Two Former Kauai Mayors Face Off in 2026 Election

Bernard Carvalho Jr. and Mel Rapozo file to run for Kauai mayor

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Two former Kauai mayors, Bernard Carvalho Jr. and Mel Rapozo, have filed to run for the county's top executive position in the 2026 election. Carvalho, who served as mayor from 2008 to 2018, and Rapozo, who has not held the mayoral office, are competing for the seat currently held by Derek S.K. Kawakami, who is term-limited.

Why it matters

The Kauai mayoral race is a high-profile contest that will shape the island's future direction on key issues like affordability, growth, infrastructure, and environmental stewardship. As former mayors, Carvalho and Rapozo bring experience and differing visions that will be closely watched by Kauai residents.

The details

Carvalho filed his nomination papers on Friday, four days after the official filing deadline, while Rapozo filed on Monday and also opened his campaign headquarters in Lihue. Both candidates have emphasized themes of community engagement, transparency, and putting local families first in their platforms.

  • Carvalho filed his nomination papers on February 7, 2026.
  • Rapozo filed his nomination papers on February 10, 2026.

The players

Bernard Carvalho Jr.

A former Kauai mayor who served from 2008 to 2018 and is now a current member of the Kauai County Council.

Mel Rapozo

A former Kauai politician who is challenging Carvalho in the 2026 mayoral election.

Derek S.K. Kawakami

The current Kauai mayor who is term-limited and cannot run for reelection.

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What they’re saying

“I'm ready. I want to bring people back into government by having town meetings where the mayor and department heads go out to talk to the people, and get the people involved in the problem-solving.”

— Bernard Carvalho Jr., Former Kauai Mayor (staradvertiser.com)

“This campaign is about the people of Kauai. I'm running because our county deserves leadership that puts local families first, protects our way of life, and makes decisions with transparency, integrity and respect for our community.”

— Mel Rapozo, Kauai Mayoral Candidate (staradvertiser.com)

What’s next

The Kauai mayoral election will be held in November 2026. In the coming months, Carvalho and Rapozo are expected to continue campaigning and outlining their visions for the island.

The takeaway

The 2026 Kauai mayoral race features a clash of two former county leaders, Carvalho and Rapozo, who are vying to shape the island's future on key issues like affordability, growth, and environmental protection. Kauai residents will have a clear choice between the candidates' differing approaches and experience.