The Hawai‘i Lodging & Tourism Association has announced its endorsements for the upcoming Kauai County Council election in 2024. The organization is throwing its support behind six candidates, including incumbents Bernard P. Carvalho Jr., Felicia Cowden, Ross Kagawa, KipuKai Kualii, and Mel Rapozo, who currently serves as council chair. Additionally, former councilman Arryl J. Kaneshiro, who finished third in the Primary Election, has also received the association’s endorsement.
The association, known for its deep ties to the hospitality sector, has also endorsed Kauai Representatives Nadine K. Nakamura, Luke A. Evslin, and Daynette “Dee” Morikawa in state House races. President Mufi Hannemann emphasized that the endorsement decisions were made after a thorough process that involved input from industry stakeholders, a state endorsement committee, and approval from the statewide Board of Directors. The organization placed a particular emphasis on community feedback to ensure that the candidates’ records were well-known.
The upcoming election is set for November 5, and ballot packets have already been mailed out to registered voters in the County of Kauai. The Garden Island newspaper has not expressed any opinion on the candidates running for Kauai County Council. The endorsed candidates are seen as advocates for Hawaii’s tourism industry, with the association expressing confidence in their ability to work in the best interests of the community and economy.
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