My phones been ringing off the hook (IYKYK) with friends asking, “Who are you supporting for Kaua’i Mayor and Council?”

At a recent “candidate forum” hosted by Malama Kaua’i and HAPA, voters were given a valuable opportunity to see and hear in person many of the candidates.

Of the 18 Council candidates present: Mike Coots, Umi Martin, Jimmy Trujillo, and Trysten Fernandes Caberto all hit the ball hard from my perspective.

Michelle Kaleiohi Correa and Dane Smith also definitely scored points with me.

For those counting, that’s already 6 and doesn’t include my #1 choice, Councilmember Fern Holland who was unable to attend the forum.

And it doesn’t include Councilmembers Bulosan and Kaneshiro both of whom bring valuable institutional knowledge to the table.

Other candidates who stood out and am guessing will wind up in the top 14 on August 8 were Todd Ozaki, Taylor Shigemoto, Keola Kaiminaauao, John Mattos, and Paul Applegate.

James Langtad, John Montemayor, Nelson Mukai, Yelena Okhman, Herman Wilson, and Skyler Workman also deserve a huge mahalo from all of us. They made showing up for voters a priority and should be commended for doing so.

*Note: I’ve included links to those candidate websites that I could locate.

I deeply appreciate every single person who has chosen to be a candidate, and publicly put themselves and their values out in the open for public scrutiny.

To be clear, my bias, and my core political base of values can best be described as that of a Bernie Sanders Democrat. Yes, I know he’s an “Independent”, but he hangs with the Dem’s.

And yes, I understand the Council race is “non-partisan”.

But core values matter.

This is why voters must look closely at a candidates background.

What have they done up until now?

What issues have they publicly championed or opposed in the past? If they’ve not testified, not carried signs, nor written letters or spoken out on issues – Why not?

Who are their friends and associates? Who’s “backing them”?

I strongly encourage everyone to do a bit of homework and make up your own mind.

Visit their websites and see what issues and solutions are front and center. Do they mention environmental issues at all? Do they speak of doing more to support the unhoused? Are they willing to speak openly about “taxing the rich” and those not paying their fair share?

Naturally I have my favorites.

In addition to Fern Holland, I’ve known and worked alongside Council candidate Jimmy Trujillo for at least 20 years. Jimmy was in the water on August 27, 2007 (IYKYK). He’s an avid apiarist, a long time member of KKCR Community Radio, and has a solid history of community involvement. Those facts alone are enough for me.

We each get 7 votes, and for this primary I’m thinking about using all 7.

So now I gotta figure out where my other 5 votes should go.

As to the Mayoral portion of the candidate forum, the common theme at the end was clearly, “Some of the names have been there a long time. They have good priorities but why haven’t they addressed these issues already? Some of the new people are very interesting and have excellent ideas but do they have the experience and capability to do the job?”

Yes, the Mayor runs the County’s day-to-day operations, but the Council can set priorities via tax policy, the passage of ordinances, and budget oversight.

So it’s a valid question to all 3 Mayoral candidates who now serve on the Council – Bernard Carvalho, Felicia Cowden, and Mel Rapozo: “Why during the past 4 years on the Council haven’t you proposed for public discussion and public vote, some of the good ideas and proposals offered up at the forum?”

The other 3 choices for Mayor are:

Megeso-William Denis who also ran for Mayor in 2022 is a 13 year resident of Kauai with a background in business.

Laura Andaya-Lindsey has an administrative/management experience working in community, focused on social services.

Michaela Widener had a refreshing, innovative approach to problem solving, and presented herself with confidence, conviction, and commitment. Made me think of Mamdani.

My choice? It’s still up in the air.

But gonna have to pick someone on August 8th.

The “top two” will then move through to the primary.

There are no perfect candidates.

Please. Do your homework, talk to friends and neighbors, attend the forums, and reach out directly to the candidates – then vote for the person that best represents your values and world view.