Daryl: OUR PRIMARY ELECTION COVERAGE CONTINUES WITH A PAIR OF STATE HOUSE RACES, BOTH ON OAHU.

IT'S AN INCUMBENT VERSUS THE SON OF A POLITICAL LEGEND IN CENTRAL OAHU.

AND TWO REPUBLICAN NEWCOMERS ARE TRYING TO MAKE THE GENERAL ELECTION BALLOT ON WEST OAHU.

THEIR STANCE ON THE ISSUES, NEXT ON INSIGHTS.

ON THE NEXT INSIGHTS, OUR ELECTION COVERAGE CONTINUES WITH TWO RACES IN THE STATE HOUSE.

RESIDENTS IN DISTRICT 45 ON THE WEST SIDE OF OAHU WILL BE ELECTING A NEW REPRESENTATIVE.

HEAR FROM THE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES WHO ARE TRYING TO ADVANCE.

AND IN THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY FOR DISTRICT 37, CENTRAL OAHU VOTERS WILL DECIDE BETWEEN THE INCUMBENT AND A NEWCOMER WHOSE FATHER WAS A REVERED HAWAII POLITICIAN.

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

¶ ¶Daryl: ALOHA AND WELCOME TO  INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAI'I...I'M DARYL HUFF.

IN LESS THAN TWO WEEKS HAWAII VOTERS WILL BE RECEIVING THEIR PRIMARY ELECTION BALLOTS IN THE MAIL.

TONIGHT, WE FOCUS ON TWO RACES IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE.

UP FIRST, THE G-O-P HOPEFULS FOR HOUSE DISTRICT 45 WHICH REPRESENTS WAIANAE AND MAKAHA.

IT'S AN OPEN SEAT AS THE CURRENT REPRESENTATIVE MAKES A RUN FOR THE STATE SENATE.

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

YOU CAN EMAIL OR CALL IN YOUR QUESTIONS.

AND YOU'LL FIND A LIVE STREAM OF THIS PROGRAM AT PBSHAWAII.ORG AND THE PBS HAWAII YOUTUBE PAGE.

NOW, TO OUR GUESTS.

TIANA WILBUR WAS BORN AND RAISED IN WAIANAE.

SHE'S A MOTHER OF FOUR BOYS AND CURRENTLY SERVES AS THE CHAIR OF THE WAIANAE COAST NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD.

CHRIS MURAOKA WAS ALSO BORN AND RAISED IN WAIANAE.

HE'S A FATHER OF SIX, A BUSINESS OWNER AND NAVY VETERAN.

HE'S ALSO A MEMBER OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD.

I'LL GO TO YOU FIRST, CHRIS MURAOKA.

WHAT ARE THE BIG ISSUES POPPING UP IN WAIANAE WHEN YOU HOLD THESE BOARD MEETINGS?

WHAT ARE THINGS PEOPLE ARE MOST CONCERNED ABOUT?

WELL, THANKS FOR ASKING.

FIRST OF ALL, THANKS FOR HAVING US HERE.

AS YOU SAID, I'M A FATHER, A BUSINESS OWNER, A HUSBAND AND A GRANDPA.

THERE'S A LOT OF ISSUES THAT'S FACING US IN WAIANAE.

HISTORICALLY, WE'VE BEEN IGNORED FOR SO LONG.

SOME OF THESE ISSUES BUILT UP OVER TIME, BUT THE TWO ISSUES THAT REALLY STAND OUT IS THE OVERWHELMING INCREASE IN CRIME, AS WELL AS OUR HOMELESS POPULATION ISSUE.

NOW, THERE'S A PLETHORA OF ISSUES THAT WE NEED TO ADDRESS.

THOSE TWO ARE THE FRONT-RUNNERS.

Daryl: TIANA, ANYTHING TO ADD TO THAT?

WE'VE HEARD THAT BEFORE.

WHAT DO YOU THINK PEOPLE WANT RIGHT AWAY?

SO THAT IS DEFINITELY THE TOP OF THE LIST, AND RIGHT NOW, IT'S NOT WHAT WE CAN DO WHEN WE'RE ELECTED, BUT WHAT WE CAN DO NOW.

SO THOSE ARE THE THINGS THAT WE'VE BEEN STRIVING FOR IS CORRECTING DILIGENTLY WITH THE DIFFERENT RESOURCES AND PROGRAMS WE HAVE ACTIVELY, WHETHER THEY'RE NONPROFITS, CHURCHES OR OUR COUNCILMEMBER AND HER PROJECT AND THREE R'S IN HOW WE AS RESIDENTS CAN HELP KOKUA AND RESOLVING SOME OF THESE ISSUES.

THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER IS WHETHER IT'S CITY OR STATE, A LOT OF THESE REQUESTS WON'T COME THROUGH OR WE WON'T SEE ANY PROGRESS IN MAYBE TWO YEARS.

RIGHT.

THAT'S BECAUSE OF THE PROCESS AND EVERYTHING THAT IT NEEDS TO GO THROUGH BEFORE WE GET APPROVALS OR STUDIES THAT NEED TO BE DONE, AND FOR US AS A COMMUNITY RIGHT NOW IS, HOW DO WE WORK TOGETHER?

AND IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT POLITICAL PARTY.

BECAUSE RIGHT NOW, EVEN RIGHT NOW IN THIS RACE, WE'RE FIRST COMMUNITY MEMBERS.

AND AS A COMMUNITY, WE WANT TO SEE MORE UNITY IN OUR COMMUNITY.

AND WHEN WE DO THAT, WE'RE ABLE TO WORK TOGETHER COLLABORATIVELY ACROSS THE BOARD, I BELIEVE AS FAR AS PUBLIC SAFETY AND AS A COMMUNITY, WE ALL AGREE THAT WE'LL START SEEING MORE POSITIVE STRUCTURAL CHANGES AS FAR AS THE SAFETY OF THE COMMUNITY BECAUSE THERE WON'T BE AS MUCH HEAVINESS AND BURDENS HAPPENING NOW.

Daryl: CHRIS MURAOKA, WHAT DO YOU FEEL?

WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT CRIME, WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE ROOT CAUSE IN THE RISE IN CRIME?

UPBRINGING.

THE HIGH COST OF LIVING.

PARENTS HAVE TO GO OUT AND WORK.

MANY OF THEM HAVE TO GET TWO JOBS.

THEREFORE, OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM IS RAISING SOME OF OUR KIDS.

YOU KNOW, OUR KIDS GROWING UP, THEY LOOK FOR LEADERSHIP.

THEY LOOK FOR MENTORSHIP, AND UNFORTUNATELY, WITHOUT THE STRUCTURE STARTING AT HOME, THEY FIND IT ELSEWHERE.

AND IT'S NOT OFTEN THE RIGHT MENTORSHIP OR LEADERSHIP THAT THEY NEED.

I STRONGLY SUPPORT SPORTS.

ORGANIZED SPORTS BECAUSE IT KEEPS KIDS OCCUPIED.

IT KEEPS KIDS COHESIVE AND IT TEACHES THEM COACHABILITY.

IT HELPS THEM ADAPT.

IT HELPS THEM WORK.

IT HELPS THEM RUN INTO PROBLEMS AND FIX IT.

AND COACHES, FOR THE MOST PART, I'M A COACH.

YOUTH ATHLETIC COACH, AS WELL, AND WE HELP KIDS.

WE TEACH KIDS.

THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS WE CAN DO.

WE CAN BE A POSITIVE INFLUENCE.

THE COST OF LIVING IS DEFINITELY A CAUSE.

Daryl: LET ME GIVE TIANA WILBUR A CHANCE.

ON THE CRIME ISSUE, IT'S SAD.

WHEN YOU READ THE STORIES ABOUT THE CRIME OUT THERE, OFTEN IT'S SOMEONE 17, 19 YEARS OLD.

THEY'VE GOT A WEAPON.

THEY'RE OUT WILDING AT NIGHT.

FROM WHAT CHRIS IS SAYING, WHERE IS THE PARENTS?

AND YOU KIND OF SEMI ANSWERED IT.

DO YOU FEEL THAT YOUTH PROBLEM IS REALLY A BIG ISSUE?

THAT IS.

AND I'VE HAD ACTIVE CONVERSATIONS WITH OUR SCHOOL PRINCIPALS AND JUST DIFFERENT LEADERS IN OUR COMMUNITY IN HOW, AS A COMMUNITY, WE CAN COME TOGETHER AND HELP WITH THAT.

IT WAS LITERALLY TWO WEEKS AFTER AN INCIDENT AT MY SON'S SCHOOL THAT THE STABBING HAPPENED.

SO MUCH HEAVINESS BECAUSE WE'RE TRYING TO TACKLE THE BULLYING INCIDENT AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

IT DOES COME FROM UPBRINGING BUT ALSO PARENTS NEED TO WORK.

IF THEY ARE A SINGLE-FAMILY HOME AND THEY'RE WORKING MULTIPLE JOBS, THEY DON'T HAVE THAT INFLUENCE.

SO BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB IS AN ORGANIZATION THAT I DO HELP AND I SERVE ON THEIR BOARD AS WELL.

AND IT IS A POSITIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR KIDS THAT DON'T HAVE THAT EXTRA SUPPORT AT HOME TO COME AND RECEIVE EXTRA SUPPORT.

BUT IT'S SO MUCH MORE THAN THAT.

NOT ALL THE KIDS CAN ATTEND BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB.

