Editor’s note: For Hawaii’s Aug. 10 Primary 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 Kelsey Nakanelua, candidate for Honolulu City Council District 3, which includes Ahuimanu, Heeia, Haiku, Kaneohe, Maunawili, Kailua, Olomana, Enchanted Lake and Waimanalo. The other candidates are Christopher Curren, David Kauahikaua and Esther Kiaaina.

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

1. What is the biggest issue facing your district and what would you do about it?

The biggest issue facing my district and Hawaii as a state is housing affordability. Addressing the housing affordability crisis requires a multifaceted approach that considers the unique challenges and opportunities within the district.

By implementing targeted taxes on non-residents and vacant properties, allowing controlled short-term rentals for residents, and supporting affordable housing initiatives, the district can make significant strides toward improving housing accessibility and affordability for all residents.

2. Year after year, we talk about the need to diversify the economy away from a reliance on tourism. Do you think that is even possible and if so what would you do?

Tourism in our state will be essential for long-term sustainability. The Covid-19 pandemic highlighted the vulnerabilities of depending too much on tourism.

To diversify will require strategic planning, investment and collaboration among government, private sectors and communities. We have unique cultural, natural and human resources in our state to provide opportunities to develop alternative industries that can complement tourism and reduce reliance on it.

We can diversify to other industries. But we will need to have education and training in those areas. A few examples are the film industry, agriculture and aquaculture. We need to support local farmers.

We can offer education at our colleges and partner with leaders in each industry that will enable the students to pursue a career here in Hawaii. By investing in research and education, particularly in marine biology, environmental science can position Hawaii as a hub for innovation and attract students and professionals worldwide.

Medical research and services is another industry. We could establish centers for medical research and specialized health care services that can attract patients and professionals globally.

Shifting from a well-established tourism-dependent model can encounter resistance from stakeholders benefiting from the status quo.

3. In Hawaii, the term affordable housing has lost its meaning. What would you do to help people buy homes or move into rental units?

To address this ongoing problem in Hawaii we need a multi-faceted approach, beginning with increasing supply.

Next, disincentivize non-residential investing, and improve the permit process. This can begin to be achieved by having the state and city release lands for development, look into zoning reforms, and review the DPP process the mayor has implemented.

4. The city wanted to eliminate short-term rentals from neighborhoods because they brought overcrowding. On the other hand, a new state law sought to allow for higher density and more construction of homes on the same property which could bring more congestion to some neighborhoods. How do you balance the need for additional housing and private property rights while preserving the character of neighborhoods?

Balancing housing needs, property rights and neighborhood character requires several different approaches that involve updating zoning laws, engaging the community, implementing design standards, investing in infrastructure and aligning local and state policies. By considering these strategies, cities can create vibrant, inclusive communities that meet the needs of current and future residents while preserving the unique character of neighborhoods.

This calls for modernized zoning codes to reflect current housing needs while preserving neighborhood character. This may involve creating specific zones for higher-density housing that are located near transit and commercial areas to minimize impact on established neighborhoods.

We should incentivize developers to include affordable housing units in new developments, ensuring that new housing serves a diverse range of income levels. It’s also vital to engage with the community and neighborhood with consistency via community forums, allowing them to have their voices heard so our leaders can take action.

This type of work requires growth principles that prioritize common-sense development while preserving open spaces and environmentally sensitive areas.

5. What should be the future of the Honolulu rail project? How do you propose to resolve this seemingly endless drain on public money and continuing delays? Should the line continue to Ala Moana as originally planned and how will you keep operating costs under control?

So far, this project is not acceptable to our state. The rail project has experienced significant cost overruns, with the estimated budget now exceeding $12 billion, up from the original $5.2 billion estimate.

Additionally, completion has been delayed several times. Because we need additional funding, I do not think we should continue to Ala Moana. The project needs new leadership and less government involvement to keep operating costs under control.

6. Homelessness remains a problem in Oahu. What should the city be doing differently?

The high cost of living and limited affordable housing options are significant contributors to homelessness.

With substance abuse and mental illness plaguing much of our homeless population, there is no simple solution. Treatment and counseling must be part of the conversation.

I am glad for the recent development of micro-housing. I would encourage the state to expand the mobile units and include a skills or job training component. These approaches will involve the community and allow all voices to be a part of the solution. 

7. What should be done to improve policing and police accountability in Honolulu? Should oversight of the police department be strengthened or reformed?

The Honolulu Police Commission should have the authority to conduct independent investigations into police misconduct, rather than relying solely on internal reviews.

The commission should have the power to impose disciplinary actions and ensure accountability for misconduct. They should conduct regular audits of police policies, with a corrective action plan post-audit.

And finally, they should establish a civilian-led review board with the authority to investigate complaints against officers and provide recommendations for disciplinary actions.

8. Honolulu has some of the worst traffic congestion in the nation. What should the city do to alleviate congestion?

This has been an ongoing problem. Continue to work with the transit and transportation departments to improve the current systems and where feasible expand the road capacity, much like was achieved in Ewa.

I can see potential problems in areas of Kailua and Waimanalo. With limited ingress and egress in Waimanalo, I would consider a bypass road, as the city did in Ewa and Haleiwa.

By implementing a combination of these strategies, Honolulu can effectively address traffic congestion and improve the overall quality of life for its residents. Collaborative efforts between the government, businesses and the community are essential to achieving these goals.

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

There are many unforeseen effects of climate change and the policies associated with climate change. With the numerous effects, I believe the strongest solutions should be left to experts, allowing the various industry leaders to continue to debate the issue and effects of climate change and its policies.

If we can hear from these experts in an open forum to allow for community input, this would allow our state, city and District 3 to have proposed policies and solutions that meet the needs of most people.

10. It’s becoming increasingly difficult to fill vacancies in the police department, the parks department, and many other city agencies. The city is struggling to provide basic services. What would you do to solve this problem and attract qualified people to fill essential services?

Develop a stronger recruiting program and continue to offer incentives. Continue to monitor the crime rate closely to be sure we continue to keep our city and state safe.

11. Oahu’s only municipal landfill is due to close in 2028, but the city still doesn’t know where to put the next one. What will you do to address this issue?

The city has had several years and qualified experts to solve this problem. My expertise is limited in comparison, but I believe it should begin with consistent community involvement.

The priority is to identify and evaluate potential sites. And then have the political will to make a decision. We also need to look to other cities and learn from their successes as they pertain to waste management and waste-to-energy solutions. 

12. What lessons have you learned from the Lahaina fire? What can be done to prevent devastating wildfires on Oahu?

Many lessons can be learned from the Lahaina fire. But rather than address each type of specific lesson, we need to look at the tragedy and extract basic principles.

For example, we know we need to look closely at the risk of fire in drier areas of our island, evaluate the equipment safety of our local electric companies, and apply it to how the government interacts with the public.

The bottom line is that we need to be aware of where our weaknesses may lie and work in advance to correct them before tragedy strikes. The primary lesson learned was we need to improve our intra-agency communication. We need better and stronger leadership experience in our city services.

13. Is Honolulu a safe place to live? What can be done to improve the quality of life on the island?

Yes. Hawaii is a safe place to live. The quality of life in Hawaii can be improved significantly if we can reduce the cost of living, primarily in the cost of housing, through the methods I mentioned above: Increase the supply and raise property taxes on non-residents.

We can also diversify our economy, and open up new jobs and businesses by building out new industries or developing industries that align with our existing economy and unique culture.