Civil Beat has asked candidates for the Hawaiʻi General Election on Nov. 3 to answer a survey about where they stand on various issues and what their priorities will be if elected.

The following comes from Felicia Cowden, nonpartisan candidate for the office of Kauaʻi County Mayor.

Her opponents are Laura Andaya-Lindsey, Bernard Carvalho Jr., Megeso-William Denis, Mel Rapozo and Michaela Widener.

Go to Civil Beat’s 2026 Election Guide for general information, and check out the other candidates on the Hawaiʻi Primary Election Ballot.

Why are you best suited for the job of mayor? And why do you want the job?

I am best suited for mayor with my mix of experience from 36 years in the private sector (engineering, teaching, small business owner) and four terms as a Kauaʻi council member. This brings both government experience, as well as “fresh eyes” to how the county will interface with Kauaʻi’s people. I believe my people-first leadership style is needed to shift our policies and practices to partner with our residents for an empowered future in which people can afford to stay home on island.

What is the biggest issue facing Kaua‘i County, and what is the first thing you would do to address it in the first six months after being elected?

The lack of affordability for our long-term population to remain on island is our biggest issue. Upgrading our infrastructure is deeply related to creating more housing and opportunity to lower the cost of living. In my first six months, addressing possibilities for wastewater and solid waste will begin immediately. Simplifying permitting processes, cumbersome regulations and softening harsh penalties for permit violations into a more reasonable process that respects common sense is essential.

Here’s one question from a constituent: How are we going to deal with wild cat colonies?

Our wild cat colonies are out of control. Trap and neuter can continue, but not replace. As other wild cats move in, they also will be trapped and neutered. The people who care for these animals can find a solution. We won’t have native birds left if we are not more aggressive with reducing the wild population. Trap-Neuter-Return has been underway for some time and the populations continue to grow. My cats are feral rescues. We need to protect our birds.

The cost of living on Kaua‘i is rising. How are working and middle-class people expected to buy a house or pay the rent as well as take care of other expenses? And how can the county government help?

The cost of living is rising across the country and world for reasons much larger than the county government has direct influence. We will continue with the affordable housing projects underway. Adapting our building code to have pre-approved small house plans with home kits can simplify the provision of housing. Allowing family or group housing compounds with a shared kitchen and facilities can create affordable living in housing formats used historically, especially on farms.

Kauaʻi has been targeted for enforcement by ICE agents. What will be the position of your office to requests for more cooperation by county law enforcement and federal authorities?

My position in working with ICE agents would be moderate. If there is a larger crime beyond living and working here, such as criminal behavior, drugs or other elements that are bad for our communities, the ICE officers are essentially helping our county law enforcement. I prefer for jobs to be filled by residents and citizens of our island and country. For two centuries, working immigrants have largely contributed to the prosperity of our island. Assimilation into our culture is best.

What is your assessment of programs combating invasive species on Kaua‘i and what other measures would you advocate for in office?

Kauaʻi has needed stronger support from state and federal partners in ensuring that invasive species have not been introduced to the island through the sea and airports, including interisland product shipping. They have economic responsibility in helping our community pay for mediation of our farms, neighborhoods and wildlands. A road along the state land of the island’s center spine is possibly needed to manage the albizia that is amplifying the damage of our floods, including breaking bridges.

What solid waste solutions do you think should be considered as the Kekaha Landfill approaches full capacity in 2027?

We need to utilize new technology as soon as we are able. The majority (80%) of the waste stream can be rapidly converted to renewable natural gas, biofuels, soil additives and products that will not be placed in the ground. These processing plants (for a higher cost) can mix consumption with roughly 10 years of existing waste at the landfill, thus reducing its footprint. A plant will take about five years to put in place. Kekaha Landfill has been an invaluable community partner.

The Kaua‘i County Council has debated tougher regulations for shoreline setbacks. Do you support more stringent oversight of improvements and should more homes be moved farther back rather than face costly renovations or remediation measures?

Council recently adapted our shoreline setback ordinance to a level I consider reasonable. We need to ensure that our residential coastlines and cliff tops are not dense with heavy, luxury housing, accelerating the erosion of our shorelines or hillsides. The traditional smaller homes in these areas, also, did not block shoreline or mountain access. That protection is critical to keeping the culture, resilience and ease of our residents on Kauaʻi healthy.

Overtourism can degrade the environment, contribute to wear and tear on infrastructure, generate traffic and disrupt neighborhoods. What do you think about the amount of tourism on Kaua‘i and how it’s managed?

The level of tourism in peak months on Kauaʻi is arguably too high, especially for the communities receiving the concentration of visitors. The visitor industry continues to be a strong sector of our economy supporting both our cultural practices, small business, nonprofits, and keeping our real property taxes low for our homeowners. The Destination Management Action Plan is still in a start-up phase of developing regenerative tourism. I support this direction.

All of Hawai‘i has experienced damaging and dangerous weather events that have exposed weaknesses in our planning, preparation and response. Is Kaua‘i sufficiently prepared for the next Hurricane Iniki or Kona low system? What else should the county be doing?

The County of Kauaʻi has made many improvements for dangerous weather events in the past five years. Creating storm shelters and evacuation routes are the highest unaddressed priorities. Reclaiming cane haul roads for alternative routes is the most evident option. Neighborhood planning for fire hardening and defensible spaces is a step underway. Coordinated neighborhood planning among the population for identifying and agreeing on available wind storm sheltering is essential.

There are nearly 14,000 cesspools on Kaua‘i that must be removed by 2050. With an average cost of $15,000 to $30,000 to convert to septic, many homeowners say making the transition is not affordable. How can the county help jumpstart cesspool replacements?

A possibility is working with community groups, neighborhood and business associations to consider a public-private partnership with cesspool homeowners contributing an agreed amount, such as $20,000, to be collectively matched by a county contribution to place regional modular wastewater treatment plants where feasible. Septic owners would become a part of the system without a required contribution. These plants could be operated by either a private wastewater company or the county.

How would you make the county administration more transparent and accessible to the public?

My plan is to have monthly or bi-monthly department head meetings supporting collective goals and objectives, such that our operations are transparent and accessible to all departments. Quarterly, these meetings can include managers, council, press, leaders from various business sectors, nonprofits and stakeholders. The goal is coordination across the layers of the county welcoming the input of all for facilitating best management practices with few surprises.