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 Chantel Mākuaole-Perrin, nonpartisan candidate for Hawaiʻi County Council District 5 representing the communities of Kurtistown, Mountain View, Glenwood, Orchidlands Estates, Ainaloa, Hawaiian Acres, Fern Acres, Eden Roc, Fern Forest Estates, mauka of Pāhoa Town, Kaohe Homesteads, Kamaili Homesteads, Kalapana, ʻOpihikao, Kehena and Kaimu.

Her nonpartisan opponents are Dawn Kānealiʻi-Kleinfelder, Shannon Matson, Ikaika Rodenhurst and Seaula Jr Tupa’i.

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

My entire life has prepared me for this role. I’ve worked in freight forwarding, facilities maintenance, construction, small business and public service, while raising a family of 12. Those experiences taught me budgeting, planning, problem-solving and bringing people together. Through my service on the Windward Planning Commission, I’ve seen how government decisions impact our communities. I’m running because I love District 5 and want to be part of the solution.

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

I believe Hawaiʻi County’s biggest challenge is aging infrastructure. Roads, wastewater systems, drainage, emergency facilities and public buildings all require investment while costs continue to rise. In my first six months, I would focus on understanding deferred maintenance needs and long-term liabilities so we can prioritize projects, improve planning and address problems before they become costly crises.

Here’s one question from a constituent: How would you make it safer to get in and out of Puna?

Improving safety and access in and out of Puna is one of our community’s greatest challenges. Many residents rely on a limited number of transportation corridors, making communities vulnerable during accidents, wildfires, flooding, or other emergencies. Because major routes like Highway 11 and the Keaʻau-Pāhoa corridor are state roads, solutions require collaboration between the county, state, civil defense and emergency responders to improve transportation and emergency access.

The county’s Homelessness and Housing Fund is due to expire in 2027 and some council members are skeptical that the fund has helped solve the problem. Would you vote to extend the fund, and what would you do to come to grips with this persistent problem?

Homelessness is not one problem with one solution. People become homeless for many different reasons, which is why I support reforming the Homelessness and Housing Fund rather than simply extending it unchanged. Before voting on an extension, I would review program outcomes, audit findings and community feedback to determine what is working, what needs improvement and how we can achieve the greatest impact for both those in need and taxpayers.

Vacation rentals — illegal or not — are often blamed for reducing availability of affordable housing on the Big Island. What steps should the county take to deal with the proliferation of vacation rentals and create more affordable housing?

Housing affordability remains one of Hawaiʻi island’s greatest challenges, but I do not believe vacation rentals are the sole cause. We need good data to understand their impact and ensure existing laws are enforced fairly and consistently. At the same time, there is no single solution to our housing shortage. We must increase housing opportunities through workforce housing, affordable housing, ADUs, infrastructure improvements and policies that help local families remain in our communities.

Half of Hawai‘i’s cesspools are on the Big Island – an estimated 49,000 –  and Mayor Kimo Alameda has already said the county will not meet the state’s 2050 deadline to convert them to cleaner systems. What steps should the county take to address the cesspool issue?

I hear this concern often in District 5. Residents care about clean water and environmental protection, but many are struggling with the cost of living and cannot afford a cesspool conversion that may cost tens of thousands of dollars. If we’re serious about addressing this issue, we must also help people comply through grants, financing options, tax incentives and partnerships. Success isn’t just setting a deadline — it’s helping people actually meet it.

What specific steps should the county take to relieve traffic congestion in and around Kailua-Kona and along the Puna-Kea‘au-Hilo corridor?

I hear this concern often in District 5. Residents care about clean water and environmental protection, but many are struggling with the cost of living and cannot afford a cesspool conversion that may cost tens of thousands of dollars. If we’re serious about addressing this issue, we must help people comply through grants, financing options, tax incentives, and partnerships. Success isn’t just setting a deadline — it’s helping people meet it.

Investors have sunk more than $500 million into the Pepe‘ekeo bioenergy plant known as Hu Honua or Honua Ola, but the plant has still been unable to begin producing power. Should the biomass energy plant be allowed to start operating? Why or why not?

Hawaiʻi cannot afford to dismiss potential energy solutions while remaining dependent on imported fuel. I support exploring projects like Hu Honua, provided they can operate safely, responsibly, and in compliance with environmental and regulatory requirements. We must balance energy affordability, reliability, environmental protection and community concerns while working toward a more energy-independent future.

Both the state and county are showing interest in expanding production of geothermal energy on Hawaiʻi island. What is your position on geothermal power, and what constraints should be placed on it?

I support exploring geothermal energy because Hawaiʻi needs reliable, affordable local energy. However, expansion must include strong environmental safeguards, community involvement, transparency and accountability. I do not believe the choice is between energy development and environmental stewardship. We must pursue both while ensuring public safety, cultural resources and community trust remain at the center of every decision.

What specific plans do you have to improve disaster preparedness and response on the Big Island?

Disaster preparedness begins long before an emergency occurs. On Hawaiʻi island, we face risks from wildfires, flooding, hurricanes, earthquakes and volcanic activity. One concern I hear often in District 5 is emergency access. Many communities rely on limited transportation corridors and can become isolated during disasters. I would work with civil defense, emergency responders, state agencies and community partners to improve emergency access, evacuation planning and community resilience.

What should Hawaiʻi County do to get in front of climate change rather than just reacting and adapting to it?

I don’t think climate change is something we can simply stop at the county level. What we can do is make sure Hawaiʻi island is prepared for the impacts we’re already experiencing. That means smarter planning, resilient infrastructure, protecting our watersheds, strengthening emergency preparedness and making sure future growth doesn’t create new vulnerabilities.

Hawai‘i has a long-stated goal of growing more of its own food. What would you do to further that effort toward increased food sustainability?

Food sustainability requires economic sustainability. Our farmers and ranchers must be able to earn a fair return on their products. I’ve heard from ranchers who can earn more by sending cattle to mainland processors than processing locally. If we want more local food production, we must strengthen processing capacity, improve market opportunities, reduce barriers and create a food system that supports both local families and the producers who feed them.