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
Party: Nonpartisan · Backing: Grassroots
Platform: Environmental scientist and community organizer on the Council; ag, ʻāina, and clean-energy focus.
- Environmental scientist and community organizer; previously food systems director for the Hawaiʻi Alliance for Progressive Action (HAPA).
- Featured in the 2016 Pierce Brosnan documentary Poisoning Paradise on pesticide and GMO impacts in Hawaiʻi — has a long public record on agriculture and ʻāina protections.
- Backs tighter limits on visitor accommodations and stronger shoreline preservation rules.
- Supports continued build-out of Kauaʻi renewable energy and watershed protection.
Editorial summary: Fern Ānuenue Holland's Council record and prior HAPA work, documented in her campaign site and Star-Advertiser profile, show sustained engagement on agricultural land preservation, coastal protection, and renewable energy issues.
Key issues: Agriculture & ʻāina protection, Coastal preservation, Renewable energy, Visitor industry limits
Website: https://votefern.com
Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03