Paul Applegate Files for Kauai County Council, Launches Safe Kauai Talk Story Events

Retired Kaua'i Police Department Captain Paul Noboru Applegate is running for Kauai County Council on a platform he calls "Safe Kauai," filing his candidacy on Feb. 5 and rolling out a series of islandwide Talk Story events to build support ahead of the 2026 election.

"I have spent my life serving in uniform, in crisis, and in our schools and communities," Applegate said. "On Feb. 5, 2026, I officially filed my candidacy for Kauai County Council. I'm filing not just as a former officer, but as a resident who is concerned about our future. This campaign is not about politics; it is about values. From the rising cost of living to the safety of our neighborhoods, Kauai needs leaders who are not afraid to stand up for what is right, even when it is difficult."

Applegate will host the Talk Story gatherings at various locations across the island, with dates, times, and venues to be shared through his campaign website and social media channels. The events are designed to allow residents to learn more about Applegate and offer a forum to voice their concerns.

Applegate enters the 2026 race during what he describes as "a period of significant leadership transition for the island," running on a platform of integrity, transparency, and a Safe Kauai. He notes that several veteran council members are vacating their seats, leaving a leadership vacuum that he believes requires a "steady, disciplined hand." The council is expected to have four open seats in the 2026 election, with members KipuKai Kuali'i and Felicia Cowden unable to run again due to term limits, and Bernard Carvalho and Mel Rapozo both stepping away from their council seats to pursue the mayor's office, vying to replace Mayor Derek Kawakami, who is stepping down at the end of the year due to term limits.

Applegate's platform centers on three critical pillars: Restoring Trust, leveraging his history of advocating for accountability within government institutions to ensure the County Council operates with total transparency; and Affordable Living for Locals, supporting smart growth and the expansion of housing projects like Lima Ola to ensure generational families are not priced out of their homes.

Applegate brings an extensive public safety background to the race. A retired Kauai Police Department Captain and U.S. Army Reserve veteran, he spent more than 25 years with KPD in senior leadership roles. Prior to his retirement, he served as Assistant Chief of the department, overseeing investigations, patrol operations, administrative functions, and internal affairs. He led the department's responses to hurricanes, floods, and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jan Dullaga, who agreed to serve as Applegate's campaign manager on March 17, offered a pointed assessment of the candidate's qualifications. "Paul has always been a man of his word," Dullaga said. "His experience managing large departments and complex budgets at KPD, combined with his military discipline, makes him uniquely qualified to handle the county's business on Day One."

Raised on Hawai'i Island, Applegate has spent the majority of his adult life serving communities across Kaua'i and Ni'ihau. His campaign carries the header "Paul For Kaua'i and Ni'ihau" and the principle that real leadership means showing up, listening, and putting people first.

Voters and residents interested in attending a Talk Story event or learning more about Applegate's platform can visit paulforkauai.com or follow the campaign on social media.