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 Trysten Fernandes Caberto, nonpartisan candidate for Kauaʻi County Council.

His opponents are Paul Noboru Applegate, Addison Bulosan, Mike Coots, Michelle Kaleiohi Correa, Billy DeCosta, Jeremy Haupt, Fern Ānuenue Holland, 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?

Working as a funeral director on Kauaʻi taught me the importance of listening carefully and meeting people where they are. My graduate research focuses on the desecration of sacred land in Hawaiʻi; it has reinforced my belief that culturally significant places should be protected vigorously. These experiences have shaped my understanding of what happens when economic priorities outweigh community values. I believe they have prepared me to serve with unique insight and integrity.

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?

Many of Kauaʻi’s challenges share a common cause: the commodification of our island. Housing costs and affordability are symptoms of a deeper problem. So too are many of the pressures being placed on our environment and infrastructure. Tourism matters to our economy, but we should be asking what kind of relationship visitors have with this place. During my first six months, I would strengthen and expand community-based stewardship models like the work of Hui Makaʻāinana o Makana in Hāʻena.

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

This is a difficult issue, but I believe our native and endangered wildlife must come before any invasive species. Here’s the reality: feral cats are not native to Hawaiʻi and have serious impacts on our delicate ecosystems. They have slaughtered countless native birds. The county needs to take a multi-pronged approach including Trap Neuter Release and an incentive program to capture feral cats humanely. We should enforce existing laws that prohibit the feeding of feral cats on county property.

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?

A $15,000 to $30,000 conversion – the true cost can be even higher – simply is not realistic. To support homeowners I would explore what financial assistance the county can provide, look for opportunities to leverage state and federal resources, including the New Green Fee. Otherwise, we risk creating a mandate that most homeowners cannot afford to meet – I certainly couldn’t. Because cesspool conversion benefits the entire community, the financial burden should not fall solely on homeowners.

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 the housing crisis. Yes, we need more housing but we should also be asking who that housing is being built for. Rising home prices are being exacerbated by outside investment and a housing market that increasingly treats homes as assets rather than places to live. UHERO indicates that Kaua’i has the highest Short Term Rental rate in Hawai’i. I would prioritize housing for residents over new vacation rentals, hotels and timeshares and would incentivize first time local buyers.

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 landfill issue is another reminder that Kauaʻi has finite resources. I support expanding recycling and composting efforts, phasing out single-use plastics and creating a more robust donation system so usable items aren’t thrown away. However, that alone will not solve our waste problems. Leftover construction materials should be redirected away from our landfills and to our biomass generator near Kōloa. The county must purchase land to construct a new landfill; there is no way around it.

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. When there is a choice between protecting housing for residents and protecting the financial interests of second-home owners, I will prioritize residents. I support lower tax rates for owner-occupied homes because people who live and work on Kauaʻi should receive preferential treatment. I would also support tax incentives for property owners who provide long-term housing to local residents rather than using homes as vacation properties.

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

Kauaʻi imports much of its food despite having productive agricultural land. I believe we should be creating stronger connections between local farmers and local businesses. The county should explore incentives for local businesses that encourage the purchase of locally grown produce. We should also invest in the revitalization of Native Hawaiian agricultural knowledge, which sustained communities here long before any modern supply chains existed.

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

KISC is already undergoing a massive effort. Though they are supported by the Department of Health and Ag, it does not come swiftly. Not acting fast enough exacerbates invasive combating missions. I will advocate for KISC; they need a strong biosecurity plan and funding to be able to act quickly. CRB is an immediate threat; we need to step up! This is something we can control but only if there is community engagement and action. Imagine a Kaua’i without any coconut trees or palms.

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?

The more self-sufficient Kauaʻi is, the better prepared we are. The best disaster response begins with good infrastructure and regular maintenance. More routine vegetation management, better drainage maintenance and continued efforts to modernize our electrical grid would improve resilience. We should also modernize emergency communications. We need to reexamine how altering the path of natural watersheds is contributing to catastrophic flooding.

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

Climate change is a global problem but Kauaʻi should lead by example to mitigate local impacts. Kaua’i already is a leader in renewable energy; we should continue to invest in it. The Kaua’i Climate Adaptation and Action Plan provides a solid starting point. We must build resilient infrastructure by upgrading our electrical grid and waste treatment. We are an island in the midst of a global environmental crisis. Our shorelines will continue to recede, land will be lost. We all need to be better stewards of our ‘aina.

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

Transparency is only meaningful if people can actually understand what their government is doing. County Council meetings should be livestreamed, more easily accessible online via Youtube. Agendas and major proposals should be accompanied by plain-language summaries so residents do not need legal or technical expertise to understand them. By making government more transparent, residents are better equipped to hold public officials accountable and ensure decisions reflect the interests of Kauaʻi.