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Editor’s note: For Hawaii’s Nov. 5 General 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��Brandon Elefante, Democratic candidate for State Senate District 16, which covers Aiea, Aiea Heights, Halawa, Pearlridge, Newtown, Royal Summit, Waimalu, Waiau, Momilani, Pacific Palisades and Pearl City.��His opponent is Republican Patricia Beekman.

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?

Public safety issues (increases in property crime), speeding, homelessness, increase in insurance rates, cost of living and more affordable housing. 

During my first term representing my district, I introduced various bills and resolutions that proposed solutions to these issues. If re-elected, I will continue to introduce and support legislation that keeps our communities safe, addresses affordability for our residents, and addresses any other issues through a proactive and constituent-focused approach.

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 supported House Bill 2404, which became Act 46, as it will provide income tax relief to low- to middle-income households and working class families.

According to Gov. Green when signing this legislation into law, “As a result of these changes, the state income taxes paid by working class families will fall by 71 percent by 2031.”

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?

In the 2023 legislative session, the Foley Commission recommended a series of bills to create more transparency in government, from banning fundraisers during the legislative session to reporting requirements, and increased criminal penalties for public corruption. 

We need to continue to do an assessment of our ethics laws and legislative processes, and increase reporting requirements. As elected officials, we are held to a higher standard by the public and there should be zero tolerance for corruption.

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?

Yes, I’m open to supporting good and balanced proposals that would create more transparency in our system. I supported legislation for public financing for candidates running for public office.

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

Yes, I voted in support of proposals in the past as it relates to public financing for candidates running for public office. A critical component is ensuring that we have the adequate funding sources. 

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

I voted in support of Senate Concurrent Resolution 196, which would have called on Congress to have a Convention of States and apply it to certain amendments.

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?

We currently have a ban on fundraising during the legislative session.

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?

I believe the public should have the opportunity to participate and weigh in during the legislative process, including conference committees.

The state Legislature has a wonderful Legislative Reference Bureau and Public Access Room. I think we should highlight what they do and show the public that getting involved in the legislative process isn’t as difficult as they think it is.

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?

Tourism is still a critical component to our economy. It provides so many careers and jobs for local families.

Although we have depended on tourism for many years, it is important to implement policies to manage tourism in a balanced approach that is sustainable for our delicate island ecosystem. Most notably, we need to find new and creative ways to sustain ourselves.

Hawaii and its people have so much to offer. I think we need to leverage the advantages of our location and population to become a leader in innovative industries, like sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, creative media and building community resiliency for future years to come.

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?

With Gov. Green signing Act 46, it is a significant milestone for low- to middle-income families and a huge tax break for these families. 

We can incentivize businesses to recruit Hawaii’s own. In the same vein, we need to create good-paying jobs within the public sector that are comparable or better than other sectors in those industries. We need to encourage new technologies and industries to invest here and provide residents with options to work here.

We need to create more housing opportunities for the middle-class and low-income households. One way we can do this is by looking at the low-income housing tax credit structure, and figure ways to increase this kind of tax credit to encourage more development of affordable housing.

The state can also provide land to developers in exchange for building these affordable units.

In addition we need to create more housing around the transit-oriented development areas, such as near the Skyline rail stations. The state owns the majority of land around the rail stations and we can be a leader in providing more housing options.

Lastly, nothing happens without education and training. We can invest in education and training by assisting students with child care, connecting them to transportation and encouraging paid internships.