Civil Beat has asked candidates for the Hawaiʻi 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 Donna Kim, Democratic candidate for State Senate District 14 covering Kapālama, ‘Ālewa, Kalihi, Kalihi Valley, Ft. Shafter, Moanalua Gardens, Valley and Red Hill.

Her Democratic challenger in the Aug. 8 primary is Christy MacPherson.

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 seeking reelection because experience, effectiveness and results matter. I have represented Senate District 14 for the past 26 years, working to improve public education, support working families, strengthen our communities and ensure responsible use of taxpayer dollars. I have built strong relationships throughout government and the community allowing me to advocate effectively for my constituents and deliver results. I provide independent leadership focused on practical solutions.

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 is the high cost of living, particularly the lack of affordable housing and the financial pressures it places on working families, seniors and young people. Many are struggling to remain in the communities where they were raised. I will continue to work to preserve tax relief for working families, develop affordable and workforce housing, and policies that reduce government inefficiencies that drive up costs while continuing to improve public education and aging infrastructure.

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

There are arguments on both sides of this issue where federal law and market conditions limit competition. I struggle with the concerns over whether the reliability and national-security benefits of the current system outweigh the potential cost savings that might come from increased competition. Unintended consequences must also be considered such as the potential disruption of service should the competition determine that Hawaiʻi’s market is not large enough to warrant regular shipments.

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 preservation of tax relief for working families, teacher and classroom safety initiatives, step increases for teachers, student literacy and support for Kupuna Care. Alzheimer’s research funding which would help address a growing health challenge affecting many Hawaiʻi families, as well as additional ethics reform aimed at strengthening public trust and government accountability, did not pass. No on measures that increase costs for residents and businesses without considering affordability.

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?

Public trust is essential to effective government, and any allegation of corruption or unethical conduct undermines confidence in government. The Legislature must strengthen transparency, accountability and ethics laws. This includes timely disclosure of financial interests, strong ethics oversight and meaningful consequences for misconduct. Any investigation should be timely and the Legislature should abide by nepotism laws. Rebuilding trust cannot be done through a single bill.

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?

Recently, Hawaiʻi has done a better job of (providing) adequate advance notice to prepare for emergencies before they occur. As a lawmaker, I have supported investments in critical infrastructure, strengthened emergency communication systems, and ensured that communities have access to emergency shelters and supplies. For Senate District 14, this includes addressing flood mitigation, maintaining roads and drainage systems and improving coordination among state, county, military and community partners.

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?

Climate change is a challenge that requires practical solutions to improve environmental stewardship while maintaining affordability and economic stability. I support investing in measures that protect our communities from flooding, erosion, extreme weather and other impacts. But we must recognize that many Hawaiʻi residents, businesses and homeowners are already struggling with the high cost of living. Any climate-related policies must be balanced, cost-effective and phased in responsibly.

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 support limiting the number of bills introduced by each legislator.

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?

Lawmakers should know the price tag of bills introduced. The fiscal impact of legislation is essential in passing public policy. Taxpayers deserve to know its cost. I have introduced bills that require the Legislature to hold hearings on studies that we authorize and fund with taxpayer dollars. Most study findings receive little public discussion or legislative review. Hearings would provide transparency, allowing residents to weigh in on the results, before additional funds are appropriated.

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?

Ultimately, voters decide who represents them, and elections demonstrate that the system works. The House of Representatives consistently welcomes large freshman classes, showing that incumbents can be replaced when voters seek change. I beat an incumbent when I first ran and my freshman class had around 20 new members. Term limits have unintended consequences resulting in the loss of institutional knowledge and legislative expertise. Term-limited lawmakers are less responsive in their final terms.

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

As the chair of the Senate Education Committee, I have focused on improving student achievement by strengthening accountability, supporting teachers, and ensuring that more resources reach the classroom rather than the bureaucracy. I have introduced legislation to reform DOE governance, and reduce administrative bloat, so that funding gets down to our students and teachers. I support recruiting and retaining quality educators by increasing their pay and improving working conditions.

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

We must do more to diversify by investing in sectors such as technology, healthcare, renewable energy, agriculture, and the skilled trades. We should also strengthen workforce development, support small businesses and entrepreneurs, and create opportunities that encourage our young people to build careers in Hawaiʻi rather than leave the state. We must also reduce the bureaucracy and regulations on businesses in order to attract companies to Hawaiʻi.

An estimated 60% of Hawaiʻi 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 rising cost of living is a huge challenge facing middle class working families. The focus must be on putting more money back in people’s pockets, including preserving tax relief (which we did), increasing the supply of affordable/workforce housing, improving access to good-paying jobs. Control excess government costs, cut unnecessary spending on consultants and computer apps to perform core government functions, and reduce government bloat.