PRINCEVILLE — The candidates for Kaua‘i County Council on Thursday night participated in the last forum until the Nov. 6 elections. The event was held at Princeville Community Center and moderated by Rory Enright, general manager of Princeville at Hanalei
PRINCEVILLE — The candidates for Kaua‘i County Council on Thursday night participated in the last forum until the Nov. 6 elections. The event was held at Princeville Community Center and moderated by Rory Enright, general manager of Princeville at Hanalei Community Association.
In an almost intimate evening, given the small size of the venue and an attendance of less than 40 Kaua‘i residents, candidates answered a battery of questions formulated by the audience.
The candidates were give one minute to introduce themselves, and two minutes to answer particular questions. Council Chair Jay Furfaro missed almost the entire event due to a scheduling conflict. He was on O‘ahu, and arrived at the forum just in time for apologies and for his two-minute closing remarks.
Former state Sen. Gary Hooser and math teacher Ross Kagawa joined all seven council incumbents running for office in this year’s election.
Councilman Tim Bynum said it’s easy to find problems with the county government, it’s finding the solutions that is difficult.
In the last few years, well intended changes in to the real property tax system has created many inequities and unfairness, according to Bynum. There is nothing more fundamental in government than taking people’s money, and it should be done responsibly, he said.
Bynum also talked about division of agricultural lands into subdivision, creating gentlemen’s states. He said growth has to be managed.
Councilman Dickie Chang said if council members were elected based on districts, some of them with the most seniority would be able to secure more money for certain neighborhoods, potentially creating inequities.
“We all fight for the same causes,” he said of the current council formation.
But on the other hand, if the council formation changes and there is no representation for North Shore and Westside residents, electing a council per districts would be something to think about, he said.
When asked about his attitude toward Act 55 and the Public Land Development Corporation, Hooser paused for second and said, “My attitude? My attitude is not very positive.”
He said Act 55, which gives superpowers to the five PLDC board members, is a “poorly written as and needs to be repealed.”
First-term Councilman KipuKai Kuali‘i said the most unique qualification about him is that his is a Native Hawaiian. But he also spent “a good deal” away from Kaua‘i. He attended Kamehameha School on O‘ahu and then went to college on the Mainland. Before returning to Kaua‘i he lived in West Hollywood, Calif., where he said he learned a lot while working on social issues.
Councilwoman Nadine Nakamura, who is also serving for the first time, said she had as some of her goals to diversify the economy and manage growth while preserving the island’s rural character. She wants to stay in the same direction if elected for a second term.
She said there are 60 industrialized nations that have legislation that regulates labeling of food products made with genetically modified organisms.
“I think that sends us a message that we may not be doing all that we can,” said Nakamura, adding that the issue may be better dealt at federal level. She said she would support labeling of GMO products.
Kagawa said he is running because he is concerned with the financial situation of the county.
He said he would support four-year terms for council members, because as it is, council members work one year and spend the next year gearing up for election. But he also said voters should be the ones deciding on a change.
Councilman Mel Rapozo, self-described “outspoken” and “one of the most misunderstood council members,” said he has always been a proponent of “waste to energy.”
“We are behind the eight ball,” he said of the nearing-capacity Kekaha Landfill. “We are not going to be able to site a new landfill before Kekaha Landfill fills up.”
Rapozo said there is technology available to generate energy by burning trash and use the byproduct for manufacturing.
“I’ve always had a love affair with the North Shore since I was kid,” Council Vice Chair JoAnn Yukimura said.
She said Kaua‘i needs to get off of oil with respect to electricity generation.
One of her goals is to reduce or stabilize vehicle-miles traveled on the island — when the Kaua‘i Bus starts coming around every 14 minutes, there will be a lot more people riding the bus, she said.
Chang said he would like to get experts from both sides of the GMO issue for an educational forum, and he would volunteer to moderate it.
Hooser said some of the biggest issues on the North Shore now are burglaries. Another challenge is preserving the natural beauty of the North Shore.
Kuali‘i said we need to think less about competing with the world’s economy and more about sustaining ourselves. “We need to move back to when ancient Hawaiians did it all themselves,” he said.
Nakamura said we need to create jobs for young people, something she is currently promoting by supporting a slaughterhouse cooperative and a multimedia facility, but we should also open additional assisted living for senior citizens.
Kagawa said he needs more information on GMOs, but if the issue becomes health and safety versus jobs, he would side with the former.
Rapozo said he wishes the county could address education, but “unfortunately,” it can’t because it’s in charge of the state government. The council can advocate for changes, but it is limited.
Yukimura said in two years, she would like to see Black Pot with “impeccably clean” bathrooms, with organized uses, no commercial boating and commercial activities well managed.
Bynum said the visitor industry is “awesome,” but there are many other opportunities on Kaua‘i for businesses, such as the technological industry and diversified farming.
Furfaro, arriving late, said the council has moved on as a group to bring the many changes.
The event was broadcast on the radio and will also be available at Ho‘ike public TV.
