ISSUES

BALANCE IN HAWAII GOVERNMENT

For too long, our state has been dominated by one party. Hawaii is a predominantly Democratic state, but that does not mean every elected office should move in the same direction all the time.

When one party controls nearly everything, the people lose balance. They lose accountability. They lose leverage. And Hawaii becomes easier to ignore.

Rida Cabanilla Arakawa believes Hawaii should have a strong voice no matter which party controls Washington, D.C. Our state should matter whether the President is a Democrat or a Republican. We cannot afford to be locked into one political direction while the rest of the country changes around us.

Hawaii should be like bamboo: rooted, strong, and able to sway when needed.

We have elected federal representatives, but Hawaii as a state also needs to make a clear statement about where we stand in the bigger picture. We need leaders who will make sure Hawaii matters at all times, not only when one political party is in power.

Rida is running to restore balance, bring accountability, and give the people of District 20 an independent Republican voice at the State Capitol.

STOP WASTING TIME ON MEANINGLESS LEGISLATION

The Legislature should be focused on the real problems facing local families: the cost of living, housing, traffic, public safety, education, jobs, and the future of our children.

Instead, too much time has been spent pushing controversial social legislation that does not reflect the priorities of everyday residents.

Rida believes gay individuals should be treated with dignity and respect. She has gay family members herself. But she also believes many of these issues are personal matters and should not be allowed to dominate the legislative agenda while working families are struggling to survive in Hawaii.

In recent years, powerful special-interest lobbies have gained too much influence at the Legislature. Their priorities are often placed ahead of the concerns of parents, families, taxpayers, and local communities.

Rida is especially concerned about proposals involving children, gender identity, and medical decisions. Any policy that involves minors, parental consent, schools, or medical procedures must protect parental authority and family values.

Parents, not political activists or government agencies, should have the primary voice in major decisions involving their children.

Rida will stand for common sense, parental rights, and a Legislature that focuses on the urgent issues hurting Hawaii families.

DEFENDING FAMILY VALUES

Rida supports joint custody and shared parenting when it is safe and appropriate. Children need both parents in their lives. The system should not automatically push one parent aside or turn custody into a financial weapon.

In states where shared parenting is allowed, families often see better outcomes for children and lower conflict between parents. Children thrive when both parents are encouraged to remain involved, responsible, and present.

Rida believes Hawaii’s family court system needs reform. Too often, divorce and custody battles become expensive, hostile, and driven by financial incentives instead of what is best for the child.

Family lawyers often oppose shared parenting because it can reduce the conflict that creates legal fees. Current systems can also create incentives tied to alimony, child support, and financial advantage instead of encouraging cooperation between parents.

Rida believes children should come first.

She will support reforms that encourage shared parenting, reduce unnecessary conflict, protect parental rights, and strengthen the family as the foundation of society.

BETTER ACCESS BETWEEN WEST OAHU AND TOWN

West Oahu residents spend far too much time trapped in traffic.

Rida has long worked on solutions to shorten access between West Oahu and town. Families in District 20 need real transportation options, not more excuses.

She supports serious discussion of major infrastructure solutions, including an underwater tunnel across Pearl Harbor, a drawbridge, or another alternate route that could be opened during the busy morning and afternoon commute hours.

These ideas should not be dismissed just because they are bold. West Oahu has been waiting for relief for too long.

Rida also supports toll road legislation as part of the solution. Some people oppose tolls, but many West Side residents are willing to consider paying for a faster and more reliable route if it gives them time back with their families and reduces the daily burden of commuting.

Residents in Waianae and other areas may have concerns about increased traffic, crowding, and rising real estate prices. Those concerns should be heard. But we cannot allow fear of change to prevent solutions for West Oahu families who are already paying the price every day in lost time, stress, and quality of life.

Rida will keep fighting for practical, bold transportation solutions for District 20.

JOB CREATION & JOB PROTECTION

Hawaii needs to protect the jobs we have and create new opportunities for local families.

Our military bases are a major part of Hawaii’s economy and our strategic role in the Pacific. With federal priorities and military decisions always subject to negotiation, Hawaii must have leaders who understand what is at stake.

Military-related jobs support local workers, contractors, small businesses, and families across the island. Rida believes Hawaii must be proactive in protecting these jobs and making sure our state remains important in national defense planning.

We cannot take these jobs for granted.

Rida will support policies that protect Hawaii’s economy, strengthen local employment, and make sure District 20 residents have access to stable, meaningful work.

REPEAL THE JONES ACT TO HELP OUR COST OF LIVING

The high cost of living is crushing Hawaii families.

Food, household goods, building materials, fuel, and basic necessities are too expensive. One major reason is the cost of shipping goods to our islands.

Rida supports repealing the Jones Act.

The Jones Act limits shipping options and increases costs for island states and territories like Hawaii. When shipping is more expensive, everything becomes more expensive. Local families pay the price at the grocery store, at the gas pump, in housing costs, and in nearly every part of daily life.

Hawaii needs relief.

Repealing the Jones Act would help lower the cost of goods, increase competition, and give Hawaii families a better chance to afford life in the islands.

Rida will support federal action to repeal the Jones Act and reduce the cost of living for Hawaii residents.