Ikaika Rodenhurst, 31, submitted his nomination paper application Friday to the county Elections Office, signaling his intent to run for the Hawaii County Council District 5 seat held by Matt Kaneali‘i-Kleinfelder.
According to a written statement by Rodenhurst, a civil engineer for Bowers + Kubota and assistant football coach at Hilo High School, he’s been talking with family and friends and has decided to put his name in for the upcoming race for the mauka Puna seat.
Rodenhurst said he has been meeting with community members and leaders to discuss local issues and he will prioritize lowering the cost of living, increased access for public transportation, and public safety.
Rodenhurst is a 2006 graduate of Kamehameha Schools and attended Oregon State University for two years before transferring to the University of Hawaii at Manoa where he played football for the Rainbow Warriors and graduated in 2011 with a degree in civil engineering.
The son of Melvin and Jill Rodenhurst of Kailua, Oahu, Rodenhurst lives in Hawaiian Acres with his three children and wife, Gabby.
Candidate filing runs until June 2.