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 Sam Puletasi, Democratic candidate for the office of lieutenant governor.

His opponents are Della Au Belatti, John Choi, Ku L. Bobby Cuadra and Derek Kawakami

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?

With the current administration prioritizing immigration reform, my expertise and experience as former ICE agent can be a powerful catalyst for progress, helping to mitigate the risks of inexperienced decision-making that could exacerbate state polarization; success in the primary election will position me to tackle future challenges head-on in collaboration with our party.

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?

I plan to visit all islands to address the challenges and issues that arose despite being foreseeable, and for which no contingency plans were established to mitigate the situations. The fire devastation in the Maui wildfires disaster zones was unacceptable, and the loss of life and public outcry that went unheard when it mattered most underscored the need for more effective government response capabilities, which were ultimately overwhelmed by the disaster’s severity.

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

Require legislative approval and public input.

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 will continue to excel in my core responsibilities, upholding the highest standards of integrity and respect, while consistently fulfilling my primary duties. Often, relying on our collective common sense will ultimately yield the best results.

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?

When working with the governor, I will uphold a professional relationship, according him the respect and authority commensurate with his office. Expecting potential obstacles, I will utilize my flexibility and collaborative acumen to adeptly navigate intricate situations. As a results-oriented professional dedicated to teamwork, I will apply my expertise and resources to cultivate robust relationships, thereby ensuring our goals are achieved efficiently and successfully.

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?

Upholding integrity is a fundamental principle that necessitates avoiding conflicts of interest and maintaining honesty in public service. I firmly assert that internal management of conflicts of interest is crucial for maintaining trustworthy and transparent comprehension. It is essential that governmental oversight bodies implement rigorous accountability measures and address concerns regarding potential conflicts of interest arising from political parties, personal gain and corruption.

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?

The State of Hawaiʻi would derive considerable benefits from integrating the referendum mechanism, analogous to other jurisdictions that have vested voters with the authority to shape policy through direct voting, thus affording citizens a vital means of conveying their deeply held convictions on issues that presently suffer from ineffective representation due to imbalance.

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?

Natural gas is a vital energy source that provides numerous benefits across various sectors, including household use, commercial operations and power generation. Despite its advantages and disadvantages, natural gas offers several key benefits, including: cleaner burning; high affordability; reliable and weather-resistant; Department of Energy; exceptional versatility; high efficiency, high affordability; and more.

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?

Collaborating with lawmakers, I championed Hawaiʻi’s green fee initiative to drive climate action from the State Capitol, empowering the governor to annually propose eco-friendly projects for legislative funding, thereby addressing our state’s ecological needs and fostering a resilient 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?

Crafting this measurement necessitates collaborative input from both the community and Legislature, and I will exercise my discretion to ensure alignment with our collective goals, thereby advancing progress in this critical juncture, and applying my expertise as necessary within the given context.

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

NO INCOME TAX.

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?

To enhance statewide disaster resilience, Hawaiʻi should prioritize strengthening critical infrastructure, optimizing supply chains and improving public communication systems. In light of severe weather events, ongoing initiatives are centered on key strategies including grid and infrastructure reinforcement, advanced flood prediction, supply chain optimization, unified public messaging and bolstering public communications with well-defined crisis management plans.