Landfill, Cesspools And Another ʻIniki?: Kauaʻi County Council Candidate Q&As
Kauaʻi’s council members face daunting infrastructure needs, a shortage of workforce housing and declining visitor numbers on the island.
A crowded field of 26 nonpartisans are running for four open Kauaʻi County Council seats.
With Mayor Derek Kawakami termed out, and running for lieutenant governor, three council members are eyeing that office and causing a ripple effect, opening up an unusual number of vacancies for their council positions.
The top 14 candidates will advance from the Aug. 8 primary to the Nov. 3 general election.
All 26 candidates were sent a survey from Civil Beat, asking for their views on a range of topics including whether they think the county is prepared for another major weather event, how they would promote transparency in local government and how they would encourage more local food production.
Their responses, if they provided them, are linked in alphabetical order under their official ballot name, which you can also compare all in one spot on Civil Beat’s 2026 Hawaiʻi Primary Ballot. If others submit before the election, they will be added, so check back.
Jeremy Haupt
Keola Kaiminaauao
James Langtad
Thomas Lindsay Jr.
John Montemayor
Nelson Mukai
Yelena Okhman
Michael Poai
Cheree Rapozo
Rachel M. Secretario
Taylor H. Shigemoto
Herman K. Wilson
Hawaiʻi’s 2026 elections are right around the corner and Civil Beat’s elections guide is here to help with essential information, candidate positions, news stories and more.
