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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

OZAKI, Todd R.

Party: Nonpartisan · Backing: Independent

Platform: 4th-generation Kauaʻi native and Mayor's Office public servant running to put local families first and deliver local government that works.

  • Born and raised on Kauaʻi (4th generation); graduated Kauaʻi High School (2000) and Washington State University with a degree in Business Administration / Management Information Systems (2004). Currently serves in the Mayor's Office overseeing the County's Capital Improvements Program; spent 15 years prior in private-sector development and small business.
  • Campaign centerpiece: "Put local families first" — every County decision should be viewed through the lens of how it affects local families, working people, and future generations.
  • Advocates for delivering the basics of government well — roads, infrastructure, public facilities, safety, and essential services — arguing that trust is earned through competence, not slogans.
  • Supports making public safety a top Council priority, including safe infrastructure, emergency preparedness, and the basic conditions that keep communities secure.
  • Committed to transparent stewardship of taxpayer dollars: make decisions carefully, prioritize wisely, and keep government focused on value over politics.
  • Filed for Kauaʻi County Council on May 6, 2026; officially launched his campaign April 12, 2026.

Editorial summary: Todd Ozaki is a public servant currently overseeing the County Capital Improvements Program in the Mayor's Office, giving him hands-on experience with county budgets and infrastructure delivery. His published campaign priorities — families first, basic service delivery, public safety, taxpayer stewardship, and accountability — are drawn directly from his campaign website. He is among the better-documented newcomers in the 2026 field given his detailed campaign site and local news coverage.

Key issues: Local families first, Infrastructure and basic services, Public safety, Fiscal accountability, County government competence

Website: https://toddozaki.com

Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03

Other candidates in this race