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 Reno Abihai, Democratic candidate for State House District 28 which covers the urban Honolulu communities of Sand Island, Iwilei and Chinatown.

His Democratic opponents are Nadia Alves, Ernest Caravalho, Anthony Nagatani and incumbent Michael Ratcliffe.

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?

My lived experience, professional background and deep community roots make me uniquely qualified to serve. Born in Liliha and raised in Kalihi, I experienced homelessness and spent time in Mayor Wright Homes and on the streets, giving me firsthand insight into the challenges many families face. Combined with decades of leadership experience, I can deliver results. I want this job because our community deserves representation from someone who understands its struggles and will fight for 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?

Public safety is the biggest issue facing District 28. People are concerned about crime, drug activity, homelessness and the impact these issues have on families and businesses. I would work closely with law enforcement, service providers, community organizations and state agencies to strengthen public safety efforts and expand access to treatment and housing services. My goal would be to improve coordination across these agencies and deliver measurable results for our communities.

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

I do not believe any company should monopolize a market. However, Hawai’i depends on a reliable interisland shipping system. Any changes must protect local jobs, maintain service to all islands and ensure that there are no disruptions in the movement of goods across the state. I would support policies that encourage fair competition while preserving the stability and workforce that our local economy relies on.

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?

As a first-time candidate, I am still reviewing many bills from the 2026 session and learning from stakeholders about their impacts. The measures I find most important address public safety, housing affordability and homelessness, addiction and behavioral health. I would’ve liked to see more progress on affordable housing and treatment services. As a legislator, I will evaluate every bill on whether it improves the lives of residents of District 28 and Hawai’i’s working families.

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 public trust starts with transparency and accountability. Our residents deserve to be confident that decisions are being made in the public’s best interest and not behind closed doors. I support greater transparency in government decision making, stronger ethics oversight and meaningful consequences for misconduct. Public trust is earned through openness, honesty and accountability. Consistently.

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?

Having spent years of my youth in Kalihi and worked throughout the district, I know many of our neighborhoods are vulnerable to flooding, power outages and other emergencies. As a legislator, I would focus on improving infrastructure, strengthening emergency communications, supporting community preparedness programs and ensuring our kūpuna, families and vulnerable residents have access to resources before a disaster occurs. Being proactive with our preparation and coordination will save lives.

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 affecting Hawai’i through stronger storms, flooding, rising costs and risks to infrastructure. My focus would be on solutions that protect communities, strengthen critical infrastructure, improve emergency preparedness and make neighborhoods more resilient. We must also be mindful of costs. I support pursuing federal funding, public-private partnerships and targeted investments that reduce long-term risks while minimizing the burden on taxpayers, property owners and businesses.

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 believe the Legislature should focus on improving the quality of debate and public review rather than limiting the number of bills introduced. Legislators represent diverse communities and should be able to bring forward ideas and concerns from their districts. I would support exploring a longer session or procedural reforms that allow for more thorough review, transparency and public input so bills receive the attention they deserve before becoming law.

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. Lawmakers should understand the fiscal impact of legislation before voting on it. Every bill, whether it creates a new program, expands an existing one or imposes new requirements, should include a realistic cost analysis. Good intentions alone are not enough. Taxpayers deserve transparency and legislators need accurate information to make informed decisions, prioritize limited resources and avoid unintended financial consequences.

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 believe voters should ultimately decide who represents them. If an elected official is serving their community effectively, they should have the opportunity to continue serving. However, I do understand the concerns about incumbency and accountability. Rather than focusing solely on term limits, I would support reforms that increase transparency, strengthen public accountability and give voters better information about a legislator’s performance so they can make informed decisions when voting.

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

Improving our public schools starts with supporting and retaining great teachers. I support competitive compensation, step increases, professional development and efforts to address teacher shortages. We must also ensure that classrooms have the resources they need and continually evaluate curriculum to improve student outcomes. By investing in both educators and the quality education, we can better prepare students for college, careers and life while strengthening Hawai’i’s future workforce.

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

Hawai’i’s economy will be stronger if we create more opportunities beyond tourism. I support investing in workforce development, skilled trades, technology, healthcare and research through the University of Hawai’i. We should also support small businesses and entrepreneurs by reducing unnecessary barriers and improving access to resources. By growing industries that provide stable, well-paying jobs, we can keep more local talent in Hawai’i and build a stronger, more diverse economy.

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?

Too many Hawai’i families are working hard but falling behind. We need to approach this in two ways; reduce costs and increase opportunities. I support targeted tax relief for working families, expanding affordable housing and lowering barriers that drive up everyday costs. We must also create more well-paying jobs by investing in infrastructure, workforce development, skilled trades, technology, healthcare and other growing industries. A strong middle class is essential to Hawai’i’s future.