Civil Beat has asked candidates for the Hawaiʻi General Election on Nov. 3 to answer a survey about where they stand on various issues and what their priorities will be if elected.

The following comes from Chris Muraoka, Republican candidate for State House District 45, which covers the communities of Waiʻanae and Mākaha. His opponent is Democratic candidate Kalehua Kaʻōpua.

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

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

I am best suited for this job because I have proven I can get it done. I have the ability to create the relationships that resolve issues. I am a proven leader and productive community member. Long before I became the Rep. I was in the community doing the work.

What is the biggest issue facing your district, and what is the first thing you would do to address it in the first six months after being elected?

This is a foolish question. Nothing can be done in Hawaiʻi in six months. However, when I win my re-election, I will continue my focus on community safety, homelessness and rehabilitating the facilities we have in the community that will help that issue. I will also continue to have conversations with the community to learn our most pressing needs.

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

No. I don’t support any type of monopoly.

What do you think were the most important bills to come out of the 2026 Legislature? What failed that should have passed? What passed that you wish had failed?

Green fees passed, I think that should have failed. The CDL bill passed, which will directly help with the shortage of drivers we have in so many industries.

The 2026 session was also overshadowed by an issue of public trust: $35,000 in the brown paper bag given to an “influential” state lawmaker. What do you think the Legislature needs to do going forward to rebuild public confidence in state government?

Transparency. Sunshine Law. Fiscal Notes, Audits of House and Senate and all members, audit of nonprofits. Audits of all non-bid contractors in business with the state. Audit of any contractor in business under an emergency proclamation.

In recent years, Hawai’i has experienced a series of damaging and dangerous weather events that have exposed weaknesses in our planning, preparation and response. What could you as a lawmaker do to help your district be better prepared?

We are already working on this plan. We need to be a community strong and resilient. We can’t depend on the city or state, because it has been proven that when the entire state is hit with an emergency, Waiʻanae Coast isn’t a priority.

What would you do in office to address the here and now of climate change? And how would you address the costs to taxpayers, property owners and businesses to adapt?

I’m not a huge believer in climate change. I do acknowledge that some things are changing, but to blame it on “climate change” is not something I agree with. Native Hawaiian people recognized long ago that there were shifts and changes to weather patterns and tides. They chose to learn when to plant and when to harvest.

Over 3,000 bills are introduced every session and there is always frantic horsetrading in the final days of session. Do you think there should be a limit on the number of bills introduced to enable more meaningful debate?

No. I think maybe the legislative session should be full-time year-round. Then we could actually take time and look deeper into the bills introduced. Also, we need to remove names of introducers and pass the bills on their merits and not the introducerʻs popularity or position.

Hawaiʻi lawmakers are often in the dark about how much a piece of legislation will cost because the Aloha State is the only one in the nation that doesn’t require a fiscal analysis for bills. Should lawmakers be forced to put a realistic price tag on the legislation they introduce?

Yes. We need fiscal notes on all bills.

There are no term limits for state legislators in Hawaiʻi, so incumbents tend to win. Would you seek to change that? Why or why not?

Yes. The most important person in the free world only has eight years. So do the governor of Hawaiʻi and the mayors. It would only make sense that the House and Senate do the same. Fresh ideas, fresh opinions and less corruption.

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

Make the leadership an elected board. Also, let the CAS do their jobs and take their input. They can also be broken out by counties and areas. We need to identify our unique areas and build upon those. Stop using mainland scales and systems.

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

Remove restrictions that would help small businesses and startups build. It feels like in order to start a business in Hawaiʻi, you must start out rich.

An estimated 60% of Hawaiʻi residents are struggling to get by. It’s a problem that reaches far beyond low-income folks and into the middle class, which is disappearing. What would you do to help?

This question is not simple to answer. But I can say that without good, honest leadership and transparency we will never be able to address this.