Insights on PBS Hawai‘i is sponsored by Carlsmith Ball University of Hawaii Cancer Center and Aloha State Daily >> AS WE CONTINUE OUR 2026 ELECTION COVERAGE, INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAII BRINGS YOU TO REPUBLICAN PRIMARY RACES FROM OAHU.

CANDIDATES FOR DISTRICT 20 FROM EWA BEACH AND DISTRICT 26 REPRESENTING MAKIKI, PUNCHBOWL, PAPAKOLEA AND TANTALUS.

ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS AND DISCUSSION THE ISSUES SHAPING THEIR COMMUNITIES.

HEAR FROM THE CANDIDATES BEFORE YOU CAST YOUR BALLOTS NEXT ON INSIGHTS.

♪ >> Lauren: ALOHA AND WELCOME TO INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAI'I...I'M LAUREN DAY.

TONIGHT WE WILL FEATURE TWO REPUBLICAN PRIMARIES ON THE ISLAND OF O'AHU.

FIRST WE WILL HEAR FROM THE CANDIDATES FROM STATE SENATE DISTRICT 20 WHICH INCLUDES 'EWA BEACH.

LATER WE WILL BE JOINED BY THE CANDIDATES FOR STATE HOUSE DISTRICT 26.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR PARTICIPATION IN TONIGHT'S SHOW.

YOU CAN EMAIL OR CALL IN YOUR QUESTIONS.

AND YOU'LL FIND A LIVE STREAM OF THIS PROGRAM AT PBSHAWAII.ORG AND THE PBS HAWAII YOUTUBE PAGE.

AND NOW, THE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES FOR STATE SENATE DISTRICT 20.

KURT FEVELLA IS A LIFELONG EWA BEACH RESIDENT AND THE CURRENT SENATOR FOR STATE SENATE DISTRICT 20.

HE WAS ELECTED TO REPRESENT EWA BEACH IN THE SEANTE IN 2018.

BEFORE BEING ELECTED HE WORKED AS A CUSTODIAN AT EWA MAKAI MIDDLE SCHOOL AND SERVED ON THE EWA NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD.

BOB MCDERMOTT SERVED TWO STINTS IN THE STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES-FIRST FROM 1996 TO 2002 REPRESENTING THE ALIAMANU, SALT LAKE AND FOSTER VILLAGE AREA.

HE SERVED AGAIN IN THE STATE HOUSE FROM 2012 UNTIL 2022 REPRESENTING DISTRICT 40 WHICH INCLUDED PORTIONS OF EWA BEACH.

HE IS A MILITARY VETERAN.

A THIRD CANDIDATE IN THIS RACE, RIDA CABANILLA, DECLINED OUR INVITATION.

>> LET'S GET TO OUR GUESTS IN STUDIO.

THANK YOU BOTH FOR BEING HERE.

BOB, I WANT TO START WITH YOU.

WHAT MAKES YOU FEEL YOU'RE THE BEST CANDIDATE FOR THE JOB.

>> I TELL YOU WHAT, WITH THE AMOUNT OF CORRUPTION THAT WE SEE, WE NEED A STRONG, IND PENT VOICE.

WHETHER IT'S SYLVIA LUKE, TY, RYAN YAMANE, KALANI ENGLISH, KUHALI GATE, MEDICAID GATE AND THE ELECTIONS, 20,000 BALLOTS, THEY DON'T FLOW WHERE THEY CAME- DON'T KNOW WHERE THEY CAME FROM.

THE CORRUPT IS BREATHTAKING.

NO ONE IS TAKING CHARGE.

NO ONE IS TAKING ACCOUNTABILITY OR RESPONSIBILITY.

IT'S COMING FROM THE GOVERNOR ON DOWN.

AND I ALSO CARE ABOUT PARENTAL RIGHTS IN OUR SCHOOLS.

I HOPE WE CAN TALK ABOUT EDUCATION.

AND THEN, OF COURSE, THE OVERALL LACK OF GOOD PAYING JOBS.

>> Lauren: WE'LL GET TO THE ISSUES IN A LITTLE BIT.

KURT, YOU'RE RUNNING FOR REELECTION.

WHAT MAKES YOU THE BEST CANDIDATE FOR THE JOB?

>> BORN AND RAISED TO EWA BEACH.

I DON'T HAVE TO HEAR OR LEARN THE ISSUES.

I LIVED IT.

I FEEL I'M A VERY DIFFERENT KIND OF LEGISLATOR.

I'LL BE ABLE TO WORK HARD ACROSS THE AISLE TO MAKE SURE WE SECURE CIP INFRASTRUCTURE AND FUNDING FOR OUR SCHOOLS FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

THINGS WE'RE FINISHING NOW IS OUR FOOTBALL STADIUM.

WE HAD OUR SOFTBALL AND BASEBALL STADIUM DONE.

A LOT MORE WORK THAT I NEED TO BE FINISHING UP IN EWA BEACH.

THAT'S THE MAIN REASON.

AND WE DID THE BIGGEST TAX BREAKS THAT WE CAN HAVE FOR OUR HOMEWORKERS AND JUST PEOPLE THAT THEY'RE SUFFERING.

TO KEEP THEM FROM MOVING OUT OF HAWAI'I.

THOSE ARE THE THINGS I SUPPORT.

I THINK I'VE BEEN TRANSPARENT IN KEEPING OUR GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABLE.

I WAS ON A LOT OF TV, HOLDING DIFFERENT AGENCIES AND DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS, INCLUDING THE GOVERNOR ON THE HOT SEAT WHEN IT TOOK TIME TO STAND THE GROUND.

WHETHER IT'S DISAGREEMENTS IN THE COMMUNITY AND HOW THE MONEY IS BEING SPENT AND HOW THE COMMUNITY IS RECEIVING.

THOSE ARE THE THINGS THAT I THINK I'VE BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL IN THE LAST EIGHT YEARS.

I THINK I ACCOMPLISH THE A LOT SINGLES I'VE BEEN -- SINCE I'VEE THERE IN 2018.

OUR COMMUNITY HAS BEEN MORE FUNDING SINCE I'VE BEEN THERE THE LAST EIGHT YEARS.

PREVIOUSLY THERE WAS NO INFRASTRUCTURE AND -- CIP PHIING.

>> BOB, FROM YOUR TIME AS REPRESENTATIVE, WHAT ARE SOME OF THE THINGS YOU'RE MOST PROUD OF?

>> I WAS THERE UNTIL 2020.

SOME OF THE STUFF THAT CAME THROUGH WHILE HE WAS THERE, I GOT.

THE LARGEST CAPITOL IMPROVEMENT BUILDING, THE NEW BUILDING, WHICH TOPPED OUT AT $70 MILLION.

I DIDN'T DO THAT BY MYSELF.

IT TAKES 75 PEOPLE.

WILL, MATT LOPRESTI, RIDA.

THE NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD.

SO MANY PEOPLE HELPED TO GET THAT BIG BUILDING.

AND THE GENDER EQUITY.

THE LAST FOUR YEARS, I HAVEN'T BEEN IN OFFICE.

>> Lauren: LET'S TALK ABOUT THE ISSUES NOW.

WHAT DO THE TWO OF YOU FEEL ARE SOME OF THE MOST PRESSING ISSUES TO EWA BEACH.

MAYBE UNIQUE TO YOUR AREA, AND WHAT ARE SOME OF SOME OF YOUR IW YOU WANT TO ADDRESS IT.

>> FOR ME, INFRASTRUCTURE.

IT'S NOT KEEPING UP WITH THE GROWING PAINS OF CAMPBELL HIGH SCHOOL, BEING 3200.

OVERCROWDING ELEMENTARY, OVERCROWDING MIDDLE SCHOOL.

LACK OF CONNECTTITY ON THE ROADS.

