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 Amy Perruso, Democratic candidate for State House District 46 covering the communities of Wahiawā, Whitmore Village and Launani Valley. 

Her opponents are Republican candidates Daniel Gabriel and Rocklin Youngstrom.

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?

For three decades, I have been deepening my commitment to public service through teaching, community advocacy and legislative leadership. As a National Board Certified public school teacher for 20 years, I saw firsthand how public policy affects families. I ran for office because I believe government should work for working people. I hope to bring a teacher’s approach to governing, as I try to listen carefully, study the facts and solve problems with the community.

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

The greatest challenge facing District 46 is the rising cost of living. Families are struggling to afford housing, food, childcare and utilities, while economic growth has not been shared broadly enough. I support a fairer, more sustainable tax system that allows us to expand affordable housing, strengthen food security and invest in community resilience so local families can continue to live, work and thrive in the communities they helped build.

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

Because Hawaiʻi depends almost entirely on ocean freight, shipping is critical infrastructure, and our reliance on a single dominant carrier creates serious economic and supply-chain vulnerabilities. We need a system that prioritizes affordability, reliability and resilience. If private operators cannot meet those public needs, I would support exploring public ownership or state control to ensure Hawaiʻi’s long-term economic security.

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?

Automatic voter registration, public financing of elections, ending corporate money in politics and creation of the millionaire’s tax together lay an important foundation for democracy. Lost opportunities include our failure to pass conveyance tax reform, limitations on the ability of the uber-wealthy to hoard money in trusts and taxation of Real Estate Investment Trusts. I also opposed SB 3125 because it weakened incentives for renewable energy when we should be accelerating the transition to clean energy.

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?

Rebuilding trust requires structural reform. Hawaiʻi should close the loophole that allows lawmakers to vote on measures benefiting organizations that employ them or from which they receive substantial income. We should strengthen conflict-of-interest laws, expand financial disclosure requirements, empower independent oversight agencies and improve public access to records.

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?

After the recent floods, I worked with residents to map drainage problems, organize neighborhood recovery sites and strengthen emergency communications. Through our Hawaiʻi Hazards Awareness and Resilience Program efforts in Wahiawā, we’re building a neighborhood-by-neighborhood resilience network with volunteer coordinators, a pilot phone tree and community radio capacity. We need to invest in stronger infrastructure and stronger community connections so residents are prepared before the next disaster arrives.

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?

Climate change is already here, so I advocate for much more public investment in flood control, watershed restoration, resilient infrastructure and renewable energy to reduce risk and lower long-term costs. The most affordable approach is prevention through public investment. We should also invest heavily in hardening existing Department of Education infrastructure to provide hurricane shelter and in programs like HHARP that strengthen community preparedness.

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?

I do not believe the number of bills is the primary problem. The larger challenge is that our legislative session is compressed into a relatively short period of time, requiring lawmakers, stakeholders, and the public to evaluate hundreds of complex proposals simultaneously. That time pressure can limit meaningful review and contribute to last-minute decision-making in cases where we really need more time for public engagement, careful analysis and thoughtful policymaking.

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 should require fiscal analysis for all bills involving revenue or appropriations. Our current situation makes it difficult for lawmakers and the public to understand the likely costs and benefits of major legislation. This session, the House Finance Committee began piloting fiscal notes on selected measures, an important step toward greater transparency and accountability, and I am convinced that better fiscal information will lead to better policymaking and more informed public debate.

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?

I support a 16-year lifetime limit in the Legislature. Lawmakers need time to develop expertise, understand complex issues and effectively serve their communities. At the same time, public office should not become a permanent position. A 16-year limit strikes a reasonable balance between preserving institutional knowledge and ensuring regular opportunities for new leadership and fresh perspectives.

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

As a civics teacher, I believe public schools should prepare students for both economic opportunity and democratic participation. That means fully funding our schools, paying educators like professionals, expanding student support services, and creating meaningful opportunities for student voice, civic engagement and community-based learning. We should also replace punitive approaches to student discipline with practices that keep young people engaged, supported and connected to school.

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

We should build a more circular and resilient economy by investing in local agriculture, renewable energy, recycling and reuse industries, value-added manufacturing and care-based enterprises. From farm-to-state food systems to energy independence through solar and storage, we can strengthen economic sovereignty, create good jobs, reduce dependence on imports and keep more wealth circulating in our communities.

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 situation requires more than lowering costs — it requires rebuilding economic and social systems that put people first. We need affordable housing, childcare, healthcare and good jobs, but also stronger, more empowered communities, greater worker voice and policies that allow people to share more fully in the prosperity they help create. Our goal should be a Hawaiʻi where everyone has both economic security and a meaningful stake in our collective future.