Civil Beat has asked candidates for the Hawaiʻi General Election on Nov. 3 to answer a survey about where they stand on various issues and what their priorities will be if elected.

The following comes from Daniel Gabriel, Republican candidate for State House District 46 covering the communities of Wahiawā, Whitmore Village and Launani Valley. 

His opponents are the incumbent Amy Perruso and Rocklin Youngstrom.

Go to Civil Beat’s 2026 Elections Guide for general information, and check out the other candidates on Civil Beatʻs 2026 Hawaiʻi Primary Ballot.

Why are you best suited for the job? And why do you want the job?

I am the real local candidate. I lived my entire 37 years of life in Wahiawā, Whitmore, Crestview, Mililani and Waipiʻo Gentry which has instilled in me a deep understanding of the culture, needs and challenges facing District 46. As the state’s only Certified Water Specialist (CWS), I understand the importance of quality. With my accounting degree, I understand the requirement of transparency, accountability and ethics. As a father of two, it is my mission to preserve our way of life.

What is the biggest issue facing your district, and what is the first thing you would do to address it in the first six months after being elected?

District 46 is plagued by failing infrastructure, rampant disregard for our public land use and simply put no accountability and direction for our youth. I will push for the proper allocation of our tax dollars to address damaged roadways, clean up the district through law and order and improve community youth programs such as extracurricular sports and STEAM-based programs.

Here’s one question from your constituents: Do you support maintaining a monopoly for interisland shipping?

As a bachelor’s degree graduate in Business Administration with an emphasis in Accounting, I am a proponent of a true free market economy. There is no place for any sort of monopoly in our marketplace. This is especially true for one of our most expensive costs as islanders, shipping. I would like to see the repeal of the Jones Act, which would dramatically reduce the cost of shipping, giving Hawaiʻi a real opportunity to compete on the national and international export markets.

What do you think were the most important bills to come out of the 2026 Legislature? What failed that should have passed? What passed that you wish had failed?

HB 1728 wished failure: As the state’s only Certified Water Specialist, it is none of the state’s business whether or not a private landowner wants to install/utilize a rain catchment system. It should be the owner’s sole discretion and responsibility to maintain the system. HB 472 wished failure: The digitization of a driver license is a violation of the 4th amendment and your privacy rights. It gives the state’s DMV remote access, which will ping the DMV every time it is used.

The 2026 session was also overshadowed by an issue of public trust: $35,000 in the brown paper bag given to an “influential” state lawmaker. What do you think the Legislature needs to do going forward to rebuild public confidence in state government?

The Legislature needs to put an end to all corporate lobbying, political action committees and the influence of employee unions, which we all know control the political landscape through intimidation, favors and cash flow. It must also place term limits on all elected positions. No longer can we tolerate career politicians setting their own pay, benefits and padding their nests. Public service should not result in exponential wealth accumulation.

In recent years, Hawai’i has experienced a series of damaging and dangerous weather events that have exposed weaknesses in our planning, preparation and response. What could you as a lawmaker do to help your district be better prepared?

As a beekeeper, farmer and hunter, I truly understand the importance of our unique ecology. I know that you must keep the rivers, streams and estuaries clear and free flowing. The current cast of politicians are at fault for the mismanagement of our resources. It is too-little, too-late for them to offer solutions now. The solution is clear-cut. Elect someone willing to move on no-nonsense plans such as regular vegetation clearings, native plant rehabilitation and proper fauna conservation.

What would you do in office to address the here and now of climate change? And how would you address the costs to taxpayers, property owners and businesses to adapt?

I believe that the earth goes through cycles. We are not suffering from man-made “climate change.” We are suffering from a mismanagement of our resources. The Vostok Ice Core Samples disprove so called “global warming” and “climate change.” In fact, carbon dioxide build-up lags behind warming. We have been lied to. I am all for less pollution and conservation of our resources. I am against the green agenda, which is in search of profiteering not combating environmental issues.

Over 3,000 bills are introduced every session and there is always frantic horsetrading in the final days of session. Do you think there should be a limit on the number of bills introduced to enable more meaningful debate?

3,000 bills, 10,000 bills, it does not matter. The real issue is the political stonewalling and partisan pettiness of committee chairs and members that do not give logical bills the light of day. I am talking about bills that are truly meant to improve the life and well-being of the people.

Hawaiʻi lawmakers are often in the dark about how much a piece of legislation will cost because the Aloha State is the only one in the nation that doesn’t require a fiscal analysis for bills. Should lawmakers be forced to put a realistic price tag on the legislation they introduce?

Lawmakers should 100% be required to perform a feasibility study with an accurate cost analysis. Not only should they provide a current cost analysis, but they should also be required to provide a cost analysis that takes into account the future forecast of said project. We all know most projects do not get on their feet until four to six years further down the road.

There are no term limits for state legislators in Hawaiʻi, so incumbents tend to win. Would you seek to change that? Why or why not?

As I stated earlier, all elected positions should have term limits. As a private citizen and taxpayer, I am disgusted with career politicians sitting in seats for extended terms accumulating wealth, while we struggle to pay our mortgages, rent, insurance, liabilities, energy costs and food costs.

What would you do to help improve the state’s public school system?

Ensure that our curriculum is relevant, based on core subjects such as: Math, History, Science, Civics, Art and Music. I would also look to create better vetting of our administrators, teachers, assistants and support staff. We must protect our children from the onslaught of radical ideology and the assault on their innocence.

Hawaiʻi is heavily reliant on tourism. What would you propose to diversify Hawaiʻi’s economy?

We need to stop covering our most viable farmlands with solar and wind farms, which hold some of the lowest energy efficiency ratings. Instead, we must take advantage of our island’s agricultural potential to not only proliferate an abundant food supply but also manufacture raw ingredients for nutraceuticals and health supplements for consumption and export.

An estimated 60% of Hawai’i residents are struggling to get by. It’s a problem that reaches far beyond low-income folks and into the middle class, which is disappearing. What would you do to help?

We must abandon the progressive tax system and introduce supply-side economics driven by a low-rate, broad-based flat tax, government spending restraints and minimal regulation. This will place more money into the hands of our middle class, which has been proven to increase innovation, consumer spending and incentive to keep the greatest minds in the islands.