KOHALA, Hawaii: Four candidates are running for the vacant Hawaii County Council district 9 seat in the upcoming primary.

The district is comprised of North Kohala, including most of Waimea, and also Puako on the Kohala Coast and Waikoloa Village.

North Kohala has long been Pete Hoffmann teritory, but this time he has reached his term limit.

He has thrown moral support behind Margaret Wille – the attorney who has been active over the years in Waimea, fighting for infrastructure, appearing before the council often to share her opinion. Now, Wille hopes to be on the other side of the table.

Two other well known names in Waimea are also vying for the seat.

William Sanborn has a long history of participation in various business and volunteer organizations in the area. It’s not the first time he has run for the council seat.

Also, former officer Oliver “Sonny” Shimaoka – who knows the Big Island quite well.

There is one candidate from Waikoloa rounding out the list. Robert Green is hoping to represent the diverse district at the council level.

Candidates were asked to share their thoughts on the North Kohala Community Development Plan during the event. The document – intending to map out the will of the people in directing the future growth of the area – has had its growing pains, like many of the county’s regional CDPs.