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 Fern Ānuenue Holland, nonpartisan candidate for Kauaʻi County Council.

Her opponents are Paul Noboru Applegate, Addison Bulosan, Trysten Fernandes Caberto, Mike Coots, Michelle Kaleiohi Correa, Billy DeCosta, Jeremy Haupt, Keola Kaiminaauao, Arryl Kaneshiro, 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 am best suited for the role of council member because I am hardworking, transparent, accessible and committed to serving the people of Kauaʻi. I want this job because I care deeply about the future of Kauaʻi and the ability of local families to continue calling this island home. I remain committed to addressing issues such as affordability, housing, public safety and government efficiency while protecting the resources and communities that make Kauaʻi special.

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?

Affordability is at the root of many challenges, including homelessness, and the growing difficulty local families face in remaining on Kauaʻi. Since being elected, I have worked on finding pathways to address homelessness and substance abuse, including a safe sleeping program and other measures to improve safety. I will continue prioritizing affordability through supporting funding for the Housing Agency and looking at property tax policies that help local families stay and thrive on Kauaʻi.

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

We need to approach feral cat colonies with both compassion and realism. Cats deserve humane treatment, but unmanaged feral cat populations have a devastating impact on our native birds and wildlife and contribute to the spread of toxoplasmosis, which affects both wildlife and human health. I support evidence-based, humane solutions that reduce feral cat populations over time while protecting our endangered species, watersheds and public health.

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 can help accelerate cesspool conversion by continuing to pursue grants, low-interest financing and other incentives that reduce the financial burden on homeowners. We should also advocate for regulatory changes that expand the types of approved wastewater systems available, creating more options and driving down costs through innovation and competition.

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 and we cannot build our way out of it alone. We must continue investing in truly affordable housing projects, like Lima Ola and Waimea400, while ensuring those homes remain accessible to local families and our workforce. Supporting ADUs and ARUs, streamlining permitting, and removing unnecessary barriers to workforce housing can also help increase housing opportunities.

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?

Kauaʻi must take a two-pronged approach to this challenge. First, we need to identify and establish a long-term landfill solution, urgently. At the same time, we must continue pursuing waste diversion strategies that reduce the amount of material entering the landfill in the first place. This includes expanding recycling opportunities, exploring composting and green waste programs, reducing construction and demolition waste, and evaluating emerging technologies.

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?

Yes, I do support it. We are now seeing the Resorts and Transient Vacation Rentals paying the highest rates of property taxes and that money going directly to providing housing. Tourism on Kauaʻi is now the largest single source of funding to the Kauaʻi housing fund. I continue to look at ways that homeowners and long term rentals can be encouraged through reducing property tax rates. I am working on a measure that would significantly drop taxes for generational families who have owned their home since statehood.

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

I am passionate about supporting local food production and agriculture. That means reducing property tax burdens on ag lands, improving access to grants, loans and technical assistance, and expanding opportunities for farmers to secure affordable long-term access to land. We should also invest in dedicated local markets and food distribution systems. By addressing these barriers, we can build a more resilient food system while supporting the farmers who steward our agricultural lands.

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

We need a biosecurity plan for Hawaiʻi – it’s long overdue – but not county authority. The state programs to combat invasive species have felt basically non-existent. I have been fighting hard for support to battle CRB. We need unprecedented funding and I have, and will continue, to push for that across all levels of government. I have also been connecting people with resources, education and options to address breeding sites. We are also developing a bold regional trap strategy within our parks.

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?

We are fortunate to have an outstanding emergency management team, and I have full confidence that our team will respond effectively to the needs of our community when disaster strikes. However, I do not believe we are sufficiently prepared for a massive storm. I believe we need plans to clear and manage ditch and water systems, invest in underground power lines, relocate critical infrastructure out of flood and tsunami zones and expand the number of hurricane-rated shelters across the island.

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

While adaptation is essential, Kauaʻi should also focus on strengthening our long-term resilience. We can lead by expanding regenerative agriculture and local food production. We need to also invest in renewable energy, improve energy efficiency in county facilities, protect and restore native forests and watersheds that naturally capture carbon, and support transportation options that reduce emissions. At the same time, every county decision, from infrastructure investments to land-use planning, should be evaluated through the lens of climate resilience so that we are building a community that is prepared for the challenges ahead rather than simply reacting to them. I think this includes restoring, rather than decommissioning reservoirs and really thinking about our water use and management.

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

I will continue doing what I am doing. This includes timely responses to email and constituent outreach, reporting back to residents about what I am doing, galvanizing testimony and engagement, polling and conducting surveys to better understand where the needs are greatest and energy should be prioritized. At the end of my first year of office I shared a comprehensive list of what I have done and what I am working on. I will continue to provide this transparency and accountability.