Civil Beat has asked candidates for the Hawaiʻi elections to answer a survey about where they stand on various issues and what their priorities will be if elected.

The following comes from Ren Del Rosario, nonpartisan candidate for Hawaiʻi County Council Member District 1, which includes North Hilo, Hāmākua, and portions of Waimea.

He is running against candidates Heather Kimball and BJ Penn in the Aug. 8 primary.

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 best suited for this job because I understand the challenges local families, workers and small businesses face every day. I will listen to the community, speak up for District 1, and fight for fair policies that protect local residents from overregulation and overtaxation. I want this job to serve the people, restore trust in local government and ensure our community’s voice is heard at the council level.

What is the biggest issue facing Hawai‘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 facing Hawai‘i County is the growing financial burden on local residents caused by overregulation and excessive taxation. Policies affecting agriculture and short-term vacation rentals (STVRs) have hurt many local families trying to survive and keep generational property. In my first six months, I would work to review and amend these laws, meet directly with affected residents and farmers, and push for fair, practical policies that protect local livelihoods.

Here’s one question from a constituent: How would you make it safer to get in and out of Puna?

Hawaii residents deserve safe, reliable access in and out of their communities. I would prioritize improving Highway 130 and key evacuation routes, accelerating road maintenance, and pushing for better traffic flow at dangerous intersections. We also need stronger emergency preparedness planning for natural disaster events we can have on our island. Our community can’t wait years for action, and our residents deserve infrastructure that keeps them safely connected.

The county’s Homelessness and Housing Fund is due to expire in 2027 and some council members are skeptical that the fund has helped solve the problem. Would you vote to extend the fund, and what would you do to come to grips with this persistent problem?

I would support extending the Homelessness and Housing Fund, but with stronger accountability, transparency and measurable results. We need to focus on local families, workforce housing, mental health, addiction treatment, and partnerships with nonprofits and churches already doing the work on the ground. We also need faster permitting and infrastructure support to create affordable housing while addressing the root causes of homelessness, not just the symptoms.

Vacation rentals — illegal or not — are often blamed for reducing availability of affordable housing on the Big Island. What steps should the county take to deal with the proliferation of vacation rentals and create more affordable housing?

We need balanced enforcement and common-sense reform. Illegal vacation rentals should be addressed fairly and consistently, while protecting local families who rely on hosted rentals for income. The county must also remove barriers to building affordable housing by streamlining permits, supporting workforce housing, improving infrastructure, and revisiting regulations that have made it harder for local residents to keep and use their properties.

Half of Hawai‘i’s cesspools are on the Big Island – an estimated 49,000 –  and Mayor Kimo Alameda has already said the county will not meet the state’s 2050 deadline to convert them to cleaner systems. What steps should the county take to address the cesspool issue?

We need a practical, measured approach to the cesspool issue. Homes closest to shorelines, streams, and drinking water sources should be prioritized first because they pose the greatest environmental risk. Rural inland properties should have more time to comply and, in some cases, may qualify for exemptions. The county must also advocate for more state and federal funding so local families are not financially burdened by costly mandates.

What specific steps should the county take to relieve traffic congestion in and around Kailua-Kona and along the Puna-Kea‘au-Hilo corridor?

We need practical, long-term solutions — not just studies. In Kona and along the Puna–Keaʻau–Hilo corridor, the county should accelerate road expansion projects already in planning, improve traffic signal timing, add safer turn lanes and alternate routes, and better coordinate roadwork to reduce delays. We also need stronger investment in public transit, park-and-ride options, and infrastructure planning that keeps pace with growth before communities become overburdened.

Investors have sunk more than $500 million into the Pepe‘ekeo bioenergy plant known as Hu Honua or Honua Ola, but the plant has still been unable to begin producing power. Should the biomass energy plant be allowed to start operating? Why or why not?

I am not in favor of allowing Hu Honua to operate as it stands today. Any energy project must protect our environment, respect community concerns, and avoid increasing costs for local residents already struggling with high utility bills. However, I remain open to discussions if the project can meet strict environmental standards, provide transparency, and demonstrate clear benefits to the people of Hawai‘i island.

Both the state and county are showing interest in expanding production of geothermal energy on Hawaiʻi island. What is your position on geothermal power, and what constraints should be placed on it?

I support exploring geothermal energy as part of a diverse renewable energy strategy for Hawaiʻi island. However, any expansion must address community concerns, protect the environment and demonstrate clear benefits that outweigh the costs to residents. Projects should include transparent public input, rigorous environmental review, ongoing monitoring and safeguards for nearby communities before moving forward.

What specific plans do you have to improve disaster preparedness and response on the Big Island?

The Big Island faces hurricanes, wildfires, flooding, lava events and earthquakes, so preparedness must be proactive, not reactive. I support improving evacuation routes and road access, expanding emergency communication systems in rural areas, strengthening partnerships with community organizations, and investing in resilient infrastructure. We also need better coordination between county, state and federal agencies to ensure faster response and recovery when disasters strike.

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

Hawaiʻi County must take a balanced, practical approach to climate change by protecting our natural resources while keeping costs affordable for local families. We should invest in wildfire prevention, strengthen infrastructure, improve water security, support responsible renewable energy, and protect agricultural lands and native forests that absorb carbon. The county should also streamline permitting for resilient housing and infrastructure before disasters happen, not after.

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?

To improve food sustainability, I would partner with UH Hilo, our high schools, and local farmers to encourage the next generation to pursue agriculture. Hāmākua has the potential to be the breadbasket of Hawaiʻi island. We should support backyard gardens and small-scale food production, including raising egg-laying chickens, while helping farmers and food producers access grants and other resources. Growing more local food strengthens our economy, food security, and self-reliance.