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Editor’s note: For Hawaii’s Nov. 5 General Election, Civil Beat asked candidates to answer some questions about where they stand on various issues and what their priorities will be if elected.

The following came from W. Butch Keahiolalo, candidate for Kauai County Council. The top 14 primary vote-getters advance to the general election. The other candidates are Abe Apilado Jr.,��Addison Bulosan, Bernard Carvalho Jr.,��Felicia Cowden, Sherri Cummings,��Bill DeCosta, Fern Holland, Ross Kagawa, Arryl Kaneshiro, KipuKai Kualii, Jacquelyn Nelson, Mel Rapozo, and Bart Thomas.

Go to Civil Beat’s Election Guide for general information, and check out other candidates on the General Election Ballot.

1. What is the biggest issue facing Kauai County, and what would you do about it?

Affordable housing is the biggest issue facing Kauai County and the council’s support of affordable housing programs is only part of the solution. Our community deserves a quick response from our local government, removing as many barriers as possible to local residents and families in dire need of housing.

A combination of homebuyer educational programs, affordable loans and housing rental solutions coupled with immediate tax burden relief will ensure we aren’t losing our resident population, the very population that perpetuates our Kauai lifestyle.

Our current regressive overall tax burden is forcing our local residents to seek prosperity elsewhere while incentivizing non-residents, foreigners and billionaires to relocate to our island home. The state and county has land. Placing residents in homes is the best use of the land. Remove obstacles. We don’t need a 10-year plan. It’s time to act. 

2. Kauai has proven vulnerable to natural disasters especially on the island’s north shore. What would you do to improve disaster preparedness?

As a retired Kauai fire captain who responded to the April 15, 2018, floods as well as the Kaloko Flood and many other emergencies, I have firsthand experience and knowledge of emergency preparedness, prevention and response.

Building relationships with other agencies is absolutely vital, however we witnessed many community leaders in the floods running boots-on-the-ground efforts before many agencies were on-island. I would support any local efforts to build and strengthen community leadership and preparedness programs. Our residents deserve the best possible outcome and not the worst preventable hardship. 

3. There are nearly 14,000 cesspools on Kauai that must be removed by 2050. With an average cost of $15,000 to $30,000 to convert to septic, many homeowners say making the transition is not affordable. How can the county help to jump-start cesspool replacements?

First of all I haven’t seen a quote for septic between $15,000 to $30,000 for years. Prices are nearly double at this time. There have been grant programs in the past to convert cesspools. Sadly, many “owners” did not take advantage of the program for various reasons. Where applicable, cesspools can be converted to seepage pits and a septic tank can be added to reduce impact costs.

Clean rivers and oceans are vital to the health of our island’s ecosystem so it’s important we aren’t developing or allowing outdated systems or new sewer systems near rivers and coastlines. Sewage spills into our waterways are unacceptable. New residential developments should be designed with the environment in mind as well as density for additional dwellings. 

4. Traffic is getting worse on Kauai, and different regions face different challenges. What would be your approach to improve Kauai’s transportation problems?

I’ve always said, “You’re not stuck in traffic. You are traffic.” Department of Transportation data currently available shows the average daily vehicle use on all major highways and roads.

We do not currently have a public transportation program that makes sense and is operational every day. Nearly all vehicles are single occupancy. Add to that nearly 30,000 visitors and we have a problem that’s only going to get worse.

I would explore park-n-rides (ride shares) in strategic locations that alleviate traffic.

An example would be driving to a large parking area and jumping on a bus or with someone else going the same direction. I envision a covered photovoltaic “carport” for hundreds of vehicles. It should be near business locations such as grocery stores, banks, post offices, etc., so that most people will not choose to drive solo just for the convenience of running errands. It should be tied into the Kauai Bus. There will be charging stations. There will be bike lockers. The park-n-ride at Kalaheo Neighborhood Center has maybe three stalls. We can do better. 

