2018 Primary Election Candidates

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RAPOZO, Mel
Name on ballot:

RAPOZO, Mel

Running for:

Kauai Mayor

District (if applicable):

N/A

Political party:

Nonpartisan

Campaign website:

www.melforkauai.com

Current occupation:

Council Chair

Age:

53

Previous job history:

N/A

Previous elected office, if any:

Kauai County Council - 14 years

What qualifies you to represent the people of Hawaii?

14 years experience on the County Council, 4 years as Council Chair. I served for 12 years with the Kauai Police Department, retired from the Hawaii Air National Guard after 21 years of service, and have been a small business owner since 1996.

What are the top three challenges facing the voters you seek to represent?

Affordable housing, traffic and infrastructure. Of course, there are many challenges facing our constituents but these 3 are brought up most. Our comprehensive plans to deal with these challenges can be found on our website at www.melforkauai.com.

If elected, what will be your highest legislative priority?

Trying to get our fair share of the transient accommodation taxes from the State Legislature. The current cap on these revenues create a fiscal hardship as we try to meet the needs of our residents and visitors on Kauai.

If elected, what can you do to improve the lives of your constituents?

We will strive for an effective, efficient and transparent government. We will employ highly qualified and competent leaders that will work in the best interest of the communities that they serve. We will Keep Kauai Moving by taking action steps that move us forward, rather than get bogged down with reasons why we can't. We will be a responsive government, while being proactive in our priorities that have been defined.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?

I love Kauai. I was born and raised here and have chosen to remain here to serve our people. I never left this special place, even when other opportunities were available. The affordable housing crisis is personal to me as both of my children have moved to the mainland because they couldn't afford to live here. I don't want others to have to move from the island that they love. I want to Keep Kauai Moving! I want to serve as the Mayor of the County of Kauai.

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