>> FORMER STATE SENATOR JILL TOKUDA AND CURRENT STATE REPRESENTATIVE PATRICK BRANCO ARE AMONG CANDIDATES FACING OFF FOR HAWAI'I'S SECOND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.

IN THE STATE HOUSE, FORMER LAWMAKER GARY GILL FACES JENNA TAKENOUCHI IN THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY FOR DISTRICT 27.

TONIGHT'S LIVE BROADCAST AND LIVE STREAM OF INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAII START NOW.

∂∂ >> Yunji: ALOHA AND WELCOME TO INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAI'I...I'M YUNJI DE NIES.

WE FEATURE TWO ELECTION CONTESTS TONIGHT.

IN THE FIRST HALF OF OUR SHOW WE FEATURE CANDIDATES IN THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY FOR HAWAI'I'S SECOND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT WHICH INCLUDES RURAL O'AHU AND THE NEIGHBOR ISLANDS.

INCUMBENT KAI KAHELE IS NOT SEEKING RE-ELECTION.

IN THE SECOND HALF OF OUR SHOW WE SHIFT TO THE STATE LEGISLATURE AND THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY FOR STATE HOUSE DISTRICT 27 REPRESENTING NU'UANU AND PACIFIC HEIGHTS.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR PARTICIPATION IN TONIGHT'S SHOW.

YOU CAN EMAIL US OR CALL US WITH YOUR QUESTIONS.

WE ALSO ENCOURAGE YOU TO GET INVOLVED WITH THE CONVERSATION ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE.

NOW, TO OUR GUESTS.

JILL TOKUDA IS CURRENTLY THE CO-DIRECTOR OF CYBERHAWAII.

SHE SERVED AS A MEMBER OF THE HAWAI'I SENATE FOR THE 24TH DISTRICT COVERING KANE'OHE, FROM 2006 TO 2018.

PATRICK BRANCO IS CURRENTLY SERVING AS THE STATE REPRESENTATIVE FOR DISTRICT 50 WHICH INCLUDES PARTS OF KAILUA AND KANE'OHE.

BEFORE BEING ELECTED IN 2020 PATRICK JOINED THE U.S. FOREIGN SERVICE AS A DIPLOMAT IN 2012.

THANK YOU BOTH FOR JOINING US THIS EVENING.

WE APPRECIATE YOU.

I WANT TO START, PATRICK, DIVE RIGHT INTO THE ISSUES.

WE WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE COST OF LIVING.

WE KNOW HERE IN HAWAI'I, THAT THE COST OF LIVING IS VERY HIGH, AND WHAT DO YOU THINK SPECIFICALLY THAT CONGRESS CAN DO TO HELP SOME OF THOSE PAINS?

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION.

LIKE MYSELF, I CURRENTLY LIVE IN A MULTIGENERATIONAL HOUSEHOLD WITH MY GRANDMOTHER AND FAMILY MEMBERS.

WHEN I BECAME THE STATE REPRESENTATIVE, I KNEW I COULD NEVER BUY A HOME IN MY COMMUNITY.

WHO CAN AFFORD $1.5 MILLION?

WHAT'S HAPPENING HERE IS WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE THAT WE'VE TALKED ABOUT SINCE I WAS A CHILD, EVEN BEFORE THAT.

ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION, COST OF LIVING.

IT'S IMPORTANT WE HAVE AN ELECTED OFFICIAL THAT GOES TO CONGRESS, STAYS THERE.

ONE OF MY PLATFORMS IS ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION.

THERE'S A HUGE OPPORTUNITY HERE.

HAWAI'I IS ONE OF THE ONLY STATES THAT CAN PRODUCE ALL FORMS OF RENEWABLE ENERGY.

GEOTHERMAL, WIND, WAVE, SOLAR.

WE HAVE A WAVE TESTING FACILITY IN MY OWN DISTRICT.

I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THESE TECHNOLOGIES HERE IN HAWAI'I.

SOMEONE WHO GOES TO CONGRESS NEEDS TO STAY FOR THE LONG TERM TO MAKE SURE THEY CAN BUILD THAT SENIORITY, TO BUILD INDUSTRY IN HAWAI'I.

>>Yunji: WHAT DO YOU THINK CONGRESS CAN DO WHEN IT COMES TO COST OF LIVING?

>> IT'S A PAIN POINT WE ALL FEEL.

I LOOK AT OUR HOME.

I SIT AT MY KITCHEN TABLE AND HAVE MY TWO SONS DOING HOMEWORK.

IN THE LEGISLATURE, MAKING HEFTY DECISIONS.

SOMETIMES I LOOK OUT THE WINDOW AND REALIZE THAT THE DECISIONS THAT GOVERNMENT MAKES, ACTIONS WE TAKE REALLY DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT OUR CHILDREN CAN SEE A FUTURE FOR THEMSELVES HERE IN HAWAI'I.

I'VE GOT TO EVERY COMMUNITY IN EVERY ISLAND.

THAT PAIN POINT IS THE SAME.

CAN MY CHILDREN AFFORD A HOME WITH THE COST BEING OVER A MILLION DOLLARS TO START?

AND OFTENTIMES IT'S 20 OR 30% ABOVE ASKING PRICE.

PEOPLE PAY CASH.

SO MANY PEOPLE PRICED OUT OF THIS PLACE.

I THINK WHAT CONGRESS HAS TO DO, SOMEONE HAS TO UNDERSTAND THE PAIN POINTS AND PERSPECTIVES OF WHAT IT'S LIKE FOR WORKING FAMILIES TO STRUGGLE AND WANT TO SEE THEIR CHILDREN STAY HERE.

I THINK IT'S ABOUT MAKING SURE WE PUT MORE MONEY IN PEOPLE'S POCKETS.

THE WAY CONGRESS CAN DO THAT IS IMMEDIATELY SUSPEND THE GAS TAX.

CAP IT.

MAKE SURE THOSE PRICES STAY LOW AND PUT MONEY INTO PEOPLE'S WALLETS.

FOR GETTING TO AND FROM SCHOOL.

TO AND FROM WORK.

INCREASE FOOD SUBSIDIES COST WHEN YOU GO TO THE GROCERY STORE IS TOO HIGH.

HOW CAN WE INCREASE SUBSIDIES THAT GIVES FAMILIES A CHANCE TO STRETCH THAT DOLLAR.

WHEN YOU TAKE A LOOK AT THE SUCCESS WE'VE SEEN IN HAWAI'I WITH THE EMERGENCY RENT UTILITY SUPPORT, THE MOST BASIC THINGS LIKE SHELTER.

KEEPING THE LIGHTS ON, THAT'S WHERE CONGRESS CAN TAKE QUICK ACTION TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE AREN'T MAKING A CHOICE BETWEEN FOOD OR SHELTER.

VERY QUICKLY, CONGRESS CAN REALLY START TO ASK NOW.

UNDERSTANDING THESE PAIN POINTS AND NEEDS TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE CAN PROVIDE FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES AND HAVE A LITTLE BIT MORE MONEY IN THEIR POCKET TO PAY FOR BASIC NEEDS THAT THEY HAVE EVERY DAY.

THERE'S AT LOT THAT CAN BE DONE.

WE'VE GOT TO -- AND FIGHT IT.

I KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE AS A WORKING FAMILY TO BE FACED WITH TOUGH DECISIONS AND TO WORRY ABOUT THE FUTURE FOR OUR KIDS.

>>Yunji: SOMETHING ELSE THAT A LOT OF FAMILIES ARE THINKING ABOUT.

THERE'S TWO QUESTIONS HERE ABOUT GUN CONTROL TONIGHT.

THIS FROM JESSICA.

WHAT ARE CANDIDATES' POSITIONS ON GUN CONTROL?

WHAT ARE THEY GOING TO DO TO END GUN VIOLENCE?

KAREN WANTS TO KNOW, HOW DO YOU KEEP COMMUNITIES SAFE?

WHAT'S THE APPROPRIATE WAY TO ADDRESS VIOLENCE IN SCHOOLS?

HOW CAN WE PUT OUR KIDS IN SCHOOL WITHOUT WORRYING ABOUT THE NEXT UVALDE?

THAT WAS SO HORRIFIC.

LET'S START WITH YOU.

>> IT'S A VERY EMOTIONAL QUESTION.

ESPECIALLY AS A MOTHER, AND YOU LOOK AT THE TRAGEDY IN UVALDE.

EVERY TIME SADLY THAT WE SEE ONE MORE SCHOOL SHOOTING, WE'RE INSTANTLY GRIPPED WITH FEAR.

WE THINK ABOUT OUR KIDS.

COULD THEY BE NEXT?

COULD IT HAPPEN HERE?

IT'S HEARTBREAKING FOR US.