THEY'RE NOT IN THAT REACH, IN THAT SPHERE.

AGAIN, BEING A RESOURCE TO OUR NEIGHBOR, BEING A GOOD NEIGHBOR AND HOW WE CAN SUPPORT THOSE FAMILIES.

Daryl: THERE'S ALSO A TENDENCY TO HAVE AN ARGUMENT OVER WHETHER YOU SHOULD GET TOUGH ON CRIME.

TOUGH ON KIDS.

SOME PLACES THEY'RE ARE CHARGING 15-YEAR-OLDS AS AN ADULTS.

THINGS LIKE THAT.

HOW DO YOU FEEL WHETHER THE LAWS, WHICH YOU'LL BE DEALING WITH AS A LEGISLATOR IF ELECTED, SHOULD BE CHANGED IN ORDER TO  DEAL WITH THAT CRIME?

SO I THINK IT WOULD BE VERY BENEFICIAL FOR US TO INCORPORATE FAMILY ENGAGEMENT IN SCHOOLS AGAIN, AND BY DOING THAT, WE WILL INCREASE THE PARTICIPATION OF FAMILIES AND ALSO THE PARENTING.

THERE'S SO MUCH RESOURCES AND OPPORTUNITIES THAT WE CAN GIVE TO THE COMMUNITY.

PARENTING IS AN ISSUE.

HURT PEOPLE.

HURT PEOPLE.

WHEN WE MAYBE GREW UP IN AN UNSAFE ENVIRONMENT, WE DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ELSE, AND SO THAT GENERATIONAL CYCLE CONTINUES.

SO HOW DO WE FIX THAT?

HOW DO WE SUPPORT EACH OTHER?

THAT'S THE VISION THAT WE HAVE MOVING FORWARD, AND THERE'S SO MANY OPPORTUNITIES.

I JUST WAS IN A MEETING THIS MORNING WITH FAMILY ENGAGEMENT GROUPS, AND THEY HAVE THE McKINNEY-VENTO ACT AND FUNDING FOR THAT.

THE THING IS WHAT WAS CLARIFIED TODAY IS IT'S NOT THAT YOU HAVE TO BE HOMELESS LIKE ON THE BEACH.

IF THERE'S MULTIPLE FAMILIES IN ONE HOUSE, IF YOUR ELECTRICITY IS OFF -- Daryl: I'M GOING TO STOP YOU TO GIVE CHRIS A CHANCE.

ON TOUGHER LAWS, DO YOU FEEL THE LAWS IS PART OF THE PROBLEM?

IF YOU'RE ELECTED THAT'S WHERE YOU'LL BE.

ABSOLUTELY NOT.

THE LAWS ARE NOT TOUGH ENOUGH.

THE PUNISHMENT SHOULD FIT THE CRIME.

ABSOLUTELY.

FAR TOO OFTEN, OUR POLICE GET THE BLAME.

FAR, FAR, FAR TOO OFTEN THE POLICE GET THE BLAME.

THE POLICE ARE UNDERMANNED.

WE'RE CLOSE TO FOUR HUNDRED, ALMOST FIVE HUNDRED PEOPLE SHORT.

Daryl: IN THE WEST COAST.

YES.

WHEN THEY DO THEIR JOB, THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM FAILS US.

IF YOU'RE 15, 16, 17, 18, YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING, WHETHER IT BE OUT OF FEAR, OUT OF SPITE, OUT OF ANGER.

YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING.

THERE'S NO EXCUSE.

OUR JUDICIAL SYSTEM MUST BE TOUGHER.

THEY'RE FAILING US MISERABLY RIGHT NOW.

Daryl: LET ME GIVE YOU A CHANCE TO RESPOND TO THAT.

DO YOU WANT TO RESPOND TO THAT?

AS FAR AS BEING TOUGH ON CRIME, IT'S GETTING BACK TO THE FOUNDATION OF FAMILY UPBRINGING AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

AND IF WE COULD CURB THAT BY BEING MORE ACTIVELY INVOLVED AND POSITIVELY ENGAGING IN OUR KIDS AND PROVIDING THOSE THING TO THEM ON A SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL LEVEL.

NO MATTER WHAT YOU'RE GOING THROUGH, IF WE CAN TOUCH THEM AS CHILDREN, THEN I STRONGLY BELIEVE AND I KNOW OTHERS HAVE AGREED WITH THAT IN THAT WE WILL DEFINITELY SEE A LESSER CRIME RATE.

BUT FOR ME PERSONALLY, I DON'T -- WHEN I LOOK AT THE DIFFERENT CASES THAT COME ABOUT, WE GOT TO STOP BLANKETING THINGS.

ON ALL LEVELS.

WHEN IT COMES TO CRIME, IT HAS TO BE INDIVIDUALLY LOOKED AT PER CASE.

AND I SAY THAT BECAUSE FOR ONE OF MY CHILDREN, HE'S PASSED ON TO GROWING.

HE'LL BE 11 YEARS OLD.

AND BECAUSE OF THE GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION AND THINGS THAT WE CAME FROM.

WE'RE POLYNESIAN.

THERE'S A STEREOTYPE CASE AND WRONGFULLY CHARGED FOR MURDER IN THE SECOND DEGREE FOR MY CHILDREN'S FATHER.

AND SO GOING THROUGH THAT ORDEAL FOR NINE YEARS TOTAL HAS BEEN TRULY EYE OPENING TO SEE THAT OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM, I BELIEVE IN IT STRONGLY, AND I BELIEVE THAT CRIMINALS AND THE ACTS, THEY NEED TO BE CHARGED ACCORDINGLY.

BUT ALSO WE NEED TO MAKE SURE AND ENSURE THAT THROUGH OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM WE'RE TAKING PROPER PROTOCOL TO INDIVIDUAL CASES.

NOT EVERYTHING BLANKETED UNDER ONE.

SAME THING WITH THE HOMELESSNESS.

Daryl: LET ME GIVE CHRIS A CHANCE TO TALK ABOUT HOMELESSNESS AND I'LL COME BACK TO YOU.

THE SECOND BIG ISSUE YOU MENTIONED, WHERE DO YOU SEE THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE NEEDING TO GET MORE ACTIVE TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT HOMELESSNESS AS A LEGISLATIVE REPRESENTATIVE?

FIRST, THE LEGISLATURE NEEDS TO GET INVOLVED WITH THESE NONPROFITS.

WE NEED TO HAVE ABSOLUTE TRANSPARENCY WITH THE NONPROFITS.

NONPROFITS HAVE GROWN TREMENDOUSLY, AND HOMELESSNESS HAS NOT GONE DOWN.

SO WE NEED TO HAVE TRANSPARENCY AND NONPROFITS.

I FEEL LIKE A LOT OF THESE NONPROFITS GET INVOLVED FOR THE WRONG REASON.

THEY CAN SEARCH A HOT MEAL AND THEY'LL GET GRANT MONEY AND FEDERAL MONEY OR WHATEVER IT IS.

THE CHURCHES USED TO DO THIS LONG TIME FOR FREE BECAUSE THEY TRULY CARED.

THE CHURCHES USED TO TAKE PEOPLE IN.

I SEE TOO MANY NONPROFITS NOW DAYS JUST FEEDING PEOPLE AND GOING HOME.

I FEEL THAT WE NEED TRANSPARENCY.

WE NEED DATA.

ALL THESE NONPROFITS, HOW CAN WE IDENTIFY THAT THEY'RE ACTUALLY SUCCESSFUL?

Daryl: I THINK MOST OF THOSE NONPROFITS -- I DON'T KNOW WHICH ONES YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT SPECIFICALLY BUT ARE SUPPOSEDLY TRYING TO GET THOSE PEOPLE INTO SERVICES OUT OF HOMELESSNESS.

IS THAT WHERE YOU SEE THEM FAILING?

THEY'RE NOT ACTUALLY MOVING PEOPLE OFF THE STREETS?

ABSOLUTELY.

ABSOLUTELY.

>> Daryl: TIANA, YOUR PERSPECTIVE ON THE HOMELESS ISSUE?

SO ACTUALLY IT'S GREAT THAT HE BRINGS THAT UP, BUT HONESTLY A LOT OF THE NONPROFITS HAVE DIRECT CONNECTIONS, AND THEY LOBBY INSIDE OF THE LEGISLATIVE FIELD WHEN IT'S IN SESSION.

THEY ARE ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN LEGISLATIVE THINGS, BUT THE INFORMATION DOESN'T GET TO THE COMMUNITY.

THAT'S A HUGE BARRIER BETWEEN THE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND PEOPLE.

THAT'S ONE THING THAT I HOPE TO BRIDGE THAT GAP.

THAT THERE'S NO MORE DISCONNECT BETWEEN GOVERNMENT AND PEOPLE BECAUSE IT SHOULD BE TRANSPARENTLY GIVEN ON WHAT THE FUNDINGS ARE GOING THROUGH.

THIS IS BACK IN 2022 WHEN THIS PARTICULAR TESTIMONY FROM A HOMELESS INDIVIDUAL WAS PART OF THE PROJECTS HAPPENING IN MAKAHA.

AND THEY SAID THEY DID ALL THE PAPERWORK.

A LOT LOSE THEIR I.D.

AND IDENTIFICATION.

THE NONPROFITS HELP THEM AND WALK THEM ALONG THROUGH THAT PROCESS, AND THE DAY BEFORE SHE WAS SUPPOSED TO GET THE KEYS TO HER HOME, SHE WAS TOLD THAT THEY LOST FUNDING.

