Maui is going through enormous change which demands that we select the best possible leadership. The Kula Community Association again presents a unique forum to hear from those offering to serve as our political leaders.

All Maui residents are invited to attend the Primary Election Candidates Forum on Tuesday, August 10,

starting at 6 pm, at the Kula Community Center (across from the Holy Ghost Church in central Kula).

The evening will include two wide-open races for vacant Council seats where there are no incumbents: Jo Anne Johnson’s West Maui Council seat with 7 candidates, and Mike Molina’s Haiku-Makawao Council position with four contestants. 

A featured panel will be a renewal of the South Maui residency Council contest between long-time Councilmember Wayne Nishiki and challengers Don Couch and Norman Vares.

Also of considerable interest will be the contest for the South Maui Democrat House race now held by State Representative Joe Bertram.  He will face-off against newcomers Netra Halpern and Johanna Amorin.

A renewal of a previous election will be Tasha Kama’s effort to unseat Representative Joe Souki.  This year two

additional candidates will be in that Democrat Party race, Thomas Cerizo and Justin Hughey.

Candidates will be asked questions that explore not only their priorities and style, but also their positions on major issues. Since the evening’s focus will be on the “hotly contested” primary races, only the candidates who have opposition in the primary will be speaking.

Come meet the candidates and your neighbors.  Learn about the issues.