Civil Beat has asked candidates for the primary election to answer a survey about where they stand on various issues and what their priorities will be if elected.

The following comes from George Lucas-Tadeo, Democratic candidate for the Office of Governor.

He is facing incumbent Josh Green and two other Democratic challengers in the Aug. 8 primary election. They are Duke Bourgoin and Lauren Kapoliahi’iaka Shim.

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 of governor? And why do you want the job?

I am a Puna-raised graduate of Keaʻau High School with a B.S. in Criminal Justice from Liberty University and 10 years of experience in automotive finance and business. My leadership is rooted in faith, family, service and Native responsibility through my Haereraaroa/Ulu/Nanaʻulu bloodline. I am running to restore Native lands, tax extreme wealth fairly, lower costs through economic levers, improve healthcare and education, and fix the system so Hawaiʻi works for the people.

What are the biggest issues facing the state, and what are the first things you would do to address them in the first six months after being elected?

Hawaiʻi’s biggest issues are affordability, housing, healthcare, education, food security, land justice and a system that protects wealth over working families. In my first six months, I would audit state spending, challenge monopolies, tax extreme wealth fairly, speed up affordable housing, expand local food production, protect Native lands, and build stronger medical and education pipelines. The goal is to lower costs, raise quality of life and put people over profit.

Here’s a question from one of your constituents: What specific policies do you plan to implement to prevent and crack down on elected officials who abuse their office for personal gain, in order to begin restoring the public’s trust?

With my B.S. in Criminal Justice, I believe trust is restored through real investigations, not political cover-ups. I would build a public integrity force that serves the people, investigates corruption, audits agencies and contracts, protects whistleblowers, exposes conflicts of interest and refers serious misconduct for prosecution. Public office is not for personal gain. If officials abuse power, they must face consequences.

With the median home price in Honolulu now above $1 million, what steps would you take to make housing more affordable?

Housing prices are a supply-and-demand crisis, but Hawaiʻi has limited land, so we must maximize housing without sacrificing Native land restoration. I would fast-track affordable and workforce housing, expand Accessory Dwelling Units, duplexes, and mid-rise housing in appropriate areas, regulate short-term rentals, tax vacant luxury and speculative properties, stop land banking, and require fair profit limits on public-backed projects. Housing must serve local families first, not investors.

The office of the governor has taken a non-combative stance with the Trump administration over many policy issues. What would be your stance with the federal administration and why?

My stance with the federal administration will be balanced but firm. I will work with Washington when it benefits Hawaiʻi, but I will draw clear lines when federal policy harms our people, lands, economy, or rights. Hawaiʻi is not the continent, and policies that may work elsewhere do not always work here. I will enter hard negotiations, defend our local needs, and make sure the federal government respects Hawaiʻi’s people, culture, and future.

Questions have been raised about how the new Hawaiʻi green fee to mitigate climate change is being doled out. Do you share those concerns and how should they be addressed in the future?

Yes, I am concerned about how the green fee is being doled out. This fee is meant to protect and restore our environment, but with all government spending, there must be transparency and accountability. This is an opportunity for Aloha ʻĀina to lead. Climate funds should be guided by the land, the people, and measurable results — not politics or profit. If we put the ʻāina first, we protect Hawaiʻi’s future.

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?

My climate plan is rooted in Aloha ʻĀina: land, people, and future over corporate profit. Working families should not pay the highest price for damage created by polluters, luxury development and extractive industries. I will invest in clean energy, local food, water protection, restoration and resilient infrastructure while making corporations, polluters and extreme wealth pay their fair share to help Hawaiʻi adapt.

Do you support a temporary transition to liquefied natural gas as Hawaiʻi pursues a goal of using 100% renewable energy by 2045? Is that goal attainable?

I do not support liquefied natural gas as a long-term solution, but I would consider a temporary, limited transition only if Hawaiʻi’s grid is not yet dependable and it lowers costs while replacing dirtier fuels. Any LNG use must have strict timelines, methane safeguards, and cannot delay renewable energy. Our real goal is energy independence through solar, battery storage, geothermal where appropriate and a reliable renewable grid.

Lawmakers in 2026 largely preserved historic income tax cuts. Will you commit to protecting the tax cuts? Why or why not?

Yes, I will protect tax relief for working families and I would go further by pushing no income tax for anyone earning under $500,000. The burden should shift from workers to extreme wealth, luxury holdings, and corporations that profit from Hawaiʻi’s high costs. But tax cuts must come with price controls, anti-gouging rules, and profit-margin regulations on necessities so relief reaches the people, not landlords, monopolies and corporations.

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. How would you position the state to be better prepared for these events?

Disaster preparation must be treated as public safety. I would require regular risk assessments, strengthen aging infrastructure, improve emergency communication, expand community shelters, protect roads, water, and energy systems, and make sure each island has the resources to respond quickly. Hawaiʻi needs leadership that prepares early, acts fast and stays present until recovery is complete.

Hawaiʻi has no initiative or referendum process, yet some in the public are frustrated each year when the Legislature kills important legislation without explanation. Is it time for Hawaiʻi to join the 26 states that allow voters to create policy through the ballot? Why or why not?

Yes. While we wait for branch-wide reform to create an official initiative and referendum process, the executive office can still give people a stronger voice. I created “Veto for the People,” a polling system that would allow residents to vote whether they support approval or veto of major legislation. The governor holds veto power, but that power should be guided by the people through transparency and public participation.

Despite recent progress, there are more people homeless on the streets and in shelters than there were in 2022. What will you do during your term to reduce homelessness and prevent more people from becoming homeless.

Homelessness must be addressed by fixing the core issue, not just moving people around. Some people need mental health and addiction treatment; others fell on hard times and need housing, work and stability. I would expand emergency housing, connect people to care and create work-trade pathways in construction, agriculture, healthcare and public service so people can rebuild their lives and become self-sustaining.