Two Kaua‘i County Council members officially file candidacy for mayor

Two Kaua‘i County Council members have officially filed their candidacy for mayor.

On Feb. 6, Bernard Carvalho Jr. filed his nomination papers and Mel Rapozo, who is currently council chair, filed his papers on Feb. 9, according to a notice from the Office of the County Clerk Elections Division.

Carvalho announced his intention to run for mayor in 2025. He previously served as mayor from 2008-2018.

Rapozo last ran for mayor in 2018 and lost to Derek Kawakami, who is terming out.

Retired captain with the Kauaʻi Police Department, Paul Noboru Applegate, also filed candidacy papers for the Kaua‘i County Council.

Applegate filed a lawsuit in 2021 against the former Kaua‘i County Police Chief Todd Raybuck for alleged racial discrimination, where he claims Raybuck mocked people of Asian descent.

The case was dismissed, and Applegate agreed to retire as part of a $350,000 settlement package. Raybuck was suspended without pay for five days following the investigation.

Applegate was also one of four finalists who applied for police chief on Hawai‘i Island in 2022.

The last day to file nomination papers is June 2. Primary elections will take place on Aug. 8. General elections will be held on Nov. 3.

For additional information, contact the Office of the County Clerk, Elections Division at 808-241-4800.