, a former colonel in the United States Army, a woman who has started her own business and now somebody who is going to throw her hat into the rink as the Republican challenger for the seat. Let's welcome her to the program. Shirlene aloha and welcome to the program. Thank you very much. Thanks for having me on the show. I'm delighted. I just want to tell you how proud we are that somebody is rising to the mantle and taking on really a monumental task to run as the opposition party in a state that is largely one party. It is. I'm proud to do it and I'm excited to represent the alternative voice here in Hawai'i. Well, that's something very important and really your run, as I understand you, is not about partisanship. It's not that Republicans are better than Democrats or better than Libertarians. It's about the importance of having another voice. That's right. I think it's key for us and any state to have a vibrant two party system. You know, as I say, iron sharpens iron and in order for us to have the best ideas, we've got to keep each other on our toes and the Republican voice is a very important voice that has to be represented in the national conversation. That's right. And you talk about national conversation. We have this interesting nexus of local and national issues here in Hawai'i. Yes. Probably more interesting than almost anywhere else in the country. Absolutely. Absolutely. And that's what I hope to do. The national, the majority up in Washington, D.C., is a Republican party. That's right. And so Hawai'i currently is not represented in that majority. And that's why I think it's important for Hawai'i to have a second voice. So you're suggesting as well that should you be elected, you'd be able to work with the Republicans that are in power, giving Hawai'i more options than we currently have. Absolutely. Absolutely. I think it's very important actually to have that voice and to be able to have influence on both, in both parties. Now here in Hawai'i, there's something that we're very sensitive about and that's the importance of the military presence. Yes. Whether we go back to World War II and the bombing of Pearl Harbor or look at the complexity of the world today, especially in the theater of the Indian Ocean and Pacific Rim and so forth, Hawai'i is a critical place for the nation security and the military presence here is very important for Hawai'i. Yes. You actually come from a strong military background. Absolutely. In fact, in your background, you've had not only military experience as a colonel in the Army, you've also been Air Force. Air Force. Yes. Sorry for the wrong coup out there. Oh no. But you also have had some diplomatic experience in working with Congress. Yes. What are your views on national security? So I think you're exactly right. The main reason why I wanted to run is not because I wanted to be part of the majority party in Washington, D.C., although that is critical. The reason is because I understand the challenges that we have ahead in the national security arena. And Hawai'i plays a very, very important role in the national security strategy of the country. If you look at the region of the Pacific, the main threats of the future, that's where they are. And Hawai'i can and will play a major role. And so I believe Hawai'i should have somebody who is very experienced and knowledgeable in the national security arena to read the way. What are some of the major threats, or at least one of the major threats that we're facing today in the world, especially from our point of view here in Hawai'i? Well, I would be remiss if I didn't say that for our national security we must remain focused on destroying ISIS, first and foremost destroying ISIS. But the threats of the future are not so much far into the future. If you look at China, for instance, China has been aggressive in building their military. That's right. And also building islands in the South China Sea with no challenge. And that very aggressive move should worry the United States. In fact, as you mentioned, China shift our attention slightly from ISIS. Yes. It reminds me that we've had so much attention on the Middle East over the last decade that we haven't really observed on a national level the extent to which Hawai'i and the Pacific Command have been absolutely important in keeping peace in this vast region of the Pacific Rim. Absolutely. What are some of the other areas in the Pacific Rim that we need to be concerned about? Well, you know, if you look at the North Korea continues to be menacing. And even Russia, if you read the paper just this weekend, Russia has launched a new aircraft carrier in the region. And so these threats are alive and well, and we have to be able to address them. And many of them are not neatly compartmentalized. That's right. Distant military threats. Take, for example, what goes on in the Philippines and its relationship to drug trafficking. Yes, exactly. Exactly. When you look at all of these challenges together, I think that the national security agenda is going to be prime in the Pacific. How would you advise the President, that's one of the roles that Congress and the Senate play, how would you speak to the national role or the United States role in the world in terms of security? That's a great question. I think that the United States has a leadership role in this world and should be the leader in the Pacific. And they are. And so if I were to talk to the President, I would make sure that the strategy includes a mix of diplomatic and military strategies to engage our allies and to make sure that those that are threats out there understand that there are a lot of different relationships in the Pacific that could prove to be problematic if someone chooses to get a little out of hand. Very often we hear from our members of Congress, particularly our delegation, commentary on how the President is doing. Yes. What would you have to say by way of advice to the next President of the United States? I won't put you on the spot and ask you who it is. Yeah, please don't. But what would you have to say to that President in terms of the kind of