THOSE ARE THE THINGS, THE HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS, THEY WANT HELP.

THEY'RE ALREADY DOWN AT THEIR LOWEST.

WHEN WE GIVE THESE PROMISES AND WE FALL THROUGH OR FALL SHORT, IT BECOMES MORE DETRIMENTAL IN THEIR HEALING AND MOVING FORWARD.

SO I HOPE WE CAN STOP DOING THAT.

BECAUSE A LOT WANT THE HELP, BUT BECAUSE OF SO MUCH BROKEN PROMISES, IT'S SO HARD FOR THEM TO CONTINUE TRUSTING THE SYSTEMS THAT ARE CURRENTLY IN PLACE.

WE HAVE TO DO BETTER THAN THAT.

Daryl: ONE OF THE ISSUES THAT COMES UP WITH THE HOMELESS ISSUE IS THE DRUG ISSUE.

WHERE DO YOU SEE THAT ON THE COAST?

IS THAT GETTING BETTER?

IS THERE A ROLE FOR THE LEGISLATURE THAT'S NOT BEING DONE THAT CAN ADDRESS THAT?

DRUG ABUSE?

MY HEART JUST BREAKS WHEN IT COMES TO THAT ESPECIALLY.

SEEING OUR PEOPLE IN THAT STATE OF MIND OR -- LIVING IN THAT LIFESTYLE AND THINGS.

THE BEST THING -- I REALLY DON'T KNOW WHAT EXACTLY OUR LEGISLATORS COULD DO BECAUSE HONESTLY, SOME OF THOSE THINGS ARE HAPPENING RIGHT IN OUR OWN COMMUNITY.

THEY'RE COOKING IT.

THERE'S FACILITIES THERE.

IT'S BEEN DOING ACTIVELY.

BECAUSE I USED TO ASK, HOW IS IT COMING IN?

BUT IT'S COMING IN SOMEHOW.

SAME LIKE THE ILLEGAL WEAPONS OR GHOST GUNS.

THERE SO MUCH LIKE -- THAT'S SUCH A COMPLEX QUESTION FOR US TO DIVE INTO.

Daryl: CHRIS MURAOKA, YOUR FEELING ABOUT IS THERE ANYTHING THAT CAN BE DONE OR SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT THE DRUG PROBLEM?

NOT JUST IN YOUR DISTRICT BUT -- HERE'S HOW I FEEL ABOUT THE DRUG PROBLEM AND HOMELESSNESS.

THEY DON'T ALWAYS GO HAND IN HAND.

WHAT I FEEL IS WE NEED TO, AGAIN, HOLD THESE NONPROFITS ACCOUNTABLE BECAUSE THEY'RE GOING OUT THERE.

THERE SHOULD BE DATA.

WE NEED TO IDENTIFY, NUMBER ONE, RESIDENTS.

ARE THEY RESIDENTS OF OUR COMMUNITY OR HAVE THEY BEEN SHIPPED IN?

THERE'S PROOF THAT THEY HAVE BEEN.

NUMBER TWO, THERE'S A SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROBLEM.

AND NUMBER THREE, THERE ARE WORKING POOR.

THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO ARE STRUGGLING THAT DON'T HAVE SUBSTANCE ABUSE THAT ARE RESIDENTS THAT ARE UNFORTUNATELY ON THE BEACH.

WE NEED TO FOCUS ON THAT CORE GROUP FIRST.

ONCE WE HELP THEM, BECAUSE THOSE ARE THE PEOPLE WHO TRULY WANT TO BE HELPED.

THEN WE CAN FOCUS ON RESIDENTS THAT SUFFER FROM SUBSTANCE ABUSE.

AND I SUPPORT LEGISLATION THAT WOULD FORCE THE SUBSTANCE ABUSERS INTO TREATMENT.

IF THEY DON'T TAKE TREATMENT OR VOLUNTARILY TAKE TREATMENT AND/OR THEY DON'T GO INTO TREATMENT, WE NEED TO SHOW TOUGH LOVE AND START PULLING BENEFITS.

Daryl: OKAY.

I'VE GOT A QUESTION FROM A VIEWER.

AND I SEE THIS TOO.

I LIVE IN MAKAKILO.

SOMETIMES WHEN I'M GOING HOME, I SEE A TRAFFIC JAM THAT'S COMING FROM NANAKULI.

TRAFFIC IS A HUGE ISSUE ON THE WEST SIDE.

WE HAVE ONE WAY IN AND ONE WAY OUT DURING EMERGENCY.

HOW WOULD YOU FIX THIS?

TIANA, WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE PRIORITIES?

TWO ISSUES.

ONE IS TRAFFIC AND OTHER IS EMERGENCIES.

SO I'M NOT GOING TO MAKE THAT AN I THING.

IT'S GOING TO BE A KAKOU THING BECAUSE THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF VARIABLES.

WE'RE GOING TO NEED THE STATE.

WE'RE GOING TO NEED THE MILITARY.

THERE'S DIFFERENT AREAS IN OUR MOKU, IN OUR COMMUNITY THAT WE COULD POTENTIALLY HAVE ACCESS TO OR CREATE ANOTHER WAY IN OR OUT.

I KNOW ONE OF THE CONCERNS THAT CAME UP IN A TOWN HALL IS THAT THEY TOLD US, BE CAREFUL WHAT WE ASK FOR BECAUSE IF THEY SEE DEVELOPMENT, PUTTING IN ANOTHER ROAD, THAT MEANS MORE HOUSING.

SO THERE'S DEFINITELY A REVIEW THAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN, AND IT NEEDS TO BE BROUGHT FOR THE COMMUNITY FOR COMMUNITY'S INPUT.

WE HAVE A LOT OF KUPUNA THAT WE CAN TAKE IKE FROM THAT HAS BEEN TRYING TO BATTLE THIS TRAFFIC ISSUE FOR SOMETIME.

WE HAVE AT LEAST 80% OF THE WORKFORCE COMING FROM OUR COMMUNITIES.

ANOTHER WAY ALSO IS, WHAT OTHER OPPORTUNITIES CAN WE PROVIDE FOR OUR COMMUNITY FOR THEM TO WORK FROM HOME OR BUILD THEIR OWN BUSINESS?

MAYBE WE HAVE LESS CARS ON THE ROAD.

Daryl: CHRIS MURAOKA, WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE SOLUTION ON THE TRAFFIC ISSUE IN PARTICULAR?

I DON'T HAVE AN IMMEDIATE ANSWER.

I HAVE OPINIONS, BUT I DO WANT TO, TO THIS IS A PARTICULAR POINT THAT OUR LEADERS, REPRESENTATIVES, SENATORS AND EVEN FURTHER UP FAILED US.

NOT ONLY THE CURRENT ONES BUT ONES BEFORE THEM.

WAIANAE HAS BEEN ONE WAY IN, ONE WAY OUT SINCE BEFORE I WAS BORN.

I'M 47 YEARS OLD.

IT'S NOT A SECRET.

THE INFRASTRUCTURE SHOULD FOLLOW HAVE THE BUILDING.

WE GOT UP IN MAKAHA MAUNA OLU ESTATES.

THEY GOT THE WHOLE NEW CABIN SYSTEM.

HUGE IMPROVEMENT.

MUCH MORE -- THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE.

SAME ROADS.

SO I FEEL LIKE THERE NEEDS TO BE A NEW ROAD.

DO I THINK THE CURRENT -- Daryl: LIKE ANOTHER ROUTE IN OR A BIGGER HIGHWAY?

ABSOLUTELY ANOTHER ROUTE.

HERE'S WHY.

AT 47, I REMEMBER HURRICANE IWA AND HURRICANE INIKI.

IF A HURRICANE CAME TOMORROW, WE'RE DOOMED.

EVERYBODY'S PRAISING THIS BYPASS ROAD.

THAT WILL ALLEVIATE 40% MAYBE OF THE TRAFFIC.

UNFORTUNATELY, WHERE THE ROAD STARTS IS TOO FAR IN.

Daryl: AREN'T THEY NEXT TO EACH OTHER AT SOME POINT?

ABSOLUTELY.

THAT'S THE POINT I'M TRYING TO MAKE.

NOT ONLY ARE THEY SIDE BY SIDE, IN THE CASE OF AN EMERGENCY, HEAVY RAINS OR HURRICANE, PAAKEA FLOODS -- PAAKEA FLOODS.

AS A LIFE LONG RESIDENT, IF PAAKEA FLOODS THAT DIP GETS UP TO EIGHT FEET DEEP.

THAT STOPS ALL TRAFFIC.

NOW, WE KNOW THAT OUR INFRASTRUCTURE ON THE HIGHWAYS IS NOT GOOD.

UNDER A HURRICANE, THOSE POLES COME DOWN.

I GUARANTEE IT.

THAT SHUTS THAT ROAD DOWN.

DARRYL: LET ME JUST -- LET ME MAKE ONE MORE POINT.

WE NEED TO PLAN AHEAD.

WE NEED TO START THINKING FURTHER DOWN.

IF YOU GO BETWEEN MAILE POINT AND HAKIMO ROAD, WE HAVE TWO BAYS IN THE OCEAN.

TEN YEARS AGO, YOU COULD DRIVE PAST.

THEY'RE ENCROACHING QUICKLY.

WE'RE ABOUT 25 FEET AWAY BEFORE THAT'S IN ISSUE.

