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

I believe it’s important to address the significant challenges that our district faces, particularly when it comes to homelessness, violent crimes and the high cost of living.

Homelessness — creating more affordable housing, enhancing support services, expanding temporary shelters and collaboration with nonprofits and community organizations.

Violent Crimes — strengthening community policing, investing in youth programs, implementing crime prevention initiatives and providing support services for victims.

Cost of living — promoting economic development, affordable health care, providing education and training and advocating for tax relief.

Government transparency — open data and regular reporting, citizen feedback and independent audits.

By addressing these issues comprehensively, we can improve the quality of life for residents, create a safer and more supportive community, and ensure that government agencies are held accountable to the people they serve.

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 recent income tax cut provides immediate relief for taxpayers and may stimulate economic growth.

However, there are concerns about potential cuts to essential state services. To address this, the government must control spending, seek alternative funding sources and monitor the tax cut’s economic impact closely to maintain the quality of state services.

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?

The issue of “pay-to-play” politics and corruption in Hawaii’s government is deeply concerning and undermines public trust and effective governance. It’s crucial to implement meaningful reforms to address these problems and improve the state government. Here are some compassionate proposals to consider:

Strengthening ethics and transparency laws — the lack of strong ethics and transparency laws allows corrupt practices to thrive unchecked.

Campaign finance reform — campaign finance practices can enable “pay to play” politics, so it’s essential to enforce strict limits on campaign contributions from individuals, businesses, and political action committees (PACs).

Lobbying reform — establish a mandatory cooling-off period before former government officials can become lobbyists to prevent conflicts of interest.

Inadequate oversight of judicial and law enforcement actions can perpetuate corruption, so it’s important to establish independent bodies to oversee and investigate judicial and law enforcement conduct.

To address the susceptibility of long-standing officials to corrupt practices, it’s essential to introduce or enforce term limits for elected officials, foster community engagement to identify and support candidates who genuinely prioritize the community’s best interests and encourage the recruitment and support of candidates from diverse backgrounds.

Limited public participation in government decision-making can lead to a lack of accountability, so we should implement participatory budgeting processes where citizens have a direct say in how public funds are allocated.

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 incredibly passionate about championing good-government proposals, even if it means challenging the status quo.

I am unwavering in my dedication to good-government reforms. I firmly believe that transparency, accountability and integrity are the cornerstones of effective governance. I am determined to champion measures that bolster these principles, even in the face of political resistance.

I’m not just going to sit back and watch — I’m going to actively support and champion proposals aimed at enhancing government operations, fighting corruption and amplifying transparency. I’m all about standing up for what’s right, even if it means going against the grain of party leadership when it conflicts with the public interest. I’ll be guided by the needs of my constituents and the principles of good governance, not party politics.

I’m ready to roll up my sleeves and work closely with like-minded legislators, advocacy groups and the public to build momentum for these crucial reforms. Together, we’ll foster open dialogue, seek bipartisan support, and use our voices to raise awareness about these critical issues.

Transparency is non-negotiable. I’ll make sure that my actions and voting record on reform proposals are crystal clear to my constituents. Regular updates and open communication channels will keep everyone in the loop about my work to promote good governance.

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

I believe in the power of comprehensive public financing of elections for candidates who choose to participate. This system eliminates conflicts of interest and reduces the influence of special interests, creating a level playing field for all candidates. It encourages voter engagement, increases public trust and empowers small donors, ultimately promoting fairness, transparency and democracy.

Let’s champion a system that truly represents and serves the people

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

Yes. Picture this: citizens getting to propose and vote on legislation directly. This form of direct democracy ensures that we have an active role in shaping the laws and policies that affect our lives.

Sometimes, the legislative process doesn’t address certain important issues. But with a citizens initiative process, we have the power to bring these issues to the forefront and address them directly. Imagine the surge in political engagement and voter turnout when citizens feel that their voices can directly influence policy.

We, the citizens, can act as a check on the government by providing an alternative path for legislation. If the Legislature is unable to act, we can step in and propose solutions ourselves. When elected officials know that citizens have the power to propose and enact legislation, they’ll be more responsive to our needs.

While there are concerns about the initiative process being influenced by special interests or leading to poorly crafted laws, there are solutions:

Ensuring that the funding and support for initiatives are transparent so that we know who is backing a proposal.

Legal and constitutional reviews will ensure that the initiatives are feasible and align with state and federal laws.

Resources for voters to access unbiased information about the initiatives, including potential impacts and expert analyses, will be provided.

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 believe that the implementation of term limits for state legislators in Hawaii could be beneficial for several reasons. Term limits can help prevent legislators from becoming too comfortable or entrenched in their positions, thereby avoiding complacency and a disconnect from the evolving needs and concerns of their community.