leadership that needs to be shown from the Oval Office? That's a great question. I actually firmly believe that in order for the United States to have its place in the national leadership spectrum, we have to make sure that our military is properly resourced to meet the challenges. You'd be a strong advocate for maintaining a strong military? I am. Now, understand that doesn't mean a blank check for the military. Having been in the military for a long time, I understand how the industrial military complex can just get awry. But I do believe that the President has to put his importance on a strong military presence. You look across the world and you see the United States as it is regarded by our enemies and friends alike. What has happened to the reputation of the United States? And what do you think you can contribute to the building of our reputation as a member of Congress? Well, I'm always going to say, and I believe it with all my heart, that the United States is the world's best military. It has a world's best military and has that reputation around the world. But that being said, our capability has been degraded over the last eight years or so. And we have a lot to catch up on. We don't have the technological edge we once had because of lack of investments in those things. And we've just wasted years making sure that we kept that edge. Our troops are tired. Our equipment is tired and needs to be refreshed. And so there's a lot that I would make sure that a lot needs to be done. Absolutely. One of the essential ingredients to having a strong military is a strong economy. Yes. Nationally and within our states as well. You have some views about the Hawaii economy and I don't think you are a stranger to something that all of us know. Our cost of living is continually rising. Yes. Our ability to make a living and keep our children at home suffers from the brain drain. Yes. Because the opportunities aren't here and so forth. Yes. What are some of the causes that you think you could address from Washington D.C. in terms of finding solutions for Hawaii's economy? You know, that's a great question. The cost of living is something that matters to us every day. I'm raising children that are teenagers and we sit around the dinner table and talk about the cost of living in terms of whether we're going to spend our next dollar on and how we're going to get the things we want to get. So it's something that's near and dear to my heart as a mom and as a citizen of Hawaii. Now, being out here in the middle of the Pacific, the most isolated archipelago in the world, we're dependent pretty heavily upon importing our food and our supplies for buildings and steel and everything else involved in that, which makes us very dependent upon the shipping industry. That's right. You have some strong ideas about some reforms in Washington. I do. I'm very, very familiar with the shipping industry. I've done transportation my entire life in the military globally. And the Jones Act is something that adds on unnecessary burden to Hawaii families as well as Alaska and Puerto Rico. But I'm looking at Hawaii families and it's an unnecessary burden for the shipping to support the national security of our country. And it just increases our cost of living exponentially. I think over $3,000 a household. And I know I can do a lot more with $3,000 in paying extra for it. What kind of solution do you think you could suggest for this? And I want to preface that by saying that politically we haven't gone very far with bringing any kind of reforming or updating to the Jones Act because oftentimes voices stand at extreme positions opposed to each other, shouting for keeping it absolutely the same as it's been 100 years or repealing it completely. You have a different view, don't you? I do. I've been involved with the Jones Act my entire career as a transportation officer. And I believe that there is room to amend the Jones Act for the 21st century. I do believe that there's some things that we can do so that Hawaii and Alaska and Puerto Rico citizens do not have to play these extreme prices for the price of our national security. Alaska, in fact, has many particular exemptions for certain industries and so forth. Do you think Hawaii could possibly make use of that kind of legislation? I think Hawaii with the right leadership at the helm can make use of that legislation. Absolutely. It's no secret that our current congressional delegation stands lockstep opposed to any changes whatsoever or updating of the Jones Act. Yes, and that is one thing that differentiates myself from the other voices out there. I believe that there should be an amendment to this and I do believe that it's time for change and that Hawaii family's voices should be heard and their concerns should be prime on how we represent our folks in Washington, D.C. Before we go to a short break, I'll ask you a quick question. Yes. If you're elected, you'll be working with three colleagues probably who are Democrats. Yes. How do you anticipate your teamwork? You know, I've spent decades working with people from different walks of life, different political views, different countries. I have no problem. I have no doubt that I can do a great job as my past has, as my past can show you on how to get the mission done. And for me, this is a mission. We'll be right back after a short break and I want to ask you a little bit more about the kind of impact that Washington, D.C. has on Hawaii in terms of the ability to run a business or to make a livelihood. I'm talking with Charlene Ostrov, retired colonel from the United States Air Force, a business leader here in the state of Hawaii who's thrown her hat into the rink to be the Republican contender for the congressional district number one seat. We'll be back with her in just a moment. Don't go away. Aloha, everybody. My name is Mark Shklav. I'd like you to join me for my program, Law Across the Sea, on thinktechhawaii.com. Aloha. Looking to energize your Friday afternoon? Tune in to Stand the Energyman at 12 noon. Aloha Friday here on Think Tech Hawaii. Aloha. Aloha. I'm State Senator Russell