14 candidates are tracked for Kauai County Council (seven at-large seats) on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Arryl Kaneshiro, Fern Anuenue Holland, Todd Ozaki, Michelle Kaleiohi Correa, Addison Bulosan, Taylor Shigemoto, Paul Applegate, Billy DeCosta, Dane Smith, Mike Coots, Umi Martin, Cheree Rapozo, Keola Kaiminaauao and John Mattos. Candidate information follows official Kauai County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.
About this race
The top 14 of 26 primary candidates advance to November 3, where the top seven vote-getters win the seven at-large seats, per Kauai Now and the Hawaii Office of Elections' official results. Listed in primary vote order; John Mattos took the 14th and final advancing position. The county prosecuting attorney is appointed on Kauai, not elected.
What this office does
County commissioner. The county board is the county's legislative and, in most states, executive body. Commissioners adopt the county budget and property tax rate, oversee roads, the jail, public health, planning and zoning in unincorporated areas, and appoint or confirm department heads. In counties with an elected county executive or judge, the board's role is mainly the budget and ordinances.
This race. Nonpartisan: candidates appear without party labels. Sitting officeholders on the ballot: Arryl Kaneshiro, Fern Anuenue Holland, Addison Bulosan.
Affordability, including funding for the Housing Agency and property tax policy that helps local families stay on Kauai
A "Restoration Economy" combining ecosystem restoration jobs, agriculture and small business development
Strengthening emergency communications, wildfire and flood resilience, and shelter capacity
Per the Honolulu Civil Beat candidate Q&A.
Biography
Fern Anuenue Holland is the sitting county councilmember seeking re-election; Kapaa-raised community organizer with a background in environmental and agricultural advocacy, per Kauai Now. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026.
TO
Todd Ozaki
Nonpartisan
Top priorities
Putting local families first
Roads and infrastructure
Creating trust with residents
Per the Kauai Now.
Biography
Todd Ozaki is running for Kauai County Council; he describes himself as a husband and father, youth coach and small business owner currently serving in the Mayor's Office, per the campaign site.
Diversified agriculture and practical housing solutions
Traffic, transportation and compassionate homelessness response
Per the Kauai Now.
Biography
Michelle Kaleiohi Correa is a candidate for the Kauai County Council who has worked for the county's Parks and Recreation department for 17 years, per her Honolulu Civil Beat candidate Q&A. Michelle Kaleiohi Correa appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Kauai County Council (seven at-large seats), per the county elections office's certified candidate list. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026.
AB
Addison Bulosan
NonpartisanIncumbent
Top priorities
Streamline permitting and support ADUs, tiny homes and town-core redevelopment
County procurement supporting locally owned businesses
Zero waste, renewable energy and the county Climate Action Plan
Per the campaign site.
Biography
Bulosan is an entrepreneur, community organizer and current Kauai and Niʻihau councilmember chairing the council's Planning Committee, per the campaign site. Born and raised on Kauai, Bulosan has organized with the Hawaii Foodbank Kauai and the Rice Street Business Association, per the campaign site.
Housing availability, affordability and houselessness
The Kekaha Landfill's limited remaining lifespan and siting an alternative
Roads, sewer, parks and job creation
Per the campaign site.
Biography
Shigemoto works in banking and credit unions and has a background in coaching, per the campaign site. Born and raised on Kauai and a graduate of Kauai High School, Shigemoto serves as a financial literacy instructor for high school seniors and a bodybuilding coach, per the campaign site.
Affordable and workforce housing through well-planned development
Self-sufficient agriculture to strengthen food security
Public safety, emergency preparedness and modern sewer and solid-waste systems
Per the campaign site.
Biography
Applegate is a U.S. Army Reserve veteran and retired Kauai Police Department captain with more than 25 years of service, including 14 years in command roles, per the campaign site. A graduate of the FBI National Academy and former school resource officer, Applegate is running for Kauai and Niʻihau County Council, per the campaign site.
Ensuring Kauai families can work, live and thrive on island
Per the Kauai Now.
Biography
Billy DeCosta is a former county councilmember and former high school teacher, per Kauai Now. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026.
DS
Dane Smith
Nonpartisan
Top priorities
Affordable housing and supporting infrastructure
Traffic solutions, including the East Kauai Mobility Hub project
Managing visitor impact, building on the Haena State Park access model
Per the campaign site.
Biography
Smith is a recently retired Kauai Fire Captain with 25 years of service who now works as a project manager on the Hanalei Initiative's affordable housing development, per the campaign site. A lifelong Kauai resident, Smith is running for Kauai County Council, per the campaign site.
Push for a housing emergency declaration; tiny homes and pre-approved package homes on ag land
Solve the Kekaha landfill crisis via reclamation and countywide curbside recycling
A tourism carrying-capacity study and an adolescent drug treatment center on island
Per the campaign site.
Biography
Coots is a small-business owner running a photography business on Kauai's North Shore, per the campaign site. Born and raised on Kauai and a Kapaa High graduate, Coots is known for ocean conservation and shark-protection advocacy and is running for Kauai County Council, per the campaign site.
Housing affordability and workforce housing for local families
Recycling expansion and long-term landfill planning
Cesspool-to-sewer conversion with manageable costs for residents
Per the campaign site.
Biography
Martin is a farmer and small business owner who co-founded Umi's Store in Waimea and has worked as a youth counselor, poi mill worker, substitute teacher and canoe paddling coach, per the campaign site. Born and raised in Kekaha on Kauai's Westside, Martin is running for Kauai County Council, per the campaign site.
Healthcare, mental health and social service resources
Responsible budgeting
Protecting productive agricultural lands
Per the Kauai Now.
Biography
Cheree Rapozo is a candidate for the Kauai County Council who works as a real estate agent, per press coverage of her campaign. Cheree Rapozo appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Kauai County Council (seven at-large seats), per the county elections office's certified candidate list. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026.
KK
Keola Kaiminaauao
Nonpartisan
Top priorities
A six-month action plan to address the shortage of affordable housing for working families
Supporting local food production so more locally grown food reaches family tables
Stronger biosecurity, cesspool conversion assistance and reducing waste at the Kekaha landfill
Per the Honolulu Civil Beat candidate Q&A.
Biography
Kaiminaauao is a native Kauai resident and father, stepfather and grandfather who says he works to ensure every voice in his community is heard and valued, per the campaign site.
U.S. Navy veteran and former firefighter and EMT at the Pacific Missile Range Facility, per Kauai Now; he has pledged to give half his council salary to a local community organization if elected. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026.
Who is running for Kauai County Council (seven at-large seats) in 2026?
14 candidates are tracked for Kauai County Council (seven at-large seats) on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Arryl Kaneshiro, Fern Anuenue Holland, Todd Ozaki, Michelle Kaleiohi Correa, Addison Bulosan, Taylor Shigemoto, Paul Applegate, Billy DeCosta, Dane Smith, Mike Coots, Umi Martin, Cheree Rapozo, Keola Kaiminaauao and John Mattos. Candidate information follows official Kauai County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.
When is the Kauai County Council (seven at-large seats) election in Hawaii?
Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Hawaii are on the Hawaii election hub at theballotbrief.com.
How do I see my exact Kauai County ballot?
Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.
Verify this race
Candidate roster from official Kauai County and state election office filings, last verified September 27, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.
