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 Eileen Ohara, nonpartisan candidate for Hawaiʻi County Council Member District 4 which includes Lower Puna and Pāhoa.

She is running against Shannon Burrows, Lloyd Enrique and Cyd Hoffeld 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’ve lived in Puna Makai (Lower Puna) for 46 years and am passionate about serving my community. I’ve served local nonprofits, HOAs, county and state commissions, as well as previously serving two years on the County Council 2016-18. I’ve been a civil servant at the County Planning Department and was its first recycling coordinator participating in the county’s budgeting process. Passing the county’s budget is one of the two main jobs of a council member. My experience makes me best suited for the job.

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?

My district is still recovering from the 2018 eruption event so there are projects that need to be wrapped up. I’ve remained involved in recovery since leaving office in 2018, and operate a 501c3 nonprofit (Malama O Puna) fiscally hosting ~1.7M in recovery project grants. Puna Alternative Route is a top priority I’ve worked on for decades and alleviating crime, homelessness, providing more mental health and addiction services are also top of the list of concerns as expressed by Puna residents.

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

We need to restore our roads that were inundated with lava (Hwy 137 from 4-corners to Pohoiki); Pohoiki Road from Highway 132 to Pohoiki. Projects are to be completed by mid-2027. We also need our emergency access roads (Government Beach Road) maintained from HPP to Hawaiian Beaches to Kapoho, as well as Railroad Avenue from HPP to Nanawale. Most important is to finally identify the best path for the Puna Alternative Routes and get the projects funded. We need to move on all of these improvements at once!

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?

The current program needs to be operated more efficiently and an internal audit may be needed to identify where improvements can be made for better outcomes. If the management assessments identify better practices for achieving the desired results, the Council can modify the fund operation rules accordingly. In that event, I would likely support extending the fund, but changes are needed.

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?

The county passed a 2018 STVR bill and is now updating how to best manage this sector. There are many STVRs operating illegally in Puna. Enforcement was promised in 2018, but hasn’t happened. Most of Puna makai is in Lava Zone 2. There is no resort zoning which is unlikely to change. Puna needs special considerations for managing STVRs. Without visitors our local businesses and restaurants struggle. Studies do not support the rationale that STVRs reduce affordable housing, especially in Puna.

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?

Conversion from cesspools to septic, especially in coastal communities, needs to get done. This may require seeking major grant funds. My background has involved 37 years of acquiring federal, state, and private foundation grants bringing in ~ $30M in grant projects for the Big Island and across the state. We need to take the bull by the horns and find the funding to complete these conversions, especially where the ocean and streams are impacted!

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

I’ve been involved in solutions for the traffic congestion along the Puna-Kea’au-Hilo corridor for decades. We finally have the funding from the state, matched with county funds to do a sophisticated study to find two new routes — one for lower Puna and another route for upper Puna. First off, we need to know where people are going once they cross out of Puna to South Hilo. Many commuters head to Kona for work. Once this study ID’s best routes, then we need the funds to construct. Again, grants….

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?

We need energy sources, but when there is substantial public dissent on a project, as has been the case with this project, the issues must be resolved before I would be comfortable supporting the county giving the green light for it to operate. My background involves working with HELCO for 5 years conducting its photovoltaic projects. While we need firm power sources, bioenergy is not a preferred type of generation for our island’s electricity and could create air, noise, and traffic problems.

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?

The state passed a bill in 2012, limiting the county’s voice in the permitting of new geothermal. Having lived very near the Puna Geothermal Ventures (PGV) plant, I’ve personally witnessed an early track record of accidents that harmed community. County code regarding use of the county’s royalty funds needs revision due to physical changes around PGV from 2018. How funds are approved for community benefit projects needs revision as well. And the county must produce a community evacuation plan.

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

I’ve been supporting Bill 157 being heard by County Council currently which establishes a clear method for appointing a Disaster Recovery Officer/team and identifying the various partners that must be included for effective disaster response and recovery. Amendments I’ve offered have been included. Lessons learned from the 2018 LERZ eruption are being applied in this legislation which will help the county provide improved response regardless of the location or the type of emergency.

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

Setting up a methodology for rapid response to natural disasters is a critical step. Climate change will bring stronger hurricanes, more flooding, longer droughts, sea level rise; and with our volcanos, earthquakes and lava flows. This relates back to work being done on Bill 157. The county has a new office, OSCER (Office of Sustainability, Equity & Resiliency), which we hope helps guide and find funding for programs that will allow county to begin adaptations for these predicted impacts.

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?

As an Ag Economist with degrees in agriculture and horticulture, I’ve been focused on sustainable and regenerative ag for decades. In 1992 I joined other farmers to start Hawaii Organic Farmers Assn. and am a member of Hawaii Farmers Union United. There are many great local projects happening to help increase food sustainability and food security. Malama O Puna, the 501c3 I serve as E.D., as done a demo permaculture garden, community gardens, backyard gardening and keiki gardening programs in Puna.