The County of Kauai needs you — to run for office.
Yes, it’s election season, and more candidates for County Council are declaring they are seeking seats on the seven-member group.
So far, Luke Evslin, Milo Spindt, Nelson Mukai, Cecelia Napohaku-
Hoffman and former Councilman Kipukai Kualii have filed their papers with the Elections Division. For mayor, Council Chair Mel Rapozo is the only person to file papers, but more are expected to seek the seat.
While it’s challenging to win a seat against the incumbent in an at-large election like the one on Kauai, it can be done. And there will be two openings on the council. Both Rapozo and JoAnn Yukimura are being termed out of office, as is Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr., who has already announced he is running for lieutenant governor.
As for the mayor seat, Councilman Derek Kawakami and County Department of Parks and Recreation Director Lenny Rapozo have declared their intentions to run for the office, but have not yet filed papers. Based on a TGI poll, Kawakami has the early support.
We asked the online question, “It’s early, but who do you believe will be Kauai’s next mayor?”
The results: Derek Kawakami, 628; Mel Rapozo, 291; Lenny Rapozo, 31. That’s pretty overwhelming and an indication of the support Kawakami already has, which isn’t surprising based on his family’s roots on Kauai and his experience in business and in the state Legislature. Mel Rapozo, with strong council experience and also as a former police officer with lots of family connections, is expected to put up a strong showing come election time as well.
There is no group that has greater influence on Kauai than the County Council. It makes many key decisions in areas of roads, parks, housing, taxes and transportation. If you like the way things are, then you may want to support the incumbents. If you believe things could be better, consider the challengers. Above all, learn as much as you can about each candidate — their backgrounds, their experience, their careers, their education, their plans and goals if elected.
We encourage more people to seek public office, too. Competition at the polls is a sign of an engaged public that wants to be involved in the political process.
Many people, even those with exceptional skills and backgrounds, don’t believe they have a chance of being elected, so they don’t run. They don’t believe the incumbents can be unseated. They can — though we won’t kid you, it’s difficult, particularly on Kauai where most residents tend to go with the status quo and like to keep a low profile.
But be sure this is something you want to do. Running for office is difficult and demands commitment, sacrifice and a thick skin. Be ready to field hard questions and likely be criticized for your answers. If you believe you can make a difference, please step into the fray of politics.
So, if you want to run, here’s what to do, per the County of Kauai: Candidate nomination and filing services are being offered at the Elections Division of the County Clerk, 4386 Rice St (Historic County Building Annex).
The candidate filing period runs through June 5. Services are offered Monday through Friday during the regular office hours of 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Prior to beginning the candidate nomination and filing process, prospective candidates are encouraged to visit the state Office of Elections’ webpage at www.hawaii.gov.elections to review updated information on the process.
Here are some important dates to remember:
For the Primary Election:
Voter registration deadline: July 12
Early voting period: July 30 to Aug. 9
Absentee ballot application deadline: Aug. 4
Election Day: Aug. 11
For the General Election:
Voter registration deadline: Oct. 8
Early voting period: Oct. 23 to Nov. 3
Absentee ballot application deadline: Oct. 30
Election Day: Nov. 6
