Civil Beat has asked candidates for primary election on Aug 8. to answer a survey about where they stand on various issues and what their priorities will be if elected.

The following comes from David Hazlebeck, Republican candidate for state House District 16, which includes includes Wailua, Hanamāʻulu, Kapaia, Līhuʻe, Puhi and a portion of Omao on Kauaʻi.

He will face Democratic incumbent Luke Evslin in the general election. Both are running unopposed in the primary.

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 am best suited because I bring real-world leadership experience, a record of solving problems and a deep commitment to the people of Kauaʻi. I understand the challenges families and businesses face because I live them every day. I want the job because our community needs someone who will represent us, not be another rubber-stamp vote for Oʻahu-centric policies. My wife and I want policies for our three children and all families to have the opportunity to build their future and thrive on Kauaʻi.

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 single biggest issue is affordability. This is particularly evident with housing after eight years of failed leadership by my opponent. I bring creative solutions that would directly impact cost of living for families that live and work in our great state. While there is no single solution, I will propose a comprehensive set of bills to help locals stay and thrive here while keeping Kaua‘i, Kaua‘i. In my first six months, I will work tirelessly for you to get bills passed that benefit Kaua‘i.

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

When a company receives monopoly protections, regulators have an even greater responsibility to ensure rate increases are justified and that customers are receiving efficient, high-quality service in return. I support competition in the marketplace and ultimately believe that leads to better-paying jobs as well. We must take a closer look at the root cause of the 29% increase on inter-island shipping that was approved by the Legislature this year (25.75% in January and another 3% on July 1).

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?

The most important actions were defeating the set of radical bills proposed by my opponent (HB 1550, HB 1918, HB 1991, HB 2049). These bills would have raised our taxes and destroyed businesses. The worst bill was HB 1550, which would have legalized drug needles in the hands of our keiki. HB 1611 to eliminate GE Tax on groceries and medical expenses should have passed. The worst bill that passed was HB 1875, opening the door for keiki from other states to start a sex change here without parental consent.

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 Legislature must fully investigate allegations of corruption and cooperate with law enforcement, not simply move on, and hope people forget. These allegations reinforced the perception that government is more responsive to insiders than ordinary citizens. Public office is for serving your community, not a personal opportunity and elected officials must consistently put the people first. Lawmakers should be transparent about how their votes and decisions benefit our families and community.

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 weather events have not only damaged property but have also driven insurers out of Hawai‘i, leaving homeowners and businesses facing rising costs and fewer options. I support investments in flood mitigation, wildfire prevention and exploring a state-backed program for catastrophe or reinsurance to stabilize the insurance market. My goal will be to identify vulnerabilities before they become emergencies and invest in practical solutions that protect lives, homes and businesses.

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 family’s algae company directly addresses climate change as exemplified by our winning the XPRIZE for Carbon Removal Milestone award declaring us one of the 15 companies in the world most likely to reach gigaton scale carbon removal. My priority as a legislator would be to help communities prepare for and withstand future challenges by supporting resilient infrastructure and effective emergency preparedness. Taking preventive action today saves lives and reduces the cost of recovery.

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?

I am more concerned about the process used to advance bills rather than the number. Major amendments often appear late in the session with little time for lawmakers or the public to review them. Rather than imposing an arbitrary limit on bills, I would support reforms that increase transparency, allow more time for public review and discourage last-minute changes. The best way to enable more meaningful debate and common-sense solutions is by having bipartisan representation in the state house.

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?

Lawmakers should absolutely have a cost estimate for the legislation they introduce. As a trained economist, I find this lack of transparency completely unacceptable. Greater transparency leads to better decisions and allows taxpayers to understand the tradeoffs involved. It also avoids wasting time debating unrealistic proposals. If a bill is worth passing, it should be able to withstand an honest discussion about what it will cost and who will pay for it.

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, absolutely. Public office should be a position of service, not a career destination. I am running for this position to serve our community for a few terms, get common sense back into our state government and help develop the next generation of leaders to ensure a seamless transition. The true mark of a great leader is how well they prepare their successor, not how long they can hold onto a position. I love my career farming algae with my family’s small business and intend to continue it.

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

As a father of three young children and founding athletic director of a middle and high school, I believe strong schools are essential to Hawaiʻi’s future. One of our biggest challenges is attracting and retaining great teachers, especially when many cannot afford to live in the communities they serve. I support expanding workforce housing opportunities, strengthening core academic skills, and improving accountability so resources reach classrooms and students achieve better outcomes.

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

Tourism will remain important, but we need a more diverse economy. I support growth in agriculture, food production, technology, healthcare, manufacturing and the skilled trades. As president of an algae company on Kaua‘i, I have seen firsthand that innovative businesses can succeed here if we reduce unnecessary barriers. Government should focus on improving infrastructure, streamlining permitting and supporting workforce development so local families have more opportunities beyond tourism.

An estimated 60% of Hawaiʻi 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?

The cost of living is the biggest issue facing Hawai‘i families. We must protect and expand tax relief for residents. We need elected officials who can relate to our community and prioritize reducing taxes for residents. I plan to propose a bill to eliminate property taxes for the middle and working class. I will support bills to expand opportunities, reduce the cost of doing business, increase the housing supply, and put money directly back into the pockets of people that live and work here.