QUALITY OF LIFE IN OUR COMMUNITY.

SAFE ROADS, STOPPING GAME ROOMS AND GAMBLING.

HAVING A SAFE COMMUNITY.

SOMETHING I TAKE VERY SERIOUSLY AND I'VE BEEN WORKING HARD OF.

>> Lauren: WHAT ARE SOME OF THE MOST PRESSING ISSUES FOR EWA BEACH THAT YOU FEEL MAYBE UNIQUE TO EWA BEACH.

>> AFFORDABILITY FOR EVERYONE.

INFLATION.

AND AFFORDABILITY, IF YOU DON'T HAVE A GOOD HIGH, PAYING JOB, NOTHING'S AFFORDABLE.

WE HAVE A DEARTH OF GOOD PAYING JOBS.

EVERYONE WANTS TO BE A STEVEDORE BECAUSE IT PAYS SO WELL.

WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY WITH THE LEASE NEGOTIATION COMING UP.

ONCE IN A LIFE TIME OPPORTUNITY TO LEVERAGE OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OUT HERE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PACIFIC.

STRATEGIC LOCATION, AND SAY WE WANT FORT SHAFTER RETURNED TO THE NATIVE HAWAIIAN PEOPLE.

900 ACRES IN URBAN HONOLULU.

WE'VE GOT A NINE HOLE GOVERNMENT COURSE.

IT'S NOT USED FOR ANYTHING ESSENTIAL.

WE CAN PUT THOSE JOBS AS SCHOFIELD.

WITH THE INFRASTRUCTURE IN PLACE, WITH SCHOOLS, WITH A SWIMMING POOL.

ANYTHING YOU CAN IMAGINE.

TURNED THAT OVER TO THE NATIVE HAWAIIAN PEOPLE.

WE CAN LEVERAGE THAT.

INSTEAD THE GOVERNOR WANT $3 BILLION AND A BUNCH OF OTHER STUFFER.

THEY'RE NOT GOING TO GET $3 BILLION.

EVEN IF THEY DID, IN TWO YEARS IT WOULD BE GONE.

LOOK AT KAHOOLAWE.

THEY GOT 7, $800 MILLION.

THEY WASTE IT.

>> Lauren: NO MATTER WHAT AILING YOU'RE -- AISLE YOU'RE O, EVERYONE WOULD AGREE AFFORDABILITY IS A BIG ISSUE.

KURT WHAT'S YOUR TAKE ON AFFORDABILITY AND HOW YOU'LL ADDRESS IT.

>> I'VE BEEN THERE SINCE 2018.

TRYING TO FIND MORE WAYS TO FIND MORE AFFORDABILITY.

IF WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HOMES, NOT OUTSIDE OF EWA BEACH.

DOESN'T MEAN I DON'T CARE WHAT'S HAPPENING AT EWA BEACH BECAUSE I DO.

TRYING TO GET THE NAVY AND CAPALINA TO STOP.

LONG TIME AGO, WE WANTED TO HAVE IRIE IRIE CHOICE POINT TURNED OVER.

THAT'S THE PROBLEM RIGHT NOW.

WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH INVENTORY.

EVEN IF YOU HAVE A SECTION EIGHT VOUCHER, YOU CAN'T USE IT.

BY THE TIME YOU GET IT TO BE USED, IT GETS TAKEN AWAY.

GOOD THING TO TALK ABOUT EWA BEACH.

BEING IN EWA BEACH AND LIVING AND LOVING EWA BEACH, THAT'S WHAT IT IMPORTANT.

THAT'S WHY WE'RE VERY UNIQUE.

THAT'S WHAT THEY'RE WORRIED ABOUT.

HAVINGHAVING HOMES THEY CAN LIV.

>> Lauren: AFFORDABILITY IS A BIG TO BIC.

ANYTHING ELKS ELSE WOULD LIKE TO AILED?

ADD?

>> WE ARE SHORT 300 THINGS.

WE HAVE THREE SHIPYARD.

HAVE THE FEDS LET US BUILD SUBMERSIBLES, COMBAT SHIPS, CUTTER SIZE SHIPS AND TUG BOATS.

THESE WOULD BE STEVEDORE LIKE WAGES.

THREE THOUSAND DIRECT JOBS AND 5,000 INDIRECT JOKES.

FEDERALLY GUARANTEED BECAUSE WE HAVE SO MUCH WORK THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE.

WE CAN DO IT.

WE ALREADY HAVE THE SPACE AND LAND FOR IT.

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CAN FACILITATE THAT.

I DON'T SEE ANYBODY IN THE STATE GOLF ASKING FOR THAT.

IF YOU DON'T HAVE VISION, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO GET THERE.

>> Lauren: KURT, ANYTHING YOU WANT TO ADD?

>> I UNDERSTAND THAT.

ESSENTIALIZING, ALL THOSE THINGS SOUND VERY GOOD.

I FOUGHT FOR JOBS LIKE HOOPILI, RAIL.

WITH ALL THE DIFFERENT TRADES, UNION WAGE.

THEY MAKE VERY GOOD MONEY SO THEY CAN LIVE AND STAY IN HAWAI'I.

ALL THE OTHERS IDEAS IS GREAT.

WHAT IS IT GOING TO DO FOR THE PEOPLE IN EWA BEACH?

THAT'S WHAT'S IMPORTANT.

>> Lauren: VIEWER QUESTIONS.

ELLIE IS ASKING, WHAT CHANGES WOULD YOU MAKE TO MAKE THE LEGISLATURE MORE FUNCTIONAL?

SEEMS LIKE THEY CANNOT GET MUCH DONE IN ANY SINGLE SESSION?

EITHER YOU YOU CAN JUMP IN.

>> FOR ME, HAVING A GOVERNMENT.

THAT'S SOMETHING WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON.

TO HAVE HAVE MORE TRANSPARENCY.

MAKING SURE THE COMMUNITY KNOWS WHEN THE BILLS ARE COMING UP, WHEN IS IT BEING HEARD.

LIKES 24 HOURS, 72 HOURS, IT'S NOT ENOUGH FOR THE COMMUNITY TO CHIME IN.

MY IDEA WAS TO HAVE TWO SESSIONS.

IT DOESN'T SOUND CAPABLE, BUT I THINK WE SHOULD HAVE TWO SESSIONS.

FIRST SESSIONS WE BALANCE THE BUDGET FOR THE STATE, FOR OUR BUDGET, AND SECOND ONE WOULD BE LAWS AND OTHER STUFF.

I THINK WE SHOULD HAVE A TWO-SESSIONS YEAR THAN ONE.

WE RUSHING THINGS AT THE END, AND SOME THINGS FALL THROUGH THE CRACKS.

SOME THINGS NEED TO BE DONE THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO ACCOUNTABILITY WITH OUR MONEY.

GETS RUSHED AT THE END.

EVERY YEAR LIKE IT WAS RUSHING AT THE END TO GET BILLS PASSED.

IF WE HAVE TWO SESSIONS, WE CAN REALLY COLLABORATE AND GET THINGS DONE MORE STRATEGICALLY.

>> Lauren: I'LL REPEAT THE QUESTION.

ELLIE IS ASKING, WHAT CHANGES WOULD YOU MAKE TO MAKE THE LEGISLATURE MORE FUNCTIONAL?

>> THEY GET DONE WHAT THEY WANT TO GET DONE.

AND THEY DO EXACTLY WHAT THEY WANT TO DO.

WHY HAS IT TAKEN TEN YEARS TO BREAK GROUND ON A NEW STADIUM?

BECAUSE YOU GOT A COUPLE OF STATE SENATORS FIGHTING WHO'S BENEFACTOR IS GOING TO GET DEAL.

THEY DO EXACTLY WHAT THEY WANT.

IF YOU SPEAK OUT, YOU GET HAMMERED DOWN.

