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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 Teri Kia Savaiinaea, Republican candidate for State Senate District 22, which covers Ko Olina, Nanakuli, Maili, Waianae, Makaha and Makua. Her primary opponent is Samantha Decorte.

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?

Public safety is the paramount issue facing our district, requiring a comprehensive strategy. As senator, I will prioritize:

Enhanced police presence and community policing: Building trust and preventing crime through increased police engagement by working closely with the city and county mayor as well as the Honolulu City Council.

Youth development and mentorship programs: Providing positive alternatives to reduce juvenile delinquency with focus on after-school programs that provide a safe place and resources for our youth.

Mental health resources: Addressing substance abuse and untreated mental health issues is key to providing resources to those struggling with homelessness.

Community education and participation: I will organize town halls and workshops to involve residents in safety initiatives to get involved on a grassroots level and make effective changes to our community.

Environmental design improvements: Enhancing lighting and maintaining public spaces to deter crime.

Collaboration with local organizations: Partnering with nonprofits and community groups for comprehensive safety solutions.

Together, I believe these measures will create a safer and more resilient State Senate District 22.

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 substantial income tax cut approved by the Legislature and the governor is designed to provide financial relief to residents, potentially stimulating economic growth and supporting families. 

While the immediate benefits are clear, I have concerns about the long-term impact on state services. Reduced state revenue from these tax cuts could jeopardize essential services such as education, health care, mental health services and public safety.

Balancing fiscal relief for residents with the need to sustain vital state services is essential for long-term community well-being.

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 am committed to addressing pay-to-play politics and corruption in Hawaii’s government through meaningful reforms. Key measures include:

Strengthening transparency laws: Advocate for rigorous disclosure requirements for campaign contributions and lobbying activities to ensure accountability.

Enforcing stricter ethics rules: Support independent ethics commissions to investigate and penalize unethical behavior, champion conflict-of-interest laws, and more transparency and accountability in the process.

Enhancing whistleblower protections: Ensure robust protections for whistleblowers to encourage the reporting of corruption and unethical practices.

Reforming procurement processes: Implement reforms to minimize favoritism and corruption in government contracts.

Improving voter access and participation: Promote civic education and encourage in-person voting while addressing potential challenges associated with automatic voter registration, such as data privacy and fraud safeguards.

Advocating for term limits: Introduce term limits to bring fresh perspectives and reduce entrenched interests in government.

Through these reforms, I aim to create a more transparent, accountable and fair playing field for the people of Hawaii.

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?

Absolutely, I am unwavering in my commitment to support good-government proposals, even if it means going against leadership. I firmly believe in prioritizing transparency, accountability and ethical governance, and I am prepared to champion these principles regardless of political pressures.

Integrity and public interest are my priorities and the core of my approach to governance.

I am committed to ensuring that the voices and needs of the people are heard and respected, and I will continue to champion reforms that enhance the quality and accountability of our government.

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

No, I do not support public financing of elections. Through public funds, taxpayers are forced to support political parties and candidates whose views they may not share.

Public financing of elections turns the government into a special interest group. Additionally, we already have public funding as an option for candidates. So, if your definition of “comprehensive public funding” is to make it mandatory, I cannot support that.

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 implementing a statewide citizens initiative process in Hawaii and would go further to include referendum. Such processes empower residents to propose, repeal and vote on laws and amendments directly, enhancing participation and ensuring that the voices of the people are heard. This mechanism can serve as a vital tool for addressing issues that may be overlooked or stalled in the Legislature.

The citizens initiative and referendum processes encourage civic engagement, promotes accountability and allows for a more responsive government. It provides a direct means for residents to enact meaningful change on issues that matter most to them.

By supporting these processes, we can strengthen our democracy and ensure that the interests and concerns of Hawaii’s residents are more effectively represented.

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 support implementing term limits for state legislators, similar to those for the governor’s office and county councils. Term limits can help prevent the entrenchment of power and encourage fresh perspectives and ideas in the legislative process. They promote political diversity and reduce the influence of entrenched interests, fostering a more dynamic and responsive government.

Term limits can also encourage greater civic engagement by providing more opportunities for new candidates to run for office. This can lead to a more accountable Legislature that better reflects the evolving needs and priorities of the community.

By supporting term limits, I believe we can enhance the effectiveness and integrity of our state government, ensuring that it remains focused on serving the best interests of the people.

