Editor’s note: 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 Robin Vanderpool, the Republican incumbent candidate for state House District 13, covering Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, Kahoʻolawe, part of Kahuui, Haʻikū, Peʻahi, Huelo, Nahiku, Hana and Kīpahulu.

He is running unopposed. He will face Democratic incumbent Mahina Poepoe in the November general election.

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?

I have read and understood the Hawaii State Constitution. I understand the duties of a Hawaiʻi state district representative. I will take a common sense approach to voting on bills that affect my constituents in district, county and state issues.

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?

Many, but homelessness is a priority.

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

No. The public has been asking us to repeal the Jones Act for decades. I believe it is time to examine the pros and cons of that and solve this problem immediately.

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?

I wish that HB 555 / SB 638 (Providing paid workers with rest periods every four hours) would have passed. I wish HB 1875 had not passed.

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?

Truth be known, bribery has been happening under the table in all departments for decades. We can only elect better leaders.

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?

Weather has long been an issue. I would encourage people to follow the emergency planning guidelines found in the first few pages of the telephone book. This is a long subject, one that I am familiar with as a builder, a homeowner and the head of a large family.

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?

I’m not a climate alarmist. Peer-reviewed studies have found that prior models projections have failed to prove we are in any sort of crisis. With the increasing ice cover at both poles, data suggest we are in a cooling trend. I would direct all taxes toward paying the unfunded liabilities and government pensions, and toward improving roads and infrastructure.

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?

Absolutely. A limit of 10 bills per representative seems fair. I would further limit what types of bills to consider as I am fiscally conservative.

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?

Absolutely yes.

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?

Nationwide, politicians appear to get too comfortable and vote in accordance to the wishes of their donors and lobbyists.

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

I would prefer that we return to the old standards that held students accountable and failure to achieve passing grades would have consequences. I feel there is too much liberal influence and focus on socio-political subjects like gender, sexuality and anti-ICE rhetoric at school. My grandchildren come home with anti-Trump, pro-gender fluidity and anti-Caucasian language that’s being discussed in classrooms.

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

First, I would focus on making the islands more beautiful to attract even more tourists. I would work with small businesses to create more recreational facilities to attract more tourists. Again, repealing the Jones Act to make shipping to and from the American mainland viable. If shipping costs were cut in half, we could compete with Chinese companies to assemble Apple products and other tech products in their facilities. We have a lots of arable land that should be farmed.

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 have over 52,000 illegal immigrants in Hawaiʻi who have taken our housing, jobs, food, automobiles, fuel, school desks, and even jail cells. I truly believe in the law. Hawaiʻi residents come first.