The House seat occupied by Democratic Rep. Brian Schatz since 1998 is up for grabs, and four candidates are vying to represent the diverse Makiki-Tantalus district.

Schatz is running for the U.S. House, leaving the District 25 seat open. Three Democrats are competing in the September primary. The winner will face a Republican who ran in the last election.

The area — considered a "swing" district because voters there have elected both Republicans and Democrats — is home to about 23,000 people. It includes a mix of walk-up apartments, secured condominium high-rises and pricey single-family homes. Most residents are renters; the home-ownership rate is 39 percent, according to 2000 Census figures.

Concerns in the area range from crime to affordable housing and the economy. Landslides and road closures on Tantalus are a concern, as are graffiti and vandalism at Makiki District Park.

Norma Koenig, a member of the Makiki/Lower Punchbowl/Tantalus Neighborhood Board, said she's looking for a representative who can draw more funding and support for community programs.

"For the type of population density we have, we do not get the kind of services that an area like this needs," she said.

The candidates have focused primarily on broader state policy issues like education and healthcare. But they also said they would work with city officials, community leaders and others to address local matters as well.

Democrat Della Au Belatti, an attorney, said her most important issues are affordable housing, education and affordable healthcare. She said she would bring various interest groups together to craft solutions.

"Without a doubt, one of the things that's going to solve affordable housing is increasing our inventory," she said. "But we need to design our communities in a smart way."

To improve public education, Belatti wants more training and resources for teachers and principals to help them meet government mandates. She wants to reduce student-teacher ratios and expand early-education programs.

Belatti said the state needs to develop measures that supplement private long-term-care insurance and do more to reduce the cost of prescription drugs.

Democrat Joy Matsuda Turbeville, a teacher, said she would focus on affordable housing and rentals, education and diversifying the economy.

Turbeville said she would study rent control, particularly near Waikiki and the University of Hawai'i. She said the state should offer incentives to encourage developers to focus on owner occupants.

Turbeville said teachers need more support and should get teaching materials about education standards more quickly. She said she would push for an extra free class period for new teachers at the secondary level that they could use to prepare curriculum or observe a veteran teacher.

The state needs to diversify its economy, Turbeville said. She said she would encourage the state to fund incubation projects for innovative businesses.

Democrat John Steelquist, a business professor, listed education, the economy and healthcare as his top issues.

Steelquist said he would seek more support for principals, including training and resources from the state Department of Education as well as help from the community and businesses.

Steelquist's ideas for growing the state economy include promoting alternative energy sources.

"Get an energy czar, and go out there and start getting cheaper electricity," he said. "Work with HECO, get the alternate sources. We don't need another study. The technology is already there."

Steelquist said the state should also pursue more federal and international money for government programs and businesses.

Steelquist, who with his wife owns a medical-equipment company, said he supports medical malpractice tort reform that will protect patients' rights while keeping claims "reasonable." He also favors exempting food, and some medical services and supplies, from the excise tax.

Republican Tracy Hanayo Yuk Lan Okubo, who unsuccessfully ran against Schatz in 2004, is unopposed in the primary. She said her priorities include affordable healthcare and crime.

Okubo, a senior policy analyst for the state Department of Human Services, said the state needs to take a comprehensive look at the Prepaid Health Care Act to see if it can be amended to address gaps in health-insurance coverage. She also supports authorizing a purchasing pool.

Okubo said she would also seek stronger criminal penalties — particularly for those who abuse seniors — and more substance-abuse treatment coupled with incarceration for drug offenders. She said she would work with federal and county officials to ensure infrastructure in the Roundtop/Tantalus area is safe for residents.

Okubo said the state should pursue more federal funds, private grants and other revenue.

Reach Lynda Arakawa at larakawa@honoluluadvertiser.com.