Full Name: Wendell Ka‘ehu‘ae‘a

Name on Ballot: Wendell Ka‘ehu‘ae‘a

Age: 73

District / office: Mayor for the County of Hawaii

Email Address: wkaehuaea@yahoo.com

Current Job: Aloha Security

Place of birth: Honolulu, Oahu

Campaign website: None

Job history past 10 years:

Community Television Na Leo O Hawaii.

Built two radio stations — one in Hilo, the other in Pahala

Aloha Security

Ever run for public office? If so, when? Outcome?

Yes! Since 1968 till this year. My record is 0-21.

Mayor, County Council, BOE, state representative and senator.

Other civic experience or community service?

Big Island Sport Hall of Fame, 2002-present. Keep Hawaii Beautiful, 2009-present. Hilo Veterans Day Parade, co-founder, 2007-present.

Anything else you’d like voters to know about you?

I have been a business owner, farmer, videographer and a working man all of my life. I am a UH-Hilo graduate with a bachelor’s degree in political science and communications, and a minor in economics.

What makes you qualified to be mayor?

I promise to “stop the shenanigans,” first by having an independent audit of the county Department of Finance and mayor’s new budget. I promise to review all county departments for effectiveness and cost of operations. The county government must STOP the spending. Must clean it’s own house!

What are your top five priorities for the county?

1) The county to serve the residents, communities and island business. 2) Be open to the official media organization. 3) Provide effective police, fire, EMS and Water Safety staff. 4) Review the GET and TAT tax. 5) Support small business, ranchers and farmers.

What is your one big idea?

Public and private co-operation with Hawaii County government. Ferry system from Hawaii island to Honolulu.

The Hilo landfill is nearing capacity. When it closes, should trash from East Hawaii be hauled to the Puuanahulu landfill, or not?

I live two thousand feet from the main Hilo County Dump. The mountain of trash is above the ohia trees from my DHHL farm. Must stop landfill system. No cross island hauling of trash. Study other country system for trash ASAP.

The basic fare for the Hele-On bus system is $2, but the system still requires taxpayer subsidies to operate. The county has demonstrated that a lower fare can increase ridership. Should the fare be reduced, increased or left the same?

The Hele-On bus system must be fully contracted out to a private bus company. Presently, only the drivers are contracted out. Will be another source of income than a loss. Must have a full around the island bus system NOW!

The gasoline tax in Hawaii County is now 8.8 cents per gallon, about half that of Kauai, Maui and Oahu. Do you support increasing the county gas tax to provide more funding for maintenance of county roads and the Hele-On bus system?

NO increasing the county gas tax. After the independent audit, we will have the monies for maintenance of county roads. I plan to contract out the Hele-On Bus system. Presently only the drivers are contracted out.