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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 David Kauahikaua, candidate for Honolulu City Council District 3, which includes Ahuimanu, Heeia, Haiku, Kaneohe, Maunawili, Kailua, Olomana, Enchanted Lake and Waimanalo. The other candidates are Christopher Curren, Esther Kiaaina and Kelsey Nakanelua.

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?

When I was a kid growing up in Kailua, we never thought twice about swimming in the ocean in Kailua or Waimanalo. Today, brown water advisories are issued every time there is a storm, and too often sewage is released into the ocean.

With all the technology available, it seems like we can do better for our sea life and ourselves. I realize upgrades are budgeted for our sewer plant, but we have had upgrades in the past and we still have sewage spills.

Besides looking to city staff for solutions, I would bring together a panel of experts to address water quality. For example in Kailua, our two canals that lead to the ocean flood during heavy rainstorms and debris goes into the ocean. Thereʻs a berm in one of them to catch trash, but not the other. Storm drains that lead to the canals also need additional protection so debris does not make its way to the ocean and kill sea life.

Other top issues in our communities are traffic congestion, property crime, illegal fireworks usage year-round, lack of beach parking, illegal vacation rentals and deteriorating roads with pavement that fails after each heavy rain.

2. Year after year, we talk about the need to diversify the economy away from a reliance on tourism. Do you think that is even possible and if so what would you do?

Hawaii will likely always rely on the visitor and construction industries, however, by diversifying our economy and workforce we can provide good-paying jobs so local people can stay in Hawaii. 

I support the idea of providing tax incentives to a company willing to build a film studio on-island. In the past, the film industry has brought in about $400 million and created 4,200 jobs annually, and this industry can grow. 

Hosting cultural or art events, such as the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture for the world’s largest celebration of indigenous Pacific Islanders, is a culturally appropriate way to generate income.

“Voluntourism,” where visitors coming to Hawaii participate in community service projects, is a win-win for our island.

We also need to support companies that contribute to our food sustainability, like farming, aquaculture and ranching, whether through grants or other property tax incentives.

3. In Hawaii, the term affordable housing has lost its meaning. What would you do to help people buy homes or move into rental units?

Supporting construction of more affordable housing is important, but the housing that is built needs to fit into the community, keep within height ordinances and offer people a hospitable home that they want to live in.

In addition, housing that is built as affordable should always have to remain affordable and not be put on the market at full value within a certain amount of time.

Cracking down on unlicensed or illegal vacation rentals could open up more long-term housing options for local families.

4. The city wanted to eliminate short-term rentals from neighborhoods because they brought overcrowding. On the other hand a new state law sought to allow for higher density and more construction of homes on the same property which could bring more congestion to some neighborhoods. How do you balance the need for additional housing and private property rights while preserving the character of neighborhoods?

The city wanted to eliminate short-term rentals to stop disruptions in neighborhoods (noise, traffic, parking congestion) while also providing more long-term housing inventory for local people.

The stateʻs goal is to allow people to build more units on their property to create housing for local people. I see the value in both approaches.

But where do we draw the line on building on our lots? We need to preserve the character of our neighborhoods, ensure there is enough parking for new housing and prevent foreign investors from building and selling monster homes in communities where they donʻt fit in and where the infrastructure of the city isn’t sufficient. 

5. What should be the future of the Honolulu rail project? How do you resolve this seemingly endless drain on public money and continuing delays? Should the line continue to Ala Moana as originally planned and how will you keep operating costs under control?

The rail cost more than $10 billion to build and will likely go to $12 billion when it ends in Kakaako, but people just arenʻt riding it. There are only 3,000 riders a day, or around what six to10 city buses could carry in total on their routes per day.

The city estimates when the rail is complete it will carry 105,000 riders per day, but none of the rail authority’s estimates have panned out.

Taxpayers subsidize the cost of the tickets, so all of us pay for their trips. So far the rail has very little impact on traffic.

Taxpayers also have to cover maintenance and construction in perpetuity. That money takes away from other projects and properties the city needs to build or maintain.

I would oppose any further expansion past what is already approved unless the ridership number estimates start to pan out and make sense economically.

6. Homelessness remains a problem on Oahu. What should the city be doing differently?

Mental illness is rampant among those living on the streets. Like many others, I have a loved one who has had similar struggles with mental health and substance abuse, which led to housing issues. It isn’t healthy or compassionate to allow people who canʻt care for themselves to live on the street, on our sidewalks and in our parks.

I am supportive of Gov. Greenʻs comprehensive plan to address this very important issue.

We can partner with the churches and community groups to provide housing and help houseless individuals and families get on their feet.

Unfortunately, some people who are houseless donʻt want assistance, or believe they do not need help, and they continue to live on the beach or on the sidewalks in tent cities. I support exploring other avenues to ensure they donʻt live in public spaces and take away from the public using them.

In California, the state has an option to hold and medicate individuals if they are “gravely disabled,” and cannot provide for their own food, clothing or shelter and are a danger to themselves or others. Even though it is a state issue, I would support considering implementing a similar law in Hawaii.

