Civil Beat has asked candidates for the general election in November to answer a survey about where they stand on various issues and what their priorities will be if elected.

The following comes from Misty Cluett, Republican candidate for state House District 17, which includes the island of Niʻihau, a portion of Omao, Kōloa, Poʻipū, Lawai, Kalāheo, ʻEleʻele, Hanapēpē, Kawaanui Village, Pākalāl Village, Waimea and Kekaha.

She is unopposed in the Aug. 8 primary and will face the winner of a Democratic primary in the race in November.

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 believe I am best suited to serve as State Representative for District 17 because I bring real-world experience in project management, budgeting, problem solving and small business ownership. Before starting my business, I worked for a Fortune 500 company where I managed large programs, coordinated teams, identified risks, solved problems and was accountable for measurable results. The Legislature needs people with this skill set who care about outcomes and are willing to audit results.

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 biggest issue facing District 17 is the cost of living, especially housing and the basic costs that push local families away from home. In my first six months, I would focus on accountability around infrastructure, permitting, wastewater and housing barriers. We have studied many of these problems for years. I would push for clear timelines, responsible agencies and measurable progress so families can actually see results.

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

No. Kauaʻi families and small businesses are not well served by monopoly conditions in interisland shipping. Protecting our reefs and ocean waters through environmental stewardship can be accomplished while allowing competitive markets that help drive down prices. We need creative solutions, like cleaner fuel and vessel technology. Shipping costs affect everything: groceries, building materials, business costs, and ultimately the cost of living. Competition will drive prices down.

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 bills were those tied to cost of living, education, agriculture, infrastructure and government accountability. What failed that should have passed was stronger fiscal accountability, including realistic fiscal notes for legislation. Lawmakers should know what bills will cost before voting. What passed that I wish had failed was SB 2694, allowing automatic interisland shipping rate increases, because those costs ripple into food, housing, construction and daily life.

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?

To rebuild public confidence, the Legislature must stop protecting itself and start serving the public with transparency and accountability. When nearly 1,000 residents signed a petition asking for an investigation into bribery allegations, Speaker Nadine Nakamura, from our own District 15, filed it without action. That was wrong. Credible corruption concerns deserve independent investigation, public answers and a process that shows lawmakers are accountable to the people they represent.

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?

Preparedness has to be practical and local. District 17 includes rural communities, coastal areas, older infrastructure and places that can be cut off quickly. I would push for better emergency communication, backup power for critical facilities, improved drainage and road maintenance, and clear review of evacuation routes and shelter readiness. Emergency plans must assign responsibility and produce measurable readiness.

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 will focus on resilience and responsible stewardship. We need better preparation for flooding, erosion, wildfire, drought, storm and infrastructure failures. For District 17, that means drainage, wastewater, water systems, fire prevention and emergency response. We need to understand how funds are used, reduce the government footprint, and spend existing dollars more wisely to address this issue. We are the highest taxed state in the nation. No more new taxes until we understand current spending.

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?

No. I do not support limiting the number of bills legislators may introduce. Hawaiʻi needs a free and fair legislative process where all representatives can bring forward ideas for the people they serve. Limits would likely favor seasoned lawmakers and leadership while making it harder for newer voices to be heard. Greater public engagement and testimony will show which issues people truly care about and help guide meaningful debate.

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. Lawmakers should know what a bill will cost before voting on it, and the public should know, too. Families and small businesses must consider cost before making decisions, and government should be held to the same basic standard. Fiscal notes would help identify cost, staffing, implementation needs and long-term impact. If a bill is worth passing, it should withstand honest questions about its price tag.

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 support term limits, and I believe the deeper issue is public engagement. When seats go uncontested year after year, voters lose real choice and government becomes business as usual. My district’s incumbent has served more than 15 years, and today she has two opponents because people are frustrated. Term limits are one tool to encourage fresh voices, competitive elections and greater accountability.

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

I would focus on reading, math, critical thinking, parental rights and accountability. Hawaiʻi students need more than memorization. They need to learn how to reason, question, solve problems and apply knowledge. Critical thinking builds entrepreneurs, tradesmen, innovators and responsible citizens. Parents should be respected as the primary decision-makers for their children, outcomes should be transparent and education dollars should be tied to measurable student success.

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

Tourism will always be a large part of our economy, but it cannot be our only foundation. Economic diversification starts with education. We need to teach critical thinking, problem solving, trades, technology, agriculture and entrepreneurship so the next generation can build innovative businesses here at home. I would support reducing barriers for small businesses, improving permitting and encouraging industries that fit Kauaʻi while allowing local families to stay home and thrive.

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 crushing families, small businesses, young adults, kūpuna and the middle class. I would focus on reducing the cost burden government places on residents and businesses. That means protecting meaningful tax relief, requiring fiscal accountability, improving permitting and infrastructure so housing can be built, supporting local agriculture, and opposing policies that increase costs without clear benefit. People should be able to work and stay home.