By Amanda C. GreggHe may not crack as many jokes as Mel Rapozo, seem as frustrated as Rolf Bieber or speak as comprehensively as JoAnn Yukimura, but he’s sincere, he’s competent and he’s actually — gasp — a politician many feel they can trust.
While there isn’t one mayoral candidate lacking the intention of improving the way of life for residents, answering the “Who should be the next mayor?” question isn’t about intention or promises, but rather leadership style.
And as Rapozo delivered on his “straight shooter” MO and Yukimura pointed to her accomplished resume at the mayoral candidates’ first major debate this past Tuesday, it was clear Bernard’s Carvalho’s approach is active listening, with a sort of pensive, reserved strength — the kind that would be expected from a former University of Hawai’i football team captain.
Also clear was that his decisiveness in leadership would be garnered from a team-like effort.
“When we get into difficult times, we need to pull together as one community,” he said.
Carvalho seems to hearken back to his roots in more ways than one, whether that means pulling together as a team or drawing upon memories from his childhood in the “walkable community” of Kealia, replete with a park, small gas station and dispensary.
“If you were to fast-forward, that would be today’s smart growth,” Carvalho said.
“The overall picture for me is keeping that type of rural character and making sure we coexist as a community and as an island,” he said.
But perhaps what most distinguished mayoral candidate Carvalho from others was his strong sense of approachability and sincerity.
"I've worked in community many years and it's not about me, it's about all of us, working together," he said.
For that to translate into Kaua'i's future, he said, the vision for the island has to include keeping it local and promoting its youth.
Marketing a Kauai-grown section in local grocery stores, adding van pools, more bus services, bringing back a signature event like the PGA Grand Slam and getting teens on track for financial independence are key parts of Carvalho's plan.
“Working closely with business communities, working with our young people and empowering them to be placed in high-paying jobs and (focusing on) health and wellness to strengthen the community” are just a few ideas to accomplish that Carvalho said, noting it can and should be done with the spirit of aloha, which, as he said, “starts with us.” —
Amanda C. Gregg
While there isn’t one mayoral candidate lacking the intention of improving the way of life for residents, answering the “Who should be the next mayor?” question isn’t about intention or promises, but rather leadership style.
And as Rapozo delivered on his “straight shooter” MO and Yukimura pointed to her accomplished resume at the mayoral candidates’ first major debate this past Tuesday, it was clear Bernard’s Carvalho’s approach is active listening, with a sort of pensive, reserved strength — the kind that would be expected from a former University of Hawai’i football team captain.
Also clear was that his decisiveness in leadership would be garnered from a team-like effort.
“When we get into difficult times, we need to pull together as one community,” he said.
Carvalho seems to hearken back to his roots in more ways than one, whether that means pulling together as a team or drawing upon memories from his childhood in the “walkable community” of Kealia, replete with a park, small gas station and dispensary.
“If you were to fast-forward, that would be today’s smart growth,” Carvalho said.
“The overall picture for me is keeping that type of rural character and making sure we coexist as a community and as an island,” he said.
But perhaps what most distinguished mayoral candidate Carvalho from others was his strong sense of approachability and sincerity.
"I've worked in community many years and it's not about me, it's about all of us, working together," he said.
For that to translate into Kaua'i's future, he said, the vision for the island has to include keeping it local and promoting its youth.
Marketing a Kauai-grown section in local grocery stores, adding van pools, more bus services, bringing back a signature event like the PGA Grand Slam and getting teens on track for financial independence are key parts of Carvalho's plan.
“Working closely with business communities, working with our young people and empowering them to be placed in high-paying jobs and (focusing on) health and wellness to strengthen the community” are just a few ideas to accomplish that Carvalho said, noting it can and should be done with the spirit of aloha, which, as he said, “starts with us.” —
Amanda C. Gregg
