26 people running for Kauaʻi County Council in Aug. 8 primary. Who are they?

The Aug. 8 primary is fast approaching, with a crowded field of 26 candidates running for seven non-partisan seats on the Kauaʻi County Council.

This election is especially wide open with three members of the current Kauaʻi County Council running for mayor and another member unable to run due to term limits.

The top 14 vote-getters in the Saturday primary advance to the general election on Nov. 3.

The race, which involves one of the largest fields for the council in decades, is expected to shape the Garden Island’s approach to housing, infrastructure, economic development, and environmental stewardship.

Kauaʻi continues to grapple with familiar challenges, including the availability of affordable housing, aging public infrastructure, tourism’s role in the local economy, coastal resilience, wildfire preparedness, and the balance between growth and the preservation of the island’s rural character.

Only three people on the current council are running for re-election: Addison Bulosan, Arryl J. Kaneshiro and Fern Anuenue Holland.

Council Vice Chair KipuKai Kuali‘i, who was first elected in 2018, cannot run again due to the limit of four two-year terms.

Council Chair Mel Rapozo and council members Bernard Carvalho Jr. and Felicia Cowden all are running for mayor, which is an open seat with term-limited Derek S.K. Kawakami seeking to become lieutenant governor of Hawaiʻi.

The County Council candidates have a wide variety of backgrounds, including first responders, former council members, business owners, a retired lifeguard, and even a funeral director.

The other candidates:

• Paul Noboru Applegate: He is a retired U.S. Army Reserve and Kauaʻi Police Department captain with 25 years of service. He also advocates strongly for self-sufficient agriculture to enhance food security and decrease dependence on imports. Public safety, emergency preparedness and community resilience remain primary focuses. Additionally, he emphasizes investing in effective management and modern, reliable sewer systems to safeguard public health and the environment.

• Mike Coots: He is a Kauaʻi photographer and business owner. He explains that he’s prepared to offer the council a fresh perspective on the island’s top issues by supporting an adolescent drug treatment center, pushing the mayor to declare a housing emergency proclamation, advocating for tiny homes and pre-approved package homes on agricultural land, fast-track permitting for PAL and Kauaʻi Habitat for Humanity, and ʻāina Kupuna-style property tax relief.

• Michelle Kaleiohi Correa. She has 17 years of experience working for the County of Kauaʻi’s Parks and Recreation Department. She says her campaign is rooted in her commitment to caring for the community by strengthening the fight against drugs, expanding diversified agriculture, creating practical housing solutions, improving traffic and transportation, ensuring fair and responsible land access, and addressing homelessness with compassion.

• Trysten Fernandes Caberto: He is a Kauaʻi funeral director whose motto is “stand for community over commodity.” His main foundational approaches are fostering a familial bond with ʻāina, and considering Kauaʻi as family, with empathy serving as the core.

• Jeremy Haupt: He is a retired pool lifeguard and not a politician but is committed to supporting local families, protecting the island’s natural beauty, and guiding responsible growth that benefits the community—not just short-term interests.

• Dane Smith: He is a retired Kaua‘i Fire Captain and project manager for The Hanalei Initiative, a nonprofit formed by the community in the aftermath of catastrophic floods in 2018. He says he brings practical solutions, leadership and real-world experience. He’s focused on housing and the infrastructure that supports it, preservation and stewardship of access to public places, kūpuna care and visitor management, along with policies that support local communities and protect the local life where kama‘āina can continue to thrive.

• Skyler Workman: He is an East Side resident who says he’s ready to step into the spotlight as Kauaʻiʻs next soft-spoken councilmember. He adds that he’s running to serve the community, strengthen the future, and bring real solutions to the island by lowering taxes for families and building a community that can thrive off the land, with a system that strengthens and works for everyone.

• Umi Martin: He is a West Side farmer and business owner. He said he’s committed to listening to and representing communities on recycling, reducing waste, cesspools-to-sewage, landfills and housing affordability. This includes food security and strengthening the local economy. “Every district deserves to be heard and included in decision-making,” he states.

• Todd R. Ozaki: He is currently serving in the Mayor’s Office as an executive assistant to the mayor. His belief is that local government should serve people efficiently, make sound decisions, and stay focused on the fundamentals that affect people’s daily lives. His priorities include putting local families first, roads and infrastructure, leading with judgment, and creating trust with residents.

• Yelena Okhman: She is a real estate agent who believes that the Garden Island is missing connections. She says she’s focused on innovative approaches to sustainability and homelessness by creating responsible developments, renewable energy and responsible waste management to help address landfill challenges. Her objective is to heal while respecting the land, spirits and culture.

• Billy D. DeCosta He is a former high school teacher and councilmember. If re-elected, he is committed to expanding opportunities for the next generation to build successful careers and ensure Kauaʻi families can work, live and thrive.

• Cheree Rapozo. She is a Real Estate agent who believes in open communication, responsible budgeting, community engagement and thoughtful decision-making that puts residents’ interests first. Her priorities include healthcare, mental health and social service resources, responsible budgeting, and protecting productive agricultural lands.

• Taylor H. Shigemoto: His motto is ‘Kauaʻi “First’ and believes the key issues facing the county are housing, waste management, infrastructure, economic development and job creation.

• James R. Langtad He’s a business owner who says Kauaʻi is facing serious hurdles. His priorities include creating rehabilitation programs, increasing food sustainability, reducing imports, easing the housing crisis to protect local families, and creating more jobs.

• Keola Kaiminaauao: Heʻs a native of Kauaʻi, married, with one daughter, two stepdaughters, and three grandchildren, whom he said “inspire him every day to lead with heart.” His priorities include listening and amplifying residents’ voices.

• James “Jimmy T” Trujillo: He is a former KKCR radio volunteer, and says a lot needs to be tackled, including the coconut rhinoceros beetle, traffic and over tourism. His priorities involve addressing luxury homes and affordable housing, traffic and development, the landfill and wastewater treatment, housing and protecting our natural resources and access.

• Rachel Secretario: She has diverse experience as a parking garage manager, financial advisor, art teacher and comedian. Her main priorities are making residents feel valued and safe, which she supports through initiatives like affordable housing, curbside recycling, school engagement, suicide prevention programs and collaborations with farmers for sustainability.

• John “Scooby” Mattos: He is a Navy veteran and a former firefighter/EMT at the Pacific Missile Range Facility. He has also promised that if elected, he will give back half of his council salary to a local nonprofit, church or other community organizations. His priorities also include financial literacy for residents and incentives for farmers with responsible leadership.

• Herman K. Wilson: He is a Westside resident whose priorities include safety, the value of Kauaiʻs culture, and the protection of the islandʻs environment; supporting farmers; and creating leaders to work more closely with the council.

Other candidates running: Michael Roven Poai, Nelson Mukai, John Montemayo and Thomas Jr. “Tom” Lindsey

Bart Thomas had filed to run, but withdrew from the race.