ELECTION COVERAGE CONTINUES TWO‑RACE STATE HOUSE.

ELECTING FIRST‑TIME REPRESENTATIVES.

SHAKEUPS ALREADY HAPPENING IN THE STATE HOUSER,  WHAT KIND OF CHANGES WILL THESE POLITICAL   NEWCOMERS WANT TO BRING IN THE AND HEAR FROM  THE FOUR CANDIDATES AND SEND IN YOUR QUESTIONS.

TONIGHT'S LIVE BROADCAST AND LIVESTREAM  OF INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAII STARTS NOW.

¶¶ ¶¶  VOTERS ON THE ISLAND OF HAWAII WILL CAST  THEIR BALLOTS IN TWO RACES FOR COUNTY COUNCIL.

THE DISTRICT 5 SEAT COVERS THE  AREA OF PUNA AND PORTIONS OF KEAAU.

AND DISTRICT 9 REPRESENTS KOHALA AND SECTIONS  OF WAIMEA.

HEAR FROM THE INCUMBENTS IN EACH RACE   AND THEIR CHALLENGERS AS THEY LAY OUT PLANS  FOR THEIR DISTRICTS AND THE ENTIRE ISLAND.

EMAIL OR PHONE IN YOUR QUESTIONS  DURING OUR LIVE DISCUSSION.

TONIGHT’S BROADCAST AND LIVESTREAM  OF INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAI’I START NOW.

ALOHA AND WELCOME TO INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAII.

I'M LAUREN DAY.

AFTER NEARLY THREE DECADES AS A STATE LAWMAKER,  REPRESENTATIVE BERT KOBAYASHI ANNOUNCED HIS   RETIREMENT AT THE END OF HIS TERM IN NOVEMBER.

OUR FIRST FEATURED RACE TONIGHT IS HIS DISTRICT   20 SEAT, WHICH REPRESENTS LEAHI,  KAHALA, WAIALAE, KAIMUKI AND KAPAHULU.

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 THE CANDIDATES FOR   STATE HOUSE DISTRICT 20.

DEMOCRAT TINA GRANDINETTI WAS  BORN AND RAISED ON OAHU.

SHE HAS A BACHELOR’S AND  MASTER’S DEGREE IN POLITICAL SCIENCE AND A PHD IN URBAN  RESEARCH.

SHE’S TAUGHT POLITICAL SCIENCE  CLASSES AT UH MANOA AND AT ROOSEVELT HIGH SCHOOL.

ENJOYS GARDENING.

OF THE TWO OF YOU WHOEVER   GETS ELECTED POLITICAL NEWCOMER, I WANT TO HEAR  WHY THE TWO OF YOU DECIDED TO RUN FOR OFFICE.

I'LL START WITH YOU.

AS YOU KNOW,   NO SURPRISE HERE IN HAWAII, CAN BE A CHALLENGE  SOMETIMES FOR REPUBLICANS TO GET ELECTED.

WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO RUN?

>> I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD RUN.

CAN'T JUST SIT AROUND AND GRUMBLE.

GOT TO DO SOMETHING.

>> IF NOT SOMEBODY ELSE, THEN WHO?

ME?

IF NOT NOW, THEN WHEN?

I PUT THE BULLET AND SUBMITTED MY NOMINATION  PAPERS AND WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

SEE IF OUR DISTRICT IS  READY TO ELECT A REPUBLICAN.

>>Lauren: WE ARE SOME OF THOSE ISSUES  THAT MADE YOU WANT TO RUN WHEN YOU SAID   YOU CAN'T JUST SIT THERE AND WATCH THINGS HAPPEN?

>> HIGH TAXES, PEOPLE STRUGGLING TO FIND HOUSING.

PEOPLE MOVING AWAY.

MORE NATIVE HAWAIIANS ON THE   CONTINENT THAN WE HAVE HERE AT HOME.

MY HUSBAND PHYSICIAN.

SO WATCHING HIM STRUGGLE FOR DECADES  TRYING TO RECRUIT FOR THE PRACTICE WHERE   PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO COME AND WORK HERE  BECAUSE OF COST OF LIVING AN REGULATIONS.

HEARING HIM GRUMBLE TOO.

I THOUGHT I DO SOMETHING.

>>Lauren: WE HAD YOU INSIGHTS  SHOW NOT TOO LONG AGO.

WON CROWDED PRIMARY RACE.

WHY ARE YOU RUNNING FOR SEAT.

>> I'M REALLY RUNNING BECAUSE I   WANT TO HELP BUILD A FUTURE WHERE WORKING  FAMILIES CAN AFFORD TO LIVE IN HAWAII.

I GREW UP HERE ON OAHU.

AND SO MANY OF MY FRIENDS   AND FAMILY HAVE MOVED AWAY.

I WANT TO START A FAMILY MYSELF.

AND I KNOW THAT'S GOING TO BE A REAL STRUGGLE.

SO I WANT TO, YEAH, BUILD A FUTURE WHERE WE   CAN AFFORD TO RAISE OUR KEIKI HERE  AND TEACH THEM TO TAKE CARE OF THIS   PLACE LITTLE BETTER THAN WHAT WE'VE BEEN DOING.

>>Lauren: BOTH YOU MENTIONED HIGH COST OF LIVING.

DIVE INTO THAT IN JUST A BIT.

WHAT ARE SOME OR ISSUES THAT THE TWO OF YOU FEEL   ARE MOST PRESSING FOR YOUR DISTRICT SPECIFICALLY?

EITHER OF YOU CAN JUMP IN.

>>WE HAVE A LOT OF   ELDERLY A LOT OF KUPUNA REALLY NEED TO  FOCUS ON IMPROVING ACCESS TO KUPUNA CARE.

WE DO HAVE A HOMELESS ISSUE  ESPECIALLY AROUND DIAMOND HEAD.

THAT WE NEED TO LASER FOCUS  ON HELPING THE HOMELESS.

AND COST OF LIVING THINK ADDRESSING THAT  WILL HELP WITH SO MANY OTHER THINGS.

>> RECRUITING AND KEEPING TEACHERS INCREASING  THE RECRUITMENT GOALS FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT,   GETTING THE ELDER CARE WE NEED,  THINK COST OF LIVING IS BIGGEST.

EVERYTHING ELSE CAN TRICKLE DOWN FROM THERE.

>>Yunji: ANY OTHER ISSUES THAT YOU THINK ARE   FACING YOUR DISTRICT THAT YOU WANT TO ADD?

>> FROM CANVASSING MY COMMUNITY, FOR SURE   HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS PROBABLY BIGGEST ISSUE  MOST PEOPLE BRING UP ONE THING I WOULD ADD,   WHEN I TALK TO YOUNG PEOPLE, IN MY DISTRICT, I  ASK THEM ABOUT THE ISSUES THAT THEY CARE ABOUT,   THEY IMMEDIATELY BRING UP THE ENVIRONMENT.

THEY BRING UP THEIR CONCERNS ABOUT CLIMATE   AND THEIR ACCESS TO FRESH WATER AND CLEAN AIR.

>>Lauren: ON THAT TOPIC WHAT WITH YOUR IDEAS   TO TACKLE THAT ISSUE.

>> I THINK WE NEED SOME   REALLY BIG SYSTEMS CHANGE AND THINKING ABOUT  TRANSPORTATION AND WALKABILITY IN OUR DISTRICT.

WAY THAT WE TAKE CARE OF OUR BEACHES AND  HOW WE MANAGE THE IMPACT THAT IS WE'RE   ALREADY FEELING FROM CLIMATE CHANGE.

I THINK ONE OTHER THING I WOULD ADD IS DOING   BETTER JOB OF HOLDING BAD ACTORS ACCOUNTABLE.

I WAS INVOLVED IN THE STRUGGLE TO SHUTDOWN   OF RED HILL.

AND WE KNOW   THAT WE HAVE HISTORY OF CONTAMINATION AN POOR  MANAGEMENT WE CAN COULD A LOT OF TO DIVE IN.

>>Lauren: HIGH COST OF LIVING.

>> TALK TO ANYONE HERE IN THE ISLAND,   PROBABLY THAT'S WHAT WE'RE GOING TO  SAY NUMBER ONE ISSUE FACING EVERYBODY.

WHAT DO YOU THINK THE STATE LEGISLATURE CAN DO  TO TACKLE ISSUE OF COST OF LIVING HERE IN HAWAII?

START WITH YOU.

>> SURE.

WELL, IT'S MULTIFACETED APPROACH.

COUNTY LEVEL AND FEDERAL LEVEL.

WORK COLLECTIVELY AND COME UP WITH A PLAN.

ONE THING WE CAN DO IS WE NEED TO KEEP  PEELING BACK THE G.E.T.

AND I THINK WE   SHOULD REMOVE THE G.E.T., TAX ON GROCERIES.

I THINK WE NEED TO GET RID OF THAT.

FEDERAL LEVEL, I THINK WE  NEED TO REPEAL THE JONES ACT.

I FULLY SUPPORT THAT.

>> JONES ACT IS MARITIME   SHIPPING LAW WHERE ONLY AMERICAN SHIPS  CAN BE USED TO BRING GOODS INTO HAWAII.

BEEN ESTIMATE THAT THAT CAN ADD UP TO  ABOUT 30% TO THE COST OF BUILDING AND   CONSTRUCTION GETTING IN SUPPLIES.

>> THAT'S SOMETHING THAT COULD   BE DONE AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

SUPPLIES A LOT OF OUR CONSTITUENTS   CONCERNS ARE ACTUALLY COUNTY COUNCIL ISSUES.

PERMITING, ZONING, THINGS LIKE THAT.

