LIHU’E — One-time Kaua’i County mayoral candidate John Barretto Jr. has thrown his hat into the ring for one of the seven open County Council seats. If elected this fall, Barretto said he would bring a wealth of business experience
LIHU’E — One-time Kaua’i County mayoral candidate John Barretto Jr. has
thrown his hat into the ring for one of the seven open County Council
seats.
If elected this fall, Barretto said he would bring a wealth of
business experience to the body.
A retired businessman, Barretto once owned
nine gasoline stations on O’ahu, a Snap-on Tools dealership on O’ahu, Fishing
for Fun Charters, Ahukini Marine Service and other businesses.
Barretto,
who formally filed his candidacy on July 20, held a council seat from 1983 to
1986, when he left public office after losing a mayoral bid. Joining him as a
challenger in this year’s council race will be Kapio Asing, who held a council
seat for 18 years before he ran for mayor in1998, lost and exited politics.
As of Monday, six incumbent council members and six other candidates had
filed. Today is the deadline for filing.
The incumbents are:
* Ron
Kouchi, council chairman.
* Randal Valenciano, a councilman for nearly 10
years.
* James Tokioka, chairman of the council’s Finance Committee.
Billy Swain, who is seeking his second council term.
* Daryl W. Kaneshiro,
a rancher.
* And Gary L. Hooser, a Kapa’a businessman who also is seeking
a second term.
Challengers, in addition to Barretto and Asing,
include:
* Sonny “Cayetano” Gerardo, former civil defense director of the
county.
* Anne Donovan of Kapa’a, who ran for a council seat in 1998.
Robert Cariffe, a council candidate in 1996 and 1998.
* Rhoda L. Libre of
O’mao, a musician.
* J. Kauilani Kahalekai of Kapa’a.
* And Joseph
Prigge Jr., a businessman.
Staff writer Lester Chang can be reached at
245-3681 (ext. 225) or lchang@pulitzer.net
