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Editor’s note:ÌýFor Hawaii’s Nov. 8 generalÌýelection, Civil Beat asked candidates to answer some questions.

The following came from Justin Kollar, candidate for Kauai County prosecutor.ÌýThere is oneÌýother candidate, Lisa Arin.

Go to Civil Beat’sÌýElections GuideÌýfor general information, and check out other candidates on theÌýGeneralÌýElection Ballot.

Name: Justin F. Kollar

Office seeking:ÌýProsecuting attorney, Kauai County

Occupation:ÌýAttorney

Community organizations/prior offices held: Prosecuting attorney, 2012-present; deputy county attorney, 2009-2012; deputy prosecuting attorney, 2008-2009; law clerk to Judge Daniel R. Foley, Intermediate Court of Appeals, 2006-2007; past president, Rotary Club of Kauai; past membership director, East Kauai Lions Club; member, Hawaii Supreme Court Board of Bar Examiners; member, Hawaii Access to Justice Commission Subcommittee on Self-Representation and Unbundled Legal Services; past president, Kauai Bar Association

Age as of Aug. 13, 2016: 42

Place of residence: Wailua, Kauai

Campaign website (includes video):

1. This year has seen an outsized influence from people who want big changes in how government is run. What would you do to change how your office is run?

Our criminal justice system is improving but we have to keep working to make sure we are balancing the need for consequences with compassion and opportunities for rehabilitation and re-entry.

2. Should your county implement a 0.5 percent GET surcharge? If so, for what purpose?

No.

3. There is a desire to grow the economy through new development yet also a need to protect our limited environmental resources. How would you balance these competing interests?

Balance is in everyone’s best interests.ÌýWe can only have a thriving economy if we preserve the parts of Hawaii that make us so special — ohana, environment, safety, aloha.

4. What would you do to strengthen police accountability?

I have been a strong voice for the accountability of our police and justice system.ÌýAt significant political cost I have worked to ensure that police are held to consistent standards as anyone in our community.ÌýPolice have incredibly difficult jobs to do and I have worked as hard as I can to enhance and support law enforcement in our community while reinforcing the credibility of the system.ÌýWe succeed only to the degree that the public has trust and confidence as us to preserve the public safety.

5. What specific steps would you take to strengthen Hawaii’s lax lobbying, ethics and financial disclosure laws?

Transparency is a sine qua non in today’s political environment.ÌýIf the public does not trust us, we will be ineffective in executing our mission.ÌýMy area of concern is ensuring the integrity of our criminal justice system but I support any and all initiatives aimed at increasing the public trust in the work of government.

6. Would you support eliminating Hawaii’s high fees for access to public records when the request is in the public interest?

Yes.

7. Voters complain their elected officials don’t listen to them. What would you do to improve communication?

I pride myself in returning all constituent communications in a timely manner.ÌýConstituents expect and deserve a responsive government.ÌýMy pledge is to continue listening and responding in an honest and open way.

8. What do you see as the most pressing issue facing your office? What will you do about it?

Crystal methamphetamine and the resulting consequences in terms of property and persons crimes.ÌýI will continue to work with our investigative agencies to build on and strengthen information and intelligence sharing and enhance our efforts to remove dealers from our streets while providing treatment and healing opportunities to those afflicted by substance abuse so that they can rebuild their lives.