SO I THINK IT'S ALSO JUST BRINGING AWARENESS  TO THE CONSTITUENTS WHICH DEPARTMENT DOES WHAT,   AND SEEING HOW WE CAN HELP EDUCATE THEM  ON GETTING THEIR CONCERNS ADDRESSED.

>>Lauren: DO YOU AGREE WITH HER APPROACH?

ANYTHING DIFFERENT PERHAPS THAT YOU WOULD   DO TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE?

>> YEAH.

SO I THINK THAT SOME OF BIGGEST DAY‑TO‑DAY  EXPENSES COST OF HOUSING DO BETTER JOB ADDRESSING   THAT CRISIS IMPLEMENTING MEASURES TO PREVENT  SPECULATION AND FOREIGN OUTSIDE INVESTMENT.

INCREASE PROTECTIONS FOR TENANTS,  RENT STABILIZATION OTHER FOLKS ARE   LOOKING AT ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

FOOD IS ANOTHER BIG ISSUE.

AND COST OF GROCERIES CONTINUES TO RISE.

I THINK  BEST WAY THAT WE CAN ADDRESS THAT IS BY MAKE   LONGTERM INVESTMENTS IN LOCAL AGRICULTURAL.

AND THEN IN TERMS OF TAXES, I SUPPORT PUTTING   MONEY IN THE HAND OF WORKING PEOPLE BUT  I ALSO SUPPORT THINKING HOLISTICALLY   ABOUT TAX FAIRNESS MAKING SURE THAT FOLKS  DOING REALLY WELL PAYING THEIR FAIR SHARE.

STRUGGLING FEELING SUPPORTED ACCESSING  CARE THAT THEY NEED TO TAKE CARE   OF THEIR OWN KEIKI AND KUPUNA.

>>Lauren: RELATED TO SAME TOPIC.

ONE OF OUR VIEWERS FROM WAIKIKI  ASKING KAHALA AND DIAMOND HEAD   MOST EXPENSIVE HOMES OUT OF STATE BUYERS.

SHOULD NONRESIDENT HOMEOWNERS BE TAXED MORE?

>> THERE'S A BIG CONVERSATION AROUND  WHETHER RESIDENCY ARE LEGAL WE SHOULD   CAN CONVERSATION ABOUT THAT.

OFF THE BAT, I THINK THAT HOMES   TREATED AND I INVESTMENT RATHER THAN HOMES  SHELTER, SHOULD BE TAXED AS HIGHER RATE TO   PREVENT PEOPLE FROM SPECULATING IN HOUSING  MARKET AND PRICING OUT LOCAL PEOPLE.

UNTIL KAHALA, IT IS ONE OF  THE WEALTHIEST NEIGHBORHOODS.

>> BUT WHEN I DOOR KNOCKED THERE, I TALKED TO  PEOPLE WHO HAVE LIVED IN THEIR HOME FOR OF 60   YEARS AND REALLY WERE HURTING, THINKING ABOUT  THE WAYS THAT WHEN THEY RAISE THEIR KIDS.

THEIR STREET WAS FILLED WITH  FAMILIES AN NOW, THEY NEIGHBORS.

TALKED TO ME ABOUT THAT EXPERIENCE.

IF WE'RE NOT SHAPEING OUR HOUSING MARKET   AND OUR HOUSING POLICIES ARER TO CENTER NEEDS OF  WORKING FAMILIES ARE SOON OUR NEIGHBORHOODS ARE   GOING TO LOOK COMPLETELY DIFFERENT.

>> VEHICLES FOR INVESTMENT THE NO   REAL COMMUNITIES.

>>Lauren: YOUR EXPERIENCE DOOR   KNOCKING YOU CAN TALKING TO YOUR NEIGHBORS  AND FOLKS IN YOUR CONSTITUENTS, WOULD THEY   HAVE THEY SAID THAT IS ALSO A CONCERN TO THEM?

>> THEY HAVEN'T SAID IN PARTICULAR THAT THAT THEY   WOULD SUPPORT THAT BILL.

LOOKED AT THAT BILL AND  I THINK WE DO NEED TO DO SOMETHING, BUT I THINK TO   IMPLEMENT IT WOULD BE VERY DIFFICULT.

CHALLENGING.

>> PEOPLE WERE INVOLVED SENDING OUT SURVEYS TO ALL  OF THESE HOMEOWNERS AND TRYING TO FOLLOW UP AND   PROVE WHO HAS EMPTY HOME AND WHAT DOESN'T.

I THINK  IT WOULD BE QUITE CHALLENGING TO IMPLEMENT THAT.

WOULD BE QUITE CHALLENGE.

WANTED TO ASK TINA MENTIONS   PAYING FAIR SHARE MY HUSBAND AND I LIVE IN KAHALA.

IN THE WEALTHIER DISTRICT MY HUSBAND WORKS ABOUT   80 HOURS A WEEK AND WE PAY 47% TAXES.

SO WE GIVE A LOT BACK TO   THE COMMUNITY IN OUR TAXES.

>> I'M JUST WONDERING IF IS THAT NOT ENOUGH?

OR IS THAT NOT A FAIR SHARE?

>> NOT SURE PERSONAL FAMILY FINANCES,   OUR LEGISLATURE RECENTLY RESTRUCTURED INCOME TAX  GAVE ROUGHLY WORKING FAMILIES LOW INCOME FAMILIES   COULD EXPECT TO SEE BY $300 TAX BREAK.

WEALTHIER FAMILIES COULD RELIABLY   EXPECT TO SEE ABOUT 6,000.

>> THOSE ARE KIND OF CHOICES   THAT I THINK WE NEED TO BE REALLY CLEAR ABOUT  WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT WHO SEES THOSE KIND OF   BENEFITS AND WOULD REALLY NEEDS THE RELIEF.

CAN I JUST AT ONE MORE THING QUESTION OF   PREVENTING FOREIGN SPECULATION  IN OUR HOUSING MARKET.

>> I DEFINITELY QUESTIONS OF LEGALITY.

WAYS THAT WE CAN CARVE OUT SMALLER   PARTS OF MEAT FOR LOCAL PEOPLE.

SO IN PLACES LIKE COLORADO IMPLEMENTED   DEED RESTRICTION PROGRAMS WHERE HOMEOWNERS CAN  VOLUNTARILY PUT A DEED RESTRICTION ON THEIR HOME   SAY BEING IT USED ONLY FOR LOCAL WORKFORCE.

OR PUT A DEED RESTRICTION RIGHT RELATED   TO AFFORDABILITY.

CITY CREATES PORTION OF HOME VALUE.

POOL OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING  ACCESSIBLE ONLY LOCAL MARKET.

SEE SAME IMPACTS TODAY.

>>Lauren: MOVE TO THE ISSUE OF HOMELESSNESS.

YOU BROUGHT THAT UP AS TOPIC THAT A LOT OF  FOLKS IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD ARE CONCERNED ABOUT.

COACCIDENTALLY QUESTIONS.

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO TO ADDRESS THE   HOMELESS PROBLEM IN THE DIAMOND HEAD AREA.

>> PROBABLY NOT A VERY POLITICALLY   CORRECT THING TO SAY.

QUESTION NEED TO FOLKS ON OUR OWN.

STRENGTHEN PROGRAM WE SEND BACK HOMELESS  PEOPLE BACK TO THEIR HOME STATE.

THEIR COMMUNITY WORK OUT RELATIONSHIP WITH THE   SOCIAL WORKERS FOCUS ON THE PEOPLE HOMELESS  IN HAWAII AND GIVEN THEM THE HELP WE NEED.

INCREASE FUNDING FOR MENTAL HEALTH CARE.

BIG PART OF IT.

>>Lauren: WHAT ABOUT FOR YOU?

>> FOR ME, I THINK IT'S TWO PART ISSUE.

>> THERE IS ADDRESSING FOLKS  THAT ARE ALREADY ON THE STREETS.

FOCUSING ON PROVIDING CARE, PROVIDING HOUSING  FIRST SOLUTIONS, AND THEN ADDRESSING THEIR   BEHAVIORAL AND MEDICAL NEEDS.

>> REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THE   LEAHI BEHAVIORAL AND MEDICAL RESPITE  CENTER RECENTLY OPENED IN OUR DISTRICTS.

I THINK WE CAN CONTINUE TO  INVEST IN SOLUTIONS LIKE THAT.

AND THEN THERE'S THE QUESTION OF PREVENTION.

I THINK THAT IS VERY MUCH TIED IN WITH   BIGGER QUESTIONS AROUND PREVENTING  DISPLACEMENT FOR LOW INCOME HOMEOWNERS   AND 48% OF HAWAII HOUSEHOLDS WHO RENT.

IF YOU RENT, COULD HAVE LIVED SOMEWHERE   FOR 20 YEARS, LANDLORD CAN TELL YOU  WITHIN 45 DAYS THAT YOU HAVE TO MOVE.

AND WE KNOW THAT REALITY OF OUR HOUSE  MARKET NOW IF YOU'RE WORKING TWO JOBS,   YOU NEED TO LOOK FOR A NEW UNIT VERY FEW OPTION.

CREATING SPIRAL EFFECT WHERE EITHER LIVING   WITH FAMILY OR IN YOUR CAR ON STREETS.

>>Lauren: YOU MENTIONS ABOUT NEED MORE   RESOURCES FOR MENTAL HEALTH HOMELESS POPULATION.

DO YOU FEEL THAT THE STATE OF HAWAII HAS ENOUGH   RESOURCE OUT THERE FOR OUR  CURRENT HOMELESS POPULATION?

>> NO.

>> I DON'T THINK SO.

I THINK IF WE LOWER COAST OF LIVING,  I THINK WE CAN ENTICE MORE PEOPLE TO   GO IN EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS TO HAPPY HELP IN  THE MENTAL HEALTH ARENA.

