LIHU‘E — With less than a month left to file nomination papers for the 2020 primary election, all but one eligible member of the Kaua‘i County Council has at least pulled papers.
All seven councilmember seats are up, with incumbent members Vice Chair Ross Kagawa out of terms and an unlikely run from ex-officio member Arthur Brun, who is currently awaiting trial for his alleged role in leading a meth drug ring.
As of May 12, current Councilmembers Felicia Cowden and Mason Chock have filed, and fellow members Luke Evslin and KipuKai Kuali‘i have pulled papers but not yet filed.
Debralynn Desilva Carviero of ‘Ele‘ele, who previously ran for mayor in 2014, filed for a seat on the council on May 4, and Donovan Kanani Cabebe of Koloa has also both filed papers for a council run.
Council Chair Arryl Kaneshiro said in an email May 5 that he intends on running for reelection, but just hasn’t had the chance to pull papers yet.
Additionally, Bob Cariffe and Clint Yago Sr. of Lihu‘e, Naomi J. Taniguchi of Kalaheo, Shirley R. Simbre-Medeiros of Kekaha and Victoria Franks of ‘Ele‘ele have pulled nomination papers.
The 14 top candidates for the council after the primary will appear on the general election ballot in November.
To run for a two-year seat on the council, candidates must be qualified voters in the county for at least two years prior to the election, provide 15 signatures from registered voters in the county and pay a $250 filing fee. Contests for council and prosecuting attorney are determined via non-partisan elections.
Current Prosecuting Attorney Justin Kollar remains the only candidate for this four-year position. He filed papers as of mid-May. To qualify for this position, one must be a qualified Kaua‘i voter for at least one year prior to the election, be a licensed attorney in good standing and have practiced law for at least three years in Hawai‘i.
Thus far, Brittny Perez of Waimea and Dan Ahuna of Kapa‘a have both pulled papers for Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) Kaua‘i resident trustee.
The last day to file nomination papers is June 2 at 4:30 p.m.
To see who has pulled papers and filed, visit elections.hawaii.gov/candidates/candidate-reports/. This report is updated following the end of business each Friday.
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Sabrina Bodon, public safety and government reporter, can be reached at 245-0441 or sbodon@thegardenisland.com.
