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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 Debralynn Desilvacarveiro, candidate for Kauai County Council. Other candidates include Jade Battad, Addison Bulosan, Donovan Cabebe, Bernard Carvalho, Mason Chock, Felicia Cowden, Mike Dandurand, Billy DeCosta, Luke Evslin, Victoria Franks, Richard Fukushima, Ed Justus, Arryl Kaneshiro, KipuKai Kuali’i, Jakki Nelson, Wally Nishimura, Rory Parker, Shirley Simbre-Medeiros, Naomi Taniguchi and Clint Yago.

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 to prevent its spread, mainly because of the collapse of the tourism industry. Should we continue to rely largely on the visitor industry for economic vitality? What concrete steps would you take to bring tourism back? What else would you do to diversify the island’s economy?

No, we should be allotting our farmers and herders with more space to live sustainably.

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

I would cut the golf fund and the highway fund, which is the state’s responsibility, and residential areas with golf courses should be taking care of it, not the county.

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

Our mayor has done an awesome job so far, I would not open up our island as yet.

4. Homelessness remains a problem statewide, including on Kauai. What would you do to come to grips with this persistent problem?

Well if they could build a substance rehabilitation center here on Kauai for youths, and now not even use it for that purpose, we should have opened up empty places and housed the homeless.

5. Recent deaths of citizens at the hands of police are igniting protests and calls for reform across the country, primarily aimed at preventing discrimination against people of color. Do you see this issue as a problem in Kauai County? What should be done to improve policing and police accountability on Kauai? Should oversight of the police department be strengthened or reformed?

Hold them accountable regardless of their code of silence, they swore an oath to protect and serve. As well, we as residents should do the same.

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

Well I don’t have much to say about our elected governor, but everything should be able to accessible.

7. What more should Kauai County be doing to prepare for the effects of climate change, including sea level rise and threats to the reefs?

During this pandemic, we have seen a significant change to our reefs at some beaches, it gave them time to regroup and flourish without the chemicals of suntan oils, etc. I would ensure that our beaches have time off. Climate change is going to happen regardless, we only can do what is physically possible to do, other than that, it is in the nature of the atmosphere.

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

I would reflect on what is working and what isn’t, remove the unworkable and excel at what is working. Residents should be able to obtain a little space for farming. I would get rid of all the big ag companies doing business here and give residents a portion to live sustainably.

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

Our children being hungry in school because they can’t afford to pay for food. The homeless on our streets and nowhere to lay their heads. And our kupuna being mistreated by their caregivers.