BILLS WE CAN PASS.

FEW YEARS AGO I USED TO INSTRUCT  PSYCHOLOGISTS ON MEDICATIONS.

PHARMACIST.

I USED TO GIVE A COURSE ON   HELPING THEM UNDERSTAND MEDICATIONS.

AND INTERACTIONS THINGS LIKE THAT.

THERE'S ALWAYS A BILL THAT COMES UP THEN  IT DIES TO GIVE LICENSING PRESCRIPTION   LICENSING AUTHORITY TO PSYCHOLOGISTS.

>> THINK THAT IS ONE WAY WE CAN HELP EXPAND   THE POOL OF MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES.

>>Lauren: WE'RE TALKING ABOUT WHAT   ISSUES ARE IMPORTANT TO THE TWO OF YOU.

IF ELECT, WE ARE THE TOP THREE THAT YOU WANT   TO TACKLE AND HOW DO YOU PLAN ON DOING THAT?

>> TINA MENTIONED AGRICULTURAL.

REALLY IS A PASSION OF MINE.

IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT COMES   UP A LOT IN THE DISTRICT.

WAY TO HELP US BE MORE   SUSTAINABLE AND HELP USE OUR LOCAL  AGRICULTURAL TO FEED OUR PEOPLE.

INSTEAD OF IMPORTING FROM THE MAINLAND.

COST LIVING IS ANOTHER REALLY BIG ONE.

AND I THINK ACTUALLY TINA  AND I HAVE A LOT OF COMMON.

VERY INTERESTED IN TRANSPARENCY, GOVERNMENT  REFORM, AND ACCOUNTABILITY AT THE LEGISLATURE.

I THINK THERE'S A LOT THAT CAN BE DONE.

TO REFORM INTERNALLY HOW THINGS   WORK AT THE LEGISLATURE.

TO MAKE IT MORE TRANSPARENT,   MORE OPEN AND SEE SOME REFORMS.

>> I THINK YOU CAN TELL FOR ME HOUSING   IS MY BIG PASSION AREA WORK IN HOUSING POLICY NOW.

NATIONAL POLICY INSTITUTE EXCITED ABOUT BRINGING   IN FRESH IDEAS THAT ARE BEING TESTED AND  PROVEN TO HAVE SUCCESSES IN OTHER PLACES.

SPECIFICALLY AROUND PREVENTING SPECULATION.

PROTECTING LOW INCOME HOMEOWNERS AND RENTERS AND   PRODUCING POOL OF PERMANENTLY AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

ASIDE FROM THAT, SUSTAINABLE LOCAL FOOD   SYSTEM BIG PASSION OF MINE.

WORKED FOR REPRESENTATIVE   BO AT THE TIME WAS THE VICE CHAIR OF  AGRICULTURAL I THINK SO MUCH WORK WE CAN DO.

TO SUPPORT NOT JUST INDUSTRIAL  AGRICULTURAL, RIGHT NOW, WE'VE GIVEN   AWAY SO MANY OF OUR LANDS TO SEED INDUSTRIES.

>> SUPPORT LOCAL FAMILIES PRODUCE‑LOCAL FARMER   PRODUCE LOCAL FOOD FOR LOCAL PEOPLE.

INVESTED IN GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY.

EVERY MEMBER IN THE HOUSE TO HAVE  MEANINGFUL VOICE TO CONSTITUENTS   CAN FEEL MEANINGFULLY REPRESENT THE.

>>Lauren: SO GREAT TO HEAR THE TOP   ISSUES FOR ALL CANDIDATES JUST BECAUSE  THERE'S SO MANY IDEAS, SO MANY ISSUES   FACING HAWAII AND WHAT PEOPLE WANT TO TACKLE.

IT'S REALISTICALLY WHAT ARE THE TOP PRIORITIES   THAT YOU ARE GOING TO TACKLE ONCE ELECTED.

SPEAKING ABOUT GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY, OF THE   TWO OF YOU WHOEVER IS ELECTED POLITICAL NEWCOMER.

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO TO MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD   AMONGST OTHER REPRESENTATIVES EXPERIENCE  AND HAVE BEEN THERE MUCH LONGER?

>> WELL.

>> I THINK FOR ME, A LOT EASIER   SINCE THERE'S ONLY A HANDFUL OF REPUBLICANS.

SO IT'S EASY TO KIND OF GET TOGETHER WITH   THEM AND TALK AND WORK THINGS OUT.

>> I ALSO INTERESTED IN DEVELOPING   RELATIONSHIP ACROSS THE BOARD.

WE DO ALL HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER.

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO CONNECT WITH  PEOPLE IN CASUAL FRIENDLY RELATIONSHIP   FIRST BEFORE YOU GO AHEAD FIRST INTO TALKING  ABOUT POLICY AND DECISIONS AND LEGISLATION.

>>Lauren: DOES THAT MAKE YOU NERVOUS?

GOING TO BE FRESHMAN NEWCOMER   REPRESENTATIVE IF ELECTED.

>> I THINK ONE THING ABOUT CAMPAIGNING   GIVES YOU A LITTLE BIT MORE RESPECT, ELECTED  OFFICIALS TO REALLY KNOW HOW MUCH WORK THEY PUT TO   GET WHERE THEY ARE AND REPRESENT THEIR COMMUNITY.

SIMILARLY MY FIRST PRIORITY IS GOING TO BE TO   GO IN AND BUILD RELATIONSHIPS AND HEAR FROM  LEGISLATORS ABOUT HOW THEY FEEL THEY'RE SERVING   THEIR CONSTITUENTS AND NEEDS OF THEIR DISTRICTS.

WE'RE ALL DIFFERENT BUT WE LIVE ON AN ISLAND.

WE HAVE COLLECTIVE INTEREST  IN MAKING THIS PLACE BETTER.

HOWEVER, I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO SEE SOME REAL  CHANGES AND STRUCTURAL REFORMS AROUND THINGS   LIKE HOW BILLS ARE BROUGHT UP FOR HEARING.

>> SEE A CLEAN ELECTION AND   END PAY‑TO‑PLAY DONATION.

NOT JUST HOPE CAN FEEL THEY HAVE A REAL   CHANCE AT BRINGING IN IDEAS TO THE LEGISLATURE.

>>Lauren: TWO OTHER VIEWER QUESTIONS THAT   I DO WANT TO GET TO.

CARROLL IN HONOLULU.

ASKING, WHAT DO YOU PLANNING TO ABOUT  FIXING SIDEWALKS IN THE DISTRICT?

MAYBE IF THE TWO OF YOU HAVE EXPERIENCED TALKING  TO CONSTITUENTS, IS THAT A CONCERN THAT COMES UP   FROM PEOPLE THAT YOU TALKED TO?

>> PART OF IT IS EDUCATING OUR   COMMUNITY ON JURISDICTION ISSUES  LIKE WHETHER IS IT A CITY ISSUE?

ALSO THE FACT THAT WE AS HOUSE  REPRESENTATIVES ARE OUR CONSTITUENTS   MOST INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP IN THE GOVERNMENT.

WE HAVE THE SMALLEST DISTRICTS THAT MEANS   WE CAN GO KNOCK ON ALMOST EVERY DOOR IN  IN OUR DISTRICT AND GET TO KNOW PEOPLE.

MOST SIDEWALKS ARE CITY ISSUE.

RESPONSIBILITY IS TO ADVOCATE FOR OUR   CONSTITUENTS WITH COUNTERPART IN THE CITY COUNCIL.

SO THAT'S SORT OF FIRST STEP IS SITTING DOWN WITH   OUR COUNCILMEMBERS AND BUILDING A RELATIONSHIP  WITH THEM AS WELL.

THINK THERE ARE LOTS OF THINGS   WE CAN DO AS STATE LEGISLATORS TO ADVOCATE  FOR THINGS LIKE SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL.

AND WORK WITH CITY ON COMPETE STREETS PROJECTS.

OUR DISTRICT SHOULD BE ONE OF THE MOST WALKABLE   ON THE ISLAND.

BUT THERE ARE   ISSUES OF SAFETY AROUND OUR SIDEWALKS.

OR COMPLETE LACK OF SIDEWALKS ON SOME STREETS.

AND PEOPLE EVEN THOUGH LIVE CLOSE ENOUGH TO SEND  THEIR KIDS TO SCHOOL, OR SEND THEIR KIDS WALK   TO GO SCHOOL, DON'T FEEL SAFE DOING THAT.

THAT'S SOMETHING I WOULD WORK REALLY   HARD TO CHANGE.

>>Lauren: DO YOU FEEL   YOUR COMMUNITY IS WALKABLE AND SAFE?

>> I HAD MY BABY ABOUT TEN YEARS AGO.

AND I WAS HAD THIS STROLLER, I WAS GOING TO  GO WALKING YOU EVER WHERE AND I WENT DOWN 22   AVENUE, NO SIDEWALK.

AND IT WAS SO BUMPY,   JUST TO TRY TO GET TO KILAUEA PARK.

HE HAD ENDED UP BUYING FOUR WHEELING   KIND OF STROLLER SO I CAN HANDLE IT.

>> THAT'S A BIG PET PEEVE OF MINE.

AGAIN, TINA SAID, CITY ISSUE DOES  NEED TO BE ADDRESSED AVERAGE LOT   OF OUR AREAS IN OUR DISTRICT NEEDS SIDEWALK.

>>Lauren: DOES EITHER ONE OF THE CANDIDATES   SUPPORT GETTING READY OF THE G.E.T.

TAX?

>> I SUPPORT GETTING READY IT FOR   ESSENTIAL ITEMS LIKE GROCERIES.