5. The median price for a single-family home on Kauai has topped $1 million. What would you do to help address the shortage of low-income, affordable and middle-class housing?

The total tax burden of Kauai is putting the low income on the streets and the middle class on welfare. Local residents are bearing the tax burden at every level. General Excise Tax and state income tax is nearly seven times the revenue from the Transient Accommodation Tax collected. We are literally stepping over visitor dollars to pick up local dimes.

Remove unnecessary local taxes and fees. Most of these taxes just create more “government” that is expensive to manage and difficult enforce. We need a major change. Add tourist fees and visitor taxes. Use this money to build and improve local facilities and housing.

Use the power the governor gave to remove temporary vacation rentals. We also need real property tax relief for owner-occupied residents and tenants. Local residents should not be forced to relocate because their “neighbor” is renting out their beach home for thousands per night. Home preservation needs immediate resolution. 

6. Kauai’s landfill in Kekaha will soon run out of capacity and there’s still no timely plan in place to build a new one. What can the county council do to address what could become a garbage crisis for the island?

Incentivize local business. Hawaii was ranked one of the worst places to do business. Self-employed taxes are 15%. General Excise Tax is on gross income. State income tax is 8.25% at income over $48,000, second only to Oregon which has no sales tax.

How does this affect solid waste? We are consuming “cheaper” packaged goods instead of local produce and products. Buying local produce and products including locally raised meat products reduces solid waste. We need to lower taxes for our local farmers and businesses so they can compete with the big box stores who are “wholesaling” in volume. This would reduce solid waste significantly. Local products do not need to be wrapped in three different packages and shipped (reduces negative effects on climate). 

7. Overtourism can degrade the environment, threaten biodiversity, contribute to wear and tear on infrastructure, generate traffic and disrupt neighborhoods. What more can be done to better manage the island’s tourism sector?

Overtourism on Kauai was a direct result of eco-tourism and an increase in direct flights along with the 462 permitted vacation rentals in neighborhoods. Residents saw the immediate relief from overtourism during Covid. Reefs were naturally restored. Our keiki were riding bikes in the neighborhoods again.

I would like to see a local vendor-supported shuttle bus system for visitors. Those buses would go from the airport to hotels. The buses would take tourists to safe destinations based on advisories from public safety. No bus would be going to Queen’s Bath in the winter. It would provide a worry-free destination experience.

Just as cruise ships are hotels on the water, hotels are cruise ships on land. Shuttle from airport to hotel and plan your vacation based on the safe destinations provided by the shuttle vendor/hotel. Only safe trails would be accessible. Trails could be closed for restoration. Visitor buses would only go to lifeguard beaches. Buses would visit places promoting cultural education.

More culture. Less impact. Fewer rental cars. Less traffic. A true eco-tourism experience. You don’t want it? Go somewhere else. Kauai can be the model for tourism. 

8. Should more be done to encourage agriculture and food sustainability on Kauai? What would you suggest?

Yes, 100%. Sustainable used to mean bearable. Our current consumer model is not bearable. I would support any and all programs that incentivize farming, community farms, co-op farms, etc. I would support farmers market “warehouses” open all day at park-n-ride locations explained above.

All you have to do is look at the money trees that the large land grabbers are “farming” and see that it’s currently upside down. Local farmers aren’t “farming” for tax benefits like mainland and foreign billionaires. Their donor-advised nonprofits with clever Hawaiian names are disguised as philanthropic good deeds.

We need to make growing food a viable form of local business and expand immediately. We are literally one barge and five to seven days away from empty shelves. That is not “sustainable” in the event of a natural disaster. 

9. What would you do to ensure transparency and accountability in county government?

If you are following me on social media, I’m running a transparent campaign. I’m not taking a single dollar in campaign donations. I have no hidden agenda or self-serving interest.

After 30 years of serving my community as a teacher, youth sports coach and firefighter, I will continue to serve my community with the same mantra, “I do my job as if someone’s life counts on it.”

Your vote, your voice.