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 Ed Case , Democratic candidate for U.S. House 1st District, which covers urban Oahu.

His opponents are Nathan Berning, Jennifer Booker, Jordan Conley, Ben Fatula, Jarrett Keohokalole, Nicholas Kiswanto and Adriel Lam.

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 1st Congressional District?

These are difficult times, from unacceptably high costs of living, to our economy and jobs, foreign relations, federal finances, natural resources, social safety net and more, all while our foundations erode. We must chart a better way forward. That demands strong, smart, experienced leadership in Congress that can best navigate change, solve problems, defend democracy and help Hawai’i. From my seniority to Appropriations and more, that’s what I’ve done, and that’s what I continue to offer.

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?

The unacceptably high cost of living. There is no “first thing in first six months” magic bullet; each cause must be attacked. For Hawai’i, the Jones Act, which drives monopolistic shipping prices, and the Trump tariffs, an additional tax on all consumers, add thousands of dollars to each and every Hawaii family’s costs every year. I’ve fought for Jones Act and tariff reform as starters, in addition to other initiatives to lower housing, food, gas, electricity, health care and other core costs.

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

Yes, as I have throughout my four years of service in Congress during a Trump presidency. While I don’t yell, scream and swear about it every day, my actions have encompassed hundreds of legislative proposals, votes, statements, joint efforts with colleagues, lawsuits and more, in addition to two votes to impeach. But my most effective efforts are in private discussions with Republican colleagues and friends toward persuading them to fulfill their duty to check and balance the administration.

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?

I reject the question premise that my 12-year Congressional record can or should be reduced to one defining effort, and believe my contributions and achievements over a broad range of issues throughout my service add up to measurable, positive impact on Hawai’i. But it is especially my eight years now on our Appropriations Committee, which has resulted in billions of dollars annually in federal assistance to Hawai’I, including to address the crises and urgency of COVID, Red Hill and Maui.

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.

The same way I have done so throughout my four years during a Trump administration, which is not materially different from my eight years during other Republican and Democratic administrations. Effectively advancing the interests of Hawai’i, a very small and misunderstood fish in a very big and foreign Washington, D.C. pond, takes all of seniority, experience, relationships, positions (especially Appropriations), foresight, perseverance and hard work. A particularly common ground is national defense in the Indo-Pacific.

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?

First, the reality is that most of the best policy options to tackle unacceptably high Hawai’i housing costs lie at the state and county government and community levels. The federal government has a direct role through federal tax policy and federal funding via Appropriations, both of which I pursue. But for highly targeted federal efforts, the most immediate and effective are Jones Act and tariff reform, as each and both artificially jack up housing construction costs for an island state.

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.

The Jones Act is an ancient federal law whose modern effect is to create a monopolistic artificially high cost stranglehold on Hawaii’s shipping lifeline from the continent for well over 90% of our essential goods. No candidate can pretend to be concerned with our cost of living while denying or explaining away the major impact of the Jones Act. I have fought for Jones Act reform for Hawai’i and the other island and non-continent parts of our country that are particularly dependent on shipping.

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?

As a supporter of our nation’s century-plus special political relationship with our indigenous peoples, including Native Hawaiians, I advocate consistently and broadly for Native Hawaiian institutions including Kamehameha Schools and for the laws, programs and funding that advance our relationship, and oppose all efforts to cripple or dismantle them. My work is mainly in Appropriations, annually funding over $100 million to Native Hawaiian health, education, housing, veterans, business and other efforts.

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?

I’ll continue to confront climate change deniers with scientific realities and the real solutions they demand. These include full participation in international carbon emission reduction agreements like the Paris Climate Accords, and full incentivization and funding of continued renewable energy R&D and implementation, which I have supported through Appropriations. As a Homeland Security subcommittee member, I’ll also continue support for FEMA and other disaster mitigation and response efforts.

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?

My full support for renewable energy started as energy staff for U.S. Sen. Spark Matsunaga, continued as Hawai’i State representative on renewable energy portfolio standards, and continues on federal support for R&D/implementation through my Appropriations Committee, Sustainable Energy & Environmental Coalition and otherwise. I fought hard for the landmark legislation of the Biden presidency which the Trump administration is tragically unwinding. I don’t know where and how LNG advances Hawai’i 2045.

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?

I reject the false choice between a strong defense presence in Hawai’i, which I support as a matter of sharing the obligation of national defense in a dangerous world as well as of strengthening our economy, and addressing environmental and social concerns, which I also support as a matter of protecting and caring for our Hawai’i. Both goals can be achieved with mutual effort, and my kuleana, especially as a member of our Appropriations Defense Subcommittee, is to assure and fund solutions.

Immigration is a cornerstone of Hawaiʻi’s history and culture, yet the Trump administration has taken an aggressive stance on enforcement. How will you represent Hawaiʻi’s values in Washington while balancing the federal government’s need to secure the nation’s borders?

First, I believe that Hawaii’s proud immigrant heritage and values are in strong support of legal immigration and in strong opposition to illegal immigration, so I don’t view any inconsistency between our values to increase legal immigration and to enforce our immigration laws. But I have strongly opposed how this administration is enforcing key parts of our laws, including in my Appropriations Homeland Security Subcommittee, where I have declined to fund ICE and CBP unless and until reformed.