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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 Mazie Hirono, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate. Her opponents are Shelby Billionaire of the We The People party; Republican Bob McDermott and Green Party candidate Emma Pohlman.

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 Hawaii, and what would you do about it?

The cost of living is still too high for many families in Hawaii, which is why I’m focused on lowering costs for people across our state. I was proud to help pass the Inflation Reduction Act, which lowered prescription drug costs for our kupuna on Medicare by capping out-of-pocket costs at $2,000 a year, limiting the price of insulin to $35 a month, and allowing Medicare to negotiate prices for 10 of the most commonly prescribed prescription drugs–saving seniors in Hawaii and across the country millions of dollars.

The IRA also included a provision I authored to ensure Medicare beneficiaries can get the vaccines they need, including shingles and Covid vaccines, at no cost. I’ve also introduced legislation to increase federal investment in affordable housing, to help build more affordable homes for families in our communities.

We have more to do to lower costs for families, which is why I’m proud to support Vice President Harris’ proposal for an opportunity economy that enables more Americans to purchase homes, start small businesses and live their American dream. 

2. What can the U.S. Congress do to reduce gun violence?

We passed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act in 2022, which is an important first step in combatting gun violence, but our nation is awash in guns and far more work on gun safety legislation is needed to protect our children and communities.

It’s outrageous that our kids can’t go to school safely. Democrats continue to push a host of common-sense measures to reduce gun violence, including limiting widespread civilian access to military-style assault weapons; holding gun manufacturers accountable for the death caused by their weapons; and requiring civilians to obtain a federal firearm license before purchasing or receiving a firearm.

I am a strong advocate for gun safety legislation and will continue fighting to protect victims and survivors of gun violence, as well as domestic violence survivors from gun violence. 

3. The polarization in Congress is worse than ever. Some say democracy itself is in trouble. How would you work to end the political polarization that divides both the Congress and the country?

While I do not see eye to eye on certain issues with my colleagues from across the aisle, I’ve consistently worked with Democrats and Republicans to get things done for the people of Hawaii.

For example, I worked with Republican senators John Boozman of Arkansas and Jim Risch of Idaho to pass the recently renewed Compacts of Free Association; Sen. Susan Collins of Maine to pass the Covid-19 Hate Crimes Act; and Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina on modernizing our patent system.

While I won’t hesitate to speak out when I disagree with those on the right, I will continue to seek common ground to get things done. 

4. Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, while currently financially sound, risk future funding concerns because of changing demographics. What would you propose to shore up the country’s major safety net programs?

While Republicans are working to defund these crucial programs, Democrats are working to protect them and the communities who need to access them.

I’ve introduced legislation that would strengthen Social Security’s financial state and ensure that our kupuna continue to benefit from the programs they have paid into throughout their lives.

I’ve also supported legislation that would increase funding for Medicaid home and community-based services (HCBS), expand access to HCBS, and strengthen the HCBS workforce.

For Hawaii, specifically, I’ve helped introduce legislation to authorize a cost-of-living adjustment for our nursing facilities, as well as legislation to increase the reimbursement that our hospitals receive from Medicare to perform outpatient care and continue to serve our kupuna. 

5. Currently, the filibuster rule in the U.S. Senate has prevented the chamber from voting on critical issues. Should it be eliminated? Why?

I strongly support filibuster reform. From voting rights to abortion care, the filibuster can be – and has been – abused to stall the Senate and prevent meaningful legislation from being passed.

In a strongly divided Senate, eliminating the filibuster is a path Democrats can take to fight back against Republicans – that is why I strongly support filibuster reform. 

6. Is the U.S. on the right path when it comes to mitigating climate change and growing renewable energy production? What specific things should Congress be considering?

Thanks to bills such as the Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Hawaii and other states across the country have received millions in support of clean energy infrastructure and initiatives to mitigate the impacts of climate change.

However, as the number of natural disasters continues to climb due to climate change, I recognize that we must continue to invest in these projects and those that will help the communities impacted by these disasters.

I strongly support robust funding for energy efficiency and climate resilient investments – including elevating structures, reinforcing roofs and utilizing fire resistant materials – to decrease the cost of repairing buildings and structures after a natural disaster. 

7. What is your view on the U.S. role in foreign policy? What can the U.S. do to build better relations with the Asia-Pacific region?

The U.S. plays a vital role in supporting our allies across the globe and during a time of global instability, we must continue to protect our nation and reaffirm our global leadership. As chair of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness, I’ve worked to hold the military accountable for failures such as the Red Hill fuel spill and ensure our Armed Forces have the resources they need to ensure our national security.

As growing threats from North Korea and China emerge, strengthening our relations in the Asia-Pacific region will be increasingly crucial in order to preserve our national security.

Finalizing the updated Compacts of Free Association (COFA) was a step in the right direction to continue our relationships with Palau, Micronesia and the Republic of the Marshall Islands. Military exercises will also strengthen alliances and partnerships, deter aggression by adversaries, and allow the U.S. Armed Forces to operate in the Indo-Pacific region.

As home to Indo-Pacific Command, Hawaii plays an essential role in our national defense, which is why I have fought to secure funding in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to invest in maintaining and upgrading military infrastructure in Hawaii. 

8. Should the state renew the U.S. military’s leases on training grounds in Hawaii? Should there be new conditions on the leases and if so what?

As the military and the state continue their negotiations regarding the leases on training grounds, it is crucial that they work with and listen to Hawaii’s communities, especially the Native Hawaiian community.

While continued access to training ranges is critical to military readiness, the military must balance necessary training requirements with the needs and input of impacted communities, and conditions insisted upon by the state, such as environmental stewardship.

In the aftermath of the Red Hill fuel leaks, the U.S. military must continue rebuilding trust with Hawaii’s communities. It is essential that the military conduct thorough and consistent community outreach throughout this process.