The Trade Wind asked candidates in the primary election to discuss their positions and priorities if elected.
The following Q&A is with Chris Lee, the incumbent Democrat seeking re-election in Chris Lee State Senate District 25 in the Aug. 8 primary.
District 25 covers Kailua, Waimānalo and Hawaiʻi Kai on Oʻahu. His primary opponent is Bobby Silva.
Chris Lee State Senate District 25: Why are you best suited for the job, and why do you want it?
Lee says he grew up in the district and entered public service to support local families, help keiki build futures here, and protect natural and cultural resources. He points to laws he helped pass to lower the cost of living, cancel medical debt, and support families.
He cites new protections for places such as Maunawili and the Kaiwi Coast, efforts to rein in corporate influence, and measures targeting corruption and campaign money. He says there is more work ahead and asks for voters’ support.
Biggest issue in the district, and first steps in the next six months
Lee identifies the cost of living and economic insecurity as the top challenge. He notes a law enacted this year to cancel 91 million dollars in medical debt for 50,000 residents, which he wants to expand, especially for kūpuna.
He also points to two programs he created that offer transportation cost rebates and says he would scale them up. He adds that he advanced a bill in the Senate to eliminate certain housing taxes for most first-time buyers and to increase affordable housing, and he wants to broaden housing cost relief further.
Constituent question: Do you support maintaining a monopoly for interisland shipping?
Lee says the question is typically aimed at neighbor island lawmakers, but notes he has backed bills to add cheaper, cleaner interisland shipping options. He points to companies moving toward commercial deployment of electric sea gliders and electric or hybrid-electric tugs, which replace expensive fuels with modern electric technology to cut operating costs and shipping prices.
Key outcomes from the 2026 Legislature, and what should have passed or failed
Lee highlights a new law making Hawaiʻi the first state to block corporate money from elections, which he says shifts power back to voters instead of Super PACs. He also cites the 91 million dollar medical debt cancellation for 50,000 people as transformative.
He adds that a proposal he introduced to help reduce insurance costs, by allowing insurers to sue major oil companies for climate-related damages that drive up rates, nearly passed.
Rebuilding trust after the brown paper bag scandal
Calling corruption unacceptable, Lee notes that in his first year he pushed through an amendment to stop pay-to-play by prohibiting state contractors from making political contributions. He says he led negotiations on a measure to prevent governors and mayors from receiving outside pay, to ensure decisions serve the public.
He also supported stronger criminal penalties. Lee says Hawaiʻi should consider proven anti-corruption approaches used in Singapore.
Preparing for dangerous weather and disasters
Lee says the district lacks adequate short- or long-term disaster shelters. He reports adding 8 million dollars to begin planning and designing the first in a series of disaster resilience hubs, starting with a facility integrated into the planned Kailua Library renovation.
He says the hubs would provide safe shelter, food storage, medical supplies, communications and power for families and first responders for weeks following hurricanes and other disasters like the Lahaina wildfire.
Addressing climate change now and managing costs
Lee says he worked with the community to pass major climate policies, including mandates for 100 percent renewable energy, a carbon-neutral economy, zero-emissions transportation, Hawaiʻi’s clean fuel standard, and creation of the State Climate Commission. He says these actions have cut reliance on imported fuels and helped lower electricity costs, and argues that acting sooner reduces overall costs later.
Should there be a limit on the number of bills introduced?
Lee says bill caps would not meaningfully change end-of-session negotiations. He notes the House already has limits and that by the final days the list narrows to a few hundred measures.
With 76 lawmakers, he argues further cuts would require restricting members to only a few bills each, which could disenfranchise constituents who submit numerous requests in some years.
Should every bill require a fiscal analysis?
Lee says more information is helpful and that prepared advocates already request agency analyses and cost estimates. He cautions that requiring fiscal notes for every bill would demand significantly more staff to meet deadlines, and suggests focusing resources on measures most likely to pass.
Term limits for state legislators
Lee says he has introduced term-limit bills before, but argues that in other states such limits often worsen the status quo and corruption by shifting power to lobbyists and unelected staff who retain institutional knowledge. He adds that term limits can incentivize lawmakers to favor special interests for future employment.
He notes a special commission on stopping corruption was divided on the issue.
Improving Hawaiʻi’s public schools
Lee says he would raise teacher pay significantly to reflect the value of education, arguing that people and their dedication drive school success. He also suggests adopting elements of Japan’s approach, where students build responsibility and discipline by working together to clean classrooms, bathrooms and campus areas.
Diversifying Hawaiʻi’s economy
Lee says Hawaiʻi exports about 8 billion dollars annually to import energy and food. To keep more dollars local, he points to laws that spurred clean energy investment, making renewables a fast-growing sector.
To expand agriculture, he notes creating the nation’s first program offering farmers up to 50,000 dollars to grow organic food and establishing grants to increase fresh compost production on farms and in public schools. He says the state should continue building on these efforts.
Helping residents who are struggling to get by
Lee describes the economy as structurally broken, with tax and capital systems squeezing full-time workers and contributing to homelessness and petty crime. He says rising costs for for-profit health care and higher education limit access.
He cites legislation he passed committing Hawaiʻi to ensure basic economic security for all local families, and calls for swift action to implement the plan.
For general election information and a look at the full primary ballot, visit the 2026 Elections Guide and Hawaiʻi Primary Ballot resources.
