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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. As of the May 2026 official filing snapshot, 27 candidates filed for the race; Bart Thomas withdrew after initially filing. 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

TRUJILLO, James (Jimmy T)

Party: Nonpartisan · Backing: Independent

Platform: Kauaʻi resident since 1999 running for county council focused on housing, public works infrastructure, and natural resource access.

  • Has lived and worked on Kauaʻi since 1999; campaign site describes a grassroots, work-in-progress effort built on community engagement and direct outreach to residents and neighbors.
  • Top issue: Kauaʻi's housing crisis — specifically the gap between luxury home development and the urgent need for affordable housing; calls for addressing the impact of new development on traffic and neighborhood character.
  • On public works: prioritizes new wastewater treatment facilities to replace aging or inadequate infrastructure; and a materials recovery facility to increase recycling and divert waste from the island's nearly-at-capacity landfill.
  • Supports protecting and maintaining parks, beaches, and open spaces; advocates for protecting and increasing public access to Kauaʻi's natural resources.
  • Frames his campaign at jt4Kauai.com as an evolving platform: 'This website, like me, is a work in progress' — inviting community input on how to best address Kauaʻi's issues before the August 8, 2026 primary.

Editorial summary: Jimmy Trujillo has been a Kauaʻi resident since 1999 and is running for council on a platform of housing affordability, public works modernization (wastewater, landfill/recycling), and natural resource access. His campaign site at jt4Kauai.com is the primary source for platform positions; voters should also attend KKCR forum events and follow the Garden Island for any additional candidate Q&As.

Key issues: Housing affordability, Wastewater infrastructure, Landfill & recycling, Parks & open space, Natural resource access

Website: https://www.jt4Kauai.com

Profile last reviewed: 2026-06-03

Other candidates in this race