DURING THE 12 YEARS I WAS IN THE STATE SENATE, WE PASSED SOME OF THE TOUGHEST GUN LAWS.

I SUPPORTED AND STOOD BY TO PASS SOME OF THE TOUGHEST GUN LAWS.

PUT GUN OWNERS INTO THE FBI DATABASE TO REQUIRE BACKGROUND CHECKS.

TO PROHIBIT BUMP STOCKS AND HIGH TRIGGER AMMUNITION.

THESE ARE THINGS THAT HAWAI'I HAS TO BE THE TIP OF THE SPHERE AND LEAD THE NATION ON.

WHILE WE HAVE STRONG GUN LAWS, WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT'S THE CASE IN EVERY STATE.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE TOUGH LAWS WE HAVE PASSED HERE IN HAWAI'I AND WHILE I WAS SERVING IN THE SENATE, THAT BECOME REALITY UNIVERSALLY ACROSS OUR COUNTRY.

AND WHEN YOU TAKE A LOOK AT THE FACT THAT WE'VE SEEN SO MUCH MORE CRIME, WE'VE SEEN ASSAULTS.

BOTTOM LINE IS IF YOU ASK PEOPLE NOW, AND I HAVE, DO YOU FEEL SAFE IN YOUR OWN COMMUNITY?

DO YOU FEEL SAFE?

IT'S SAD BUT A LOT OF PEOPLE WILL TELL YOU NO.

THAT'S GOT TO START.

WE'VE GOT TO TAKE PROACTIVE MEASURES, WHETHER IT'S INCREASING MENTAL HEALTH, MAKE SURE WE HAVE TREATMENT AND SUPPORT PROGRAMS ON EVERY ISLAND.

SADLY, YOUR ZIP CODE, WHERE YOU LIVE DETERMINES IF YOU HAVE BASIC THINGS LIKE TREATMENT PROGRAMS, SUBSTANCE ABUSE.

MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.

ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES SO CRITICAL.

WHEN YOU CONSIDER THE HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELLNESS.

FIGHT FOR THE MONEY TO MAKE SURE WE GET OUR FAIR SHARE TO TAKE CARE OF OUR RESIDENTS AND FAMILIES.

>>Yunji: WHAT DO YOU SAY TO JESSICA AND KAREN ABOUT GUN CONTROL, AND WHAT SPECIFICALLY CONGRESS CAN DO TO HELP?

>> OUR VOTERS ARE TIRED OF LIP SERVICE.

CAREER POLITICIANS HAVE BEEN GIVEN THEIR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS BUT HAVE NOT DONE ACTION.

I'M PROUD THAT THE FIRST BILL I PASSED IN THE LEGISLATURE WAS PROHIBITION OF GHOST GUNS.

THERE WAS A LOOPHOLE IN THE LAW.

THEY HAD ONE CASE WHERE 168 GHOST GUNS, UNTRACEABLE, UNMARKED GUNS COLLECTED.

BECAUSE OF THE LOOPHOLE AND LAW, THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO PROSECUTE THE CASE.

I'M PROUD THAT WITHIN SIX MONTHS ON THE JOB WORKING WITH OUR ATTORNEY GENERALS AND POLICE OFFICERS, WE WERE ABLE TO CLOSE THIS LOOPHOLE.

NRA MEMBERSHIP MOBILIZED AGAINST ME.

IN CONTRAST TO MY OPPONENT, WHEN SHE WAS IN THE SENATE, SHE WAS ENDORSED BY THE NRA IN 2012, AND TWO YEARS LATER, WHEN SANDY HOOK OCCURRED, SHE HAD A B RATING.

HOLLOW WORDS DO NOT MATTER.

RECORDS MATTER.

AND MY OPPONENT HAS A RECORD FROM THE NRA AND THAT'S IN DEFENSIVE.

>> I APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT PATRICK DID DO FOR GHOST GUNS AND CLOSING THE LOOPHOLE IN THAT PARTICULAR LAW.

I'M JUST AS CONFUSED IN TERMS OF THE RATING THAT'S OUT THERE.

I KNOW IT WAS FROM THE HAWAI'I RIFLEMAN'S ASSOCIATION, NOT THE NRA.

IF YOU TAKE A LOOK AT ALL THE GUN LAWS, ALL THE GUN BILLS THAT PASSED WHILE I SERVED, I VOTED IN MAKING SURE OUR PEOPLE, FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES WERE SAFE.

IT'S JUST AS CONFUSING AS TO HOW I GOT THOSE PARTICULAR RATINGS.

WHAT I CAN TELL YOU I WAS VICE CHAIR OF WATER LAND COMMITTEE.

OFTENTIMES THERE WERE HUNTER EDUCATION BILLS THAT DID COME BEFORE US THAT THE ENTIRE LEGISLATURE DID SUPPORT.

WHETHER OR NOT THAT CONTRIBUTED TO THE RATING, I'M NOT SURE.

TAKE A LOOK AT WHERE I STOOD.

SIGNER ON AS CO-OWNERS AND SIGNING ON.

THAT'S WHAT I WANT TO CONTINUE TO DO IN CONGRESS.

BE AT THE FRONT OF THE ISSUE AND MAKE SURE THAT WE ENSURE THAT THE PROTECTIONS THAT HAWAI'I HAS HERE, STRONG LAWS THAT HAWAI'I HAS HERE IS UNIVERSAL AND APPLIED TO ALL THE STATES ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

RED FLAG LAWS.

WRAP-BACK LAWS.

INCREASING THE AGE TO 21.

SOME OF THE BASIC THINGS THAT CAN MAKE SURE THAT WE START TO PUT AN END TO THE GUN VIOLENCE.

>>Yunji: LET'S TALK ABOUT -- >> CAN I RESPOND?

>>Yunji: PLEASE GO AHEAD.

>> THANK YOU.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO POINT OUT THAT MANY OF MY OPPONENT'S COLLEAGUES HAD THE SAME GUN RATING B, BUT NOT ALL SOUGHT OUT THE ENDORSEMENT OF THE NRA.

IT'S IMPORTANT THAT TO BE CLEAR, THIS WAS DIFFERENT.

DESERVES TO KNOW WHAT WAS SAID TO RECEIVE THAT ENDORSEMENT.

THAT IS VERY CRITICAL.

THIS IS NOT AN ISSUE -- IT'S AN ISSUE THAT'S IMPORTANT NOW.

IT'S BEEN AN ISSUE FOR 10, 20, 30 YEARS.

>>Yunji: I WANT TO GIVE YOU A CHANCE TO BRIEFLY RESPOND.

IS THAT ACCURATE?

>> I'LL BE VERY BRIEF.

I DID NOT SEEK OUT THE ENDORSEMENT FROM THE NRA.

WE JUST GOT A RECENT ENDORSEMENT QUESTIONNAIRE, AND I WILL NOT BE SEEING THE ENDORSEMENT FOR THE NRA FOR THIS PARTICULAR ELECTION.

WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THIS IS NOT A TIME FOR BACK AND FORTH.

WE BOTH AGREE THAT THE ISSUE OF GUN SAFETY, GUN CONTROL, CRACKING DOWN ON VIOLENCE IN OUR COMMUNITIES AND SCHOOL, THAT HAS TO BE THE TOP.

AND I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT'S SOMETHING I WANT TO TAKE TO CONGRESS.

OUR FAMILIES, COMMUNITIES DESERVE TO FEEL SAFE.

>>Yunji: LET'S MOVE ON.

A QUESTION FROM SUSAN.

WHAT IS EACH CANDIDATE'S POSITION ON ABORTION RIGHTS?

PATRICK, THE DRAFT OPINION OF SUPREME COURT POTENTIAL DECISION TO OVERTURN ROE VERSUS WADE.

DO YOU SEE THIS AS A STATE'S ISSUE?

HOW WOULD YOU LEGISLATE ON THIS?

>> I'M UNEQUIVOCALLY PRO CHOICE.

IF ELECTED, I WILL WORK HARD TO CODIFY ROE V. WADE AND PASS THE WOMEN PROTECTION ACT.

WE NEED TO DO MORE IN HAWAI'I.

HAWAI'I WAS THE FIRST STATE THAT LEGALIZED ABORTION.

WE STILL HAVE SIGNIFICANT ACCESS ISSUES.

WE ONLY HAVE ABORTION CLINICS ON OAHU AND MAUI.

THIS SEAT IS THE SEAT FOR THE NEIGHBOR ISLANDS AND OUR RURAL COMMUNITIES.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THERE'S PROPER ACCESS TO WOMEN AND FAMILIES MAKING THIS DECISION.

IT IS NOT RIGHT YOU CAN GET AN ABORTION ONLY ON OAHU AND MAUI.

WHAT ABOUT KAUA'I, LANAI, MOLOKAI AND HAWAI'I ISLAND, AS WELL?