BROUGHT UP ON FROM BOTH PARTIES.

AND LIKE OUR GOVERNOR AT LEAST IN  PART CAMPAIGNED ON THINGS LIKE THAT.

AND I FEEL LIKE WE SHOULD HAVE A MEANINGFUL  CONVERSATION AROUND HOW THE G.E.T.

TAXES   THING THAT MAKES OUR TAX SYSTEM AS A  WHOLE REGRESSIVE TO WORKING PEOPLE.

>> SO I AM FOR ELIMINATING COMPLETELY.

HOWEVER, IT DOES PROVIDE ABOUT 50% OF OUR   OPERATING BUDGET FOR THE GOVERNMENT.

SO I THINK WE NEED TO CHIP   AWAY AT IT LITTLE BY LITTLE.

>> SEE HOW WE CAN BALANCE OTHER END HOPEFULLY   GET TO A POINT WHERE IT'S COMPLETELY ELIMINATED.

>>Lauren: I WANT TO TURN TOPIC OF EDUCATION.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE SCHOOLS IN YOUR  DISTRICT AND WHAT CAN BE DONE IN HAWAII TO   IMPROVE OUR HAWAII PUBLIC SCHOOLS?

>> I'M PUBLIC SCHOOL GRAD.

THAT ISSUE IS REALLY CLOSE TO MY HEART.

AND I THINK THE NUMBER ONE MOST IMPORTANT   THING WE CAN DO SO IMPROVE OUR  SCHOOLS ADDRESS OUR TEACHER SHORTAGE.

BY PAYING TEACHERS WHAT THEY DESERVE.

TREATING THEM AS PROFESSIONALS.

I THINK 60,000 STUDENTS EVERY  YEAR ARE TOP BY NONCERTIFIED   TEACHER OR QUALIFIED TEACHER IN HAWAII.

ARE TAUGHT BY INJUSTICE FOR TEACHES AS   WELL.

MANY OF THEM ARE WORKING AS  EMERGENCY HIRES I THINK THAT ONLY   WAY WE CAN MEANINGFUL ADDRESS THAT PROBLEM  IS BY PUTTING OUR MONEY WHERE OUR MOUTH IS.

>>Lauren: WHAT ABOUT YOU?

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT HAWAII PUBLIC SCHOOLS   AN WHAT WE CAN DO TO IMPROVE IT.

>> SURE.

IN OUR DISTRICT, LUCKY ALL OF  OUR SCHOOLS ARE VERY WELL RATED.

DAUGHTER AT WAIKIKI ELEMENTARY.

JUST BEEN SUCH A BLESSING FOR HER.

DURING ZOOM, WHEN I HAD HER  AT HOME, FOR FIRST GRADE,   I HAD TO SEE WHAT THE TEACHER WERE DEALING WITH,  THESE PEOPLE NEED TO BE MAKING $200,000 A YEAR.

THEY ARE SO UNDERPAID.

SO I AM 100% FOR FUNDING OUR TEACHERS BETTER.

THAT WILL HELP WITH RECRUITMENT  AND KEEPING THEM AROUND AND AGAIN,   IF WE LOWER THE COST OF LIVING MAKE IT EASIER  FOR THEM TO STAY IN THE TEACHING FIELD RATHER   THAN GIVING UP WHICH IS WHAT SO MANY OF THEM DO.

THEY GIVE UP TEACHING AND GO DO SOMETHING MORE   LUCRATIVE CAN'T MAYBE ENDS MEET.

>>Lauren: MAKE ENDS MEET.

>>Lauren: WHAT DO YOU THINK WOULD BE FAIR WORLD.

>> DREAM WORLD GIVE OUR TEACHERS   MILLION DOLLARS IF WE COULD.

>> I CAN'T COME UP WITH A NUMBER OFF THE BAT.

I KNOW IT'S GOT TO BE A LOT MORE THAN WHAT  THEY'RE MAKE NOW RECENT SNAFU WITH THE PAYROLL   HAPPENED OF THE THINGS LIKE THAT NEED TO NOT  BE HAPPENING THE ON TINY SALARY ESPECIALLY   ONES STARTING OUT DON'T HAVE THE NEST EGG THEY  CAN DIP INTO PAYCHECKS ARE DELAYED LIKE THAT.

THAT WAS REALLY HEARTBREAKING TO HEAR THAT.

>> I DON'T THINK ANYONE WOULD DISAGREE OUR   HAWAII TEACHERS ARE UNDER PAID.

DESERVE MUCH MORE.

WHEN IT COMES TO TWO OF YOU FOR YOUR  PERSONAL EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE WHAT   DO YOU THINK MAKES YOU BEST CANDIDATE FOR THE JOB?

>> PROUD I BRING MULTIFACETED BACKGROUND WITH ME.

COMMUNITY ORGANIZER.

I WAS INVOLVED IN THE   STRUGGLE TO SHUT DOWN RED HILL.

DUES PAYING MEMBER OF HONOLULU   TENANTS UNION HELPED ORGANIZE TENANTS GETTING  EVICTED AT KAPIOLANI VILLAGE APARTMENTS TO   MAKE WAY FOR KUILEI PLACE.

LEGISLATIVE EXPERIENCE.

CHIEF OF STAFF FOR REPRESENTATIVE  AMY PRUSO REPRESENTS WAHIAWA.

TOOK A REALLY ACTIVE ROLE IN WORKING WITH  COMMUNITY ADVOCATES TO CRAFT BILLS THAT REALLY   AMPLIFIED THEIR VOICE.

POLICY EXPERTISE.

PH.D.

IN URBAN STUDIES FOCUSED MY CAREER  ON HOUSING CRISIS AND CURRENTLY WORK   AT NATIONAL POLICY INSTITUTE.

>>Lauren: FOR YOU, WHY SHOULD YOUR   NEIGHBORS COMMUNITY MEMBERS ELECT YOU.

>> I DO HAVE A BACKGROUND IN PHARMACY,   CLINICAL PHARMACIST WORKED INSIDE, THE HOSPITAL.

I WAS LUCKY, TIMING WAS RIGHT, I WAS AT SEVERAL   HOSPITALS WE HAD INSTITUTE NEW  PROGRAMS OR NEW PHARMACY SERVICES.

I HAVE A LOT OF EXPERIENCE GOING THROUGH PRACTICE  STANDARD AND CREATING POLICIES THAT ARE SPECIFIC   TO THAT HOSPITAL OR THAT PROGRAM.

PHARMACISTS ARE VERY DETAIL ORIENTED.

>> LIKE TO DIG IN AND LEARN AS MUCH AS I CAN  ABOUT SOMETHING WHEN IT'S PUT IN FRONT OF ME.

WE'VE NEVER HAD A PHARMACIST IN THE LEGISLATURE.

I THINK IT MIGHT BE KIND OF COOL.

>>Lauren: I ALSO WANT TO ASK, JUST HAVE A  COUPLE MORE MINUTES WITH THE TWO OF YOU.

ABOUT TERM LIMITS.

DO YOU SUPPORT TERM LIMITS FOR STATE LAWMAKER?

>> SO I THINK WE SHOULD HAVE  12 YEARS EITHER CHAMBER.

OR COMBINED 16 YEAR TERM LIMIT.

I THINK TERM LIMITS ARE IMPORTANT   BECAUSE I THINK THIS JOB SHOULD BE SOMETHING WHERE  YOU'RE PUBLIC SERVANT REPRESENTING YOUR COMMUNITY.

NOT THERE FOR LIFELONG CAREER.

AND I THINK IT'S ONE WAY TO CURB CORRUPTION   THAT PAY TO PLAY THAT JUST SOMETIMES NATURALLY  COME WITH BEING IN THE POSITION FOR THAT LONG.

>> HAVE TERM LIMITS FOR EVERYTHING ELSE.

MIGHT HAVE WELL HAVE THEM FOR THE LEGISLATURE TOO.

>>Lauren: HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT TERM LIMIT.

>> SUPPORT REASONABLE TERM LIMITS TAKE INTO   THE ACCOUNT IT TAKES A WHILE  TO LEARN HOW DO THIS JOB WELL.

I ALSO SUPPORT OTHER REFORMS BECAUSE I THINK IT'S  NOT JUST QUESTION OF MAKING SURE THAT PEOPLE DON'T   STAY IN TOO LONG AND ACCUMULATE TOO MUCH POWER.

MAKING SURE THAT DIVERSE POOL OF POTENTIAL   CANDIDATES ALWAYS FEEL ABLE TO CHALLENGE OUR  LEGISLATURE AND HOLD OUR LEGISLATORS ACCOUNTABLE   THAT MEANS ENDING PAY‑TO‑PLAY DONATION MONEY OUT  OF THE POLITICS AND SUPPORTING CLEAN ELECTIONS.

>>Lauren: BOTH OF YOU TALKED ABOUT TRANSPARENCY.

HOW DO YOU PLAN ON BEING TRANSPARENT   WITH YOUR CONSTITUENTS?

>> I WANT TO HEAR FROM THEM.

I WANT TO BE, THIS IS PRETTY MUCH  GLORIFIED CUSTOMER SERVICE ROLE.

SO YOU HAVE TO LISTEN TO THEM.

YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND WHERE THEY ARE COMING IN.

BE IN THEIR SHOES.

RESPECT WHAT THEY WANT   YOU DO WITH THE LEGISLATURE.

AND THEN FOLLOW UP WITH THEM.

I WOULD ENVISION HAVING NEWSLETTERS AND HAVING  TOWN HALLS AND JUST ALWAYS HAVING AN OPEN EAR.

AND TO WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE COMMUNITY.

>>Lauren: FEW SECONDS IF YOU DON'T MIND, WHAT   WOULD YOU BE TRANSPARENT WITH YOUR CONSTITUENTS.

