Three candidates in Kauai County’s mayoral race strongly oppose operations of seed companies on the lush island, while incumbent Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. seeks to strike a balance between the community and the biotech industry.
Carvalho is vying for a second four-year term as mayor, running against Debralynn DeSilva Carveiro and first-time candidates Dustin Barca and Curtis Hendrix Lake. Pesticides and growth of genetically engineered crops by biotech companies are central issues in this year’s nonpartisan race.
Bill 2491 (now Ordinance 960) split the community between supporters of mandatory disclosure of the type of pesticides seed companies use and supporters of the biotech industry who contend hundreds of jobs would be lost. Implementation of the new law has been delayed to October from mid-August due to ongoing litigation against the county by four seed companies.
Ordinance 960 requires large commercial agribusinesses to disclose the type and amount of pesticides sprayed on their fields and establish buffer zones near schools, dwellings, medical facilities, public roadways, shorelines and waterways.
Carvalho, 52, who has served as mayor since 2008, said he has always supported disclosure and buffer zones, and wanted further community discussion on the issue.
"My stance was, ‘Please don’t rush into this,’" he said.
On Oct. 31, Carvalho vetoed Bill 2491, describing it as legally flawed. Two weeks later the Kauai County Council voted to override the veto.
Barca, 32, a professional surfer and mixed martial arts fighter, started paying attention to the political scene when he became heavily involved three years ago in pushing for disclosure of pesticides sprayed on fields owned or leased by seed companies. A strong advocate of the new disclosure law, Barca, co-founder of ‘Ohana ‘o Kauai, criticized the companies, alleging the industry is using pesticides that are harmful to people’s health.
"People are sick," he said. "They’re doing large amount of pesticide spraying near schools and homes. We’re just looking for mutual respect and common ground, being a good neighbor."
Carveiro, 54, of Hanapepe, opposes the growth of genetically modified organisms on the island.
"We shouldn’t be used as guinea pigs," she said.
Lake, 45, currently unemployed, said he wants to aggressively pursue ways to remove the biotech industry from the island.
"I think the GMOs are terrorists organizations on the island of Kauai," he said.
Carvalho said he is seeking re-election to continue work on improving the economy and promoting walkable and "bikeable" communities.
"We’re four years in," he said. "We need four years more to complete."
If re-elected, Carvalho said, the Kekaha Landfill is one of the main projects he wants to address.
The landfill recently received approval for a vertical expansion with capacity projected until April 2019. County spokeswoman Mary Daubert said plans for a lateral expansion and recycling initiatives could extend the landfill’s capacity for an additional six to eight years.
The county is conducting an environmental impact statement on a proposed new 270-acre landfill in Maalo. The new landfill is estimated to cost $81.8 million and projected to open in mid-July 2024. A lot of work needs to be done, he said.
He pledged to focus on sustainability, reduce traffic congestion and improve bus stops.
The county is set to launch a three-month North Shore shuttle service pilot project in August. Privately owned buses will have two routes: from Princeville to the former Hanalei Courthouse, and from Kee Beach to the courthouse.
The installation of 52 new bus shelters is also underway.
Carvalho also said he is committed to establishing an adolescent drug and healing center in Maalo. The center is proposed to have 10 beds.
The mayor also wants to continue work to preserve the Hawaiian culture.
If elected, Barca, of Kilauea, vows to push for local food production, saying it’s absurd 90 percent of Hawaii’s food is imported.
"I find that ridiculous because we live in the most sustainable place on earth."
Like Carvalho, he wants to establish a healing center for youth battling drug addiction. Cultural restoration is also on his agenda. Restoring heiau and fishponds is vital for successive generations to connect with the culture, he said.
"I’m not a career politician," said Barca. "I’m not in this for the money. I’m here to make the best decisions for the island and for the people."
Carveiro, 54, of Hanapepe, is a strong supporter of sustainability on the island.
This is the second time Carveiro is running for office. In 2010 she unsuccessfully ran for a seat on the County Council.
An entrepreneur, Carveiro is committed to supporting small businesses in the wake of closures of family-owned businesses like the Kojima Store and Hanamaulu Cafe.
"We have all these small businesses that are being diminished," she said, adding that mom-and-pop stores are a significant part of Kauai’s rural character.
If elected, she also pledged to establish homeless shelters and donate 25 percent of her income to help struggling families.
Lake, of Kapaa, said his main focus is restoring sovereignty for Native Hawaiians. He also promises to help mom-and-pop establishments if elected.
"Small businesses on Kauai struggle," he said. "To create a small business here on the island and to allow it to flourish takes so much work."
Lake also is committed to combating drug abuse on the island, specifically crystal methamphetamine, or "ice."