WE CANNOT STAND BY OUR LAURELS AND SAY WE WERE THE FIRST PRO ABORTION STATE.

WE NEED TO DO MORE TO BREAK THOSE BARRIERS TO ACCESS.

>>Yunji: WHAT DO YOU SAY TO SUSAN TONIGHT?

>> I COMPLETELY AGREE.

IT WAS A TRAGEDY WHEN WE HEARD ABOUT THE LEAGUE DECISIONS.

I HAPPENED TO BE IN D.C.

WHEN WE FOUND OUT.

I WAS UPSET.

NOT BELIEVING THAT THE RIGHTS THAT WE FOUGHT TO PROTECT FOR SO LONG, THE RIGHTS THAT WE THOUGHT WOULD BE THERE FOR GENERATION TO COME WAS NOW NOT JUST IN QUESTION, BUT IN DANGER OF COMPLETE DENIAL.

DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU LIVE.

HAVING THAT ACCESS.

I FOUND MYSELF AT 1:00 IN THE MORNING MARCHING FROM MY HOTEL TO THE STEPS OF THE SUPREME COURT TO JOIN HUNDREDS OF OTHERS TO SAY ABSOLUTELY NOT.

HELL NO, WE'RE NOT GOING TO GO BACK.

OUR DAUGHTERS, NIECES, GRANDDAUGHTERS DESERVE BETTER.

WE HAVE TO DO EVERYTHING TO CODIFY IT.

WE SHOULD PUT IT IN OUR STATE CONSTITUTIONS.

THE RIGHT TO CONTROL OUR OWN BODY, THAT SHOULD NEVER BE IN QUESTION.

I WOULD FULLY SUPPORT A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO MAKE SURE THAT WAS ABSOLUTELY THE CASE.

WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT ACCESS TO PRODUCTIVE AND HEALTH SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE ON EVERY ISLAND.

IT BROKE MY HEART WHEN I WENT TO LANAI AND MOLOKAI, AND I'M NOT SURE YOU REALIZE THIS, EVEN BEING ABLE TO HAVE A CHILD, YOU CAN'T HAVE THOSE TYPES OF HEALTH SERVICES AND PROCEDURES DONE, DEPENDING ON WHAT ISLAND YOU LIVE ON AND COMPLEXITY OF YOUR BIRTH.

WHEN WE TALK ABOUT ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE, IT IS ALL INCLUSIVE AND ALL ENCOMPASSING.

WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT ACCESS TO OVERALL HEALTHCARE BENEFITS IS AVAILABLE TO OUR PEOPLE.

>>Yunji: LET'S TAKE ANOTHER AVENUE OF HEALTHCARE, COVID.

NUMBERS ARE ON THE RISE.

IT'S HARD TO NOW BECAUSE THOSE NUMBERS SEEM TO MEAN DIFFERENT THINGS.

NO MATTER HOW YOU SLICE IT, NUMBERS ARE HIGH.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENTS' ROLE IN CONTROLLING?

GOVERNOR IGE WAS ONE OF THE MOST CONSERVATIVE GOVERNORS IN THE COUNTRY WHEN IT CAME TO LOCKDOWN AND MANDATES.

WHAT SHOULD BE DONE ON THE FEDERAL SIDE TO HELP AS WE MOVE OUT OF THE PANDEMIC OR CONTINUE TO MOVE THROUGH IT?

>> YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE THINGS I WAS DOING THE LAST TWO YEARS WAS ACTUALLY WORKING IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE STATE AND COUNTIES TO TRACK ALL THE FEDERAL DOLLARS THAT CAME TO HAWAI'I.

AT THAT POINT, OVER $22 BILLION.

WE HAD MORE AS RECENT ACTS HAVE COME THROUGH CONGRESS.

ONE THING YOU DID SEE WAS THE ABILITY TO HAVE THE RESOURCES, THAT TEST KITS WERE AVAILABLE.

QUARANTINE SITES WERE AVAILABLE.

THAT MONEY FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT MADE A HUGE DIFFERENCE IN TERMS OF THE STATE BEING ABLE TO PROACTIVELY RESPOND.

COULD WE HAVE DONE BETTER?

ABSOLUTELY.

WE HAVE BEEN LEARNING HOW WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE PROVIDE THESE SERVICES TO OUR PEOPLE.

I DEFINITELY THINK THAT WHILE YOU LOOK OUT AND SEE A LOT OF PEOPLE AND A LOT OF LARGE GATHERINGS, YOU SEE FULL PLANES AT THE AIRPORT, IT'S INCUMBENT THAT YOU CONTINUE TO SUPPORT STATES.

DO TEST KITS, QUARANTINE SITES, THAT RESOURCE AND MONEY IS CRITICAL AS WE CONTINUE TO THE NEXT PHASE OF THIS PANDEMIC.

>>Yunji: LET ME GET YOUR THOUGHTS ON COVID MITIGATION AND SPECIFICALLY THE ROLE IN CONGRESS.

>> IT'S ABOUT ACCESS AND RESOURCES COMING FOR CONGRESS TO SUPPORT.

BUT WHAT I SAW DURING THE PANDEMIC WAS THE INABILITY FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO PROPERLY RESPOND, AND WHEN I SAY THIS IS, WE NEED SOMEONE THAT'S GOING TO NOT BE ABLE TO SIT DOWN AND DO SOMETHING, BUT DO SOMETHING.

THERE WAS LACK OF COMMUNICATION.

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DIDN'T DO PROPER COMMUNICATION AND A LOT OF PEOPLE WERE CONFUSED.

WHEN I WAS GOING THROUGH THIS, I WAS CAMPAIGNING.

ONE OF THE THINGS YOU DO IS KNOCK ON DOORS.

YOU COULDN'T CANVASS.

WHAT WAS IMPORTANT FOR ME WAS MY CRISIS MANAGEMENT SKILLS CAME INTO ACTION.

WHAT WE DID WAS MY FAMILY AND I MADE KUPUNA KITS, WHICH WERE ZIPLOC BAGS WITH A BAG OF SOUP, MASK, GLOVES.

WE REALIZED PEOPLE NEEDED MASKS.

MY GRANDMOTHER AND I SET UP LUAU TABLES IN OUR GARAGE AND SEWED MASKS.

I REACHED OUT TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ASKED, COULD WE SET UP VACCINATION CLINICS THAT WERE MORE DECENTRALIZED?

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TOLD ME MY COMMUNITY WAS NOT A PRIORITY.

WHAT I DID WAS GOT MY TUTU'S TENT, PARTNERED WITH PROJECT VISION.

WE WERE ABLE TO VACCINATE OVER A THOUSAND PEOPLE AND TEST IN OUR FARMERS MARKET.

WE HAVE TO MEET PEOPLE WHERE WE'RE AT.

WE NEED LEADERS WILLING TO DO SOMETHING AND NOT JUST WAIT ON THE SIDE.

>>Yunji: WE HAVE SO MANY ISSUES.

I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT RED HILL.

KEEPING THE NAVY ACCOUNTABLE WHEN IT COMES TO DRAINING THE FUEL TANKS AND MEETING THEIR RESPONSIBILITY WHEN IT COMES TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL CRISIS.

HOW WILL YOU DO THAT?

WHAT DO YOU SEE IS THE MILITARY'S ROLE GOING FORWARD?

>> RED HILL IS SO CRITICAL.

THIS SEAT IS SO CRITICAL, AS WELL.

THIS SEAT TRADITIONALLY HAD A SPOT ON THE ARMS SERVICES COMMITTEE.

ONE OF THE BEST WAYS TO HAVE OVERSIGHT OF THE NAVY.

MAKE SURE THEY RESPONSIBLY DECOMMISSION RED HILL.

MAKE SURE THEY'RE NOT CAUSING ANY MORE ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE.

IT'S CRITICAL THIS SEAT MAKES SURE THE NAVY IS DOING THAT.

FOR MY EXPERIENCE, AS WELL IN THE STATE DEPARTMENT, I WORKED WITH DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AND OTHER AGENCIES.

IT'S CRITICAL WE HAVE ONE WHO CAN HIT THE GROUND RUNNING AND MAKE SURE THE NAVY IS ACCOUNTABLE.

WE NEED TO GO A STEP FURTHER.

MAKE SURE WE'RE NEVER IN THIS POSITION AGAIN WHERE OUR WATER SUPPLY IS AT THREAT.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE PROPER TESTING CLINICS TO MAKE SURE OUR WATER WAS SAFE.

IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE A DESALINIZATION UNIT TO MAKE SURE WE CAN HAVE PROPER ACCESS TO WATER.

THAT IS IMPORTANT AND CRITICAL.

I DO BELIEVE THE ABILITY FOR ME BEING IN WASHINGTON, D.C., WORKING WITH DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, WORKING WITH NATIONAL SECURITY, AS WELL AS OUR NATIONAL SECURITY APPARATUS CAN EFFECTIVELY MAKE SURE THE NAVY DECOMMISSIONS WITH RED HILL IN A SAFE, PRODUCTIVE MANNER.

