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Neurodivergent-friendly voter information for Kauaʻi and Hawaiʻi

KAUAI COUNCILMEMBER

About the 2026 Kauaʻi County Council Race

The Kauaʻi County Council is a seven-member body elected at-large, meaning every registered voter on Kauaʻi picks up to seven of the candidates from the same island-wide ballot — the top seven vote-getters in the general election win seats. The Council has no sub-districts; all seats are island-wide. As of the June 9, 2026 official filing record, 27 candidates initially filed for the race; Bart Thomas withdrew after filing, leaving 26 confirmed on the primary ballot. Council Chair Mel Rapozo vacated his seat to run for mayor. Fern Holland is among the filed candidates who previously served on the Council. The at-large structure means voters choose among all island-wide candidates on a single ballot. Key issues candidates have addressed in campaign coverage include housing affordability, the role of short-term vacation rentals, tourism-driven development, and public-safety and infrastructure investment. Voters should consult candidate websites, KKCR Elections forum recordings, and Honolulu Civil Beat candidate Q&As for verifiable stances.

Open seat — no incumbent running.

Primary date: 2026-08-08

CORREA, Michelle Kaleiohi

Party: Nonpartisan · Backing: Independent

Platform: Kauaʻi community candidate with established local political connections who participated in the May 2026 candidate forum.

  • Filed nomination papers on March 27, 2026, accompanied by family and community supporters — one of the earliest council candidates to file; The Garden Island published a dedicated profile article on April 4, 2026, indicating community recognition at the outset of the race.
  • Wife of Kirk Correa; has family connections to established Kauaʻi political networks, which provided early organizing infrastructure and community support as she entered the race.
  • Participated in the Kapaa Business Association 2026 Political Forum on May 16, 2026 — one of 23 candidates who presented three-minute statements at Ohana Christian Fellowship in Kapaʻa to a full hall of community members.
  • Has an active ActBlue fundraising page, signaling a structured campaign operation; specific policy platform positions were not publicly indexed as of the June 2026 review. Voters should consult KKCR forum recordings and Civil Beat Q&As for sourced stances.

Editorial summary: Michelle Kaleiohi Correa received dedicated Garden Island coverage when she filed in March 2026 and participated in the May 16 KBA political forum. Her family political network and organized campaign (ActBlue fundraising, early filing) suggest an established candidacy. Specific policy positions had not been published as of June 2026; voters should follow KKCR forums and Civil Beat for Q&As.

Key issues: Housing affordability, Tourism management, Community representation, Infrastructure

Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03

Other candidates in this race