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 Victor Muh, Republican candidate for state House District 23, which includes McCully and Mōʻiliʻili.

He will face the Democratic incumbent Ikaika Olds 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?

I want this job because, grateful for the life I’ve built, I feel a duty to serve District 23. I would treat the office as a temporary trust from the people; serving faithfully with integrity, then return to private life. I am well-suited to represent District 23 as a longtime Honolulu resident, entrepreneur, communicator and small business owner with broad international experience. I will champion lowering the cost of living, public safety, small business success and accountable government.

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 23 is the exorbitant cost of living: housing, taxes, insurance and everyday expenses are squeezing residents. In my first six months, I would push for practical cost-of-living relief, support pathways to affordable homeownership, reduce barriers for small businesses and review the state budget line by line to identify waste, reduce taxes and refocus resources on core needs.

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

I do not support a monopoly for interisland shipping. Hawaiʻi needs reliable and affordable shipping of essentials to the neighbor islands. The current near-monopoly has driven up costs, caused service disruptions and reduced efficiency. I support reforms to encourage competition where feasible, stronger regulatory oversight, performance standards and alternatives like enhanced air cargo options to better serve our communities.

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?

House Bill 1450, Senate Bill 1396, Senate Bill 2463 and Senate Bill 3125 were the most important bills to come out of the 2026 Legislature. HB 1450 deserved to pass as it would have strengthened local food self-sufficiency and reduced reliance on imports. SB 2463 should have passed. Drinking and driving is just the tip of the iceberg for alcohol, a Type 1 carcinogen with zero safe level. SB 1396 (the “green fee”) and SB 3125 should have failed. Taxing visitors should offset taxes for residents, but both now pay more.

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 rebuild trust through transparency, accountability and term limits. When lawmakers remain in office indefinitely, the risk of corruption grows. We need stronger ethics enforcement, full disclosure of conflicts of interest, real consequences for corruption, and a budget and decision-making process that is easy for the public to access and understand. Public office is a public trust, not a place for backroom deals. Hawaiʻi deserves clean, open, accountable government.

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?

I would build on the Resilience Hub Training, hosted by Representatives Belatti and Olds, I attended on May 5 at the McCully-Mōʻiliʻili Library. Representative Olds and I happened to be on the same team, the Moʻo Hub, which began laying the groundwork for a neighborhood Resilience Hub in District 23. As a lawmaker, I would support funding, coordination and partnerships so District 23 has a trusted place for shelter, supplies, communication and basic needs until help arrives.

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 would focus on measurable risks, not political labels: heat, flooding, drainage, wildfire and grid reliability. Harden infrastructure, clear streams and drains, protect water supplies and improve emergency response. To control costs, I would require cost-benefit analysis, prioritize maintenance before new programs, focus on real environmental wins like clean water, not costly “net zero” fantasies, and reject mandates that raise taxes, insurance or small-business costs without clear results.

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?

Yes, but instead of a hard limit, we need stronger filters. Hawaiʻi already has enough laws on the books; we should enforce what exists, review what is not working, and repeal or fix outdated laws. New bills should show a clear public need, fiscal impact, constitutional basis, and whether current law already addresses the issue. This would reduce rushed backroom dealmaking and allow more 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?

Yes, this must change. Lawmakers should be required to attach a realistic, independent cost estimate to every bill, plus a “need statement” proving it addresses a genuine gap in existing law and a duplication review. Taxpayers deserve to know what a proposal will cost, how it will be paid for, and whether it duplicates programs already on the books. Fiscal analysis would force better discipline, reduce unfunded promises and help lawmakers prioritize core needs over feel-good legislation.

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 reasonable term limits for state legislators. Public office should be public service, not a lifelong career. Incumbents’ built-in advantages can block fresh ideas and competition. Long tenures can concentrate power, discourage competition, and increase the risk of corruption or undue influence. Term limits would open the door for new voices while reminding lawmakers that no elected seat belongs to anyone. Voters deserve real choice, not lifetime seats.

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

I would focus on basics: safe campuses, strong reading and math instruction, better vocational and career pathways, and more local control for principals, teachers and parents. Reduce bureaucracy, put more money into classrooms, hold leadership accountable for results, and ensure every student can graduate with real-world skills. Crucially, with a vibrant economy and by lowering the cost of living, parents can be far more involved in their children’s education; ideally with one at home.

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

I propose Hawaiʻi diversify its economy by becoming more self-sufficient. Every food or good we replace with local production creates local jobs, businesses,\ and supply chains. We should expand agriculture, ranching, food processing and manufacturing. Hawaiʻi is well suited to responsibly raising cattle, sheep, pigs, chickens and deer without importing feed, using regenerative practices that protect and even improve the ʻāina while reducing our dependence on tourism and imports.

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?

Hawaiʻi cannot solve the cost-of-living crisis without rebuilding a stronger, more self-sufficient economy. We must root out waste, lower taxes and cut barriers to farming, ranching, food processing, manufacturing and small business. Every food or essential good we produce locally creates jobs, reduces imports and can eventually become exports. We must also support housing people can actually afford to own.