Former Mayor and Councilwoman JoAnn Yukimura signed out nomination papers for a seat on the council, the Garden Island newspaper reported.

By taking out nomination papers on Friday, Yukimura signaled her intention to run for the County Council in the primary and general elections that will be held this fall.

"My heart has always been at the local level," Yukimura said in a statement. "Over the years, I've been invited to run for lieutenant governor, the state House and Senate and even Congress, but I prefer the level closest to the people.

"What I love best is listening to concerns and working with others to address our problems and create new opportunities on Kaua'i," she said. "I also feel that the policies established at the county level are pivotal. It is our island plans for energy, land use, solid waste and drug prevention and how well we implement them at the local level that makes the biggest difference."