ÌìÃÀÊÓƵ

Editor’s note: For Hawaii’s Aug. 10 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 George Hooker, Democratic candidate for state House District 20, which includes Leahi, Kahala, Waialae, Kaimuki and Kapahulu. His primary opponents include John Choi, Tina Nakada Grandinetti, James Logue and Kevan Wong.

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

1. What is the biggest issue facing your district, and what would you do about it?

The biggest issue facing our district is the high cost of housing. Many residents, including those with full-time jobs, struggle to find affordable housing.

Additionally, we need to work on comprehensive planning that involves the state, city and county, and neighborhood boards to ensure that new developments are sustainable and well-integrated into our communities. This includes not just building houses but also ensuring we have the necessary infrastructure like sewer and water systems.

By taking these steps, we can help reduce the cost of housing and make it more accessible for everyone in our district.

2. How do you feel about the massive income tax cut just approved by the Legislature and the governor? Do you have any concerns that it will force reductions in state services in the years to come?

I believe the income tax cut, reflected in House Bill 2404, is the most revolutionary tax code change in Hawaii in the last 50 years. It aims to provide much-needed financial relief to working families, making the tax system more equitable.

While this is a significant step forward, there are concerns about potential reductions in state services due to decreased revenue. To mitigate this, it’s crucial to carefully monitor the state’s financial health and explore alternative revenue sources to ensure that essential services remain funded.

Balancing tax relief with fiscal responsibility will be key to maintaining the quality of life for Hawaii’s residents.

3. Hawaii continues to struggle with pay-to-play politics and corruption in government. What meaningful reforms do you think would change state government for the better?

To combat pay-to-play politics and corruption, we need to implement several meaningful reforms.

First, increasing transparency by expanding the Campaign Spending Commission and supporting measures to crack down on bad actors is crucial. This includes hiring more staff for the commission to ensure thorough oversight.

Second, we should push for greater transparency in campaign donations and limit contributions from companies with government contracts.

4. Candidates often say they will support reform proposals in the Legislature. And yet major reform proposals don’t pass. Will you back good-government proposals even if it means going against leadership? If you are an incumbent, can you point to an example of a reform that you supported?

I am committed to supporting good-government proposals, even if it means going against leadership. Reform is essential for improving transparency, accountability and public trust in our government.

5. Do you support comprehensive public financing of elections for candidates who choose to participate? Why or why not?

While comprehensive public financing of elections is a good idea in theory as it can reduce the influence of big money in politics and level the playing field, it also comes with significant financial challenges.

Implementing such a system could cost the state a substantial amount of money, especially if non-legitimate candidates take advantage of the funding. For instance, looking at the costs associated with governor or Senate races, which run into millions of dollars, public financing would place a heavy financial burden on the state.

Ensuring that only serious, legitimate candidates receive public funds is crucial, but the complexity and cost of such a system may outweigh the potential benefits.

6. Hawaii is the only Western state without a statewide citizens initiative process. Do you support such a process? Why or why not?

I support the implementation of a statewide citizens initiative process in Hawaii. This process empowers residents to propose and vote on legislation directly, increasing public participation in government.

It provides a valuable check on the Legislature by allowing citizens to address issues that may be overlooked or delayed by elected officials.

However, it is important to implement safeguards to prevent misuse and ensure that initiatives are well-researched and beneficial to the broader community.

7. Thanks to their campaign war chests and name familiarity, incumbents are almost always reelected in Hawaii legislative races. Should there be term limits for state legislators, as there are for the governor’s office and county councils? Why or why not?

In theory, term limits can bring new perspectives and energy to the Legislature. However, the reality is that experience and continuity are also valuable.

In the last election, we saw a significant turnover rate with 19 new representatives out of 51. This indicates that our electoral system can facilitate change without formal term limits. Additionally, it takes time for legislators to build trust and effectively implement policies.

A balanced approach, encouraging both fresh ideas and experienced leadership, might be more effective than strict term limits.

8. What will you do to ensure accountability at the Legislature? Do you support ideas such as requiring the Sunshine Law to apply to the Legislature or banning campaign contributions during session?

To ensure accountability at the Legislature, I support applying the Sunshine Law to legislative activities to increase transparency.

Banning campaign contributions during the legislative session is also a step in the right direction to prevent conflicts of interest. This measure will help build public trust and ensure that legislative decisions are made in the best interest of the community.

9. How would you make the Legislature more transparent and accessible to the public? Opening conference committees to the public? Stricter disclosure requirements on lobbying and lobbyists? How could the Legislature change its own internal rules to be more open?

Making the Legislature more transparent and accessible involves several key actions. Implementing stricter disclosure requirements for lobbying activities will provide greater insight into who is influencing legislation. Additionally, the integration of technologies like Zoom represents a significant step forward in improving legislative transparency and accessibility.

These tools enable broader public engagement, streamline communication between legislators and constituents, and enhance accountability through real-time access to legislative proceedings.

By continuing to leverage these advancements and implementing further reforms, such as enhanced disclosure requirements and expanded public access to committee processes, legislative bodies can further enhance public trust and participation in the democratic process.

10. Many people have talked about diversifying the local economy for many years now, and yet Hawaii is still heavily reliant on tourism. What, if anything, should be done differently about tourism and the economy?

To diversify Hawaii’s economy, we need to invest in our state universities for research and innovation. By securing federal grants and fostering partnerships between the Department of Educaiton and the University of Hawaii, we can create professional pathways in high-demand fields like coding and trade jobs.

Encouraging remote work opportunities can also bring money into Hawaii without increasing the population pressure. Additionally, promoting sustainable tourism practices will ensure that the industry remains a viable part of our economy while protecting our natural resources and cultural heritage.

11. An estimated 60% of Hawaii residents are struggling to get by, a problem that reaches far beyond low-income and into the middle class, which is disappearing. What ideas do you have to help the middle class and working families who are finding it hard to continue to live here?

To help middle-class and working families in Hawaii, we need to address the high cost of living, particularly housing. Promoting the development of working family housing through revising our tax code to offer financial relief to primary residents and maintaining a fair tax system are crucial steps.

Additionally, we must diversify our economy beyond tourism by championing research and innovation at our state universities, building professional pathways in partnership with the DOE and UH and supporting trade jobs and remote work opportunities.

By investing in these areas, we can create more high-paying jobs and reduce our reliance on tourism, ultimately providing more stability and opportunity for local families.