First-time mayoral candidate Rolf Bieber campaigned with his wife Christina yesterday along Kaumuali‘i Highway in Lihu‘e as voters headed to the polls to cast their primary ballots for the non-partisan race. The 42-year-old Kapa‘a resident said the past five weeks
First-time mayoral candidate Rolf Bieber campaigned with his wife Christina yesterday along Kaumuali‘i Highway in Lihu‘e as voters headed to the polls to cast their primary ballots for the non-partisan race.
The 42-year-old Kapa‘a resident said the past five weeks have been physically demanding — hitting the streets with signs during peak travel times from dawn to dusk — but worthwhile to spread a message about the need for more open government.
“I don’t expect to win,” said Bieber, a Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School computer technician. “But I will keep going and lay quality groundwork.”
The California transplant said regardless of which two candidates advance to the general election, he plans to campaign for the issues that will appear on the Nov. 4 ballot and will run again for mayor in two years.
Chief among them, he said, is a proposed charter amendment asking voters if Section 3.07 E should be amended to allow the Kaua‘i County Council to hold executive sessions in conformance with the state Sunshine Law. The council already does this, but some residents contend the charter prohibits the council from going behind closed doors for anything except claims.
Bieber, who moved from Los Angeles to Kaua‘i eight years ago to raise his family, said the start of his campaign for mayor was a little rough, but it has smoothed out.
“This is the early stage in my political career. In the beginning, it was strange looks and confusion,” he said of the passers-by who have seen him along the road waving next to his sign. “Now, it’s like we’re old buddies. I get a lot of love.”
Bieber advocates renewable energy from solar and wind, stricter regulations against invasive species and protection of the Garden Island’s rural communities.
He has spent the past several Wednesdays attending council meetings to “listen to what’s going on in our government.”
The Biebers, in the course of the roadside interview late yesterday afternoon, received numerous honks, waves and smiles — even stopping at one point to give directions to a carload of lost visitors.
Christina Bieber said in between caring for their three children and working at the school, she has been sending her husband cellular phone text messages of support encouraging his to “keep it going.”
She said the campaign has helped her to feel more connected to other working groups and geographic areas on island.
“The amount of support has exceeded our expectations,” she said. “I’m really thankful he had the courage he had to represent and fulfill his civic duties.”
Bieber, who has raised no funds for the campaign and spent less than $3,000, said if he is elected mayor, he would donate his entire $100,000-plus salary to worthy county causes.
He described the campaign as a Field of Dreams type experience.
“It’s one of those build-it-and-they-will-come kind of things,” Bieber said. “It hasn’t been necessary to raise tens of thousands of dollars like my opponents.”
• Nathan Eagle, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 224) or neagle@kauaipubco.com
