The seat held by former state Rep. Galen Fox is apparently up for grabs this election season even though his appointed replacement, state Rep. Anne Stevens, is seeking another term.

Stevens was appointed to replace Fox, the popular former Republican leader in the House, after he resigned last year when he was convicted of a federal misdemeanor for fondling a woman on a flight from Honolulu to Los Angeles. Observers say because Stevens was never popularly elected, she is vulnerable, leaving the race wide open.

The issues that most residents in the district care about mirror those of other urban areas: crime, noise, homelessness, prostitution, traffic and preservation of precious green spaces. Residents also fear the effects of overdevelopment on the area's infrastructure, pointing to the recent sewage diversion into the Ala Wai Canal as a symptom of a much larger problem.

"It's hard to find an average (House District 23) resident whose concerns are the same as everyone else," said Robert Finley, longtime resident and Waikiki Neighborhood Board chairman. "A person who lives at the end of Waikiki will not have the same insight as a person who lives near Ala Moana," he said.

That also seems to be the case among the candidates running to become the community's representative. No single issue has emerged as the most important, although all five candidates do agree that stress on the city's infrastructure is a major problem. The candidates offered few specific solutions, but they all say there needs to be a study of the carrying capacity of the water, sewage and electricity infrastructure.

Mike Peters, Stevens' Republican challenger, has identified his most important issue to be unnecessary urban noise, which he said is the No. 1 complaint from residents in Waikiki. He co-founded Hear Urban Silence Hawai'i, a group of citizens concerned about unnecessary noise in the city.

"Noise travels very easily in our district, whether it's loud mopeds, nightclubs down the street, bottles being dumped from a nightclub," he said. "I happen to believe that urban noise is going to be one of the most important issues in the state Legislature in years to come."

Peters, a member of the Waikiki Neighborhood Board, said there needs to be stricter enforcement of loud, illegal modifications to vehicles and regulation of noise from bars and nightclubs.

'GOP CREDENTIALS'

Peters also came out squarely against Stevens' vote to support an increase in the cigarette tax, which ultimately passed and was signed into law. He questioned whether she has "strong Republican credentials."

Stevens defended her vote, saying that she listened to her constituents.

"The increase was to fund a new Cancer Research Center in Kaka'ako. The overwhelming response was in favor of that Cancer Research Center, and so I felt that I had to listen to the concerns of my constituents," she said.

She said she is a "lifelong Republican and conservative person."

Stevens said her maritime background is important to the district since it contains three harbors.

If elected to another term, Stevens said, she would like to continue to focus on infrastructure improvements to the piers and harbors.

Stevens also acknowledged that her office receives constant phone calls about too much noise in Waikiki, especially the annoying beeping of big trucks reversing during all hours of the night. Last session, Stevens introduced a bill that would allow dump trucks to disable their reverse beepers during late night and early morning to help cut down on the noise.

The bill was stalled in committee, and Stevens said she will attempt to reintroduce it next session.

RUNNING AGAIN

Democrat Rex Saunders, who opposed Fox two years ago, is again seeking the seat. Saunders, a chemical engineer, said he never felt he wanted to hold political office, but ran two years ago when no Democrat emerged to challenge Fox.

"We really need new progressive leadership instead of these career politicians," he said. "I went against the incumbent minority leader of the House two years ago when no one else wanted to stand up and fight."

Saunders said in addition to the common urban problems of homelessness, crime and noise, he is focusing his campaign on healthcare because of Waikiki's large elderly population.

"I'd like to work to ensure everyone has affordable healthcare, especially the elderly and children," he said.

He also said he is concerned with the rising costs of prescription drugs.

FAMILIAR FACE

Democrat Tom Brower, a familiar face in Waikiki politics, is also vying for the seat Republicans have had a lock on for more than 10 years. Brower resigned as director of communications for the Hawai'i Democratic Party to run for the seat.

Brower moved to Waikiki 24 years ago to help care for his elderly grandparents, he said.

"Over 25 percent of our district residents are seniors. I'd like to pass legislation that makes it easier for seniors to live in our district," he said.

That would include working on affordable housing, public safety, property crime and taxes, he said.

Brower pointed out that he opposed the increase in the general excise tax to finance a transit system and said he would fight for lower income and business taxes.

"From my work on the neighborhood board, I basically have an understanding of the challenges our community faces and I want to help lead the community," he said.

TAX PROPOSAL

Advocacy attorney Louis Erteschik, a Democrat, said development and preservation of Hawai'i's environment are the issues many residents in his district are concerned about.

Erteschik, who spent 14 years as a legislative adviser, said since Waikiki accommodates an overwhelming majority of tourists, the tax should be spent to maintain and improve Waikiki's environment.

To preserve Hawai'i's scenic views, he also said he supports a reduction in the allowable height limits on development in Waikiki.

He said developers need to recognize that "our natural resources are our No. 1 capital asset, our No. 1 seller in terms of our business economy."

Erteschik cites his years of experience at the Legislature and his experience on the Waikiki Neighborhood Board as what differentiates him from the rest of the Democrats.

"I think that I have a much more varied background and the practical experience it would take to be a legislator," he said.