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 Wallyn Kanoelani Christian, Republican 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.

Her opponents are Lei Ahu Isa, James Logue, Tricia Kwai Lin Nakamatsu, 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?

Since 2022, I have attended state Capitol hearings, City Council meetings, and provided testimony on issues affecting Hawaiʻi’s residents. As a Neighborhood Board member since 2024, I have worked with residents and community leaders to address local concerns. These experiences have given me valuable insight into government and public service. I am seeking this position to serve with integrity, accountability and to be a strong voice for the people of Hawaiʻi.

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?

There are several concerns in our community, including housing, the cost of living, homelessness, public safety, supporting small businesses and keeping our neighborhoods clean and welcoming. One of my first priorities would be to listen to the residents of District 13 and hear their ideas and concerns. I would work with community groups, government agencies and my colleagues to find practical solutions that strengthen our community and improve quality of life.

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

I believe competition in any industry helps improve service, reliability and affordability. My priority is ensuring interisland shipping is dependable and reasonably priced for all islands. I support solutions that put local families first, help keep costs down, protect port jobs and make sure every community continues to receive reliable service.

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?

The most important bills addressed public safety, housing and illegal fireworks enforcement. I would have preferred to see more tax relief, especially reducing the GET burden on groceries, medicine and other essential goods. I was disappointed that new taxes and fees were also approved, adding more costs for families and small businesses. Hawaiʻi should focus on affordability, safe communities, government accountability and protecting individual freedoms.

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?

I believe the Legislature, the attorney general and law enforcement need to investigate further into this and other unsolved allegations until they are solved and the guilty are arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. The people are wanting transparency, honesty and accountability from those that took an oath 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?

Hawaiʻi has always experienced changing weather, and recent storms have shown how much our communities can be affected. I believe decisions should be made with input from residents and local businesses. My focus is strong coordination between state and county agencies to ensure we are prepared, respond quickly and recover effectively. Most importantly, we must keep communication open and prioritize the safety and well-being of everyone impacted.

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?

The climate is always changing, and I would focus on the real impacts we are seeing today, like storms, flooding, coastal erosion and stress on our infrastructure. My priority is public safety, preparedness and strengthening our communities so we can respond and recover quickly. I would also ensure actions are practical and balanced, with careful attention to costs for taxpayers, property owners and businesses, so we protect people without creating unnecessary financial burden.

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?

Lawmakers should have the flexibility to introduce bills that reflect their communities’ needs. My focus is to bring the voices of the people to the Legislature and ensure their concerns are reflected in the bills introduced. Laws should be shaped by the needs of our communities and serve the people of Hawaiʻi.

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?

Yes! I support requiring a fiscal note for legislation. Lawmakers should clearly understand the real cost of what they are proposing before it moves forward. A fiscal analysis brings transparency, helps prevent unintended financial burdens on taxpayers and leads to better decisions. If laws are going to be passed that spend the public’s money, we should be clear and upfront about what they cost the people of Hawaiʻi.

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?

Absolutely! I believe serving in public office should be temporary, not a lifelong career. If the president, vice president, governor, lieutenant governor, and city council members have term limits, then legislators should have them as well. Term limits help bring fresh ideas, new leadership and keep government connected to the people it serves.

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

I would focus on strengthening Hawaiʻi’s public schools by supporting our teachers, improving classroom resources and making sure our schools are safe and well cared for. I would also expand career and technical education so our keiki are better prepared for local jobs and future opportunities. I support making Civics and Financial Literacy required subjects so students are ready for real life and understand money and civic responsibility.

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

Tourism is important to Hawaiʻi, but we need to build a stronger economy beyond tourism. I support growing local agriculture, supporting small businesses, expanding skilled trades and creating more opportunities for local families. By keeping more of our money and jobs here at home, we can strengthen our communities and make Hawaiʻi more resilient for the future.

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?

I believe everyone in Hawaiʻi deserves the opportunity to succeed, and I will work to support families across all income levels. My focus is on lowering taxes where possible, reducing the cost of living and helping people keep more of what they earn. There’s no easy answer, but through talks with the community and working with my fellow colleagues, I hope we can find real solutions that make life better for our families.