"If we plan properly, we can have 100,000 people on Kaua'i and drive from Kekaha to Hanalei on our highways and not even know they are there," Agor said. His BLNR experience has taught him to look for win-win outcomes, he said.

Expanding the near-full county landfill and siting a replacement for it are priorities, Asing said. "We've had studies after studies — and not handled the problem in what I call the proper manner," he said.

As a business owner, Bartolo said "finding a place to live" is a key concern for his employees and many others on the Island. He thinks more affordable homes should be built proportional to high-value homes.

Bartolo also seeks more electricity from local, renewable sources.

Bynum has made preservation of agricultural land and open space one of his themes. "We can build green and create a different lifestyle ... that addresses energy and food sustainability by appropriate land use," he said.

Cariffe said he is running for office "to obtain a job that pays over $35,000 per year plus $6,000 extra per year for driving our car on council business."

Chang, who said tourism must remain a vibrant part of Kaua'i's economy, wants to actively pursue getting the Hawai'i Superferry to come back to Kaua'i — a year after protesters kept it out of Nawiliwili Harbor. "We have missed the boat already, literally," he said.

Furfaro co-introduced legislation to create an energy sustainability plan that addresses energy efficiency and conservation, as well as development of renewable and alternative power sources.

Hoff said he would contract with a company that would convert Kaua'i's plastic waste into "crude oil and asphalt," at no cost to the county.

Getting Kaua'i a waste-to-energy plant to handle garbage is a key goal for Kaneakua if elected, he said. Another concern is making sure property taxes don't overwhelm senior citizens, he said.

Kaneshiro said he would continue to support growing Kaua'i's small businesses, tourism and diversified agriculture, and management of the county water department to make that possible.

Kawahara wants the county to improve its development planning and make sure Kaua'i residents have access to shoreline and mountain public lands. She supports "use-it-or-lose-it" requirements for approved developments and promoting made-on-Kaua'i products.

Kawakami says more affordable housing and better job training would help young adults be able to stay on Island. "I will listen to people and keep an open mind," he said, and believes the county's general plan developed in 2000 needs to be followed.

Kealoha calls the high cost of gasoline "the gorilla in the room ... that affects our economy at all levels" and wants county government to actively seek solutions. She also calls for putting the "aloha spirit" into government.

Kouchi warns that near-term county budgets must be frugal to cope with decreasing property values. But he said one good byproduct of the current economic downturn is that the county will get better prices for needed infrastructure improvements, while providing work for construction companies.

Kuali'i said renewable energy and high-tech jobs could help Kaua'i's economy.

Libre emphasizes the need for Kaua'i to share its limited fresh water supplies.

McMahon is calling for better relations among council members, activists and business groups and an emphasis on increasing Kaua'i's self-sufficiency with energy and resource conservation.

Mijares said to growers of genetically modified crops, "Kaua'i is not your experimentation laboratory," and that he's concerned "you're potentially impacting all of our lives more than we'll ever know."

Thinking of "a problem as a challenge" and seeing it as "do-able" is the first step to progress, Pasadava said. "The council works for you," she tells voters.

Pleas said he wants to ensure that Kaua'i growth is planned and managed to stop residential subdivisions on agricultural land and to make government processes open to the public. He views O'ahu as the prime market for Kaua'i-grown produce not used on-Island and estimates that co-production of electricity by larger users could offset $20 million in electricity costs.

Taylor said creating Kaua'i-grown alternative energy will keep more money circulating within the county. He also favors requiring developers to pay for needed infrastructure to support their projects, rather than giving a "free ride."

Thronas said his approach to planning would be to look at "what's going to happen in two, four or 10 years." He favors expanding public transportation, perhaps with shuttle service from less populated areas to bus stops and adding solar power to county offices where appropriate.