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 Mel Rapozo, nonpartisan candidate for the office of Kauaʻi County Mayor.

His opponents are Bernard Carvalho Jr., Felicia Cowden, Megeso-William Denis, Laura Andaya-Lindsey 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 have spent 18 years on the Kauaʻi County Council, including serving as chair, working with four different administrations. My experience in government, law enforcement, the military and business has prepared me to lead on day one. Many of the solutions I have advocated for cannot be implemented by the county council and require executive leadership. I am running for mayor because I want to turn ideas into action and deliver results for Kauaʻi.

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 biggest challenges facing Kauaʻi are housing and infrastructure. They go hand-in-hand because housing cannot be built without adequate roads, water, wastewater and public facilities. In my first six months, I will review county operations, identify project bottlenecks and focus on accelerating infrastructure improvements that support housing development and economic growth.

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

Wild cat colonies present complex challenges involving animal welfare, public health and the protection of native wildlife. Rather than committing to a specific program, I would work with community stakeholders, animal welfare organizations, conservation groups and residents to explore all available options. My goal would be to identify solutions that are practical, humane, environmentally responsible and tailored to Kauaʻi’s unique needs and circumstances.

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 county cannot solve inflation, but it can reduce costs it controls. We must increase housing supply, streamline permitting, invest in infrastructure, enforce illegal vacation rental laws and support local job creation. County government should focus on policies that make it easier and less expensive to build homes while improving economic opportunities for residents.

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?

Federal immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility. County agencies should comply with applicable laws while remaining focused on their primary mission of protecting public safety. My administration would ensure that county resources are used appropriately, constitutional rights are protected, and trust between law enforcement and our communities is maintained.

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

Kauaʻi has dedicated organizations doing important work, but invasive species remain a serious threat to our environment, agriculture and economy. We need stronger prevention efforts, increased public education, better interagency coordination and sustained funding. Preventing new invasions is far less costly than attempting to eliminate established species.

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

There is no single solution. We must expand recycling and diversion programs, reduce waste entering the landfill, evaluate emerging waste-to-energy technologies, and secure both short- and long-term disposal options. This issue requires immediate action because delaying decisions will only increase costs and limit future choices.

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?

Yes. I support stronger oversight of shoreline setback regulations to protect public safety, coastal resources and property owners from future risks. Development decisions should be guided by sound science and long-term sustainability. Where feasible, setbacks should account for projected erosion and sea level rise rather than relying solely on costly remediation measures that may only provide temporary protection.

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?

Tourism remains the backbone of our economy, but it must be managed responsibly. The focus should not be on a specific number of visitors but on balancing economic benefits with impacts on infrastructure, natural resources and residents’ quality of life. Better management, enforcement and infrastructure investments are essential to maintaining that balance.

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?

We must strengthen emergency preparedness through improved evacuation planning, better communication systems, emergency shelter readiness, infrastructure hardening and increased community education. We should also continue pursuing alternate emergency access routes so communities are not isolated when roads or bridges are damaged during disasters.

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?

The county should aggressively pursue state and federal funding, expand low-interest loan programs, and prioritize areas with the greatest environmental and public health risks. We should also explore group conversion projects that reduce costs through economies of scale. Compliance will only succeed if it is financially achievable for homeowners.

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

Transparency and accessibility will be priorities in my administration. I will establish a dedicated constituent services office to help residents navigate county government and ensure no one gets the runaround when seeking assistance. I will also continue hosting regular video podcasts and community updates to keep residents informed about county projects, decisions, challenges and progress. Government works best when it is accessible, responsive and accountable to the people it serves.