>>Yunji: WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON RED HILL AND MOVING FORWARD?

>> I'M NOT UNFAMILIAR WITH TOUGH DECISIONS.

DURING 12 YEARS I WAS IN THE STATE SENATE, CHAIRING EVERYTHING FROM WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE AND LABOR COMMITTEES, BEING FACED WITH TOUGH DECISIONS DURING GOOD TIMES AND NOT SO GOOD TIMES.

WE WENT THROUGH RECESSIONS.

WE WENT THROUGH STRIKES.

FURLOUGH FRIDAYS.

SO MANY DIFFERENT EXPERIENCES THAT WE HAD TO MAKE TOUGH DECISIONS ON.

LOOKING AT RAIL EVEN.

AS MANY WOULD KNOW, I WASN'T AFRAID TO ASK TOUGH QUESTIONS.

IT HAS TO BE ABOUT MAKING SURE THAT OUR FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES ARE SAFE AND SECURE.

WE HAVE THEIR BEST INTEREST IN MIND.

MAKING SURE THAT FOR US, RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES AND FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES ARE TAKEN CARE OF.

EVERY MEMBER OF THE CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION HAS AN OBLIGATION AND RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE SURE THAT RED HILL IS EXECUTED RIGHT AND WITH FIDELITY.

I'M HAPPY TO SEE WE'VE GOT BILLIONS MORE DOLLARS COMING IN TO SUPPORT, TO MAKE SURE THE DEFUELING AND DECOMMISSIONING TAKE PLACE BUT MAKE SURE THAT FAMILIES IMPACTED ARE TAKEN CARE OF.

WE'VE GOT TO MAKE SURE WE CONTINUE TO GET THE RESOURCES TO ADEQUATELY DO THIS JOB AND MAKE SURE IT'S DONE RIGHT.

MAKE SURE THAT WE KEEP FAMILIES THAT WERE IMPACTED BY THIS, AND IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT AS WELL, WE HAVE LITERALLY GOTTEN BILLIONS COMING INTO THE STATE TO DEFUEL, CLEAN UP THIS MESS.

THIS IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN OVERNIGHT.

THIS IS A LONG-TERM OBLIGATION AND COMMITMENT THAT THE NAVY HAS TO THE STATE.

WHAT I WANT TO MAKE SURE OF IS WE HAVE HAWAI'I PEOPLE, HAWAI'I COMPANIES, UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI'I, ALL OUR ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS, EVERYONE POSSIBLE INVOLVED.

IF WE HAVE BILLIONS COMING IN TO DO THIS WORK, I WANT TO MAKE SURE IT'S DONE WITH THE CULTURAL SENSITIVITY, A SENSE OF PLACE AND KNOWLEDGE, AS WELL.

OUR LOCAL PEOPLE AND BUSINESSES ARE INVOLVED IN THIS PROCESS FROM DAY ONE.

THAT'S GOING TO MAKE THE DIFFERENCE ON IT ENDING RIGHT AND WELL CONSIDERING THE TRAGEDY IT WAS.

>>Yunji: LET ME ASK YOU THIS QUESTION, I'LL PHRASE IT DIFFERENT FOR YOU.

AS A MOTHER -- FROM EDWARD.

AS A MOTHER OF YOUNG CHILDREN, HOW WILL YOU BALANCE YOUR FAMILY OBLIGATION WITH THE NEED TO BE IN WASHINGTON, D.C.?

THIS WAS THE REASON KAI KAHELE CITED IT WASN'T A MATCH FOR HIM.

WHAT IS YOUR COMMITMENT TO THIS SEAT?

>> I HAVE A LONG-TERM COMMITMENT TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE SENIORITY IN THE DELEGATION.

IN THE LAST DECADE, YOU'VE SEEN FOLKS GO FROM D.C. TO RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR'S RACE.

AS LONG THE PEOPLE HAVE TRUST, FAITH AND SUPPORT ME -- I'VE GOT TO EARN EVERY DAY THE VOTE AND CONFIDENCE OF THE PEOPLE I SERVE.

I APPRECIATE CONVERSATION I'VE BEEN ABLE TO HAVE WITH A LOT OF PEOPLE ABOUT THE BALANCE, FAMILY LIFE.

FROM DAY ONE WHEN MY CHILDREN WERE BORN, THEY WERE BORN WHEN I WAS IN OFFICE.

MAKING SURE MY FAMILY IS TAKEN CARE OF AND SERVING MY PEOPLE.

THAT'S SOMETHING I HAVE EXPERIENCE DOING.

THAT GUILT OF THAT BALANCE, BALANCING IT OUT, BEING WITH THEM AS THEY GO THROUGH LIFE, GOING THROUGH SCHOOL, THE SAME PUBLIC SCHOOL MY HUSBAND AND I WENT TO HAS BEEN A BENEFIT TO ME.

THE PERSPECTIVE I'LL BRING OF THAT OF A CONCERNED PARENT, WANTING TO KNOW THEY CAN STAY HERE IN HAWAI'I, UNDERSTANDING THE COST OF LIVING.

I THINK THAT PERSPECTIVE IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT BECAUSE I KNOW THE URGENCY, AND I KNOW WHAT I'VE GOT TO FIGHT FOR IN D.C. >>Yunji: SAME QUESTION.

WHAT IS YOUR COMMITMENT TO THIS SEAT?

>> MY COMMITMENT TO THE SEAT, YUNJI, STAR-ADVERTISER SPOTLIGHT, I COMMITTED IF THERE'S A SENATORIAL OR GUBERNATORIAL SEAT, I'M COMMITTED TO STAYING IN THIS SEAT AND WILL NOT RUN FOR THOSE SEATS.

WE'VE SEEN THREE REPRESENTATIVES HAVE THIS SEAT IN THE LAST TEN YEARS.

FINANCE BILLS ORIGINAL IN THE HOUSE.

THE ONLY WAY FOR HAWAI'I TO GET THE FEDERAL RESOURCES THAT WE NEED IS SOMEONE COMMITTED TO STAYING IN THE HOUSE LONG TERM.

I'M THE ONLY CANDIDATE THAT HAS HAD SIGNIFICANT WASHINGTON, D.C., EXPERIENCE.

I COME INTO EXPERIENCE WITH MY EYES WIDE OPEN.

I'VE DONE THAT TRAVEL, 17 TRAVELS TO AFGHANISTAN.

NEGOTIATING.

WE NEED SOMEONE THAT UNDERSTANDS THAT AND KNOWS IT'S NOT EVEN GOING BETWEEN HONOLULU AND WASHINGTON, D.C.

WHEN YOU COME HOME FROM WASHINGTON, D.C., YOU'RE GOING TO KAUA'I, MOLOKAI, HAWAI'I ISLAND, AND YOU NEED TO REPEAT THAT.

IT'S ABOUT STAYING IN WASHINGTON AND MAKING SURE YOU BUILT THOSE CONNECTIONS.

MAKE HAWAI'I A PRIORITY IN THE HALLS OF CONGRESS AGAIN.

>>Yunji: LAST QUESTION.

WE HAVE TWO MINUTES.

I ASK THAT YOU EACH ANSWER THIS IN ABOUT A MINUTE.

BOTH OF YOU ARE FROM THE WINDWARD SIDE.

YOU REPRESENT THOSE DISTRICTS.

THIS IS A STATEWIDE OFFICE.

WHAT DO YOU SAY TO VOTERS WHO ARE IN HAWAI'I ISLAND, MAUI, KAUA'I COUNTY?

WHY SHOULD THEY VOTE FOR YOU?

WE'LL START WITH YOU, AND YOU'LL HAVE THE LAST WORD.

>> THIS DISTRICT'S UNIQUE.

EVERYTHING OUTSIDE URBAN HONOLULU.

WE HAVE CATTLE RANCHES AND AIRPORTS, PARKING LOTS AND CONSERVATION LAND.

WE NEED SOMEONE THAT'S GOING TO UNDERSTAND THIS.

NOT SOMEONE THAT THINKS THEY KNOW EVERYONE.

SOMEONE WHO HAS A TRACK RECORD OF CONVENING PEOPLE, TAKING ACTION.

I DO BELIEVE I WILL BE ABLE TO DO THAT IN THIS SEAT.

MY FAMILY IS FROM KAILUA, BUT ALSO MY GREAT-GRANDPARENTS ARE FROM HAWAI'I ISLAND AND MAUI.

WE NEED SOMEONE WHO UNDERSTANDS, THAT IS ABLE TO CROSS ALL THOSE BOUNDARIES.

BE ABLE TO ACT AND BRING WHAT WE NEED.

