Brittany Anderson to seek District 1 seat on Hawai‘i County Council

One of the owners of a family farm on the Big Island’s Hāmākua Coast is throwing her hat into this year’s race for Hawai‘i County Council.

Brittany Anderson, a sixth-generation Hāmākua resident, has officially declared her candidacy for the council’s District 1 seat.

The post is now occupied by County Council Chairwoman Heather Kimball, who is serving her first two-year term.

With a diverse background in agriculture, publishing, e-commerce and public service, Anderson brings that experience to the race, as well as a commitment to the well-being of her community.

She and her husband Bodhi own Sugar Hill Farmstead in Honomū. The farm offers locally raised and processed Big Island grass-fed and grass-finished beef and lamb, pasture-raised chicken, pastured pork, organically grown rabbit and a variety of artisanal provisions.

Anderson’s journey began at Cedar Crest College in Pennsylvania, where she studied genetic engineering, writing and pre-law. As a former storyteller for “Ke Ola” magazine, she is more than familiar with the tapestry of the Big Island’s people and places.

Driven by a desire to ensure local access to healthy, island-raised food, She transitioned into farming with her husband, employing sustainable and regenerative practices on their 10-acre property. She wants to ensure local access to healthy, island-raised food and is dedicated to nurturing the land.

The Andersons won the 2019 Hawai‘i Island Business Plan Competition for their innovative farm business approach.

Her commitment to community also extends beyond farming.

Anderson has been a vocal advocate for sustainable agriculture and has addressed issues such as agriculture theft. Her involvement in various initiatives, including the National Farmers Union Women’s Conference and the Hawai‘i Island Food Summit, underscores her dedication to promoting the interests of local farmers and fostering community resilience.

“The challenges faced by local farmers during the pandemic deeply resonated with me,” said Anderson in a press release announcing her candidacy. “Despite the obstacles, I remained steadfast in my commitment to strengthening our farm and supporting our community. Now, I am eager to extend that dedication to public service as a member of the Hawai‘i County Council.”

Key issues driving her campaign include fixing the district’s closed roads and condemned bridges and bolstering core services with an emphasis on building a resilient and inclusive community for all residents of Hawai‘i County, especially District 1.

Anderson’s past public service includes representing Hawai‘i at the National Farmers Union Women’s Conference and volunteering with the Hilo Downtown Improvement Association. She also won a Congressional Bronze Medal for community service

For more information about Anderson’s campaign, click here or contact her via email at [email protected] or by calling 808-987-7110.

The Hawai‘i Office of Elections shows that it’s a three-person race for the District 1 post so far this year.

Incumbent Kimball is seeking another two-year term. The two women are also joined in the race by former UFC lightweight and welterweight champion Jay D. “BJ” Penn, who also was a Republican candidate for Hawai‘i governor in 2022.

Candidate filing for the 2024 election began Feb. 1. The deadline to file is 4:30 p.m. June 4.