Wetlands, ICE And Accountability: Maui County Council, South Maui District Candidate Q&As

Itʻs a rematch for the two candidates running in the November general election.

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Itʻs a rematch for the two candidates running in the November general election.

Incumbent council member Tom Cook will again face Kelly Takaya King in the general election for the South Maui County Council District, a seat Cook has held since 2022.

Cook, who defeated King by just 117 votes in 2024, is currently chair of the Water and Infrastructure Committee. King previously served three terms on the council.

Civil Beat sent both candidates a series of questions about priorities for the office including how they would support eradicate invasive species, improve the pipeline of affordable housing and support food sustainability.

Their answers are linked below and the survey responses from candidates can be compared all in one spot on Civil Beat’s 2026 Hawaiʻi Primary Ballot. If candidates provide answers later we will update the story so check back.

Tom Cook

Kelly King

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