LIHU‘E — Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative members who are receiving ballots for the 2022 Board of Directors election are alerted to a contractor error on the “Instruction to Voters” section of the ballot.
“The instructions for a different election were included on the KIUC ballots and should be disregarded,” said KIUC Communications Manager Beth Tokioka.
“Our contractor regrets this error and any confusion it may cause for voters.”
Members are being alerted via phone and email with information on how to fill out and submit a ballot for the election.
The correct instructions are also available on KIUC’s website, kiuc.coop/elections.
KIUC members may vote for up to three candidates, and have the following options for voting:
• By mail using the secret ballot sleeve and postage-paid reply envelope provided;
• Online at mrgvote.com;
• By phone at 877-778-KIUC (877-778-5482).
When voting online or by phone, members will need the access code printed on the reply envelope, and will be asked to verify identity.
Members may also deliver their ballots to the ballot box in the KIUC lobby.
Ballots must be received by noon on Saturday, March 19, in order to be counted.
Anyone with concerns about a ballot already cast may call 877-324-7655 for assistance.
A replacement ballot can be requested by calling that number.
Each director has a three-year term. The directors elected in the 2022 election will hold a term that expires in 2025.
“We hope all of our members will exercise their option to vote in the 2022 board election,” said Tokioka.
Who’s running?
Four candidates, including three incumbents, are seeking election to three seats on the KIUC board.
This year’s most-tenured candidate is current KIUC Treasurer Peter Yukimura, who has sat on the cooperative’s nine-member board since 2005.
Yukimura’s fellow incumbents, Secretary Cal Murashige and Vice Chair Jan TenBruggencate, have held their KIUC directorships since 2012 and 2010, respectively, and are all running for reelection.
They are challenged by Steve Parsons, a real-estate agent and Gulf War veteran.
All four candidates made their pitches to voters last month during a virtual candidate forum hosted by local groups Zero Waste Kaua‘i, Surfrider Kaua‘i and Kaua‘i Climate Action Coalition.
The three incumbents touted the cooperative’s growing renewable-energy portfolio during the forum.
“I think we’re doing a great job … and we want to continue doing that in the future,” TenBruggencate said at the time.
KIUC reported 67% renewable-energy generation in 2020, up from a 92% dependancy on fossil fuels in 2010.
Electric vehicles represent the crux of their challenger’s platform.
Parsons has pushed for a KIUC EV fleet, rebates for new and used EVs, high-speed, level-three chargers for school buses and first responders, and time-of-day rates.
“(EVs) save money, lives and fight climate change,” Parsons told forum attendees.
“Unfortunately for us and our children, the latest climate-change news is not good … We are losing this fight, and science says we need to move faster.”
A video recording of the KIUC candidate forum is available online, at vimeo.com/zerowastekauai.
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Scott Yunker, reporter, can be reached at 245-0437 or syunker@thegardenisland.com.