WE NEED TO TAKE A SERIOUS LOOK.

STOP PACIFYING.

STOP KEEPING US JUST SATISFIED BY HEARING THE THINGS WE WANT TO HEAR, AND THEY NEED TO TO TAKING ACTION.

Daryl: I WANT TO GIVE YOU A QUICK CHANCE TO RESPOND TO THAT.

DO YOU FEEL AS A LEGISLATOR -- THE DIFFICULT THING IS YOU FOLKS ARE RUNNING AS REPUBLICANS.

EVEN IF YOU WIN, YOU'LL STILL BE A MINORITY.

FIRST YOU, TIANA WILBUR, HOW CAN YOU BE EFFECTIVE TO GET SOMETHING LIKE THAT, GET STUFF OUT OF THE LEGISLATURE?

YOU KNOW, I KNOW THAT IS THE UPHILL BATTLE THAT WE HAVE IN THE CAPITOL, BUT I AM HOPEFUL AND OPTIMISTIC THAT NO MATTER WHAT PARTY WE BELONG TO, WHAT'S RIGHT FOR THE PEOPLE AND WHAT'S BEST FOR THE PEOPLE SHOULD BE SEEN, SHOULD BE HEARD AND PUT FORTH BECAUSE IF ELECTED, THAT WAS MY POSITION.

BRING THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE TO THE CAPITOL TO DO WHAT'S BEST FOR THE PEOPLE.

THAT'S ENTIRELY WHAT I HOPE TO DO, AND I'VE WORKED WITH A LOT OF THE DEMOCRATIC LEGISLATORS, AND THEY'RE GREAT, YOU KNOW.

AND I DON'T SEE ANY HINDERANCE AS FAR AS US BEING ABLE TO WORK TOGETHER.

AND I JUST HOPE THAT EITHER WAY IT GOES, WHATEVER IS BEST FOR HAWAI'I, WHATEVER IS BEST FOR OUR PEOPLE, THAT WE ALWAYS PUT THAT IN THE FOREFRONT WHEN WE'RE SERVING AS PUBLIC SERVANTS.

Daryl: ABOUT A MINUTE 15.

I THINK THE EFFECTIVENESS WOULD COME FROM MY EXPERIENCE AS A BUSINESS OWNER.

TWO THINGS.

NUMBER ONE, I'M NOT AFRAID TO RATTLE THE CAGE OR SHAKE THE TREE.

I'M NOT.

I GO AGAINST THE GRAIN DAILY.

AND TWO, I'VE ALSO LEARNED THROUGH BUSINESS AND BEING A BUSINESS OWNER HOW TO WORK TOGETHER.

HOW TO WORK WITH SOMEBODY THAT I MAY NOT AGREE WITH, MAY NOT ALIGN WITH BUT WE HAVE THE SAME GOALS.

AS LONG AS WE HAVE THE SAME GOALS, EMOTIONS AND PRIDE AND EGOS AND PERSONALITIES NEED TO BE PUT ASIDE FOR THE BETTER OF THAT GOAL.

I HAVE A PROVEN TRACK WORD AND I'M DOING THAT.

Daryl: I THINK THAT WE CAN WRAP IT UP.

GOOD JOB.

15 SECONDS.

EARLIER IN MY BIO, WHEN I SUBMITTED MY BIO, A CHAIR OF NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD.

IT'S AN ANNUAL POSITION.

I'M HAPPY TO SAY ANOTHER CANDIDATE ACTUALLY IS NOW THE CHAIR OF OUR NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD.

Daryl: GOOD FOR YOU.

THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THAT UP.

WE WANT TO THANK OUR TWO REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES FOR STATE HOUSE DISTRICT 45... TIANA WILBUR AND CHRIS MURAOKA.

AS WE GET READY FOR OUR NEXT SEGMENT, HERE'S A STORY FROM A HIKI NO STUDENT WHO TELLS US WHAT SHE'S LEARNED ABOUT REACHING ACROSS THE POLITICAL AISLE.

>> WHEN I WAS IN MIDDLE SCHOOL, I EXPERIENCED FIRSTHAND JUST HOW DIVISIVE POLITICS COULD BE.

SPEAKING WITH A FRIEND ABOUT THE APPOINTMENT OF PRO-LIFE SUPREME COURT JUSTICE BRETT KAVANAUGH, THE CONVERSATION TURNED SOUR WHEN I SAID I AGREED WITH HIS VIEWS.

MY FRIEND SAID THAT HOPEFULLY ONE DAY I'D CHANGE MY MIND AND NEVER SPOKE TO ME AGAIN.

SINCE THE ENDING OF THAT FRIENDSHIP, I HAVE CHANGED MY OPINION ON THAT ISSUE.

BUT I CAN'T HAVE THAT CONVERSATION WITH HER SINCE SHE'S BLOCKED ME ON ALL SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS.

LATELY, I ADMIT THAT I'VE BEEN IN MORE HEATED DISCUSSIONS WITH TOPICS RANGING FROM REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS TO UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE.

I WAS FRUSTRATED BECAUSE I COULDN'T FIGURE OUT WHY MY PEERS WOULDN'T HEAR ME OUT.

WHY SHOULD I LISTEN TO WHAT THEY HAD TO SAY IF THEY WEREN'T PLANNING ON LISTENING TO ME?

THEN I GOT INVOLVED IN STUDENT COUNCIL AND MY PERSPECTIVE CHANGED ENTIRELY.

AFTER SERVING IN VARIOUS LEADERSHIP POSITIONS AT KONAWAENA HIGH SCHOOL AND AT THE STATE LEVEL, I GOT TO REPRESENT HAWAII AT THE UNITED STATES SENATE YOUTH PROGRAM IN WASHINGTON DC.

IN MARCH OF 2024, I JOINED 103 OTHER STUDENT DELEGATES FROM EVERY STATE, THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, AND TWO MILITARY BASES.

BEFORE MY TRIP, I ADMIT, I WAS APPREHENSIVE.

I HELD PRECONCEIVED NOTIONS ABOUT PEOPLE ACROSS THE POLITICAL AISLE, AND I DIDN'T WANT THEM TO TEAR APART OR RIDICULE MY BELIEFS.

THEN ON THE SECOND DAY OF THE WEEKLONG PROGRAM, I FOUND MYSELF STANDING IN FRONT OF THE PORTRAITS OF FORMER PRESIDENTS DONALD TRUMP AND BARACK OBAMA.

THERE I ENGAGED IN A CONVERSATION WITH GUN VIOLENCE WITH STUDENTS WHO OPPOSED GUN CONTROL.

TURNS OUT THEY WERE JUST AS NERVOUS AS I WAS.

THEY WERE SCARED I WAS GOING TO ATTACK THE BELIEF SYSTEM THEY GREW UP WITH.

AS WE TALKED, WE FOUND OUT THAT BOTH OF OUR FAMILIES OWNED GUNS, AND THAT WE BOTH PRIORITIZE SAFETY.

I LEARNED THAT THEY VALUED GUNS FOR THEIR LIVELIHOODS, AND THEY SAW IT AS A METHOD OF DEFENSE.

WE ENDED UP COMING TO A MIDDLE GROUND WHERE WE AGREE THAT OUR GOVERNMENT SHOULD REVISIT GUN REGULATIONS, AND OUR CULTURE SHOULD ESTABLISH MORE RESPECT AROUND HANDLING GUNS.

I WILL NEVER FORGET THE MOMENT THAT WE ALL SHOOK HANDS AND MY NEW FRIEND SAID, "YOU ARE THE FIRST PERSON I'VE MET FROM YOUR SIDE OF THE POLITICAL SPECTRUM THAT'S BEEN WILLING TO HEAR ME OUT."

IT REMINDED ME OF SOMETHING MY STUDENT ACTIVITIES COORDINATOR, MRS. HAYASHIDA, ALWAYS SAID, TO ATTACK THE IDEA, NOT THE PERSON.

THAT'S WHEN I REALIZED THAT I WAS PART OF THE PROBLEM, BLAMING EVERYONE ELSE FOR WHAT WAS GOING WRONG IN OUR COUNTRY.

HOW CAN I HELP SOLVE THIS PROBLEM IF I'M NOT EVEN WILLING TO TALK ABOUT IT?

LEAVING HIGH SCHOOL AND ENTERING UNIVERSITY AS A POLITICAL SCIENCE MAJOR, I WILL BE COLLABORATING WITH PEERS OF DIFFERENT POLITICAL IDEOLOGIES.

MY TRIP TO D.C. HAS TAUGHT ME WHAT I NEED TO DO TO OVERCOME MY OWN PREJUDICES.

AS AN ASPIRING LEADER.

MY GOAL IS TO UNITE US ALL AND TO SHARE THE VALUES THAT I'VE LEARNED GROWING UP IN HAWAII.

BUT IN ORDER TO DO THAT, I NEED TO TAKE THE FIRST STEP.

THIS IS LEHUA NORRIS FROM KONAWAENA HIGH SCHOOL FOR HIKI NO, ON PBS HAWAII.

Daryl: NOW TO THE RACE FOR STATE HOUSE DISTRICT 37 WHICH COVERS MILILANI, KOA RIDGE AND WAIPIO GENTRY.

THERE ARE TWO DEMOCRATIC HOPEFULS LOOKING TO ADVANCE TO THE GENERAL ELECTION.

TRISH LA CHICA IS RUNNING FOR HER FIRST FULL TERM IN OFFICE.

