Nelson Mukai
• Age: 58
• Occupation: School teacher
• Town of residence: Wailua
• Prior experience in government/leadership: Teacher, coach, manager in business jobs, machine operator, business computer programmer
Q: The median price of a single-family home on Kaua‘i is over $1 million, and the county’s 2018 General Plan reported 44% of all households are cost-burdened. How will you address the affordable-housing crisis in Kaua‘i County?
One thing at a time. To solve this big problem is too much to handle right now. We won’t get anywhere if we have all kinds of ideas which are not feasible. We got to break it down to workable solutions.
Educating our youth will help solve the problem. We must work! If you work hard in school, you’ll get a good job, and with a good job you’ll be able to get shelter, sustenance, entertainment, transportation, family.
My one idea, which I think is a win-win situation because it is near stores, bus line and central to everything, is we can build a park and close to the beach. My idea is to transform Coco Palms into low-income-housing studios.
Q: The coronavirus pandemic decimated the tourism industry on Kaua‘i the state is so reliant upon. Should Kaua‘i County make economic diversity a priority, and if so, how?
I don’t want to see our land look desolate. We can diversify our agriculture. I want to open conversations on different kinds of fruit trees, vegetables, flowers, and even lumber florists. It will only enhance our tourist industry if we have attractive terrain.
Q: The County Council sets real property tax rates as part of the County budget process. What changes, if any, would you make to the way that property is taxed on-island?
With inflation the way it’s going now, We need to set a limit to the amount we can raise the property taxes. We who live here are on a set income and inflation is going to make us suffer.I say if we need money, tax the tourist, they are here for a vacation and when you go on vacation you have a surplus of money.
Q:Kaua‘i continues to look for a new landfill site, years after its search began. The clock is ticking: The Kekaha landfill is currently projected to reach capacity in January 2027. What is your preferred solution?
Easy Solution, buy an incinerator!
Q:What is driving you to seek election, and why should voters give you their vote?
I’ve been planning and wanting to run for office for many years, I attended UH Manoa at the age of 50 and got my degree in political Science, So now I feel ready to run for Kaua‘i County Council and I humbly ask your support on Ni‘ihau and Kaua‘i.
