Who is running for Hawai‘i County Council? 29 candidates meet Tuesday filing deadline

The midterm elections are quickly approaching in Hawaiʻi, and who is running for Hawaiʻi County Council now is known with the passing of the June 2 deadline to file.

While there is no mayoral race in the county for 2026, all nine County Council seats are on the ballot.

Four of the council seats are open, with Ashley Kierkiewicz, Matt Kaneali‘i-Kleinfelder and Rebecca Villegas having reached term limits (four 2-year terms) and Michelle Galimba choosing not to seek re-election.

That leaves five county council incumbents seeking re-election. Two are running unopposed: Holeka Inaba and James Hustace. Three will have competition: Heather Kimball, Jennifer “Jenn” Kagiwada and Dennis “Fresh” Onishi.

Mail-in ballots arrive in mailboxes on July 21. The Primary Election will take place on Aug. 8. All ballots are due that day.

Some council members could be elected in the August primary. A candidate who receives 50% plus one of the vote will win the race outright, regardless of the number of candidates. If no candidate meets that threshold, the top two vote getters head to a runoff in the November general election.

Below are the 26 candidates running for a seat on the Hawaiʻi County Council, as off the official election site on June 2 after the 4:30 deadline to file. The official list of all candidates in Hawaiʻi is available via the Candidate Report at elections.hawaii.gov.

District 1: North Hilo, Hāmākua and portion of Waimea

Heather Kimball has been representing the district since 2020 and is seeking re-election for her fourth and final term. Kimball’s legislative projects have included fair taxation policies, cesspool conversion funding, and the creation of the Hawai‘i County Animal Control Agency.

Running against her is Renato “Ren” del Rosario, a small farmer originally from the Phillipines. His priorities include safe roads, reliable water and strong internet, along with business development and emergency preparedness for the rural community.

BJ Penn, a former UFC champion, is once again throwing his hat in the ring for council. He last ran for the District 1 seat in 2024. Penn ran for governor as a Republican in 2022. Penn is currently facing a third-degree assault charge, a misdemeanor, after allegedly punching and kicking a man outside a home in Hilo. A judge recently found him mentally fit to stand trial.

District 2: Hilo, portions of South Hilo

Jennifer “Jenn” Kagiwada is seeking reelection after securing the District 2 seat during the 2022 General Election. Her priorities include improving downtown Hilo and the Bayfront area, housing and homelessness, and jobs. Kagiwada played a key role in establishing a long-term rental tax classification for properties occupied under a lease for 6 consecutive months or more to the same tenant. Four people are going up against her in the primaries.

Blaine Bautista, a lifelong resident of Hilo, is looking to revitalize the downtown area for safety and community enjoyment. He also is running on a platform to address affordable housing, improving traffic flow in problematic areas and creating more soccer fields, baseball diamonds and football fields. He currently serves as an information technology specialist at UH Hilo.

Wendy Sue Botelho is currently a member of the Hawai‘i County Police Commission and CEO at the Island of Hawaiʻi YMCA. Her priorities include maintaining county roads, addressing homelessness, providing resources and opportunities for effective drug rehabilitation, prevention and recovery. She also is hoping to expand job opportunities through job fairs and internship programs, partnering with the local business community.

JoNelle Fukushima, who works as a company safety director and owns businesses, also is a community volunteer and parent who is passionate about keeping Hawai‘i’s youth in Hawai‘i. To do that, her platform focuses on revitalizing Hilo’s economy and creating career pathways.

William J. Halversen has been on the Big Island since 2000 and volunteers with the Boys and Girls Club. He has unsuccessfully run for the District 2 seat four times. His priorities are addressing electricity, food and business, utilizing underused spaces in Hilo to grow food, installing solar panels to sell power back to Hawaiian Electric, and give a portion of profits back to residents. He also would like to rent space on a Bayfront property to vendors on a parcel of land in Hilo. He would use the money to buy the solar panels.

District 3: Portion of South Hilo and portion of Kea‘au

Hawai‘i County Council Member Dennis “Fresh” Onishi will be seeking re-election. Onishi first served on the council from 2008 to 2016. He returned to the council after winning in the 2024 general election. He’s worked to address infrastructure improvements, create community programs and enhance the quality of life for everyone in the district. He’s running for re-election because he believes there is still work to be done. Council Members are allowed to serve eight consecutive years. They can run again in two years.

Kelton Chang, branch manager at Ace Auto Glass, is the lone candidate opposing Onishi. He is deeply concerned about the ongoing decline of the Hilo Wastewater Treatment Plant and its aging infrastructure affecting the community of Keaukaha. He also is dedicated to addressing the challenges faced by senior citizens, particularly housing and access to care assistance. 

District 4: Lower Puna, Pāhoa

Council Member Ashley Kierkiewicz has met her eight-year term limit and cannot seek reelection. Looking to fill her seat are four hopeful candidates.

Shannon “Smiley” Burrows, a 30-year resident of Puna, is a farmer, mother and community activist looking to serve her community.

Lloyd K. Enriquez is currently a member of the Hawai‘i County Police Commission. His platform starts with listening to the community, ensuring people feel heard and respected so the future of Puna is stronger. Now he spends as much time as he can with his children and grandchildren.

