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

Her nonpartisan opponents are Mark G. Henriques and Eddie Ombac.

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 am running because I believe Hawaiʻi island is at a tipping point. As a Native Hawaiian raised here who has built a life and raised a family here, I feel a deep sense of kuleana to this community. My experience in business, philanthropy, nonprofit leadership and community service has prepared me to bring people together, solve complex problems and plan for the future. I want to help ensure future generations can afford to live, work, raise families and thrive on Hawaiʻi island.

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?

The biggest issue facing Hawaiʻi County is affordability. Housing, food, energy, healthcare and transportation costs are making it harder for local families to remain in the communities they call home. One of my first priorities would be addressing infrastructure and permitting barriers that limit housing opportunities. By investing in infrastructure, local food production, renewable energy and housing, we can build a more affordable and resilient future.

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

As someone who grew up in Puna, I understand the importance of safe and reliable access to and from the district. When I was young, there was an additional route that provided greater flexibility and peace of mind. My priorities would be addressing traffic bottlenecks, improving roadway safety, and pursuing alternate access and evacuation routes. As Puna grows, no community should be dependent on a single road during an emergency. Public safety must guide transportation planning.

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?

Any decision about extending the Homelessness and Housing Fund should be based on measurable results. Before voting, I would evaluate the pending audit, review stakeholder input and identify opportunities for improvement. To make meaningful progress, we must address both homelessness and its root causes by increasing housing opportunities, expanding mental health and substance abuse services, and improving coordination among government, nonprofits, healthcare providers and the private sector.

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?

The county should enforce existing laws, address illegal operators, and evaluate the impacts of multiple-unit and out-of-state ownership. At the same time, we must increase housing supply through infrastructure investments, permitting improvements and public-private partnerships. The goal should be balanced, data-driven policies that support local residents, neighborhoods and our economy while protecting the rights of homeowners.

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?

Addressing this issue will require a practical, community-based approach based on geographic priority. We should pursue state and federal funding, invest in regional wastewater solutions where appropriate, and simplify permitting. Public-private partnerships can help accelerate progress and reduce costs. While the 2050 deadline may be difficult to achieve, we must continue making meaningful progress to protect water quality, public health and Hawaiʻi island’s environment.

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

Improving traffic congestion will require infrastructure investment, transportation innovation and long-term planning. We should invest in roadway improvements, intersection upgrades and signal synchronization to address bottlenecks. We also need to modernize public transportation through smaller vehicles, on-demand options and real-time bus tracking. Finally, we should evaluate new roadway connections and alternate routes to improve mobility, emergency access and evacuation capacity.

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 believe decisions regarding Hu Honua should be based on science, data and a thorough evaluation of environmental and economic impacts, not simply the amount already invested. Concerns about greenhouse gas emissions, air quality, fuel sustainability, impacts on natural resources and electricity costs should be objectively evaluated and addressed. I would support the project only if the evidence demonstrates a net benefit and the community has been meaningfully engaged in the process.

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?

As a Native Hawaiian, I view geothermal through both a practical and cultural lens. I support evaluating geothermal as part of a diversified renewable energy portfolio, but not at the expense of cultural, environmental or community values. Any project should undergo rigorous environmental review, address impacts to groundwater, ecosystems and air quality, and include meaningful community engagement. Communities most affected must have a genuine voice in whether and how projects move forward.

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

My priorities are strengthening infrastructure resilience, improving emergency communications and enhancing community preparedness. This includes investing in evacuation routes, utilities and drainage improvements, while supporting first responder staffing and retention as well as resiliency hubs through public-private partnerships to improve response and recovery.

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

Hawaiʻi County should take a proactive approach to climate change by reducing dependence on imported fuel and food through renewable energy, energy efficiency and local food production. We should incorporate climate risks such as flooding, wildfire, drought and sea level rise into infrastructure and land-use decisions. We must also protect forests, watersheds, wetlands and coastal areas that help buffer climate impacts, protect water resources and strengthen community resilience.

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?

Improving food sustainability is critical to Hawaiʻi island’s resilience, affordability and economic security. We should support organizations like the ʻUlu Coop and Adaptations that help local farmers access land, markets and distribution networks. I support strengthening connections between agriculture, schools, hotels, healthcare providers and local businesses. A stronger local food system improves food security, creates economic opportunity and reduces dependence on imports.