Candidates for five contested races arrived at the Kula Community Center for a moderated discussion of issues deemed important to Maui County voters. The forum featured five panel discussions that unveiled the positions of those who seek to represent island residents on both the county and state levels.
Six of the seven contenders for the West Maui residency seat of the Maui County Council—Eve Clute, Elle Cochran, Alan Fukuyama, Zeke Kalua, Ke‘eaumoku Kapu and Paul Laub—vying for the vacancy soon to be left by Councilmember Jo Anne Johnson, took the stage to answer a series of tough questions prepared by the KCA membership. When asked, “Why would you be the best person to serve us?” Clute responded, “I come very equipped and ready for this job,” citing her experience as a public health official who has worked alongside a number of county, state and federal agencies. Cochran, founder of the Save Honolua Coalition, answered, “My can-do attitude [and] awareness of issues within the community is key… I may not have all of the answers, but I have the heart and determination to get things done.”
Fukuyama assured, “I bring a different perspective, with the ability to work with everybody [and] I always follow up on what I say I’m going to do.” Smiling at a crowd of his supporters sitting in the front row, Kalua explained that after living on four islands and working for both the county and state government, “I have a thorough understanding of how the process works.” He added, before passing the microphone, “Please remember to vote… even if it’s not for me.”
As chairman of the Native Hawaiian Historic Preservation Council, Kapu said he plans—among other things—to promote the ancient Hawaiian ahupua‘a concept of sustainable land management. “Humans are the worst invasive species,” he said, prompting a round of enthusiastic applause. “We need to slow down our habits.” Rounding out the first panel, Laub explained why he is running for office. “It really hurts me to see people losing their jobs and homes,” he said. “I can work with people… and get things done.”
In another crowded contest for the Makawao-Pā‘ia-Ha‘ikū residency seat, four political hopefuls—Mary Ribucan Cochran, Kai Nishiki, Leona Bak Nomura and Mike White—engaged in a spirited discussion of several topics, including the future of transient vacation rentals and home-based businesses, as well as the county’s water shortage. When asked what his or her greatest strengths were, each gave a candid response. “I am able to sit down and collaborate [and] reach a consensus,” said Ribucan Cochran, citing her years serving on the state Board of Education. In her second bid for the seat, Nishiki said one of her strengths came from “growing up in local government,” which inspired her to become actively involved within the community. “We can do so much more to be a self-sufficient community,” she said. Nomura, owner of the beloved Kū‘au Mart, credited her experiences as both a business owner and a plantation child born in Hāli‘imaile. But family is her greatest strength, she said. “I need to make sure my [22] grandchildren can stay here on Maui.”
Without hesitation, White, a former state legislator, said his strength was vested in his on-the-job experience. “We are going to have some tough decisions coming up,” he said, “and I’m ready to focus on what Maui needs now.”
But perhaps the most noteworthy—and undoubtedly most heated—exchange of the evening came when Norm Vares, Wayne Nishiki and Don Couch, contenders for the council’s South Maui seat, had the opportunity to question one another. With a smile, Nishiki asked Couch, “Do you think Wayne Nishiki is doing a good job?” Couch responded, eliciting a laugh from the audience, “If I did, I wouldn’t be running.” Yet, upon listing a number of transgressions, including the long-disputed claim of Nishiki’s acceptance of $100,000 from a local developer, Couch asked Nishiki, “Tell us all here how you plan to fool Maui County voters again.” A hush blanketed the room as Nishiki explained he is making monthly payments on the loan, and he is now in full compliance with the county Board of Ethics’ report filing procedures. “I hope this will be the last I hear from Mr. Couch on this,” he said.
Their interest piqued, audience members watched intently as the forum progressed with panel discussions featuring Johanna Amorin, Joseph Bertram and Netra Halperin, Democratic candidates for the State House of Representatives, 11th District (South Maui) seat, as well as Thomas Cerizo, Justin Hughey, Tasha Kama and Joseph Souki, who are running to fill the 8th District (Waihee-Wailuku-Waikapū) seat. Each provided his or her position on many voters’ concerns, including crime prevention, capital improvement projects, tax revenues, public education and the revival of the Hawai‘i Superferry. As the evening came to an end, one thing was patently clear: This election season will be one that Maui County voters—and the candidates as well—will certainly never forget.
A recording of the Kula Community Association Primary Election Candidates Forum will be available to view on Akakū: Maui Community Television. For channel listings, visit www.akaku.org. To learn more about the Kula Community Association, visit kulamaui.com.