SHE WAS APPOINTED TO THE DISTRICT 37 SEAT LAST YEAR BY GOVERNOR GREEN.

PRIOR TO THAT SHE SPENT 15-YEARS IN LEADERSHIP ROLES IN THE STATE AND COUNTY GOVERNMENT AND NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS.

AND KEN INOUYE IS MAKING HIS FIRST RUN FOR POLITICAL OFFICE.

AS THE SON OF THE LATE SENATOR DANIEL INOUYE, HE GREW UP IN THE WASHINGTON, D.C. AREA AND SPENT AS MUCH TIME AS HE COULD IN HAWAI'I.

HE CURRENTLY WORKS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI'I WEST OAHU.

LET ME START WITH REPRESENTATIVE LA CHICA -- I SHOULDN'T CALL YOU REPRESENTATIVE BECAUSE YOU'RE RUNNING FOR THE OFFICE.

WHAT DID YOU LEARN IN YOUR, WHAT, YEAR IN OFFICE.

WHAT DID YOU LEARN AND WHAT WILL YOU TRY AND FIX IF YOU'RE RE-ELECTED?

IT IS MY FRESHMAN TERM, AND I'M GRATEFUL I'VE BEEN ABLE TO SERVE IN A COMMITTEE POSITION.

I WAS VICE CHAIR FOR HOUSE COMMITTEE FOR EDUCATION.

WE WORKED A LOT ON ISSUES THAT IMPACT OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND OUR STUDENTS.

WHAT I DID LEARN IS THERE'S A LOT OF COLLABORATION THAT HAPPENS IN THE HOUSE.

I FELT VERY SUPPORTED.

I FELT THAT I WAS IN A POSITION TO ADVOCATE FOR THE THINGS THAT MY COMMUNITY REALLY NEEDED.

I WAS ENCOURAGED TO SPEAK UP, AND I FELT THAT DESPITE THIS BEING MY FIRST TERM, BECAUSE OF MY EXPERIENCE OF BEING IN PUBLIC HEALTH POLICY, WORKING IN GOVERNMENT, I'VE HAD SEVERAL DIFFERENT SESSIONS OF JUST BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS, BOTH WITH MY HOUSE COLLEAGUES AND SENATE COLLEAGUES.

Daryl: KEN INOUYE, WHAT POSSESSED YOU TO RUN FOR OFFICE?

YOU HAVEN'T BEEN A POLITICIAN BEFORE THIS AND YOU'RE A FULLY GROWN ADULT.

WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO RUN?

WELL, YOU KNOW, I HAVE TO SAY THAT IT'S BASED UPON MY EXPERIENCE IN THE COMMUNITY.

AS TIME WENT ON, AND AS MY WIFE, DAUGHTER AND I GOT MORE ABSORBED INTO THE COMMUNITY, YOU DEVELOP A REAL ALOHA FOR THE PEOPLE, FOR THE PLACE.

AND YOU ALSO START TO UNDERSTAND, YOU KNOW, HOW YOU'RE SIMILAR.

WE ALL ARE THERE TRYING TO DO THE BEST THAT WE CAN AND TRY TO, YOU KNOW, PROVIDE THINGS FOR OUR CHILDREN THAT THEY NEED.

YOU KNOW, AND THAT'S WHAT A LOT OF FOLKS IN THE DISTRICT -- Daryl: WHEN YOU GO OUT AND CAMPAIGNING, IN THAT AREA, WE DID A SESSION OR -- IT'S NOT THAT RURAL BUT ON THE WEST SIDE OF OAHU, WHICH HAS SOME REALLY SIGNIFICANT HIGH-PROFILE PROBLEMS.

WE DON'T HEAR ABOUT PROBLEMS IN CENTRAL OAHU AND MILILANI.

WHAT KIND OF ISSUES ARE COMING TO YOU AS YOU'RE RUNNING FOR OFFICE?

WHAT DO PEOPLE OUT THERE FEEL THE IMMEDIATE NEEDS THAT THEY NEED FROM STATE GOVERNMENT?

PROBABLY THE ISSUE THAT COMES UP WITH THE GREATEST FREQUENCY SURROUND THE CHALLENGES THAT ARE CONFRONTING THEM AS A RESULT OF FINANCIAL PRESSURES.

THINGS LIKE THE COST OF HOUSING, THE COST OF GROCERIES.

BEING CONCERNED WHETHER OR NOT THEIR CHILDREN ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO FIND THE KIND OF JOBS THAT THEY'RE TRAINING FOR, THE KIND OF JOBS THEY WANT, AND WHETHER THEY'LL BE ABLE TO FIND HOUSING WHEN THEY MOVE OUT.

AS WELL AS WHETHER RETIREES -- BECAUSE WE HAVE A LOT OF MULTI-GENERATIONAL FAMILIES.

WHETHER FOLKS LIKE RETIREES ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO STICK AROUND IN HAWAI'I.

Daryl: TRISH LA CHICA, WHAT'S YOUR PERSPECTIVE ON THAT?

FOR OUR DISTRICT, THE BEAUTIFUL COMMUNITY OF CENTRAL OAHU.

MILILANI, WAIPAHU AND KOA RIDGE.

IT IS GROWING CONCERNS ON PUBLIC SAFETY.

PEOPLE CHOOSE TO LIVE IN THIS DISTRICT BECAUSE IT'S ABSOLUTELY THE BEST PLACE TO LIVE AND RAISE THEIR FAMILIES.

PEOPLE ARE PROUD TO LIVE THERE.

WE EXPERIENCE INCREASED HOMELESSNESS, CRIME AND A LOT OF TRAFFIC AND PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENTS.

JUST LAST YEAR WE HAD THAT ACID ATTACK.

WE HAD THAT PERSON WHO RAN THE LADY OVER AT THE WALMART PARKING LOT.

IT DOES LEAVE RESIDENTS FEELING VULNERABLE.

AND COST OF LIVING ISSUES DOES IMPACT US.

IT DOES IMPACT OUR FAMILIES' ABILITY TO STAY ON THE ISLANDS.

IT'S ADDRESSING AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

IT'S IMPROVING EDUCATION AND COST OF CHILD CARE AND LOOKING AT LOCAL GOOD PAYING JOBS TO KEEP OUR FAMILIES IN OUR ISLANDS.

Daryl: GO ON THAT A LITTLE BIT MORE.

COST OF LIVING, THERE WAS A SUBSTANCE TAX RELIEF THAT WAS PASSED BY THE LEGISLATURE THIS YEAR.

BUT IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE IT'S GOING TO CHANGE PEOPLE'S LIVES MUCH.

THE COST OF LIVING IS HUGE HERE.

WHAT KIND OF MORE DRAMATIC THINGS DO YOU SEE TO DEAL WITH COST OF LIVING?

WE'LL START WITH YOU, TRISH LA CHICA.

SO HOUSE BILL 2404 IS THE LARGEST, HISTORIC SIGNIFICANT INCOME TAX CUT IN OUR STATE'S HISTORY.

FOUR A FAMILY OF FOUR WITH TWO FULL-TIME WORKERS, MAKING LIKE $150,000, THAT'S ABOUT $5,000 THAT SAVED OVER THE COURSE OF SEVERAL YEARS.

AND IT'S MONEY THAT GOES BACK INTO THEIR PAYCHECK.

OVER THE COURSE OF THOSE YEARS, WE'LL SEE UP TO 40% OF INCOME TAXPAYERS WHO WILL NOT BE PAYING ANY INCOME TAX AT ALL.

HOWEVER, WE DO NEED TO DO MORE.

THEY DON'T FEEL IT BECAUSE OF INFLATION.

THERE'S LITTLE WE CAN DO.

THERE ARE THINGS WITHIN THE STATE THAT WE CAN DO IMMEDIATELY.

I THINK WE SHOULD PASS A G.E.T.

EXEMPTION ON OUR GROCERY.

LOCAL PRODUCE, EGGS, MEAT.

MEDICINE.

WE SHOULD LOOK AT OUR SKYROCKETING ELECTRICITY COST AND MAYBE SWITCH TO SOLAR TO BRING COSTS DOWN.

AND FINALLY LOOKING AT THE JOBS THAT WILL ENABLE US TO REMAIN HERE IN THE STATE.

Daryl: SPECIFICALLY, KEN INOUYE, ON THE COST OF LIVING, WHERE DO YOU SEE THE PRESSURE POINTS WHERE SOMETHING CAN BE DONE?

WELL, FOR INSTANCE, ONE OF THE ISSUES THAT HAS BEEN BROUGHT UP WHEN I TALK TO RESIDENTS IS THE COST OF HOUSING.

BECAUSE A NUMBER OF FAMILIES, THEY ARE WONDERING WHETHER THEIR CHILDREN LIVING ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO MOVE OUT.

Daryl: HOUSES THAT ARE BEING BUILT OUT THERE, THEY'RE ARE NOT CHEAP.

THEY'RE NOT.

WHEN I SAY HOUSING, I'M TALKING ABOUT HOUSING OVERALL IN THE STATE.

I THINK THAT ONE THING THAT COULD BE DONE IS TRY TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF ILLEGAL SHORT-TERM RENTALS.

THERE ARE A LOT OF ILLEGAL SHORT-TERM RENTALS OUT THERE.

WERE THEY TO BE CONVERTED FROM ILLEGAL SHORT-TERM RENTALS TO STANDARD LONGER TERM RENTALS, THAT COULD HELP INVENTORY OF RENTAL PROPERTIES FOR PEOPLE TO GET THAT STARTER HOME, THAT STARTER ABILITY TO MOVE OUT.

