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 Steve Haumschild, Democratic candidate for state House District 51, which includes Waimānalo, Keolu Hills, Lanikai and parts of Kailua.

He is running against incumbent Lisa Marten and Micah C.K. Kalama in the Democratic primary.

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’ve spent the past 25 years helping build Hawaiʻi’s economy from the ground up—creating jobs, meeting payroll, and keeping every employee working through COVID. I’ve also spent more than a decade writing, submitting and testifying on legislation, giving me experience from both the private sector and the Capitol. I’m running because too many local families are being priced out of Hawaiʻi. I want our children and your children to be able to live, work and raise families here.

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 is the defining challenge facing Kailua and Waimānalo. Rising housing costs, taxes and unnecessary government barriers are driving families and small businesses out of our communities. My first priority will be cutting unnecessary red tape so more local families can afford to build a home, improve their property, and grow a business, while demanding greater transparency and accountability before taxpayers are asked to pay more.

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

No. I strongly support competition in interisland shipping. Competition lowers costs, improves service and benefits families, farmers and businesses. Hawaiʻi shouldn’t reward monopolies with guaranteed rate increases. We should reward performance, innovation and accountability.

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 bills were the ones that strengthened public trust and helped working families. SB2471 was an important step toward reducing the influence of large corporate interests in our elections. The Legislature should have passed the caregiver tax credit to support families caring for their kūpuna at home. I opposed SB2694 because higher shipping costs raise the price of groceries and everyday essentials for Hawaiʻi 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?

Trust in government must be constantly earned. Ethics investigations should be independent, campaign finance laws should be enforced, financial disclosures should be transparent and public officials who violate the public’s trust should face real consequences. Public office is public trust, and no one should be above accountability.

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?

After the Lahaina fires, I didn’t wait for someone else to act. I helped organize and ship containers of relief supplies, including atmospheric water generators, because people needed help immediately. Preparation saves lives. District 51 needs district emergency plans, pre-positioned emergency supplies, clear chains of command and stronger coordination so communities receive help faster when disaster strikes.

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?

Protecting our environment and lowering the cost of living should go hand in hand. Hawaiʻi must expand renewable energy, modernize the electric grid, and protect our watersheds and reefs while making energy more affordable with solar, wind, geothermal, CO2 recapture and waste-to-energy as redundancy. Smarter planning and better use of existing resources—not higher taxes—will help families and businesses adapt and lessen our dependence on imported oil.

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 support an arbitrary limit because good ideas shouldn’t be rejected by quota. Instead, committees should eliminate bills without funding or a realistic path forward earlier in the process. Lawmakers and the public also deserve meaningful time to review conference committee changes before final votes.

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. Good policy begins with knowing the cost. Every significant bill should include a realistic fiscal analysis before lawmakers vote so decisions are based on facts, not assumptions. Greater transparency leads to better policy and gives taxpayers confidence that public dollars are being spent wisely. This is a requirement for the private sector and should be for government

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 support a 12-year term limit plus mandatory retirement at 65. Government needs succession, not lifelong incumbency, fresh leadership brings new ideas, stronger accountability and a Legislature that stays connected to the communities it serves. Politicians also shouldn’t vote on their own pay raises — that’s the public’s call.

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

Great schools begin with great teachers, and Hawaiʻi should pay teachers what they deserve so we can recruit and retain the best educators. I’d also expand support for charter schools, career and technical education, Hawaiian language immersion, and culture-based education so every student has a pathway to succeed.

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

Tourism will always be important, but it can’t be our only engine. We should strengthen agriculture, renewable energy, entrepreneurship and local businesses while encouraging more competition in key industries. Producing more of what we consume here will create a stronger economy and better opportunities for future generations. Establishing true Made in Hawaiʻi authenticity can help local companies grow nationally and internationally.

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?

The middle class isn’t disappearing because people aren’t working hard—it’s disappearing because the cost of living keeps rising. Government should help people succeed, not stand in their way, by cutting unnecessary red tape, improving fiscal accountability, and supporting the local businesses that create most of Hawaiʻi’s jobs so families can build careers, raise children and retire with ʻohana in Hawaiʻi.