>>Yunji: LAST WORD ON THIS.

>> THANK YOU.

WHILE WE MAY LIVE IN ONE PLACE, OUR ROOTS ARE SO MANY PLACES.

MY GRANDFATHER SPENT HIS CHILDHOOD IN MAUI.

DEFINITELY HAVE HAD STRONG CONNECTIONS TO THE NEIGHBOR ISLANDS.

WHEN I SERVED IN THE SENATE, I MADE IT A POINT TO GO TO EVERY ISLAND.

LEARNING WHAT THEIR ISSUES WERE AND WORKING WITH THEM TO GET THINGS DONE.

AS WAYS AND MEANS CHAIR, I SPOKE WITH EVERY PRINCIPAL IN THE STATE.

SPENDING TIME LISTENING, NOT TALKING TO THEM BUT LISTENING.

THAT SENSE OF LISTENING AND LEADERSHIP, BEING PRESENT IS SOMETHING WE HAVE TO HAVE.

THAT IS WHAT CD 2 NEEDS.

SOMEONE WILLING TO GO THAT EXTRA MILE.

THREE OR FOUR TIMES A WEEK, I'M ON A DIFFERENT ISLAND.

I WILL BE PRESENT, I'LL BE LISTENING, MEET THEM AND WORKING TO SERVE THEM AS A NEIGHBOR ISLAND COMMUNITY.

>>Yunji: WE WANT TO THANK OUR CANDIDATES, JILL TOKUDA AND PATRICK BRANCO.

COMING UP, CANDIDATES FOR DISTRICT 27.

PLEASE ENJOY THIS HIKI NO JOURNALISTS FROM ROOSEVELT HIGH SCHOOL.

>> ROOSEVELT'S BELLTOWER HAS BEEN A HISTORICAL LANDMARK IN MAKIKI FOR MANY YEARS.

>> I HAVE NO IDEA WHY THE TOWER EXISTED.

MY GRANDMOTHER WENT TO SCHOOL HERE, AND SHE NEVER HEARD IT RING.

I DON'T KNOW IF THERE'S A BELL IN THERE.

>> AN ICONIC STRUCTURE OVER THE YEARS.

>> I UNDERSTAND THAT DURING WORLD WAR II SINCE IT WAS THE HIGHEST STRUCTURE ON THE ISLAND.

UP ON THIS HILL, IT WAS USED AS A LOOKOUT POINT FOR ENEMY AIRCRAFT.

>> THE TOWER CONTINUES TO FACE FIRE.

BUT FRIENDLIER KIND.

>> WHEN I WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL, THE ILH WAS INTERSCHOLASTIC LEAGUE OF HONOLULU.

ALL OF THE SCHOOLS, ALL THE HIGH SCHOOLS IN TOWN BELONGED TO THE ILH SO THAT INCLUDED PRIVATE SCHOOLS AND THE BIG RIVALRY BECAUSE OF OUR PHYSICAL PROXIMITY IS ROOSEVELT AND PUNAHOU.

>> ROOSEVELT GUYS USED TO GO OVER AND PAINT THE PUNAHOU ROCK.

SOMETIMES OUR TOWERS WOULD GET PAINTED BUFF 'N BLUE.

>>> THERE'S A DARK SIDE TO THE TOWER.

>> I KNOW A FEW STORIES.

WHEN IS ONE OF OUR FORMER PRINCIPAL USED TO TELL ME, IF YOU LOOK CLOSE IN THE TOWER, YOU WOULD SEE A FIGURE OR BODY.

I ALWAYS DRIVE BY AND LOOK.

I NEVER SAW ONE UNTIL ONE DAY I DID.

AND I TOOK A LOOK AND IT WAS, LIKE, WOW, THAT'S CRAZY.

I SEEN A PERSON STANDING THERE, AND I GOT SCARED AND I LEFT.

I DON'T THINK THAT ANYTHING IS HAUNTED.

I JUST KNOW IT BRINGS BACK A LOT OF HISTORY TO THE SCHOOL.

I'M SURE THAT THEY'RE VERY GOOD PEOPLE.

AND I GUESS THEY WANT TO BE NICE TO US.

>> WE CONCLUDED AFTER GOING TO MANY RESOURCES.

THAT THE TOWER WAS ANOTHER ADDITION TO ROOSEVELT'S SPANISH ARCHITECTURE.

A POPULAR STYLE AT THE TIME IT WAS BUILT.

>> OUR TRADEMARK.

THE LANDMARK.

WHEN YOU SEE ROOSEVELT, YOU SEE THAT TOWER.

LIKE DIAMOND HEAD TO WAIKIKI.

>>Yunji: ALOHA AND WELCOME BACK TO INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAII.

I'M YUNJI DE NIES.

WE WILL TALK WITH CANDIDATES FOR DISTRICT 27.

JENNA TAKENOUCHI HAS WORKED FOR REPRESENTATIVE, TAKASHI OHNO FOR THE PAST 10 YEARS.

SHE IS ALSO THE CURRENT ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF HAWAI'I O'AHU COUNTY COMMITTEE.

GARY GILL SERVED AS A MEMBER OF THE HONOLULU CITY COUNCIL FOR 8 YEARS.

HE WAS APPOINTED BY TWO GOVERNORS TO LEAD HAWAI'I'S ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION PROGRAMS.

HE SERVES ON VARIOUS NONPROFIT BOARDS AND IS ACTIVE IN CONSERVATION EFFORTS ON O'AHU.

THANK YOU BOTH FOR BEING HERE.

JENNA, WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE BIGGEST ISSUES FACING THE DISTRICT, AND WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO DO ABOUT IT?

>> THANKS FOR THE FIRST QUESTION, AND THANKS FOR HAVING ME ON THE SHOW.

I THINK BY LARGE, AS I'M GOING DOOR TO DOOR AND TALKING TO PEOPLE, IT'S CRIME.

I DON'T THINK I'VE HAD A SINGLE CONVERSATION THAT CRIME HASN'T BEEN TOUCHED UPON.

PEOPLE EITHER HAVE BEEN VICTIMIZED LIKE A BREAK-IN OR THEFT.

THEY'VE BEEN VICTIMIZED THEMSELVES, THEY KNOW SOMEBODY OR DON'T FEEL SAFE IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS OR PUBLIC SPACES ANYMORE.

THIS IS A BIG CONCERN TO EVERYBODY.

>>Yunji: WHAT DO YOU THINK THE LEG CAN DO?

IS THAT NOT A CITY ISSUE WITH THE HONOLULU POLICE DEPARTMENT?

WHAT DO YOU THINK THE LEGISLATURE CAN DO WHEN IT COMES TO SAFETY?

>> SURE.

FROM ENFORCEMENT SIDE, DEFINITELY HPD DOES A GREAT JOB IN TRYING TO KEEP OUR COMMUNITIES SAFE, BUT WHAT THE LEGISLATURE CAN DO IS REALLY PUT FUNDING AND TIME INTO KEEPING CRIME OFF OUR STREETS BY ENSURING PEOPLE WHO ARE REENTERING THE COMMUNITY ARE EQUIPPED TO DO SO AND BECOME PRODUCTIVE CITIZENS AGAIN.

WHILE THEY'RE INCARCERATED, ADDRESSING MENTAL HEALTH OR SUBSTANCE ABUSE ISSUES, WHICH ARE A KEY FACTOR WHY A LOT OF THESE CRIMES ARE HAPPENING.

MAKING SURE THEY HAVE SUPPORT SERVICES TO BE PRODUCTIVE ONCE THEY GET BACK INTO THE COMMUNITY.

MAKING SURE THEY HAVE I.D.s.

THAT'S A BIG PART OF DAY-TO-DAY LIFE NOW.

MAKING SURE THEY HAVE ACCESS TO HOUSING SOURCE, TO MEDICAL CARE, TO BE ABLE TO GET A JOB, TO KEEP THEM FROM FALLING BACK INTO PATTERNS OF CRIME.

>>Yunji: GARY, WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE BIGGEST ISSUE, AND WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO DO ABOUT IT?

>> WHEN YOU KNOCK DOOR TO DOOR, YOU HEAR LOCAL ISSUES LIKE SIDEWALK AND POTHOLES AND MONSTER HOMES.

AND IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE, AS ELECTED OFFICIALS ARE A GATEWAY TO HELP PEOPLE RESOLVE CONCERNS.

WHEN PEOPLE ASK ME, I THINK THE CONCERNS OF THE NEIGHBORHOODS ARE THE SAME CONCERNS OF THE WHOLE STATE.

WE HAVE ENVIRONMENTAL CRISIS THAT'S GOING TO IMPACT EVERYBODY HERE, SEA LEVEL RISES.

WE HAVE A GROWING INCOME DISPARITY.

MY WHOLE LIFE, RICH HAVE BEEN GETTING RICHER AND POOR ARE GETTING POORER.