THAT SORT OF THING.

THAT'S ONE THING THAT HAS BEEN SUGGESTED, AND I THINK IT'S A GOOD IDEA.

Daryl: TRISH LA CHICA, I MENTIONED CRIME.

ARE YOU HEARING A LOT ABOUT CRIME?

WHAT DO YOU THINK NEEDS TO CHANGE IN ORDER TO PREVENT CRIME FROM GETTING OUT OF CONTROL?

YOU KNOW, THE INCIDENTS THAT SHE MENTIONED ARE VERY HIGH PROFILE.

THEY HAVE BEEN REPORTED ON THE NEWS, AND THERE ARE A NUMBER OF OTHERS AS WELL THAT HAVE MADE THE NEWS.

SO THAT SORT OF THING DEFINITELY DOES CREATE CONCERN.

ALSO, I'LL BE CANDID WITH YOU.

ONE OF MY NEIGHBORS, THEY WERE ROBBED A FEW MONTHS AGO.

SO THAT IS A CONCERN.

I HAVE TALKED TO A NUMBER OF FORMER POLICE CHIEFS, AS WELL AS CURRENT POLICE, AND THE THEMES THAT CONTINUE TO COME UP WHEN I'M TALKING TO THEM IS THE NEED TO HAVE MORE VISIBLE POLICE PATROLS, AS WELL AS MORE COMMUNITY POLICING BECAUSE THE COMMUNITY NEEDS TO FEEL COMFORTABLE BRINGING THINGS TO THE ATTENTION OF THE POLICE.

AND THAT HELPS THEM A LOT.

Daryl: ON CRIME, WHAT DO YOU THINK THE LEGISLATURE NEEDS TO DO TO ADDRESS CRIME?

>> I THINK THERE'S A COUPLE THINGS.

FIRST, LEGISLATIVELY, IT IS A BALANCE OF SUPPORTING OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT AND MAKING SURE THEY ARE FULLY FUNDED AND FULLY STAFFED AND FULLY TRAINED TO BE ABLE TO ADDRESS CRIME AND MANAGE, YOU KNOW, REPEAT OFFENDERS.

WE ALSO REALLY NEED TO LOOK AT THE ROOT CAUSES OF CRIME.

SO REALLY LOOKING AT PROGRAMS THAT SUPPORT REHABILITATION AND REINTERROGATION SO THAT THOSE WHO HAVE SENTENCES THAT ALLOW THEM TO BE REINTEGRATED BACK INTO THE COMMUNITY ARE ABLE TO BECOME PRODUCTIVE MEMBERS OF SOCIETY.

AFTER THE SERIES OF CRIME THAT OCCURRED IN OUR DISTRICT, WE CONVENED A LARGE COMMUNITY MEETING ATTENDED BY OVER A HUNDRED RESIDENTS.

WE HAD HPD CHIEF LOGAN AND MAYOR BLANGIARDI TO ADDRESS THE FAMILIES DIRECTLY.

AS A RESULT, WE WERE ALL TO FORM AND ESTABLISH TEN NEIGHBORHOOD SECURITY WATCHES IN THE DISTRICT.

SO THIS APPROACH OF WORKING DIRECTLY AND HAND IN HAND WITH POLICE REALLY ENABLES US TO TAKE BACK OUR NEIGHBORHOODS AND ENABLES US KEEP OUR NEIGHBORHOODS SAFE, NOT JUST FOR OUR KEIKI BUT FOR ALL RESIDENTS IN OUR DISTRICT.

Daryl: I ASK THIS IN ALL THESE THINGS.

INDIVIDUALLY, WHAT MAKES EACH OF YOU FEEL LIKE YOU CAN BE PARTICULARLY EFFECTIVE?

KEN INOUYE, WHAT DO YOU BRING TO THE TABLE AS A LEGISLATOR THAT WILL MAKE YOU PERSONALLY EFFECTIVE IN THE LEGISLATURE?

WELL, I HAVE A HIGH VALUE FOR WORKING WITH OTHERS ON ISSUES.

I HAVE BEEN IN MY ENTIRE PROFESSIONAL LIFE, AS WELL AS, YOU KNOW, MY UPBRINGING, I'VE LEARNED TO VALUE WORKING -- WORKING COLLABORATIVELY WITH PEOPLE.

ALWAYS TRYING TO FIND THE COMMON GROUND AND GET PAST THE STICKING POINTS.

GET PAST THE POINTS OF OPPOSITION THAT PEOPLE MIGHT HAVE BECAUSE OF CERTAIN CONFLICTS THAT THEY MAY HAVE WITH OTHERS.

BUT IF YOU CAN FIND THE COMMON GROUND THAT EXISTS BETWEEN ALL THE DIFFERENT PARTIES AND WORK TOWARDS THAT, YOU CAN GET A LOT DONE.

Daryl: YOURSELF, ONE OF THE THAT THINGS I HEAR FROM LEGISLATORS ALL THE TIME IS THAT THE YOUNGER LEGISLATORS, THE FRESHMEN, EVEN SUBJECT MATTER COMMITTEE CHAIRS, ULTIMATELY, EVERYTHING STILL GOES THROUGH THE LEADERSHIP.

DO WE HAVE A LEGISLATURE, AND I'M WONDERING IF YOU THINK THAT IS TRULY OPEN TO THE IDEAS AND INPUT FROM THE LEGISLATORS OTHER THAN THE ONES ON TOP OF THE FOOD CHAIN.

ABSOLUTELY.

A GREAT EXAMPLE IS WHEN I CAME IN LAST YEAR AFTER ALL THE BILLS HAD BEEN INTRODUCED, I HAD BEEN ABLE TO WORK ON A BILL.

SPECIFICALLY, A BILL TO REGULATE ENACT COMPREHENSIVE REGULATION ON VAPING.

LEADERSHIP GAVE ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO CHAMPION IT, SO FOR ME, IF IT'S SOMETHING THAT I'VE WORKED ON AS A PUBLIC HEALTH ADVOCATE.

SOMETHING THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO OUR KEIKI.

I WAS GIVEN AN OPPORTUNITY TO MEET WITH LEADERSHIP AND CHAIRS AND TO FIGHT BIG TOBACCO.

IT TOOK NINE YEARS TO PASS.

I WAS PROUD OF THAT ACCOMPLISHMENT.

WE WERE FINALLY ABLE TO SIGN INTO LAW BY GOVERNOR GREEN.

IT'S NOT REALLY ABOUT, I FEEL LIKE WHO YOU KNOW OR THE RELATIONSHIPS THAT YOU'VE HAD PRIOR TO ENTERING.

I THINK IT'S REALLY ABOUT EACH INDIVIDUAL, EACH REPRESENTATIVE'S ABLE TO FIGHT AND PUSH FOR CHANGE.

I FEEL LIKE MY BACKGROUND IN COALITION BUILDING AND BEING ABLE TO LISTEN TO ALL VOICES IS A UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE THAT I BRING.

THAT'S WHY WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO GET THINGS DONE FOR MY COMMUNITY.

Daryl: ONE OF THE THINGS THAT DID NOT PASS THIS YEAR WAS A LOT OF EFFORTS, FOR EXAMPLE, TO HAVE PUBLICLY FUNDED ELECTIONS.

THERE'S TALK ABOUT TERM LIMITS.

THERE'S TALK ABOUT A NUMBER OF REFORMS TO SORT OF BREAK UP THE ENTRENCHED POLITICAL CLASS.

YOU KNOW, KEN INOUYE, I'M GOING TO SAY THIS OUT LOUD BECAUSE I CAN'T THINK OF ANOTHER WAY.

YOUR DAD SORT OF REPRESENTED THE GOOD OLD BOY NETWORK IN HAWAI'I.

HE WAS THE GUY.

HE WAS THE MAN YOU CAME TO.

HOW DO YOU, COMING FROM THAT POINT OF VIEW AND AS SEEING THIS DEMAND FOR REFORM, AND AS A NEW LEGISLATOR, WHAT DO YOU SUPPORT WHEN IT COMES TO REFORMS THAT WILL PERHAPS BRING MORE PUBLIC TRUST IN GOVERNMENT?

THE FIRST THING THAT COMES TO MIND IS INCREASING THE REQUIREMENTS FOR REPORTING AND DISCLOSURE IN REGARDS TO LOBBYING BECAUSE I BELIEVE THAT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT REALLY HAS A DETRIMENTAL EFFECT ON PUBLIC TRUST IS THIS FEELING THAT THERE IS THIS PAY TO PLAY SORT OF ENVIRONMENT.

SO I DO FEEL THAT INCREASING THE REQUIREMENTS FOR LOBBYING REPORTING AND SUCH WOULD GO A LONG WAY TOWARDS DOING THAT.

Daryl: WHAT ABOUT THE SPECIFIC IDEA OF PUBLIC FINANCING FOR ELECTIONS?

>> I THINK THAT'S A VERY INTERESTING IDEA, BUT I THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, TO SOME DEGREE, I MEAN, WHEN I'VE TALKED TO SOME PEOPLE OF PUBLIC FINANCING OF ELECTIONS, THERE IS SOME CONCERN ABOUT A CANDIDATE GETTING PUBLIC FUNDS THAT IS SOMEHOW UNSAVORY TO CERTAIN PEOPLE.