Term limits ensure a regular influx of new people with fresh ideas and perspectives. This can lead to more innovative solutions to the state’s challenges and better representation of the community’s current needs.

Limiting the terms of legislators can help reduce the influence of special interest groups and make legislators more accountable to their constituents. It can also promote a greater sense of urgency among legislators to achieve meaningful results.

Implementing term limits may encourage more people to run for office, leading to more competitive elections and greater political participation from a diverse range of candidates. It may also enhance civic engagement by empowering citizens to engage in the political process.

While new perspectives are important, maintaining institutional knowledge is also crucial. A balanced term limit policy can achieve this by allowing enough time to gain experience without becoming overly entrenched.

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?

In order to promote accountability at the Legislature, I am committed to advocating for and supporting a number of key measures aimed at enhancing transparency, minimizing conflicts of interest and fostering ethical conduct.

I am a strong proponent of mandating the Legislature to comply with the Sunshine Law, which stipulates open meetings and access to public records. Enforcing this law with regard to the Legislature will guarantee that legislative processes are transparent and accessible to the public, thereby promoting accountability and trust.

I am committed to ensuring that all legislative records, including communications and documents related to policymaking, are available to the public, except where privacy concerns legally warrant confidentiality.

I fully support the prohibition of campaign contributions during the legislative session to prevent potential conflicts of interest and undue influence over legislators’ decision-making.

I support strengthening the powers of the state ethics commission to investigate and address ethical violations among legislators. I propose the conduct of regular, independent audits of legislative activities and finances to ensure compliance with laws and ethical standards.

I am committed to implementing transparent and accountable lobbying practices to ensure that interactions between legislators and lobbyists are conducted ethically and transparently.

Encouraging public participation in the legislative process and establishing mechanisms for ongoing feedback from constituents is paramount.

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 am passionate about making the Legislature more transparent and accessible to the public.

We must require that all conference committee meetings be open to the public and broadcast live. This will allow citizens to observe the final negotiations on legislation and understand how decisions are made.

We need to mandate that all lobbyists register with the state and disclose their clients, issues they are lobbying on, and any financial contributions made to legislators. This information should be accessible to the public online. Legislators should be required to disclose any significant interactions with lobbyists, including meetings and communications, to ensure transparency in decision-making processes.

We must ensure that all votes, including committee votes, are recorded and published promptly online. This allows constituents to see how their representatives are voting on specific issues.

Encouraging legislators to hold regular town hall meetings and public forums to discuss legislative issues, gather feedback, and engage with constituents is important. Utilizing digital tools such as social media, live streaming, and online forums to facilitate communication between legislators and constituents. Providing platforms for real-time feedback and interaction is crucial.

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?

Diversifying Hawaii’s economy beyond its heavy reliance on tourism is a complex but crucial task to ensure long-term sustainability, social well-being and environmental health.

Encouraging the growth of technology startups and establishing tech hubs can create high-paying jobs and foster innovation. Investing in STEM education and vocational training to build a skilled workforce that can support tech industries. Collaborations with local universities and tech companies can enhance this effort.

Promoting local agriculture can reduce dependency on imported food, enhance food security and create jobs. Programs to support small farmers, organic farming and sustainable practices can be beneficial.

Hawaii has abundant renewable energy resources. Investing in solar, wind and other renewable energy projects can reduce energy costs, create jobs and decrease environmental impact.

Hawaii’s unique landscapes make it an attractive location for film and television productions. Offering incentives and building infrastructure can draw more productions to the islands, boosting the local economy.

Investing in health care research and biotechnology can create high-skilled jobs and position Hawaii as a leader in medical advancements.

Shifting toward eco-tourism and cultural tourism can reduce the strain on popular tourist sites and promote sustainable practices.

Providing financial and technical support to local businesses can enhance their resilience and capacity to grow.

Promoting lifelong learning and skills development can ensure the workforce remains adaptable and competitive.

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 a resident of Hawaii, I believe it’s crucial to prioritize support for middle-class and working families who are facing challenges due to high living costs.

I think it’s important to incentivize developers to build affordable housing units by offering tax incentives and subsidies. We can also push for zoning reforms that allow for higher-density housing and mixed-use developments.

I strongly believe in the gradual increase of the minimum wage to ensure that all workers earn a living wage, considering the high cost of living in Hawaii. Additionally, supporting small businesses with access to capital and business development programs is crucial.

I’m in favor of expanding access to affordable healthcare, negotiating lower drug prices and supporting renewable energy solutions to reduce household energy costs.

Expanding the state Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and increasing tax credits for child-care expenses can provide significant financial relief to families. Encouraging savings through matching contribution programs would also be beneficial.

Simplifying the application process for social services and investing in community centers that offer a range of services can make it easier for families to access the help they need.

By advocating for these strategies, we can create a more equitable and sustainable environment in Hawaii for all residents to thrive.