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 James Logue, Democratic candidate for State Senate District 13, a diverse Honolulu district that extends mauka of Chinatown through Liliha and Nuʻuanu including Pacific Heights, Pauoa, Punchbowl, Pālama, and Iwilei.

His opponents are Lei Ahu Isa, Wallyn Kanoelani Christian, Tricia Kwai Lin Nakamatsu, Jordan Nakamura and Lynn Vasquez.

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’m a combat veteran, former military police officer, former state special investigator and current deputy director of the Hawaii Youth Challenge Academy. My career has been about service, accountability and protecting communities. I’m running to fight corruption, stop new taxes and fees, and help create a Hawaiʻi that is affordable, safe and preserves the beauty and quality of life for my son, future generations and local families.

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 biggest issue is affordability. Families are being priced out of Hawaiʻi by rising housing costs, taxes, fees and everyday expenses. In my first six months, I would focus on stopping new taxes and fees, increasing government accountability, reviewing wasteful spending and supporting policies that improve public safety and affordability for working families, seniors and residents on fixed incomes.

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

No. Hawaiʻi residents already pay some of the highest costs in the nation. Any monopoly that increases the cost of food, goods and construction materials deserves review. We should encourage competition, transparency and solutions that lower costs for local families while maintaining reliable service between the islands.

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?

The most important issues involved affordability, housing, disaster preparedness and government accountability. What should have passed were stronger anti-corruption laws, fiscal transparency requirements and protections against new taxes and fees. What I wish had failed were measures that increased costs on working families without first addressing government waste and overspending.

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?

The Legislature must rebuild trust through transparency and accountability. Hawaiʻi residents are tired of corruption scandals and insider politics. I support stronger ethics laws, tougher penalties for corruption, more public disclosure, and independent oversight. Public office should be about serving the people, not protecting political insiders.

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?

I would support better emergency planning, improved drainage and flood mitigation, wildfire prevention, stronger infrastructure and better coordination between state and county agencies. As a combat veteran and leader, I understand the importance of preparation and readiness before disaster strikes.

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?

We must protect Hawaii’s environment and natural beauty for future generations through practical solutions like resilient infrastructure, wildfire prevention, shoreline protection and sustainable development. But I do not support endless tax and fee increases on residents. Government must prioritize responsible spending and accountability while protecting both our environment and working families.

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?

Yes. Thousands of bills are introduced each session, making it difficult for lawmakers and the public to properly review them. Fewer, better-vetted bills would improve transparency, accountability and meaningful public discussion instead of rushed decision-making during the final days of session.

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?

Absolutely. Hawaiʻi taxpayers deserve to know the real cost of legislation before it becomes law. Lawmakers should not vote on bills without understanding how they impact the budget, taxpayers, and future obligations. Responsible government starts with honest financial transparency.

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. I believe fresh perspectives and competitive elections are healthy for government. Public service should not become a permanent political career. Term limits can help reduce entrenched political power and encourage greater accountability to the people.

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

We need stronger classroom support, workforce training, school safety and accountability in education spending. At the Hawaii Youth Challenge Academy, I’ve seen how mentorship, discipline and high expectations can change lives. We should expand career and technical education while ensuring students have safe learning environments and opportunities for success.

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

We need to grow industries beyond tourism, including film and television, technology, agriculture, healthcare, clean energy and skilled trades. I’ve worked in Hawaiʻi’s film industry and seen how it creates jobs and supports local businesses. A stronger economy means more opportunities for families to stay and succeed in Hawaiʻi.

An estimated 60% of Hawaii 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?

First, I would oppose new taxes and fees that make life more expensive. Second, I would fight corruption, waste, fraud, and abuse to ensure taxpayer dollars are spent responsibly. Third, I would support affordable housing, public safety, workforce development, and economic growth that helps local families build a stable future in Hawaiʻi.