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 Derrick Cabiles, Nonpartisan candidate for Maui County Council Upcountry District.

His opponents are John Guard, Bobby Pahia and Jon Yokouchi.

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 am running for Maui County Council because our ‘ohana, local businesses, and youth deserve a leader who listens first and acts with integrity and aloha. With my background in public safety and statewide logistics, I bring a practical understanding of how county decisions affect our daily lives. Maui is at a critical crossroads; we need leadership committed to keeping our island affordable, protecting our natural resources, and rebuilding trust by working together transparently.

What is the biggest issue facing Maui County, and what is the first thing you would do to address it in the first six months after being elected?

The most pressing issue facing Maui is housing affordability and the ongoing displacement of local families, a crisis worsened by the 2023 wildfires. In my first six months, I will prioritize streamlining the permitting process for 100% affordable, local-resident housing. I will advocate for cutting unnecessary red tape and expanding key water and wastewater infrastructure so we can build long-term, owner-occupied homes for our working and middle-class families.

Here’s one question from a constituent: What is your position on upcountry speed humps? Would you remove them? Why or why not?

This is about balancing neighborhood pedestrian safety with emergency response times. Upcountry streets must be safe for families, but traffic calming should be done thoughtfully. I do not support a blanket removal of speed humps, as they protect high-risk areas like school zones. However, we must reevaluate their design alongside first responders to prevent emergency delays, exploring smarter alternatives like speed cushions that slow speeders without blocking aid.

The county now has a law on the books to effectively phase out several thousand vacation rentals in apartment-zoned districts starting in 2029. The companion measure to grandfather in more than half of those properties has since been rejected by all three planning commissions. What would you do as a council member about this?

This complex issue requires balancing our urgent need for housing with economic, job and tax stability. As a council member, I support a legally sound, phased transition that prioritizes residential housing without causing sudden economic shocks. The council must work with legal experts and stakeholders to find a balanced middle ground, creating sensible exceptions for resort-integrated properties while offering incentives for voluntary conversions to long-term housing for local families.

Hawai‘i has a long-stated goal of growing more of its own food. What would you do to further that effort toward increased food sustainability?

True food sustainability requires giving local farmers and ranchers the practical tools they need to succeed and stay viable. I will advocate for protecting affordable agricultural water rates and expanding recycled water infrastructure. Additionally, I support streamlining the permitting process for essential farm structures, like worker housing, and exploring public-private partnerships for cooperative cold storage to help local growers easily supply Maui’s markets and families.

The county has been moving forward with plans to bring much more of Maui’s water supply under public ownership instead of private. What steps would you take to get a better handle on Maui’s water future?

Water is a public trust. Securing a reliable supply is essential for our environment, agriculture, and housing. To strengthen Maui’s water future, I will focus on upgrading aging infrastructure to stop water loss from leaking county pipes. I also advocate for expanding recycled wastewater systems for agricultural use to conserve drinking aquifers, and supporting stable funding for watershed partnerships to protect our forests from invasive species and wildfire threats.

Overtourism can degrade the environment, contribute to wear and tear on infrastructure, generate traffic and disrupt neighborhoods. How well is Maui managing the tourism industry that drives its economy? What would you do differently?

While tourism drives our economy, our first duty is protecting the quality of life for local residents. We must shift from destination marketing to active destination management. I support establishing visitor-funded impact fees at popular county parks to directly fund their conservation and upkeep. I also advocate for reservation systems at high-impact spots to ease neighborhood congestion, while investing in green industries to create additional career paths for our keiki.

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

Getting in front of climate change means integrating long-term resilience into all county planning, from zoning to capital projects. I will advocate for proactively establishing managed firebreaks and restoring native, fire-resistant plants in wildfire-prone areas like Upcountry and South Maui. I also support expanding local clean energy micro-grids so our critical infrastructure, like water pumps and emergency shelters, remains operational during extreme weather.

Maui has been targeted for enforcement by ICE agents. What will be the position of your office to requests for more cooperation between county law enforcement and federal authorities?

Public safety relies on trust. If community members fear reporting crimes or seeking emergency help, we all become less safe. My position is that county law enforcement resources must stay focused on local policing, crime prevention and community safety. I support a clear separation of roles, ensuring local police are not diverted to enforce federal civil immigration matters, except in cases of violent felonies, direct threats to safety or judicial warrants.

The $1.6 billion federal Community Block Development Grant is the largest disaster loan in U.S. history, but it falls far short of the estimates for recovery from the 2023 wildfires. What would you do to make those dollars count?

With limited resources, absolute transparency and high-impact spending are essential. Every federal dollar must serve multiple recovery goals.I will advocate for multi-benefit projects, like upgrading water lines to double as fire-suppression networks. I also support directing funds to help displaced families rebuild, and establishing a transparent tracking dashboard to ensure funds are spent efficiently while hiring local contractors first to support our economy.

The cost of living on Maui continues to remain high. How can county government help working and middle-class people buy homes, pay rent or otherwise afford to live and work on the island?

While the county cannot control global economic factors, we have direct levers to make life more affordable. I support restructuring property tax tiers to offer greater exemptions and lower rates for owner-occupants and long-term local rentals, while shifting the tax burden to high-end, non-resident luxury properties. I will also work to expand the county’s First Time Homebuyer Program to help working families clear the down payment hurdle.

What is your assessment of programs combating invasive species in Maui Nui and what other measures would you advocate for you in office?

Invasive species like axis deer, little fire ants and coqui frogs threaten our agriculture, watersheds and ecosystems. Our local conservation groups do incredible work but need consistent support. I will advocate for stable, multi-year funding for the Maui Invasive Species Committee (MISC), work with state authorities to strengthen biosecurity at ports of entry and support partnerships with hunters and landowners to manage the axis deer population.