Editor’s note: For Hawaii’s Nov. 6 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 Chayne Marten, the Republican candidate for the state House of Representatives District 10, which covers West Maui, Maalaea and North Kihei. There are two other candidates, including Jen Mather of the Green Party and Democrat Angus McKelvey.

Go to Civil Beat’s Elections Guide for general information, and check out other candidates on the General Election Ballot.

1. Should the Legislature be more transparent and accountable? What would you do, given how tough it can be for individual lawmakers to go against leadership, to bring about needed reform in areas like sexual harassment policies, lobbyist regulation, fundraising during session and televising
and archiving all hearings?

Yes. I would convince those that have other ideas that my solutions will work.

2. Hawaii is the only Western state without a statewide citizens initiative process. Do you support such a process?

Yes.

3. Hawaii has the most lopsided Legislature in the country, with no Republicans in the Senate and only five in the House. How would you ensure there is an open exchange of ideas, transparency and accountability for decisions? What do you see as the consequences of one-party control, and how would you address that?

Look at the last 60 years under one-party leadership, it has been a disaster — the worst schools in the nation. No West Maui urgent care center. No tort reform to protect doctors. No affordable housing, underpaid teachers and much more. We need transparency.

4. Would you support more frequent campaign finance reporting during election years, particularly before the primary? What other steps would you take to improve lobbying and financial disclosures?

Yes. Support total transparency.

5. Hawaii’s public records law requires that records be made available whenever possible. Yet state agencies often resist release through delays and imposing excessive fees. What would you do to ensure the public has access to government records?

Make the fee free if not settled in one week.

6. Are you satisfied with the current plans to pay for the state’s unfunded liabilities? If not, how would you propose to meet pension and health obligations for public workers?

No. It is time to begin a state Lotto with the majority of monies to solve this problem as well as fund our schools and  infrastructure.

7. Do you support changing the state Constitution to allow taxing investment properties to fund the public schools? How would you implement it if it passes?

(No response received.)

8. Illegal vacation rentals have proliferated throughout Hawaii. The state is not collecting tax revenue on many of these properties and residents worry about overcrowded neighborhoods and other problems. Do you see this as a problem given Hawaii’s booming visitor industry and what would you propose to do about it?

Fine anyone operating illegal vacation rentals. Kauai fines $1,000 per day to operate without permit.

9. Do you support or oppose holding a state constitutional convention? Why or why not?

I support a constitutional convention because it is what the people want.

10. What should Hawaii be doing to prepare for the effects of climate change, including sea level rise and threats to the reefs?

(No response received.)

11. What do you see as the most pressing issue facing your district? What will you do about it?

Families need help. I would push for:

• 20 percent increase in pay for teachers,

• $16 an hour minimum wage increase ASAP,

• Rent control to protect our families from rent increases every time their lease expires,

• Free school meals, no more hungry students,

• Free bus rides to and from school,

• Free driver’s training in high school leading to a driver’s permit,

• Eliminate tax on food for Hawaii residents,

• Free junior college for those who meet academic standards,

• Bring trade schools back and help get the 169,000 recipients in Hawaii off government debit food cards,

• Freeze real estate property tax for kapuna at age 60.

That is where I will begin.