LIHUE — JoAnn Yukimura announced today she will be running for mayor of Kauai County.
The Kauai County councilmember and former mayor said that Kauai is at a tipping point, and needs experienced and visionary leadership to navigate these pivotal times.
“I know that I can provide leadership to guide our way forward,” she said in a press release.
Yukimura will be holding an official announcement at 5 tonight on the steps of the Historic County Building.
As reflected by her record, Yukimura has been a leader who has always put community first, the release said. She has worked to effectively address many of Kauai’s challenges and make life better on Kauai.
During her first eight years on the Council, she started projects — many of them “firsts” — that continue to make a difference: the first Sunshine Market, the first bike path, the first self-help housing and the first public land trust, which permanently protects lands precious to our community such as coastal open space, wildlife habitat, cultural sites, and parklands.
“This is the kind of entrepreneurial spirit and know-how that is needed in the mayor’s office for the next four years,” the release said.
According to the release, her leadership has made it possible for more than 1,500 families to live in affordable housing at Komohana, Paanau, Kalepa Village, Lihue Court, Hokulei Estates, Halelani Village, Kanikoʻo at Rice Camp, Kolopua in Princeville, Courtyard at Waipouli, Eleʻele Nani, and the soon-to-be-built Koae housing development in Poipu, among others.
“The real test is not what candidates say, but what we actually do. My record shows that if you want to get the job done — and done well, with JoAnn, Kauai can! Together, we will effectively address today’s problems such as the lack of affordable housing, traffic congestion, homelessness, drug abuse, and the lack of good planning,” she said.
Yukimura served as mayor of Kauai from 1988 to 1994 and has served 10 terms on the County Council.
