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 Daniel Anthony, Republican candidate for the office of lieutenant governor.

His opponents are Hopelin Cresencia, Margaret Meija and Robert Peters.

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 lieutenant governor? And why do you want the job?

I am best suited to serve as lieutenant governor because I have spent my life bringing people together to solve real problems. For over 20 years, I have led efforts in community service, agriculture, cultural preservation and environmental stewardship. I want this job to restore trust in government, strengthen local families, protect Hawaiʻi’s future and ensure every community has a voice. For me, leadership is not about power, it’s about service.

Since the lieutenant governor’s office has few formal responsibilities, Hawaiʻi governors often designate duties to their lieutenant governors. What initiatives would you hope to take on as lieutenant governor?

As lieutenant governor, I would focus on restoring trust in government, strengthening community-based solutions, expanding local food security, supporting small businesses and family farms, advancing government transparency and building partnerships that protect Hawaiʻi’s cultural and natural resources. I would work to connect communities with state agencies and ensure local voices help shape the future of Hawaiʻi.

Here’s one question from your constituents: How can we increase funds for public education and why don’t we prioritize it?

Public education should be Hawaiʻi’s top investment because it shapes our future workforce, leaders and communities. We can increase funding by reducing government waste, improving accountability, pursuing public-private partnerships, expanding career and technical education grants, and dedicating a portion of economic growth to schools. Too often short-term politics compete with long-term investments in our children. Education must become a statewide priority.

The lieutenant governor becomes governor if the top leader is unable to fulfill their duties. Why do you think you’re qualified to do the top job?

I am qualified to serve as governor because I have spent my life leading through action, not titles. For over 20 years, I have brought people together, managed complex projects and delivered results in communities across Hawaiʻi. Leadership requires vision, integrity and the ability to solve problems. My experience in agriculture, cultural stewardship and community service has prepared me to lead with courage, transparency, accountability and a commitment to all of Hawaiʻi.

In prior administrations, the governor and lieutenant governor have sometimes clashed. Does the lieutenant governor’s role include standing up to the governor? Or should the LG simply carry out the governor’s priorities?

The lieutenant governor should be a trusted partner, not a rubber stamp. The role is to help advance the governor’s priorities while providing honest advice, constructive feedback and a willingness to speak up when needed. Strong leadership requires collaboration, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to serving the people of Hawaiʻi above politics or personalities.

The lieutenant governor’s office became the focus of public scrutiny this year as Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke was drawn into a bribery investigation. What would you do to restore public trust in government? What specific changes would you propose for the executive and legislative branches to accomplish that?

Public trust is earned through transparency, accountability and results. I would support stronger ethics disclosures, real-time public access to government spending, stricter lobbying and procurement oversight, and independent audits of major programs. Government should be open by default, with clear consequences for misconduct. The people of Hawaiʻi deserve a government that serves the public interest, not special interests.

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 institute policy through their ballot? Why or why not?

I believe Hawaiʻi should seriously consider a citizen initiative and referendum process with strong safeguards. When important bills die without a vote or explanation, public trust suffers. Giving voters a direct path to place issues on the ballot can increase accountability and civic engagement. However, signature thresholds, transparency requirements, and constitutional protections are necessary to prevent abuse by special interests. Democracy works best when the people have a meaningful voice

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 support an all-of-the-above approach that keeps electricity reliable and affordable while moving Hawaiʻi toward greater energy independence. LNG may serve as a temporary bridge if it lowers costs and improves reliability, but it should not delay investment in renewable energy, storage and local innovation. The 100% renewable goal is aspirational and worth pursuing, but success depends on realistic timelines, grid reliability, affordability and transparent evaluation of emerging technologies

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. Whenever public funds are collected for a specific purpose, taxpayers deserve full transparency and accountability. The public should be able to see where every dollar goes, what outcomes are achieved and who benefits from the funding. I support independent audits, public reporting, clear performance metrics and community input on spending priorities. Climate and environmental investments should be driven by measurable results, not politics or special interests.

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?

Hawaiʻi’s people must have a lifestyle resilient to climate change. I would prioritize watershed restoration, wildfire prevention, invasive species control, coastal protection and ahupuaʻa-based resilience centers. Leaning from Native Hawaiian cultural practitioners and customary land managers, whose communities sustained themselves for centuries through stewardship and self-sufficiency is key to reduce costs. I would pursue grants, tax incentives and partnerships that help Hawaii’s people.

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

Yes. I support protecting the income tax cuts because Hawaiʻi families and small businesses are already struggling with one of the highest costs of living in the nation. Government should focus on reducing waste, improving efficiency and growing the economy before asking taxpayers for more. Any future changes should be carefully evaluated to ensure they strengthen Hawaiʻi’s long-term fiscal health without placing additional burdens on working families.

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 needs to happen for the state to be better prepared for these events?

Hawaiʻi’s people must shift from relying solely on government response to becoming active partners in disaster preparedness. We need stronger emergency communications, better coordination between state, county, and community partners, hardened infrastructure, wildfire prevention, watershed restoration and local emergency supply networks. I also support ahupuaʻa-based emergency readiness education centers that train communities in preparedness, response and self-sufficiency before disasters.