Ruderman. I represent the Pune and Kau District on the Big Island and the host of Ruderman Roundtable. We're here on Think Tech Hawaii every other Tuesday at 2 p.m. You can join us at thinktechhawaii.com. You can find a link there to a page where you can see past episodes. And we talk here about good government, environmental issues and issues of the day facing the state of Hawaii. I'm Russell Ruderman. Please join us for the Ruderman Roundtable. Mahalo. Welcome back to the final segment of today's Ehana Kako. Every week we're here on the Think Tech Hawaii Broadcast Network, and I'd like to tip my hat to Jay Fidel and all the great crew who make it happen here. They produce about 35 hours of original content from downtown Honolulu that goes across the world, is broadcast multiple times on broadcast stations here, and seen on the internet forever, really. And you can find that content on all kinds of issues such as the economy, government, society, culture and the arts at thinktechhawaii.com. By the way, as you may know if you watch regularly, we call ourselves Ehana Kako, because at the Grassroots Institute we like to mimic, if you will, a venerable old Hawaiian saying, a pule kako. If you're in Hawaii, you'll hear a pule kako all the time. That means let's pray together. Ehana Kako means let's work together, because think of the terrible alternative. If we don't work together, we'll get nothing done. But if we work together, nothing can stop us, and that's what we need. That's part of the spirit that Shirlene Ostrov would take to Washington, D.C. in terms of bringing people from disparate backgrounds together to work, whether they're Republican or Democrat, or from any other kinds of backgrounds. And so I'm going to dive right back into our conversation. Shirlene, people don't like Washington, D.C. very much. No, they don't. But it's kind of a love-hate relationship, because here in Hawaii we seem to always turn to Washington, D.C. to get more funding for things. And at the same time, we're not fully aware of the extent to which Washington, D.C. interferes with our freedoms and our lives and our businesses here. But you've been looking at that for quite a while. I actually have had three assignments in Washington, D.C. So I consider that a way as my second home. Oh, I don't know if you want to let that out. Yeah, exactly. But I do understand that the power in Washington, D.C. when wielded properly can really be a help to the folks back home. And so that's why I put my hat on the race. I understand what Washington, D.C. can bring to the people of Hawaii with the right leadership. Well, that's so very important. But unfortunately, Hawaii is strapped in many ways by policies that Washington, D.C. initiates, affecting our taxes, affecting small business. You and I were talking a little bit about that. Yes. Yeah, I think the taxes can definitely be something to address, you know, simplifying the taxes. The tax code would be great in order for people to stimulate the economy, to open their businesses or provide jobs, expand their businesses, those kinds of things. I think that there's opportunities there to really make a difference for the folks back home. That's right. I appreciate some of your comments you gave me last week regarding a grassroots institute newsletter that we sent out in which we pointed out how complex the tax situation is and how hard it is for us here in Hawaii. It is. I lament when we just went through the past tax season. I remember when I was just coming out and working, I could fill out a 10-40 EZ and comply with the federal law and now it's a complicated process that only the experts can understand, even for someone as simple as myself. That's right. Here in Hawaii, how are small businesses faring under laws relating to medical insurance or minimum wage or other federal regulations? I think that the small businesses here are challenged, quite frankly, by the weight of the regulations from Washington, D.C. and that's the voice that needs to be brought to Washington, D.C. that people in Hawaii and everywhere would like to see simpler taxes and simpler regulations that would allow them to make some decisions and start their own businesses and be great parts of their society, wherever they're from, but especially here in Hawaii. I know you have a special heart for the individuals who are working in the fishing industry here in Hawaii. Absolutely. And recently you stood with some of our well-known political leaders, Governor Arayoshi, Senator Akaka. You want to tell us a little bit about that? I just believe that those leaders in particular have served Hawaii well for many years and they understand the needs of Hawaii. Well, they came out recently with a letter in which they opposed an action of President Obama to expand the National Marine Monument known as Papahanaumokoakea. It's a complex issue, though. It is complex. It's mixed with good and bad. I care about the fishing rights of the native Hawaiians, but I care about the fishing rights of the industry here. It's a very important industry here in Hawaii. And the science, you know, there's a lot of things that go in it. Like you said, it's complex. We could talk about the science behind it for a long time, but I do stand behind Senator Akaka, Governor's Kaitan on Arayoshi because they understand the issue. They understand the complexity of the issue, and it's not just a simple yes or no. Sure. And what are your thoughts about the expansion of federal power? That's a massive expansion of federal power into our backyard. That's exactly right. I don't know that there's a place for that here in Hawaii, especially in this particular issue. It's something that I believe in smaller government, the smaller government reach, definitely the federal government reach into things like the Hawaiian fishing rights is, I think, a stretch too far. Well, this is a highly politicized issue, so it's a good kicking off point for me to ask you this next question. Yes. As you work with people from different political backgrounds and points of view, what do you bring to the table? You're working in a