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 Lei Ahu Isa, Republican 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.

Her opponents are Wallyn Kanoelani Christian, James Logue, 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?

Being a former representative for these districts, I understand the issues facing these now-seniors still living here. Although it’s been 20 years, the issues are still the same … or maybe worse with so many homeless people in Chinatown! (It was) never was like this in the early 2000’s! Because of the relationships I’ve built over the years, I feel i am in a better position to do something about them.

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?

Homelessness and public housing (not moving fast enough to renovate). School disrepair, speeding cars going through red lights trying to scare/hit our seniors crossing the street. What have these young politicians done to help?

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

Get rid of the Jones Act.

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?

Repealing the Citizens United law! (We) should have public-funded campaigns. I signed the pledge to not take corporate dollars. All grassroots.

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?

Force the House speaker or Senate president to take on the case and create an independent investigation.

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’m from an aging district (that includes) Lanakila Multipurpose Senior Center, Chinatown and Meals on Wheels. We must prepare our kūpuna for emergencies.

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?

The huge rainy day fund we created with Rep. Romy Cachola’s hurricane fund should be used. Lots of special funds with lots of dollars.

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?

A 200-bill limit per representative or senator.

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, but it’s most always left blank for discussion purposes. I’ve chaired many committees so understand the process.

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, there should be term limits.

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

(We should) go back to an elected school board. It was a big mistake to move to an appointed board beholden to the Governor.

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

I work in the hospitality Industry which provides thousands of jobs and helps small businesses as well as our Hawaiian culture. Like it or not, it is the only major contributor to our economy! And yet the government keeps making laws to tax tourists so to keep them away. Forcing them to go to other places/countries, while our local small businesses close. So sad. Tax credits for film (production) and IT, AI all good.

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?

Higher Wages!! Who can afford to live here? My kids live on the mainland in Las Vegas, Phoenix and Seattle.