>> I HOPE I ALREADY STARTED, MY MAILERS WERE LONG   AND EXPENSIVE HONEST ABOUT MY POLICY APPROACH.

BEGINNING OF ONGOING CONFERRING.

RECIPROCAL CONVERSATION  BETWEEN ME AND MY COMMUNITY.

>>Lauren: THANK YOU BOTH SO  MUCH FOR BEING HERE TONIGHT.

I ALSO WANT TO THANK VIEWERS, CANDIDATES  FOR STATE HOUSE DISTRICT 20 RECIPROCAL   BENEFICIARY SULLIVAN AN TINA GRANDINETTI.

STATE DISTRICT 29 ENJOY THIS HIKI NO STORY   FROM WAIKIKI ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

IT SURE IS DIFFICULT WHEN YOU  WORK SO HARD TO CREATE SOMETHING SPECIAL AND IT ALL  GETS TAKEN FROM YOU IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE.

MY NAME IS LILY LAWRENCE, AND I'M A FOURTH GRADER AT WAIKIKI  ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

IT'S A STORY ABOUT ME LEARNING  TO TAKE RISKS.

I REALLY LIKE A GAME CALLED  I REALLY LIKE A GAME CALLED GODS OF GRAVITY.

IT'S A VIRTUAL REALITY GAME WHERE YOU TRY TO BUILD YOUR  OWN CIVILIZATION AND PROTECT IT FROM THE ENEMY.

AT THE SAME TIME, YOU NEED TO SEND YOUR SHIPS OUT TO DESTROY  THE ENEMY PLANETS.

THE CATCH IS THOSE SAME SHIPS  ALSO SERVE AS YOUR PLANET'S PROTECTION.

SO YOU HAVE TO TAKE A RISK.

PUTTING YOUR SHIPS OUT THERE  LEAVES YOU VULNERABLE.

IN SOME WAYS, IT'S LIKE THE  RISK YOU TAKE WHEN YOU MAKE FRIENDS.

YOU HAVE TO PUT YOURSELF OUT THERE.

THAT CAN MAKE YOU FEEL ANXIOUS AND VULNERABLE.

AND YOU KNOW WHAT?

SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T WORK OUT.

IN SECOND GRADE, I HAD A FRIEND.

WE WERE SUPER CLOSE, BUT AT THE START OF THIRD GRADE, SHE  STARTED TO IGNORE ME.

THE PROBLEM WAS I STILL WANTED  TO BE HER FRIEND.

I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND WHAT HAD  CHANGED.

THIS LEFT ME FEELING CONFUSED  AND ALONE.

I FELT LIKE OUR TIME TOGETHER  AND MEMORIES WITH HER HAD BECOME MEANINGLESS.

IT ACTUALLY TOOK THE ENTIRE SCHOOL YEAR TO RECOVER.

AND WHEN I THINK ABOUT IT, ONE THING THAT HELPED ME START  MAKING NEW FRIENDS WAS PLAYING GODS OF GRAVITY.

GODS OF GRAVITY ALLOWS YOU TO CONNECT WITH OTHER PEOPLE WHO  ARE PLAYING ONLINE AT THE SAME TIME.

I DECIDED TO PUT MYSELF OUT THERE AND MAKE NEW FRIENDS  VIRTUALLY JUST BY BEING A GOOD SPORT AND HAVING A FUN TIME.

IT WAS MY FIRST TIME MAKING FRIENDS FROM ALL OVER THE  WORLD.

NOW I HAVE MADE NEW LASTING  FRIENDS FROM NEW ZEALAND, AUSTRALIA AND CANADA.

PLAYING ONLINE HAS ALSO MADE ME MORE OPEN TO REACHING OUT  TO MAKE NEW FRIENDS AT SCHOOL, IF YOU TAKE A BIG RISK, IT CAN  BE A BIG CHANGE, BUT IT DOES NOT HAVE TO BE A BIG LOSS.

I'VE LEARNED THAT EVEN IF YOU LOSE A GAME OR A FRIEND OR  THINGS CHANGE, THAT DOESN'T HAVE TO MAKE WHAT YOU  EXPERIENCE LESS VALUABLE.

AS A MATTER OF FACT, IT MAKES  IT MORE VALUABLE.

I NOW BELIEVE THAT TAKING  RISKS IS ALWAYS WORTH IT.

ALL EXPERIENCES, BOTH GOOD AND  BAD, HELP US SEE WHO WE REALLY ARE.

>>Lauren: WELCOME BACK.

STORY FROM WAIKIKI ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

SOME GREAT INSIGHTS FROM THEM.

NOW TO THE RACE FOR STATE  HOUSE DISTRICT 29, WHICH REPRESENTS CONSTITUENTS IN  KAMEHAMEHA HEIGHTS, KALIHI VALLEY AND PORTIONS OF KALIHI.

DEMOCRAT IKAIKA HUSSEY IS A GRADUATE OF IOLANI SCHOOL AND  HAS A MASTER’S DEGREE IN POLITICAL SCIENCE FROM THE  UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT MANOA.

HE’S THE VICE PRESIDENT OF  DEVELOPMENT FOR SHAKE ENERGY COLLABORATIVE AND LIVES IN  KALIHI WITH HIS WIFE AND THREE CHILDREN.

REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE CAROLE KAAPU IS A GRADUATE OF  KAMEHAMEHA SCHOOLS AND ATTENDED UH HILO AND DREXEL  UNIVERSITY.

SHE IS THE DIRECTOR OF  OPERATIONS AT KALIHI UNION CHURCH AND HAS SERVED OVERSEAS  AS A MISSIONARY IN JAPAN, CHINA, THAILAND AND INDIA.

NEITHER OF YOU TONIGHT'S SHOW, ALL  POLITICAL NEWCOMERS IF ELECTED.

NEITHER OF YOU HAVE HELD OFFICE BEFORE.

I WANT TO HEAR WHY THE TWO OF YOU ARE   RUNNING START WITH YOU.

>> I'VE BEEN PART   OF THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS FOR A LONG TIME.

WORKED IN THE HOUSE FOR 8 SESSIONS AND I'VE SEEN   THE IMPACT THAT LEGISLATION HAS ON MY NEIGHBORS.

>> ON ME.

ON OUR COMMUNITY.

AND THERE NEEDS TO   BE A CHANGE IN THE WAY THAT LEGISLATION IS  EVALUATED AS HOW IT IMPACTS OUR COMMUNITY.

AND SO I WOULD LOVE TO BE THAT VOICE TO  SPEAK UP FOR THE PEOPLE IN MY COMMUNITY.

>>Lauren: WHY RUN FOR OFFICE?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, ACTUALLY   WASN'T PLANNING TO RUN.

BUT I WAS ASKED TO RUN BY   SOME OF THE COMMUNITY LEADERS IN KALIHI.

BECAUSE OF THE TRANSITION OF FROM JOHN   MIZUNO TO HIS SPOUSE MAY, THEY WANTED TO SEE SOME  CHANGES IN POLITICAL LEADERSHIP IN OUR COMMUNITY.

THEY ASKED ME TO RUN.

MY PERSONAL REASON FOR RUNNING   FOR OFFICE IS REALLY COMES DOWN TO MY EXPERIENCE  AS A FATHER AND WANTING TO SORT OF LOOKING AT THE   FUTURE THROUGH WATCHING MY KID GROW UP AND BEING  VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE FUTURE THAT AWAITS THEM.

THINGS LIKE AFFORDABILITY CRISIS, MASSIVE  INEQUALITY WE'RE EXPERIENCING BOTH LOCALLY   AND NATIONALLY, MOST THINGS CLIMATE CHANGE.

WHICH ARE ONLY GOING TO GET WORSE OVER TIME.

I THINK IT'S PART OF OUR JOB IN THIS  GENERATION TO DO AS MUCH AS WE CAN NOW   TO SET OUR FUTURE GENERATIONS UP FOR SUCCESS.

>>Lauren: WHAT DO YOU FEEL IS THE MOST PRESSING   ISSUE FACING KALIHI AREA?

>> OH, GOSH.

>> SO MANY.

ONE OF THE BIG ONES IS SIMPLY JUST RESOURCES.

KALIHI OFTEN IS IGNORED FRANKLY.

AND THERE'S A CONVERSATION   PREVIOUS SEGMENT ABOUT SIDEWALKS.

IN MANY PARTS OF KALIHI, KAPALAMA NO SIDEWALKS.

PERIOD.

AND IT SAY QUESTION OF RESOURCES.

ACTUALLY WAS MONEY THINK 20 OR 30  YEARS FOR SIDEWALKS.

AND WE LOST   THAT MONEY TO ANOTHER DISTRICT.

AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR   COMMUNITY IS NOT IGNORED.

WE'RE NOT FORGOTTEN.

IT'S CONTEXT OF BROADER PROBLEM WHICH  IS THAT WE ACTUALLY PAY MORE IN PROPERTY   TAXES IN KALIHI ON PER HOUSE VALUATION  BASIS THAN COMMUNITIES LIKE KAHALA.

SO I THINK THERE'S BASIC ISSUES  OF EQUITY THAT ARE AT STAKE HERE.

>>Lauren: WHAT ABOUT FOR YOU?

OTHER ISSUES THAT YOU WOULD ADD   TO THAT THAT ARE PRESSING.

>> FOR ME, COST OF LIVING.

AND AS YOUR PREVIOUS INVITEES  SAID, IT'S PEOPLE ARE LEAVING,   PEOPLE ARE WORKING AS HARD AS THEY CAN, AND IN  THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, IT'S GOTTEN UNBARABLE.

PAYING NINE DOLLARS FOR A GALLON OF MILK.

