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 Blaine Bautista, nonpartisan candidate for Hawaiʻi County Council Member District 2 which includes portions of South Hilo, Downtown Hilo, Bayfront, Wailoa, a portion of Waiākea Houselots, University Heights, Komohana Gardens, a portion of Waiākea Uka, Lanakila, Mohouli, Ainako, Kaumana, Pi’ihonua, Wailuku and Waiānuenue.

He is running against candidates Wendy Botelho, JoNelle Fukushima, William Halversen and incumbent Jennifer Kagiwada 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?

My slogan, “From Hilo, For Hilo,” drives my campaign. Through my experience as a state employee, union steward, judo coach, Japanese and Hawai’i Island Chamber member,and Salvation Army Board member, I understand our island’s unique challenges. I am ready to address the rising cost of living, build safer neighborhoods and support local families. I promise integrity and active, year-round engagement, not just during election season. I will always put our community’s best interests first.

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?

High costs for housing, groceries and healthcare are squeezing our local families, young adults and kūpuna. I will protect our economy by supporting local farmers, energy initiatives and small businesses while pursuing federal grants for essential goods. Within my first six months, I will launch a housing and community development work group bringing officials, developers and nonprofits together to streamline permitting, boost affordable housing inventory and build a self-reliant island.

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

Puna isn’t in my district, but island-wide connectivity is vital. Our communities rely too heavily on single roadways. When emergencies, accidents or closures happen, residents are left stranded. We need to actively build alternative routes, widen the roads and improve connectivity between regions. Doing so strengthens our transportation network, ensures rapid emergency response and gives residents reliable, safe travel options during a crisis.

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 support extending the fund because doing nothing isn’t an option, but we need strict accountability. Taxpayers deserve to see measurable results, not just spending. I will mandate clear public reporting on housing placements and fund distribution. We must back effective frontline providers while adjusting failing programs, and simultaneously address root causes by connecting these funds to affordable housing, mental health services and substance abuse treatment.

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?

Vacation rentals contribute to our economy, but local housing must be protected. I support strict enforcement against illegal rentals, caps on the number of units an entity can own and higher tax rates for non-owner-occupied rentals to fund affordable housing initiatives. Simultaneously, we must expand housing supply via public-private partnerships and workforce incentives. My priority is ensuring local families and kūpuna are not priced out of the communities they call home.

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?

To tackle our cesspool issue, I would first tie a mandatory upgrade to building permits for major renovations or additions, avoiding burdens on other homeowners. Second, the county must aggressively promote the Hawai’i Cesspool Compliance Pilot Grant Program to connect eligible residents with up to $20,000. Finally, because conversions cost $30,000 to $50,000, I would try to partner with local banks for low-interest financing and explore tax credits so compliance is affordable for families.

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

To relieve congestion in Kona and the Puna-Keaʻau-Hilo corridor, I will push for a three-pronged approach. First, I support widening roads at critical bottlenecks guided by traffic data. Second, I would explore building highway overpasses and grade-separated intersections to eliminate major intersection delays. Finally, we must actively develop alternative routes to break our reliance on single highways, ensuring better daily traffic flow and reliable emergency access.

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 would support allowing the Hu Honua bioenergy plant to operate, provided it meets all environmental, legal and safety requirements. Hawaiʻi Island families face high electricity costs, and locally generated energy could help reduce our dependence on imported fossil fuels and stabilize rates. While I understand the environmental concerns surrounding biomass, those issues must be carefully addressed. If the plant can operate responsibly and safely while benefiting our community, I’m for it!

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?

Geothermal energy can provide reliable, local renewable power to stabilize our high utility bills, but it requires strict constraints. I will demand that any expansion uses the latest technology, passes rigorous environmental reviews and maintains continuous safety monitoring. We must mandate transparent communication and comprehensive emergency planning with affected communities. I support moving forward only if projects protect residents health, safety and quality of life.

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

On an island prone to volcanic activity, wildfires and tsunamis, preparedness is vital. I will partner with Civil Defense to modernize our emergency plans. To build resilient neighborhoods, I support quarterly community workshops and pop-up events teaching evacuation procedures and kit building. I will also advocate for critical investments in early warning systems and stronger communication coordination among our first responders and local community organizations.

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

Climate change is already here, bringing erratic weather, coastal erosion and droughts. To get ahead of it, Hawaiʻi County must rely on science and data to guide proactive decisions rather than just reacting. I will advocate for investing in renewable energy, expanding sustainable agriculture, protecting natural resources and strengthening infrastructure resilience. We must monitor emerging global research to protect our island and leave it healthier for future generations.

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 boost food sustainability, we must aggressively invest in local agriculture. I support programs that directly assist farmers, encourage innovation and lower bureaucratic barriers to farming. I will push to expand farm-to-school and farm-to-table initiatives to put local food in our communities. Finally, we need incentives for next-generation agricultural entrepreneurs to keep our traditions alive and build a resilient food system that helps lower the cost of living.