THAT'S A BIG PROBLEM.

THOSE ARE THE KINDS OF BIG PROBLEMS THAT I SEE THAT ARE DRIVING ME BACK INTO RUNNING FOR POLITICS AGAIN.

>>Yunji: LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT INCOME DISPARITY.

HAWAI'I RESIDENTS ARE STRUGGLING TO GET BY.

WHAT DO YOU THINK THE LEGISLATURE CAN DO?

>> FIRST THING, AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

IF YOU CAN'T AFFORD A PLACE TO LIVE, YOU CANNOT AFFORD TO BE IN HAWAI'I IS PROBABLY THE BIGGEST DRIVER.

SO WHEN I WAS ON THE CITY COUNCIL, WE HAD THE CITY, UNDER MAYOR FASI, WE BUILT HUNDREDS OF AFFORDABLE RENTALS.

ALL DOWNTOWN WAS BUILT WHEN I WAS HOUSING CHAIR.

KUPUNA, ELDERLY HOUSING, BIG IMPORTANT THING.

WHEN THE PUBLIC PUTS PUBLIC MONEY INTO HOUSING, IT SHOULD BE FOR US, PEOPLE WHO LIVE HERE, AND IT SHOULD BE MADE TO BE AFFORDABLE FOREVER.

TEN YEARS FROM NOW, IT'S GOING TO BE WORSE.

OTHER THINGS WE CAN DO.

MAKING SURE THE TOURISTS PAY THEIR FAIR SHARE.

I WOULD SAY DOUBLE THE TOURISTS TAX AND USE THAT MONEY TO IMPROVE OUR LIVES HERE TO MAKE THINGS MORE AFFORDABLE FOR US.

SHARE THE BURDEN, WHO DON'T LIVE HERE AND DON'T PAY TAXES.

SINCE THAT'S OUR MAIN ECONOMY, SUPPORT GOODS AND SERVICES WE NEED.

WE CAN REDUCE THE G.E.T.

ON FOOD AND DRUGS FOR LOCAL PEOPLE.

THAT WILL PUT MONEY BACK INTO THEIR POCKETS, AS WELL.

A LONG RANGE OF THINGS THAT WE NEED TO DO TO MAKE SURE OUR ECONOMY AND TAX POLICY WORK FOR US.

>>Yunji: JENNA, WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS HOW WE CAN HELP PEOPLE STRUGGLING FINANCIALLY?

>> IF CRIME AND SAFETY ARE NUMBER ONE THING, PEOPLE ARE TOUCHING ON CURRENT PRICE OF THINGS, GAS AND GROCERIES.

ALL THESE NECESSITIES THAT THEY'RE FEELING THE PINCH AT, AND I THINK IT'S HARD FOR PEOPLE BECAUSE WITH THESE RISING COSTS BECAUSE EVEN THOUGH THEY'RE TRYING TO GET BY, THEY KNOW THERE'S THESE BIG EXCHANGES.

PAYING THEIR PROPERTY TAX AND HOW THEY'RE GOING TO MAKE THE DECISION BETWEEN GETTING THEIR DAILY NECESSITIES WHEN THEY NEED TO PLAN FOR THESE BIG EXPENSES.

I KNOW I THINK ABOUT THIS MYSELF, I HAVE STUDENT LOANS WHICH ARE CURRENTLY ON HOLD BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, BUT WHEN WE RESUME THOSE PAYMENTS, THAT'S AN EXTRA 200, 300 I'M GOING TO HAVE TO PAY ON TOP OF MY DAY-TO-DAY EXPENSES.

THAT'S SOMETHING I HEAR WHEN PEOPLE BRING UP THEIR CONCERNS ABOUT THIS.

IN GENERAL, WHEN WE COME BACK TO THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION, BE MINDFUL ABOUT THIS FINANCIAL BURDEN THAT THE EVERYDAY PERSON IS FACING.

BEFORE WE IMPOSE A TAX OR START A NEW PROGRAM, REMEMBER THAT DAY-TO-DAY IMPACT THAT YOUR NEIGHBOR IS GOING TO FEEL.

>>Yunji: ON THAT, HAWAI'I HAD A SIGNIFICANT SURPLUS THIS YEAR.

LEG HAD A LOT OF MONEY TO WORK WITH.

HOW DO YOU THINK THEY DID WITH THOSE FUNDS, AND WHAT PROGRAMS DO YOU THINK OR INITIATIVES THAT THE NEXT SESSION SHOULD FOCUS ON?

>> WE WERE ABLE TO FUND SO MANY INITIATIVES.

NATIVE HAWAIIAN, HOME LANDS AND SUCH.

I THINK ONE AREA THAT COULD USE MORE FUNDING, REPRESENTATIVE OHNO AND I WORKED ON THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON CORRECTIONS, MILITARY.

WE WORKED WITH DEPARTMENT OF SAFETY AND CORRECTIONS FACILITY SPECIFICALLY.

THEY ARE FACING MAJOR ISSUES WITH OVERCROWDING, WITH AGING FACILITIES, BEING ABLE TO FUND THOSE PROGRAMS.

I MENTIONED COULD REDUCE RECIDIVISM.

PEOPLE TRYING TO OVERCOME THE ISSUES THAT THEY'VE BEEN FACED FROM A ECONOMIC STANDPOINT.

IF THEY FALL INTO MENTAL ABUSE.

MAKING SURE THEY'RE GETTING THIS IN ORDER TO BE PROGRESSIVE WHEN THEY REENTER SOCIETY.

>>Yunji: WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE LEG DID WITH ALL THAT MONEY THAT THEY HAD?

>> LIKE CHRISTMAS CAME EARLY.

THERE'S MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO GIVE AWAY.

WHAT CONCERNS ME ABOUT THAT IS WHEN THE LEGISLATURE SAID, WE FINALLY HAVE FUNDS TO PUT TO THESE PROGRAMS THAT WE'VE BEEN NEGLECTING ALL THIS TIME.

WHY WERE THEY NEGLECTED ALL THIS TIME?

SEEMS LIKE THE LEGISLATURE HAS THIS NO NEW TAX POLICY.

I'VE BEEN IN THE ADMINISTRATION WHERE WE'VE HAD 5%, 10% CUTS, FURLOUGHS.

YOU SEE THE GOVERNMENT SHRINKING ACTUALLY, AND THE NEEDS EXPANDING.

ALL OF A SUDDEN THERE'S MONEY, AND THEY SAY WE CAN SOLVE THESE NEEDS.

THEY HAVE THE JOB OF ASSURING NEEDS ARE MET CONSTANTLY INSTEAD OF PLAYING CATCH-UP WHEN MONEY COMES FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

NOW WE CAN SOLVE THINGS.

I THINK THAT'S REALLY WHAT I HAVE IN MIND IS RESTRUCTURING OUR TAX POLICY SO IT SUPPORTS THE RESOURCES AND SERVICES THAT WE NEED.

PEOPLE LIKE TO GRUMBLE ABOUT GOVERNMENT.

LIKE IT'S ALL MESSED UP.

AT THE SAME TIME THEY'RE HAPPY TO HAVE THEIR GARBAGE COLLECTED, HAPPY TO HAVE THEIR ROADS FIXED AND PARKS TAKEN CARE OF AND SERVICES WHEN YOU NEED THEM, SO IT'S REALLY OUR JOB OF GOVERNMENT IN THE LEGISLATURE TO SET THAT POLICY IN SUCH A WAY THAT WE ARE MEETING THOSE NEEDS.

AND WE'RE TAXING FAIRLY TO SUPPORT THE SERVICES THAT PEOPLE DEMAND.

>>Yunji: YOU TALK ABOUT SORT OF DISTRUST OF GOVERNMENT.

WHAT LED TO THAT WAS THE HUGE CORRUPTION SCANDAL.

HOW DO YOU RESTORE PUBLIC TRUST?

>> THOSE TWO GUYS MAKE ME SO MAD.

AS SOMEONE WHO'S BEEN OUTSIDE GOVERNMENT, ORGANIZING IN THE COMMUNITY, WHO WAS CHAIR OF CITY COUNCIL AND SOMEONE WHO ADMINISTERED STATE PROGRAMS, THE PUBLIC TRUST AND WHAT WE DO IS SO VITAL.

AND YOU HAVE THESE TWO BOZOS TAKING CASH UNDER THE COUNTER, IT DRIVES ME NUTS.

IT SETS US BACK.

EVERY GOOD PERSON, AND MOST OF THE PEOPLE IN THE LEGISLATURE ARE EXCELLENT, HARDWORKING PEOPLE TRYING TO DO THE RIGHT THING.

I CAN TELL YOU EVERYBODY I WORKED WITH IN THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, ALL THE CIVIL SERVANTS ARE MISSION-DRIVEN, TRYING TO GET THE JOB DONE WITH NO RESOURCES.

