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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 Ikaika Olds, Democratic candidate for state House District 23, which includes Moiliili and McCully. His primary opponents are Pat McCain, Paul Robotti and Ian Ross.

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 most pressing issue in our district, encompassing both crime and homelessness. Drawing from my decade of experience as a social worker directly assisting the homeless in my district, I propose a comprehensive strategy that addresses not only these immediate concerns but also tackles affordable housing and education.

To combat crime, I advocate for the construction of a modern prison with expanded capacity. This would allow our judicial system to appropriately sentence offenders. Additionally, I propose creating a specialized wing within the prison dedicated to individuals arrested due to homelessness or behavioral incidents. In this safe space, mental health and social service providers can engage with them while removing them from the community.

For homelessness, prevention is key. I emphasize supporting our public schools to provide quality education, which can help prevent homelessness. Furthermore, I endorse established programs like CORE, RYSE, H3RC, IHS, Family Promise and Catholic Charities. These organizations work tirelessly on the frontlines to engage, support and house our homeless population. Let’s work together to build safer, more resilient communities! 

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?

While I generally support this tax break, I recognize its potential as a double-edged sword, necessitating close attention to both immediate and long-term consequences. As someone who works closely with individuals experiencing poverty and living paycheck-to-paycheck, I anticipate that some may find relief, including working-class families like mine.

Overall, it could help alleviate the high cost of living in Hawaii.

However, as a seasoned social service provider, I harbor concerns about how the Legislature will address financial gaps. Many people rely on government assistance programs, including subsidized housing initiatives. Without careful budgeting, these tax cuts might inadvertently exacerbate homelessness or put vulnerable populations at risk. Additionally, the benefits of tax credits and income tax changes may not significantly impact those in entry-level jobs who struggle to cover rent and put food on the table for their families. Only time will reveal the true impact of these measures.

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?

 As a staunch advocate for campaign finance reform, I firmly believe in capping political donations and restricting campaign spending. In the political arena, it’s widely acknowledged that elections often favor those who raise the most funds, rather than the most qualified candidates. This dynamic compels politicians to solicit donations from deep-pocketed individuals and, unfortunately, often leads to reliance on special interest groups.

To curb this “pay-to-play” system, one effective approach is implementing spending limits for elections. Leveraging existing race-spending caps applicable to candidates using public funds can be a practical solution. For instance, in House District 23, the primary and general election spending limit stands at $20,299. These modest limits would encourage all candidates to manage their campaigns more efficiently and discourage them from seeking additional funds from special interest groups once they reach their allocated budget. Let’s work toward a more transparent and equitable electoral process.

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 a man of my word. I’m running because I love my family and love my community, and I gave my word that I will be their voice in the Capitol. If my community is behind major reform proposals, I will fight for those proposals.

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

Regarding campaign donation and spending rules, I advocate for public funding and a robust public financing program to empower candidates in challenging incumbents.

However, I also propose implementing spending and donation caps tailored to each political race. If these limitations were enacted, candidates might overwhelmingly rely on public finance, making it increasingly difficult to secure alternative funding. Consequently, the system’s supportiveness could diminish.

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

After speaking with many constituents, I’ve heard their frustrations with the Capitol, and I understand their desire for a statewide citizens’ initiative process in Hawaii. Such a process could empower everyday citizens to make impactful changes through democratic means.

However, implementation is crucial. We must carefully limit the number of issues allowed on the ballots and establish a method for selecting them. While direct democracy voting has merits, it can also lead to mob rule and undermine elected representatives.

Additionally, lengthy ballots may cause voter fatigue. Therefore, I support exploring ways to make this process feasible, but we must remain mindful of its implementation to ensure its effectiveness. 

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?

Our current situation presents both advantages and disadvantages. Political longevity and experience play a crucial role in legislative productivity. Veteran legislators, well-versed in the legislative process, patiently navigate its inherent barriers to find solutions. This benefits constituents and new legislators alike, as mentorship and observation enhance effectiveness and impact.

