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 James Trujillo, 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, Arryl Kaneshiro, James Langtad, Thomas Lindsay Jr., Umi Martin, John Mattos, John Montemayor, Nelson Mukai, Yelena Okhman, Todd Ozaki, Michael Poai, Cheree Rapozo, Rachel M. Secretario, Taylor H. Shigemoto, Dane Smith, 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?

Not the best but I feel that I’m well suited for the job due to three reasons. First, I’m a proven team player with enhanced communications and problem-solving skills. Secondly, I have an extensive knowledge of the Mayor’s Office, the role of our county council and their interface to provide essential operations of county government. Lastly, my positive attitude along with my management and customer service experience coupled with a deep aloha for Kaua’i makes me uniquely suited for the job.

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 is the looming financial burden that our aging public works infrastructure will demand moving forward. We have critical and costly wastewater issues, solid waste issues and the Department of Water needs financial assistance to remain solvent and sustainable. Housing-related issues are all tied to our infrastructure improvements. We’ve got to work with the new administration and the finance director to seek solutions and develop sound strategies for financing and needed revenue to cover costs

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

Until we can eliminate feral cats altogether, we’ll have to carry on funding the variety of groups that are helping manage the problem. From individuals feeding cats, to folks hosting trap, neuter and release events, wildlife conservation agencies and other government entities all have a role to play in protecting native species and the ʻāina.

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?

This a complicated issue that requires state involvement, imho. I’d like to see the county and state start a heavy equipment training center with Kauaʻi Community College and DoE so we can train the next generation of operators, pipe fitters and general laborers and start on these big projects. Let’s train locals instead of importing workers like they’re apples or strawberries. Developing a Public Utility District to integrate waste and water delivery may make good sense if we had an auditor.

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?

Pressure the state to fulfill their obligation to provide housing for Native Hawaiians. DHHL has been derelict in their duty to get Hawaiian land in Hawaiian hands. The state and county could partner with large landowners to do land swaps, costshare for infrastructure and jumpstart the construction of ADU’s, long term rental and multifamily residential buildings. County incentives to raise tax tier for investment property owners. Tax the rich to house the poor.

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?

I sat on the 2010 Solid Waste Advisory Committee. We were charged with developing the county’s Integrated Solid Waste Master Plan. We created the Pay As You Throw option for curbside household refuse collection. The 2010 ISWMP (Solid Waste Management Plan) also featured a plastic-bag ban and recommended expanding recycling opportunities for residents and businesses. The plan was updated in 2020 with many of the outcomes not realized. As council we can create legislation to prohibit green waste/food waste in the landfill.

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. Absolutely we are being priced out of Paradise by off-island investors and real estate scammers. This has to stop. We need to employ multiple strategies to raise revenue from the investor class to subsidize affordable housing and other government services instead of taxing the kama’aina class into poverty and forcing Ohana off their ancestral land. Tourists, too! Auwe!

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

Malama Kaua’i has drafted the 2030 Kaua’i Food Access Plan. It’s a guide for Kaua’i to prioritize outcomes, goals and funds to support local producers. Whether it’s meat, fresh fruit or produce, honey or value-added products the cultivation of food, farmers and markets is critical for our longterm health and wellbeing. Funding for programs and incentives along with increased access to land and water for crop production should receive priority as well as reduced regulations for workforce housing.

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

We have serious issues-CRB, little fire ants, parakeets, coqui frogs. If we thought bunchy top was bad, CRB is devastating. Working with our partners in the state and to whatever extent the federal resources are available, to assist with personnel costs, training costs and hazard communications necessary to educate the public of the extent of the crisis. Training the next generation of natural resource stewards and scientist is key and continued support for Kauaʻi Invasive Species Committee and Kupu initiatives are no brainers.

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

We need more shelters and better coordination among all stakeholders. Even more so with increased tourists and the houseless population growing island-wide, we need enhanced coordination with service providers and first responders. Kauaʻi Emergency Management Agency is making improvements but you can always improve with each incident and adjust as necessary. Better coordination and enhanced hazard communications with all parties is crucial.

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

We can thank the Kawakami and Carvalho administration for getting the ball the rolling. We now have the Kaua’i Climate Adaptation and Action Plan as a roadmap for county planning and community interests to use as we make land use decisions that will affect generation to come. Climate action requires us to mitigate and adapt as necessary. We are witnesses to the change daily and need to learn recognize the signs and pivot as required in order to survive any future climate-based catastrophe.

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

Well, as I mentioned earlier, we need to do some financial and performance audits on a consistent basis but we’ve been unable to hire an auditor and the county has to rely on a third party vendor to conduct an audit at the moment. This step is critical in isolating where the problems lie and how to resolve it. The charter was amended in 2010 by a 63% majority and the position has remained open/vacant since 2016. This is a great place to start.