IS JUST CRAZY.

AND WITHOUT SOME HELP, THERE  WILL BE MORE PEOPLE LEAVING.

MORE IN OUR AREA, THERE'S  A LOT OF MULTIFAMILY HOMES.

BECAUSE THAT'S THE ONLY WAY  WITH YOU CAN MAKE ENDS MEET.

AND THERE REALLY NEEDS TO BE CHANGE.

>>Lauren: I THINK THERE'S NO CORNER OF THE STATE   THAT IS NOT AFFECTED BY THE HIGH COST OF LIVING.

AND OBVIOUSLY INFLATION,   JUST KEEPS GOING UP IN HAWAII.

ON THAT TOPIC, HOW WOULD THE TWO OF YOU ADDRESS   THE COST OF LIVING IN HAWAII?

>> SO THAT'S WHERE I THINK WE REALLY DISAGREE.

I DON'T WANT TO PUT WORDS IN YOUR  MOUTH, I FROM MY PERSPECTIVE MAKE   SURE OUR WORKING FAMILIES HAVE RESOURCE THEY NEED.

>> MEANS MAKING SURE PROGRAMS THAT THEY DEPEND ON,   THINGS LIKE EDUCATION, HEALTH CARE  HOUSING, THOSE ARE FULL FUNDED.

AND THAT WE'RE NOT IN A SITUATION WHERE LIKE  WHERE WE MIGHT NUMBER A FEW YEARS BASED TAX BILL,   START DECIDING WHICH PROGRAMS TO CUT.

I'M NOT INTERESTED IN THAT.

FOR ME, IT'S ABOUT MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE  PROREALLY TAKING CARE OF OUR COMMUNITY.

>> FOR ME MORE OF HOW WE  USE THE MONEY THAT WE GET.

SO I'M FOR THE TAX CUTS.

THAT'S A GOOD FIRST STEP.

I THINK WE SHOULD REMOVE THE G.E.T.

TAX ON FOOD  AND MEDICAL AND I THINK THERE SHOULD ALSO BE   LIKE A REFORM OF THE G.E.

TAX.

MAKES NO SENSE, WE PAY MULTIPLE TIMES   ON ONE THING AS IT CHANGES HANDS TO GET TO US.

IT JUST WE PAY SO MUCH FOR SOMETHING THAT WE NEED.

AS FAR AS THE WHAT IKAIKA BUDGET IN  THE FUTURE NOT SO MUCH A PROBLEM.

GIVE PEOPLE BACK MONEY THEY SPEND IT GOES  BACK INTO THE CYCLE OF GETTING TAXED.

>> I'M NOT CONCERNED ABOUT THIS BIG  HUGE BUDGET HOLE INCREASE OUR TAX,   DECREASE OUR WASTEFUL SPENDING DECREASE TAXES  IS PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITIES HAVE MORE RESOURCES   THEY NEED TO CARE FOR THEIR FAMILIES.

>>Lauren: THIS QUESTION MIGHT GIVE   YOU BOTH OPPORTUNITY TO EXPAND ON THAT.

IF ELECTEDED IN THE FIRST COUPLE MONTHS,   WE ARE THE TOP THREE ISSUES THAT  THE TWO OF YOU WHO WANT TO ADDRESS?

FOR YOUR DISTRICT.

>> COST OF LIVING IS ONE.

CRIME AND SUPPORTING SMALL BUSINESSES.

I THINK OUR STATE DID A REAL DISSERVICE   TO SMALL BUSINESSES DURING THE  COVID LOCKDOWNS AND EVERYTHING.

WHERE COSTCO COULD BE OPEN BUT THE MOM  AND POP ON THE CORNER HAD TO CLOSE.

AND SO A LOT OF THE SMALL FAMILY  BUSINESSES HAVE CLOSED DOWN.

ESPECIALLY IN THE AREAS WHERE  IT'S JUST A COMMUNITY STORE.

AND SMALL BUSINESSES IS WHERE PEOPLE CAN  EAT, CAN GROW IN THEIR ECONOMIC STABILITY.

START A BUSINESS.

BUILD A BUSINESS.

>> THAT IS HOW YOU GET YOURSELF  TO A PLACE WHERE YOU ARE STABLE.

WHERE YOU DO HAVE THE RESOURCES YOU NEED.

>>Lauren: WHAT SPECIFICALLY WOULD YOU   WANT TO DO TO HELP THOSE SMALL BUSINESSES.

>> WE REGULATE THINGS TO DEATH IN THIS STATE.

WHETHER IT'S BUILDING, OR WHY DOES IT  TAKE A YEAR PLUS TO GET A BUILDING PERMIT?

IN THE MAINLAND, LITERALLY IN SOME PLACE,  YOU WALK IN AND YOU WALK OUT WITH IT.

WHY IS IT SO HARD TO GET A BUILDING PERMIT?

IF I'M A BUSINESS OWNER, AND I WANT TO BUILD   OR REMODEL A SPACE SO THAT MY BUSINESS CAN MOVE  IN, THE TIME IS TAKES TO GET THAT PERMIT IS CRAZY.

>> THAT'S COUNTY LEVEL.

BUT THE  STATE ALSO HAS INPUT ON THAT TOO.

>>Lauren: FOR YOU, IF ELECTED WE ARE  THE TOP THREE ISSUES YOU WANT TO TACKLE.

>> I'M FINE WITH TAX CUTS.

TAX CUTS REALLY IMPORTANT.

IF THEY REALLY ARE HELPING OUR COMMUNITY.

I AM HOWEVER REALLY WIRED ABOUT THE IMPACT WORRIED   ABOUT THE IMPACT HAVING TO TRIM  OUT YEARS UP TO A BILLION OR,   NUMBER OF $1.4 BILLION OUT OF THE STATE BUDGET.

WE KNOW THAT WE ARE IMMEDIATELY FACING SET OF   REALLY DANGEROUS AND SERIOUS PROBLEMS.

PAY FOR LAHAINA.

PAY FOR FUTURE OF HAWAIIAN ELECTRIC IS.

ALL THE  CLIMATE ADAPTATIONS STILL DON'T HAVE SIDEWALKS.

I DON'T WANT TO BE IN A SITUATION WHERE WE  HAVE TO CUT 8 TO 10% OUT OF THE STATE BUDGET.

SO WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE  US DO, AS SOON AS POSSIBLE,   IS TO MAKE THE 2024 TAX CUTS REVENUE NEUTRAL.

SO BY ADDING SOME TAX MEASURES THAT WOULD NOT   AFFECT WORKING CLASS FAMILIES BUT WOULD  AFFECT THE BILLIONAIRE CLASS THAT HAS MADE   HAWAII THEIR PARADISE, ALSO THE LARGE PRIVATE  EQUITY FIRMS, TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATIONS FOR   WHOM HAWAII IS VERY LUCRATIVE INVESTMENT WE NEED  TO FIGURE OUT HOW DO WE TAP INTO THOSE THINGS.

>>Lauren: ANY OTHER.

>> THAT YOU WHO WANT TO ADDRESS AS SOON   AS IF ELECTED AS SOON AS YOU'RE ELECTED?

>> WELL, LET'S SEE.

I'M REALLY INTERESTED IN HOW DO WE  SOLVE HOUSING PROBLEM OF SORT OF THE   LOSS OF HOUSING STOCK TO EXTERNAL OWNERS.

TO FOLKS JUST SEEING HAWAII AS INVESTMENT.

AND I LIKE THE IDEA OF DEED RESTRICTIONS  TINA GRANDINETTI WAS JUST DESCRIBING.

REALLY INTERESTING CONCEPT.

ALSO THINK WE SHOULD LOOK AT   TAX INCENTIVES THAT MAKE IT CHEAPER AND BASICALLY  MAKE IT GOOD IDEA TO INCENTIVIZE LOCAL FAMILIES   SELLING THEIR PROPERTY TO OTHER LOCAL FAMILIES.

INSTEAD BEING SORT OF SEDUCE BY THE HIGHER   CASH VALUES THAT THEY CAN GET BY  SELLING IT TO EXTERNAL INVESTOR.

>>Lauren: TOPIC OF CRIME.

SAFETY IS A BIG ISSUE.

WHAT DO YOU HEAR DOOR KNOCKING  SPEAKING TO NEIGHBORS AND CONSTITUENTS?

DO THEY FEEL SAFE?

NO SURPRISE KALIHI IS NO STRANGER TO CRIME.

SHOOTING.

LEGAL GAME ROOM ISSUES.

WHAT DO YOU THINK THE STATE LEGISLATURE  CAN DO TO TACKLE THAT ISSUE?

>> DO YOU WANT TO TAKE IT?

>> START.

>> IN TERMS FORMAL ROLE OF LEGISLATURE, ITSELF  AND LEGISLATOR, THERE'S THERE ISN'T A WHOLE LOT.

IN OUR COMMUNITY PRETTY SMALL  COMMUNITY, THERE VERY TIGHTLY KNIT AREA.

AND WHAT I HEAR FROM PEOPLE GOING DOOR  KNOCKING IS THAT THERE'S BEEN SEVERAL   SHOOTINGS AT KALIHI VALLEY HOMES.

THERE HAS BEEN HOME INVASIONS.

AND SEVERAL OF THESE LIKE REALLY  HORRENDOUS THING HAPPENED.

PEOPLE HAVE CALLED COPS AND COPS HAVE NOT  ESSENTIALLY HAVE NOT COME THROUGH AND NOT   BEING ABLE TO MAKE THE KIND OF SUBSTANTIVE  CHANGES THAT MAKES PEOPLE FEEL SAFE.

AND SO I THINK PART OF IT IS SIMPLY WORKING  WITH THE POLICE TO CHANGE THE WAY THAT THEY   ARE CONDUCTING BUSINESS WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY.