THEY CAN'T DO THAT TO ME.

BUT THEY DO IT TO OTHERS.

>> Lauren: WHAT YOU JUST SAID, YOUR LAST SENTENCE IS A GOOD SEGUE TO MARTY'S QUESTION.

ASKING, IF A REPUBLICAN WINS AGAIN, YOU WILL MOST LIKELY BE IN THE MINORITY PARTY.

HOW DO YOU WORK WITH THE MAJORITY PARTY?

>> SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO BE BOLD AND SPEAK THE TRUTH.

YOU KNOW WHO'S RESPONSIBLE FOR GETTING RED HILL CLOSED?

WHAT WENT ON HAWAI'I NEWS NOW?

FIRST ELECTED OFFICIAL TO SAY CLOSE IT?

THAT WAS ME.

THE BANDWAGON GOT SO BIG, THEY THREW ME OFF.

THAT WAS ME.

I STOPPED THAT.

I SAID, YOU GOT TO SHUT IT DOWN.

IGE RESPONDED IN TWO DAYS.

I AGREE BUT IT'S A FEDERAL ISSUE.

BUT THE MINORITY'S JOB IS TO MAKE THE MAJORITY BETTER.

IRON SHARPENS IRON.

OTHERWISE YOU'LL HAVE NO ACCOUNTABILITY.

KUHALE PROJECT, ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND CHECKS, NO INVOICES.

GOVERNOR'S RESPONSE, THIS GUY IS NO GOOD.

THE AUDITOR IS NO GOOD.

THAT GUY IS MOST HONEST GUY.

>> Lauren: KURT, FOR YOU?

>> YOU GOT TO BE ABLE TO HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE BUT WORK WITH THEM.

CANNOT JUST BE SAYING AND BEING A SOLDIER OF ONE.

YOU'RE A MINORITY.

YOU'LL NEVER GET NOTHING DONE FOR YOUR COMMUNITY.

YOU CAN RANT AND RAGE BUT PEOPLE WANT IN THEIR CORNER TO BE ABLE TO WORK WITH EVERYONE.

NOT JUST WITH THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

BUT IF WE DON'T WORK TOGETHER TO GET THINGS DONE, EWA BEACH WILL GET NOTHING.

IN 2020, 2018, I PUT IN THE CIP Is.

FOR THE $6,290,000 RELEASED.

I UNDERSTAND HE SAID YOU DID THAT.

HE WAS VOTING ON IT, BUT IN THE WAM HEARING AND WORKING WITH SYLVIA AND HOUSE SIDE, WE GOT THINGS DONE.

PREVIOUS TO THAT, AT NEIGHBORHOOD BOARDS, HE WOULD SAY THE SAME THING.

IF YOU WANT ANYTHING DONE, SEE SENATOR FEVELLA.

>> I NEVER SAID THAT.

>> THAT'S WHAT HE SAID.

>> HE DOES HAVE JUICE.

OKAY, NOW YOU GOT WHAT YOU WANT.

WHY DO YOU THINK NO DEMOCRAT HAS RUN IN EWA BEACH?

COW COWKOUCHI AND CRUZ DELA CRU- >> GOING AGAINST THE GOVERNOR, GOING AGAINST WHAT HIS NAME?

GOING AGAINST WHAT HIS NAME?

JIMMY TOKIOKA.

I HAD NAME THE WHOLE THING.

SAYING NO TO PAKALOLO.

I DON'T JUST STAY AT HOME.

I'M A FIGHTER.

ALWAYS BEEN FIGHTER FOR EWA BEACH.

HE TALKS ABOUT BEING THE FIRST SLATER.

LEGISLATOR.

I WENT TO THE CITY COUNCIL AND TESTIFY FOR BILL 48.

MAYBE HE RANT AND RAGE, BUT I HAD A RELATIONSHIP WITH OUR GOVERNOR.

I MET WITH THE GOVERNOR.

I DIDN'T JUST GO THERE AND SAY STUFF ON TUFF.

-- TV.

WE KNOW THE AREAS BUT THEY WAS HIDING IT.

SAYING THE WATER WASN'T CONTAMINATED.

BECAUSE OF MY EFFORTS WORKING WITH THE GOVERNOR, WORKING WITH THE NAVY AND ARMY, THAT'S HOW I FOUND OUT IT WAS CONTAMINATED.

WE DID THE LARGEST WATER DRIVE IN THE STATE OF HAWAI'I.

>> Lauren: BOTH OF YOU HAVE SOME FIRE IN YOU TO ADDRESS THAT QUESTION.

IF WE CAN MOVE ON.

BEN IS ASKING, WHAT IS ONE CHANGE YOU WOULD MAKE TO OUR PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM?

SORRY TO CUT YOU GUYS OFF.

>> NOT A PROBLEM.

>> Lauren: WE WANT TO GET TO THE QUESTIONS.

PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM AND EDUCATION, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE?

>> I'LL GRO.

GO.

WE GOT TO CHANGE THE SCHEDULING FOR SCHOOLS, ESPECIALLY WITH THE TIME BECAUSE OF THE TRAFFIC.

WE HAVE TO BRING BACK ECONOMICS.

MAKE SURE THESE KIDS CAN WRITE A CHECK, PAY A BILL.

BRING IN MORE ACADEMIES.

CAMPBELL HIGH SCHOOL IS ONE.

TEACHING OUR KIDS, CREDIT UNION, VETERINARIANS.

NOT EVERYONE'S GOING TO COLLEGE.

IF YOU KNOW MY COMMUNITY OF EWA BEACH, NOT EVERYBODY GOING COLLEGE.

THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY -- THAT'S ONE OF THE MAIN THINGS.

TEACH OUR KIDS HOW TO SURVIVE IN THE REAL WORLD.

RIGHT NOW THEY'RE NOT WRITING CURVATIVE, NOT ABLE TO MAKE A CHECK.

CANNOT MAKE A CREDIT CARD.

EVERYTHING IS DIGITAL.

I WOULD LIMIT CERTAIN THINGS M MAINSTREAM MORE EDUCATION AND EDUCATING THEM IN THE REAL WORLD.

WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN WHEN YOU GRADUATE HIGH SCHOOL.

>> Lauren: BOB, FOR YOU ON PUBLIC EDUCATION.

>> MY FIVE-YEAR-OLD GRANDDAUGHTER GOES TO SCHOOL IN EWA BEACH.

MY EIGHT KIDS, MOST WENT TO SCHOOL IN HE EBB.

I HAVE 22 GRANDCHILDREN.

THE EDUCATION ISSUE, I PICKED HER UP FROM SCHOOL.

I WALKED HER HOME.

SHE'S FIVE YEARS OLD.

SHE'S FILIPINO, SAMOAN, WHITE AND HAWAIIAN.

I WALKED HER HOME.

I SAID, GO IN THE SHOWER.

IS THAT YOU ARE.

COME OUT WHEN YOU'RE DONE.

SHE CAME OUT.

MY FIVE-YEAR-OLD GRANDDAUGHTER CAME OUT WITH JUST SHORTS ON.

I SAID, SWEETIE, YOU HAVE TO PUT A SHIRTS ON.

AND SHE SAYS, WHY, PAPA.

BECAUSE YOU'RE A GIRL.

NO, PAPA, I'M A BOY.

FIVE YEARS OLD.

WHY DOES SHE HAVE TO HAVE PUTTING HER BRAIN AT FIVE?

WHO TOLD HER THAT?

SHE'S ON CAMPUS.

AND THE 6 GRADER GET THE PONO CHOICES, THEY'RE GETTING IT ALL.

KINDERGARTEN, THEY'RE TOLD IT'S POSSIBLE THEY'RE BORN IN THE WRONG BODY.

HERE'S THE GOOD NEWS.

THERE'S NO CURE FOR IT.

