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

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?

As I walk door to door in District 30 to hear about my neighbors’ concerns, their No. 1 issue remains the struggle with Hawaii’s high cost of living.

Although people work hard at one or more jobs to try and keep up, increasing rent and other living expenses make it very difficult to make ends meet. Predominant in my district, which includes Kalihi and Kalihi Kai, are large homes where many families and multiple generations must live together under the same roof. This is how our people have created their own affordable housing. A single family owning their own home is rare.

When elected, my general focus will be to revitalize my district. I want to improve the quality of life for our residents by creating a sustainable economic environment to ensure affordability and long-term prosperity — especially for our middle class and working families.

Efforts to continue increasing our housing supply are needed. We can do this by passing legislation to increase the supply of truly affordable housing for the average local family by supporting sustainable economic development, and by putting our support behind initiatives to better care for our ever-growing houseless population.

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?

This tax cut is historic, and it takes a step in the right direction. Putting more money in the hands of Hawaii residents will start a wave that helps stimulate Hawaii’s economic growth.

I am concerned that state services may be reduced. When elected, I would be a strong advocate for continuing critical public services. There needs to be careful planning and mitigation strategies to balance the tax cuts. We will certainly need to be mindful that critical public services provided by the state remain funded and fully available to those who need it.

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?

Various reforms are being proposed to improve state government and to crack down on government corruption. Certainly, the high-profile trials in the last few years indicate an increased intolerance for what might have been acceptable and unchallenged in years past.

To directly address pay-to-play politics and corruption in government, we need to have campaign finance reform. It is the key to address serious issues such as the influence of wealthy supporters and corporations, contributions by political action committees (PACs) and Super PACs, dark money and the relationship between lobbyists and lawmakers.

I support common-sense campaign spending laws that strengthen the voice of the regular citizen above corporate or individual special interest. I also support legislation that will increase transparency and accountability for those in office and for those seeking office. Stricter enforcement of campaign spending laws will lead to a more ethical and trustworthy state government.

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 will do my best to represent the interest of the public — my constituents and the State of Hawaii, even if it means sometimes going against leadership in order to achieve good government.

For example, at our most recent Kalihi-Palama Neighborhood Board meeting, a proposal was made to limit the speech duration of each board member. I voted in opposition of this measure and against leadership because I felt the restriction would interfere with having necessary and robust discussions. 

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

Yes, I am in support of comprehensive public financing of elections for candidates. 

The pros: This would allow candidates to focus on the concerns and needs of the voters, rather than on raising campaign finances. It would also help to encourage more participation in government and ensure a fair democratic election process. 

The cons: There are disadvantages limiting how public financing for elections can be spent. There is a potential for abuse and misuse of funds, if not properly monitored. Ill-intended candidates may choose to run solely to use funds for their personal use rather than for their campaign use. 

Overall, comprehensive public funding would assist in evening the playing field for candidates. Careful implementation of such a program can help to ensure that its purpose is fulfilled and not abused.

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

I am in support of the statewide citizens’ initiative process. This process would allow citizens to propose statutes or constitutional amendments to be placed on the ballots in our state, after meeting certain requirements.

This would allow greater direct access to the lawmaking process by our citizens, thus promoting greater participation in the democratic political processes.

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, I support the idea of term limits for state legislators. Term limits can improve the effectiveness and fairness of the political system. 

Democratic governance should be allotted for new ideas and fresh perspectives from newly elected officials. This supports diversification of representation and promotes opportunities for others to share in civic responsibility.

Some people who remain in office for too long may not be as effective and efficient as they once were. Career politicians could lean toward focusing on maintaining their careers rather than being of service to the public. Career politicians might resist supporting necessary changes and choose the status-quo to support their long-term career.

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?

Personally, I will continue to hold myself to high standards of integrity and accountability. To ensure accountability I will have an open-door policy, to foster an environment of open communication and transparency to garner public trust.

To promote accountability at the Legislature, I would push forward measures to further enhance transparency.   

This is the reason I fully support the Sunshine Law. Coming from a background of working with the Honolulu City Council and serving on the Kalihi-Palama Neighborhood Board, I am accustomed to conducting our business openly in accordance with the Sunshine Law. 

As an unelected official and a legislative aide in the House of Representatives during the 2024 legislative session, I chose not to focus on gaining campaign contributions. I also chose not to have a fundraising event during the legislative session, even if there are no regulations prohibiting political activities under my particular circumstance.

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?

Promoting a culture of open communication forms the basis for transparency and accessibility in government. Our Public Access Room provides residents with a place to work on legislative research with access to computers and other resources.

We can go further with our government communication by establishing a Legislative Services Office to assist internally in facilitating meetings. The LSO will focus on making the legislative process simple, understandable and less intimidating so more people can and will engage in the democratic process.

We need to continue to host hybrid committee hearings. Accepting virtual testimony online and in-person is a great way to allow for greater civic participation.

I would like the public to be provided disclosure summary reports from lobbyists highlighting their influence (success and failures) during the conclusion of each legislative session. 

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?

During 9/11 and Covid, Hawaii’s economy suffered greatly because people stopped traveling. We were left strapped and vulnerable. For our own economic health, we need to curb our heavy reliance on tourism. 

We are in an ideal setting to diversify the economy by promoting other industries, such as renewable energy. Hawaii is geographically gifted with multiple sources of natural energy.

Our abundance of natural resources (solar, geothermal, marine and wind) can be transformed into much-needed energy. If done right, we can build a clean energy future, reduce energy costs, reduce pollution, create jobs and diversify Hawaii’s economy.

Other industries we can focus on are agriculture and agribusiness. Supporting local farmers can lead to enhanced food security. Old Hawaii had its ahupua’a system of efficient land and natural resource management. I like the idea of having a modern-day ahupua’a system with the incorporation of technology.

While making those efforts, we need to practice more responsible tourism. Tourists need to be kept safe from the dangers of criminal activity, the ocean and other outdoor activities like hiking. Our environment and our people need to be kept safe by educating tourists about our islands’ environmental conservation efforts and having respect for our diverse cultural practices. 

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?

The financial burdens of the middle class and working families can be alleviated through a comprehensive approach that touches upon making improvements to key components, including housing, cost of living, economic opportunities, food costs, education, etc. 

Sadly, a lot of residents are uprooting and relocating to the continental U.S., where it is much easier to buy a home and make a living.

We need to attack this issue on all fronts to create an affordable life for our local residents. 

Immediately, the state’s housing crisis needs to be addressed by providing housing subsidies and rental assistance programs. As for a long-term solutions, an investment in education and workforce development is much needed. Residents need to gain skills in math and coding to work at high-paying jobs like Booz Allen Hamilton or tech companies like Google or Facebook.

A robust and sustainable economy is fundamental to create a better quality of life in Hawaii for us all, especially our middle and working-class families.