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 Paul Noboru Applegate, nonpartisan candidate for Kauaʻi County Council.

His opponents are 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, 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 believe I’m well suited for this position because I’ve spent most of my adult life serving the people of Kauaʻi. I retired as a police captain after 25 years with the Kauaʻi Police Department, where I led teams, managed budgets, solved problems and helped our community through some of its most difficult times. I want to continue serving because I care deeply about this island and want to help ensure that local families can afford to live, work and thrive here.

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 housing affordability. Too many local families are being priced out of the community they grew up in. During my first six months, I would focus on identifying barriers that slow housing projects (and work on correcting them), supporting workforce housing, and strengthening enforcement against illegal vacation rentals that reduce housing availability for residents.

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

We need to continue supporting spay-and-neuter programs, work with animal welfare organizations and reduce the terrible impact on native wildlife through responsible management of cat colonies.

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?

Many homeowners simply cannot afford a $15,000 to $30,000 (some cost much more) conversion. The county should work with the state and federal government to secure grants and low-interest loans, simplify the permitting process and look for financial incentives that make compliance more affordable.

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?

We need to tackle this from different angles. That includes building more workforce housing, streamline permitting process (by using technology), investing in infrastructure, have the county purchase more land for housing projects and ensure existing housing is used for residents rather than illegal vacation rentals.

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?

We need to expand recycling and composting to buy time for a new landfill site to be ready for use. We also need to look at new technology that may be applicable to reduce waste going into landfills.

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. Residents who live and work here should receive some relief compared to non-owner-occupied properties. If those additional revenues are used responsibly (tracked and documented) to create housing opportunities for local families, then I would be in support of dedicating larger portions to this use.

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

We need to support farmers by removing the three barriers they currently face; affordable access to water, infrastructure, and markets. Small family farms and larger agricultural operations both play important roles in strengthening our food security.

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

Invasive species threaten our environment, agriculture, and our economy. We need stronger prevention efforts, early detection, public education and continued support for the organizations doing this important work.

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’ve made progress, but there is always room for improvement. Having served as an incident commander during major floods, hurricanes and tsunamis, I know preparedness requires constant attention. We need stronger infrastructure, better communication systems and continued community preparedness efforts.

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

We should focus on protecting infrastructure, improving watershed management and preserving open space. We should also make decisions that will not contribute to the problem.

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

Having been the commander of a police internal affairs unit, I understand the importance of government transparency. I support clear communication, responsible spending and decision-making processes that are transparent and easy for residents to follow.