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 Joe Gedeon, Republican incumbent for state House District 18, which includes Portlock, Hawaiʻi Kai and Kalama Valley.

He will face Democratic candidate James Wataru in the general election in November. Both are 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?

Being appointed by Gov. Josh Green to complete the term of the late Rep. Gene Ward has been one of the greatest honors of my life. Since taking office, I have focused on listening and being accessible. I attend Neighborhood Board meetings and host monthly “Let’s Talk Story” sessions. As a husband, father and business owner, I understand the challenges facing families and employers and remain committed to public safety, affordability and preserving the character of Hawaiʻi Kai.

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?

One of the biggest concerns in Hawaiʻi Kai is making sure our roads, utilities and emergency systems can keep our community safe. Because East Honolulu has limited access in and out, emergency preparedness is especially important. As your State Representative, I will continue working with state, county and utility partners to improve preparedness, strengthen infrastructure and support investments that protect residents while preserving the character of our community.

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

As a longtime small business owner in Hawaiʻi, I know competition encourages businesses to improve quality, provide better service and keep prices affordable. I support fair competition because it benefits consumers. At the same time, Hawaiʻi depends on a reliable shipping system for food, fuel and other essentials. Any changes should focus on affordability, dependable service and protecting Hawaiʻi’s food and energy security.

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?

Among the most important bills were SB 2671, which helps streamline permitting and reduces delays for housing and infrastructure projects, and HB 2021, which strengthens e-bike safety and accountability. I wish HB 1949, creating a Green Fee dashboard for greater transparency and accountability, and HB 1754, which would have exempted groceries and medical services from the GET, had passed. I also opposed SB 2694, which grants Young Brothers automatic rate increases without sufficient oversight.

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 “brown paper bag” scandal damaged public trust in state government and reminded us that elected officials must be held to the highest ethical standards. Rebuilding confidence will require greater transparency, stronger accountability and real consequences. Healthy checks and balances matter because oversight is strongest when power is not concentrated in one place and elected officials remain accountable to the people they serve.

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?

Emergency preparedness has been one of my top priorities. Through my monthly “Let’s Talk Story” sessions, I have brought together experts from Hawaiian Electric, emergency management and other agencies to help residents prepare for disasters. I also plan to establish a district working group that includes residents and community stakeholders. As a lawmaker, I will continue working to strengthen infrastructure and improve emergency planning for East Honolulu.

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?

We should focus on practical solutions that protect people and infrastructure from flooding, fire, erosion and severe weather. This includes strengthening critical infrastructure and improving emergency preparedness. Hawaiʻi families are already struggling with the high cost of living, so adaptation efforts should be practical, fiscally responsible and focused on public safety without placing unnecessary burdens on our residents or small businesses.

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?

After my first legislative session, I was surprised by how much work gets packed into the final days. Rather than limiting the number of bills introduced, I would prefer to improve the process through greater transparency, earlier hearings and more time for lawmakers and the public to review legislation. Better decisions are made when people have enough time to understand the issues, ask questions and provide feedback.

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?

Yes. As a business owner, I cannot imagine making financial decisions without understanding the costs. During my first legislative session, I was surprised that lawmakers were sometimes asked to vote on bills without knowing their fiscal impact. Legislation proposed by both lawmakers and the Governor’s administration should include cost estimates so elected officials and taxpayers can make informed decisions. Transparency leads to better policy and accountability.

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?

After my first year in office, I have a greater appreciation for how much time it takes to understand the legislative process and effectively navigate state government. Experience, institutional knowledge have real value. At the same time, term limits can bring fresh perspectives, prevent complacency, and reduce the concentration of power. I am open to discussing reasonable term limits, but voters should continue to have the final say.

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

Our public schools help shape the future of Hawaiʻi. I have built strong relationships with principals throughout the district to support their efforts and recognize student achievement. This year, my office presented legislative certificates to outstanding students and sent congratulatory letters to all graduating seniors and 5th graders at district schools. I also support higher pay for teachers so we can attract and retain the educators our students deserve.

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

Tourism plays an important role in Hawaiʻi’s economy, and I support efforts to keep our visitor industry strong. At the same time, we should create opportunities in other industries. We can do that by making it easier for local businesses to grow and by supporting manufacturing, value-added agriculture, technology and research. Creating more products that can be sold outside Hawaiʻi would bring new revenue into our state, create jobs and help address the imbalance in our shipping system.

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?

Too many Hawaiʻi families are struggling with the rising cost of living. We need to make Hawaiʻi more affordable by lowering the tax burden on working families, addressing the cost of housing, and making it easier for local businesses to grow and create good-paying jobs. I supported efforts to remove the GET from groceries and medical services because families should be able to afford the necessities of life. Our goal should be helping local residents build a future here in Hawaiʻi.