Midterm Elections 2026

                                
Kauaʻi County Elections PageCheck your Hawaii voter registration here
Ballot Drop off LocationsHanalei Neighborhood Center (5-5358 Kūhiō Highway)
Princeville Public Library (4343 Emmalani Drive)
Kīlauea Neighborhood Center (2460 Keneke Street)
Kapa‘a Public Library (1464 Kūhiō Highway)
Waipouli Town Center (near Guardian Self Storage 4-711 Kūhiō Highway)
Kōloa Neighborhood Center (3461 Weliweli Road)
Kalāheo Neighborhood Center (4480 Papalina Road)
Hanapēpē Public Library (4490 Kona Road)
Waimea Neighborhood Center (4556 Makeke Road)
Elections Division (4386 Rice Street)
Drop boxes will be accessible 24/7 until 7:00 p.m. on Primary Election Day, Saturday, August 8, 2026. Ballots must be received, not postmarked by 7:00 p.m. on August 8, 2026.
2026 Mid-term elections present Kauaʻi with a unique opportunity to make unprecedented choices. 4 of the 7 Council seats are open to new council members and we will elect a new Mayor for the first time in 8 years.
KKCR is working with community organizations to bring candidate information to the voters of Kauaʻi so we can all make informed choices at the ballot box.
Mahalo nui to
the Kauaʻi Chamber of Commerce, Kapaʻa Business Association,
Mālama Kauaʻi, HAPA – Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action,
North Shore Give
and many more for hosting candidate events, asking the questions, and making the information available to us all.
Check back often for updates as new interviews get produced.
KauaiVotes.Org
KauaiVotes.orgVisit this site for an aggregated collection of candidate information in their own words.KKCRʻs DJ Marshall, owner and operator of Fidelitas LLC, has compiled this comprehensive resource. In addition to all candidate websites and available contact information, you can listen to all the candidate interviews that have aired on KKCR and all of the candidate forums that we can attend. 
Check back often for more content!
Mahalo nui to Marshall for all the good work!
The Kauaʻi Chamber of Commerce asks questions of candidates on behalf of the business community.The Chamber asks these questions of our candidates:
1. What area(s) of the Island do you call home?
2. What is your vision for a thriving agricultural sector on Kauai and how can the County support that vision?
3. If elected, how would you engage with the business community prior to your decision-making?
4. How would you help ensure that working middle class residents can afford to buy or rent a home on Kauaʻi?
5. How would you effectively manage budget and operations compared to the past?
6. What specific ideas do you have about economic diversification and how would you develop these areas?
7. What are your priorities for infrastructure investment? How would you ensure that planned infrastructure projects (roads, wastewater, facilities, bridges, etc.) on Kauai move forward in a timely manner?
8. What is your vision for effective management of the visitor industry so that economic goals are met while ensuring community and environmental concerns are addressed?
9. What is your solution to best manage solid waste on Kauaʻi? Please include your views on recycling, landfill site, source reduction, and other strategies.
10. As an elected official, what steps would you take to mitigate the impacts of climate change on Kauaʻi?
11. What else would you like to share with the business community?
 
June 23, 2026 Mayoral Forum Hosted by North Shore GiveMahalo to North Shore Give for hosting a Mayoral Forum on Tuesday, June 23 at the Princeville Community Center in which all six mayoral candidates were in attendance. An informed community does indeed make a stronger Kauaʻi.
 
Kauaʻi Mayoral Forum 6.23.26https://www.kkcr.org/archive/6.23.26%20Mayor%20Forum%20North%20Shore%20Give.mp3CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD 
June 13, 2026 - Mālama Kauaʻi, HAPA and KKCR hosted a forumOn June 13, as part of their 20th anniversary celebration, Mālama Kauaʻi hosted local political forums in conjunction with HAPA and KKCR. All of the registered candidates were invited to attend. 17 Council candidates and 6 Mayoral candidates participated. Each candidate was given the same questions with one minute to answer them. Council was given 4 questions and Mayor 6. Listen here for the full and unedited forums. (Apologies for the distorted audio.)
 
