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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 Cross Makani Crabbe, candidate for State House District 45, which covers Waianae and Makaha. His primary opponents are Desiré DeSoto, Philip Ganaban and Ransom Kuiokalani Soares.

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?

Currently, I think the biggest issue our district is facing is a lack of resources dedicated to public safety. We are continuously seeing that our current systems in place are not able to effectively prevent and enforce against crime. We are also not addressing where the crime is coming from.

I think that we need to invest in crime prevention initiatives that are community based, especially a Neighborhood Safety Office.

Not all communities react to situations in the same way; by implementing crime intervention procedures or protocols, we can empower communities to address crime in areas where there is a lack of law enforcement resources.

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?

The tax cut was aimed to provide relief to our working families, which are the foundation of our economy and society. The public has strongly expressed that our state tax cuts have only been benefiting the rich, I think this measure is a step in the right direction that our state values the quality of life of our working families.

Some long-term consequences include reduced state services which, is a valid potential concern. That is why it is imperative more than ever that we manage the state budget accordingly. We will need to be intentional with our spending and seek new revenue sources to account for any possible financial pitfalls.

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?

I propose restricting employees or associates of companies and organizations from donating to political candidates if they are seeking government contracts.

Our laws allow loopholes for companies to exert influence over our elected officials. If we implement similar reformation measures, we will be removing the opportunity for corrupt behavior to take place.

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?

Yes, being elected means answering to your constituents, not governmental leadership.

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

Yes, I think it creates a fair playing field for participants instead of continuing the narrative that only those with money or connections to money can win an election.

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

Yes, I support such a process because it offers an avenue where the legislators are not the only ones to control the initiative of change, but allows for the public to initiate change themselves through democratic means.

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?

I think term limits are a conversation that we as a state need to have as a whole. There are many kinks that would need to be ironed out before implementing such rules. For example, many much-needed changes would not have come to fruition without the chronicity of long-term elected officials spearheading and pioneering projects?

If incumbents are doing their job, the people deserve the right to re-elect those who they trust to represent them in their government. I propose limiting the amount one may be able hold or expend in their campaign account to address funding concerns.

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?

I am always open to discussing reformation surrounding accountability. I think that banning campaign contributions during session is a good start in removing the possibility or opportunity of corrupt behavior.

I think that the Legislature should also keep a record of activity for each elected official. For example, if they express how hard they are working, then we should see how many bills they are introducing, how many bills they have passed, how much funding they were able to secure for the district, how many town halls or community meetings they have hosted, how many events they have attended, etc.

This record of activity will allow the public to see a snippet of their productivity without it being restricted to social media, which many people do not have access to.

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?

I personally think that the Legislature could be more accessible to the public by having mobile testimony resources throughout the state, especially for rural communities and neighbor islands.

Many people do not have access to strong bandwidth to provide quality participation with the current technological systems that the Legislature uses. By providing these places of mobile testimony, this can elicit more civic involvement for large groups to participate.  

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?

I think that we need to invest more in diversifying our economy. Researching what drives other economies around the world and replicating similar processes here in Hawaii. We have been stuck in old habits and systems that are not allowing us to maximize the resources we have in our own state.

In terms of tourism, we need to prioritize the well-being of our natural resources. The overcrowding of our natural resources are having detrimental impacts on the environment and our people.

By offering more experiences to be involved in our cultures and promoting business with locally owned and operated companies, we can assist in maintaining our beautiful aina, while mitigating overtourism related issues.

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?

As someone who is born and raised in our state, I personally experience my peers leaving Hawaii in search for a better quality of life elsewhere. If we want to keep kamaaina here, we need to invest in reasons for them to stay. There are many initiatives that I feel could address the struggles of living within our state. Some of these solutions include:

Utility assistance — offer subsidies or rebates for families who are struggling to pay for everyday necessities such as electricity or water.

Economic diversity — promote and invest in new industries other than tourism which will create more jobs and opportunities.

Workforce development — expand job training programs, especially to our youth, to equip them with skills that make them competitive in the job market.

Childcare support — offer early childhood education and childcare subsidies to allow working families relief on financial burden and give children an early start to education.