However, there are downsides to prolonged incumbency. Long-term legislators might become overly influenced by lobbyists, hinder innovative legislation due to a status quo mentality or fall into complacency. To address this, term limits could inject urgency into legislative work, knowing time is limited.

Balancing these factors, I propose term limits of 10 terms (20 years) in the state House and five terms (20 years) in the state Senate. This approach aims to maintain experience while preventing stagnation and promoting fresh perspectives.

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?

Trust in government hinges on transparency and accountability. While Hawaii adheres to open government principles, public mistrust and dissatisfaction with elected officials persist. To address this, I propose increased public access and targeted community engagement.

We must increase public access with more public participation in the legislative process. Committee meetings and closed-door discussions on current legislation should be accessible to the public. Installing video cameras in representatives’ offices could facilitate this transparency.

Next, we need engagement beyond neighborhood boards. Our representatives should engage with the community beyond the rigidity of neighborhood board meetings. Community town hall sessions would allow constituents to ask tough questions and debate issues directly with their representatives. Currently, we often receive reports from intermediaries, which shields representatives from accountability.

By fostering greater transparency and direct engagement, we can bridge the gap between elected officials and the public.

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?

Again, trust in government hinges on transparency and accountability. To achieve this, the public must have full access to the legislative process. I propose providing the public with open meetings, advanced public notice and full public participation.

All political meetings and discussions related to current legislation should occur in full view of the public. This can be achieved by allowing in-person attendance or live recording with readily accessible videos for those who miss the sessions. Meetings should provide advanced public notice, including details about the bills, participants, meeting room, time and viewing options.

Transparency begins with informed citizens. While ensuring timely proceedings, allowing public participation during discussions fosters engagement and ensures legislators remain accountable to the people they represent. By implementing these steps, we can enhance transparency, build trust, and keep our elected officials open to scrutiny.

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?

Hawaii stands to gain significantly by investing in renewable energy technologies, including solar, wind power and geothermal sources. Not only would this create jobs, but it would also contribute to lowering the cost of living for residents. Additionally, positioning Hawaii as a hub for STEM and R&D research across various fields, especially renewable energy and trans-Pacific digital infrastructure, could drive innovation and economic growth.

Supporting local agriculture is equally crucial. By backing local farmers, we achieve economic diversity while ensuring access to fresh, locally grown produce. This approach benefits both our economy and public health, as locally sourced options can be more affordable and nutritious than imported alternatives.

Lastly, nurturing our film industry offers substantial economic advantages. Productions like “Magnum P.I.” and “Hawaii 5-0” have demonstrated this impact. Beyond providing a platform for local talent, the industry supports a robust logistical chain, employing hundreds of people behind the scenes.

By integrating these strategies, Hawaii can reduce its reliance on tourism and foster a more stable and diverse economy. 

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?

Having worked with people experiencing homelessness, housing instability and poverty for a decade, I’ve witnessed the struggles faced by local families. For many working-class residents, the most significant monthly expense revolves around housing. In my district, some studio apartments now reach $2,000 per month in rent.

To address this, we must prioritize affordable housing, particularly along mass transportation routes like the rail. Achieving this requires collaboration between the government and developers, with a focus on assisting those falling below the ALICE (asset limited, income constrained, employed) threshold. These individuals earn more than the federal poverty level but struggle to meet basic living costs.

In 2022, 44% of Hawaii households were below the ALICE threshold. Many of these households consist of working-class, blue-collar workers. Any rental project labeled as “affordable housing” should consider these households, capping rent at 30% of the median income for those below the ALICE threshold. Additionally, we can continue constructing mixed-use, 60/40 affordable housing buildings, allowing locals to own property.

By combining these efforts with previous cost-of-living mitigation strategies, we can create targeted affordable housing solutions for those who need them most.