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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 Brittany Anderson, candidate for Hawaii County Council District 1, which covers North Hilo, Hamakua and a portion of Waimea. The other candidates include Heather Kimball and BJ Penn.

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

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

The deteriorating state of our infrastructure, the most pressing issue in Hawaii County, clearly indicates the government’s unfulfilled responsibilities. Our roads and bridges need repair, our wastewater treatment facilities are falling apart and nearly 50% of the island is insecure for drinking water. These are essential core services our county has failed to provide.

I am committed to taking proactive steps to address these issues. We will invest in the deferred maintenance of treatment facilities and water delivery infrastructure. Additionally, we will significantly expand sewer mains, relieving homeowners facing substantial out-of-pocket expenses to switch out cesspools.

I will propose legislation to resolve the issue of unpaved roads in limbo by officially designating them as county roads. Despite the state’s directive for the county to maintain these roads, they still need to be paved or recognized as county roads. I plan to address this oversight and ensure these roads receive attention and maintenance like all other roadways.

2. Overtourism can degrade the environment, threaten biodiversity, contribute to wear and tear on infrastructure, generate traffic and disrupt neighborhoods. What do you think about the amount of tourism on the Big Island and how it’s managed?

It’s unfortunate when our favorite local spots are overcrowded with tourists. However, when managed correctly, tourism can revitalize our rural towns and be a lifeline for local farmers.

According to the Hawaii Tourism Authority, tourism is slightly down from last year, so it’s important to manage the tourism we have.

The county needs to improve its wayfinding signage to direct visitors effectively and manage tourism pressures.

We must carefully review agritourism rules and regulations to ensure fairness and avoid unnecessary burdens. I am committed to enabling farmers to provide visitors with educational experiences and agritourism services.

3. What needs to happen to relieve traffic congestion in and around Kailua-Kona and along the Puna-Keaau-Hilo corridor?

Solutions for alleviating traffic congestion in the Kailua-Kona and Puna-Keaau-Hilo corridors must be cost-effective and responsive to the needs of the respective communities.

As the District 1 councilwoman, it would be my job to represent the people of my district and consider their needs first. One of the main reasons for the Puna area congestion is limited housing options in Hilo and north of Hilo. It is essential that we permit housing options and promote affordable housing solutions north of Hilo, so residents can live closer to where they work.

We must also improve the county’s mass transit plan, invest in infrastructure upgrades and use smart traffic management systems. Community engagement will be essential throughout the process to ensure the plan meets community needs.

4. The cost of living on Hawaii island is rising rapidly. How are working and middle-class people expected to buy a house or pay the rent as well as take care of other expenses? And how can the county government help?

The increasing cost of living on Hawaii island is impacting almost every profession. There is a shortage of teachers because the salaries aren’t enough to afford housing. Even well-paid professions like nurses and doctors find securing housing challenging.

The shortage also impacts our ability to deliver core government services. Even well-paid union workers cannot afford a home, making it difficult to adequately staff the Hawaii County departments responsible for providing core services to our community.

Overhauling planning and permitting is the first step to lowering the cost of housing. We need to change the planning landscape to encourage and welcome housing development in our rural population centers, bringing people closer to where they work.

The next step is to extend water and sewer services to developing neighborhoods. Affordable housing projects haven’t been delayed by permitting or planning; they’ve been delayed because the Water Department doesn’t have the resources to provide the water credits needed to get the project started.

The final step is to create transportation infrastructure that encourages density. Our economic centers need safe sidewalks, dedicated bike lanes and reliable public transit. 

5. Do you support the construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope on Mauna Kea?

The Thirty Meter Telescope is outside the county’s purview as the mauna is state land. That being said, I believe there is too much trauma around the telescope for it to be a viable endeavor, nor do I believe they will continue to actively pursue building TMT on Mauna Kea.

I recognize that astronomy holds cultural significance and can be a way for Native Hawaiians to find a deeper connection to their culture.

As a county, we lose a significant portion of our best and brightest to industries on the mainland. A thriving astronomy industry that promotes scientific advancement is essential for future generations, but it must also respect Native Hawaiian rights and preserve the environment.

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

Fixing the planning and permitting system and approving plans for affordable housing is the first step to getting people off the streets and into homes.

I will also monitor the effectiveness of the over $12 million the county spends each year on programs and services that address homelessness. Investing in street medicine with our medical residency and medical school programs can provide support to our houseless populations that need medical care, meeting them where they are in the moment.

7. Half of Hawaii’s cesspools are on the Big Island, some 49,300. Seepage from cesspools can make people sick, harm coral reefs and lead to a variety of ecological damage. By law, cesspools must be upgraded to septic systems by 2050. What can be done to help people who may not be able to afford the conversion?

Hawaii County will invest in significantly expanding sewer mains and high-pressure sewage transport infrastructure. In partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration, the county will establish a business training and loan program to increase the number of licensed septic vendors and help them purchase equipment. We simply do not have the resources to switch out all cesspools into septic tanks, nor should a family go bankrupt in the process.

County sewers will serve high-density communities regardless of location relative to existing treatment facilities.

Hawaii County will establish a special tax benefit district process for homeowners, allowing them to amortize the costs of improvements on private property, including septic system conversions.

8. What is the first thing Hawaii County should do to get in front of climate change rather than just reacting to it?

We are severely lacking in fire planning. Hawaii County needs a fire mitigation plan for the island and each community. It is essential that we meet with key stakeholders to implement smart climate adaptation policies.

Our farmers and ranchers know that regenerative agriculture and rotational grazing have significant positive environmental impacts. We need to make it easier, not harder, for farmers and ranchers to use grazing animals for fire mitigation.

9. Should the Hu Honua biomass energy plant be allowed to start operating? Why or why not?

Based on testimony at public hearings, the Pepeekeo community and the Supreme Court’s decision, Hu Honua should not be allowed to begin operations.  

10. How would you make the county administration more transparent and accessible to the public?

The county administration can be more transparent and accessible to the public by developing and deploying feedback mechanisms on as many public touchpoints as possible.

Our current reliance on subjective opinion in areas like building inspections, permit approvals and planning activities has created an environment where it is easy for unethical employees to accept bribes in return for favors.

Better defining processes and making them quantitative rather than qualitative will limit the power of inspectors and planners and make it much harder for them to accept bribes.