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

The biggest issue is the homeless situation.

I will support increased funding for low-income housing, as well as increased funding for mental health.

All mental health beds are filled with criminal referrals and the non-criminal mentally challenged are pushed onto the street to make room for the criminal referrals.

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?

I do have concerns about the sustainability of the tax cut.

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?

Term limits.

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

I support public financing of campaigns but the requirements are such that it’s not worth it for candidates to take part.

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

I support initiative. I support a constitutional convention.

6. 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?

Yes there should be term limits. I support 12 and 12. I also support zero outside income.

7. 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 will support good-government initiatives. I would recommend a more robust media presence. Years ago there were reporters from two daily newspapers, four television stations and an AP stringer.

8. 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?

Years ago the budget was done line by line and everyone could follow it, now they make statements about items they are adding and when the budget gets voted on, no one knows what’s in it.

9. 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?

We should support the tourist industry. We should fix Waikiki Beach.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources has been working on an environmental impact statement for 10 years with the best scientists on planet Earth, but the department’s board won’t give it approval to fix world-famous Waikiki Beach.

If we don’t have the will to fix Waikiki Beach, how can we fix anything else?

10. 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?

Term limits. All those incumbents for life are not going to change anything. Non-incumbent candidates are not the problem, it’s incumbents and powerful interest groups that do not want to give up power.