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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

KANESHIRO, Arryl J.

Party: Nonpartisan · Backing: Establishment

Platform: Fourth-generation Koloa farmer with prior Council Chair tenure (2014–2022); re-elected incumbent running again in 2026.

  • Fourth-generation Koloa farmer; previously served on the Kauaʻi County Council from 2014 to 2022 (including as Council Chair), lost a 2022 re-election bid, and returned to win a council seat in the 2024 election. Filed for re-election again on May 15, 2026.
  • Brings a small-business and working-agriculture perspective to council deliberations; frames his candidacy around 'homegrown sensibility' and ensuring Kauaʻi's values are perpetuated while the county economy thrives for future generations.
  • Supports raising the homestead exemption and giving owner-occupant residents targeted property-tax relief to offset rising costs.
  • Open to higher-density zoning where county infrastructure can support it, and to expanded county transportation investment.
  • Generally cautious on new tax measures and supportive of streamlining building regulations; believes careful, collaborative deliberation — not slogans — produces good county decisions.

Editorial summary: Arryl Kaneshiro is a returning Council veteran with a working agricultural background. His prior Chair tenure (2014–2022) and re-election in 2024, documented at his campaign site and on Ballotpedia, reflect a focus on county infrastructure investment, property-tax relief for owner-occupants, and steady fiscal management. He filed for re-election on May 15, 2026.

Key issues: County budget, Property-tax relief, Agriculture, Permitting reform, Infrastructure

Website: https://www.votekaneshiro.com

Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03

Other candidates in this race