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 support several key reforms:

Apply the Sunshine Law to the Legislature: Extending the Sunshine Law to the Legislature will promote transparency by requiring open meetings and public access to legislative proceedings. This will allow constituents to stay informed and engaged with the legislative process.

Ban campaign contributions during session: Prohibiting campaign contributions during the legislative session will help prevent conflicts of interest and reduce the influence of money in decision-making. This ensures that legislative actions are based on merit and public interest rather than financial considerations.

Strengthen ethics and disclosure requirements: Enforcing stricter ethics rules and requiring detailed disclosure of financial interests and campaign contributions will hold legislators accountable and increase public trust in the legislative process.

Establish independent oversight: Supporting the creation of independent ethics commissions to investigate and address unethical behavior will ensure impartial oversight and accountability.

Enhance public engagement: Encouraging greater public participation through regular town hall meetings, public hearings, and online platforms will ensure that legislators are responsive to their constituents’ needs and concerns.

By implementing these measures, I believe we can create a more transparent, accountable and ethical legislative process.

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?

To make the Legislature more transparent and accessible, I propose the following measures:

Open conference committees to the public: Ensure all conference committee meetings are open and live-streamed, allowing constituents to follow the legislative process and hold legislators accountable.

Stricter lobbying disclosure requirements: Implement comprehensive disclosure for lobbyists, including detailed reports on activities, expenditures and meetings with legislators. This will help the public understand lobbying’s influence on legislative decisions.

Regular public hearings and town halls: Mandate regular public hearings and town hall meetings for constituents to voice concerns and ask questions directly to their representatives, fostering greater engagement and responsiveness.

Enhanced online access to legislative information: Improve the Legislature’s website to provide easy access to bills, voting records and meeting schedules, with real-time updates and easy searchability.

Transparency in voting records: Publish detailed voting records for all legislators on every bill and amendment, making it easier for the public to track their representatives’ positions.

Revise legislative rules: Limit the number of bills or resolutions a legislator can introduced. Remove the authority of committee chairs to unilaterally kill any bill referred to their committee.

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 and reduce reliance on tourism, we need a strategic, multi-faceted approach:

Promote responsible tourism: Shift to eco-friendly practices that benefit local communities and preserve Hawaii’s beauty. Support local businesses and invest in sustainable infrastructure.

Invest in education and workforce development: Develop retraining programs and support skill acquisition in emerging industries. Strengthen STEM and vocational education to prepare the workforce for diverse opportunities.

Develop reliable energy sector: Invest in efficient and safe energy projects. Reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels and explore nuclear power for reliability and stability.

Support agriculture and local food production: Encourage local agriculture to reduce food imports and promote food security. Provide grants and resources for small farmers and develop local food distribution infrastructure.

Cultural and creative industries: Promote Hawaii’s cultural heritage through arts, film and music. Support local artists and programs to attract investment and tourism focused on cultural experiences.

Policy and legislative support: Implement policies for economic diversification, including tax incentives for new industries, streamlined regulations for startups and targeted investment in key sectors.

I believe these steps will build a resilient, diversified economy, reducing dependency on tourism and creating sustainable opportunities for future generations.

11.  An estimated 60% of Hawai’i 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 support Hawaii’s middle class and working families, I will take the following actions:

Affordable housing: Increase affordable housing by offering incentives to developers and streamlining building regulations. Expand public housing to provide more options for families.

Cost of living relief: Advocate for tax relief for middle-class families. Work on reducing the state tax burden and securing tax incentives for essential services such as childcare, healthcare and utilities.

Education and workforce development: Enhance STEM education and establish retraining programs to help residents gain higher-paying jobs. Promote vocational training and apprenticeships to create diverse career paths.

Support local businesses: Secure grants and low-interest loans for small businesses to boost local entrepreneurship. Push for policies that favor local procurement and stimulate job growth.

Reliable economic diversification: Invest in renewable energy, agriculture and technology sectors. Promote responsible tourism practices that benefit local communities and create sustainable jobs.

Transportation and infrastructure: Improve public transportation systems to reduce commuting costs. Invest in infrastructure projects that create jobs and support economic growth.

By taking these steps, I believe it will help alleviate the financial strain on middle-class and working families, making it more feasible for them to thrive in Hawaii.