Justin Canelas is running for Hawaiʻi County Council District 6 to serve Kaʻū, Lower Volcano, and South Kona - the place he proudly calls home. Justin and his wife live in Nāʻālehu, where they steward Manadina Farm and are raising their first child.

 

Justin currently serves as the Environmental Management Commissioner for District 6, representing Kaʻū on critical environmental issues impacting Hawaiʻi Island. In this role, he works within county government, collaborates with departments and commissioners, and navigates complex bureaucracy to advocate for his district - experience he will bring directly to the County Council.

 

Justin founded Mauka to Makai Eatery, a mission-driven farm-to-table restaurant sourcing over 80% of its ingredients from Kaʻū and Hawaiʻi Island farmers. When a $1.5 million EPA Zero Waste grant he co-wrote was awarded to Recycle Hawaiʻi, he stepped into the role of Program Director, creating local green jobs, expanding youth leadership opportunities, and helping build a Zero Waste movement now recognized statewide.

 

Through his work, Justin has donated thousands of free meals and pounds of produce to the community, supported local nonprofits with grant writing and strategic planning, organized cultural site restorations and cleanups, and worked alongside Kānaka Maoli to protect kuleana land.

 

Justin’s experience in community advocacy - from rural upstate New York to the urban South Bronx - combined with his current role in county government, gives him the skills to secure resources, build partnerships, and deliver results across District 6, while staying grounded in the values of aloha ʻāina, local stewardship, and protecting the unique character of Kaʻū, Lower Volcano, Miloliʻi, and South Kona.