PARENTS DON'T KNOW THIS IS GOING ON, AND IT'S TRAGIC AND DEMONIC AND IMMORAL.

THAT'S WHY I'M RUNNING.

>> Lauren: WHAT WOULD YOU DO TO ADDRESS THAT?

>> NO SEEKS SEX ED FOR ELEMENTAY SCHOOL STUDENTS.

YOU KNOW WHAT THEY TEACH THESE KIDS?

IT'S SO DISGUSTING I CAN'T MEMBERS ON -- MENTION ON TV BECE PEOPLE WOULD BE MAD AT ME.

>> Lauren: LET'S MOVE ON.

>> WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?

>> Lauren: TONYA FROM YOUR DISTRICT IS ASKING, HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO ADDRESS VIOLENCE AMONGST THE YOUTH WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY.

?

WOULD YOU LIKE TO CONTINUE WITH THAT?

>> I THINK THERE'S A COLLECTIVE MORAL BREAKDOWN IN THE COMMUNITY.

AND COMMUNITY AT LARGE.

EWA BEACH, WE STILL HAVE A LOT OF CHURCHES AND PEOPLE STILL GOOD, BUT I DO SEE WHAT YOU SAID, LACK OF DISCIPLINE AND RESPECTED FOR ELDERS.

KIDS DRIVING THEIR MOTOR SCOOTERS ALL OVER THE PLACE.

THIS IS A CULTURAL ISSUE.

A BROADER CULTURAL ISSUE THAT A STATE SENATOR IN HAWAI'I IS NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO SOLVE.

I'M SORRY.

>> Lauren: KURT, DO YOU FEEL THIS IS AN ISSUE FOR EWA BEACH?

>> IT IS.

BE HANDS ON.

YOU DON'T MAKE EXECUTIONS THAT A STATE SENATOR CAN DO THAT?

I'VE BEEN MENTORING HIGH HIGH-RK KIDS AND GETTING THINGS DONE.

BROUGHT WEED AND SEED TO THE COMMUNITY.

I STOPPED AND CLOSED ABOUT FOUR, FIVE GAME ROOMS.

CHILDREN TRUST ME TO TELL ME, UNCLE, THIS IS WHAT'S HAPPENING.

LETTING THEM KNOW THAT SOMEBODY REALLY CARES AND NOT MAKES EXCUSES THAT I'M A SENATOR AND CANNOT DO ANYTHING.

SAY I LOVE YOU GUYS AND WANT YOU GUYS NOT TO HURT EACH OTHER.

WHEN GUN VIOLENCE CAME, I CAMPAIGNED.

WHEN THE KID DIED, E-BIKE, SAME THINGS.

THERE'S PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY THAT IS LEADERS AND MENTORS THAT REALLY LOVE AND CARE FOR THEM.

>> Lauren: TONYA IS ASKING, DIFFERENT TONY.

DO YOU FEEL EWA BEACH WILL BE ABLE TO A ACOG DATE THE NEW POPULATION?

>> NO.

THAT'S THE REASON I FIGHT SINCE I'VE BEEN THERE SINCE 2018, WHICH WE GOT.

EWA ELEMENTARY.

WE GOT TO MAKE SUGAR WE IT MAKE.

WORKING WITH YOUR COLLEAGUES.

I GOT OVER 45 TO 50 MILLION IN THE LAST EIGHT YEARS I WAS THERE FOR SCHOOL GROWTH AND INFRASTRUCTURE.

INFRASTRUCTURE IF THAT'S BEING SO CLOSE TO MY DEMOCRATIC COLLEAGUES, I DON'T KNOW.

WE GOT TO GET THINGS DONE AND NOT MAKE EXCUSES.

>> Lauren: DO YOU FEEL EWA BEACH WILL BE ABLE TO ACCOMMODATED THE NEW POPULATION?

>> HOOPILI IS MORE EWA.

>> NO, IT IS.

HE DON'T EVEN KNOW.

HOOPILI IS PART OF EWA BEACH.

THOSE KIDS ARE GOING TO EWA ELEMENTARY.

THEY'RE SPILLING INTO OUR COMMUNITY.

YOU GOT TO HAVE SOMEBODY WHO GO TO THE 1K5089S AND TALK TO THE SCHOOLS SO YOU ACTUALLY KNOW WHAT THE GROWTH IS.

HOOPILI IS PUTTING A STRESS.

RIGHT NOW THEY'RE SEPARATING THE KIDS FROM HOOPILI AND HAWAIIAN HOMES.

SOME GOING TO BARBER'S POINT ELEMENTARY, SOME GOING TO EWA.

SOME GOING TO HONOULIULI.

>> Lauren: DO YOU FEEL IT'S CAUSING STRESS TO THE COMMUNITY?

>> YES.

IT'S BEEN ON DISCUSSIONS FOR 15 YEARS.

EAST KAPOLEI HIGH SCHOOL.

HOOPILI COMBINED INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL.

THESE THINGS HAVE BEEN TALKED ABOUT SINCE I FIRST GOT IN THERE YEARS AGO.

IT'S GOING TO BE FUNDED AT THE LAST MINUTE BECAUSE THAT'S THE WAY THEY DO THINGS DOWN THAT.

>> Lauren: WE HAVE LOTS OF EWA BEACH FOLKS.

A LOT OF VIEWER QUESTIONS.

WE HAVE LESS THAN TWO MINUTES LEFT.

IF RE-ELECTED, KURT, WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU WANT TO TACKLE IN YOUR FIRST SIX MONTHS?

>> MOST IMPORTANT IS MAKING SURE THAT WE SECURE FUNDING FOR CI CIPs FOR CONTINUED GROWTH IN EWA BEACH.

WE HAVE 3200 STUDENTS IN CAMPBELL HIGH SCHOOL.

NEW ONE IS NOT GOING TO BE FUNDED.

IT'S ALMOST ONE HUNDRED TO TWO HUNDRED MILLION.

NOT THAT THEY'RE DOING IT LAST MINUTE.

HOOPILI M WILLRY SCHOOL IS FULLY FUNDED.

THEY'RE WORKING THE BEST WITH THE FUNDING.

CONTINUE TO TACKLE THE ONGOING SAFETY ISSUES WHEN IT COMES TO ROADS AND INFRASTRUCTURE.

THAT'S THE MAIN THING.

CONTINUE THE WORK I STARTED SINCE 2018.

>> Lauren: ONE MINUTE FOR YOU.

>> THIS IS WRAP-UP?

>> Lauren: YES.

>> I HOPE THE FOLKS AT HOME KNOW THAT I CARE ABOUT THEM JUST LIKE THEY'RE MY FAMILY.

AND I HAVE A BIG FAMILY OBVIOUSLY.

EIGHT KIDS, 11 11 GRAND KIDS.

THEY'RE MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY.

>> Lauren: ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADD?

>> THAT'S IT.

>> Lauren: THANK YOU BOTH.

A LOT OF EWA BEACH FOLKS TUBING IN -- TUNING IN.

WE WANT TO THANK OUR VIEWERS AND GUESTS.

KURT FEVELLA AND BOB McDERMOTT.

AS WE GET READY FOR THE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES PLEASE ENJOY THIS HURRICANE HIKI NO ST.

>> AFTER A BREAK OF SERVICE, SEA RIDER PRODUCTIONS CAME TOTAL.

THIS COMMUNITY AND YOUTH FOCUSED CAMPAIGN IN JUNE 2025.

FEEDING THE COMMUNITY WITH NOT ONLY FOOD BUT ALOHA AND PRIDE.

>> IT'S VERY REASSURING TO KNOW THAT OTHER PEOPLE ARE GETTING THE THINGS THEY NEED.

WHEN PEOPLE GETTING THE THINGS THEY NEED, IT MAKES ME FEEL OUR COMMUNITY IS STRONGER AND MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER.

>> HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY.

THANK YOU.

>> NOT ONLY DOES THIS CAMPAIGN EMPOWER THE YOUNGEN GENERATIONS, CREATING A LARGER VISION OF UNITY ON ON THE WEST SIDE.

>> ANY 25079 OPPORTUNITY TO GIV.

I'M SUPER POD OF OUR STUDENTS FOR STEPPING FORWARD.

WANTING TO TAKE LEADERSHIP AND MAKE OUR COMMUNITY BETTER.

>> THIS IS ONLY THE BEGINNING.

HOPES TO CONTINUE MAKING AN IMPACT THROUGH THESE EVENTS.

>> PAA PONO MAKINGS ME FEEL PRODUCT.

IT'S PERSONAL WORK.

TO HAVE YOUTH COME OUT HERE AND GET TO FEEL THAT FEELING AND UNDERSTAND THAT THERE'S ISSUES THAT ARE GOING TO COME ACROSS, BUT WE CAN BE PART OF THE SOLUTION BY BANNING TOGETHER AND DOING STUFF TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY.

UPLIFT EACH OTHER.

WE HAVE CERTAIN SUPER POWERS THAT WE CAN CONTRIBUTE.

>> TOGETHER WAIANAE AND NANAKULI STAND FIRM IN UPLIFTING THE YOUTH OF THE WEST SIDE.

>> FOR HELPING OTHER PEOPLE AND TO BE A LEADER.

>> ENJOY ALL THE PRODUCERS.

>> FROM WAIANAE HIGH SCHOOL REPORTING FOR HIKI NO ON PBS HAWAII.

[APPLAUSE] >> Lauren: WELCOME BACK.

WE HAVE THE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES FOR STATE US TO DISTRICT 26.

MAKIKI, PUNCHBOWL, PAPAKOLEA AND TANTALUS.

NOW TO OUR GUESTS: ROBYN MCCREARY HAS CALLED OAHU HOME FOR THE LAST 33 YEARS.

SHE IS AN ENTRPRENEUR AND SERVED ON THE CONDO BOARD WHERE SHE LIVES.

SHE ALSO SERVED AS THE COMMUNITY SERVICE CHAIR FOR THE ROTARY CLUB OF HONOLULU.

TONY SILVA IS ONE HALF OF THE LOCAL COMEDY DUO DA BRADDAHS.

HE SERVED AS THE CHAIR FOR THE MAYOR'S OFFICE OF CULTURE AND THE ARTS.

ROBYN, I'LL START WITH YOU.

I WANT TO HEAR FROM BOTH OF YOU THOUGH.

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO RUN FOR OFFICE?

>> I AM A BABY BOOMER, SO WE HAVE OUR DISTRICT IS QUITE ELDERLY, AND I AM FINDING THAT WE ARE PAYING TAX ON G.E.T.

WE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY FOR OUR NECESSITIES FOOD AND MEDICINE.

THE PRICE OF INSURANCE AND EVERYTHING ON THE HOUSE IS -- CONDO AND HOUSES, IT'S JUST OUTRAGEOUS.

I'M STEPPING UP FOR THAT.

>> Lauren: TONY, WHY RUN?

>> YEAH.

I ALSO AGREE WITH ROBYN.

I WANTED TO BE A VOICE FOR -- VOICELESS POPULATION THAT WE HAVE WITHIN THE RESIDENCE AND DISTRICT.

MORE IMPORTANTLY, OVER 60% OF OUR KUPUNA ARE 55 AND OVER.

SO A LOT OF THEM ARE VERY SHY.

SHY TO THE POINT THEY WON'T COME TO A NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD MEETING BECAUSE THINGS THAT HAVE TRANSPIRED SINCE THE COVID, THEY'RE AFRAID TO COME OUT.

PART OF MY OBJECTIVE IS TO NOT ONLY BRING ALOHA TO THE COMMUNITY BUT BRING BACK TRUST AND HAVE THEM ENGAGE.

WE HAVE A BEAUTIFUL PARK IN MAKIKI PARK.

I DON'T THINK IT'S UTILIZED AS MUCH AS WE NEED TO.

DEFINITELY BRING BACK TRUST, BRING BACK ALOHA AND ENCOURAGE OUR KUPUNA TO COME BACK OUT AND START LIVING LIFE AGAIN.

OUR KUPUNA ARE INDEPENDENT.

THEIR MINDSET IS STRONG WILLED.

>> Lauren: YOU BOTH MENTIONED KUPUNA AND THE NEIGHBORHOOD WANTING TO GET THEM TO COME OUT.

HOW DO YOU ADDRESS THAT ISSUE.

WHERE YOU CAN HEAR FROM YOUR CONSTITUENTS?

>> THAT PART OF THE KUPUNA POPULATION, I'M ALMOST 60, SO I CAN CERTAINLY, YOU KNOW, ENGAGE WITH THEM IN A PAY THAT I KNOW KNOW -- WAY THAT I KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT.

I'VE BEEN BLESSED TO BE MARRIED TWO YEARS AGO.

MY BABY DAUGHTER IS TWO.

BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN THE KUPUNA IS, I THINK, ONE OF MY STRENGTHS.

TO INSTILL CONFIDENCE IN WHAT I'M TRYING TO DO, AND MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE COMFORTABLE.

THEY TRUST SOMEBODY LIKE ME.

HEY, WE HAVE A PICKLEBALL TOURNAMENT AND YOU CAN PLAY IN YOUR CLAIRE.

DANCER HULA IN THE CHAIR.

COME ON DOWN.

PART OF ME BEING IN OFFICE IS GOING TO OUR DOOR KNOCKS AFTER BEING VOTED IN.

AND REALLY INVITING PEOPLE IN PERSON.

GOING BACK TO THOSE DOORS THAT I KNOW THEY DON'T REALLY WANT TO ENGAGE AND COME OUT OF THEIR HOUSE.

IT TO SAY, HEY, LOOK, IT'S OKAY.

WE HAVE A WONDERFUL EVENT HAPPENING AT OUR PARKS.

THAT WOULD BE WONDERFUL.

>> Lauren: ROBYN, WOULD KUPUNA BEING A LARGE PERCENTAGE OF YOUR DISTRICT'S POPULATION, DO YOU MAKE SURE THEIR VOICE CITIZEN HEARD AND GET THEM TO ENGAGE WITH YOU?

>> I HAVE BEEN DOOR KNOCKING AND CANVASSING AND IT HAS BEEN DELIGHTFUL.

THEY TOLD ME 3 MINUTES.

THEY WANT TO TALK AND TELL ME WHAT'S GOING ON.

CRIME IS ONE OF THEM, AND I ACTUALLY WAS WALKING ON KE WALLOW DOWN FROM WILDER, AND A FEW PEOPLE, THE LADY SAID, DON'T GO TO THATHOUSE.

THEY'RE DRUG DEALERS AND WHEN THEY'RE HIGH, THEY WILL HURT YOU.

I WALKED FURTHER AND THE LADY WAS SAYING, THERE WAS A FIGHT OUTSIDE MY WINDOW LAST NIGHT.

YOU CALL THE POLICE?

THEY SHOWED UP 20 MINUTES LATE.

I'M THINKING ABOUT IT, WALKING, AND IT STARTED TO RAIN SO I TURKED -- TUCKED INTO THIS GARAGE COVER AND IT WAS GETTING DARK.

THIS GENTLEMAN SAID COMING TO OUR MEETING.

AND IT WAS ACTUALLY CROSSFIRE MINISTRY.

I WAS ABLE TO EAT WITH THEM.

THEY SAID GET UP AND TALK.

GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME.

I SAID HERE I AM TRYING TO FIGURE OUT A SOLUTION.

WE'RE SETTING UP A NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH.

WATCH.

