Editor’s note: Civil Beat has asked candidates for the primary election to answer a survey about where they stand on various issues and what their priorities will be if elected.

The following comes from Daisy Balais Hartsfield, the incumbent Democratic candidate for state House District 36, covering Waipahu.

She is running against Democratic candidates Maurice Morita and Eric Barsatan.

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?

The skills and knowledge gained from over 20 years in public service as an attorney, social worker, supervisor and executive department administrator makes me the best-suited candidate for the job. I am the incumbent representative. I bring a deep understanding of government operations. I have the wherewithal to be an effective collaborator with stakeholders to make positive changes. I am a lifelong Waipahu resident and want to ensure community concerns are heard and addressed at the Capitol.

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 challenge is determining what kind of future Waipahu wants for itself. Many of my constituents are trying to make ends meet and living day to day, paycheck to paycheck. Without a vision for the future, however, planning on how to have a better future will be tricky. Thus, in addition to making sure government benefits that assist with the high cost of living and improving the quality of life are not decreased, meaningful discussions about the future of Waipahu need to take place.

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

Competition is considered to be healthy for consumerism because it suggest that prices will be lower. I believe, however, that we need to support our local economy and my strong preference is to support in-state residents and businesses instead of out-of-state providers and/or services. Thus, I am open to discussions about interisland shipping should this matter be brought up during a legislative session.

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?

All of the bills were important, some just receiving much more attention to others. I believe in the legislative process so there are no bills passed that I wish failed. I was disappointed that the NIL bill, SB 3263 did not pass because that was a bill that had a lot of support and could have assisted college athletes who contribute to the UH system.

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?

Government, in general, not just the Legislature, needs to be more transparent and accessible to the public’s concerns. Clearly, the relationship between government and the public needs to improve and trust be regained. Trust can be rebuilt with patience and a commitment to understanding each other over time. As with all relationships, the first step to building trust is open communication.

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?

Storm prep must occur well before a storm is on its way and should include stream maintenance, assessments of current infrastructure, identified alternative routes should road be closed, access to shelter, food, medical supplies, etc. Each household should be aware of what to do and where to seek assistance during all stages of a storm. As a lawmaker, I could introduce bills, host town meetings and work with community organizations to address this.

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?

The first thing I need to do is better educate myself about climate change and its possible impact to the costs to taxpayers, property owners and businesses. After I have a better understanding of that, I can collaborate with other lawmakers to discuss how to move forward with appropriate efforts that will benefit the residents of Hawai`i.

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 do not believe there should be a limit on how many bills are introduced. Just because a bill is introduced, it does not mean it should be set for hearing. Perhaps a limit to how many bills are set for hearings is what should be considered. I do agree that meaningful debate and discussion is important and would like to have more time to do that during 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?

The state’s fiscal situation can change very quickly so what may be a realistic price tag today may not be tomorrow. In an ideal world, requiring a fiscal analysis for bills that include an appropriation seems reasonable. Consider, however, the amount of time and effort required to complete a fiscal analysis. Would doing so delay enactment of a bill? How reliable is a fiscal analysis? Public discussion should occur before this is mandated.

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?

I consider legislators to be at-will employees because it is the votes cast that determine the longevitity of a legislator’s career. Thus, I am comfortable with letting the voters decide how long a legislator should serve instead of imposing term limits. If my constituents favor term limits, however, I would consider that.

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

There is no quick fix and while I am a supporter of teachers and students, I am not an expert in Hawaiʻi’s public education system. I will, however, continue to support building teacher capacity and funding school capital improvement projects (CIPs). Improving teacher capacity develops educators’ skills, knowledge and effectiveness, which directly impacts student learning outcomes. CIPs are crucial for ensuring safe and effective learning environments.

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

Efforts to develop technology, agriculture, and renewable energy needs to continue. Supporting local industries through grants and tax incentives. Investing in workforce development for new job opportunies by enhancing educational programs. Promoting innovation and entrepreneurship to attract startups.

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?

For now, my best way to help is to be a legislator that is there for the people and not just for the title. I will continue to listen to what they have to say, be their voice when needed, and be as transparent and responsive as possible. I will continue to make intentional and educated decisions to be a positive changemaker so that everyone has an opportunity to have a thriving life.