Civil Beat has asked candidates for the Hawaiʻi general election on Nov. 3 to answer a survey about where they stand on various issues and what their priorities will be if elected.

The following comes from Keola Kaiminaauao, nonpartisan candidate for Kauaʻi County Council.

His opponents are Paul Noboru Applegate, Addison Bulosan, Mike Coots, Michelle Kaleiohi Correa, Billy DeCosta, incumbent Fern Ānuenue Holland, Arryl Kaneshiro, Umi Martin, John Mattos, Todd Ozaki, Cheree Rapozo, Taylor Shigemoto and Dane Smith.

Go to Civil Beat’s 2026 Elections Guide for general information, and check out the other candidates on Civil Beatʻs 2026 Hawaiʻi General Election Ballot.

Why are you best suited for the job of council member, and why do you want the job?

I believe I am well suited to serve on Kauaʻi County Council. I am a proud son of Kauaʻi who understands the importance of community, family,and kuleana. I was born and raised on this beautiful island and the people and values of Kauaʻi have shaped who I am today. I want the job beause my family, my children and my grandchildren inspire me to work towards a better Kauaʻi for the generations to come. I want this job because I believe that government should listen to the people it serves.

What is the biggest issue facing Kaua‘i County, and what is the first thing you would do to address it in the first six months after being elected?

The biggest issue Kauaʻi is facing is the high cost and the lack of attainable housing for local families. If working families, young people and kūpuna can’t afford to live here we risk losing the very people and culture that makes Kauaʻi so special. In my first six months on County Council, I would make housing my top priority I would work with the Mayor, county housing agency, the community and the state to identify where projects are being delayed.I would push for a six-month housing action plan with goals

Here’s one question from a constituent: How are we going to deal with wild cat colonies?

We need a humane, responsible and science-based approach to dealing with feral cat colonies on Kauai. As a council member I would bring the county, Kauaʻi Humane Society, DLNR, conservation organizations, veterinarians, and responsible caregivers together to develop an islandwide strategy. My goal would be to reduce the number or feral cats over time, protect our endangered species and create a humane system that works for our community.

There are nearly 14,000 cesspools on Kaua‘i that must be removed by 2050. With an average cost of $15,000 to $30,000 to convert to septic, how can the county help jumpstart cesspool replacements?

We should come up with, or establish a Kauaʻi cesspool conversion assistance initiative that combines county, state and federal resources to help homeowners get ahead of this problem.

The median price for a single-family home on Kaua‘i has topped $1 million. What would you do to address the shortage of affordable housing?

Kauaʻi cannot fix the housing crisis with one program or by building more luxury homes. We need to build housing that local working families can actually afford.

Kaua‘i’s landfill in Kekaha will soon run out of capacity. What should the County Council do to address what could become a garbage crisis for the island?

We need to reduce the amount of waste going to Kekaha landfill and the county needs to aggressively pursue a new long-term waste facility.

In recent years, Kaua‘i restructured property tax rates to widen the gap between rates for owner-occupied and non-owner-occupied property (i.e. vacation rentals, second homes) and dedicate a larger portion of those revenues to creating housing for residents. Do you support that move? Why or why not?

Yes I support that move and my reason is simple we need to put Kauaʻi residents first

What would you do to encourage more local food production on Kaua‘i, balancing the needs and challenges of both small and large farmers?

I believe Kauaʻi should be doing everything it can to put more locally grown food on family tables. My approach is to support both small and large farmers while making sure policies encourage more food to be produced for Kauaʻi.

What is your assessment of programs combating invasive species on Kaua‘i and what other measures would you advocate for in office?

As a council member I would advocate for stronger biosecurity and port inspections,faster response funding, expand reporting and education on invasive species. The earlier we find them the better our chances of protecting our Kauai’s ʻāina, agriculture, native species and economy.

All of Hawai‘i has experienced damaging and dangerous weather events that have exposed weaknesses in our planning, preparation and response. Is Kaua‘i sufficiently prepared for the next Hurricane Iniki or Kona low system? Why or why not? What additional steps should the county take?

Kauaʻi has made progress in emergency preparedness but we can never be complacent with it comes to hurricanes and Kona lows. We should make additional steps that the county should look at supplying food, water and medical supply or staff to our refuge system.

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

The goal would be to spend our money before disasters happen protecting our ʻāina, infrastructure,and families while reducing the emissions that contribute to the problem.The county has the climate adaption and action plan and we should focus on funding those strategies rather than creating another plan.

What would you do to ensure transparency and accountability in county government?

I would support publishing clear and easy-to-understand information about county spending, contracts, projects and council decisions while making sure public records and meeting information are accessible to our residents.