Kaua'i County Council Meeting - June 25, 2025

The Kaua'i County Council convened on June 25, 2025, at 8:30 AM in the Council Chambers at the Historic County Building in Līhuʻe. The meeting included a public hearing on sewer connection fees for workforce housing, an interview for a Planning Commission vacancy, a briefing on newly enacted midwifery legislation, and the passage of multiple resolutions and bills including major traffic safety improvements for Kaneka Street.

Public Hearing (Note: Held Prior to the Regular Meeting)

• Bill No. 2960 (Relating to Sewers): A bill amending Section 25-11.2 of the Kaua'i County Code 1987, as amended, to provide sewer connection exemption fees for workforce housing projects. One written testimony was received; no oral testimony was offered. The hearing was promptly closed at 8:30 AM, after which the Council Chair called the regular meeting to order. (Agenda language indicated the hearing would occur after the meeting, but it was conducted first.)

Consent Calendar

• C 2025-138 (HSAC Budget): Communication from the Hawai'i State Association of Counties regarding their proposed Fiscal Year 2025-2026 operating budget was received.
• C 2025-139 (Kaneka Street Traffic): Communication from the County Engineer transmitting a resolution on traffic lane modifications, stop signs, speed limits, bicycle lanes, crosswalks, and a roundabout on Kaneka Street was received and placed on file. (The resolution itself was voted on separately later in the meeting.)

Discussion Items

Planning Commission Interview

• Candidate: Jaclyn K. Kaina (Business seat, term ending 12/31/2027).
• Introduction: Commission Administrator Ellen Ching introduced Kaina as a homegrown candidate with a background in business administration, roles at the Kaua'i Economic Development Board (KEDB), and service as Chair of the Charter Commission.
• Council Q&A:
  • Councilmember Cowden acknowledged Kaina's work with KEDB and expressed confidence in her ability to handle the rigorous workload of the Planning Commission.
  • Councilmember Holland asked about balancing economic/housing needs with preserving Kaua'i's character. Kaina stated her heart is in keeping Kaua'i Kaua'i while recognizing the need for balance, and wants future generations to thrive and stay home.
  • Councilmember Kanashiro praised her community roots and willingness to serve, noting the difficulty of filling such positions.
  • Councilmember Holland highlighted the importance of Hawaiian cultural knowledge as a strength Kaina brings to the commission. Kaina discussed her observations on the resurgence of native Hawaiian organizations and language.
• Outcome: Appointment vote scheduled for a subsequent council meeting.

Midwifery Legislation Briefing (C 2025-140)

• Presenters: Carrie Ann Shirota (Policy Director, ACLU of Hawai'i), Christy Duarte (Hawai'i Home Birth Task Force Chair/Collective President), Lolani Teal (Cultural Practitioner, E Hanao), and Ki Kahoo Hanohano (Pacific Birth Collective, lead plaintiff in the midwifery lawsuit).
• Briefing Highlights:
  • Presenters reviewed the 2019 midwifery licensure law. They stated the law was highly restrictive, noting that zero of the 42 licensed midwives were Kanaka Maoli and only one was born and raised in Hawai'i. The law included a sunset date of June 30, 2025.
  • The pending lawsuit (Koho Hanohano v. State) successfully obtained a preliminary injunction blocking enforcement of the 2019 law against Native Hawaiian traditional birthing practitioners, finding the exemption for those practitioners was not sufficient.
  • The 2025 legislative session resulted in the passage of Act 28 (without the Governor's signature). A community-led bill (HB 1328) supporting expanded access, apprenticeship pathways, and protections for all birth attendants was deferred in favor of a competing measure (HB 1194).
  • Act 28 made licensure permanent and added an apprenticeship pathway for Certified Professional Midwives. Over 70% of states with licensure use this pathway. The bill includes an exemption for Native Hawaiian traditional and customary practices using language suggested by the Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation, but civil penalties (up to $1,000 per day) remain for non-licensed practice, and protections for religious and other cultural birth attendants were not included. The presenters noted 16 House representatives voted against the final bill, and representatives from 17 nations of indigenous midwives were present in the chamber voicing opposition.
  • Presenters stated that access to desired birthing choices is a reproductive justice and bodily autonomy issue, and that culturally appropriate care is critical for Native Hawaiian communities who face the highest maternal mortality rates in the state.
• Council Discussion:
  • Councilmember Cowden expressed full support for reproductive rights and criticized the overregulation of traditional birth practices, stating that existing restrictive laws will likely drive families to seek riskier unassisted births and wished the plaintiffs success in their court case.
  • Councilmember Holland expressed concern about what she called "government overreach in certain things like home birth" and a desire to support community access to whatever kind of medical support families want for giving birth.
  • Councilmember Bulosan shared his personal journey as a new parent, emphasized the need for choices in the birthing process, and connected the briefing to the Council's 2023 resolution supporting midwifery access. He stated that creating the right foundation for healthy families is critical for the future.
• Outcome: The briefing was received for informational purposes. Presenters indicated they may return to request the Council's support for future legislative amendments.

