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 Arryl Kaneshiro, nonpartisan candidate for Kauaʻi County Council.

His opponents are Paul Noboru Applegate, Addison Bulosan, Trysten Fernandes Caberto, Mike Coots, Michelle Kaleiohi Correa, Billy DeCosta, Jeremy Haupt, Fern Ānuenue Holland, Keola Kaiminaauao, James Langtad, Thomas Lindsay Jr., Umi Martin, John H. Mattos, John Montemayor, Nelson Mukai, Yelena Okhman, Todd Ozaki, Michael Poai, Cheree Rapozo, Rachel M. Secretario, Taylor H. Shigemoto, Dane Smith, James Trujillo, Herman K. Wilson and Skyler Workman.

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 want the job because I care about Kauaʻi and I care about its future. I have proudly served on the Kauaʻi County Council for 10 years, including four years as the council chair and 10 years as the chair of the budget committee. I have gained institutional knowledge and have established great working relationships at the county, state, and federal level. I believe my experience, leadership, and relationships built over the years will help provide stability and continuity to the county.

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 issue facing Kauaʻi County is our high cost of living, driven largely by the lack of affordable housing. We need to encourage and support housing for local working-class residents. At the same time, we need to be more business friendly and help develop good-paying jobs. When local businesses can grow and thrive without unnecessary barriers, they create stable jobs, stronger wages, and greater economic opportunities for Kaua’i residents.

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

There is no question that feral cats have a significant impact on endangered seabirds and other native wildlife. Addressing the issue will require a multi-pronged approach. Whenever possible, our first priority should be trapping, socializing and adopting cats into homes. We should also expand spay and neuter programs, promote responsible pet ownership, enforce laws against abandonment, and implement targeted protection measures in sensitive habitat areas to safeguard native species.

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, how can the county help jumpstart cesspool replacements?

The county should continue to work with the state on implementing the Cesspool Pilot Grant Conversion Program, which offers up to $20,000 in reimbursements for cesspool conversion or connection cost. As a county, the largest impact we can have on reducing the number of cesspools is to expand the service area of our existing wastewater facilities and explore the possibility of creating new wastewater facilities.

The median price for a single-family home on Kaua‘i has topped $1 million. What would you do to address the shortage of affordable housing?

There is no single solution to Kauaʻi’s housing shortage. We must continue supporting affordable housing projects, remove unnecessary barriers to development, and invest in critical water and wastewater infrastructure. The county cannot build its way out of this crisis alone — we need private-sector partners as well. Our greatest challenge now, is creating workforce and middle-income housing for local families who earn too much to qualify for low-income housing but cannot afford a $1 million home.

Kaua‘i’s landfill in Kekaha will soon run out of capacity. What should the county council do to address what could become a garbage crisis for the island?

Waste is expensive to manage. Solid waste operations are subsidized by approximately $21 million. To address our garbage crisis the county council will need to be open to any and all environmentally friendly and cost effective ways to manage or reduce our solid waste and also be willing to fund it. Continuing to bury trash is not the long term solution. I would love to see a cost effective method to mine our existing landfill, turn the old waste into energy, and then reuse the mined area.

In recent years, Kaua‘i restructured property tax rates to widen the gap between rates for owner-occupied and non-owner-occupied property (i.e. vacation rentals, second homes) and dedicate a larger portion of those revenues to creating housing for residents. Do you support that move? Why or why not?

I support the move because it generated needed funding for housing, but caution the reliance on property tax rate increases as the solution to every county funding challenge. We need a balanced approach to the budget that includes responsible fiscal management and careful prioritization of county spending, rather than simply relying on higher tax rates. Housing is a priority, but we must ensure that our tax policies remain fair and sustainable over the long term.

What would you do to encourage more local food production on Kaua‘i, balancing the needs and challenges of both small and large farmers?

My family has been in agriculture for four generations. There needs to be a lot more tolerance towards agriculture from the general public. We need to make the conscious effort to purchase from local farmers and ranchers, work to incorporate local produce into school lunches, and continue to support food banks and organizations that provide local food boxes for distribution to elderly and residents in need.

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

I commend the organizations and volunteers who work every day to combat invasive species. Invasive species threaten our native ecosystem, agriculture, economy and quality of life. The county allocated funding toward mitigation, but the need far exceeds the resources currently available. We need to continue supporting early detection and rapid response programs, increase public education efforts, expand interagency coordination, and invest in research and innovative control methods.

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 ʻIniki or Kona low system? Why or why not? What additional steps should the county take?

I am confident in our county’s emergency response capabilities and the lessons learned from past disasters. Preparedness is an ongoing process. We must continue improving emergency plans, conducting disaster exercises, strengthening partnerships with government and nonprofit agencies, and maintaining adequate reserve funds for rapid response. Building resilience also starts at home ensuring families can sustain themselves until assistance is available.

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

Kauaʻi must take a proactive, science-based approach to climate change. Our shoreline setback ordinance is among the strongest in the nation, but it must be regularly updated as new data becomes available. We have also adopted wildfire mitigation measures that improve resilience through defensible space, ember-resistant construction, and fire-resistant materials. By continuing to invest in planning, prevention, and resilient infrastructure, we can better prepare for future challenges.

What would you do to ensure transparency and accountability in county government?

I feel the county is transparent as council members are bound by the Sunshine Law, meetings are televised, and we are fortunate to live on a small island where local officials are visible, approachable and held accountable by the general public.