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Editor’s note: For Hawaii’s Aug. 8 Primary Election, Civil Beat asked candidates to answer some questions about where they stand on various issues and what their priorities will be if elected.

The following came from Neil Azevedo, candidate for Hawaii County mayor. Other candidates include Paul Bryant, Bob Fitzgerald, Michael Glendon, Robert Greenwell, Stacy Higa, Wendell Ka’ehu’ae’a, Yumi Kawano, Harry Kim, Ikaika Marzo, Mitch Roth, Mike Ruggles, Ted Shaneyfelt, Tante Urban and Lahi Verschuur.

Go to Civil Beat’s Elections Guide for general information, and check out other candidates on the Primary Election Ballot.

1. Hawaii’s economy has been hard hit with the outbreak of the coronavirus and measures toÌýprevent its spread, mainly because of the collapse of the tourism industry. Should we continue toÌýrely largely on the visitor industry for economic vitality? What concrete steps would you take toÌýbring tourism back? What else would you do to diversify the island’s economy?Ìý

Since tourism got hit hard because of COVID-19, the tourism industry has taken a huge dive inÌýrevenue. Moving forward we need to promote inter-state tourism with promotions to drive locals’ businesses. We should also look more into agriculture.

Farmers are available to provide differentÌýgoods for locals and possible export of products. Construction is another section to look at sinceÌýwe can provide jobs and some affordable homes for our families here in Hawaii County.

2. As the economy struggles, the county may have to cut expenses and seek new revenueÌýsources. What would you cut? And what is an area where you see potential new revenue?

To cut anything would be a last resort. By cutting items, we cut people out which is what we donÊ»t want to do. We will need to work with the Finance Department to look for areas where we canÌýmake adjustments. We would like to concentrate on making the permitting process more efficientÌýso more building projects can get started, which will increase county revenue and provide more jobs.Ìý

3. What would you have done differently to handle the coronavirus crisis on the Big Island?

We would have worked to build a team of professionals in different fields so we could makeÌýinformed decisions based on the CDC’s recommendations. We need to make common senseÌýchoices to ensure the safety of the people of Hawaii County and enforce measures for the protection of our citizens.

Clear communication is important to keep people in the know. ByÌýbuilding this team of experts we would have come up with a plan for recovery.

4. State and county residents, government officials and developers have been split over effortsÌýto build the Thirty Meter Telescope on Mauna Kea. Do you support construction of the TMT? DoÌýyou support the protesters? What would you have done differently in the past year to resolveÌýthe issue?

I donÊ»t support the building of the TMT on Mauna Kea. What I do support is the safety of allÌýpeople of Hawaii County. Being that it’s the stateÊ»s decision to go through with this, we need to make sure that things are being done the right way and following protocol.

What I can do is toÌýhold the governor accountable for this decision to build and work toward a solution.

5. Homelessness remains a problem statewide, including on Hawaii island. What would you do toÌýcome to grips on this persistent problem?

I would like to partner with non-profit- and faith-based groups to provide shelter, health services and education. We also need to work together with those groups on affordable housing optionsÌýin different communities. Build a community where they can contribute and learn a trade, likeÌýfarming. Let them know they are important and deserve a better way of life.

6. Recent deaths of citizens at the hands of police are igniting protests and calls for reformÌýacross the country, primarily aimed at preventing discrimination against people of color. Do youÌýsee this issue as a problem in Hawaii County? What should be done to improve policing andÌýpolice accountability on the Big Island? Should oversight of the police department beÌýstrengthened or reformed?

Oversight of the police department should definitely be strengthened or reformed. Officers areÌýsupposed to be held in high regards. The faith and safety of the public rely on them to enforceÌýrules and policies to protect and serve the public. When we lose faith in that, chaos can emerge.

What we don’t want to happen is a situation similar to what is happening in other parts of the U.S. We live on an island and need to know that our families are safe. As mayor, I am prepared to make sure that happens.Ìý

7. Hawaii’s public records law mandates that public records be made available wheneverÌýpossible. Gov. David Ige suspended the open government laws under an emergency order duringÌýthe pandemic. Do you agree or disagree with his action? What would you do to ensure the publicÌýhas access to open meetings and public records in a timely fashion?

Public records are meant to be available to the public. Not allowing access to those documentsÌýraises questions and leaves the public doubting the government. To ensure public access, we needÌýto work on policies that allow for access that is not restricted and done in a timely manner.

8. What more should Hawaii County be doing to prepare for the effects of climate change,Ìýincluding sea level rise and threats to the reefs?

The actions I will take involve working with qualified specialists in the field of climate change toÌýidentify the threats and work together on solutions. Being able to adapt to climate change isÌýimportant for our future.

We will work with the existing climate adaption plan, since it was madeÌýto make sure that we budget and plan for the impact climate change has on our way of life. ThisÌýcan prevent additional cost increase in the future.

Ìý9. The coronavirus pandemic has exposed numerous flaws in Hawaii’s structure and systems,Ìýfrom outdated technology to economic disparity. If you could take this moment to reinventÌýHawaii, to build on what we’ve learned and create a better state, a better way of doing things,Ìýwhat would you do? Please share One Big Idea you have for Hawaii. Be innovative, but beÌýspecific.

We need to devise a better system of screening at ports of entry to Hawaii. This will serve as aÌýprocess to minimize the threat to our local ecosystem and population as well. We currently haveÌýa system of quarantine for animals and protocol for agriculture. We should also look into a typeÌýof health screening for visitors, potential residents, and returning locals to protect the people ofÌýHawaii’s well-being.

10. What do you see as the most pressing issue facing the Big Island? What will you do about it?

Currently, the most pressing issue facing our island is regarding missing children and human trafficking. The amount of children gone missing is alarming and needs to be addressed. I amÌýdedicated to bringing awareness to this situation and will work with law enforcement to developÌýa plan.

This will strengthen our presence as we work on further training options for specialized law enforcement and businesses where these types of situations tend to occur. This will also allow for those involved to recognize key signs of trafficking.

We need to do better for our keiki.ÌýThey are our future and need to be protected.