LIHU‘E — With the election jsut two days away, County of Kaua‘i voter turnout has lagged behind statewide numbers.
Kaua‘i County Elections Administrator Lyndon Yoshioka reported that Kaua‘i election turnout was 23 percent as of Wednesday night, compared with 27 percent statewide.
Ballots mailed: 41,167
Ballots received: 9,449
Voted in-person: 232
County council biggest spenders
Incumbent County Council Member KipuKai Kuali‘i spent the most on his reelection campaign, followed by incumbent Felicia Cowden and newcomer Fern Anuenue Holland.
1. KipuKai Kuali‘i, $38,514;
2. Felicia Cowden, $35,105;
3. Fern Anuenue Holland, $20,226;
4. Addison Bulosan, $18,299;
5. Mel Rapozo, $17,706;
6. Bernard Carvalho, $7,245;
7. Luke Evslin, $7,057;
8. Rachel Secretario, $6,437;
9. Ross Kagawa, $4,235;
10. Lila Metzger, $3,353.
Public funding
As of Thursday morning, Rapozo was the only candidate to have received partial public financing from the state, receiving $9,280 in public funds. Holland reported she was waiting for her application for public financing to be approved.
Candidates are eligible for this funding if they adhere to spending limits and raise a certain amount in small-dollar donations.
Mayoral race
The mayoral race remains lopsided, with Mayor Derek Kawakami spending 38 times more on his reelection campaign than opponent Michael Roven Poai.
Derek Kawakami
expenditures: $238,030;
Michael Roven Poai expenditures: $6,202.
Election information
All ballots must be received by 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 8 to be counted.
Deposit boxes are set up at the following locations: Waimea Neighborhood Center, 4556 Makeke Road; Hanapepe Recreation Center, 4451 Puolo Road; Koloa Neighborhood Center, 3461 Weliweli Road; Kalaheo Neighborhood Center, 4480 Papalina Road; Historic County Building Annex, 4386 Rice St., Lihu‘e; Waipouli Town Center, 4-757 Kuhio Highway; Kilauea Neighborhood Center, 2460 Keneke St.; Princeville Public Library, 4343 Emmalani Drive; Hanalei Neighborhood Center, 4-5358 Kuhio Highway.
This data was compiled based on information from Yoshioka and financial disclosures on the state Campaign Spending Commission website.
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Guthrie Scrimgeour, reporter, can be reached at 808-647-0329 or gscrimgeour@thegardenisland.com.
