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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 Desire DeSoto, Democratic candidate for State House District 45, which covers Waianae and Makaha. Her opponent is Republican Chris Muraoka.

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 (root) facing our district is the generational marginalization and disenfranchisement of Native Hawaiians and the exploitation of our resources.

The Waianae Coast is an epicenter of that precedent and its manifestation in houselessness, poverty, suicide, substance abuse, crime, violence and an overall lack of hope and opportunity to live a thriving life. I desire to bring our native disenfranchised voices to Honolulu’s decision-making tables.

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?

Our ALICE (asset-limited, income-constrained and employed) individuals and their ohana need tax relief, and our society will be better off when this subpopulation can thrive in Hawaii.

On the other hand, the wealthy who own investment properties here or call Hawaii home need to do their part and pay their fair share to contribute to the well-being of all of Hawaii. Undoubtedly, this tax break mainly benefiting the richest amongst us will haunt the services we provide to our stateʻs most vulnerable later.

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?

People don’t trust politicians or the government for historically valid reasons.

Public funding for campaigns, full-time legislators and strict, enforceable ethics laws can help stifle the notion of pay-to-play politics and rebuild trust in our Legislature on both the local and federal levels.

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 am committed to supporting “good-government proposals” for the people and our natural resources, even if it means challenging leadership.

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

I support comprehensive public financing of elections. However, as with all good things, the comprehensive public financing system may be subject to exploitation.

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

I support a statewide citizens initiative process. However, I see the potential for small interest groups to hijack and corrupt a well-intentioned process.

I want to learn more about the pros and cons of other states adopting the method. If there’s a way to mitigate the weaponization of the process, I am all for it.

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 support term limits because the longer someone is in political office, the more the system influences them toward serving special interests.

However, projects and initiatives take relationship-building and time to envision, plan, implement and manifest. Because of this duality, voting is currently the ultimate term limit for constituents to decide who serves them and for how long.

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?

If elected, I will ensure my accountability and inquire about precedents where accountability and ethics appear lacking.

I support requiring the Sunshine Law to apply to the Legislature and that campaign contributions be banned during session. 

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 long-time advocate within the public school system, I have experience bringing equity and transparency issues to leadership. If elected, I will have an opportunity to experience legislative systems in Hawaii and see firsthand how the Legislature can change its rules to be more open.

I’ve always believed that the people closest to the problems are the ones who know how to solve them, and I will continue to empower and support the people in this belief both in our community and if elected to the Legislature.  

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?

We need to move away from quantity tourism and focus on quality eco-tourism.

I want to see more agriculture, restorative aquaculture and movie production projects on our islands.

Most importantly, I am open to hearing about others’ ideas for new and cutting-edge environmentally friendly industries and pathways to train and position our youth to work in these fields. Things are moving quickly, and we must be able to position ourselves as environmentally friendly economic niches arise.  

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 a proponent of the rich paying their fair share and more to uphold a healthy and functioning society. The middle class has been the backbone of our institutions for years, and it is time the burden shifts.

I am not opposed to wealth taxes, which reduce income inequality and redistribute wealth so the middle class can stabilize. Moreover, I am a fan of collective bargaining and cooperative ownership. It’s time the public policy pendulum swings toward creating realistic pathways in helping all our residents secure and maintain a thriving middle-class status.