Cyd L. Hoffeld is also running. Attempts to reach Hoffeld about her priorities for the district were unsuccessful.

Eileen O’Hara, executive director of Malama O Puna and a small business owner of Dakini Enterprises, held the District 4 seat from 2016 to 2018. Her priorities include addressing traffic and infrastructure, the lack of medical facilities, Pohoiki Boat Ramp and ocean access, homeowners’ insurance and lava zone discrimination.

District 5: Upper Puna and portions of Keaʻau

Council Member Matt Kaneali‘i-Kleinfelder is term-limited. He is making a run for the House seat in District 5 against incumbent Jeanné Kapela. Three people are vying for his council seat, including his wife, Dawn K. Kaneali‘i-Kleinfelder. Attempts to reach Dawn Kaneali‘i-Kleinfelder by phone and email about her priorities for the district were unsuccessful.

Chantel Perrin is a business owner who raised her family in the Puna District. She is focused on infrastructure and roads, education and youth support, community and housing.

Ikaika Rodenhurst, a civil engineer, is once again taking a run at the Puna seat after falling short in the 2024 general election against Matt Kaneali‘i-Kleinfelder. Rodenhurst is a former public works director for the county under the Mitch Roth administration. His priorities include improving roads, improving parks, protecting the environment and enhancing public safety.

Shannon Matson is a long-time Puna resident who has worked as a manager for Abundant Life Natural Foods and was the founder of Hot Yoga Hilo. She is currently working as a legislative assistant for a Hilo County Council Member. After her dad was mauled to death by dogs in Ocean View in 2023, she helped pass legislation at the state level to increase penalties for dangerous dog owners. Her priorities include strengthening the economy, infrastructure and safety, and improving coordination between Hawai‘i Police Department and animal control.

Jr. Tupa‘i filed his candidacy for the county seat. He has run for a variety of different public offices in the past, including Hawai‘i County mayor in 2024. He also ran for lieutenant governor as a Republican in 2022.

District 6: Kāʻu, portions of South Kona, Volcano

Council Member Michelle Galimba, who took office in 2025, has decided not to seek reelection. Four individuals will be vying for her seat.

Guy B. Enriques, known as Coach Guy, was born and raised in the Ka‘ū District. He served on the County Council in 2008, citing his accomplishments then as delivering an $18.9 million hurricane shelter and gym for Kaʻū, funding for a potable water well in Ocean View, lifeguards at Punaluʻu, and writing ordinances that kept water free at all county water spigots. He has been outspoken against the proposed development at the Punalu‘u Beach Park. His platform is centered on creating a project list and finding the key people to get those projects done.

Zed Kaapana Aki, a native Hawaiian cultural practitioner with deep roots in Ka‘ū, plans to address the rural challenges and turn them into strengths, looking at ways to expand health care and kūpuna care, public safety, water access and agricultural infrastructure.

Justin Robert Canelas moved to the Ka‘ū District six years ago with his family, where they are stewards of the Manadina Farm. Currently serving as the Environmental Management Commissioner for County Council District 6, Canelas is focusing his campaign on strengthening local agriculture, expanding early childhood education and childcare, and getting a dialysis center for the rural community.

Kyle Kepano Jones, a lifelong resident of Hawai‘i Island, is running again for council after falling shot in 2024. His goal is to improve core services, including greater access to municipal water, better waste management and safer roads. He hopes to streamline permitting requirements to allow project approvals more quickly and efficiently. He had served as a congressional intern in Sen. Brian Schatz’ office in Washington, D.C.

Jason Masters was born in South Kona and raised in Ka‘ū. With 15 Years of experience in county and city planning, he currently serves as chairman of the Ka’u Community Development Plan Action Committee. His focus includes better access to roads, internet connectivity, development of economic growth through agriculture and after-school programs.

District 7: Portion of Kona and South Kona

Council Member Rebecca Villegas is terming out this year. Three candidates are seeking to fill her seat.

Edgar B. Ombac, also known as “Eddie O,” has been a radio broadcaster on Hawai‘i Island for more than 30 years. He has been a voice for the community in times of crisis, whether it was for an earthquake, tsunami warning or lava flow. Ombac worked as a Hawaiʻi Island Branding Specialist for Nutrex Hawaiʻi, makers of BioAstin and Pure Hawaiian Spirulina. As an avid walker, cyclist and Ironman World Champion finisher in 2015, Ombac believes well-maintained public spaces are critical to quality of life. He also is focused on affordability, local agriculture, economy and cultural connectedness.

Manu Powers is a native Hawaiian and local business owner who has been involved with the Kona community in a variety of capacities for several years. She continues to serve as a member of the Kailua Business Improvement District. She is the Hawai‘i Island regent for the Daughters of Hawai‘i and serves on boards for events such as the King Kamehameha Day Parade and Kona Brewers Festival. Her platform focuses on regenerative tourism, community-based economic development and cultural preservation.

Mark G. Henriques is also running. Attempts to reach Heriques about his priorities for the district were unsuccessful.

District 8: North Kona

Incumbent Holeka Inaba is running unopposed. He is seeking re-election for his fourth and final term.

District 9: Kohala, portions of Waimea

Incumbent James Hustace is running unopposed. He was elected in 2024 and is seeking re-election for a second term.