WORK WITH THEM TO BECOME MORE RESPONSIVE.

ANOTHER IDEA THAT DESIREE WAS TALKING  ABOUT ON PREVIOUS EDITIOIN OF THIS SHOW,   WAS TEAMING HPD PROFESSIONALS WITH  SOCIAL WORKERS AND MENTAL HEALTH   PROFESSIONALS SO THAT THE INITIAL APPROACH  IS A LITTLE BIT MORE HOLISTIC AND LONGTERM.

ONGOING ENGAGEMENT WITH THE PARTICULAR PROBLEM.

>> THAT EXISTS BOTH IN THE STATE AND COUNTY CORE   PROGRAM AND STATE HAS THAT PROGRAM.

NOBODY KNOWS ABOUT IT.

IT'S IN STATUTES IT'S THERE.

THAT THERE IS THE SAME IDEA   OF THE CORE PROGRAM WHERE YOU HAVE LAW  ENFORCEMENT WITH WRAPAROUND SERVICES.

BUT NOBODY KNOWS ABOUT IT AND THE STATE SIDE IS  NOT DOING AS MUCH AS HONOLULU COUNTY SIDE IS.

I ALSO THINK THAT'S ON THE LEGISLATIVE  SIDE THE JUDICIAL SIDE NEEDS TO STEP UP.

MULTIPLE OFFENSES AND YOU'RE  RIGHT BACK ON THE STREET.

DOES NOT GIVE PEOPLE A  FEELING OF SAFETY OR COMFORT.

I KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO  DON'T GO OUT LIKE THEY USED TO.

ESPECIALLY THE KUPUNA.

FOR ME, THE EXAMPLE THAT WAS, PROVERBIAL LAST   STRAW WAS WHEN 70‑YEAR‑OLD GRANDMA GOT MUGGED GOING TO THE DENTIST AT 10:00 IN THE   AFTERNOON CORNER OF LILIHA AND SCHOOL.

ONE OF THE BUSIEST STREETS AND SHE WAS   JUST GETTING OUT OF THE CAR.

GOING TO HER DENTIST.

AND SHE GOT MUGGED.

THAT SHOULD NOT HAPPEN.

THERE'S DESPERATE PEOPLE AND WE DO HAVE  A LOT OF THE PEOPLE WHO ARE HOUSELESS   WHO ARE COMING UP FROM DOWNTOWN, THAT  AREA, AND LIVING UNDER THE BRIDGES.

>> LIVING UNDER THE AROUND THE FREEWAY.

THAT ARE BEGINNING TO MIGRATE   INTO THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

BECAUSE ISSUE, PROBLEM IS BAD.

HOMELESSNESS IS BAD IN OUR STATE.

AND BECAUSE OF ECONOMY.

BECAUSE OF MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES,  BECAUSE OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE.

ALL THOSE THINGS PLAY TOGETHER JUST BRINGS PEOPLE  KIND OF LEERY, KIND OF SCARED DO I DON'T WANT GO,   I DON'T GO OUT AT NIGHT.

I WON'T WALK THERE.

THEY DON'T WANT TO BE EXPOSED  BECAUSE THEY'VE SEEN THINGS HAPPEN.

>>Lauren: IT'S ALL CONNECT.

I DO REMEMBER THAT HORRIBLE   CASE WHEN IT HIT THE NEWS.

THAT WAS PRETTY HORRIFIC.

YOU WANTED TO ADD TO THAT.

>> YEAH.

WE TALK ABOUT EVERY MONTH AT  OUR NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD MEETINGS.

PROBABLY DO AS WELL IN THE  OTHER NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD.

TO ME, A LOT OF COMES DOWN  TO RESOURCES AND POLICY.

JOB OF THE LEGISLATURE.

A LOT OF REASON WHY WE HAVE OUR   MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS IN OUR STATE IS BECAUSE OF  THE DEINSTITUTIONALIZATION HAPPENED DURING REAGAN.

REPUBLICAN PARTY CUT RESOURCES ALL ACROSS  THE COUNTRY INCLUDING HERE IN HAWAII.

LED TO THIS PROCESS SIMPLY AREN'T THE RESOURCES  TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEMS IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS.

ALSO STATE INEFFICIENCIES.

BUILD A NEW HOSPITAL.

IT'S STILL NOT FULLY FUNCTIONING.

8 YEARS LATER.

OKAY.

THERE IS A PROBLEM THERE,   IS ANYBODY ADDRESSING IT?

>> THAT'S A STATE PROBLEM.

>>Lauren: YOU BROUGHT UP TOPIC KIND  OF ALL RELATED, EVERYTHING WE'RE   TALKING ABOUT WINDS BACK TO TOGETHER.

YOU BROUGHT UP TOPIC OF HOMELESSNESS.

WHAT WOULD THE TWO OF YOU TRY TO ALLEVIATE ISSUE?

>> HOMELESS ENCAMPMENTS IN YOUR DISTRICT.

>> CORE PROGRAM A IS GOOD STEP IN THE RIGHT  DIRECTION WORK AT THE LEGISLATURE CAN'T TELL   YOU JUST ABOUT EVERY MORNING DRIVING IN, HAD  NO PLACE TO GO, TAKEN TO QUEEN'S EMERGENCY,   GIVING SOME KIND OF TREATMENT, AND WERE SITTING  UNDER THE TREE SLEEPING IN THEIR HOSPITAL GOWN   WITH MAYBE SOMETHING IN THEIR HAND, MAYBE A  TOWEL OR SOMETHING THAT WAS GIVEN TO THEM.

AND THEN JUST BASICALLY THROWN OUT OF  RELEASED FROM THE HOSPITAL WITH NOWHERE TO GO.

SO THERE IS OBVIOUSLY A NEED.

I HAVE A FRIEND WHO FATHER   WAS MENTALLY ILL LIVE ON THE STREET.

WHOLE FAMILY TRIED TO GET HIM SOME HELP.

BUT BECAUSE HE SAID NO, I DON'T WANT  ANY, INSTEAD OF LIVED ON THE STREETS.

NOTHING THEY DO, BECAUSE HE DIDN'T POSE  A DANGER, THEY COULDN'T HELP HIM AND   COULDN'T GET ANYONE TO LEGALLY GET HIM HELP.

SO THOSE ARE THINGS THAT THE LEGISLATURE   CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

THOSE ARE LAWS THAT WE PASS.

AND ALSO, SOMETHING THAT I'VE NOTICED  AROUND THE CAPITAL IS THAT MANY OF THE   FOLKS FOR MAYBE THE LAST FOUR OR  FIVE YEARS ARE NOT LOCAL FOLKS.

THEY'RE FOLKS FROM MAINLAND.

THAT HAVE COME HERE AND EITHER   THEY CAME HERE TO DO SOMETHING AND IT DIDN'T  WORK OUT, OR COST OF LIVING WAS MORE THAN THEY   EXPECTED, AND THEN END UP ON THE STREETS.

>> SURPRISE WATCHING THAT SHIFT LAST 15   YEARS ALMOST ALL LOCAL FOLK TO NONE.

>>Lauren: I WANT TO GIVE YOU A CHANCE   TO GIVE YOUR TAKE ON THE ISSUE OF HOMELESSNESS.

>> FEW MONTHS AGO, WHEN I FRIENDS VISITING FROM   LAHAINA, WE GOT TOGETHER, ALA MOANA HOTEL  TO TALK STORY ABOUT KIND OF EXPERIENCE OF   GOING THROUGH THE LAHAINA CRISIS.

AND THAT NIGHT, I WALKED HOME FROM   ALA MOANA HOTEL TO KALIHI VALLEY.

WOULDN'T RECOMMEND IT FOR EVERYBODY.

WHAT I SAW THAT NIGHT SCARED HECK OUT OF ME.

REALLY BOTHERED ME BECAUSE WHAT I SAW WAS   COUPLE OF DOZEN HOUSELESS FOLKS  PRIMARILY ELDER OLDER WOMEN.

LOCAL WOMEN.

THAT REALLY CONCERNS ME REALLY.

STATE OF OUR HAWAII RIGHT NOW IS  NOT TAKING CARE OF OUR PEOPLE.

HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEND A LITTLE BIT OF TIME  WITH TWINKLE BORGES WHO RECENTLY PASSED AWAY.

I THINK PUUHONUA O WAIANAE, THEIR  ENTIRE PHILOSOPHY IS REALLY INSTRUCTIVE.

APPROACH THAT CENTERS THE SELF‑DETERMINATION  OF THE HOUSELESS INDIVIDUALS AND IT ALSO   DOES IT BY WITH THE GOAL OF PROVIDING PERMANENT  HOUSING, NOT TRANSITIONAL HOUSING, NOT KAUHALE.

AND I THINK KAUHALE THING IS FINE FOR WHAT IT  DOES, BUT WE NEED TO FIGURE OUT WHAT DO PEOPLE   DO WHEN THEY'VE DONE LIVING IN THE KAUHALE?

DONE WHATEVER TRANSITIONAL HOUSING   IS BEING BUILT AND CONSTRUCTED.

WE NEED OUR COMMUNITIES PERMANENT HOUSING.

I READ A STUDY THAT SAID THAT ONLY  10% OF THE HOUSELESS INDIVIDUALS   ARE ACTUALLY FOLKS FROM OTHER PLACES.

VAST MAJORITY ARE LOCAL FAMILIES WITH KIDS,   WITH JOBS, WHO SIMPLY CAN'T AFFORD TO LIVE HERE.

>> AND LAYERED ON TOP OF THAT IS THE CUTTING   MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMS, AND THE LACK OF  FUNDING FOR THE DIRECT BEHAVIORAL AND MENTAL   HEALTH AND DRUG REHAB WORK THAT WE NEED.