SO I THINK IT'S AN INTERESTING IDEA, BUT THERE ARE A NUMBER OF ISSUES I'VE HEARD ON THE OTHER SIDE.

Daryl: PEOPLE DON'T LIKE THEIR TAX MONEY GOING TO SOMEBODY THEY DON'T LIKE.

YES.

Daryl: TRISH LA CHICA, THAT BILL PRETTY MUCH GOT BOTTLED IN THE HOUSE.

DID YOU HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE OR DEBATE THAT PARTICULAR PROPOSAL?

>> NO.

I SUPPORT A LOT OF GOOD GOVERNMENT AND A LOT OF REFORMS.

BECAUSE THE PERCEPTION AND IMPACT OF CORRUPTION DOES REALLY AFFECT OUR DEMOCRACY.

IT REALLY DOES IMPACT THE WAY THAT FOLKS NOT JUST ENGAGE IN THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS BUT HOW THEY VOTE.

WE HAVE MUCH LOWER VOTING -- Daryl: THIS ELECTION THERE'S HARDLY ANYBODY RUNNING.

THAT'S TRUE.

THAT'S THE REASON WHY I'M IN OFFICE IN THE FIRST PLACE.

I DO BELIEVE THAT GOVERNMENT SHOULD WORK HARD TO MAKE SURE THAT THE PEOPLE WE SERVE SHOULD NEVER HAVE TO FEEL POWERLESS.

IT COMES FROM MY BACKGROUND IN ADVOCACY.

I FEEL LIKE I'VE BEEN THERE BEFORE WHERE WE FELT HEARD AND IGNORED, AND THAT'S SOMETHING I'VE BROUGHT TO THIS OFFICE.

CONTINUING TO PRIORITIZE MY COMMUNITY SO THAT THEY KNOW THAT THEY'RE VALUED.

THEY KNOW THAT THEY'RE HEARD, AND THEY HAVE A REPRESENTATIVE THAT'S GOING TO FIGHT FOR THE CHANGES THAT THEY NEED.

>> Daryl: WHAT ABOUT OTHER REFORM IDEAS THAT ARE OUT THERE?

IS THERE -- YOU KNOW, INCREASING REPORTING, THAT'S GREAT BUT IS THERE ANYTHING THAT YOU DO SEE THAT WOULD HELP GET MORE NEW BLOOD INTO POLITICS?

AS A PERSON JUST COMING INTO IT, WHAT CAN YOU DO TO GET PEOPLE EXCITED ABOUT POLITICS AGAIN?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, AS SOMEONE WHO'S ALWAYS BEEN EXCITED, I GUESS, EXCITED ENOUGH TO BE INVOLVED AND VOTE AND COME OUT, THAT'S THE REAL CONUNDRUM.

TO ME, IN ORDER FOR PEOPLE TO GET INVOLVED, THEY HAVE TO FEEL THAT THEY WILL BE HEARD.

AND ONE THING THAT I WILL SAY IS WHEN I'M GOING DOOR TO DOOR, THAT'S ONE THING THAT PEOPLE ALWAYS COMMENT ON, THAT I'M THERE.

THAT I'M LISTENING.

THAT I'M PAYING ATTENTION, AND I'M FOLLOWING UP ON THEIR STATEMENTS WITH MORE QUESTIONS TO GET A SENSE OF WHAT THEY'RE THINKING.

I THINK THAT IF YOU HAVE PEOPLE IN THE LEGISLATURE THAT ARE, YOU KNOW, MAKING IT A POINT TO SHOW THEIR CONSTITUENTS THAT THEY ARE HEARD, THEY WILL COME OUT.

>> Daryl: WHAT DO YOU THINK?

ARE YOU DISTRESSED BY FACT THERE'S SO FEW PEOPLE RUNNING?

DO YOU HAVE A REPUBLICAN IN YOUR RACE?

>> WE DO.

>> Daryl: SO IT SEEMS LIKE PEOPLE ARE IN A LOW POINT IN TERMS OF THEIR WANTING TO BE ACTIVE.

>> TO ME, ONE OF THE THINGS I'M PASSIONATE ABOUT IS WORKING WITH OUR YOUTH.

SO AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE DURING RECESS IN SESSION AND AFTER SESSION, I VISIT ALL THE SCHOOLS.

AND I LOVE GOING INTO THE CLASSROOM.

I LOVE DOING CIVIC ENGAGEMENT.

I LOVE GETTING OUR YOUTH INVOLVED IN THE DECISIONS THAT WILL AFFECT THEIR DAILY LIVES.

THIS SESSION, WE HAVE A BILL LIMIT IN THE HOUSE.

WE HAVE -- I WORKED WITH THE MILILANI HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TO CRAFT AND PUSH A BILL THAT WILL IMPROVE LOCAL SCHOOL MEALS.

IT GENERATED HUNDREDS OF TESTIMONY, STUDENT TESTIMONY.

THEY EVEN CAME TO THE LEGISLATURE AND PARTICIPATED IN THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS.

ALTHOUGH IT DIED AT THE VERY LAST DAY OF CONFERENCE, OF SESSION, IT DID CREATE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SEE THAT THIS SIMPLE MOVEMENT, THIS SIMPLE IDEA CAN TRANSFORM AN ENTIRE COMMUNITY.

AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT I WILL CONTINUE TO PUSH FOR NEXT YEAR.

>> Daryl: I JUST REALIZED, KEN INOUYE, THAT I DIDN'T GIVE YOU AN OPPORTUNITY TO TALK ABOUT TAXES.

TRISH LA CHICA MENTIONED THE TAX  REFORM BILL THAT PASSED THAT DEALT WITH THE INCOME TAX.

DO YOU FEEL IT WENT FAR ENOUGH OR HELPED THE RIGHT PEOPLE?

THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE IN THE LEGISLATURE FEEL, PARTICULARLY ADVOCATES, TAX REFORM NEEDS TO BE MORE ORIENTED TOWARD LOWER INCOME PEOPLE.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE TAX STRUCTURE?

DO YOU FEEL THERE SHOULD BE TAX RELIEF IN DIFFERENT WAYS?

>> I DEFINITELY BELIEVE THERE SHOULD BE TAX RELIEF FOR PEOPLE IN LOWER INCOME BRACKETS.

THEY'RE THE ONES THAT ARE MOST SENSITIVE TO ANY FLUCTUATION, WHETHER IT BE TAX OR THE COST OF GROCERIES AND WHATNOT.

YES, I DEFINITELY FAVOR, YOU KNOW, MORE FAVORABLE TREATMENT TO THOSE IN LOWER INCOME BRACKETS.

>> Daryl: ANYTHING SPECIFIC?

SHE MENTIONED TAKING OFF THE TAX ON GROCERIES, I THINK.

TAX ALSO APPLIED TO RENT.

ARE THERE PARTICULARLY AREAS YOU CAN SEE REDUCING TAXES OR EVEN INCREASING TAXES ON SOME PEOPLE?

>> WELL, I DO THINK THAT MAKING -- I THINK ACROSS THE BOARD FOR LOWER INCOME PEOPLE, THEY NEED THAT RELIEF.

I MEAN, YOU KNOW, ONE THING ABOUT THE TAX CUT THAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT HERE IS IT IS PROVIDING MUCH-NEEDED RELIEF TO A CITIZENRY THAT ALREADY IS FEELING A LOT OF ECONOMIC PRESSURES.

HAVING SAID THAT, IN ALL LIKELIHOOD, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO TAKE A LOOK AT THAT BILL.

ALL FIGURES SHOW THAT IN A NUMBER OF YEARS, COFFERS OF THE STATE ARE GOING TO BE RUNNING LOW.

WE HAVE TO TAKE A LOOK AT THAT TAX CUT IN YEARS TO COME.

>> Daryl: A QUESTION DID COME IN FOR YOU FROM A MILILANI RESIDENT, REPRESENTATIVE LA CHICA.

YOU SAY YOU WANT TO GET RID OF THE GENERAL EXCISE TAX.

WHAT WOULD YOU DO TO REPLACE THOSE FUNDS WITH?

THINGS LIKE EDUCATION ARE FUNDED BY THE EXCISE TAX.

HOW WOULD WE PAY FOR THOSE THINGS WITHOUT IT?

TO MAKE THIS QUESTION A LITTLE MORE SPECIFIC IS WHERE DO YOU SEE WE NEED TO SPEND MORE AND WHERE CAN WE SPEND LESS IF WE'RE CUTTING TAXES?

>> I'M CONFIDENT THAT THE LEGISLATURE WILL ALWAYS PASS A BALANCED BUDGET.

IT'S ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY.

>> Daryl: I THINK THE ONE THINK PASSED THIS TIME WASN'T BALANCED.

[LAUGHTER] >> AND OUR BUDGET IS OUR MORAL DOCUMENT., A DIRECT REFLECTION OF WHAT WE CHOOSE TO PRIORITIZE.

AND I DO I FEEL THAT IN TERMS OF LOOKING AT NEW SOURCES OF RENEW, WE REALLY NEED TO LOOK AT OUT OF STATE INVESTORS, AND I REALLY FEEL THEY NEED TO PAY THEIR FAIR SHARES.

FOR EXAMPLE, THEY MAKE THE TOP LIKE 1%, 2% OF INCOME EARNERS IN HAWAI'I.

THEY WILL PAY A LARGER SHARE.

WE ALSO NEED TO TAX VACANT AND EMPTY HOMES.

