Jr. Tupa‘i enters race for Hawai‘i County mayor

East Hawai‘i resident Seaula Jr. Tupa‘i is running for Hawai‘i County mayor.

Tupa‘i is among several candidates hoping to unseat the incumbent, Mayor Mitch Roth who won the election against former Mayor Harry Kim in 2020.

The 44-year-old wasn’t initially considering running till he was approached by several different businesses and churches to jump into the ring. After praying on it, he said, he thought the community needed more options to choose from when voting for mayor.

This is Tupa‘i’s second time running for office. In 2022, he was a candidate for lieutenant governor on the Duke Aiona ticket in the gubernatorial race.

Tupa‘i does think the Big Island is due for a change. In talking to people, he said the biggest concerns he hears are about traffic, affordability and cost of living.

“They spend hours every day in their car when it could be devoted to their families,” Tupa‘i said of the traffic congestion in Puna.

Tupa‘i would like to lower property taxes and get started on road repairs.

“I know it’s going to take working with the county council to get things expedited for the people on the Big Island,” he said.

Tupa‘i is currently the Senior Pastor at Overcoming Faith Center in Hilo. He graduated from Washington State University where he played football while receiving his Master’s Degree in music in 2005 before moving to Hilo in 2007.
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Before going full-time in ministry, Tupa‘i worked at the Hawai’i National Guard Youth Challenge Academy, Hilo Campus for 13 cycles while also coaching football at Kamehameha School – Hawai’i for one season and at Hilo High for nine seasons.

Roth announced his re-election bid in January. Dr. Kimo Alameda and Breeani Kobayashi have also officially announced their candidacy for the county’s top job.