Kauaivotes.org

Neurodivergent-friendly voter information for Kauaʻi and Hawaiʻi

STATE REPRESENTATIVE, DIST 16

About House District 16 — Central Kauaʻi (Kapaʻa / Wailua / Waipouli)

House District 16 runs through the population center of Kauaʻi's east side — Kapaʻa town, Wailua, Waipouli, and the surrounding central-corridor communities that have absorbed much of the island's residential growth over the past two decades. The seat is open in 2026: the district is drawing a contested field without a sitting incumbent defending it, giving voters a genuine choice among candidates with distinct visions for the district. The clearest differentiation in the race is over housing policy — Democratic candidate Luke Evslin, a housing data analyst and prolific Civil Beat contributor, has built his campaign on aggressive supply-side reform: by-right permitting approvals, infill construction, and reducing the regulatory barriers that have kept housing production far below household formation. Republican David Hazlebeck is also in the race. The issues most likely to define the contest are the pace and character of housing development along the central corridor, management of tourism traffic through Kapaʻa town, and infrastructure investment — particularly road and drainage improvements that have lagged behind population growth in the Wailua-Kapaʻa area.

Open seat — no incumbent running.

Primary date: 2026-08-08

HAZLEBECK, David

Party: Republican · Backing: Independent

Platform: Republican candidate running for House District 16 (Wailua / Hanamāʻulu / Līhuʻe / Puhi) in 2026.

  • Filed as a Republican for the STATE REPRESENTATIVE, DIST 16 race in 2026; campaign website davidforkauai.com covers the district including Wailua Homesteads, Hanamāʻulu, Līhuʻe, Puhi, and ʻOmāʻo on Kauaʻi.
  • Campaign website davidforkauai.com describes Hazlebeck as a father of three, business leader, and algae farmer on Kauaʻi with a background in Quantitative Economics and experience leading scientists and engineers; frames his platform around "practical leadership, fresh energy, and common-sense solutions for Kauaʻi families" with data-driven decision-making.
  • Positioned as a challenger in the HD16 open-seat race; Hazlebeck's full platform and biographical background are at davidforkauai.com.

Editorial summary: David Hazlebeck filed for the 2026 Hawaiʻi House District 16 race covering Central Kauaʻi with an active campaign website. Voters should visit davidforkauai.com and consult KKCR forum recordings for verifiable stances as the campaign develops.

Key issues: Housing supply, Data-driven governance, Infrastructure, Economic development

Website: https://davidforkauai.com

Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03

Other candidates in this race