DENNIS WILKENTGI Staff Writer[
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LIHU’E-Joe Prigge was born and raised on Kaua`i.

The 44-year-old father of

one (and grandfather of one), like many Kauaians, is working more than one

job.

He’s tied to the land, too. He owns a small pig farm.

Why would

he, at this point in an active middle life, decide to run for County

Council?

“I’ve worked on a lot of big (community) projects over the years

on this island, and all the time I seemed to be butting heads with government

entities,” Prigge said.

He said he wants everyone on the island to pull

together, not just local government.

“I have a strong belief that when the

community takes part in sharing the lifestyle, that’s better for the tourist,

too,” said Prigge, who believes local people “become more friendly” when their

lives are better.

The best way to empower residents, according to Prigge,

is to be more inclusive.

“We’re going to a lot of timeshares now. I feel we

should treat them (timesharers) like residents. They stay two weeks, and while

they are here they shop at local stores, shop at local vegetable markets,” he

said.

Another problem to be addressed, according to Prigge, is population

growth.

“The infrastructure we have in place barely takes care of our

population now,” he said. “The solid-waste (problem) has been around forever.

I’m sure everyone has done their best. But we need to be a little more

open-minded. We’re in the middle of the ocean. Can we take apart some of this

solid waste” and use it?

For Prigge, it always comes back to consensus,

unity and improving Kaua`i’s sense of togetherness.

“The community needs to

get involved in all these issues. We lose sight of the total goal, which is to

make Kaua`i a cleaner and safer place,” he said.

Prigge knows it’s tough to

make the final cut of seven in his first time running for council. But even if

he isn’t a council member after the votes are counted in the general election

in November, he promises to remain a presence in the community.

“I’d have

to wait and see about running again. But I won’t go away. I would support the

people elected who were working toward getting a better infrastructure, because

that has to be done,” Prigge said.

Staff writer Lester Chang can be

reached at 245-3681 (ext. 225) and [lchang@pulitzer.net]