AND TWO CLOWNS TAKE A COUPLE BUCKS AND THE FLOOR MAT OF YOUR CAR, AND IT MAKES EVERYTHING HARDER FOR EVERYBODY.

SO WHAT DO WE DO?

OPEN UP THE LEGISLATURE.

MORE OPENNESS, MORE SUNSHINE, WE GOT TO TAKE THE MONEY OUT OF POLITICS.

WE SHOULDN'T BE HAVING INCUMBENTS OR CHALLENGERS TAKING SPECIAL INTEREST MONEY.

PUBLICLY FUND CANDIDATES.

PROGRAMS LIKE THIS, WHICH ARE FREE, WE'VE GOT TO HAVE THIS FOR EVERYBODY SO THAT CHALLENGERS HAVE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY TO GET THEIR IDEAS OUT AND THEIR SOLUTIONS TO THE PROBLEMS AND PUBLIC HAVE A BETTER CHOICE.

>>Yunji: JENNA, HOW DO WE RESTORE PUBLIC TRUST, GIVEN THE SCANDAL THAT UNFOLDED THIS YEAR?

>> I MEAN, THE FIRST STEP, PASSING THE BILL TO PROHIBIT LOBBYING OR CAMPAIGN FUNDRAISER WAS A GREAT FIRST STEP.

I'M INTERESTED TO SEE WHAT THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE THAT WAS CONVENED BY THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE COMES IN WITH FOR LEGISLATION AND EVEN ADJUSTMENTS TO OUR INTERNAL HOUSE RULES IN ORDER TO BE MORE TRANSPARENT AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC TO HELP START TO REBUILD THAT TRUST.

ALONG WITH THE TRUST ISSUE THAT THIS HAS CAUSED IN GENERAL, PEOPLE HAVE BEEN HAVING A GROWING SENSE OF APATHY AND DISSATISFACTION WITH GOVERNMENT.

ONE THING I HOPE TO DO IS CONTINUE OPEN DIALOGUE.

BEING IN THE OFFICE FOR TEN YEARS, I THINK THE CONSTITUENTS WHO KNOW ME THERE HAVE COME TO REALIZE I'M AN OPEN EAR TO LISTEN TO.

THEY FEEL COMFORTABLE CALLING IN WITH A RANDOM QUESTION, WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT BE GOVERNMENT.

WE CAN DIRECT THEM TO THE PROVIDER OR AGENCY, AND I THINK JUST BUILDING THAT RELATIONSHIP WITH AN ELECTED OFFICIAL OR OFFICE HELPS PEOPLE PUT A FACE OF GOVERNMENT AND START TO BUILD THOSE RELATIONSHIPS AND MAKE THAT CONNECTION WHERE THEY'LL FEEL BETTER ABOUT THE DECISION THEY MAKE AND WANT TO INTERACT WITH GOVERNMENT AND THEIR OFFICIALS.

>>Yunji: TALK ABOUT MANAGING COVID.

HOW DO YOU THINK THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION DID?

WHAT ROLE DO YOU THINK THE LEG PLAYED GOING FORWARD?

WE STILL HAVE VERY HIGH POSITIVITY RATE ACROSS THE STATE, BUT IT DOES FEEL LIKE THERE'S NO INDOOR MASK MANDATE.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THOSE POLICIES?

>> SURE.

I KNOW IT WAS FRUSTRATING AND CERTAINLY CHALLENGING, ESPECIALLY FOR LOCAL BUSINESSES AS WE'VE BEEN GOING COVID.

OUR NUMBERS ARE RISING AGAIN.

I THINK THE MAIN THING IS THAT WE WATCH OUR HOSPITAL CAPACITY AND LISTEN TO OUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS.

I THINK WE NEED TO TAKE THE LEAD IN FOLLOWING WHAT THEY'RE RECOMMENDING SINCE WE'RE SO ISOLATED IN HAWAI'I.

WE HAVE A FINITE NUMBER OF VENTILATORS AND HOSPITAL BEDS.

THAT'S NOT GOING TO BE EASY TO EXPAND, SO FOCUSING AND TAKING A LEAD ON WHATEVER THAT MEANS.

IF THAT MEANS TIGHTER RESTRICTION BECAUSE WE'RE AT A CRITICAL MASS, WE NEED TO PROTECT OUR KUPUNA WHO ARE STILL, EVEN WITH VACCINATIONS, MORE VULNERABLE TO THIS DISEASE AND DEFINITELY OTHER PEOPLE WHO ARE MORE VULNERABLE TO COVID.

>>Yunji: WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT COVID MITIGATION GOING FORWARD?

DO YOU THINK WE'RE OUT OF THE SYSTEM OF MANDATES AND LOCKDOWNS.

DO YOU SUPPORT THAT?

>> IT COULD COME BACK.

I ANTICIPATE IT WON'T.

WE LIVE WITH COVID LIKE WE LIVE WITH THE FLU AND CHICKENPOX.

IT'S GOING TO BE WITH US.

A COUPLE GOOD THINGS CAME OUT OF THE COVID PANDEMIC.

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN PROBABLY MY LIFE, PEOPLE KNOW HOW TO WASH THEIR HANDS, AND THEY DO IT.

AND THEY'RE WILLING TO WEAR MASKS AND BY AND LARGE, I'M REALLY PROUD OF HOW PEOPLE OF HAWAI'I RESPONDED.

MOST PEOPLE KNEW THAT IT'S OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO THE COMMUNITY TO TAKE CARE OF EACH OTHER.

THERE ARE A FEW WHO REFUSE TO WEAR MASKS FOR WHATEVER REASON, BUT THEY'RE A LOUD MINORITY.

I COME FROM DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH FOR 12 YEARS.

WE SPENT A LOT OF TIME DRILLING AND GETTING READY FOR WHAT EVERYBODY ANTICIPATED WAS GOING TO BE THE NEXT PANDEMIC.

EPIDEMIC OR PANDEMIC.

I RESPONDED TO DENGUE FEVER AND OTHER THINGS.

THIS WAS THE BIG ONE.

PEOPLE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR AND DRILLING.

BUT UNDER-RESOURCED.

I REMEMBER CHINA SET UP A NEW HOSPITAL IN, LIKE, THREE DAYS.

I DON'T THINK WE COULD EVEN SET UP A TENT IN THREE MONTHS THE WAY IT'S STRUCTURED.

WE NEED TO BE READY WITH THOSE RESOURCES IN GOVERNMENT SO THAT WE CAN RESPOND BECAUSE THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN.

IF IT'S NOT COVID, IT WILL BE THE NEXT THING.

WE'RE BETTER PREPARED NOW, BUT THOSE RESOURCES NEED TO BE PUT IN PLACE IN ANTICIPATION OF THE NEXT GLOBAL OR LOCAL EPIDEMIC.

>>Yunji: ANOTHER RESOURCE THAT WAS HIGHLIGHTED LACKING IS OUR DEPENDENCE OF FOOD.

WHAT DO YOU THINK THE LEGISLATURE CAN DO TO MAKE HAWAI'I -- WE HEARD ABOUT PLEDGES AND PROMISES TO MAKING HAWAI'I BETTER.

>> WE HAVE GOALS.

EVERYBODY'S AGREEING WE'VE GOT TO GROW MORE FOOD.

IT'S BEEN A REAL DISAPPOINTMENT WE HAVEN'T SEEN THE STATE INFRASTRUCTURE IN PLACE TO REALLY GET LOCAL FOOD PRODUCTION GOING.

PRODUCTION OF FOOD THAT WE EAT AS OPPOSED TO EXPORT, OKAY.

THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS THAT HAVE TO GO INTO AN AGRICULTURE ECONOMY.

YOU HAVE TO HAVE LAND, WATER, TRANSPORTATION.

MARKETING.

YOU CAN'T HAVE EVERYBODY SAY, I WANT TO GROW WATERMELONS AND EVERYBODY GROWS WATERMELONS AND THE PRICE CRASHES.

HOLLAND DOES THIS VERY SUCCESSFULLY WITH CO-OPS OR FOOD HUBS NOW.

THERE'S SO MUCH MORE INFRASTRUCTURE THAT NEEDS TO GO INTO IT.

WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT FOREVER MY WHOLE LIFE.

I WAS ON THE CITY COUNCIL WHEN THE PLANTATIONS SHUT DOWN.

GREAT, WE FINALLY HAVE LAND TO GROW OUR OWN FOOD.

IT HASN'T HAPPENED.

WE HAVEN'T PUT RESOURCES INTO MAKING IT HAPPEN AND SUPPORTING THE FARMERS AND CREATING THE MARKETS AND FUNDING AND LAND AND WATER NECESSARY TO HAVE AN ACTIVE AGRICULTURE ECONOMY.

