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 Randy Konohia, nonpartisan candidate for Maui County Council, Wailuku-Waiheʻe-Waikapū District.

His opponents in the Aug. 8 primary election are James Forrest, Ashley Lindsey, Alan Lloyd and Marvin Moniz.

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 position because I listen, act and put people first. One of my greatest passions has been serving the incarcerated, the unsheltered and those overcoming addiction. Through programs like Angel Tree and other faith-based and community organizations, I have walked alongside people during some of life’s hardest seasons. My roots on Maui span six generations, and I will bring compassion, humility and servant leadership to the council.

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 biggest issue facing Maui County today is affordable housing for kama’aina. The first thing I would do in the first six months if elected would be to continue the momentum with all the affordable housing projects that have been approved under our current mayor. I would expedite permitting and streamline the process to put local families in homes immediately.

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

My position on the Upcountry speed humps is balance. Too much of anything is not good. Would I remove them? No. Why? Because they are there for public safety. Drivers tend to speed in these areas and the speed humps force them to slow down.

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?

Housing should first serve the people who call Maui home. Kamaʻāina must come first. Bill 9 was passed with good intentions, but the process was rushed and created uncertainty for families, homeowners and workers. My focus is not protecting short-term rental profits, but protecting local families while respecting property rights and pursuing fair, legally sound solutions that increase housing opportunities.

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 further the efforts towards increased food sustainability, I would protect agriculture land from being developed. I would also dedicate ag land to raise live stock, to grow fruit trees, vegetables and Hawaiian medicine. I would encourage the county to partner with local farmers, practitioners and organizations to revitalize Maui County’s food system.

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?

I am in favor of Maui County having full public ownership over the water supply. The next step would be to have conversations with private landowners and pursue purchasing these water systems. I am also committed to honoring the heart and vision of our kūpuna and East Maui residents by working to return East Maui irrigation water rights to the people of Maui.

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?

Overtourism is a sign of a healthy economy, but land stewardship is our kuleana. I would use the revenue from tourism and be proactive in upgrading our roads and infrastructure. There also needs to be more education of visitors coming to Maui County so they understand the culture, people and the environment.

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

Maui County needs to be more proactive in wild fire prevention. Remove and clear dry vegetation, create and maintain fire breaks around the most vulnerable communities and neighborhoods. We also need to upgrade infrastructure, roads, bridges and drainage systems in all flood zone areas. The county needs to invest more in MEMA (Maui Emergency Management Agency).

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?

I support the law being applied fairly, consistently, and without bias. Working together with federal, state and local authorities is paramount to keeping Maui residents safe.

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?

Oversight and transparency between the council, Mayor and Office of Recovery is priority. Regular check-ins and audits with the department to make sure every dollar is used to build homes and get the families affected by the Lahaina fires back into Lahaina.

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?

I would support and expand various programs such as Down Payment, First-Time Homebuyer, and ADU Assistance. The county can also lease land or build on county-owned land for affordable rental units for our community.

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

Maui County lacks in community engagement and education combating invasive species. As a certified arborist, invasive species management is too critical to be handled reactively. It has to be proactive, consistent and community-wide, or the impacts escalate quickly beyond control. I support more funding to create programs to bring awareness and proactive measures to combat these species.