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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

LANGTAD, James R.

Party: Nonpartisan · Backing: Independent

Platform: Kapaʻa handyman and return council candidate who filed in May 2026 for a second run.

  • Kapaʻa resident James R. Langtad lists his occupation as handyman on his 2026 Hawaiʻi Office of Elections nomination filing — one of the few trades-background candidates in the 2026 Kauaʻi council field.
  • A return council candidate: this is at least his second run for the Kauaʻi County Council; filed nomination papers on May 18, 2026, per the Office of the County Clerk, Elections Division.
  • His 2026 filing was covered in The Garden Island news briefs on May 20, 2026 — the primary public record confirming his candidacy; no campaign website or Q&A material was separately published as of the June 2026 review.

Editorial summary: James Langtad is a Kapaʻa handyman and return council candidate. His trades background suggests a practical infrastructure focus — road maintenance, deferred facility upkeep, and cost-effective county public works — but no policy statements have been published. Voters should follow KKCR forums and The Garden Island for candidate Q&As.

Key issues: Infrastructure maintenance, Trades & skilled-labor representation, Housing affordability, Road repair

Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03

Other candidates in this race