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 Eddie Ombac, nonpartisan candidate for Hawaiʻi County Council District 7 which takes in Kailua-Kona and parts of South Kona.

His nonpartisan opponents are Mark G. Henriques and Manu Powers.

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

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

I’ve been serving our Hawai’i island community for over 30 years. I want to continue doing so but on a more personal level. Face-to-face and be the people’s voice.

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?

County parks maintenance, attainable housing, the houseless and parking in Kona Town. These issues all rank as top priorities for me. My job is to help find solutions and take action.

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

I’m not familiar with this issue and need to educate myself on it before answering.

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?

Progress is being made but it’s very slow process. We need to see how public funding is being used and how effective it’s being used.

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?

STR’s help local residents – residents who live on the same property as the STR – afford their mortgage. For property owners who do not reside on island should open up their properties for long term rentals. These should be dealt with on a case-by-case basis. I also feel there should be a noise ordinance for STR’s in residential neighborhoods.

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?

The cesspool issue is a desperate one and needs to be dealt with already. This issue and funds have been on the table way too long. More money needs to be allocated for upgrades.

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

Public transportation is available and not being utilized. Highway 11/Kuakini cannot be widened. Commuters need to start carpooling and using public transportation. This will be difficult to get across to our commuters so they need to be educated on different transportation options.

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?

I need to educate myself more on this issue before I can comment on it.

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?

No response provided.

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

No response provided.

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

For me personally, it all comes down to safety. Safety for residents and our environment.

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?

Sustainable agriculture. It’s always been a no-brainer and will remain one.