Geothermal, Housing, Vacation Rentals: Hawaiʻi Council District 6 Candidate Q&As
Five candidates are in the running in the district made up of Big Islandʻs southwest corner.
A decision by current Hawaiʻi County Council member Michelle Galimba not to seek another two-year term in District 6 has opened up a council seat in the Hawaiʻi general election Nov. 3.
District 6 extends from Volcano Village to the southern coast of Kaʻū (including Pāhala, Nāʻālehu and Ocean View) up into the agricultural and coastal regions of South Kona (such as Hoʻokena, Captain Cook and Kealakekua).
The heavily rural area also includes the Hawaiian Ocean View Estates, recognized as the largest residential subdivision in the United States, and an area facing enormous challenges after an influx of population during the Covid-19 pandemic.
All the candidates filled out a survey from Civil Beat, outlining their views on a variety of issues: the future of the countyʻs Homelessness and Housing Fund, due to expire in 2027; how to manage short-term vacation rentals; geothermal energy; and the Big Islandʻs cesspool crisis. They all answered one question from a constituent as well.
Their responses are linked here in alphabetical order under their official ballot name, which you can also compare all in one spot on Civil Beat’s 2026 Hawaiʻi Primary Ballot.
Go to Civil Beat’s 2026 Elections Guide for general information.
Hawaiʻi’s 2026 elections are right around the corner and Civil Beat’s elections guide is here to help with essential information, candidate positions, news stories and more.
