Kauaʻi Mayor to Run for Lieutenant Governor of Hawaiʻi

Kauaʻi Mayor to Run for Lieutenant Governor of Hawaiʻi

At the State Capitol this afternoon, Kauaʻi County Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. announced his plan to run as a Democrat for lieutenant governor of Hawaiʻi. He’s served as mayor since 2008 and has over 30 years of experience in public service, including 17 years in county government and six as department head.

“Today, I am announcing my candidacy as a Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor after a lot of listening, soul searching and spiritual guidance,” said Mayor Carvalho. “We are a state separated by ocean and connected by families, businesses, culture and opportunities.”

In his years of experience in government and more recently engaging communities statewide, Mayor Carvalho said he’s heard a consistent pattern from local residents: no voice, no bridge, no action. His goal if elected as lieutenant governor will be to use his understanding as an administrator to work with the governor and be a bridge between the governor and the people.

“As lieutenant governor, I will work with the governor as a team,” Mayor Carvalho said. “I believe we can assure that the voice of the people will be heard; we can build bridges to connect people and resources; and we will bring action to everything we do. That is ‘action with aloha.’”

Mayor Carvalho took office on December 1, 2008 to fulfill a partial two-year term for the late Mayor Bryan Baptiste. He has spent his adult life championing for the rights and betterment of individuals, families and communities throughout Kauaʻi and Niʻihau, leading to his re-election in 2010 and 2014.

Employed by the County of Kauaʻi since 1985, Mayor Carvalho was appointed by Mayor Baptiste in 2002 as the director of the Offices of Community Assistance, which included the Transportation, Recreation, Elderly Affairs and Housing divisions. In 2007, he was tapped by Mayor Baptiste to set up and lead the new Department of Parks and Recreation as director.

A Kauaʻi native, Mayor Carvalho graduated from Kapaʻa High School in 1979 and earned a full-ride scholarship to play football at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. He graduated from UH in 1983 with a degree in communications and public relations and was drafted by the Miami Dolphins, where he played for two seasons before returning to the islands and marrying his wife Regina. They have three children and two grandchildren.

To follow the campaign, visit BernardCarvalho.com