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 Republican Kelly Kitashima, candidate for state Senate District 18, covering Mililani Town, Waipio Gentry, Crestview, Waikele, a portion of Waipahu, Village Park and Royal Kunia.

She will face nonpartisan Max Hanna and Democrat incumbent Danielle Bass in a special election to replace Sen. Michelle Kidani, who retired. The election is to be held on Nov. 3.

Go to Civil Beat’s 2026 Elections Guide for general information, and check out the other candidates on Civil Beatʻs 2026 Hawaiʻi General Election Ballot.

Why are you best suited for the job? And why do you want the job?

As a Native Hawaiian working mom, born and raised in Central Oahu, I’ve spent 24 years in my private sector career managing teams, multi-million dollar budgets, solving practical problems — not collecting titles. Government should empower our communities. Hawaiʻi deserves better, yet are being priced out while one-party rule treats that as normal. I will collaborate to secure local jobs, diversify our economy and restore trust after years of closed-door deals.

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 I hear canvassing is living/thriving in Hawaiʻi simply costs too much and continues to increase, thus why having a healthy economy and good secure local jobs is essential. Keiki and kūpuna safety is paramount and Government transparency is critical especially with the recent corruption exposed. I am committed to working across the aisle and make independent decisions not for special interests.

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

No, I don’t support any monopoly, whether it’s shipping or any other. When a company doesn’t have to compete, the hardworking class end up paying for it. Rates recently increased 25.75% without much public input. I truly care about the impacts of local jobs that depend on shipping. Thus being solution-oriented, I would propose to sit down with the company, the workers and local businesses and figure out how to keep rates fair without compromising rising costs.

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?

2026 Success: HB1890 and signed into law relating to education – providing annual salary increases to teacher pay to improve recruitment and retention. Our keiki are the most important investments society can make. 2026 Fail: Disappointed HB2387 relating to helping firefighters with cancer protections and did not pass committee hearings. This is a perfect example of common sense bipartisan policy that directly impacts public safety and retention of our first responders.

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?

Hawaiʻi is ranked one of the most corrupt states in the nation. How embarrassing. Rebuilding trust and confidence starts by changing the players in the room to bring balance, accountability and checks/balances. Status quo is certainly not how I am going to roll.

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?

I would fund practical readiness, not press releases: neighborhood evacuation routes, sirens that work, defensible space and brush clearance in wildfire zones, backup power for water pumps and shelters, and pre-positioned supplies for kūpuna. Post election, I will personally walk the district with fire, civil defense and homeowners associations and put the gaps into the first budget, with timelines the public can track.

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?

In our remote location, I will focus on what residents feel now: unexpected flooding, wildfires, increased insurance, and power bills. Partnering with the city to maintain roads, drainage and the grid resilience; speed rooftop solar and storage so families cut bills; and stop layering new fees on homeowners who cannot move. Adaptation costs, utilizing Green Fee and FEMA funds. Additionally, offer grants/incentives for home or business upgrades.

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?

GOAL: Yes, excessive bills create horse-trading and bury the ones that matter. A sensible cap, earlier deadlines, and a law that major bills get a real hearing would produce quality over volume. REALITY: Committee chairs can single-handedly kill a bill without explanation. Bills passed one committee and then never got a hearing in the next or passed the Senate unanimously yet still died in the House. Until we have real BALANCE and accountability, no real change will occur

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 (again, common sense non-partisan policy). I managed large budgets for 24+ years and would never sign off on something without fully understanding expenses/costs/ROI. Local families do that with their own household budget every month, and the state should, too.

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, I certainly support term limits as endless incumbency breeds control and abuse of power. BALANCE is imperative. When one party holds nearly every seat, nobody faces real competition, races go unopposed as hardworking constituents are intimidated to step and run against the machine. Term limits open the door to new voices and force members to deliver before they settle in. Experience matters, but no seat should be a lifetime appointment.

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

As a former substitute teacher and Ulu Aʻe board member, I would explore bold ideas, decentralizing the statewide system similar to Gov Lingle’s proposal to create 7 districts. Estimated costs $20,000 per student, yet test scores and registration are declining year over year. Parents are not looking for a one-size-fits-all but alternative options. Fully support expanding vocational, building trades and healthcare pathways. Also improving the aging facilities and creating cutting edge classrooms.

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

Although tourism represents 80% of our local economy — which directly trickles down to supporting local jobs, tax revenues and supporting small business — Hawaiʻi certainly must diversify. Fully support public/private partnerships for alternative industries farming, film/digital media, aquaculture and continuing industry certifications starting in high school so our graduates are ready to contribute to society. Additionally I am committed to removing regulations to do business in 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?

Government was not created for dependency rather how do we empower Hawaiʻi to build generational wealth and success to call paradise home. As a working middle class mother, unlike my opponents, I can truly empathize with the daily struggles not only in Central Oʻahu but statewide. I myself had to relocate my family to the continent for a better opportunity and return home. This Senate race is not a title or a political career — Hawaiʻi deserves an advocate for better transparency and balance.