7. What should be done to improve policing and police accountability in Honolulu? Should oversight of the police department be strengthened or reformed?

We need more police and extensive training for them to address a variety of issues. We also need to ensure the officers who are taking on this very difficult job have the highest ethics and protect the public with honor.

The Honolulu Police Commission can provide some oversight, however, right from the get-go, the police officers who are hired need to be thoroughly screened to ensure they are right for the job.

Any potential candidate with a history of any form of extremism or demonstrated prejudice or bigotry, a history of violence, including domestic violence convictions, criminal history or misuse of alcohol or illegal drugs, should automatically be eliminated from the hiring process.

Any crime committed on the job should be handled swiftly and with transparency so that the public knows there is accountability.

8. Honolulu has some of the worst traffic congestion in the nation. What should the city do to alleviate congestion?

There should be better coordination between city and state road construction crews so that they donʻt create traffic backlogs on every main thoroughfare in and out of the windward side. If major artery roads are being fixed, there should not be any construction or tree trimming that blocks lanes on the alternate routes.

Residents often have multiple jobs and places to take their kids. More can be done to organize carpools and bus rides to school. Because school-related traffic has a big impact, we could use incentives or rules to consolidate and manage some of this traffic. We could also give incentives to companies that allow their employees to work from home.

We need better education about rules of the road. Like the left lane is for passing only, etc.

9. What more should Honolulu be doing to prepare for the effects of climate change, including sea level rise and threats to the reefs?

All homes and landmarks close to shore are vulnerable to storm surges and sea level rising. County and state agencies should work together to identify risks and proactive measures to address problematic areas. We can also study other island nations and the mainland U.S. to see how they are impacted and dealing with sea level rise.

Funding for organizations that are trying to regrow coral reefs and keep the water safe for fish and wild life like the Coral Resiliency Lab and Kuleana Coral should be continued or even boosted.

To address climate change, energy diversification is part of the solution. There should be more rooftop projects to shade and power the urban core, including over city parking lots (and possibly along the rail line), instead of solar farms that cover fertile land that can be used for farming and food sustainability.

We also need to ensure that Oahu is abiding by official guidelines that address climate impacts such as heat waves, wildfires, storms and flooding that can cause devastation and death.

10. It’s becoming increasingly difficult to fill vacancies on the police department, the parks department and in many other city agencies. The city is struggling to provide basic services. What would you do to solve this problem and attract qualified people to fill essential services?

In talking with staff experts, they say there are several challenges for entities trying to find new employees. One is a lack of childcare in Hawaii. Another is people retired early during Covid.

Offering childcare near city offices for a reasonable cost as the federal government does in the federal building downtown, bringing back retired workers with added incentives, allowing job sharing and flex time and changing requirements so that college degrees are not required for positions where college degrees wonʻt be necessary, will help attract candidates.

In addition, streamlining the length of time it takes to hire a candidate would help.

In terms of staffing for the parks department, establishing community partnerships with groups that will care for parks in their neighborhood can help to provide additional manpower to fill in the gaps when not enough city workers are available.

11. Oahu’s only municipal landfill is due to close in 2028, but the city still doesn’t know where to put the next one. What will you do address this issue?

I would talk to Waste Management of Hawaii, that runs the landfill now, and see what it recommends. It knows much more about it than we do.

12. What lessons have you learned from the Lahaina fire? What can be done to prevent devastating wildfires on Oahu?

Coordination and communication are key.

The second a fire is reported, Civil Defense should be alerted and coordinate all of the emergency response departments.

We should follow all of the Department of Land and Natural Resources tips for fire prevention, including clearing dry brush on both private and public property.

We should work closely with Hawaiian Electric Industries and other utilities to ensure best practices are implemented and power lines are clear of dry brush.

Wildfire plans should be put into place for communities with similar physical traits as Lahaina. For example, Lanikai, which has just one road in and out, quite a bit of traffic, a lot of dry brush and senior residents who may have a tough time evacuating in a timely manner.

13. Is Honolulu a safe place to live? What can be done to improve the quality of life on the island?

Throughout the years of growing up in Kailua, I have never felt unsafe walking around at night. This isn’t the case anymore. In addition, we have had “smash and grab” attacks on our small businesses, and more property crime and even violent crime in our towns. Kailua, Kaneohe and Waimanalo are unrecognizable to the kupuna who grew up here.

While Honolulu may be considered a “safe city,” it doesn’t feel safe and statistics donʻt matter when you or a loved one have been the victim of a crime.

Many times, I considered moving away because of the cost of living, but I did not want to leave family and my beloved aina behind.

To make matters worse, our taxes are too high (we have been one of the highest taxed states) and the government keeps adding fees and taxes.

Many family members have been forced to move away because wages from one, two or even three jobs aren’t enough to make ends meet. Itʻs just not acceptable. Reducing waste in government, lowering taxes, diversifying our economy and supporting the creation of well-paying jobs are some steps toward helping local residents be able to not just survive, but thrive.