Kauai Wire

Kauaʻi’s affordability crisis, housing rules, and Oʻahu-driven policy fights are all on the table in this candid conversation with State House District 16 candidate David Hazlebeck.

Hazlebeck, an algae farmer and Republican candidate, makes the case for a faster, more local-first approach to government. He argues that too many decisions are shaped by Oʻahu priorities while Kauaʻi residents wait years for relief. From property taxes and GET reform to parking mandates, homeownership, and ag land use, he lays out a platform focused on immediate impact.

You’ll hear:

• Why he sees affordability as the island’s biggest issue and how he’d put money back in residents’ pockets
• The logic behind his owner-occupied property tax rebate proposal
• His problem with state parking rules for affordable housing

• David Hazlebeck campaign site: https://www.davidforkauai.com
• Luke Evslin interview
• Follow Kauai Wire: @kauaiwire

• Why he thinks Kauaʻi should push back on Oʻahu-centric policy
• How he plans to build bipartisan support in a Democratic supermajority

He also explains how his background in quantitative economics and algae farming shapes his views on land, water, and housing, including ag land access, ditch and water coordination, and helping local families build generational wealth and stay on island.

On Hurricane Lowell, Hazlebeck praises parts of the county and state response and criticizes what he describes as a lack of presence from his opponent. He stresses local relationships, nonprofit coordination, and on-the-ground leadership during recovery.

For Kauaʻi voters, Hawaiʻi policy watchers, and anyone following the 2026 election. Watch our interview with incumbent Luke Evslin to hear both candidates on the issues.

Hurricane Lowell damaged homes across Kauai, and the wrong move on your insurance claim can cost you thousands. Licensed public adjuster Troy Hanohano breaks down what to do before you file, fix, or sign anything.

If you’re dealing with wind damage, a confusing insurance letter, or a contractor saying “insurance will pay later,” watch this first.

In this episode:

• Hurricane vs. homeowners vs. flood vs. storm surge coverage
  
• What to document in the first hours after a loss
  
• Why “free” roof repairs and deductible waivers backfire
  
• How underpaid claims get reopened
  
• Loss of use and additional living expenses
  
• The two policy sections that matter most
  
• A real claim that went from $5,000 to millions
  

Contact Troy Hanohano | Sentinel Pacific Inc.
Licensed Public Adjuster, available 24/7
📞 (844) 570-7544
✉️ mailto:[email protected]
🌐 https://sentinelpacific.com

Subscribe to Kauai Wire



Mahalo Megan Fox at Malama Kauai for bringing Troy to Kauai Wire!

malamakauai.org/hurricane for relief resources

Daniel Anthony, Republican nominee for Hawaiʻi Lieutenant Governor, sits down with Steve Yoder to talk about why he's running, what "people first" leadership looks like, and how life as a farmer, fisherman, and dad of 7 shapes how he'd serve.

We talk listening before leading, raising standards, and why he believes the job is about giving people a boost so they can rise.

The general election is Nov 3. Get informed before you vote.

🎙️ Hosted by Steve Yoder | Kauai Wire

🔔 Follow Kauai Wire for more conversations with the people shaping Kauaʻi.

Housing policy can change a family's future with a single line in state statute and Luke Evslin has the receipts. The Kauai representative breaks down how he went from county council to the Hawaii State House, why the state level is where the real housing leverage lives, and what it actually takes to make homes more affordable for local families.

Evslin shares the unexpected Valentine's Day call that landed him in the legislature, the shock of walking into the House caucus room knowing almost no one, and the hard lesson that at the state level you have to focus on one thing or get swallowed by everything. He also explains why Kauai's housing crisis is not just a Kauai problem,it's tied to statewide pricing, vacation rentals, infrastructure, financing, and the brutal math of supply and demand.

You'll discover:

• Why he believes zoning, building code reform, and ADUs are the fastest path to relief
• How his own illegal in-home rental turned into the first ARU permit application on Kauai
• The ARU incentive program that wiped out tens of thousands in fees for local homeowners
• Why two ADUs statewide became one of the most controversial bills in recent memory
• What septic reform, cesspool conversion grants, and sewer expansion could mean for future housing
• Why manufactured housing, triplexes, fourplexes, and pre-approved ADU plans keep hitting government roadblocks

He also gets candid about the tradeoffs of public service, including the time away from his wife and two young kids, the pressure of being on Oahu Monday through Friday, and the constant grind of introducing bills that may die before they ever reach a vote. Still, Evslin makes the case that the work is worth it -

because every win, from a local grandpa finally getting to bring his kids home to a weekend river policy that reopened a space for residents, proves policy can improve daily life in tangible ways.

