My constituents honored me by electing me as their State Senator in the 8th district - Hawaii Kai, Niu Valley, Aina Haina, and Waialae Iki. Now, as a result of this year's reapportionment, I look forward to representing those of you living in Waialae Kahala and Diamond Head as well.

I'm honored to serve you and try to do my very best. Hopefully, you believe I represented you honorably, and support my re-election.

When I first ran for office in 1996, I promised I would work hard, be accessible, listen, and not be afraid to speak up for you. Many of you have called, faxed, written or e-mailed me at the capitol, my home, or my Hawaii Kai business. you know I return every phone call. I meet with residents all year 'round at the capitol, community meetings, school events, and sports activities. I talk to many of you while grocery shopping, at longs, the movies, or McDonald's.

As Senate Minority Leader, I've spoken passionately for issues we share in common. Sometimes, we may have disagreed, but I always sought your views and tried to fairly represent the best long term interests of Hawaii.

Now, I am running for re-election and humbly ask your continued support- and vote. This year's election is the most important since statehood.

I pledged all my effort to make Hawaii work again, and to support meaningful economic and educational change. While we made some progress, we still have a long way to go to end educational problems, stop job loss, and strengthen families. I offer you my experience, continued leadership, and personal commitment to make Hawaii better.

I promised personal advocacy of several specific positions, including:

(1) Improving and diversifying Hawaii's business and investment climate to create more jobs;

(2) Ending the 4% tax on food, medical services and low income rents;

(3) Systemic educational reforms, including decentralization, local elected school boards, autonomous charter schools, more choices for parents, keeping promises to teachers,textbooks for every child and timely completion of the deplorable $600 million school repair and maintenance backlog;

(4) Punishment of criminals, not victims, and

(5) A sensible environmental strategy consistent with a dynamic economy.

You decide how effective and consistent I have been. Check the official senate record for my advocacy of these issues, speeches I made, and votes I actually cast or call me.

Yes, I was the first legislator in 1997 to question the outrageous "traffic scam cams" and vote against them from the beginning until this year's repeal. I fought to return hurricane fund money to premium payers. Working with my colleagues, we passed the only tax cut in Hawaii's history, ended the "High 3" special retirement benefits for legislators, brought you affordable auto insurance, increased educational budgets, raised the age of consent, and preserved our environment. But I'm not satisfied. we need to do more.

Some questioned if one person- a Republican- could be effective. I supported every tax cut and opposed every tax increase, amended budgets, but you still have a high tax burden, and Hawaii still ranks lowest in the nation in important economic measurements. I want to change that.

I serve on 5 of 10 senate committees, the Felix Special Investigating Committee, more than 125 conference committees annually - and have nearly perfect attendance. In 6 years, I missed only 1 senate floor session. I personally attend all neighborhood board, school, and community meetings, and help in fundraising and volunteer efforts with my own resources. I work hard and take my job seriously, because I know I work for you.

I've taken positions unpopular with the ruling majority. I cast critical votes on tough, controversial issues and have more "no" votes than anyone else, often being a lone voice. I voted against special interest business bailouts, physician assisted suicide, and gambling, while supporting incentives for new jobs and legal protections for our children.

You may know I haven't held a fundraiser since 1996, and refuse campaign contributions until I actually begin to campaign. I believe-and practice - true "clean money" campaigning. In six years as your senator, I never spent a penny of the extra annual $5,000 legislative allowance, pay my own medical, spent less than allowable funds for staff, refused the private capitol elevator, "free" airport parking, country clubs and entertainment, other special perks, and didn't take trips at taxpayer expense. I pay my own way as I do in my personal and business life; the same as you do.

I'm happiest with my children, helping coach sports, or enjoying a day at the beach or other places that make Hawaii so special. I'm not a career politician, but I'm willing to fight an arrogant government that has overtaxed, regulated, and demoralized a large segment of our population. We all work harder but have less time and resources to enjoy our life. That's not right.

My priorities remain family, community and business. I view elected office as an extension of my community responsibility, not a stepping stone for personal gain or higher office.

Win or lose in '02, I won't stop working for you. In order to earn your vote, a candidate must offer you more than sign waving, expensive brochures, or promises. I know how to make decisions, follow priorities and be accountable, how to meet a payroll and live within a budget - to exercise fiscal discipline. So does every single mom, family, and small business. Things our legislature fails to do. Our problems are not economic; they are political, caused by excessive, wasteful government as the State Auditor reports indicate. We must live within our means, and hold government accountable too.

I'm a proud U.H.-Manoa grad who's worked many jobs: retail sales, banker, economist, college professor, journalist, radio m.c., small business owner, and president of the non-profit Small Business Hawaii.

Like many of you, I have two adult children and a grandson living on the mainland because they can't afford to live here . I also have two sons -12-year old Sid, an 8th grader - and a darn good baseball and football player, and 9-year old Spencer, a talented Kamiloiki 4th grader who plays baseball, football and piano!

We too struggle in an economy plundered by special interests who reward themselves and others, for who they know, rather than what they know. We discourage those who want to work and who create jobs. Forbes magazine is right about Hawaii's poor business climate. I know how to change it and will with your help.

Many of our friends have been forced to close their business or move, because they have better economic choices elsewhere. We can do something about that. we can turn things around. leadership, not more government, is what Hawaii needs. It requires change. You will ultimately make a difference on November 5. If you don't vote, nothing changes.

My focus remains on the next generation, not the next election.

If you agree with me, had enough politics as usual, and believe as I do, that Hawaii's best days still are ahead, please vote for me, Sam Slom, November 5.

You have great power, but you must exercise it. If you have any questions or need my help, just call me. I'm in the book (home) 808-396-7566; (personal cell) 349-5438, business (SBH) 396-1724 (fax) 396-1726 or through email at campaign@samslom.com. You can reach me at the State Capitol - 586-8424 for discussion of legislative issues or questions.

Aloha, and Mahalo for visiting my campaign website. Let me know what additional information you would like posted here.

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