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

The following comes from Kekoa O Pololu Kealoha, Democratic candidate for state House District 30 that includes Kalihi, Kalihi Kai and Keʻehi Lagoon.

He is running against Democratic incumbent Shirley Ann Templo and Democratic candidate Faatea S. Faatea in the Aug. 8 primary 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 am connected to the every day struggles of the people in my district because I live with them, too. I intimately understand the systems that affect our community because I navigate them every day. I am an effective communicator, organizer and advocate–as I’ve demonstrated both personally and professionally. I’m running because I’m frustrated with the status quo and I believe Hawaiʻi has a unique opportunity to establish a new level of self-sufficiency that we can’t afford to squander.

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?

Affordability. Working families here can’t afford to pay rent, eat well, seek healthcare or go to school without making sacrifices. No one should have to skip a doctor’s appointment because they need the work hours or pay 70% of their income in rent. The first thing on my agenda is to shore up the gaps in essential services caused by federal cuts and shifting priorities that mitigate the impact of affordability. This will stabilize our community while we evaluate next steps in this crisis.

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

No. I don’t support monopolies as a matter of principle, but competition alone isn’t a cure-all. Hawaiʻi’s unique geography requires us to balance affordability, reliability and local jobs. Shipping costs affect the price of nearly everything our families and businesses rely on. State government has a role in addressing those costs while pursuing sustainable solutions. We need an approach that works for consumers, workers and island 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?

The most important to me are Senate Bill 2471, Senate Bill 2239, House Bill 1871, and House Bill 1888. We need to eliminate corporate influence in elections and barriers to civic engagement. We also must protect lawful health care and school staff/faculty. I am disappointed Senate Bill 1166 didn’t pass because it signals to our community that we aren’t taking the climate crisis seriously. There aren’t any bills I’m particularly disappointed with.

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?

It is not lost on me how long it took many state legislators to speak up about the issue, and that hesitation is a bit of a red flag. We could enhance oversight authority of the ethics commission and campaign spending commission. We could also shift to comprehensive public funding for campaigns to eliminate outside influence entirely. While this doesn’t eliminate the opportunity to get $35k in a paper bag, it does tighten the reins a bit more to make legislators and candidates more accountable.

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?

Our state needs to take preparation more seriously by planning for disasters AND our climate-impacted future. That risk includes the intensity of future weather events. We can do this by fully evaluating hazards based on historical precedent and projected climate changes. For example, we know Waikīkī was wetland prior to construction of the Ala Wai Canal, which means we must plan for extreme flooding impacts in the area. The same risks exist for certain parts of Kalihi.

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 revisit and reintroduce SB 1166. This bill would create pathways to sue polluters who have gotten away with creating a climate disaster that burdens us all. Big oil is a major contributor to climate change, they knew about it, but they used their influence to avoid accountability and secure legislative protection. (This also supports the case to eliminate corporate influence in elections.)

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?

I don’t think there should be a limit, necessarily … we can enable more meaningful debate by extending the legislative session or making our Legislature full-time. However, I think it’s incumbent upon legislators to prioritize bills and triage based on whatever limitations they’re working against. So, for the time being, I would be supportive of limiting the number of bills introduced. My preference, however, is to extend the legislative session.

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. We should not be afraid of cost, but we should absolutely have it seriously considered – not to discourage legislation, but to better plan for it. If the current budgetary reality cannot accommodate a bill, then why waste more energy on it at the present?

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. Term limits are important. I respect institutional knowledge, but I also know that innovation stagnates when new blood hasn’t been introduced. We must be willing to change with the times and let younger, fresher perspectives from younger leaders influence a future they will inherit.

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

I would invest in facilities, supplies, meals, access, and staffing. Students deserve usable and well-maintained facilities that are stocked with supplies they need to have the most enriching experience possible. Students must be able to get to campus easily and safely, and they should have all appropriate accommodations. Of course, teachers and other faculty with whom we charge the well-being of our youth must be compensated fairly and competitively to attract/retain talent and improve morale.

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

I would incentivize sustainable agriculture that prioritizes traditional resource management and disinvests from cash crops. I would offer loans and grants to small farmers, community farm-to-table initiatives, and local ag-school-business partnerships. I would explore modern options in tech that promote responsible and resource-conscious development. I would support creative enterprises like film and redefine development to better adapt to local needs and not visitor demand.

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?

We need to get costs under control and increase income for local families. To do this, we need to stabilize first – shore up gaps in essential services. We’ll need to first focus on the policies that keep costs high: shipping and the Jones Act, fuel, etc. Then we need to expand and diversify our economy and promote a living wage. Additionally, the state must pay the true cost of services and goods.