GOT YELLOW VESTS I GOT FOR THEM AND WE'RE WAITER FOR THE POLICE TO GET INSTRUCTIONS.

WE DON'T WANT TO CAUSE PROBLEMS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> Lauren: TONY, WOULD YOU SAY CRIME IS A BIG -- >> DEFINITELY.

I DISAGREE TO A CERTAIN POINT.

NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH, WE WE NEED E OF THAT WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY.

DEFINITELY WANT TO BE A BIG PART OF GETTING THAT GOING.

I WILL SAY IN REGARDS TO OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT, THEY'VE DONE A REALLY GOOD JOB WORKING WITH OUR NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD.

TAKING CARE OF OUR HOMELESS PROBLEMS WE'VE HAD OVER THE YEARS.

THE LAS TWO, THREE MONTHS, THEY WORKED WITH OUR BOARD TO MAKING SURE THAT HAPPENS.

THEY MAKE THEIR ROUNDS.

THERE ISN'T A HOUSE OR AREA THEY'RE NOT FAMILIAR WITH.

SOME OF THESE CRIMES HAPPEN MAYBE DURING TIMES WHEN WE HAVE A SHORT SHORT OFAGE OF OUR POLIE OFFICERS.

WE HAVE A SHORTAGE OF POLICE OFFICERS.

WITH THE NEW POLICE CLEVE, CHIEF, HE'S WORKING ON BRINGING IN MORE CAD CADETSS.

DEFINITELY AGREE.

WE'LL HAVE NEIGHBORHOOD WATCHES IN OUR COMMUNITY, FOR SURE.

I'M 100% IN AGREEMENT WITH THAT.

>> Lauren: IN TAKING TO YOUR NEIGHBORS, WHAT ARE SOME OTHER MOST IMPORTANT ISSUES?

>> BESIDES CHICKEN, CATS, HOMELESSNESS, SAFER STREET.

CAN WE GET MORE SPEED BUMPS?

ALL THESE THINGS OUR NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD TAKES CARE OF.

THEY HAVE A CHECK LIST, GO DOWN THE LIST AND MAKE SURE -- THINGS THAT I'M HEARING A LOT OF, AS I MENTIONED EARLIER IN THE PROGRAM, IS THEY DON'T TRUST GOVERNMENT.

IT AFFECTS OUR COMMUNITY 39.

EVEN THOUGH IT'S STATEWIDE, ALL THAT HAS HAND IN THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS SEEMS TO BE A TRUST ISSUE.

I WANT TO BRING BACK THE TRUST WITHIN OUR GOVERNMENT.

MORE IMPORTANTLY WITH THAT OUR COMMUNITY.

THAT HE KNOW-- THEY KNOW THAT SS GOING TO BE WAKING TO THE OFFICE AND THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE THEIR BEST INTEREST IN MIND.

AND AT LEAST HAVE THE EAR OF PEOPLE THAT HELP TO MAKE A DECISION ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS.

MORE SO THAN SOMEONE THAT KIND OF KNOWS PROPER PROTOCOL.

I'M HERE TO BRING LEADERSHIP TO THE FOREFRONT OF OUR COMMUNITY IN A WAY THAT'S GOING TO BE DIRECT REFLECTION OF WHO IASM, HOW I DO IT.

LEAFLEAVE THE PLACE BETTER.

OUR COMMUNITY IS IN A PRETTY GOOD POSITION NOW.

I WANT TO GET IT TO A BETTER PLACE.

>> Lauren: ROBYN, ANY ISSUES TOP OF MIND BESIDES SOME THINGS YOU ALREADY MENTIONED?

>> HE COVERED CHICKENS SPEED BUMPS.

YES.

ACTUALLY WITH IT'S CONDOS, THE INSURANCE HAS HIT THE ROOF FOR THE CONDOS.

I HAVE BEEN WORKING AND JUST TELLING PEOPLE GET TWO QUOTES OR THREE QUOTES OB YOUR INSURANCE.

WE'VE COME ACROSS A FEW STUMBLES BUT WE'RE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT A WAY AROUND THAT.

ONE PERSON IS BLOCKING IT SO THEY CAN'T GET OTHER QUOTES.

WORKING ON THAT.

I'VE ALREADY SAVED ONE HUNDRED K'S FOR ONE CONDOMINIUM BY TELLING THEM TO GET A SECOND QUOTE.

IT HELPS EVERYONE BECAUSE WHAT HAPPENS IS IF YOU DROP A HUNDRED K OFF OF THE YEAR, OKAY, YOU'VE NOW SAVED MONEY FOR GETTING THE ROOF FIXED OR THE DRIVEWAY.

FOR THE ASSESSMENTS FOR CONDO OWNERS.

AND BY DOING THAT, H.O.A.

FEES WILL NOT GO UP BECAUSE THEY'VE GOT THE MONEY, AND THEN THEY'VE ALSO WILL BE ABLE TO NOT RAISED PRICE FOR THE RENTERS.

IF YOU HAVE A MORTGAGE, YOU YOUD TO GET PROPERTY OWNER INSURANCE.

WHATEVER THE PERSON SETS THE AMOUNT AT, LIKE 75 K-6789 75 K F THE FAVORITES.

MY FRIEND WAS GETTING IT AS LOW AS 25 K.

>> IF I CAN ADD THIS.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING, AFFORDABLE HOUSING, AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

YOU HEAR IT ALL THE TIME.

IT'S NO DIFFERENT IN OUR COMMUNITY.

SENATE BILL 2061 HAS BEEN PASSED.

WHAT THAT HAS ALLOWED IS THIS BEAUTIFUL 360 UNIT PIECE OF PROPERTY, 60% OF THAT IS NOW AVAILABLE TO LOCAL RESIDENTS AT A FRACTION OF THE COST.

FROM 350,000 350,000.

FOR SOMEONE TO SAY, I WANT TO COME BACK HOME.

RETAIL VALUE, $1.4 MILLION.

I THINK THAT'S JUST THE BEGINNING TO MAKE SURE WE'RE MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION OF THE SENATE BY 2061 PASSED.

WE'RE GOING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

THAT'S IN KAKAAKO.

STATE AND COUNTY PROPERTIES ARE NOW SHIFTING TOWARDS THAT DIRECTION SO THAT'S GOOD.

>> Lauren: THIS VIEWER QUESTION TIES IN NICELY WITH WHAT BOTH OF YOU SAID.

GREG'S ASKING, WHAT IS YOUR BEST SUGGESTION TO LOWER THE COST OF LIVING?

IS IT EVEN POSSIBLE?

ROBYN, I'LL LET YOU TALKING.

>> THE G.E.T.

TAXES, WE SHOULDN'T BE PAYING ON THOSE.

AGAIN, WITH THE RENTS, JUST INSURANCE IN GENERAL, WE NEED TO GET THAT LOWERED FOR THE PEOPLE.

AND I HAVE AN IDEA FOR POSSIBLY EITHER -- I'D LIKE TO DO A RENT TO OWN POSITION, AND FIND A BIG APARTMENT COMPLEX.

MAKE IT PROPER BECAUSE THERE'S A FEW KIND OF RUN DOWN IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

THINK THEY CAN SET IT AND BUY IT AT THIS PRICE.

AS IT GETS DOWN TO WHEN IT'S CLOSE TO HAVING THEM PAY OFF, TAKE A CLASS SO THEY CONTINUE TO KEEP THAT $1,500.

OR THEY CAN PASS IT DOWN TO THEIR FAMILY MEMBER AND HAVE THEM PAY THE FAMILY AND KEEP IT IN THEIR NAME.

WHEN THEY WANT TO SAY IT, SAY THEY PAID 250 FOR IT.

THEY WOULD GET THAT PLUS THEY WOULD GET THE -- I'M PULLING A BLANK.

SORRY.

COST OF LIVING.

SORRY.

