Voters re-elected two members of the Kauai Island Utility Cooperative board of directors, and a former board member, according to results released Saturday.
Incumbent directors Allan Smith and Dee Crowell will get new three-year terms. Former board member Jim Mayfield also will serve until March 2020.
Merriman River Group, a California-based election management firm, tabulated the ballots and released these results: Smith, 3,021 votes; Mayfield, 2,395; Crowell, 2,392; KipuKai Kuali‘i, 2,212; Hermina “Mina” Morita, 2,131; Juno Ann Apalla, 2,124; and Norma Doctor Sparks, 2,011.
MRG mailed 25,703 ballots and received 6,088, for a turnout of 23.7 percent, up from last year’s 21 percent. Voters could select up to three candidates and could also vote online and by phone.
“Our members from a strong field of seven picked three directors who have long histories with the cooperative,” board Chairman Jan TenBruggencate said via email. “I anticipate they will hit the ground running and help us continue KIUC’s remarkable progress.”
The elected board members will be inaugurated at 11 a.m. March 28 in the KIUC Main Conference Room. The board will hold its regular meeting at 1 p.m.
Hawaii island
Uber launches on Big Isle, is recruiting drivers online
Uber, the international ride-sharing service, began operations on Hawaii island on Friday.
As of 4 p.m. Friday, there was a six-minute wait for a ride from the Hilo Farmers Market to the Hilo Airport, with a fare quote of $12.60, the Hawaii Tribune-Herald reported. The app showed two drivers available.
Drivers sign up for Uber on a freelance basis. The company began recruiting on Craigslist last week.
Hawaii County Mayor Harry Kim, who met with representatives from Uber on Wednesday, said he discussed the importance of working with Uber as a potential solution to accessibility problems for people in remote areas such as Puna and Kau.
“We were emphasizing that certain districts have more problems than others, outside of Hilo and outside of Kona,” he said.