>>Lauren: ONE OF THE GOOD THINGS ABOUT   WHAT TWINKLE DID, THERE WERE RULES.

YOU HAVE YOUR RESPONSIBILITY AND  RULES TO LIVE THERE IN THAT COMMUNITY.

YOU ARE PART OF THE COMMUNITY AND  GIVING PEOPLE THAT SENSE OF BELONGING,   BUT ALSO SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY.

>> AND THAT IS WHAT HELPS PEOPLE COME   TO A POINT WHERE, OKAY, I HAVE TO DO THIS NOT JUST  FOR ME, NOT JUST FOR MY KIDS, BUT BECAUSE WE ARE   A COMMUNITY AND WE KIND OF LOST THAT.

CERTAINLY, I DON'T SEE THAT IN A LOT   OF THE STATE PROGRAMS.

THEY TEND TO BE THAT   COMMUNITY‑BASED CENTER IS MISSING.

>>Lauren: OBVIOUSLY TWO OF YOU VERY   PASSIONATE ABOUT YOUR COMMUNITY  AND ISSUES FACING YOUR COMMUNITY.

IF ELECTED, BOTH OF YOU WOULD  BE FRESHMEN IN THE LEGISLATURE.

WHAT DO YOU PLAN DO IT MAKE SURE YOUR VOICE   IS HEARD AND PROPOSALS GET SEEN?

>> I MEAN, LEGISLATURE IS NOT A   PLACE FOR SOLO EFFORT.

IT IS A TEAM SPORT.

REQUIRES COORDINATION AND COLLEGIALITY  AND SENSE THAT WE HAVE A COMMON GOAL.

SO WHAT I'VE BEEN DOING, JUST MEETING  WITH AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE.

I DON'T KNOW A LOT OF THOSE FOLKS.

JUST GOING AND TALKING STORY DEVELOPING   PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS IMPORTANT ME.

>> I DO KNOW MOST OF THEM.

NOT BRAND NEW ONES MOST OF THEM.

SINCE WORKING THERE 2011 FIRST SESSION.

IT IS BUILDING THAT RELATIONSHIP.

IT IS STARTING TO TALK TO PEOPLE.

BUT IT'S ALSO FINDING COMMON GROUND.

SO EVERYBODY CAN SAY, YES,   HOMELESSNESS IS AN ISSUE.

PEOPLE MIGHT HAVE DIFFERENT REASONS,   DIFFERENT WAYS TO APPROACH THAT ISSUE.

BUT IF YOU CAN DECIDE BOTH,   WE ALL AGREE THIS IS ISSUE.

WE NEED TO GET PEOPLE ON THE   STREETS MENTAL HEALTH.

SERVICES.

>>Lauren: BASED ON THE TWO OF YOU YOUR RESUMES,  OWN PERSONAL LIFE EXPERIENCES, WHY SHOULD YOUR   RESIDENTS VOTE FOR YOU?

>> EXPERIENCE.

I'VE BEEN THERE, DONE THAT.

WRITTEN LEGISLATION.

>> READ THE LEGISLATION.

>> WALKED THROUGH IT ALL.

MANY, MANY TIMES.

FAMILIAR WITH MY COMMUNITY.

I SERVE IN MY COMMUNITY,  HAVE SERVED IN MY COMMUNITY.

>> I WOULD SAY EXPERIENCE AS WELL.

BUT THING THAT I FEEL THAT I BRING IS   THAT I HAVE A LOT OF OTHER EXPERIENCE.

I WORKED WITH THE LEGISLATURE.

STATE BUDGET.

MEMBER OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.

I'M SORRY.

ANALYST FOR THE FINANCE   COMMITTEE WORKED ON EDUCATION POLICY.

AS CLERK OF THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE.

I UNDERSTAND THE CAPITOL, RUN BUSINESSES, SIT ON A  OF NUMBER OF NONPROFIT BOARDS AN COMMUNITY BOARDS.

I UNDERSTAND WHAT IT MEANS TO ACTUALLY BE  IN CHARGE OF BUDGETS AND TO BE FIDUCIARY   RESPONSIBLE FOR OTHER PEOPLE'S MONEY.

AND TO ME, THAT'S REALLY THAT'S THE JOB.

MOST IMPORTANT BILL WE'RE GOING TO PASS  IN ANY LEGISLATIVE SESSION IS BUDGET.

AND IF WE CAN'T GETS OUR  MINDS AROUND THAT PARTICULAR   PIECE OF $19 BILLION, THEN WELL, ANY WAY.

THAT IS THE MAIN THING WE NEED TO THINK ABOUT.

>>Lauren: BEFORE WE GO, WANT TO  GET TO ONE OFF VIEWERS FROM KALIHI.

STAN.

ASKING, RAIL IS A CITY PROJECT.

BUT THE CONSTRUCTION CONTINUES  TO AFFECT KALIHI BUSINESSES.

ANYTHING THAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP THEM?

CHIME IN.

>> YEAH, THERE HAS BEEN VERY LITTLE  STATE OVERSIGHT EVEN THOUGH STATE   MONIES ARE NOW GOING TOWARDS THE RAIL.

I THINK THERE IS A PLACE FOR STATE TO STEP   IN AND SAY, IT'S A CITY PROJECT.

BUT YOU'RE IMPACTING OUR STATE.

YOU'RE TAKING OUR TAX DOLLARS.

YOU NEED TO BE MORE ACCOUNTABLE.

WE DON'T IN GENERAL, STATE DOESN'T HOLD PEOPLE  ACCOUNTABLE FOR MONEY THAT IS GIVEN TO THEM.

>> MY SENSE IS THAT A LOT  OF GOING SETTLED IN COURTS.

LITIGATION TO ADDRESS ALL OF  THE COMPANIES IN LOWER KALIHI   THAT HAVE BEEN HURT MATERIALLY BY RAIL.

>>Lauren: BEFORE WE GO, HAVE A FEW MINUTES.

I WANT TO END ON A LIGHT NOTE.

WANT VIEWERS TO GET TO KNOW   THE TWO OF YOU ON PERSONAL LEVEL.

CAN YOU SHARE A LITTLE BIT MAYBE OF SOME OF   YOUR FAVORITE LOCAL BUSINESSES IN YOUR DISTRICT?

MAYBE RESTAURANT THAT YOU LIKE TO FREQUENT.

NOT HARDHITTING POLITICAL QUESTION, BUT WE  WANT TO, SINCE WE TALK ABOUT SMALL BUSINESSES.

>> SO MITSUBAFAV HAS BEEN FOREVER.

SWEET POTATO CRUMBLES, THE BEST.

ANY TIME I NEED TO GO SOMEWHERE AND IMPRESS  PEOPLE, BRING SWEET POTATO CRUMBLES.

WOW, THIS IS GREAT.

OTHER SIDE, GULICK.

I WORK EARLY, I OFTEN BRING GULICK DELICATESSEN  FOOD FOR MY COWORKERS WHEN THEY COME IN AND IT'S   BEEN HARD, I'M TIRED.

FOOD!

>>Lauren: DO YOU HAVE A GO‑TO ORDER?

>> THE ONE IN MY CURRENT OFFICE EVERYBODY   LOVES IS THE TEMPURA SHRIMP MUSUBI.

>>Lauren: SOUNDS GOOD.

>> WHAT ABOUT FOR YOU?

LOCAL BUSINESSES.

>> I SPEND A LOT OF TIME A MCDONALD'S IN  KALIHI VALLEY THAT'S WHERE OUR PEOPLE ARE.

PEOPLE HANG OUT AT MCDONALD'S.

GO TO CAMPBELL.

THAT'S WHERE OUR FOLKS HANG OUT.

>>Lauren: SINCE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT ELECTION.

JUST BEFORE WE GO, VOTER TURNOUT  HAS BEEN A HOT TOPIC IN HAWAII.

WHAT WOULD YOU WANT TO SAY TO VOTERS,  YOUNGER GENERATION, TO SUBMIT THEIR BALLOTS?

>> YOUR VOTE MATTERS.

WANT YOUNGER GENERATION TO TAKE OVER.

FRANKLY, ONLY THAT GENERATION, MY SON  JUST TURNED 18, HIS GENERATION IS THE   GENERATION THAT IS GOING TO BE DEALING WITH THE  FUTURE, A FUTURE WE'RE ALL LEAVING FOR THEM.

ABSOLUTELY WANT THEM TO VOTE AND  TO BE AS LOUD A VOICE AS POSSIBLE.

ONLY WAY THAT WE'RE GOING TO  CHANGE THE POLITICAL CONVERSATION.

>>Lauren: TURN THE NARRATIVE SO IT'S  NO LONGER LOW VOTER TURNOUT STORIES.

HOPEFULLY, HIGH VOTER TURNOUTS.

>>LAUREN: THANK YOU BOTH FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

MAHALO TO YOU FOR JOINING US TONIGHT, AND WE THANK OUR  GUESTS, THE CANDIDATES FOR STATE HOUSE DISTRICT 29  REPUBLICAN CAROLE KAAPU AND DEMOCRAT IKAIKA HUSSEY.

NEXT WEEK ON INSIGHTS, WE’RE FOCUSING ON THE HAWAII COUNTY  COUNCIL.

HEAR FROM THE CANDIDATES FOR  DISTRICT 5 WHICH COVERS PUNA AND PORTIONS OF KEAAU AND  DISTRICT 9 WHICH REPRESENTS KOHALA AND PORTIONS OF WAIMEA.

PLEASE JOIN US THEN.

I’M LAUREN DAY FOR INSIGHTS ON  PBS HAWAII.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.