Buy a plate lunch dinner for $8 or cook dinner for $4? Have a manicure for $20 or do my own nails for free? Every day, we are faced with making budget-related decisions based on setting priorities, whether it is for professional or personal reasons. Decisions relating to the state budget require data and thorough analysis to make optimum funding decisions.

For me, many issues rise to the top: education, health and safety, and the environment. I strongly believe that the top priority must be education. We need to educate the children of today so that they can be productive citizens of tomorrow. I also believe that our environment should be a top priority in the state budget. Hawai'i is a unique and beautiful paradise, and we need to take immediate measures to preserve our environment. Many of our businesses and industries are tied to Hawai'i's environment — tourism, food service and culinary. The state budget needs to be balanced and accommodate the needs of the people of Hawai'i.

We must be especially meticulous when making decisions because of the economic predicament Hawai'i is facing.