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Editor’s note:ÌýFor 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 Aileen Acain, Republican candidate for State House District 11, which covers a portion of Maalaea, Kihei, Keawakapu, Wailea, Makena, Kanahena and Keoneoio. Her opponent is Democrat Terez Amato.

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 issue we face in District 11 is over-development. Infrastructure needs to be updated such as electrical to the businesses and residences on the South Side, along with creating another highway for the Kihei, Waile, Makena community to access in the event of another catastrophic fire, or flood.

Cleaning up the drug addicts that are homeless and pose a threat to our community is also important.

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?

Property taxes should be cut, along with GET. Hawaii is the worst state for taxes.

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, as well as auditing accounting; and having public gatherings, not behind-closed-doors meetings for those corporations that donate behind the scenes. Implement the Sunshine Law.

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 would support good-government proposals if it means going against leadership, especially those who have been lifelong politicians that don’t deserve to have gotten this ridiculous raise in their salary the past two sessions.

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

 As someone new to this, I would support public financing for candidates who are participating. It establishes transparency of how that candidate operates, which builds trust in the community.

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

I do not support the process, because the majority of the population resides on Oahu.

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?

Yes, there should be term limits. Becoming a career politician and not seeing any great results for the people of Hawaii needs to end.

There are better, brighter, younger candidates that we need to help build the future of Hawaii, and not allow these lifelong politicians to just be paid by the hardworking taxpaying citizens, as we struggle to survive.

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?

Yes, I support implementing the Sunshine Law to apply to the Legislature.

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?

Yes to all of the above. 

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?

As someone who’s been in the film industry all my life, I’ve been helping to develop a strong stable film industry since moving back to Hawaii in 2002.

I’ve also fought for an increase in the film tax bill, so there would be more incentive for productions to film in Hawaii, which provides hundreds of jobs.

The film industry enhances the tourism industry as people love to travel to Hawaii to see their favorite shows or movies that are being shot in Hawaii or have been filmed in Hawaii. 

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?

As previously mentioned, I have been a huge advocate for a strong film industry in Hawaii.

Having grown up in this industry, it has allowed me to be experienced in skills that can be used in other industries. Along with having been one of Hawaii’s top actors, and stuntwoman, I’ve been training people across the islands in work behind the camera, as well as in front.

Many of the people that have worked on the TV shows and movies filmed in Hawaii have been able to purchase homes and enjoy other benefits, such as becoming a union member in the film industry. The pay rates are above minimum, and the film industry has been known to bring billions of dollars to Hawaii.