LIHUE — A statewide tourism organization with deep ties to the hospitality sector has thrown its weight behind one-half dozen candidates running for the Kauai County Council in the 2024 General Election.
The Hawai‘i Lodging &Tourism Association revealed it is endorsing incumbents Bernard P. Carvalho Jr., Felicia Cowden, Ross Kagawa, KipuKai Kualii and Mel Rapozo, who serves as council chair.
The association also backed former councilman Arryl J. Kaneshiro, who finished in third position in the 2024 Primary Election behind Carvalho and Rapozo. Carvalho and Rapozo ended up in first and second positions, respectively.
The association, which also weighed in on state House and county races across the island chain, endorsed Kauai Reps. Nadine K. Nakamura of District 15, Luke A. Evslin of District 16 and Daynette “Dee” Morikawa of District 17.
The association does not make endorsements in federal or Office of Hawaiian Affairs races.
“Our endorsement decisions are the culmination of a thorough and thoughtful process. We consulted a broad spectrum of industry stakeholders, thoroughly vetted candidates through our state endorsement committee, and received final approval from out statewide Board of Directors,” said Hawai‘i Lodging &Tourism Association President Mufi Hannemann in a statement.
“We placed a particular emphasis on feedback from communities across the islands to ensure that the voices most familiar with the candidates’ records were heard. Along with continuing our support for candidates we previously endorsed in the primary races who are now heading into the general election, we are excited to extend our endorsements to additional candidates running solely in the general election.
“These individuals have proven to be steadfast advocates for Hawaii’s tourism industry, and we trust they will continue to work in the best interests of our community and economy.”
The 2024 General Election takes place on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Ballot packets were mailed out this week to registered voters in the County of Kauai. The Garden Island newspaper has not taken a position on any of the candidates running for Kauai County Council.
