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 Andrew Takuya Garrett, Democratic candidate and incumbent member for state House District 22, which covers Mānoa.

He is running unopposed.

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?

It has been the honor of my life to serve District 22 at the State Capitol. Over the past four years, I have worked hard to be accessible, responsive and focused on results. As chair of the Higher Education Committee, I have built relationships across government, education, labor and the private sector to advance practical solutions. I am seeking reelection because there is still important work to do to make Hawaiʻi more affordable and create greater opportunity for future generations.

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?

The rising cost of living remains the biggest challenge facing local families. While there is no single solution, I believe we must increase housing supply in a thoughtful manner, strengthen workforce pathways and create more opportunities for residents to earn family-sustaining wages. As long as I am in this role, I will continue advancing policies that connect education, workforce development and economic opportunity so more residents can afford to stay in Hawaiʻi.

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

I support competition where it can improve service and lower costs, but Hawaiʻi’s geography presents unique challenges. If interisland shipping were profitable, additional competitors would enter the market. Regardless, residents and businesses on our other neighbor islands deserve reliable service at a price they can afford. The priority should be ensuring a resilient supply chain that serves local communities, not preserving or dismantling any particular market structure for its own sake.

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 was the most important bill because it preserved the income tax relief enacted in 2024 and kept our promise to taxpayers. I was disappointed that Senate Bill 3263, which would have strengthened UH’s NIL efforts, fell one vote short in the Senate. I opposed House Bill 2592 because continued delays in transferring authority to the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority create unnecessary uncertainty for Hawaiʻi’s astronomy and research sectors.

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?

The events of 2022 damaged public trust and rightly drew public scrutiny. Since then, the House has undergone significant turnover, with more than half of its current members not serving at that time. Rebuilding confidence will take time, but I believe we are on the right track with a new generation of leaders committed to transparency, accountability and ethical government. Ultimately, trust is earned through consistent actions, not words.

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?

Recent flooding in Mānoa reinforced the importance of preparedness. I will continue working with state and county agencies to improve drainage infrastructure, maintain streams, address invasive trees that threaten public safety and strengthen emergency communication systems. Investing before disasters occur is far less costly than rebuilding afterward.

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?

We should focus on practical solutions that reduce risk while protecting affordability. That includes investing in resilient infrastructure, supporting clean energy, improving water security and preparing communities for extreme weather. We must also leverage federal and private funding whenever possible so the burden does not fall solely on taxpayers and local businesses.

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?

The issue is not necessarily the number of bills but the quality of the process. I support reforms that encourage greater transparency, earlier decision-making and more meaningful public engagement. Our goal should be thoughtful policymaking rather than simply reducing the number of proposals.

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. Lawmakers should have access to reliable fiscal information before making decisions. Better cost estimates improve transparency, strengthen accountability and help ensure taxpayer dollars are spent wisely. The House Finance Committee piloted fiscal notes this year, and I hope that becomes the norm going forward.

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?

Yes. I believe public service should be a calling, not a career. While incumbents do not always win — I defeated an incumbent in a primary election — I support legislative term limits and believe 16 years of combined service in the House and Senate is a reasonable balance between experience and fresh perspectives.

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

The single most important challenge facing our public schools is the ongoing teacher shortage. Too many students, particularly in rural communities, are being taught by unlicensed emergency hires. Every child deserves a qualified teacher and a modern learning environment. If we expect students to believe in their future, we must invest in both the people who teach them and the facilities where they learn.

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

Diversification starts with talent development. We should strengthen sectors such as healthcare, technology, clean energy, education and skilled trades while supporting local entrepreneurship. My focus has been building stronger connections between education and workforce needs so residents can access high-quality jobs in emerging industries.

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?

We must address both sides of the affordability equation: lowering costs and increasing incomes. That means building more housing, improving transportation options, reducing barriers to workforce participation and helping residents gain skills that lead to better-paying jobs. My goal is to ensure that working families can build a stable future in Hawaiʻi without having to leave the state they call home.