Kauaʻi Council Candidate Forum 6.13.26https://www.kkcr.org/archive/6.15.26%20Council%20Forum%20MK.mp3CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD Kauaʻi Mayoral Candidate Forum 6.13.26https://www.kkcr.org/archive/6.13.26%20Mayoral%20Forum%20MK.mp3CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD 

								ʻĀINAʻIKE ON THE AIR
							
								with Kumu Kehaulani Kekua

Playlists

Welina a ke aloha!  I’ve been such a dedicated fan of KKCR for years!  As the only radio station on Kauaʻi that offers live Hawaiian music programming daily, it is a huge gift offering to kamaʻāina and malihini alike here and around the world!  Over the years, I sometimes wondered what it’d be like if I had a show of my own. But it was never a really serious thought.  …Well, until just a couple of months ago!  Honestly, it still seems a bit surreal.  But everyone has been tremendously supportive, and I am so deeply grateful, humbled and honored to be a part of the KKCR ʻOhana!

I am a keiki o ka ʻaina, a native Hawaiian child born and raised in Anahola, Kauaʻi. As the hiapo or firstborn, I was reared in the tradition of hānai – freely given to be raised and groomed in hula by my maternal grandmother. I was brought up in a very Hawaiian household with both my grandparents, my parents and my siblings. But it was my kūpuna, mostly my grandmother, who took the lead in raising and nurturing me.

My late grandmother, Helen Kaipuwai Kekua Waiau was a hula master, descended from generations of kumu hula here on Kauaʻi. She established her hula school In 1945, and taught hula throughout her lifetime.  Upon her passing, I inherited the role and responsibilities of kumu hula. Today, I have the privilege of serving as the kumu hula of Hālau Palaihiwa O Kaipuwai.  I share this, because it was my upbringing in hula that has shaped my life.  And through the kuleana and practices of the hālau, hula nurtures and strengthens my love for my birthsands and the culture of Hawaiʻi nei.

More than two decades ago, while researching and writing curriculum for a Hawaiian hospitality and cultural training project, I came across an ʻŌlelo Noʻeau, an ancient Hawaiian proverb and poetical saying: ʻELIʻELI KŪLANA ʻO ʻĀINAʻIKE.  Translated, it means, “Profound is the nature of ʻĀinaʻike”.  This saying refers to a person respected for the depth of his/her knowledge.  There’s a play on the words ʻELIʻELI which means “deep or profound” and ʻĀinaʻike which literally means, “Land of Knowledge”.  I was blown away by that discovery.  I’m still inspired by the depth of awareness that Hawaiian ancestral knowledge offers all of us!

For many years, I searched high and low for this traditional wahi pana or celebrated place.  It no longer appeared on modern-day maps, where treasured Hawaiian place names had succumbed to frivolous monikers or nick-names.  And those of my generation and perhaps my own parents’ generation had too quickly, forgotten about ʻĀinaʻike.  I was determined that I’d find it one day.

Well, interestingly enough, I happened across this precious place name in an extensive wind chant for Kauaʻi!  It is still a thrill for me today, having discovered that ʻĀinaʻike is an actual place here on Kauaʻi! It’s become a favorite mantra for me too.  A gentle reminder to never stop learning something new of my island home.

It is my hope that I can share gems of ancestral wisdom and the beautiful culture of Hawaiʻi nei through the stories, music, history and more on my show!  The repository of Hawaiian chants, dances, music and stories are endless!  And the haku mele or music makers, composers and poets of yesteryear, today and the future is a phenomenal gift that blesses all of us everyday!

Everything I do is inspired by hula.  I am an artist and lover of nature and the forest! I love to create beautiful expressions that bring healing and joy to my heart and to others near and far!.  Whether it is hand painting an exquisite silk scarf (my professional life as a designer and artist), choreographing a hula, memorizing an epic chant, or making lei and offerings, life is sweet and precious.  And I now have the opportunity to interact and engage with a global audience through the magic of KKCR air waves.

Please visit and like my Facebook pages for Studio HAʻA and ʻĀinaʻike on the Air too!

Me ke aloha pauʻole.  My love and aloha to all of you is endless.  I hope you will tune in!

