Editor’s note: For Hawaii’s Nov. 5 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 Shotaro Dabbs, Republican candidate for state Senate District 12, which includes Waikiki, Ala Moana, Kakaako and McCully. His opponent is Democrat Sharon Moriwaki.

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 most pressing issue facing our district is the homelessness crisis. Having experienced the threat of homelessness firsthand within my family, I understand the urgency and complexity of this issue. This is my top priority, and I am committed to bringing effective solutions through new leadership.

To address homelessness, we need to expand mental health services, ensuring that those in need can easily find and receive support. Investing in mobile and public showers will help restore dignity and improve hygiene for our homeless population. Cleanliness is a fundamental aspect of health and self-worth, and we must ensure everyone has access to these basic facilities.

Additionally, we must work on increasing affordable housing options and support services, including partnerships with non-profits and private developers to create more low-income housing units and transitional shelters.

Our community deserves a proactive and compassionate approach to homelessness. By focusing on these initiatives, we can provide the necessary support and resources to help our most vulnerable residents regain stability and improve their quality of life.

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?

I support the recent income tax cut approved by the Legislature and Gov. Green as a positive step toward providing relief for working families in Hawaii. This tax cut is especially significant given our state’s high cost of living and the financial pressures many residents face. By reducing the tax burden, we can help families better manage their expenses and improve their quality of life.

However, I do have concerns about the potential long-term ramifications on state services. While immediate tax relief is beneficial, we must ensure that it does not lead to reduced funding for essential services such as education, health care and public safety in the future. It is crucial that we maintain a balanced approach, where tax cuts do not compromise the quality of services that residents rely on.

There are also other issues that might arise. Relying on tax cuts to stimulate the economy might introduce more volatility, as state revenues could become more sensitive to economic fluctuations. Additionally, the government might have to explore increasing taxes in other areas to make up for the potential deficit.

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?

Enhancing government oversight and accountability is vital. Strengthening the powers and resources of the Hawaii State Auditor, Hawaii Ethics Commission and the Campaign Spending Commission will ensure thorough audits, ethical conduct, and transparency. Increasing funding and authority for these bodies will enable them to carry out their responsibilities effectively, leading to a more trustworthy and efficient government.

Another solution is to create an anonymous tip line for the public and public workers to submit concerns or complaints about waste, fraud and abuse, managed by the State Auditor, similar to how the Inspector General operates. This would provide a secure channel for reporting unethical or illegal activities without fear of retaliation.

Lastly, implementing robust open data policies will ensure that government operations are transparent and accessible to the public. Publishing detailed budgets, spending reports, and contract awards online will allow citizens and third-party organizations to monitor government activities and hold officials accountable.

Implementing these reforms can address the persistent issues of pay-to-play politics and corruption, thereby restoring public confidence in the integrity of our state government.

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?

Supporting good-government proposals is essential for fostering a transparent and effective legislative process, even if it means going against leadership. My approach to this would be grounded in professionalism and collaboration, ensuring that we can achieve meaningful reform without creating unnecessary conflict.

Firstly, I am committed to backing good-government proposals that promote transparency, accountability and integrity within our state legislature. It’s crucial to prioritize the needs and interests of our constituents over politics.

However, I recognize that working against leadership can often lead to tension and division. To navigate this, I would focus on building bridges and fostering a culture of collaboration among legislators. This means engaging in open, respectful dialogue, and seeking common ground to advance reform initiatives. Compromise is often necessary to achieve progress, and I believe we can find solutions that satisfy multiple perspectives.

It is important to maintain a professional demeanor and avoid the pitfalls of personal attacks or public feuds. Instead, I would advocate for constructive discussions and mutual respect, emphasizing the shared goal of improving our state and regaining the trust of the public. By doing so, we can create a more cooperative legislative environment that facilitates significant reforms.

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

Public financing of elections is a multifaceted issue with significant pros and cons. On the positive side, it can level the playing field, helping new candidates compete and reducing the influence of “Big Money” in politics. This promotes a more democratic and equitable electoral process.

However, implementing full public financing would require substantial taxpayer funding, which could lead to higher taxes. It is crucial to consider the financial impact on constituents. Hawaii often jumps into the deep end when implementing change, but in this case, gradual steps are advisable. This approach allows us to manage costs effectively and ensure that any potential loopholes for abuse are identified and closed.

Ultimately, while public financing has the potential to create a fairer political landscape, it must be approached carefully to balance the benefits with the economic realities and to protect the integrity of the electoral process.

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 the intent behind a statewide citizens initiative process, which aims to empower voters and increase democratic participation. However, I believe it would only work in Hawaii if we are careful with how we implement it. This process can oversimplify complex issues, lead to voter fatigue, and be dominated by well-funded special interest groups. It often results in poorly crafted laws that lack the thorough review and debate necessary in the legislative process.

