SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — On June 2, Californians will choose their top two picks to replace termed-out Gov. Gavin Newsom.

ABC7 Eyewitness News Political Reporter Monica Madden is catching up with candidates in these final weeks and spoke one-on-one with former Orange County Congresswoman Katie Porter.

Katie Porter: “I also think it’s important to give voters some choice here.”

In this crowded race for governor, former Orange County Congresswoman Katie Porter believes voters are still looking for detailed policy plans from top candidates.

WATCH: Full interview with California gubernatorial candidate Katie Porter

Monica Madden: “You have several proposals for how to make the cost of living better for Californians, one of them being free childcare, free college tuition at state universities, and then eliminating the state income tax for families that are making under $100,000. What’s your plan for how to pay for those?”

Porter: “I would pay for it by doing for corporations in California what we ask families to do, what we ask workers to do, which is in our higher earning years: when we earn a little bit more, we pay a little bit higher tax rate. And I think that’s a fair thing to ask corporations to do, too.”

The Democrat made the case that she has the most thought-out proposals.

Porter: “Nobody’s said that my idea to pay for it is a bad idea. These are actual things that give California families more money in their pocket. So, when we hear candidates say things like,’When I’m governor, you’ll have health care,’ like, how? And at what price point? So, I’m really focused on very concrete policies.”

Porter also pushed back on criticism about her temperament after a video of her berating a staffer resurfaced earlier in the campaign.

Katie Porter addresses leaked video of her yelling at staffer

Monica: “Do you think that there’s a double standard here?”

Porter: “Temperament is a word that you mostly hear used for show dogs, racehorses, and women candidates. Most importantly, when it happened years ago with that staffer, that’s who I owed the apology to — when I made it five years ago to that staffer. And that’s what really matters to me. That’s the mark of my character. And I think that’s what we ought to be talking about, is what is the character of each of these candidates?”

On the future of California, Porter says she believes AI can be an opportunity if leaders handle it correctly.

Porter: “AI also has the potential to fuel tremendous investment in California. I have done battles with large and powerful interests before with some of the, you know, the most wealthy and well-connected in the world — and come out as a winner. And I think that’s what it’s going to take to steer California in a way that makes things, like, AI positive.”

LAKEWOOD — Her gold was in the bag.

They all were, technically. The night before she rewrote Colorado’s record book, Addison Ritzenhein, the Niwot senior who’s run like almost no teen distance runner ever has, went into her closet and pulled out a dozen state medals. As she laid them out side-by-side, all the miles started talking back.

Addy and her dad had found themselves waxing about the moments and the memories during a Friday night drive. It was the eve of her final CHSAA state track meet. The last ride.

“I want you to bring them (Saturday) morning,” Dathan Ritzenhein, head coach at On Athletics Club in Boulder, told his daughter when he saw the medals. He suggested putting all of them in a big bag and bringing it to Jeffco Stadium on Saturday.

“And then we’ll take them out at the end (of the meet). And we’re going to line them all up. I want to take a picture of you with all of them.”

Dad had a hunch.

Company was coming.

At a record pace, too.

“I wanted to have a perfect ending to my entire high school career,” Addy said after setting a state mark in the 4A girls 1600 meters in her final CHSAA event. “And I just had to remind myself that I’d done everything I could up to this moment.”

Move over, Wendy Koenig. Make some room, Melody Fairchild. The Kaltenbachs? Scooch over. Emma Coburn, Katie Rainsberger and Elise Cranny? You, too. If Ritzenhein isn’t the greatest girls prep distance runner in Colorado history, her closing kick made one heck of a case.

Hilo runs on rainforest microclimate, banyan trees in Liliʻuokalani Gardens, and a working downtown of early 20th-century storefronts along Kamehameha Avenue. Kapaʻa is laid out around an eight-mile coastal path that links beaches at Fuji and Lydgate with the Wailua River corridor. Hanalei sits on Kauaʻi’s north shore between taro fields and the Nā Pali ridges with a single main road and a wildlife refuge protecting nēnē and Hawaiian coot. Volcano village holds 4,000 feet of elevation, ʻōhiʻa forests, and direct access to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. The nine Hawaii small towns ahead each carry a working senior community alongside the specific island setting that defines daily life.

Wailuku (Maui)

Wailuku serves as Maui’s county seat, with healthcare, services, and an active retiree community close at hand. Downtown, the landmark Iao Theater (a 1927 performance venue that still draws community programming) sits alongside cafés like Sam Sato’s, which serves dry mein and handmade manju.

A short drive inland, ʻĪao Valley State Monument carries deep significance as a sacred site in Hawaiian culture and as the location of the 1790 Battle of Kepaniwai. The valley features the ʻĪao Needle, a 1,200-foot vegetated rock pinnacle accessible via short paved walking paths that wind through one of Maui’s more dramatic landscapes. Wailuku layers cultural depth over everyday convenience.

Hilo (Big Island)

On the windward coast of the Big Island, Hilo offers a rainforest-lined alternative to the resort zones, where retirement runs against a backdrop of waterfalls and the banyan trees in Liliʻuokalani Gardens. The historic downtown along Kamehameha Avenue features early 20th-century storefronts like the Palace Theater, independent shops such as Basically Books, and long-running local favorites like Cafe Pesto, known for its ʻōhiʻa-wood-fired pizzas and waterfront setting.