ʻO wau iho no me ka haʻahaʻa,

Kumu Kēhau							
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ʻĀINAʻIKE ON THE AIR

with Kumu Kehaulani Kekua Playlists Welina a ke aloha! I’ve been such a dedicated fan of KKCR for years! As the only radio station on Kauaʻi that offers live Hawaiian music programming daily, it is a huge gift offering to kamaʻāina and malihini alike here and around the world! Over the years, I sometimes wondered what it’d be like if I had a show of my own. But it was never a really serious thought. …Well, until just a couple of months ago! Honestly, it still seems a bit surreal. But everyone has been tremendously supportive, and I am so deeply grateful, humbled and honored to be a part of the KKCR ʻOhana! I am a keiki o ka ʻaina, a native Hawaiian child born and raised in Anahola, Kauaʻi. As the hiapo or firstborn, I was reared in the tradition of hānai – freely given to be raised and groomed in hula by my maternal grandmother. I was brought up in a very Hawaiian household with both my grandparents, my parents and my siblings. But it was my kūpuna, mostly my grandmother, who took the lead in raising and nurturing me. My late grandmother, Helen Kaipuwai Kekua Waiau was a hula master, descended from generations of kumu hula here on Kauaʻi. She established her hula school In 1945, and taught hula throughout her lifetime. Upon her passing, I inherited the role and responsibilities of kumu hula. Today, I have the privilege of serving as the kumu hula of Hālau Palaihiwa O Kaipuwai. I share this, because it was my upbringing in hula that has shaped my life. And through the kuleana and practices of the hālau, hula nurtures and strengthens my love for my birthsands and the culture of Hawaiʻi nei. More than two decades ago, while researching and writing curriculum for a Hawaiian hospitality and cultural training project, I came across an ʻŌlelo Noʻeau, an ancient Hawaiian proverb and poetical saying: ʻELIʻELI KŪLANA ʻO ʻĀINAʻIKE. Translated, it means, “Profound is the nature of ʻĀinaʻike”. This saying refers to a person respected for the depth of his/her knowledge. There’s a play on the words ʻELIʻELI which means “deep or profound” and ʻĀinaʻike which literally means, “Land of Knowledge”. I was blown away by that discovery. I’m still inspired by the depth of awareness that Hawaiian ancestral knowledge offers all of us! For many years, I searched high and low for this traditional wahi pana or celebrated place. It no longer appeared on modern-day maps, where treasured Hawaiian place names had succumbed to frivolous monikers or nick-names. And those of my generation and perhaps my own parents’ generation had too quickly, forgotten about ʻĀinaʻike. I was determined that I’d find it one day. Well, interestingly enough, I happened across this precious place name in an extensive wind chant for Kauaʻi! It is still a thrill for me today, having discovered that ʻĀinaʻike is an actual place here on Kauaʻi! It’s become a favorite mantra for me too. A gentle reminder to never stop learning something new of my island home. It is my hope that I can share gems of ancestral wisdom and the beautiful culture of Hawaiʻi nei through the stories, music, history and more on my show! The repository of Hawaiian chants, dances, music and stories are endless! And the haku mele or music makers, composers and poets of yesteryear, today and the future is a phenomenal gift that blesses all of us everyday! Everything I do is inspired by hula. I am an artist and lover of nature and the forest! I love to create beautiful expressions that bring healing and joy to my heart and to others near and far!. Whether it is hand painting an exquisite silk scarf (my professional life as a designer and artist), choreographing a hula, memorizing an epic chant, or making lei and offerings, life is sweet and precious. And I now have the opportunity to interact and engage with a global audience through the magic of KKCR air waves. Please visit and like my Facebook pages for Studio HAʻA and ʻĀinaʻike on the Air too! Me ke aloha pauʻole. My love and aloha to all of you is endless. I hope you will tune in! ʻO wau iho no me ka haʻahaʻa, Kumu Kēhau

Info and episodes

Kekahu Foundation Inc., dba KKCR-FM, Kauaʻi Community Radio - Listener Supported, Volunteer Driven, Non Commercial - A Non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation. Federal EIN 99-0303677.