Both former Mayor (now County Councilmember) Bernard Carvalho AND County Council Chair Melvin Rapozo are hoping to be chosen by voters in 2026 to serve as Kaua`i’s next mayor.
Kaua`i voters deserve a choice, and I’m hoping other candidates will also enter the race.
There’s no shortage of potential candidates; Senate President Ron Kouchi, former Councilmember Mason Chock, Councilmember Arryl Kaneshiro, former Mayor JoAnn Yukimura, former Rep. Hermina Morita.
There are others of course, presently serving in the ranks of government, in nonprofits, and in the private sector, but these five are “top of mind” potential candidates.
Council terms for Carvalho and Rapozo expire on Dec. 1, 2026.
Does this mean both men will actively campaign, from (presumably) now through the general election on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026 – while also serving as councilmembers?
If either (or both) men resign from the council to run for mayor (which is not required), the council will appoint new members to fill their position(s). When we consider how this scenario could impact the council election, things get really complicated really quickly.
Councilmembers Felicia Cowden and KipuKai Kualiʻi are “terming out” and not running in 2026.
Consequently, four council positions will be up for election – without those four incumbents in the race.
Kaua`i County Council seats are elected “at large,” not “by district.” This means all seven existing council seats are up for election. However, with two members running for mayor, and two members “terming out,” only THREE incumbent councilmembers will be running for those seven seats in 2026 — thus the four “openings.”
The coconut wireless now says former Councilmembers Billy DeCosta and Ross Kagawa will both attempt to regain the council seats they lost in 2024.
As for Carvalho, Rapozo and the mayor’s race? Both gentlemen are nice guys who represent the status quo. Both would no doubt continue balancing the budget while making minimal changes to business as usual. Neither has a history of rocking the boat.
Both were ardent supporters of the chemical companies during the Bill 2491 period.
Both supported extending the “Iniki Ordinance” to benefit the developers/owners of the Coco Palms Hotel, allowing the developer to avoid compliance with current building codes and development standards.
Neither candidate has spoken out publicly in opposition to the actions of the Trump administration, nor in support of ensuring “due process” rights are upheld in Kauai County.
Nothing personal, guys, but IMHO, Kaua`i voters deserve a broader choice of experience and values.
We have good people, working full-time jobs, forced by high rents and nonexistent housing inventories to live in their cars.
We obviously need more affordable housing, more shelters for the unhoused, and some basic, safe, clean, legal place for those forced to live in their cars to park for the night.
We need safe, healthy and pesticide-free county parks. Other counties are doing this; why not Kauai?
A full-time Kauai auditor position/office is required by our County Charter. Yet neither the mayor nor the council has chosen to fund this essential component in the fight to eliminate government waste, fraud and abuse.
I’m hoping fervently that additional candidates for mayor and council will step forward in the coming months. Kauai voters deserve to hear from each one. What ideas, solutions and proposals will they put forward to resolve these — and other — pressing issues?
Simply maintaining the status quo is not leadership. We need more than that. Much more.
Footnote for context:
2024 Council General Election Results:
Carvalho at No. 1 with 15,435 votes, Rapozo at No. 2 with 14,403, Kaneshiro 13,049, Bulosan 12,385, Cowden 12,325, Kualii 12,276, Holland 12,041.
Kagawa at No. 8 with 11,933 and DeCosta at No. 9 with 9,977.
Top vote-getters in previous council elections now Rep. Luke Evslin 13,208 in 2022, and former Councilmember Mason Chock 18,599 in 2020 (and highest council vote count in Kaua`i history).
Gary Hooser
former Kaua`i State Senator and member of Kaua`i County Council
GaryHooser's Blog 
Mas
Gary, Have YOU considered running for Mayor? You are well known and have a following. Hmm? Jon
I would be lying if I said I have not considered it Jon, as I have considered many other paths of service that might be best for me in the coming months and years. As the saying goes, “Never say never, and always be ready…”…But truthfully I do not think running for Mayor is a good fit for me…at least not at this particular moment in time…My hope is that newer, and yes younger energy and leadership will step forward for the Mayor’s position…for the Council…and for other elective offices that will be on the table in 2026…but never say never and always be ready. I am happy and feel productive in the role I play now…as a coach and guide sometimes for others…and an experienced voice willing to pull back the curtain, not fearful or worried about the next election or whether some Chair is going to kill my bill or not ;-). But…never say never and always be ready!
I respect this honest response. We all have to assess what our gut tells is us not only pono but viable.