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 Kelton Chang, nonpartisan candidate for Hawaiʻi County Council Member District 3, which includes which includes parts of Orchidland and Hawaiian Paradise Park, Panaewa, Pūʻainakō and Keaukaha.

He is running against incumbent Dennis Onishi 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 want to be a voice for the next generation of residents who choose to build their lives here in Hawaiʻi. The decisions made today will directly impact their future, and I want to ensure their concerns, hopes and perspectives are represented and heard where it matters most—in the rooms where those decisions are made.

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?

If elected, I will take the opportunity to thoroughly research and understand how the county is currently addressing these concerns and evaluate the effectiveness of existing solutions. I will also seek new perspectives and innovative approaches that can be implemented to better serve our communities, both island-wide and within each individual district. My goal is to ensure that the needs and voices of our residents are heard.

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

Our community has experienced significant population growth while much of the infrastructure has not kept pace. As a result, our roadways are in urgent need of improvement and modernization. Addressing these challenges will require strong community involvement, cooperation from landowners, and thoughtful planning to create additional routes that provide safe and reliable access in and out of the area.

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?

Responding to homelessness and housing challenges on Hawaiʻi island requires a coordinated, community-driven approach supported by effective oversight and accountability. Addressing this issue begins with a deeper understanding of how public funds are awarded to organizations and nonprofits, including how those funds are allocated between direct homelessness and housing services versus administrative expenses.

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?

This should be more carefully regulated and subject to higher tax rates. For example, if a local family owns a second home and chooses to rent it long-term to local residents under a lease agreement, they should receive a lower tax rate as an incentive to support housing opportunities for our community. However, out-of-state owners operating vacation rentals should be subject to higher tax rates and required to register with the county for tracking and accountability purposes.

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?

Waste management is an ongoing reality, and we cannot avoid the need to repair and modernize our outdated and deteriorating infrastructure. Expanding system capacity to handle increasing volumes is a critical first step toward improving effectiveness and extending services to more residential areas to meet the demands of our growing population.

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

(It requires a) collaborative effort between our communities and local officials to develop and maintain a safe, efficient, and reliable transportation systems. In the long term, creating and expanding secondary roadways may be one of the few viable options to improve traffic flow, enhance public safety, and provide residents with alternative routes as our island continues to grow.

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?

In response to this question regarding the Hū Honua power plant and whether it should be allowed to operate, I want to be clear that before taking a definitive position, I believe it is important to thoroughly review all past documentation related to the project. This includes determining whether the facility has met all regulatory requirements, environmental standards, and legal obligations. Only after carefully examining the facts and understanding the full history shall l make decision.

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 experienced firsthand many of the concerns and challenges associated with geothermal development. However, as technology continues to advance and documented studies provide greater insight into its environmental and community impacts, I believe there may be opportunities for responsible growth within this industry. With strict oversight, comprehensive environmental safeguards, and meaningful community engagement, I would consider the possibility to engage in talks.

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

Communities should also have shelters and support services prepared and ready to operate before a disaster occurs or immediately, once conditions allow for safe outreach efforts. In addition, offering annual preparedness classes would help educate residents on survival strategies, emergency planning, and the supplies needed to remain self-sufficient for an extended period of time. Community involvement is equally important. Residents should have opportunities to identify hazardous conditions.

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

In Hawaiʻi County, we should work more closely with the State of Hawaiʻi’s Climate Commission and Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) programs to stay informed about current environmental challenges and ongoing initiatives. It is important to involve our communities in improving awareness and understanding

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?

While many laws exist to protect our communities and natural resources, we must also focus on becoming more self-sustaining and resilient. Hawaiʻi has the ability to grow and provide more of its own food to feed our communities. We have the resources and the people to make this happen; what we need are leaders willing to support these initiatives and turn this vision into reality.