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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 P.M. Azinga, Republican candidate for state House District 30, which covers Kalihi, Kalihi Kai, Keehi Lagoon and Hickam Village. Her opponent is Democrat Shirley Templo.

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?

That which affect all aspects of life on Oahu is unequivocally the Jones Act. Whether that be the cost of living, rent, food, electricity, clothing, even toilet paper. What I would do specifically is massive reform by:

— Exempting the non-contiguous states and territories.

— Eliminate or modify the U.S. building requirement.

— Repeal U.S. ownership requirement.

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?

One of the crucial factors that has led to mass exodus from the state is our massive income tax. However, we have the good fortune to have several colleges and universities of students that could be serving as interns that could be pre-trained as pre-employment so we don’t necessarily have to compromise services.

This is where academia and business can partner with each other to train our workforce, which would kill two birds with one stone by  reducing our exodus problem as well as reducing our youth brain drain.

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?

Limit duration of terms to promote relevancy to be in connection to the needs, wants and desires of your constituency.   

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?

Yes, we can support reform. We should limit franking other than during the legislative session

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

One reason we haven’t attracted the non-traditional candidates is that running for office is expensive, oftentimes candidates are self-financing their campaigns at great personal sacrifice and those that do run are indebted to wealthy donors and unions who have expectation for their monetary support.

Public financing would level the playing field.

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

Yes, some politicians will say anything, and/or change their positions to become elected without the input or consultation of their constituents.

Recall is one of the few methods of direct democracy keeping elected officials always accountable to their constituents.

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?

See answer No. 6.

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?

See answer No. 6.

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?

Require constituent input.

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?

If we want to continue with tourism as our main economic engine we need to make our tourism world-class, perhaps with underwater hotels, Tantalus zip rides, space launch service, an Olympic training center,  rooftop and gardening and community gardening.

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?

See answer No. 10.