SO MUCH OUR HOUSING INVENTORY SIT EMPTY, AND THOSE CAN BE FREED UP FOR LOCAL HOMEOWNERS.

I FEEL THAT WE SHOULD LOOK AT OUR STATE BUDGET IN A -- IT'S HARD TO MAKE SMART DECISIONS ABOUT WHAT WE CHOOSE TO PRIORITIZE.

I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE WE DO HAVE SOME WASTEFUL SPENDING.

AND THE GOVERNOR SAID HE'S GOING TO LOOK AT EXISTING POSITIONS THAT WE NEED TO GET RID OF.

I DO FEEL THAT WE REALLY NEED TO LOOK AT DATA AND BETTER REPORTING TO LOOK AT WHICH PROGRAMS ARE PRODUCING MEANINGFUL OUTCOMES?

THOSE NEED TO BE INVESTED IN.

AND THE ONES THAT DON'T, THE ONES THAT KEEP GETTING FUNDED YEAR AFTER YEAR BUT AREN'T REALLY TRANSFORMING OUR COMMUNITIES, WE NEED TO START TO ELIMINATE PROGRAMS THAT DON'T WORK.

>> Daryl: KEN INOUYE, YOU HAVE A FEELING ABOUT WHERE MONEY COULD BE SHIFTED OR SAVED TO MAKE THE BUDGET BALANCED IN THE LONG TERM?

YOU'RE CONCERNED ABOUT THE SHORT OF MONEY?

>> I WILL ALWAYS ADVOCATE FOR MONEY TO BE GUIDED TOWARDS EDUCATION BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY, IN MY OPINION, THAT'S ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS THAT WE CAN -- GUIDING OUR RESOURCES TOWARDS.

BECAUSE AN EDUCATED CITIZENRY IS THE THING WE REMAIN NEED TO -- REALLY NEED TO MOVE FORWARD.

WE TALK ABOUT THE NEED FOR ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION AND SUCH LIKE THAT.

THE ONLY WAY WE'LL EVER HAVE ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION IS IF WE HAVE AN EDUCATION WORKFORCE THAT'S ABLE TO FILL THOSE JOBS WHEN THOSE ECONOMIC ENGINES OF GROWTH ARE GENERATING.

>> Daryl: YOU ACTUALLY REMINDED ME OF A QUESTION IN HERE SOMEWHERE.

WHAT DO YOU FAVOR?

WHERE DO YOU SEE THE ECONOMIC ENGINE OF THE FUTURE?

AND AGAIN, I THINK UHERO REPORTED ONCE AGAIN THAT WE'RE OVERDEPENDENT ON TOURISM?

WHERE DO YOU SEE COMING UP WITH SOMETHING OTHER THAN TOURISM TO PROVIDE ENOUGH JOBS TO SUSTAIN THIS COMMUNITY?

>> YOU KNOW, I DON'T THINK THAT -- HAVING TALKED TO A NUMBER OF FOLKS WHO ARE IN BUSINESS, AS WELL AS A NUMBER OF FOLKS WHO ARE ECONOMISTS AND SUCH LIKE THAT, THE IMPRESSION I'M DEFINITELY GETTING IS THAT WE ARE NOT GOING TO BE FINDING A SILVER BULLET IN ONE ECONOMIC SECTOR OR EVEN TWO.

WE'RE GOING TO BE LOOKING TO TRY AND HAVE A NUMBER OF THEM DEVELOPED BECAUSE IT'S JUST NOT FEASIBLE FOR ONE TO REALLY KIND OF BE -- >> Daryl: SUGGEST TWO OR THREE?

>> YEAH.

ONE THAT COMES TO MIND IS ONE THAT WE HAVE HAD IN PLACE EVER SINCE BEFORE STATEHOOD, AND THAT IS FILM, TELEVISION AND MULTIMEDIA PRODUCTION.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE'VE HAD IN PLACE FOR DECADES HERE, AND IT PROVIDES, YOU KNOW, THOUSANDS OF JOBS.

IT BRINGS MONEY -- A LOT OF MONEY INTO THE STATE THROUGH SPENDING THAT IS DONE IN THE COMMUNITY.

ON AVERAGE, YOU HAVE ABOUT $600,000 A DAY END UP BEING GENERATED IN THE LOCAL ECONOMY ON LOCATION FILMING.

>> Daryl: LET ME GIVE TRISH LA CHICA, WHERE DO YOU SEE THE DIRECTION TO DIVERSIFY THE ECONOMY?

>> THERE'S LOTS OF THINGS I'M EXCITED ABOUT.

FIRST THING IS BEING ABLE TO LOOK AT GROWING SECTORS SUCH AS CLEAN ENERGY BECAUSE HAWAI'I DOES HAVE A MANDATE TO BE ABLE TO MEET OUR 100% CLEAN ENERGY MANDATE BY 2045.

SO THERE'S OPPORTUNITY TO GROW THAT SECTOR.

SOLAR, WIND, GEOTHERMAL.

I AND FEEL THAT TECHNOLOGY IS ANOTHER SECTOR.

THE PANDEMIC REALLY CHANGED HOW WE WORK AND CHOOSE TO WORK.

A LOT OF FOLKS WORK FROM HOME.

THOSE ARE ALSO COMPETITIVE JOBS AND JOBS THAT ENABLE FOLKS TO WORK DIRECTLY FROM HOME FROM THE COMPUTER.

AND I THINK THAT THERE'S ALSO A NEED TO PRESERVE THE EXISTING JOBS THAT DON'T REQUIRE US TO HAVE A TWO OR FOUR-YEAR DEGREE.

THESE ARE CONSTRUCTION AND TRADES THAT ENABLE SOMEBODY TO BEGIN AT $22 PER HOUR.

I'M REALLY LOOKING AT JOBS THAT WILL ENABLE YOU TO HAVE ONE JOB.

ONE JOB SHOULD BE ENOUGH FOR YOU TO BE ABLE TO AFFORD A HOME AND START A FUTURE HERE IN HAWAI'I.

>> Daryl: WE'VE GOT ABOUT TWO MINUTES LEFT.

LOOKED LIKE YOU WANTED TO JUMP IN.

>> ONE THING, REGARDING THE FILM AND TELEVISION AND MULTIMEDIA INDUSTRY.

THE THING ABOUT THAT, WE ARE CREATING GRADUATES IN THESE PROGRAMS THROUGH THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI'I CREATIVE MEDIA PROGRAM, AS WELL AS THE WAIANAE HIGH SCHOOL SEARIDERS PROGRAM.

WE ARE HAVING YOUNG PEOPLE READY TO WORK IN THESE AREAS, YOU KNOW, AND THE PROBLEM IS THEY'RE BEING EXPORTED TO OFF THE MAINLAND BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE JOBS ARE.

WE HAVE NO SHORTAGE OF TALENT HERE.

WE DO HAVE A SHORTAGE OF JOBS SIMPLY BECAUSE WE HAVE NOT DEVELOPED THIS INDUSTRY MORE IN THIS AREA.

>> Daryl: HOW DO YOU PICK AND CHOOSE AN INDUSTRY?

WE'VE ONLY GOT ABOUT A MINUTE LEFT.

WHAT TOOLS DO YOU USE TO ENCOURAGE AN INDUSTRY LIKE THAT ONE?

HOW DO YOU GET AN INDUSTRY TO GROW?

>> IT REALLY DOES START WITH OUR STRONG EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM.

I DO FEEL THAT UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI'I, THERE'S SO MANY OPPORTUNITIES FOR GROWTH.

WE NEED TO HAVE PUBLIC-PRIVATE SECTOR PARTNERSHIPS.

LOOK AT WAIPAHU HIGH SCHOOL WHERE THEY HAVE A HEALTH ACADEMY.

A CLINIC WHERE KIDS CANNOT JUST LEARN ON THE JOB, BUT IT WILL GIVE THEM DIRECT PATHWAY TO THE HEALTHCARE JOBS THAT WILL ENABLE THEM TO START A CAREER IN HEALTHCARE.

>> Daryl: ABOUT 30 SECONDS MORE.

TELL ME HOW YOU GET THAT INDUSTRY OR ANY INDUSTRY TO GET BIGGER.

>> WELL, YOU DO THAT THROUGH MAKING THE ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT AROUND IT FRIENDLIER.

I KNOW THAT A WHILE BACK, THERE WAS A BILL PUT FORTH TO TRY TO RAISE THE CAP ON FILM TAX CREDITS, AND I KNOW THAT SOME FOLKS ARE NOT COMFORTABLE WITH MESSING WITH THE TAX LAW.

IN OTHER CITIES, THEY HAVE USED A REBATE PROGRAM TO GOOD EFFECT.

SO, I MEAN, THERE ARE A NUMBER OF WAYS TO TRY TO DO THAT, I'M SURE.

>> Daryl: WOW.

THAT WAS A FAST 25 MINUTES.

MAHALO TO YOU FOLKS AT HOME FOR JOINING US TONIGHT - AND WE THANK OUR GUESTS - THE DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES FOR STATE HOUSE DISTRICT 37... TRISH LA CHICA AND KEN INOUYE.

NEXT WEEK ON INSIGHTS, ANOTHER DOUBLE-HEADER.

WE'LL HEAR FROM THE CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR THE HONOLULU CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 5 SEAT, AS WELL AS THE DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES FOR STATE HOUSE DISTRICT 14 ON MAUI.

PLEASE JOIN US THEN.

I'M DARYL HUFF FOR INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAI'I.

ALOHA!