Kauaivotes.org

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

MUKAI, Nelson

Party: Nonpartisan · Backing: Independent

Platform: Kapaa High grad, UH Manoa Political Science alumnus, and community organizer returning to Kauaʻi after 20 years on the mainland.

  • Born and raised on Kauaʻi; graduated from Kapaʻa High School in 1982; subsequently spent approximately 20 years on the U.S. mainland (California) before returning to Hawaiʻi and earning a bachelor's degree in Political Science from the University of Hawai'i at Manoa.
  • Self-described as having been 'a manager, coach, and community organizer' across his career; frames his return to Kauaʻi and council candidacy as giving back to the community that shaped him.
  • Filed for Kauaʻi County Council on April 24, 2026; The Garden Island covered his entry into the race ('Nelson Mukai enters county council race') with a dedicated profile article.
  • Has a 2022 Civil Beat candidate Q&A on the public record from a prior council run, providing documented positions on Kauaʻi housing, tourism impacts, and county operations issues.
  • Voters should consult his 2022 Civil Beat Q&A and any updated KKCR or Garden Island forum coverage for his current 2026 platform positions ahead of the August 8 primary.

Editorial summary: Nelson Mukai is a Kapaʻa-raised council candidate who spent 20 years on the mainland before returning to Kauaʻi. His 2022 Civil Beat Q&A and Garden Island profile from April 2026 document his background and prior positions. Voters should consult that Q&A and current KKCR/media coverage for his 2026 stances.

Key issues: Housing affordability, Tourism management, Community development, Environmental protection

Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03

Other candidates in this race