>>Yunji: JENNA, WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS OF FOOD SECURITY IN THE ISLANDS?

>> SURE.

AGAIN, GOALS ARE GREAT PLACES TO START AND IMPLEMENTATION AND ROLE OF GOVERNMENT CAN DO TO HELP US MOVE CLOSER TOWARDS FOOD SUSTAINABILITY FOR OUR RESIDENTS IS SETTING UP PROGRAMS AND ACCESS.

IN RECENT YEARS, WE'VE DONE A BIG PUSH TO GET MORE FARM TO SCHOOL.

LOCALLY PRODUCED VEGETABLES INTO OUR PUBLIC LUNCHES.

GREAT FIRST STEP.

I TALKED TO A RESIDENT IN KAM HEIGHTS.

NOT THAT SHE WAS LIVING IN -- SHE DIDN'T HAVE ACCESS TO FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES WITHIN A WALKING DISTANCE.

SHE HAD TO DRIVE THERE, AND SHE FELT IF THERE WERE MORE VENUES TO ACCESS THAT FOR EVERYBODY, WE INCREASE HEALTHY LIFESTYLES, AND THAT CREATES THESE VENUES FOR OUR LOCAL FARMERS TO FILL THOSE VENUES THAT WE'RE SETTING UP.

I THINK GOVERNMENT SHOULD LOOK AT THESE COMMUNITIES.

YEAH, YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO WALK 10, 15 MINUTES AND GET FRESH FRUIT WITHOUT HAVING TO GO THROUGH SO MUCH EFFORT.

>>Yunji: I WANT TO BRING IN THIS QUESTION FROM OUR AUDIENCE, ERIC.

WHAT WILL YOU DO ABOUT TEACHER RETENTION AND FILLING TEACHER VACANCIES?

WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH TEACHERS.

THAT WAS HIGHLIGHTED DURING THE PANDEMIC.

AS A MOTHER OF TWO KIDS, THAT'S SOMETHING I HEAR ABOUT.

TELL US WHAT YOU WILL DO FOR TEACHER SHORTAGE SPECIFICALLY.

>> SURE.

I ALSO HEAR A LOT ABOUT IT.

MY SISTER AND BROTHER-IN-LAW ARE PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS.

I THINK A LOT OF ISSUES THAT WE CAN DO FOR TEACHER RETENTION HAVE TO DO WITH REMAIN MAKING SURE, ONE, WE SUPPORT OUR TEACHERS ONCE THEY'RE IN OUR COMMUNITY AND FUNNEL PEOPLE BACK INTO THE COMMUNITIES THAT THEY COME FROM.

THIS IS MAY BE LCC HAS A GREAT PROGRAM WHERE THEY HELP OUR EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANTS GO THROUGH THE PROCESS TO GET THEIR TEACHING LICENSES WHILE THEY'RE WORKING IN THE SCHOOLS SO THEY'RE GOING BACK TO THE COMMUNITIES THEY'RE WORKING AND SERVING.

THAT'S A GREAT WAY TO TAP LOCAL TALENT TO GO BACK INTO THE SYSTEMS.

ESPECIALLY IN OUR HARD TO FILL SCHOOL POSITIONS.

AND SIMILARLY, MAYBE WE NEED TO START FUNNELING LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS BACK AND MAKING THE PATHWAY EASIER TO SERVE.

AND PROVIDE THAT ACCESS TO TEACHERS.

>>Yunji: WHAT DO YOU SAY?

>> I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE A TEACHER.

I WAS A SUBSTITUTE TEACHER FOR A WHILE.

THAT'S A TOUGH JOB, I'LL TELL YOU.

JUST MANAGING ALL THOSE KIDS EVERY DAY, I HAVE GREAT, GREAT RESPECT FOR TEACHERS WHO'VE MADE THIS A CAREER.

SO THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS TO DO.

I HAD THIS CONVERSATION WITH THE TEACHERS UNION WHO, BY THE WAY, ENDORSED ME.

I DON'T CONSIDER MYSELF AN EXPERT, BUT I DO THINK THAT TEACHERS HAVE BEEN IN THE FRONTLINE DURING THIS COVID THING, AND WE ARE ON THE BRINK OF CONTINUALLY LOSING SOME OF OUR BEST, YOUNGEST TEACHERS TO BURNOUT.

I'VE HEARD, I CAN'T DO THIS ANOTHER YEAR.

WE NEED TO THROW MORE RESOURCES.

HAVING A SAFE, SECURE, AFFORDABLE PLACE TO LIVE, ESPECIALLY IN REMOTE RURAL COMMUNITIES WHERE IT'S HARDEST TO GET PEOPLE TO BE TEACHERS.

WE NEED TO SUPPORT THEM.

A PLACE IN THE COMMUNITY THAT'S CONVENIENT FOR THEM TO LIVE.

I HEAR CONCERN ABOUT THE BUREAUCRACY.

MAYBE YOU ALWAYS HEAR ABOUT THE BUREAUCRACY.

WE HAVE SO MANY PROGRAMS THAT HAVE COME FROM THE BOTTOM UP.

NOT FROM THE D.O.E.

NECESSARILY, BUT FROM THE TEACHERS AND PRINCIPALS TRYING TO DO NEW AND INNOVATIVE THINGS.

WE NEED TO EMPOWER TEACHERS WHO ARE THERE IN THE FRONTLINES IN THE SCHOOLS EVERY DAY.

TO COME UP WITH THESE PROGRAMS AND TO SUPPORT THEM AND SPREAD THEM THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL SYSTEM.

WHEN WE HAVE SOMETHING THAT WORK, REPLICATE IT.

>>Yunji: WE ARE ALMOST OUT OF TIME.

WE CAN READ YOUR RESUM… AND CAMPAIGN WEBSITE.

TELL US WHAT'S THE BEST ARGUMENT OF YOUR CANDIDACY THAT MAYBE WE DON'T GLEAN FROM YOUR RESUM…?

>> I THINK YOU CAN GLEAN A LOT.

I'VE BEEN -- 50 YEARS.

I THINK WHAT I BRING IN TERMS OF WHAT I ASK VOTERS TO LOOK AT MY EXPERIENCE.

MY LIFE EXPERIENCE.

I STARTED AS A HOTEL WORKER.

ELECTED AS A UNION STEWARD.

THAT'S WHAT I DID FOR EIGHT YEARS.

IN THE GRASSROOTS, HELPING WORKING PEOPLE.

I'VE BEEN ON THE CITY COUNCIL.

I'VE BEEN IN ADMINISTRATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMS FOR THE STATE, AND I'VE GOT SOME EXPERIENCE IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR.

FAMILY BUSINESS, DOING CONSERVATION AND REFORESTATION AT CAMP PALEHUA.

I HAVE A LEGACY OF INTEGRITY THAT GOES BACK GENERATIONS.

MY FATHER SERVED IN THE U.S. CONGRESS.

ONE OF THE ORGANIZERS OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTIES BACK IN THE '50s.

WHERE ARE WE GOING IN THE BIG PICTURE?

THAT'S WHAT I BRING.

>>Yunji: WHAT'S THE BEST ARGUMENT FOR YOUR CANDIDACY?

>> I'VE BEEN DOING THE WORK FOR RESIDENTS OF DISTRICT 27 FOR THE PAST TEN YEARS.

I'VE LISTENED TO THEIR ISSUES.

I'M THE ONE WHO'S BEEN WORKING WITH THEM ALONGSIDE THE DEPARTMENT AND AGENCIES TO FIND SOLUTIONS TO THEIR PROBLEMS.

I KNOW THAT MEANS A LOT TO ME, AND I KNOW IT MEANS A LOT TO THEM, AS WELL.

THEY TOLD ME AS I'VE BEEN GOING DOOR TO DOOR.

PEOPLE HAVE TOLD ME THAT I'M RUNNING.

IF I FILL A POTHOLE OR FIT A STREET LIGHT, THAT MEANT A LOT TO THEM.

I HOPE TO CONTINUE THAT WORK FOR EXISTING RESIDENTS IN THE OLD 27 AND TO GET TO KNOW THE NEW AREA OF 27 AND LET THEM KNOW I'M HERE.

I'M HERE TO HELP YOU SOLVE PROBLEMS.

I CARE ABOUT THE COMMUNITY.

>>Yunji: THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TONIGHT.

MAHALO FOR JOINING US TONIGHT AND WE THANK OUR GUESTS, DEMOCRATIC HOPEFULS FOR STATE HOUSE DISTRICT 27: JENNA TAKENOUCHI AND GARY GILL.

NEXT WEEK ON INSIGHTS WE WILL TALK TO THE LEADING CANDIDATES IN THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY FOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

PLEASE JOIN US THEN.

I'M YUNJI DE NIES FOR INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAI'I.

ALOHA!