ÌìÃÀÊÓƵ

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 Daniel Gabriel, Republican candidate for State House District 46, which covers a portion of Waipio Acres, Launani Valley, Wahiawa, Whitmore Village, Waialua and Mokuleia. His opponent is Democrat Amy Perruso.

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?

The biggest problem facing District 46 is the influx of homeless encampments that fail to meet the guidelines of sanitation, safety and proper use of public lands as well as at times infringing on the rights of private property owners.

This issue is multi-faceted due to several stresses that lead to homelessness. The homeless community is perpetually fed through cases of drug abuse, mental health issues and the ever-growing cost of living. Solving this epidemic will require a multi-layered approach of order, enforcement, education/rehabilitation and economic opportunities.

The short-term answer lies in programs like HONU (Homeless Outreach and Navigation for Unsheltered Persons). It is also strongly dependent on having the proper law-enforcement agencies on site to ensure the correct use of public and private land.

The intermediate solution is a two-part process, which involves transitioning individuals from short-term support to long-term shelters as well job placement into positions needed throughout the community. The permanent solution involves economic development to provide jobs and income in hopes of get individuals to a level of self-sustainability.

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?

Green Affordability Plan II (GAP II), which became the largest income tax cut in state history, is a step in the right direction. Although we operate under a progressive tax bracket system, GAP II will effectively lower the income tax for earners at all income brackets up to $475,000 a year.

I believe a better implementation of the tax bracket exists. Prior to 2024, tax returns with a Hawaii AGI of $150,000 or greater represented 8.5% of all tax returns, yet this segment contributed 53% of the state’s individual income tax. In my opinion, it is unethical to hold one earner to a different standard than the next. Yes, the high-income earner does have more, but taxing that earner at a higher percentage discourages growth, innovation and the retainment of high-income earners, who could establish philanthropic endeavors, increase jobs through business and sponsor value-added projects in the community.

I do not believe the recent tax cuts will force reductions to services offered by the state. Supply-side economics shows us the exact opposite. To be point-blank, public servants need to learn how to properly manage and allocate our tax dollars made available to them.

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?

The state offices must implement term limits. Campaign committees should be banned from accepting donations from companies, lobbyist organizations and political action committees. These donations are clearly used to influence elections.

The only influence on an election should come from the beliefs, values and desires of the constituents.

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 will back transparent-government initiatives regardless of the will of the leadership. As a public servant, I am accountable to the constituents of my district, not the majority or minority leaders of the party system.

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

I support comprehensive public financing of elections for candidates who choose to participate. I believe this question ties into question No. 3.

First, this program requires the candidate to obtain at least 200 contributors of at least $5 to their campaign, which signifies that the candidate invested the time to speak with and connect to a large portion of constituents in the respective district. The public funding is a match-based system that caps off at various amounts, depending on the office in question.

Second, this program levels the playing field for a new candidate with fresh ideas against an incumbent, who may be backed by big-business, powerful unions, big-Pharma and other special interest groups with unlimited funding.

Finally, I believe the $50,000 limit for the primary and general election is more than enough for a state House candidate to purchase signage, connect with the community and get your message across to the constituents of your district.

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 statewide citizens initiative process. I believe a more informed and involved customer is a better customer. The constituents need to become an integral part of the democratic process. We need to put the days of failing to vote and shunning the political process behind us.

Let’s face it, an extremely large portion of our constituent base feels that the political system is rigged. Therefore, they believe their input is not valid and quite frankly a waste of time.

I would like to see that change. Implementing a statewide citizen initiative process gets the constituent to tune in, drive change or preserve the way of life as they know it. This process will also keep the current class of public servants accountable in real time.

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?

All public offices should have term limits.

Politics should not be a viable life-long career. Public service should be done with an intent to improve or preserve the community that you call home. It should not be carried out with the intent of job security and wealth accumulation.

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?

Accountability within the government is non-negotiable.

Regarding open meetings, I support the Sunshine Law. I believe that all governmental proceedings must be publicized, whether via live-streaming, in-person or via recording.

In respect to disciplinary action, it is the right of the public to know and understand the charges/disciplinary action brought against public servants.

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?

If the public is not allowed in the sessions in-person, it must be available by broadcast via livestream, public television or radio.

I believe that corporations, lobbyist organizations and political action committees should be banned from donating to political campaign committees. It creates an environment where politicians cater to those entities before the will of the people in the communities in which they serve.

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 holds some of the youngest land on the face of the earth. Its position on the globe makes it one of the most valuable resources for agriculture, wellness and health.

We must tap into the inherent potential of this land and begin producing agricultural products not by mass factory farming practices, but instead, we combine our knowledge of the landscape, hard work of its people and local innovation to secure our food supply and export the best produce around the world.

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?

We need to abandon the progressive tax system and introduce supply-side economics driven by a low-rate, broad-based flat tax, government spending restraints and minimal regulation.

This will place more money into the hands of our middle class, which has been proven to increase innovation, consumer spending and incentive to keep the greatest minds on the islands.