MAYORAL CANDIDATES MAKE IT OFFICIAL

Dennis Fujimoto | The Garden Island

LIHUE — Mel Rapozo and Bernard Carvalho Jr. made good on earlier public announcements of their intentions to run for the mayor.

Carvalho filed his nomination papers for the office of mayor on Friday, four days after the Feb. 2 date when candidates could file for political office. Carvalho selected the late afternoon filing time so his small group of supporters could enjoy pau hana in the face of an anticipated weekend storm.

Carvalho had his wife Regina by his side and was surrounded by a group of supporters as he trooped up the stairs of the Elections Building.

“I’m ready,” Carvalho said while waiting for his papers to be verified by the Office of Elections. “I want to bring people back into government by having town meetings where the mayor and department heads go out to talk to the people, and get the people involved in the problem-solving.”

Carvalho, a current sitting member of the Kauai County Council, served as mayor, the top county official, for 10 years before terming out in 2018. He was elected in 2008 during a special election, and won re-election for two terms.

Rapozo capitalized on the inclement weather to file his nomination papers on Monday, and further blessed his campaign headquarters in Lihue, located in the Anchor Cove shopping center.

“This campaign is about the people of Kauai,” Rapozo said in a press release. “I’m running because our county deserves leadership that puts local families first, protects our way of life, and makes decisions with transparency, integrity and respect for our community.”

Rapozo’s campaign is rooted in a grassroots movement focused on listening to residents, strengthening local communities, and restoring trust and accountability in county government, the release stated.

His priorities in the race for the mayoral seat include affordability, responsible growth, infrastructure improvements, environmental stewardship, and strong support for working families and local businesses.

“This is not about special interests or political insiders,” Rapozo said. “It’s about neighbors coming together through community outreach, listening sessions, and grassroots events.”

Rapozo’s campaign headquarters in Lihue serves as a central hub for the Mel Rapozo for Mayor campaign that will continue organizing across the island in the coming months through community outreach, listening sessions, and other grassroots events.

“Our campaign is about listening to the people of Kauai, and building a government that works for everyone,” Rapozo said. “Opening our headquarters in Lihue allows us to be accessible, organized and fully engaged with the community.”