LIHUE — Today is Election Day, and not only will voters elect a new mayor of Kauai, they’ll also decide on the seven members of the Kauai County Council.
Council Chair Mel Rapozo and Councilmember Derek Kawakami are vying for the county’s highest office.
For the council, incumbents Arthur Brun, Mason Chock, Ross Kagawa and Arryl Kaneshiro are running for office.
Former councilmember Shaylene Iseri is seeking her third, though not concurrent, term on the council. Former councilmember Kipukai Kuali‘i is also seeking another term. He was elected in 2014 and finished eighth in 2016.
Juno Apalla, Felicia Cowden, Norma Doctor Sparks and Billy De Costa are all running for the second time, while Milo Spindt, Luke Evslin and Adam Roversi are all first-time candidates. Kanoe Ahuna is also on the ballot.
Kauai voters will also decide on several ballot initiatives, including whether to remove term limits for councilmembers.
They’ll also repeal or retain the function of the county defender, the ability of the council to establish an electrical authority, and whether Open Space, Natural Resources Preservation funds can be used for certain repairs.
Also on the ballot is a measure that would remove the Zoning Board of Appeals and authorize the Salary Commission to establish maximum salaries of elected and appointed officials and add the director of human resources and director of finance as non-voting members of the commission.
Same-day voter registration will be available Tuesday, and polls will be open 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Locate your polling place based on your residence address. To find your polling place, go to olvr.hawaii.gov
14-01 Hanalei Elementary School
14-02 Kilauea School
14-03 Anahola Hawaiian Homes Clubhouse
14-04 Kapaa Elementary School
14-05 Kapaa Neighborhood Center
15-01 Kapaa Middle School
15-02 King Kaumualii Elementary School
15-03 Wilcox Elementary School, Cafeteria
15-04 Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School
15-05 Koloa Elementary School
16-01 Koloa Neighborhood Center
16-02 Kalaheo Neighborhood Center
16-03 Hanapepe Recreation Center
16-04 Waimea Neighborhood Center
16-05 Kekaha Neighborhood Center
Qualified residents may still register and vote. To qualify, you must be a U.S. citizen, Hawaii resident,and at least 18 years old.Voters registering on Election Day will have to complete a registration affidavit form and await confirmation.
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The Garden Island