Born and raised in Kekaha, Christobel “Kaliko Kauahi” Kealoha said Thursday that it takes a village to raise a child. The first-time Kaua‘i County Council candidate attributes her success to the support she received from her family and community. After
Born and raised in Kekaha, Christobel “Kaliko Kauahi” Kealoha said Thursday that it takes a village to raise a child.
The first-time Kaua‘i County Council candidate attributes her success to the support she received from her family and community.
After working as a music teacher, Kealoha went to law school and was hired by the state Attorney General’s Office on O‘ahu.
She retired as a deputy attorney general after about 22 years and returned to Kaua‘i to work in child protective services, where she helped families in crises.
“It was the most fulfilling job I could’ve ever had,” she said.
After a five-year hiatus from everything, Kealoha said she is now ready to see how she can be most useful to her community. Her solution is seeking a seat on the seven-member council.
“Besides my education and my affiliation and my legal training, I think I have to offer a special ability of empathy in feeling what people are saying and using that to guide me toward my decisions,” she said.
Kealoha, who now lives in Lihu‘e, said she believes in the true spirit of aloha.
“It’s not just hello, goodbye, spend money on our island,” she said. “It’s a lifestyle. It’s respect for others, taking care of your surroundings, leaving things better than you found them.”
She said she wants to take her philosophy of respect to the council table.
Maintaining objectivity, flexibility and listening to what others have to say worked through her legal career, she said, which can be adversarial.
“My ego has been pretty much tempered,” she said. “The big thing is how do you get it done.”
Kealoha, a mother of three, said the issues she wants to tackle if elected on Nov. 4 are nothing new. She supports making life more manageable and ensuring people receive their fair share.
Kealoha said she is open to issues like Hawaii Superferry, which she deems helpful at this time for Kaua‘i.
Citing “outrageous” airfare prices, she said residents need an alternative form of interisland transportation.
“I don’t have a magic plan,” she said. “I need to know the details of what’s in place.” Kealoha said she wants to instill respect, fairness and professionalism in the council.
The candidate will hold a fundraiser on Aug. 3 at the War Memorial Convention Hall.
For more information, call 346-3678 or e-mail kealoha4kauaicouncil@hawaii.usa.com
The filing deadline to run for election is July 22.
• Nathan Eagle, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 224) or neagle@kauaipubco.com
