Editor’s note: For Hawaii’s Aug. 10 Primary Election, Civil Beat asked candidates to answer some questions about where they stand on various issues and what their priorities will be if elected.

The following came from Johnny Keoni Prones, candidate for Maui County Council South District. The other candidates are Tom Cook and Kelly Takaya King.

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

1. Clearly, Maui County faces big issues related to the fires. What’s the primary thing Maui needs to do now to recover from the fires? 

We need to start rebuilding kamaaina plantation homes for the people of Maui County.

2. What should Maui do to encourage people to stay? What can the county do to ensure that families aren’t priced out? 

We need to restore our government and the State of Hawaii and ask our leaders, lawmakers to change what kamaaina means, taking care of one another and working together for the future.

3. Do you support the new state law that allows counties to regulate and even shut down short-term rentals? Why or why not?

I do, but not everyone has their own option and decision. I would like the people to choose.

4. What’s your vision for Lahaina? How should it be rebuilt and who should decide? 

It’s not my vision, it’s the people who want it to be historical sites on Front Street or the sugar cane train, mom and pop stores and restaurants. Let us rewrite the history of Lahaina.

5. What should elected officials do to restore trust in county government?

We all want transparency and need to work together to update our resources and agency to move forward for our keiki and kapuna for the future of Maui County and the State of Hawaii.

6. Do you think Maui County should do more to manage water resources? Why or why not?

Yes, I believe that. We are surrounded by the Pacific Ocean. Rain coming from the mountain makes its way into your backyard and to the ocean. We need to educate ourselves that we can make clean energy water-sufficient.

7. What is the first thing Maui County should do to get in front of climate change rather than just reacting to it?

As of right now there is no wrong or right answer for that. We just need to be prepared and hope for the best that we will get through this together. Its Mother Nature or an act of god, we just need to have faith.

8. Homelessness is becoming more of an issue on Maui. What do you think needs to be changed to help people get into housing, and stay housed?

We need to help the community to find resources and agency that best fits its need in working together so that there is still hope of changing people’s lives.

9. Traffic is getting worse on Maui, and different regions face different challenges. What would be your approach to improve Maui’s transportation problems?

Maui County can’t handle enough issues at this time due to the Maui wildfire disaster. The majority of the Lahaina residents moved off-island to the states or in different cities across Maui.