Editor’s note: For Hawaii’s Nov. 8 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 Haylie Taylor, candidate for Hawaii County Council District 5, which covers Upper Puna and portions of Keaau. Her opponents are Matt Kanealiʻi-Kleinfelder, Ikaika Rodenhurst, Aaron Tolentino and Sysha-Marie Torres.

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?

Crime is one of my daily conversation topics with people in my district. Puna is desperate for more officers, and we need to offer more incentives to bring them in.

I would want to bring in more officers to help with the persistent crime, create officer liaisons to focus on mental health and supporting communities with neighborhood watch implementation.  

2. Overtourism can degrade the environment, threaten biodiversity, contribute to wear and tear on infrastructure, generate traffic and disrupt neighborhoods. What do you think about the amount of tourism on the Big Island and how it’s managed?

Tourists need to be educated before they set foot off the plane or boat on the impact they have on Hawaii. Instructional videos, pamphlets, posters, etc., explaining ROD, sea turtles and even driving style to name a few could be very helpful in making tourist aware.

Making sure visitors have information on how they need to behave would make a huge difference in behavior and intention. 

3. What needs to happen to relieve traffic congestion in and around Kailua-Kona and along the Puna-Keaau-Hilo corridor?

Carpooling could alleviate some of the congestion in both areas, especially during critical times, along with having more public transportation. We also need alternative routes in both areas as well as parking for carpoolers.

In city areas, creating bike lanes that could also be used by e-bikes would benefit those trying to avoid traffic congestion. New shuttle services could bring tourist to destination areas and not just reduce traffic but car break-ins.

4. The cost of living on Hawaii island is rising rapidly. How are working and middle-class people expected to buy a house or pay the rent as well as take care of other expenses? And how can the county government help?

Most people I know, including myself, worry daily on how we will afford our basic essentials.

Any new taxes should not even be considered for the average person living here. Taxes should be passed along to the people and businesses that do not make Hawaii their home but want to prosper from the tourist industry.

Services need to be easier to sign up for and locate. I would like to build a one-stop website to guide residents to access services they are entitled to. 

5. Do you support the construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope on Mauna Kea?

After substantial research and most importantly speaking with Hawaiians, I cannot support the Thirty Meter Telescope. I am open to further discussion but my decision will be swayed by the cultural significance of Mauna Kea.

6. Homelessness remains a problem statewide, including on Hawaii island. What would you do to come to grips with this persistent problem?

We have many outreach programs and many people doing everything they can to help. Unfortunately, the need is greater, and our government must make huge changes.

I would support pathway programs where individuals can work with social workers to find jobs, food and a roof over their head. I have also met people who are trying to get home to another state and need plane ticket assistance. A social worker could help with that assistance. 

7. Half of Hawaii’s cesspools are on the Big Island, some 49,300. Seepage from cesspools can make people sick, harm coral reefs and lead to a variety of ecological damage. By law, cesspools must be upgraded to septic systems by 2050. What can be done to help people who may not be able to afford the conversion?

One of my concerns is how our government puts these great ideas into policy and does not have a direct plan to implement them.

I know 2050 may appear to be enough time to accomplish eliminating cesspools but for most of us we don’t even know how we are going to pay our power or propane bill. To help with the cost we need federal and government grants and incentives for contractors to provide a more affordable upgrade. 

8. What is the first thing Hawaii County should do to get in front of climate change rather than just reacting to it?

Pollution is a serious issue, and we can see it everywhere on this island. The dumped cars, trash and not being energy independent are just a few I deal with in my small community.

Most of us do not see this as being a huge issue but a dumped car leaking fluid can have huge ecological consequences. 

Appropriately disposing of hazardous materials, focusing on ethical ways of being energy dependent and properly disposing of trash is a start in the right direction. Clear-cutting and ripping a property removing all vegetation leads to less rain and more polluted air.

Educating landowners of the importance of keeping native plants and not leveling their whole lot is another important step to help retain what we still have.

Sadly, we cannot make decisions for the whole world, but we can be the example.

9. Should the Hu Honua biomass energy plant be allowed to start operating? Why or why not?

I have done my best to educate myself on this and have not found any supporting evidence of why Hu Honua should operate. The concern of air pollution and higher energy bills are something I cannot support.

10. How would you make the county administration more transparent and accessible to the public?

I support open communication and examination of decision-making within our government. I believe the people have every right to hold their elected officials accountable and hold them to the highest standard.

I plan on posting schedules of meetings and agendas in public places to help give the community a chance to have a voice and ask questions. I will answer those questions and provide information to the best of my knowledge.

By working together and making sure everyone has access I will work hard to ensure that the public is knowledgeable in the happenings of the council.