If you care about Kauai, Hawaii housing, or what really happens inside the State Capitol, this conversation pulls back the curtain. It is especially valuable for local families, homeowners, builders, and anyone wondering whether Hawaii can still be a place where the next generation can afford to stay.

Luke Evslin is the District 16 representative in the Hawaii State House, formerly of the Kauai County Council, and a longtime advocate for housing reform, local planning, and community-centered policy. He also co-founded a canoe-building business and coaches paddling.

This episode features audio originally aired on KKCR (90.9/91.9 FM), Kauai's community public radio station, from their public affairs program "Out of the Box," hosted by Radio Annie and Jimmy T.

Full credit for the original interview, production, and broadcast goes to KKCR and hosts Radio Annie and Jimmy T. This segment featured a conversation with Kauai mayoral candidates Mel Rapozo and Bernard Carvalho, and included commentary from Waylon Brun.

For more community programming, tune in to KKCR at 90.9/91.9 FM or visit kkcr.org.

Republished with attribution. All original interview content and production credit belongs to KKCR and Out of the Box.

This episode features audio originally aired on KKCR (90.9/91.9 FM), Kauai's community public radio station, from their public affairs program "Out of the Box," hosted by Radio Annie and Jimmy T.

Full credit for the original interview, production, and broadcast goes to KKCR and hosts Radio Annie and Jimmy T. This segment featured a conversation with Kauai mayoral candidates Mel Rapozo and Bernard Carvalho, and included commentary from Waylon Brun.

For more community programming, tune in to KKCR at 90.9/91.9 FM or visit kkcr.org.

Republished with attribution. All original interview content and production credit belongs to KKCR and Out of the Box.

The conversation with Mel Rapozo covers his excitement for the upcoming debate, his passion for helping people, involvement in community service, reflection on past actions, misunderstandings, hope for the future, and a closing statement regarding the debate preparation.

Takeaways

• Passion for helping people
• Community service

Chapters

• 00:00 Pre-Debate Excitement
• 01:32 Passion for Helping People
• 05:11 Involvement in Community Service
• 09:06 Reflection on Past Actions
• 14:50 Misunderstandings and Hope for the Future
• 22:54 Closing Statement and Debate Preparation

The debate: Thursday, Aug. 27, 6:00–7:30pm. Live on KKCR 91.9FM / kkcr.org, or watch on Hō'ike's YouTube (youtube.com/@hoikekctv). Presented by Hale Lihu'e, Hō'ike Kaua'i, KKCR, and Kauai Wire.

Kauai Wire will have coverage of Bernard Carvalho pre-debate conversation as well — stay tuned.

Dane Smith: 2026 Kauai County Council Interview

A candidate with 25 years in the fire department says Kauai's biggest problems all come back to one thing: money.

Dane Smith — born-and-raised on Kauai, retired fire captain, and Hanalei Initiative leader — talks with W. Brun about why the county keeps hitting the same wall on landfill, wastewater, housing, and permitting, and what it actually takes to move things forward.

You'll hear about:

• A smarter, prioritized rollout for the 2050 cesspool conversion deadline
• Hanalei's wastewater model as an island-wide blueprint
• Why workforce housing is really "gap housing" — and how land banking and density could unlock it
• Pre-approved ADU plans as a fast-track for housing
• TVRs, parks, and public space in the fight over island quality of life

He also touches on small business, ag sustainability, and why the Junior Lifeguard Program is a model worth copying.

Learn more: danesmithforkauai.com · hanaleiinitiative.org

👉 Weekly county election coverage and interviews like this — subscribe at kauaiwire.com

Kauai County Councilmember Addison Bulosan sits down to talk cost of living, housing, and why "third spaces" might be the missing piece in keeping local people on island. He also opens up about a health crisis mid-term that changed how he shows up for the community — and why he'd rather be honest about it than pretend nothing changed.

Kauai Wire Podcast

25 years as a KPD captain. Front-line command during Kauai's worst emergencies. Now running for County Council on a platform of budget transparency and cutting the county's dependence on outside consultants.

In this episode, Paul Applegate breaks down where Kauai's budget actually goes, why the county leans so hard on outside consultants, and what he'd change about how the island handles homelessness, housing, waste management, and infrastructure. If you care about where your tax dollars go and whether the county is actually accountable for them, this one's worth the full listen.

• Campaign site: paulforkauai.com
• Instagram: @paulforkauai
• Facebook: Paul for Kaua'i
• LinkedIn: Paul Applegate

This episode is part of Kauai Wire's 2026 County Council candidate series. Catch our conversations with Jimmy Trujilloand Billy DeCosta too.