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 Sam Kong, incumbent Democratic candidate for state House District 33, which includes ʻAiea, Waimalu and a portion of Hālawa.

He is running unopposed.

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 believe I am best suited for this position because I listen to the needs and wants of my constituents. I want to continue in this role to take care of and advocate for my community.

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?

While biggest issue facing my district is the cost of living, I believe that not much can be done in just six months to address this issue. Although, I will do my best and continue to address other things in my community, such as speeding in the district.

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

No, I do not.

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 believe that there were some good bills that were passed such as Senate Bill 3219. This bill is a constitutional amendment to allow counties to issue resilient infrastructure for shelter and equity bonds for necessary housing and community development.

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 needs to identify who is the guilty party.

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?

As a lawmaker, the best thing I can do is to continue to encourage my district to participate in Community Emergency Response Team trainings.

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 all know the effects of climate change, and it is unfortunate that we need to adapt to the costs on top of the already high cost of living here in Hawai’i. The best thing that I can do for my constituents is to be a listening ear and be available to help address their concerns.

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, I believe that they should limit the amount of Senate bills.

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, most do actually.

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?

We have term limits, it’s called elections.

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

I will continue to support our public school system and advocate for our public schools, especially the ones in my district. The best thing I can do is to be involved and communicate with our school’s teachers and principals to see if there is anything needed and try my best to address those needs.

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

I would propose that we promote culture and the arts.

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?

No income tax on those earning $25,000 or less.