Beyond downtown, nature stays close at hand. A few miles inland, Rainbow Falls drops about 80 feet into a lava-rock basin that often catches morning light in drifting mist. Nearby Boiling Pots holds a series of tiered pools carved by ancient lava flows. The Hilo Farmers Market serves as a central gathering place, with more than 200 vendors selling tropical fruit, locally grown coffee, orchids, and handmade crafts throughout the week.

Kailua-Kona (Big Island)

On the drier west coast, Kailua-Kona delivers consistent sunshine and direct ocean access, making it one of the more climate-stable retirement options in the state. Life centers around Aliʻi Drive, a coastal road where restaurants, shops, and historic landmarks sit just steps from the water. Snorkeling in the calm, shallow waters at Kahaluʻu Beach Park comes with frequent sea turtle sightings. A short walk inland leads to Huliheʻe Palace, a restored 19th-century royal residence with koa-wood furnishings and oceanfront views. South of town, the slopes of South Kona run into coffee and cacao country, where small farms offer tastings and tours that add sensory layers to daily life beyond the shoreline.

Captain Cook (Big Island)

Further south along the Kona coast, Captain Cook offers a quieter alternative with a strong agricultural identity and a connection to Hawaii’s growing chocolate industry. Small-scale farms such as the Original Hawaiian Chocolate Factory cultivate cacao trees on the volcanic slopes, offering guided tours that walk through fermentation, drying, and small-batch chocolate production. The hands-on tastings reflect the terroir of the region.

The Captain Cook Monument Trail descends nearly 1,300 feet to Kealakekua Bay, where exceptionally clear water makes the cove one of the better snorkeling spots in the state. The combination of agricultural richness and coastal access gives Captain Cook a well-rounded daily rhythm.

Kapaʻa (Kauaʻi)

Stretching along Kauaʻi’s eastern shore, Kapaʻa offers one of the more retiree-friendly layouts in the state, where recreation is built directly into the town’s design. The Ke Ala Hele Makalae Coastal Path runs for nearly eight miles along the ocean, with paved, mostly flat terrain suitable for walking or biking.

Along the route, spots like Fuji Beach and Lydgate Beach Park serve as easy entry points for swimming and picnicking. Just inland, the Wailua River (Hawaii’s only navigable river) supports kayaking trips to Secret Falls. Caffè Coco, a garden-set café outside town, makes for a shaded spot to linger over locally sourced food away from the usual tourist trail.

Hanalei (Kauaʻi)

For retirees seeking stillness on Kauaʻi’s north shore, Hanalei runs at a pace set by the valley rather than the clock. Framed by the taro fields of Hanalei Valley and the steep emerald ridges leading toward the Nā Pali Coast, Hanalei works as both a remote town and a deeply rooted place.

The single main road, Kuhio Highway, passes beneath rain-soaked mountain peaks. It is lined with surf shops, art galleries, and longtime local staples such as the Hanalei Bread Company (known for its open-air courtyard and locally sourced breakfasts) and Tahiti Nui, a live-music venue that has anchored the town for decades. Beyond the town, Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge protects nearly 1,000 acres of wetlands and taro fields that support endangered Hawaiian waterbirds including the nēnē and Hawaiian coot.

Haleʻiwa (Oʻahu)

Haleʻiwa anchors Oʻahu’s North Shore with a walkable historic district and easy access to some of the island’s most recognizable beaches. Plantation-era buildings line Kamehameha Highway with surf shops, the cooperative Haleiwa Art Gallery, and local favorites like Coffee Gallery. Within minutes, Waimea Bay opens up with calm summer swimming waters and dramatic winter surf worth watching from the shore.

The Anahulu River draws stand-up paddleboarders on calmer days, with quiet banks a world apart from the surf breaks just down the road. Nearby, Waimea Valley offers a paved, shaded path leading to a 45-foot waterfall where swimming is permitted. Roughly an hour from Honolulu, Haleʻiwa works as a sensible option for retirees seeking both quiet surroundings and access to urban amenities.

Makawao (Maui)

On the slopes of Haleakalā, Makawao mixes upcountry coolness with a working artistic identity. Baldwin Avenue forms the heart of town, where Hot Island Glass, a working studio, invites visitors to watch artists shape molten glass into sculpture and vessels. The Makawao Forest Reserve carries over 20 miles of trails shaded by pine and eucalyptus, with cooler hiking conditions than the coastal areas. Seasonal events including the Fourth of July Makawao Rodeo (one of Hawaii’s longest-running paniolo celebrations) and the monthly Makawao Art Walk give retirees and visiting grandkids plenty to plan around.

Volcano (Big Island)

Volcano runs a cool, misty environment defined by its 4,000-foot elevation, native ʻōhiʻa forests, and frequent rainfall. With a small population and quiet residential streets, the village feels more like a retreat than a typical town. Just outside Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, residents have direct access to crater overlooks and trails that wind through active volcanic landscapes.

Active retirees appreciate the Kīlauea Iki Trail, which descends into a hardened lava lake for an immersive hiking experience. After a day on the trails, Volcano Winery handles tastings of wines crafted from tropical fruits and local tea blossoms. For retirees drawn to solitude, creativity, and dramatic natural surroundings, Volcano makes its case quickly.

Aging In Place On The Islands

Retiring in Hawaii means walking coastal paths in Kapaʻa one week and visiting cacao groves in Captain Cook the next. In each of the nine towns above, retirees and their families have the chance to build a lifestyle around movement, environment, and connection. In Hawaii’s smaller communities, retirement is less about slowing down and more about settling in.