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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 Keikilani Ho, Republican candidate for state House District 4, which includes the Black Sands Beach Subdivision, Hawaiian Paradise Park, Hawaiian Beaches, Kalapana, Koae, Leilani Estates, Nanawale Estates, Pahoa, Pohoiki, Seaview Estates. Her opponent is Democrat Greggor Ilagan.

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?

I am a mother of two teenagers, and one young adult. I have seen the struggle with mental health and drugs affecting people of all ages. I most recently have had the opportunity to listen to stories of the struggles of our young adults and teens.

We are a growing district, with families relocating here from all islands because of the lower cost of homes/land. We really do need to put more focus and attention to supporting children’s sports and other extracurricular activities. Allocating more funding for children’s sports, and even community classes like art, gardening, dancing and martial arts, will not only provide an outlet, but also create a closer community where our young adults and children can grow in their talents and make new friends.

Our children are the next generation of leaders. We need more options and support for our community of young adults and children so that they can stay off of the streets, be distracted from drug use, and focus on their talents and academic goals.

I would love to help develop, and support these options to offer our keiki so that we can have a thriving community, instead of rising drug use and crime. 

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 am glad to hear about the massive tax income reduction. This is a great step forward, and I hope that in the near future we can prioritize our tax dollars better, with common sense.

I would not be surprised by forced state service reductions in the near future, and I hope that if there needed to be any reductions, it would be in the ever-increasing paychecks of overpaid government officials who continue to obtain pay raises without offering a more valuable service to the State of Hawaii.

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 root of this issue has to do more with the officials elected into office. I would support reforms that could change the state government for the better, but we can create reforms all we want. If we fail to hold them accountable, it’s basically useless.

The state government needs to pour more effort into educating Hawaii residents about the elections. Many people do not understand how to use the election ballot. They do not understand that you must first choose a party. We have many admitting to voting both Republican and Democrat on the same ballot. The election laws are constantly changing and it’s confusing. Hawai’i has the worst voter turnout in the country. The Office of Elections is not trusted. How can we encourage and empower the voters to not only get out and vote, but vote correctly?

We also need to stop media bias. We have often seen much more spotlight on Democratic candidates, rather than Republican. There should be a balance so that we have a well-informed state of voters who know their candidates, and trust the election process. 

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 absolutely have no problem or fear backing-good government proposals, even if it means going against leadership. These past three to four years of my life have been dedicated to sharing the truth about government corruption. I understand that I may not be everyone’s cup of tea but like the saying goes, “A woman is like a tea bag, you’ll never know how strong it is, until it’s in hot water.”

I work best under pressure. That is where my innovation and creativity are born. I cannot be bribed, or blackmailed. I am an honest woman whose purpose in life is to serve others.

I spent a majority of my life in community service, without a title, and without recognition. Running for office was something I did not want to do, but had to do. I am not running for office to be “liked,” or to make friends. I am running for office to make a change, and change cannot happen when our lawmakers do not have a backbone, and are easily threatened, bribed or bought. 

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

I do support comprehensive public financing. We have many great, well qualified candidates who would greatly benefit from this program. Financing is one of the reasons many great candidates are not able to reach their constituents.

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 support a statewide citizens initiative process. Hawaii does a great job of coming together to speak up for what it wants, and what is right. We have all seen that, when all of  Hawaii and the whole nation, came together in support of Mauna Kea, and the vaccine mandates. That probably has to be the most opposition I have seen in my lifetime.

I’ve seen many petitions created over the years, but fail to serve their purpose, because most times, it only holds value to those who have put their name to it. There is not much you can do with a petition these days, but it is still pursued. Even when citizens show up in overwhelming opposition to a bill, their voices are left unheard and bills are passed anyway. When we allow for statewide citizens initiative process implementation, we are giving the people a chance at making their voices heard again, and hope is instilled into government.

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?

I do believe in term limits but I think that many people want them in place because of their distrust in government. When there are good people in office, I’m sure voters would hate to see their representative termed out.

I think term limits are great with reservations, and I think the reservations should be discussed with the community before implementation.  

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?

I do support the idea of requiring the Sunshine Law to apply to the Legislature. They are representatives of their communities, and that is who the Legislature works for, and how they are paid. It’s common sense.

Just as stockholders have rights as investors, and have a right to vote on important matters, the taxpayers have also invested into the state and should have a right to publicly scrutinize their representatives and not only share their opinions, but be heard.

I agree with banning campaign contributions during the session. I do not see how it is a necessary time to receive donations.

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?

I feel a very unusual but practical way of being transparent and accessible to the public would be through utilizing social media. Many viral pages have taken it upon themselves to educate the public about new legislative bills and I have seen enormous participation from locals.

Social media is a very vocal and convenient option. 

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 would be a great destination for hosting national/international events. I know there have been talks of bringing the UFC to Hawaii to no avail, and we have also lost the NFL Pro Bowl. Being that Hawaii is a huge melting pot of ethnicities, it would also serve well to host the Olympics, where people gather from all over the world to showcase their talents.

I feel that investing in a structure that could easily accommodate these types of large-scale events would be a great investment for Hawaii and I think the people of Hawaii would agree. Investing in a stadium that could accommodate international events would have been more beneficial to Hawaii than the rail. 

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?

Hawaii has one of the highest taxes in the nation and that has a lot to do with why local families live paycheck to paycheck. So much of their paycheck goes to taxes that most are left with only enough to feed their family. I have hope that the most recent major tax cut will provide much needed relief.

I do feel that lowering annual income limits on government assistance may also help families. Introducing/funding more adult trade training programs or schools may also help families get better, higher-paying jobs.

More relief and support for our local businesses, farmers and ranchers will help offer locals easier access to more affordable, healthier and higher quality food for their ohana. Teaching agriculture in school should be a focus, as we can teach our children to malama the aina, and help to grow food for their ohana and contribute to their communities.

Again, this all comes down to better education and setting our people up for success. When you teach the people, they will do. If they do not know, they will remain the same.