County Council District 9 became an open seat this year when Kohala Councilman Tim Richards vacated after his third term in order to run for an empty Senate seat, and three candidates are vying for the position.
The South and North Kohala council district includes Hawi, Waikoloa Beach Resort, Waikoloa Village, Kapaau and Waimea. County Council races are nonpartisan and those elected serve two years.
Jeff Kalani Coakley is a Vietnam veteran who worked as a survey engineer. A community advocate and swimming pool manager for 11 years, he organized the Friends of Kohala pool after the county closed it due to repair issues.
“Times have changed, and more than ever, people want solutions, not promises or more politics of the Same Old, Same Old. As a community advocate for many decades, I’ve solved rural issues by bringing people together and forming partnerships with government entities to find viable solutions that work best for the community,” said Coakley.
He sees affordable housing as the top priority for the district, because of the numerous social issues affecting the district, “it all comes back to affordable housing.”
Cindy Evans served 16 years in the state House and for the past four years has been working with nonprofits to improve the veteran’s cemetery, as well as the Going home Consortium to help those released from jails and prisons find their footing. She’s also worked on domestic violence issues, she said, describing herself as a “change agent.”
Evans said she would use her extensive network of contacts to help get her objectives accomplished. Priorities include the economy, working families and the cost of living.
“Hawaii Islanders have always been resilient and to move forward together, we need progress that is affordable, practical and improves the quality of life for everyone. County government plays a critical role in setting the stage for people to succeed; this is why I am entering the race motivated and above all, ready to listen to all, identify priorities and get results,” said Evans.
Chris Kalei Toafili has deep roots in the Kohala district, and spent worked two decades in the county Highways Division based in Waimea. He also had a shop in Waikoloa and now runs a CDL school in the area, he told the Waimea Community Association in a candidate forum.
Toafili said the condition of roads and bridges in the district is a high priority, as safety should be a factor in deciding which roads get the most attention.
“My decision to run for County Council is just a continuing passion to serve my communities that I love and been raised in,” said Toafili.
A candidate who wins more than half the votes in the Aug. 13 primary wins the election. If no candidate receives 50% plus one vote, the top two candidates proceed to a runoff in the Nov. 8 general election.