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Twelve Candidates To Participate In Waimea 'Speed Dating' Primary Election Forum This Thurs., July 16
Twelve candidates in key races on Hawai'i's Primary Election ballot for Waimea/North Hawai'i have committed to participate in WCA's 'Speed Dating' Candidate Forum this Thurs., July 16 from 5-7:30 p.m., in Parker School’s new Smart Center gym.
A hallmark of WCA's civic engagement efforts for more than three decades, the candidate forum replaces the regular July town meeting and offers voters a unique opportunity to meet candidates face-to-face before casting their ballots.
"With ballots arriving just days after the forum, there's no better time for voters to hear directly from the people seeking to represent them" said WCA President Nancy Carr Smith.
"An informed community is a strong community,” she continued.
Unlike traditional candidate forums, WCA's signature "speed dating" format allows residents to engage in meaningful, small-group conversations with candidates. Attendees will be seated at one of twelve tables (one for each participating candidate) while candidates rotate from table to table throughout the evening. Volunteer community facilitators will moderate each table, ensuring every participant has an opportunity to ask questions, share concerns and hear directly from each candidate.
Participating candidates in four major races include:
Non-Partisan Races:
County Council District 1:
- Incumbent Heather Kimball
- Ren Del Rosario
County Council District 9:
Partisan Races:
State House of Representatives District 8
- Incumbent David Tarnas, D
- Monique Perreira, R
- Hope Cermelj, R
Lieutenant Governor
- Della Au Belatti, D
- Daniel Anthony, R
- John Choi, D
- Hope Cresencia, R
- Ku Lono Guadra, R
- Margaret Rose Mejia, R
Doors will open at 4:30 p.m. and attendees are encouraged to arrive early as the program will begin at 5 p.m. sharp. Come early to enjoy pupu, sweet bites, refreshments, and find a table before the program begins. Volunteers from the League of Women Voters will be available to assist residents with voter registration updates.
"Democracy is strongest when conversations happen face-to-face," said Carr Smith. "This format gives residents and candidates the chance to move beyond campaign messaging and have real conversations about the issues shaping our community."
The Candidate Forum is free and open to all Hawai’i Island residents. WCA encourages community members to take advantage of this longstanding tradition to become informed, engaged voters ahead of the 2026 Primary Election. Because the event is designed around intimate, rotating table discussions, the Candidate Forum will not be livestreamed or recorded.
WCA welcomes new members to join as individuals, families or business and support its more than 65 years of service to the community. Those interested may contribute through the secure membership portal on the WCA website or download and mail a completed membership form with dues to Waimea Community Association, PO Box 2622, Kamuela, HI 96743.
For more information, please contact WCA President Nancy Carr Smith at WaimeaCommunityAssociation@gmail.com or go to www.WaimeaTown.org.
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