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 Mike Coots, nonpartisan candidate for Kauaʻi County Council.

His opponents are Paul Noboru Applegate, Addison Bulosan, Trysten Fernandes Caberto, 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, James Trujillo and 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’m not a career politician, but have spent my life overcoming difficult situations (an amputee from a shark attack), know how to bring people together and turn problems into action. I want this responsibility because I love this island and its people. Born and raised on Kaua’i, I see local families struggling to make ends meet, the immense challenges of housing and voices not being heard. I feel a strong responsibility to serve our community.

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?

Housing. The lack of affordable housing is at a crisis, worthy of a mayor emergency proclamation. We need to make it easier to build small homes on agricultural land. Pre-approved home plans verified by architects should be rubber-stamped in permitting. Use AI software in the permit office to speed up an average of 200 days to under two weeks for small and average-sized homes. Support locally made pre-built/pre-assembled homes. Allow water catchment systems. Mirror ʻĀina Kūpuna tax relief.

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

This is an issue I don’t know enough about. I’ve seen the incredibly sad photos of dead shearwaters and the presence of large colonies in various places on island. I do know it’s an issue filled with passion on both sides. I have spent my adult life advocating for wildlife and conservation, so protecting native birds is extremely important to me. At the same time, a response must be humane and based on sound science.

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?

I believe that cost is nearly double than what’s written above. Combined with installing a water meter, the cost of building even a tiny home on land owned by family is out of reach for many residents. Allowing alternative wastewater solutions like composting toilets or the Japan tech FujiClean, especially for 800-square-foot and smaller guest homes. Pushing for tax credits and grants. Cesspool conversion should be prioritized on land in SMA’s like Hanalei Bay.

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?

See above. The median price for a single-family home in my hometown of Kīlauea is nearly double that. The lack of affordable housing is by far the biggest and most urgent issue on Kaua’i. My campaign slogan is Leadership That Keeps Kaua’i Home. If elected, my primary mission is to keep local families on island, and make it possible for those who have already left to come 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?

The westside has shouldered the burden of the island’s waste for too long. We need an on-island construction and demolition reclamation center (biggest category of landfill waste) curbside recycling and active investment in emerging waste-reduction technology.

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 this. Off-island entities using Kaua’i to generate revenue (and money leaving the island) fairly need measures in place to offset the costs it creates for residents (e.g. higher home prices). This type of tax code is mirrored in other “luxury” destinations around the country and world. Revenue generated helps fund everything from our fire department to upgrading infrastructure. This benefits everyone on island, including the industries taxed at a higher rate.

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 grew up in a family of farmers and know the difficulties facing farmers. I see the astronomical food prices at the grocery store. I love ʻAina Ho’okupu O Kīlauea/Johnnys in Kīlauea. A food hub with local produce, meat and fish. I would love to see this on every side of the island. I would also love to see schools serving local produce and meat/fish. Creating a reliable demand for famers. We also need to look at “gentlemen” estates getting ag tax breaks and make sure they are actually farming.

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

I personally believe the state has gotten an F grade in invasive species. I look at our family farm and the population of rose-ringed parakeets that are destroying the fruit. CRB is islandwide. I recently took a trip to New Zealand and the list of items to declare is taken very seriously and everything from boots to dive gear is inspected. Kaua’i is the extinction capital of the world, and biosecurity needs to be taken seriously for an island ecosystem.

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?

I believe that Kaua’i is the most resilient in the state for natural disasters. From first responders to our amazing, tight-knit community, we have been through our share of hurricanes and floods. More can always be done, but I am dang proud of the people of Kaua’i and how we respond to major weather events. A big concern is if something happened to Wailua bridge, or residents and visitors stuck in Hāʻena and Hanalei if a local tsunami happened and had little time to evacuate.

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

Look into zoning setbacks along the waterline is first and foremost.

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

We need an independent county auditor. It was voted by the people of Kaua’i in a charter amendment in 2008, the position just has not been filled. That should be a priority.