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 Ikaika Olds, incumbent Democratic candidate for state House District 23, which includes McCully and Mōʻiliʻili.

He will face Republican opponent Victor Muh in the 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?

My life has always been centered around service. I grew up in a union family, served eight years in the U.S. Army with two combat deployments to Iraq and spent nearly a decade helping homeless youth and families in Hawaiʻi. As a legislator, I’ve used those experiences to support kūpuna, keiki and working families while advancing solutions for housing, public safety and mental health. I want this job because I care deeply about our community and believe there is still more work to do.

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?

Public safety is the biggest issue facing my district. Residents consistently tell me they are concerned about crime, theft, vandalism, trespassing and harassment. If reelected, I will continue advancing legislation that holds offenders accountable while also addressing root causes through mental health services, substance abuse treatment and homelessness interventions. My goal is simple: ensure residents feel safe in their homes, neighborhoods and community spaces.

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

To be honest, this issue hasn’t come up much in my district. As an urban Honolulu representative, I hear more about public safety, homelessness, affordable housing, education and the cost of living. That said, interisland shipping is important, especially for neighbor island communities. If the current system is creating hardships or driving up costs, I’m open to considering changes. My approach is to listen, learn and do what’s best for Hawaiʻi.

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 2026 session delivered meaningful results. I’m especially proud of Senate Bill 2471, which limits the influence of corporate money in our elections. We also passed bills supporting kūpuna, working families and teachers. I was disappointed that my public safety bills, homeless student support measures, youth housing bill and legislative term limits bill did not advance. My focus remains on public safety, education, affordability and working families.

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 $35,000 paper bag scandal damaged public trust in government. As a freshman legislator, I shared my constituents’ frustration and desire for answers. If wrongdoing occurred, those responsible should be held fully accountable. Going forward, we need greater transparency, strong ethics standards and accountability. Public trust is earned through actions, not words, and we must demonstrate every day that we are serving the people with integrity.

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?

The July 2025 tsunami warning was a wake-up call for me. Much of District 23 is in a tsunami evacuation zone, yet many residents weren’t sure where to go or what to do. Since then, we’ve partnered with emergency management professionals to provide disaster preparedness and Community Resiliency Hub training. I’ll continue expanding that outreach because informed and prepared communities are more resilient and preparedness can save lives.

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?

As Kanaka Maoli, I understand our kuleana to care for our land. Climate change is already impacting Hawaiʻi through stronger storms, flooding and coastal erosion. I supported House Bill 1623 and House Bill 1949 to strengthen climate resilience and accountability. In District 23, flooding and rising flood insurance costs are major concerns. We need smart investments in drainage, flood mitigation and infrastructure while pursuing federal funding to reduce costs and better protect residents and 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?

Having gone through the legislative process firsthand, I believe the bigger issue isn’t the number of bills introduced but the compressed timelines. I’d support a longer session with more time between deadlines and during conference committee. I watched good bills die because negotiations ran out of time or financial releases were never approved. Improving the process would lead to better debate, more transparency and give good ideas a fair chance to reach the finish line.

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?

I believe lawmakers should understand the cost of a bill before voting on it. However, requiring detailed fiscal analyses for all 3,000-plus bills introduced each session isn’t practical and would increase costs. I support a balanced approach where bills with significant financial impacts receive fiscal analyses. That would improve transparency and help lawmakers and the public make informed decisions without creating unnecessary delays or expenses.

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 legislative term limits and introduced House Bill 2428 in 2026 to limit service in the House and Senate to a combined 24 years. I applied the proposal to legislators elected after Nov. 5, 2024 because I believe in practicing what I preach. Term limits encourage fresh ideas, new perspectives and greater public confidence while still allowing enough time to gain experience and effectively serve the community.

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

Improving our schools starts with recruiting and retaining great teachers. House Bill 1890 was an important step by increasing teacher pay, but we also need to provide the resources, technology and learning environments students deserve. As someone who spent nearly a decade working in the HIDOE, I understand the challenges educators face. I’d also like to explore housing opportunities for teachers and school employees to improve retention and reduce living costs.

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

Tourism will always be important to Hawaiʻi, but we need to diversify our economy. I see strong potential in technology, research and medical innovation, which can create high-paying jobs and new opportunities for local families. We should also continue supporting Hawaiʻi’s film industry, which creates jobs and supports many local businesses. My goal is a more resilient economy that provides opportunity and is less dependent on any single industry.

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?

Housing is the biggest driver of Hawaiʻi’s affordability crisis. We need to build more affordable homes and rentals, especially for families earning between 20% and 60% of Area Median Income. We should also ensure affordable housing serves those it was intended for and prevent abuse by investors. Expanding both homeownership and rental opportunities will provide meaningful relief to working families, kūpuna and the middle class.