COST OF LIVING, SO TA WOULD BE ADDED.

I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE IT BOUGHT BY SOMEBODY THAT'S BEEN HERE A MINIMUM FIVE YEARS.

IT WOULD BE BETTER IF IT WAS TEN TO KEEP THE KIDS HERE.

TO KEEP THE PEOPLE HERE.

IT GIVES THEM A PRIDE OF OWNING SOMETHING.

RENTING, YOU'RE PAYING FOR SOMEBODY ELSE'S HOUSE.

>> Lauren: TONY?

CAN WE ADDRESS THE AFFORDABLE?

>> WE HAVE RESIDENTS WHO LIVE ON A FIXED INCOME.

WHATEVER THAT IS, IT MATCHES UP WITH THE RISE OF INFLATION.

WHATEVER TAX BREAKS WE CAN GET ON SOME OF THEIR MEDICAL NEEDS, THAT INCLUDE PHARMACEUTICAL NEEDS AND ANY IN TOO OF FOODS.

MAYBE WE CAN GET HELP FROM HAWAI'I FOOD BANK.

THEY DO A WONDERFUL JOB MAKING SURE PEOPLE ARE FED IN OUR ISLANDS.

FOOD SUBDIES WOULD HELP.

JOBS FOR THOSE THAT ARE WORKING, JOBS THAT PAY ACCORDINGLY TO WHAT THEY DO.

MINIMUM WAGE NEEDS TO BE RAISED.

THAT WOULD HELP IN KEEPING AHEAD OF THE GAME WITH INFLATION AND COST OF LIVES HEREBY IN THE THE EYE -- HERE IN THE ISLANDS.

>> CAN I OBJECT JUST A LITTLE ON THAT ONE?

YOU HAVE A BUSINESS OWNER.

HE'S GOT TO PAY $18 AN HOUR.

HE CAN'T DO THAT.

HE'S DOING HEALTHCARE AND SO FORTH.

YOU'RE GOING TO BLOCK OUT THE BUSINESS OWNERS.

WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS LOWER THE PRICES OB FOOD AND EVERYTHING.

HAVE THE FARMERS WHERE THEY WOULD GROW THE FOOD.

WE CAN ACTUALLY GO TO THEM, PAY CASH AND THERE'S NO G.E.

TAX ON IT.

IT HELPS THE COMMUNITY, HELPS THE FARMERS GROW AND KEEPS THE FOOD HERE.

INSTEAD OF PAYING THE SHIPPING PRICE.

WE GUESS TAXED ANYWHERE FROM TWO TO FIVE TIMES.

DEPENDING ON THE ROUTE.

COMES FROM THE MAINLAND.

WE PAY FOR SHIPPING, IT GOES TO THE WAREHOUSE.

EACH TIME.

WHAT I'D LIKE TO DO IS WHEN YOU GET THE ITEM, THAT'S WHEN YOU GET TAXED SO WE'RE NOT GETTING 13, 12%.

>> Lauren: YOU MAY HAVE PSYCHIC ABILITIES TO READ THIS VIEWER'S QUESTION.

I'MI'M READING IT.

ALAN WANTS TO KNOW, DO YOU HAVE IDEAS HOW TO MAKE IT FARMERS TO DO WHAT THEY DO.

PERHAPS ENCOURAGE MORE FARMER SO WE DON'T HAVE TO DEPEND WHAT COMING ON A BOAT.

>> WE HAVE TONS OF PEOPLE THAT GROW ON THEIR BALCONIES BOW THE- BECAUSE THEY LIVE IN PAMPLE -- APARTMENT BUILDING.

UNFORTUNATELY IT'S FULL.

THEY'RE USING IT.

GROWING VEGETABLES AT THE PARK.

MAYBE WE NEED TO MAKE THAT A BIER PARK OF THE PARK.

TEACH KUPUNA HOW TO GROW VEGETABLES.

VEGETABLES AND FRUITS ARE VERY EXPENSIVE.

THE MORE WE COULD TEACH THEM.

THAT COULD BE PART OF A CLUB.

THEY COME DOWN AND LEARN HOW TO IT DO THAT.

SUN, WATER AND A FEW SEEDS.

>> SOME OF THOSE HIGH-RISES, I'VE SEEN GREEN WHERE THEY CAN GROW ON TOP OF THE USE.

>> Lauren: WHAT DO YOU FEEL ARE THE BIGGEST PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUE FACING YOUR DISTRICT?

>> WHERE WE LIVE, IT'S DEFINITELY SAFER STREETS.

I LIVE FAIRLY CLOSE TO A HALFWAY HOME.

FOR THE MOST PART, THEY MAY HAVE PROBLEMS AND STUFF EVERY NOW AND AGAIN BUT IT'S BEEN FAIRLY SAFE.

POLICE OFFICERS RUN THROUGH THERE SEVERAL TIMES A DAY.

WHEN THEY HAVE ANY SITUATION, POLICE ARE GENERALLY ON IT.

SAFER STREETS WHERE I LIVE.

AND JUST MAKING SURE THAT THE HOMELESS POPULATION STAYS AWAY.

WE LIVE KIND OF CLOSE TO THE CANAL.

THE CANAL'S BEEN KIND OF AN SLEW.

ISSUE.

MAKING SURE THAT THEY'VE SAY WITHIN DISTANCE.

DON'T GET ME WRONG.

WE HAVE FACILITIES FOR THEM.

IT'S A MATTER OF ACCOUNTABILITY FOR A LOT OF THEM.

MENTAL HEALTH NEEDED FOR A LOT OF THEM.

>> I COUNTER SOME OF THOSE.

PARK IN MAKIKI, THERE'S A LOT OF DRUGS.

THEY'RE PUTTING UP A GATE.

ONE GENTLEMAN LOCKED HIS WIFE IN THERE.

HE DIDN'T WANT HER TO GET ATTACKED SO HIS CHAINED HER IN.

NEW HELPED TO GET IT BECAUSE THEY WERE GOING TO PUSH IT BACK A LITTLE BIT.

I'D ALSO LIKE TO BRANCH OFF AND MAKE A DOG PARK IN THAT AREA OFF OF THE GARDEN FENCE.

WE'VE GOT ONE SIDE TAKEN CARE OF.

COULD YOU REPEAT THE QUESTION?

>> Lauren: WHAT DO YOU FEEL IS THE BIEST BY -- BIGGEST PUBLIC Y ISSUE.

>> POLICE ARE DOING A REALLY GOOD JOB.

I WAS WATCHING -- WHEN I WAS WAVING, ONE CAR IS COMING THIS WAY.

THEY PARKED THERE AND WAS BLOCKING THE ROAD.

AND IT'S JUST -- I MEAN THEY ACCOUNT BE -- CAN'T BE THERE EVY TIME.

DEPENDS HOW BUSY THEY ARE.

>> Lauren: STEVE WANTS TO KNOW IS THE STATE HANDLING THE HOMELESS CRISIS DIRECTLY?

WHAT WOULD YOU DO DIFFERENTLY?

>> FOR OUR COMMUNITY, DONE A REALLY GOOD JOB IN TRYING TO GET THESE PEOPLE INTO FACILITIES OR GET MENTAL HEALTH.

11% OF THE BUDGET IS TOWARDS TAKING CARE OF OUR HOMELESS POTATION.

A LOT OF MONEY.

I BELIEVE THEY'RE TRYING TO GET THEM INTO PROPER FACILITIES FOR DRUG REHAB.

WE HAVE FACILITIES FOR OUR VETERANS.

AND PEOPLE THAT ARE TRULY HOMELESS.

THEY'RE WORKING AND CAN'T MAKE ENOUGH MONEY.

WE HAVE THE FAMILY HOMELESS COMPANY, NONPROFITS THAT TAKE CARE OF OUR OHANA, ESPECIALLY IF THEY HAVE KIDS.

