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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 Christopher Muraoka, Republican candidate for State House District 45, which covers Waianae and Makaha. His opponent is Democrat Desire DeSoto.

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 a lifelong community member and father, I see that violent crimes and homelessness are plaguing our community. These are our top two issues, but many more need to be addressed.

If elected, I would begin addressing these issues using actual data and common-sense approaches. I would ensure the Legislature focuses on what we can do to help our community. I would also work with the community to fix problems without waiting on the Legislature.

2. How do you feel about the massive income tax cut 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?

As a small business owner, I employ 44 people, which means 44 families — 36 of these families come from right here in our community. I support the tax cuts but would like to see them implemented immediately instead of over several years.

If elected, I will work very hard to help ensure we don’t add new taxes to offset these cuts, and ensure no services are affected.

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?

As a business owner who often bids on work, I have fallen victim to pay-to-play shenanigans and crooked businesses. I would use this as fuel to make every possible change to ensure a transparent system that weeds out pay-to-play politics and creates a fair system, allowing more businesses to compete fairly.

Fair competition creates lower costs, which directly affects the cost of living being lowered. 

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 am a father of six children, and one of my most significant messages to my children is to do what’s right, not what’s popular.

Making the correct decisions may not make you the most liked, but if you consistently make fair decisions, there is nothing wrong with being disliked.

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

As a first-time candidate, I support fair and honest campaign financing. If you are supported by individuals who believe in you or your movement, this will help with financial contributions.

I do not support pay-to-play donors or lobbyist contributions.

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

Being a Waianae resident my whole life, I have witnessed the clear and present discrimination from the city and state of Hawaii regarding our community and what’s important to us. This is why I would strongly support a citizens initiative.

This would ensure that ideas and concerns we value and believe in can go from our community to the ballot without legislative interference.

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?

As a veteran and a community liaison, I see the joyous work of leadership changes when new ideas are needed. I’ve also seen the negative impacts of having the same leadership for too long. I feel the same way about politicians.

Term limits are not only needed; they would change the whole arena of politics and could very well minimize or delete corruption.

Under our incumbent (and recently retired) legislative leadership, we have seen a significant decline in the safety of our community and a massive rise in homelessness. Nothing has been done about an emergency escape route which has also been an issue for as long as I can remember.

These are great examples of why term limits would help. What they couldn’t get done in that time, they won’t fix in the next term.

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 fully support the Sunshine Law in helping enforce accountability. We use it on the neighborhood board, of which I am a current member, and this promotes transparency and openness when discussing important issues that deal with our community.

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?

As a member of the Waianae Neighborhood Board, I see how the Sunshine Law promotes transparency. I would welcome transparency in the Legislature, open committees and the public’s participation as much as possible.

This would create a more open system and prevent many backdoor deals from happening.

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?

Tourism is far too often seen as outsiders coming in and visiting; I see it as a way for our people to provide a living for their families. Tourism offers many of our much-needed jobs in Hawaii.

If elected, I would support diversification where possible and sustainable ideas are presented. Still, we must consider the loss and even more strain on our community and state with no tourism.

The Lahaina, Maui, tragedy gave us a terrifying view of what it would look like without tourism.

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?

I am very familiar with this issue, as my parents and siblings have moved out of state, hoping to find cheaper living alternatives. If I were elected, I would support the idea of not allowing outside investors and countries to purchase land or homes in Hawaii.

I would also look into ways of really lowering our cost of living. We need a common-sense approach and ideas that really work.