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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 Clayton Hee, Democratic candidate for state Senate District 23, which includes Kaneohe, Kahaluu through Laie, Kahuku to Mokuleia, Schofield Barracks and Kunia Camp. His primary opponent is Ben Shafer.

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? 

The important issues facing the 23rd Senate District are the erosion and destruction of the coastal highway from Kahaluu to Mokuleia caused by rising sea level due to climate change and the looming edict of the EPA for cesspool upgrades, including septic tank installation. Both issues will not be solved overnight. These issues require a much more proactive approach by the Legislature requiring leadership at all levels of government for the long run.

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 bill, including doubling the standard deduction, is long overdue. 

I agree with the governor that reductions in state services are not likely to occur.

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 would revisit all of the recommendations made by the task force led by former Judge Daniel Foley. I would consider following up with the task force and encourage the leadership of the Senate to introduce legislation that has not been passed and support the task force recommendations.

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 open to revisiting these reform proposals through legislative hearings if necessary and asserting my position regardless of other influences, including leadership.

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

I support comprehensive public financing provided that the mechanism levels the playing field for all candidates. However, in light of the Citizens United U.S. Supreme Court opinion, I have grave concerns that the playing field will be level because of the influence of Super-PACS in local elections.

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 a legislative hearing to discuss the merits of this proposal.

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 strongly believe a discussion regarding term limits has merit.

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?

Requiring the Sunshine Law at the Legislature may likely require a longer session paid for by taxpayers. I would suggest a public hearing on this matter.

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 open to hearing ideas and proposals on this issue.

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 am a farmer. I feed people. The taro and produce I cultivate help to offset the high cost of food in Hawaii. Our family is food-secure.

I grow sufficient complex carbohydrates (taro, breadfruit, banana, sweet potato), protein (egg layers, meat birds including chicken, turkey and geese, pig, goat, sheep) and vegetables (lettuce, tomato, onion) on our homestead for family and friends.

In addition, I farm wetland taro at a site in Kaneohe. 

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?

In 2014, I introduced a bill raising the minimum wage that was signed into law by Gov. Abercrombie.  As a result, the wages for middle and working class families also increased. Certain legislators have discussed a living wage. I would be open to learning more on this proposal.

Housing is the largest single financial burden on Hawaii working families. Innovative ways to lower the cost of housing may include modular or pre-fabricated homes if the cost of shipping material is reasonable without increasing the cost prohibitively. Working with the Building Trades Council as well as developers are key components to this kind of proposal succeeding.

A legislative commitment to expanding land and water availability for agriculture (not fake farms) is also important. In addition, a legislative financial commitment to funding via grants and appropriations for the expansion of agriculture is also critical to diversifying the economy beyond tourism.