state, Hawaii, that is largely Democrat, empowered by the unions. The other members of your congressional delegation, should you win, will be Democrats, and yet you have alluded to earlier that you have the ability to work with the Republicans. How do you envision your role being able to span these two different points of view? That's a good question. I think one thing that works for me in this situation is that I spent several decades working in different environments and with different political parties and with different people with different interests. I understand that in order to make something work that you have to be able to negotiate different points of views. Quite frankly, I think that experience will come to bear very well in this situation. I think in the military, you've learned quite a few lessons about leadership. Yes. What lessons do you bring to bear upon becoming a congresswoman? Well, I believe in the core values that I've been brought up with, integrity first, service before self. Service before self, that's clearly, and then excellence in all we do. Those three core values is what I bring to the table and I'm excited to bring that to the table of a congressional position if I win. One of the things we've observed in the presidential primaries and in a few other races here in Hawaii is that people are no longer necessarily voting a long party line. It seems that particular candidates, the issues that they stand for are taking a more prominent place in the minds and actions of the voting public. So people are going to make choices. So what I've respected is you've spoken with respect about the competition about Colleen Honabusa. Yes. And yet you differentiate yourself from her. Very much so. What are some of those markers of this differentiation? You know, one of the major markers is that I'm not a career politician and so my agenda is pretty clear. I want to represent the people of Hawaii as you know, as you can imagine, running in a federal race is not an easy task and it's not for the faint of heart. And I'm doing this because I really believe that Hawaii does deserve someone who's bringing a whole different experience to the table, different points of views. I've worked in many different administrations there in Washington, D.C. So I understand how that can be done and how to navigate the system pretty well. Well, one of the things that is often asked of politicians and unfairly so, I think, who are female is the quote-unquote woman's question. What do you bring to the table? Yes, exactly. What would you do for women? And while I think that the premise of that question is questionable itself, it's something that you probably have to address all the time. It is. You know, as you can imagine, I came in the military 25-plus years ago. So you've had tremendous experience in climbing the ladder and doing it within the system and doing it earnestly and sincerely, and I'd stand on the shoulders of many women who came before me and I think that... I don't even think it's a question anymore. I think that there's a place for us and I feel and I know that I can bring that leadership skill to bear. You've already spoken of your belief in a strong military. Yes. And at the same time, the military is probably one of the most egalitarian societies that exists, giving opportunity to everyone based upon their character and based upon their competence. How would you bring that kind of model to society itself? You know, I believe, not only in the government structure, but I believe in civil society and those kinds of things are important in civil society. In civil society organizations, we don't necessarily rely on a formal rank structure for value. And so I've been involved in many things like a halau in Washington, D.C., some other organizations here in Hawaii, crime stoppers and things like that to be part of the civil society that helps and it doesn't matter what rank you are. Those kinds of egalitarian ideas are key in just making it work. Well, you've let our viewership know a little bit about your positions, your stance and so forth. Usually at the front end, people talk about their personal life. I wanted to save to the end this question a bit about your ties to Hawaii. You mentioned that you are in a halau, a halau in Washington, D.C. So I was born and raised here, so when I went to the University of Florida, I knew I was going to come back. 25 plus years later, I'm back. Married my husband 26 years ago and we've traveled all around the world and Hawaii has always been home. That's been our roots. When I was in Washington, D.C., I was fortunate enough to help co-found with four others, a hula halau that's not the largest there in that area and we teach culture of Hawaii who we are. You've been a long-term ambassador for Hawaii. Absolutely, absolutely. As we look to the future, in some ways it's dim for our children here in Hawaii when it comes to whether they can own a home, whether they can find a meaningful living here in this economy, whether they will have the freedoms that generations before have fought and died for and yet I think you may be a little more optimistic. What is your vision that we can craft together? I am very optimistic. When I first started in adulthood we had just finished Desert Storm so the world was tumultuous and I remember being in college when the wall came down. So I've only known this change, this constant change in the world and I think I thrive on it and that optimism coupled with hard work, hard work and the belief that you can do it and really putting yourself out there to be part of the solution. Well, Cherlene Ostrov, thank you for putting yourself out there. Thank you so much for having me on the show. A lot of people are going to be watching. Thank you. Cherlene Ostrov running for United States Congress from Hawaii. You can look her up if I turn back to her for a moment here at her website. Yes. It's www.chirlienostrov.com. Very good. Thank you for watching again. I'm Kelea Atina, president of the Grassroot Institute saying, let's work together from the ThinkTekawaii Broadcast Network until next week.