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 Tricia Kwai Lin Nakamatsu, Democratic candidate for State Senate District 13, a diverse Honolulu district that extends mauka of Chinatown through Liliha and Nuʻuanu including Pacific Heights, Pauoa, Punchbowl, Pālama, and Iwilei.

His opponents are Lei Ahu Isa, Wallyn Kanoelani Christian, James Logue, Jordan Nakamura and Lynn Vasquez.

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?

For over 15 years, I have served as a prosecutor and legislative liaison, to bring stakeholders together and change many of our laws for the better. I have lived and worked in this district for over 30 years and my children are the fifth generation of our family to live here. I am a middle-class working mom and a proud product of my Chinese, Japanese and Okinawan heritage. I have the experience, heart and drive to hit the ground running from Day One and I’m leaning “all in” to my dedication to public service.

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?

In speaking with residents across the district, the top concern has been public safety, especially traffic safety and houseless individuals entering/camping in our residential areas. If elected, I will work with the community, law enforcement, HDOT and other stakeholders to identify priority areas for pedestrian beacons (like Kakaʻako) or speed tables, and advocate for court-ordered treatment for nonviolent offenders who suffer from mental illness and/or substance abuse, including houseless individuals.

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

I don’t know, and would like to learn more, as I believe this issue requires a careful balance. Hawaiʻi needs dependable interisland shipping that serves every county, including neighbor island communities where service may be less profitable. At the same time, all of our residents and businesses deserve fair rates and accountability. As a state senator, I would work to ensure the system is reliable, fair and responsive to the needs of Hawaiʻi’s people.

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?

Senate Bill 3125 (Act 24) will deliver significant tax relief for working- and middle-class families while maintaining a balanced state budget. HB 1890 provides annual pay increases to help retain public school teachers and encourage professional growth. SB 2721 provides some positive criminal law changes, but may not be worth cutting probation from four years to one year for offenders who are likely addicted to meth, fentanyl and other dangerous drugs as they typically need much longer for treatment.

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?

Allowing the attorney general to conduct a fair and independent investigation – without interference – will go a long way to restoring public trust in the rule of law in Hawaiʻi. That said, public trust must be earned every day. For 20 years, I have served with integrity, upholding the law and honoring the public’s trust. If elected, I would maintain that commitment by actively listening to the community, being transparent about my decisions and remembering that this office exists to serve the people.

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?

Our district faces significant natural disaster risks, including flooding and wildfires, so securing funding for infrastructure improvements, such as stream clearing and vegetation/treeline management would be a priority for me. Communication and public education are also essential. I would use social media, attend neighborhood board meetings and support disaster preparedness training and workshops for the community to help residents stay informed, build resilience and better prepare for emergencies.

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?

Protecting our natural resources and mitigating disaster risk are effective ways to combat climate change locally. I support Green Fee projects that protect our watersheds and harden our flood control infrastructure, especially because certain areas in our district are prone to flooding.

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?

I would consider an overall limit on the number of bills, if it can be done fairly and thoughtfully, but would be cautious about placing a strict cap per legislator. The number of good ideas a legislator brings forward will vary from year to year, and some may have more proposals because of their particular district, committee or other factors. I would also support looking at other reforms that make the process more manageable, reduce last-minute decision making and allow for more meaningful debate.

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?

If a proposal will require public funding, staffing or long-term implementation costs, legislators and the public should have a realistic sense of what that means before final decisions are made. However, rather than requiring a full fiscal analysis for every bill at the very beginning of session – which would require an enormous amount of time and resources –– a more practical approach may be to require fiscal analysis later in the process, once a bill has advanced and is more likely to pass.

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?

I understand the appeal of term limits because they can bring fresh perspectives and give more people an opportunity to serve. That said, experience matters, especially when handling complex issues or working towards systemic change. Ultimately, I believe voters should have the final say. If an elected official is serving their district well, voters may choose to keep them. If there is a better candidate or an incumbent is no longer responsive to the community, voters can and do make that change.

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

I would support a comprehensive approach that prioritizes teacher retention and addresses aging school infrastructure. HB 1890 was a critical step toward fair, predictable pay increases, but we must also increase baseline compensation, to ensure our educators can afford to stay in Hawaiʻi. To address outdated campuses, I would support an accelerated modernization initiative to streamline planning, prioritize critical upgrades and secure funding to ensure every campus is safe and built for success.

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

I believe Hawaiʻi should look into sustainable industries that diversify our economy while also strengthening our visitor industry. For example, film helps to promote Hawaiʻi to the world, as indirect marketing for our visitor industry. Manufacturing can expand trade and exports, which could increase flight routes and options for both residents and visitors. Renewable energy can lower energy costs, reduce our dependence on imported fuel and position Hawaiʻi as a leader in sustainability and ecotourism.

An estimated 60% of Hawaii 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?

Much of the pressure felt by families is caused by an acute lack of housing that is truly affordable. As a state senator, I would support measures that incentivize increased development of housing, including more resources for the Hawaiʻi Housing Finance and Development Corporation, issuance of bonds for new infrastructure to support housing and community development and streamlining the permitting process on both the state and county levels.