Civil Beat has asked candidates for the 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 Angie Knight, Democratic candidate for State House District 21, which includes the communities of St. Luis Heights, Pālolo Valley, Maunalani Heights, Wilhelmina Rise and Kaimukī.

Her opponents are Ranell Asuega-Fualaau, Jake Takaya Morrow, Andrew Phomsouvanh and Derek Turbin.

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?

For the past four years, I participated in and facilitated public-private discussions enacting solutions to homelessness and public safety concerns, resulting in two bills signed into law, the return of a bus route and improved crosswalks. I know first-hand how connected everything is, and how solutions must be viewed as part of the larger picture. I’m running for office because our district deserves representation that moves past talk and toward collaborative solutions resolving real concerns.

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 our district is simple but has wide-reaching effects: pedestrian safety. As representative, I will continue to advocate for improvements to our roads, especially near schools. Our district is home to over 10 schools and many kūpuna. Yet our roads are dangerous, mopeds do as they please and cars whip through residential streets even during school hours. The crosswalk I joined the neighborhood board to fix is scheduled for installation of push-button signage this summer.

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

I do not support interisland shipping monopolies. However, I support protecting an essential service that delivers food, medicine and basic goods to our neighbor islands. It’s my understanding, based on the House Finance chair’s remarks earlier this year, that legislators were told Young Brothers was at risk of ceasing interisland shipping this summer, so they injected funds. Critical services need contingencies; interisland monopolies are highly vulnerable and invite overcharging.

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 helped draft HB 2505, which passed. It addresses service gaps in the revolving door for chronically homeless, mentally ill individuals by encouraging engagement with community partners already working with the client. Landmark bills passed to support kūpuna and health care: insurance now required to cover continuous glucose monitoring devices, dementia caregiving support, and SNAP and Medicaid gap funding for continued services. Increasing the Family Caregiver Tax Credit failed, a tragic loss.

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 restore public confidence, the Legislature needs to take ownership of its actions, regardless of intent or outcome, rather than pinning it on influential lawmakers, but as a governing body. It needs to abide by the Sunshine Laws, which were established to inform the public and hold itself accountable at all levels. Trust takes time to build, but it can be broken quickly. Trust is in actions, not statements.

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?

Since August 2023, our state has been anxious for the next natural disaster. This year’s Kona low storms were no exception. Our district includes steep and deep residential communities that, on a typical day, have tight roadways but could become impassable during dangerous weather. As representative, I will find answers to residents’ questions about escape routes, assistance for those with physical limitations or no transportation, and coordinate assistance with recovery efforts.

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?

Climate change means increasing extremes, with shorter intervals between them, which should be accounted for in all long-term planning. We’re witnessing affects to daily life, from flooded roads hurting small businesses to rising insurance and infrastructure costs. We cannot control the weather, but we can be better stewards of resources. We need to be supporting businesses and households that experience large-scale weather-related loss, knowing that claims get paid with great delay.

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?

The current system crunches a process that should be longer. According to CivicNexus, between 2024 and 2026, over half of bills introduced each session were companion bills, meaning duplicates.This year, 63% (2,078). To the Legislature’s credit, often only one version moves forward. However, that means that meaningful debate gets scheduled via a game of chicken, waiting for the other chamber to schedule the bill, resulting in dense agendas where discussion is cut short in an effort to make deadlines.

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 introduce bills with realistic estimates based on fiscal analysis. To some, these studies may be viewed as delaying an inevitable failure to pass; however, they have great merit and benefit. Analyses allow exploration of the scope and potential resolutions beyond the original idea. By convening stakeholders and reviewing potential implementation approaches, more cost-effective and collaborative means can be identified, increasing the program’s likelihood of success.

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 was taught that good leaders lead themselves out. They understand that their position is temporary, empowering those around them to surpass themselves and their legacy. The same should be true of our elected officials. There is freedom knowing your positional limit; focus can shift from personal gain to communal progress. Term limits have the potential not only to shift the fervor of our elected officials but also to strengthen the pipeline and opportunities for future elected officials.

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

Air conditioning, free school lunches, bridge programs for career exposure and training. Expansion of these programs directly helps our future generation learn more effectively, become better students, and be equipped with the knowledge and skills to participate in our local economy as adults. Education is a pipeline; it must lead somewhere. Job placement upon graduation is important. Our State has phenomenal nursing programs; however, local residency options are limited, but the need is great.

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

It is never a good idea to rely heavily on one income stream. During the pandemic and as tensions shift internationally for the U.S., we see that tourism revenue is not guaranteed. Hawai‘i is an incubator for innovation, small businesses and intercultural connection. To shift from tourism dependence, investment should be made in promoting locally produced products and services. If through grants, with partial upfront funding rather than reimbursement, giving them a fighting chance to succeed.

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?

The cost of living discussion has two streams: crockpots and instapots. For some, the cost increases feel like a gradual simmer; for everyone else, the pressure needs to be released. Incremental relief is possible but requires state agencies to break down silos, simplify processes and pool funding to reduce overhead costs. The reallocated funding could go toward shoring up safety net services that catch households when missed payments occur, utilities increase, or tragedy strikes.