Trysten “Trykie” Fernandes Caberto
Kauai County Council
Position Running For
Kauai County Council
What area(s) of the Island do you call home?
Lihue
What is your vision for a thriving agricultural sector on Kauai and how can the County support that vision?
We must reduce our dependence on imported food by restoring Native Hawaiian agricultural knowledge. Malama Kaua’i’s Food Access Plan 2030 highlights in their survey that 84% of participants had no idea that their food distribution program existed. Clearly we can support local agricultural by introducing a more robust outreach program. Leases of ag land should be extended to 15-25 years so farmers have enough time and stability to invest in their crops. We should also expand farm-to-school programs to bolster demand. Local businesses should be incentivized to purchase local produce.
If elected, how would you engage with the business community prior to your decision-making?
Ultimately, my guiding principle is simple: community over commodity. A healthy economy depends on healthy communities and I believe businesses succeed most when local families are thriving. That would mean a more serious vetting of businesses that are influenced by outside economic gain. Businesses on Kaua’i should help locals, not just cater to tourism. I would prioritize locally-owned businesses over everything else.
How would you help ensure that working middle class residents can afford to buy or rent a home on Kauaʻi?
I would support stronger regulation of short-term vacation rentals and prioritize housing for local residents over new hotels and timeshares. In addition, I would continue using property tax policy to encourage owner occupancy while discouraging homes from sitting vacant or functioning primarily as investment properties. Kaua’i has the highest rate of short-term-rentals (14%!) in Hawaii. Kaua’i is not some playground for the rich. Billionaires call Kaua’i “home.” I would tax them higher and use the funds collected to expand community land trust programs so locals have an opportunity to purchase homes.
How would you effectively manage budget and operations compared to the past?
Every dollar spent by the county should produce measurable value for residents. We must fill that vacancy for a county auditor – it’s been open for over a decade. I would manage the budget with one thing on my mind: local residents. I am not here to serve billionaires and tourists. The council’s role is oversight. That means asking difficult questions and requiring clear reporting from departments. There has been public outcry regarding the corruption that exists in many county departments. I would call for an audit of all departments and have department leaders testify at council meetings to ensure they are not being influenced by external economic interests.
What specific ideas do you have about economic diversification and how would you develop these areas?
I understand this will be unpopular with business owners, but Kauaʻi’s economy is too dependent on tourism. Diversifying our economy makes us more resilient while creating opportunities for local families. Agriculture should be a cornerstone of that effort. By strengthening local food production and supporting value-added agriculture, we can create jobs while improving food security. Diversification also means investing in renewable energy, conservation, cultural education, and restoration work that creates meaningful local employment while protecting the resources that make Kauaʻi unique.
What are your priorities for infrastructure investment? How would you ensure that planned infrastructure projects (roads, wastewater, facilities, bridges, etc.) on Kauai move forward in a timely manner?
My priorities are infrastructure that improves daily life and strengthens Kauaʻi’s resilience. That includes roads, bridges, wastewater systems, emergency communications, drainage, and utility improvements. As our population and visitor numbers have grown, infrastructure has struggled to keep pace. We need to prioritize projects based on community need rather than political convenience.
What is your vision for effective management of the visitor industry so that economic goals are met while ensuring community and environmental concerns are addressed?
Tourism will remain an important part of Kauaʻi’s economy, but it must be managed responsibly. I support expanding successful management tools like reservation systems where appropriate, investing visitor-generated revenue into environmental stewardship and local infrastructure. I would also consider exploring paid parking at heavily visited tourist destinations to help fund conservation and community priorities. And I support stronger regulation of short-term vacation rentals because tourism should not come at the expense of local housing. Kaua’i is not some product that is packaged and sold to the highest bidder. Kaua’i is a home for thousands of generational families. I resist the cultural prostitution of Hawaiian culture.
What is your solution to best manage solid waste on Kauaʻi? Please include your views on recycling, landfill site, source reduction, and other strategies.
I support expanding recycling and green waste programs, encouraging businesses to reduce unnecessary packaging, and continuing efforts to phase out unnecessary single-use plastics. I would also explore creating a county-supported reuse and donation center where usable items can be redirected to local nonprofits and families rather than discarded. Unfortunately, this alone will not have a significant impact on our waste. Construction materials should be rerouted to our biomass generator (that already creates 10% of Kaua’i’s electricity). Land must be purchased for another landfill. The residents of Kekaha have been vocal about opposing the expansion of the existing landfill – and we should listen to them.
As an elected official, what steps would you take to mitigate the impacts of climate change on Kauaʻi?
Climate change is already affecting Kauaʻi through stronger storms, flooding, erosion, and threats to our infrastructure and food security. We need to prepare for those realities now. I would support investing in resilient infrastructure, improving stormwater management, protecting wetlands and coastal ecosystems, expanding renewable energy where appropriate, and strengthening local food production to reduce dependence on imported goods. I also believe county decisions should be informed by both scientific evidence and local knowledge.
What else would you like to share with the business community?
My campaign is built around one idea: community over commodity. I believe a strong business community and a strong community go hand in hand. Local businesses thrive when residents can afford housing, infrastructure is reliable, agriculture is strong, and our natural resources are protected. You may not agree with every position I take, but you will always know where I stand. I will listen respectfully and make decisions transparently; and I will vote based on principles rather than political pressure or special interests. I am running because I love Kauaʻi and believe our generation has a responsibility to leave it stronger than we found it. I look forward to working with businesses that share that commitment.