It’s Official: Kawakami Running for Reelection

Mayor Derek S. K. Kawakami is running for reelection.

The incumbent officially announced his plans in a news release Tuesday, March 1. He said in the release that after being hit with several unforeseen disasters in his first term, he’s eager to move forward.

“Our community has overcome many challenges these past few years – from floods and landslides to a global pandemic,” stated Kawakami. “I’m proud of our team and our community; we have a lot of projects and initiatives on the horizon and we’re ready to hit the ground running.”

Kauai Mayor Derek Kawakami announces plans to run for re-election https://t.co/92kUPPAq5V #HNN

— Hawaii News Now (@HawaiiNewsNow) March 1, 2022

In addition to Kawakami’s COVID response, he touted his administration’s focus on improved customer service initiatives, such as implementing a no-wait system at the DMV and placing vehicle registration kiosks across the island for convenient renewals, according to the news release. Under Kawakami’s leadership, the county developed the island’s first transitional housing project on Kaua‘i, Ke Alaula at Pua Loke, where houseless individuals can seek temporary housing, complete with wrap-around services to help them transition into permanent homes.

“We’re ready to jumpstart our economy with continued capital improvement projects, focusing on upgrading Kauaʻi’s aging infrastructure, improving park courts and playgrounds, and repaving our roads,” added Kawakami. “We have several more affordable housing projects in the works and we’re ready to find solutions for our landfill and solid waste management issues.”

“Most importantly, we aim to improve the quality of life for our residents and continue to build the island home we wish to see for the next generation of local families,” he said. “Kauaʻi is my home and I’m asking for the privilege to be your mayor for four more years.”