Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce invites its members and all residents of the island to attend a special evening with outgoing Kaua‘i County Mayor Derek Kawakami.
This year’s 12th annual Mayor’s Event honors Kawakami for his leadership and impact through two terms as mayor.
Traditionally a luncheon gathering, the 2026 chamber get-together July 16 is a special A Hui Hou dinner. Registration begins at 5:30 p.m., with dinner and the program beginning at 6 p.m. followed by dancing from about 8:30 to 9:30 p.m., featuring Kustom Sounds Kaua‘i.
It all takes place at The Royal Sonesta Kaua‘i Resort, located at 3610 Rice St., in Līhuʻe.
Cost to attend is $125 for chamber members and $150 for non-members and guests. A Koa Table sponsorship is $1,250.
Kaho‘okele sponsor passes are welcome.
Kawakami served on Kauaʻi County Council from 2008-11 and 2016-18 before being elected in 2018 for his first term as mayor.
He also served in Hawaiʻi House of Representatives from 2011-16 in the interval between his county council service.
Kawakami is term-limited after serving two terms — 8 total years — as mayor. However, public service has been the honor of his life, and he hopes to continue that service as Hawai‘i’s next lieutenant governor.
He officially filed his papers May 12 to run for the state position as a Democrat in the upcoming Aug. 8 Hawai‘i Primary Election. His original announcement about his intention to seek the post was made during a March 17 press conference.
Kawakami told Kaua‘i Now in a statement after officially filing his nomination papers that he joined the race for lieutenant governor “for every family in Hawaiʻi struggling with the cost of living, every young person wondering if they can afford a home of their own and every community that deserves a government that works for the.”
“This campaign is about bringing people together and building a better future for Hawaiʻi,” he said in the statement.
Kawakami believes government should serve residents, which is at the root of his lieutenant governor bid. His campaign slogan is “Leadership You Can Trust.”
The outgoing mayor oversaw several initiatives and other county goals during his tenure. Kawakami at his March press conference cited efforts to improve island infrastructure, expand affordable housing and modernize county services.
Wait times at Kaua‘i County Department of Motor Vehicles were reduced and a partnering with the private sector delivered lower-cost housing on the island, including single-family homes priced below $500,000 at the Lima Ola development.
Kawakami also was at the county’s helm during creation of county policies aimed at easing the burden on local residents, including shifting more financial responsibility to visitors and investing in public spaces and services for kūpuna and veterans.
Those accomplishments and more will be highlighted during the upcoming chamber event.
Register to attend at the Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce website.
Contact Rose Ramos-Benzel with the chamber at 360-318-3451 or via email at rose@kauaichamber.org for additional information or with any questions.
Kawakami will face off against four opponents in the Aug. 8 Democratic primary for Hawai‘i lieutenant governor, including O‘ahu state Rep. Della Au Belatti, attorney John Choi, cultural practitioner Ku L. Bobby Cuadra and former U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent Sam Puletasi.
The most recent campaign finance reports filed July 9 by candidates show Kawakami is definitely the frontrunner in the race as far as money. He has a large lead against his opponents in raised funds and cash on hand.
Kawakami has raised a total of $578,690.98 and has $128,350.39 still on hand. Belatti is second, having raised $88,942.25 with $7,146.53 on hand, while Choi has raised a total of $25,860 and has $8,021.11 still on hand.
There were no current campaign finance reports available for Cuadra or Puletasi.