Kaneka Street Safety Improvements (Resolution 2025-30)

• Presentation: The County Engineer presented a comprehensive plan to restripe Kaneka Street from a four-lane undivided roadway to a three-lane configuration (one lane in each direction plus a center turn lane), add bicycle lanes, officially establish a 25 mph speed limit and a 15 mph school zone, and make improvements to stop signs, crosswalks, and the roundabout.
• Safety Rationale: The engineer detailed how the design reduces driver speed, eliminates dangerous left-turn conflicts, and improves pedestrian safety. He cited data showing pedestrian fatality risk is approximately 5% at 20 mph versus 85% at 40 mph.
• Public Process: A public meeting was held approximately one year prior with strong attendance. Adjustments were made based on feedback, including the configuration at the school entrance to allow for a dedicated right-turn lane for queuing vehicles.
• Council Positions: Councilmembers Cowden, Holland, and Bulosan praised the thorough and collaborative approach to improving safety in this school zone and key commuter corridor.
• Outcome: Resolution adopted unanimously (7-0-0).

Key Outcomes

• Resolution 2025-30 (Kaneka Street Safety): Adopted (7-0-0).
• Bill No. 2954 (Public Access/Open Space Fund): Passed second and final reading (7-0-0).
• Bills 2955–2959 (Collective Bargaining Agreements): All five bills passed second and final reading (7-0-0 each). Covers Bargaining Units 1, 2, 3, 4, and 13 for the period of July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2029.
• Grants and Donations Approved:
  • C 2025-141: KEMA emergency management training and inter-island travel grant ($4,000) from DHS via State DOD.
  • C 2025-142: HI-5 Recycling Program grant ($391,752) from State DOH to fund two specialist positions and support mobile redemption operations.
  • C 2025-144: Donation of Ray Yoshida's painting "Island Ritual" (estimated value $25,000) from the Ray Yoshida Trust.
  • C 2025-145: VAWA grant ($50,216) for the SANE program. Council noted the program is fully staffed with six Sexual Assault Forensic Examiners.
• Indemnifications Approved:
  • C 2025-143: Logikcull eDiscovery tool for litigation and public records responses.
  • C 2025-146: State highway right-of-way permit for DPW work.
• Claims Received: C 2025-147 (Kari Villabrille Mohr, vehicle damage), C 2025-148 (Dannica Elizabeth Katie Orsatelli, personal injury), C 2025-149 (Donald Greer, personal/physical damages).
• Executive Session (ES-1145): The Council held a closed executive session (pursuant to HRS 92-4/92-5(a)(4) and County Charter 3.07(E)) to discuss a potential settlement proposal in a claim filed by Suzanne K. Smith. No action was disclosed following the session.
• Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned following the executive session.