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 Edward Codelia, nonpartisan candidate for U.S. House 2nd District, which covers part of Oahu and all the neighbor islands.

His opponents are Brenton Awa, Kirill Basin, Greg Guithues, Steven King, Jill Tokuda and Terry Randall.

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

At this specific moment in American history — marked by intense divisions and the politics of grievance — why are you the right person to represent the specific needs of Hawaiʻi’s 2nd Congressional District?

I am the right person to represent Hawaiʻi’s 2nd District because I have lived the changes. I moved here in my early 20s and now, in my early 60s, I have witnessed decades of economic, social and environmental changes that have made life harder for many local families. I am not running to deepen divisions. I am running to bring accountability, practical solutions and a long-term vision that helps make Hawaiʻi more affordable, resilient and sustainable for future generations.

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

Affordability is the biggest issue facing Hawaiʻi because it affects every aspect of daily life. After more than 35 years living on Maui, I have watched the cost of housing, food, energy, healthcare, insurance, and transportation rise faster than incomes, forcing many local families to leave the islands they call home. In my first six months, I would begin introducing legislation and pursuing federal oversight focused on reducing the unique costs imposed on Hawaiʻi.

Here’s one question from your constituents: Will you stand up against the bullying corruption of the Trump admin?

I am willing to stand up to any administration, agency, political party, special interest or government official that contributes to the neglect, misrepresentation or exploitation of Hawaiʻi and its people. My loyalty is not to Washington or any political party — it is to the people of Hawaiʻi. I will support policies that help our communities and oppose those that harm them, regardless of who proposes them. Accountability should apply to everyone.

For those who have held public office: What is one piece of legislation or policy initiative you spearheaded in the last four years that had a measurable, positive impact on Hawaiʻi? For challengers who have not held public office: What professional or community achievement best demonstrates your ability to navigate complex bureaucracies and deliver results?

As a challenger, I cannot point to legislation I personally passed. What I can point to is more than 30 years helping people navigate housing, lending, property rights, government regulations and complex bureaucracies throughout Hawaiʻi. That experience has shown me where government works, where it fails and where costs are imposed on local families. I am running on decades of firsthand experience and a clear plan to improve affordability, accountability, infrastructure and resilience.

With the Trump administration in its final two years, how specifically do you plan to ensure Hawaiʻi’s interests aren’t sidelined? Name one specific policy area where you believe you can find common ground with the administration or across the aisle to benefit Hawaiʻi residents.

My responsibility is to ensure Hawaiʻi’s interests are never sidelined, regardless of who occupies the White House. I believe common ground exists on affordability, particularly housing and shipping. I will work with any administration or member of Congress willing to pursue Hawaiʻi-specific housing reforms, review shipping policies that increase costs, improve federal funding formulas and support carve-outs recognizing Hawaiʻi’s unique challenges as an isolated island state.

Hawaiʻi consistently ranks as one of the most expensive housing markets in the U.S. Beyond general support for HUD, what federal program or legislative mechanism would you propose to specifically address affordability and increase housing inventory on the islands?

Housing affordability cannot be separated from infrastructure and cost. I would introduce legislation creating a Hawaiʻi federal cost-share and housing parity program that increases funding for housing-supporting infrastructure, adjusts federal formulas to reflect Hawaiʻi’s higher costs and reduces barriers created by one-size-fits-all mainland policies. Hawaiʻi deserves federal programs designed for island realities, not continental assumptions.

The Jones Act is a century-old cargo shipping law that some argue has a significant impact on Hawaiʻi’s cost of living. Do you support a full repeal, a specific exemption for Hawaiʻi or maintaining the status quo? How will you build a national coalition to change it? If you support maintaining the status quo, please explain why that’s necessary.

I support Hawaiʻi-specific reforms to the Jones Act rather than the status quo. I would introduce legislation to study how federal shipping policies affect housing costs, food prices, energy costs and affordability in Hawaiʻi. I would then work with Alaska, Puerto Rico, Guam and other affected jurisdictions to pursue targeted exemptions, freight relief and cost offsets. Hawaiʻi should not be penalized by policies written for the continental United States.

National conservative groups have launched legal challenges against Kamehameha Schools’ admissions policy and a federal program that provides Native Hawaiian health scholarships. Are you concerned about protecting those institutions and programs and, if so, what federal legislative action will you take?

Yes. The history of Hawaiʻi cannot be separated from the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom, acknowledged by the United States through the 1993 Apology Resolution. As a member of Congress, I would support legislation protecting Native Hawaiian educational, healthcare, cultural and land stewardship programs while strengthening their legal foundation through clear congressional findings and statutory protections.

Climate change and ever more powerful disasters are facts of life in Hawaiʻi. How would you plan to address that issue in Washington on behalf of the state?

Climate change is a public safety, infrastructure and affordability issue for Hawaiʻi. I would pursue federal funding for shoreline protection, watershed restoration, wildfire mitigation, water security and resilient infrastructure. I support stronger building standards and responsible tourism policies that protect our natural and cultural resources. Investing in resilience today will reduce future disaster costs, protect communities and improve quality of life for future generations.

Hawaiʻi aims for 100% renewable energy by 2045. Do you support Gov. Josh Green’s initiative to use liquefied natural gas as a bridge fuel until that goal is met?

I do not believe Hawaiʻi should solve its energy challenges by becoming dependent on another imported fuel source. While liquefied natural gas may offer short-term benefits, it does not address long-term vulnerabilities. I would direct federal resources toward rooftop solar, battery storage, microgrids, grid hardening and community-based energy systems that improve resilience, affordability and reliability while reducing dependence on imported fuels.

As the headquarters of INDOPACOM, Hawaiʻi is central to U.S. strategy in the Pacific. How do you balance the need for a strong military presence with the environmental and social concerns of the local community?

Hawaiʻi’s role in Pacific defense is unlikely to change, but I will not hesitate to challenge the military, federal agencies or any president when Hawaiʻi’s interests are at stake. As a member of Congress, I will conduct oversight on the ground, following federal dollars from Washington through state and county agencies to ensure they produce measurable results. Hawaiʻi deserves accountability, environmental stewardship and direct benefits for affected communities.

Candidates for CD2: For a resident on a neighbor island, the federal government can feel worlds away. How will your office be present for people who feel ignored/neglected by Honolulu-centric or D.C.-centric politics?

The people of Maui, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, Kauaʻi, Hawaiʻi Island and rural Oʻahu deserve more than an occasional visit from their representative. I will be present throughout the district, conducting oversight on the ground, meeting with communities and tracking federal dollars to ensure they produce real results. My job is to be accessible, accountable, and a voice for the people who too often feel ignored by both Honolulu and Washington.