Rapidly growing areas seek leaders

Hilo » The Big Island's two fastest-growing areas, Kona and Puna, also hold the only two Hawaii County Council seats not decided in the nonpartisan primary election. Both are home to contentious residents who criticize county government in Hilo.

In the 7th District, Central Kona, challenger Brenda Ford barely edged ahead of incumbent Virginia Isbell in the primary, 28.6 percent to 28.4 percent. The remaining votes, split between two other challengers, are now up for grabs.

Ford, a retired telephone company project manager, says, "We are in a dire infrastructure deficit." She wants a moratorium on new subdivisions until infrastructure catches up.

She also wants to "reform county government" by splitting agencies such as the Planning Department into separate East and West Hawaii departments.

Isbell says a moratorium would block a major source of new infrastructure, public-benefit requirements placed on developers. Contradicting critics, she says West Hawaii is already getting the "lion's share" of county funds.

She wants separate eastern and western branches of departments, not separate departments.

In the 5th District, lower Puna, challenger Emily Naeole, a former drug outreach worker, polled well ahead of incumbent Gary Safarik in the primary, 40 percent to 29 percent. Remaining votes were split by three other challengers.

Safarik points to tens of millions of dollars obtained for fire stations, roads and development plans. Naeole's wish list is similar, adding, "Aloha first."