WAILUKU, Maui — Former Council Member Wayne Nishiki filed nomination papers Tuesday to run for the council's South Maui seat, after current Council Member Michelle Anderson announced she would not seek a third term, The Maui News reported today

Anderson said "family health concerns" were the reason she would not run for re-election to the South Maui seat, but would not discuss details of her situation, citing her family's privacy. Nishiki, who retired from the council in 2004 due to term limits, said he had been eyeing other races for a possible comeback, but decided to run for his former South Maui council seat when Anderson told him her decision.

"Now that Michelle's not running, I just felt it was my duty to the people of Maui County," he said.

Nishiki will face Don Couch, a past candidate for state Senate who served in the administration of former Mayor Alan Arakawa. Couch filed as a candidate Tuesday. Three other candidates have taken out nomination papers indicating an intent to run, but they have not yet filed.

Nishiki, who served 11 terms on the council and has never been beaten in a council race, was known for his outspoken views on development, beach access and other populist issues. He faced a number of challenges during his tenure, including two drunken driving convictions.

Anderson was Nishiki's protege and longtime aide who ran successfully to claim his seat on the council upon his retirement. During her tenure, she has focused on water issues and carried on Nishiki's skeptical approach to development.

Couch expressed concern for Anderson, but said Tuesday he was ready to take on the long-unbeatable Nishiki.

"He's had his chance in council, and I don't feel intimidated," he said.

Couch said he would focus his campaign on "solutions," and said Nishiki's last years in council were characterized by "roadblocks."

"Everything was stalled in his committee," he said.

Mayor Charmaine Tavares said Tuesday she was "surprised" to learn of Anderson's decision.

"I know she has been dealing with some health issues and family issues, and I'm sure she thought long and hard before making this decision," she said.

Anderson's health caused her to miss four regular council meetings and 23 budget committee meetings from March 24 to May 16. But she said Tuesday her decision not to run was not related to her earlier illness.

For now, she said she plans on "taking it one day at a time," and finishing her term by focusing on the issues she's championed as chairwoman of the council's Committee on Water Resources.

Anderson said she was pleased to have helped pass the "show me the water" bill requiring developers to prove they have a reliable source of water for their projects, as well as legislation banning the use of the pesticide-contaminated Hamakuapoko Wells for human consumption.

With those out of the way, Anderson was optimistic she'd accomplish other goals, including updating rules for the Department of Water Supply, and passing new conservation measures, before the end of her term.

"I think we got some of the harder issues tackled," she said.

Asked whether she would work with Nishiki on his campaign, Anderson said: "We haven't discussed it yet. Probably."

Nishiki said he would also make water one of his top campaign issues.

"Water's the biggest thing," he said. "Why should the people who've been living here have to sacrifice, and watch more (people) coming, and this supply not being enough for us?"

Affordable housing and renewable energy would also be in his platform, Nishiki said.

This election will be a family affair for Nishiki, whose daughter, Kahekai Nishiki, is running for the council's Makawao-Haiku-Paia seat against incumbent Council Member Mike Molina.

But as for whether 2009 could see a two-Nishiki council, he demurred.

"That's up to the people of Maui County," he said.

Nishiki said he had a deep respect for his former aide, praising her "strength, ethics and caring."

"She was never for sale," he said. "She never sold out Maui County."

"Maui's going to miss her," he added.

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