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 Jill Tokuda, Democratic candidate for U.S. House 2nd District, which covers part of Oahu and all the neighbor islands.

Her opponents are Brenton Awa, Kirill Basin, Edward Codelia, Greg Guithues, Steven King and Terry Randall.

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

At this specific moment in American history — marked by intense divisions and the politics of grievance — why are you the right person to represent the specific needs of Hawaiʻi’s 2nd Congressional District?

I am a fighter who knows how to work across the aisle to get things done for Hawai’i. Even in a divided Congress, I’ve built bipartisan relationships that have helped deliver for our communities. At the same time, I do not lose sight of the values that guide my work and I never back down when something is not right. From demanding the military do better for our communities to fighting against cuts to healthcare and feeding programs, I do not stay silent when Hawai‘i’s people are on the line.

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

With inflation higher than it has been in years, making life affordable and lowering costs has to be at the top of the agenda. We have to remove tariffs on our allies which have driven up the cost of food and goods, and made it difficult for businesses to survive. We have to suspend the federal gas tax to give people relief at the pump. We have to reverse the $1.5 trillion in cuts to Medicaid and Medicare that will result in rural hospitals closing and people losing access to healthcare.

Here’s one question from your constituents: Will you stand up against the bullying corruption of the Trump admin?

I have consistently stood up against the corruption and abuses inflicted by the Trump administration, and will continue to fight tooth and nail to protect Hawai’i and our nation from the harmful policies of a second Trump administration. Those in power must be held accountable whenever they put themselves and special interests ahead of the American people. We need elected leaders who will stand up to bullies, lower costs, protect our rights and freedoms, and ensure that every family can thrive.

For those who have held public office: What is one piece of legislation or policy initiative you spearheaded in the last four years that had a measurable, positive impact on Hawaiʻi? For challengers who have not held public office: What professional or community achievement best demonstrates your ability to navigate complex bureaucracies and deliver results?

After the Maui fires, I worked with a bipartisan coalition in the House to give tax relief to victims of the fires and other disasters. In 2024, we passed legislation to exempt wildfire disaster relief payments from taxes. This legislation included my language to make it easier for Maui fire survivors to deduct fire-related losses. We passed our bipartisan tax relief bill again this year in the House. Allowing survivors to keep more of their own money is one way to lessen the burden of recovery.

With the Trump administration in its final two years, how specifically do you plan to ensure Hawaiʻi’s interests aren’t sidelined? Name one specific policy area where you believe you can find common ground with the administration or across the aisle to benefit Hawaiʻi residents.

I have built strong working relationships with my Republican colleagues on our shared priorities like wildfire disaster relief and recovery, agriculture, rural health, workforce development and more. We may not agree on every issue or policy but whenever possible, I make sure to seek out colleagues who also prioritize serving their constituents and communities. I will never let partisanship get in the way of delivering real help or real results for Hawaiʻi.

Hawaiʻi consistently ranks as one of the most expensive housing markets in the U.S. Beyond general support for HUD, what federal program or legislative mechanism would you propose to specifically address affordability and increase housing inventory on the islands?

There is no one program or bill that will be the solution to Hawaiʻi’s housing challenges. My multi-prong strategy includes pushing the military to invest in base housing so servicemembers do not take up limited units in our local market, I’ve obtained federal funding for housing projects that support affordable housing developments statewide, and I’m taking on corporate investors who buy up housing and drive up costs. We must increase our housing inventory while protecting the homes we have.

The Jones Act is a century-old cargo shipping law that some argue has a significant impact on Hawaiʻi’s cost of living. Do you support a full repeal, a specific exemption for Hawaiʻi or maintaining the status quo? How will you build a national coalition to change it? If you support maintaining the status quo, please explain why that’s necessary.

I strongly support the Jones Act because it protects Hawaiʻi’s supply chain, creates good local jobs, and national security. As the most geographically isolated population in the world, we must depend on reliable shipping for food, fuel and the essential goods that sustain our people. The Jones Act ensures that this shipping lifeline remains under American control, even and especially in times of crisis or conflict. We saw this during COVID, with uninterrupted service while the world shut down.

National conservative groups have launched legal challenges against Kamehameha Schools’ admissions policy and a federal program that provides Native Hawaiian health scholarships. Are you concerned about protecting those institutions and programs and, if so, what federal legislative action will you take?

Institutions and programs that have supported Native Hawaiians for generations are being targeted for elimination. We must hold the line. At the federal level it is a trust responsibility that must be upheld and reinforced through continued appropriations and the inclusion of Native Hawaiians in any legislation supporting indigenous peoples. Defending this relationship honors our promises, fulfills our responsibility rooted in history, and creates opportunity for the next generation.

Climate change and ever more powerful disasters are facts of life in Hawaiʻi. How would you plan to address that issue in Washington on behalf of the state?

Climate change is already threatening Hawaiʻi through stronger storms, coastal erosion, flooding, drought, wildfires and rising costs. In Washington, D.C., I will continue fighting for federal investments that protect our communities, modernize our electric grid, expand renewable energy and upgrade water systems. This includes partnering with the military on energy and resilience projects that benefit our bases and communities. Hawaiʻi must lead with urgency and innovation before the next disaster strikes.

Hawaiʻi aims for 100% renewable energy by 2045. Do you support Gov. Josh Green’s initiative to use liquefied natural gas as a bridge fuel until that goal is met?

LNG has been discussed as a bridge fuel, but the data remains unclear whether it would meaningfully lower costs for consumers, and concerns exist that it could become a permanent crutch rather than a temporary fix. With Hawaiʻi committed to 100% renewable energy by 2045, we must carefully examine whether LNG advances that goal or distracts from it. Given the permitting processes and significant infrastructure investments required, more research, transparency and community engagement are needed.

As the headquarters of INDOPACOM, Hawaiʻi is central to U.S. strategy in the Pacific. How do you balance the need for a strong military presence with the environmental and social concerns of the local community?

Having served on the Armed Services Committee, I understand firsthand Hawaii’s strategic importance to our national defense. But that presence must never come at the expense of our lands, water or culture. The military must be a better neighbor and a responsible steward. That is especially urgent in renegotiating military leases across the state, most notably Pōhakuloa Training Area. Our people demand a fair deal, and I will not stop fighting for one with accountability and a real partnership.

For a resident on a neighbor island, the federal government can feel worlds away. How will your office be present for people who feel ignored/neglected by Honolulu-centric or D.C.-centric politics?

For me, public service has always been about being the warm hand that connects people with the help, resources, and answers they need. This means showing up, listening and meeting people where they are at. As much as possible I travel to our neighbor islands to hear people’s concerns firsthand. I host regular town halls and bring constituent services directly to communities. I have field reps who live in each county. Every community deserves to be heard and it starts with being present.