Hawaii already has mechanisms for citizen involvement, such as petitioning legislators and participating in public hearings. Strengthening these existing channels is a more effective way to ensure citizen input without the drawbacks of the initiative process. By improving and promoting these avenues, we can achieve meaningful public participation and informed decision-making that truly benefits our state.

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 understand the sentiment behind term limits. On one hand, the knowledge and experience that long-term legislators bring is incredibly valuable. Their deep understanding of the legislative process and institutional knowledge can lead to more effective governance and well-informed decision-making.

However, incumbents can sometimes become too comfortable in their positions, which might lead to complacency. While term limits could introduce fresh perspectives and new ideas into the legislature, there are significant drawbacks to consider. The loss of experienced legislators can lead to a gap in knowledge and a lack of continuity in policy initiatives.

New legislators often struggle to navigate the complexities of the legislative process. Without the guidance of seasoned colleagues, this learning curve can hinder their effectiveness. Rather than imposing term limits, a better approach might be to urge current legislators to actively mentor newcomers. This would ensure that fresh perspectives are introduced while preserving the benefits of experience and institutional knowledge.

Balancing the need for new ideas with the value of experience is crucial. By encouraging mentorship from experienced legislators, we can enhance the legislative process and better serve the public interest without the potential downsides of term limits.

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?

Ensuring accountability at the Legislature is crucial. I support banning campaign contributions during the session, but more comprehensive measures than the Sunshine Law are needed.

First, increasing transparency is essential. Legislators should be required to submit detailed records of topics discussed during meetings with lobbyists, and these records should be made publicly available. Making legislative activities more accessible can significantly reduce opportunities for misconduct.

Additionally, any audits conducted should be stated online, with the status and results made public. This would provide a detailed review of legislative activities and financial transactions, helping to identify and address any issues of misconduct or inefficiency.

By implementing these measures, we can create a more accountable and transparent legislative process that better serves the interests of the people.

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?

To make the Legislature more transparent and accessible to the public, several key measures can be implemented. First, implementing stricter disclosure requirements on lobbying and lobbyists would ensure that all interactions between legislators and lobbyists are documented and made publicly available. This includes detailed records of meetings, the subjects discussed, and any financial contributions or gifts exchanged. Enhanced transparency in lobbying activities helps prevent undue influence and promotes accountability.

Additionally, all legislative resources should be easily published on the state Legislature website. This includes consolidating all legislative documents such as bills, amendments, legislators’ voting records, and internal rules into a single, user-friendly platform. Clear, accessible formats and search functionalities would enable citizens to find and understand legislative information more easily.

The Legislature needs to implement measures to increase transparency and accessibility, fostering greater public trust and participation in the civic process.

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?

Hawaii’s economy is heavily reliant on tourism, and it will always be a key industry. However, to ensure long-term sustainability, we must diversify into different sectors to build a more resilient economic foundation.

Strengthening small businesses will foster a thriving local business environment. Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, providing jobs and services to residents. By reducing regulatory burdens and offering financial support, we can help small businesses thrive.

Investing in workforce development programs will encourage lifelong learning and help residents stay competitive. These programs can provide training in high-demand fields, helping workers adapt to changing economic conditions.

Supporting local farmers with modern techniques and financial assistance will boost local food production and reduce import dependency. By investing in sustainable agriculture and providing farmers with the resources they need, we can enhance food security and create a more self-sufficient economy.

While tourism will always be a cornerstone of Hawaii’s economy, diversifying into other industries is crucial for stability and growth. The COVID-19 pandemic showed that tourism is not sustainable during emergencies. We need a more resilient economy that is less dependent on tourism and better equipped to handle future challenges.

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?

To address the challenges faced by middle-class and working families in Hawaii, who are struggling to make ends meet, several strategies can be implemented.

We need to work with the counties to expedite the construction of new housing projects. By streamlining the permitting process, we can reduce delays and costs associated with building, encouraging more development.

Additionally, focusing on multi-family and mixed-use housing is key. Encouraging the development of these types of housing can significantly increase the supply of affordable units. Multi-family and mixed-use housing can provide a variety of living options that cater to different income levels and family sizes.

Finally, creating financial literacy programs is crucial. By empowering people with the knowledge and skills to manage their finances effectively, we can help people make informed decisions about money management, saving and spending. This will reduce the financial stress on middle-class and working families and prevent them from falling into financial hardship.

These measures, combined with ongoing efforts to diversify the economy and support workforce development, can help create a more resilient and sustainable environment for Hawaii’s middle-class and working families.