STATE, OVERALL, DOING AN OKAY JOB.

COULD WE DO BETTER?

YES.

FOR OUR COMMUNITY, THEY'VE -- DE MUCH BETTER JOB.

>> Lauren: ROBYN, IS THE STATE HANDLING THE HOMELESS CRISIS CORRECTLY?

>> WE'VE HAD ALL AT LEAST GENIUS PEOPLE AND THEY HAVEN'T FIGURED IT OUT.

THE VACANT BUILDINGS IN DOWNTOWN WHERE THE OFFICE IS, SINCE COVID, THEY'VE GOTTEN DOWN THERE.

THERE'S ACTUALLY 6 670 K WORTH F SQUARE FOOTAGE.

IF WE TOOK ONE OF THOSE BUILDINGS, MADE IT A HOMELESS FACILITY.

YOUYOU HAVE TO GET THEM TO WANTO GO THERE.

LIKE TAKING IT TO HORSE AND LEADING IT TO WATER.

THEY HAVE GOT TO WANT TO DRINK IT.

IF WE WORK ON THAT MINDSET AND SEE WHAT THE TRAUMA WAS BEFORE 39 IT'S HARD IF THEY DON'T WANT TO GO.

WOE COULD TAKE PEOPLE WORKING AND TRYING TO GET AHEAD.

PUT THEM IN THIS PLACE AND HAVE IT WITH THEY HAVE THINGS TO GO BELOW TO GET CARE.

>> IT'S GOING TO COME DOWN TO RELATIONSHIP.

BUILD RELATIONSHIP WITH OUR HOMELESS POPULATION SAYING, HOW YOU DOING, FRED?

HOW'S YOUR PARTNER, THE DOGS.

BUILD SOME PARTNERSHIP OR RELATIONSHIP.

OVER TIME THERE'S THAT TRUST FACTOR.

WE'VE GOT THIS GREAT FACILITY DOWN THE STREET.

THEY CAN DEVELOPMENT ONLY TAKE E SEVEN DOGS YOU HAVE.

CHURCH POPULATION HAS A BIG OPPORTUNITY.

HOPING OUR COMMUNITY.

STATE AS WELL.

WE HAVE CHURCHES THAT REACH OUT.

I THINK THAT'S A GREAT WAY.

A GREAT START.

>> Lauren: IF ELECTED, IN THE FIRST SIX MONTHS, FIRST THINGS YOU WOULD TACKLE AND HOW ARE YOU GOING TO DO IT?

>> THERE'S ONLY TEN REPUBLICANS IN OFFICE.

WE HAVE 41.

WE'RE HOPING TO GET THAT UP TO 27 THIS TIME.

WHAT I'D LIKE TO DO IS GO LIKE GENE WARD DID AND MEET THE PEOPLE.

I WANT TO WORK WITH THEM.

THEY'RE STILL GOING TO HAVE A BATTLE EVEN IF THERE'S 27 OF US.

WE NEED TO WORK TOTAL.

THEY WANT TO HAVE IT THIS WAY WE WANT TO HAVE IT THIS WAY.

TAKE THIS AND HAVE THIS.

EVERYBODY GIVES A LITTLE.

WORKING TOGETHER IS GOING TO BRING US TOGETHER.

>> Lauren: TONY, WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

>> I WILL ALWAYS START WITH OUR COMMUNITY AND END WITH OUR COMPLOONTD.

AS SOON AS I GET INTO OFFICE, GO BACK TO THOSE HOMES AND DOOR KNOCK, REESTABLISH MY RELATIONSHIP AND MY TRUST WITHIN AND LET THEM KNOW THESE ARE THINGS THAT ARE GOING TO HAPPEN.

IF YOU WANT TO FIND OUT NOW COME DOWN TO OUR NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD MEETING.

IF YOU DON'T, TELL ME WHAT YOU WANT.

4RE78LET ME BE THE VOICE NOW YO.

I'LL START WITH THAT.

AND MAKING SURE WE HAVE PROPER FUNDING.

WHATEVER FUNDING, MAKE SURE IT STAYS WITH US AND TRY TO GET MORE FUNDING AND MAKE IT STRONGER AND START TO BUILD MORE RELATIONSHIP AND TRUST THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY, FOR SURE.

>> Lauren: WITH A COUPLE MINUTES LEFT, WHAT DO YOU TELL YOUR POTENTIAL CONSTITUENTS ABOUT WHAT MAKES YOU THE BEST CANDIDATE FOR THE JOB?

EITHER OF YOU CAN START?

>> FOR MYSELF, FAIRLILY SIMPLE.

I LEAD WITH ALOHA.

PEOPLE THAT KNOW ME, I'LL PRETTY STRAIGHTFORWARD.

CHRIST RISEN MAN.

I HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT ARE BEHIND ME.

PEOPLE THAT KNOW ME.

I TALK ABOUT THE TRUST FACTOR.

WHEN I WALK INTO AOFFICE, AT LEAST HAVE THEIR EAR.

PEOPLE THAT I'M TALKING TO FEEL BETTER.

I THINK I HAVE THAT EAR WHEN I WALK INTO THAT OFFICE.

I'M THANKFUL AND GRATEFUL PEOPLE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE FOR EITHER ONE OF US.

I HOPE YOU MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICE, AND THANK YOU FOR THIS WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY.

>> Lauren: ROBYN, WHAT DO YOU WANT TO TELL THE VOTERS ABOUT WHAT MAKES YOUS BEST CANDIDATE FOR THE JOB?

>> I HAVE SO MUCH HEART.

IT TOI WANT TO HELP OUR COMMUNI.

I'VEI'VE BEEN A ROTARIAN FOR 18 YEARS.

IS IT THE FREE THROWS?

-- TRUTH?

IS IT FAIR?

IS IT FUN?

WITH THESE, I WANT TO GO IN AND THERE FIND OUT AND LOOK AT THE BILLS, WHO'S IT BENEFITING?

IS IT REALLY GOING TO OUR MEME?

PEOPLE?

WE WANT TO HAVE ACCOUNTABILITY.

BUILDING BACK THE TRUST IN OUR STATE.

WE NEED TO DO THAT.

AYEI'VE DONE ALL KINDS OF PROJES WITH ROTARY.

WE'VE PUT ON AN ANNUAL RUMMAGE SALE.

CREATING A PLACE.

33 YEARS AGO WHEN WE CAME, WE DIDN'T HAVE TO LOCK OUR DOORS.

WE NEED TO BRING BACK THE ALOHA HERE.

AND AGAIN, I ALSO -- ALICE TUCKER WAS IN MY ROTARY CLUB.

SHE SAYS MAKE THE PLACE BETTER THAN WHEN YOU CAME INTO IT.

>> Lauren: WE NEED TO ENCOURAGE EVERYBODY TO VOTE.

>> FOR SURE.

>> Lauren: THANK BOTH FOR BEING HERE.

WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME COMING OUT.

WE GOT A LOT OF QUESTIONS FROM THE COMMUNITY.

WE WANT TO THANK YOU AT HOME.

OUR GUESTS TONIGHT HOUSE 26, ROBYN MCCREARY AND TONY SILVA.

NEXT WEEK ON INSIGHTS, WE TURN TO AN OPEN STATE SENATE DISTRICT WHICH INCLUDES KALIHI, NU'UANU, PAUOA AND DOWNTOU HONOLULU.

VETERAN STATE SENATOR KARL RHOADS IS NOT RUNNING FOR RE-ELECTION MEANING THERE WILL BE A NEW VOICE REPRESENTING THE DISTRICT.

PLEASE JOIN US THEN.

I'M LAUREN DAY FOR INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAI'I.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.

Insights on PBS Hawai‘i is sponsored by Carlsmith Ball University of Hawaii Cancer Center and Aloha State Daily