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Record of Proceedings

Kaua‘i County Council Meeting: July 30, 2025 – Tsunami After-Action, Drone Tech, and Hanapepe Monument

County Council & Committees — Wednesday, July 30, 2025
BodyKauai County, Hawaii
SessionCounty Council & Committees
DateWednesday, July 30, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:08:56

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it
0:22

Morning everyone.

0:23

Uh welcome to our council meeting.

0:25

Today's July 30th.

0:26

Uh we'll call a meeting to order.

0:28

Roll call, please.

0:29

Councilmember Cavallio.

0:31

Here.

0:31

Councilmember Cowden.

0:32

Here.

0:33

Councilmember Kaneshiro?

0:35

Present.

0:36

Councilmember Kuli.

0:37

Present.

0:37

Councilman Chair Pozzle.

0:39

Here.

0:40

Both Councilmember Holland and Bulasan are absent.

0:44

Thank you.

0:44

Can I have a motion to approve the agenda, please?

0:46

I be approved.

0:47

Second.

0:48

Move and second it.

0:49

Any discussion or public testimony.

0:51

Seeing none, all in favor say aye.

0:52

Aye.

0:53

Motion carried next item, please.

0:55

On page two, the minutes of the following meetings of the council, the June 25th, 2025 council meeting.

1:02

Any discussion or public testimony?

1:04

Seeing none, all in favor say aye.

1:06

Aye.

1:07

Motion carried next item, please.

1:08

Next item is an interview for the Charter Review Commission for Swedes and Bloom.

1:13

For term ending 1231 27.

1:16

With that, I will suspend the rules.

1:19

Um morning, Chair.

1:29

Before I start, Ellen Ching, Boards and Commission's Administrator.

1:33

Um, I just want to thank everybody, and I see we have some first responders in the audience for everything they did yesterday.

1:41

Um, luckily, we are all well and doing well today, and could carry on with our with our business.

1:50

Um in 2024, La Kia Chan, as part of her senior project, proposed a charter amendment that was ultimately adopted by the voters.

2:02

This amendment established students official members for all boards and commissions.

2:07

Today I'm happy to introduce our first student nominee, Swede Slan Boom.

2:13

Swede was born and raised on Kuai.

2:15

He attended Kikaha Elementary and Waimea Canyon Middle School.

2:20

This fall, Swede will be a senior at Waimea High School.

2:24

Upon graduation, he's interested in engineering and pursuing an education at UH or on the West Coast.

2:31

To get a jump start on everything, this summer he's taking 18 credits of classes at the community college and works part-time at Target.

2:40

During the year, Swede is involved in track, soccer, and tennis.

2:44

He was named captain of the tennis team and was recognized as a top athlete and selected as a Kauai Interscholastic Federation KIF All-Star.

2:55

Additionally, he's on the principal's list and the honor roll.

2:59

A member of the National Honor Society, Key Club, Spanish National Honor Society, and the Leo Club.

3:06

In his free time, he enjoys hanging out with his friends and playing video games.

3:11

If his name sounds familiar, he is the son of parents Eric and Marissa Sandbu, brother to an older sister and two younger brothers, and grandson of Bobby Masuda, who planted the engineering seed.

3:24

When Swede heard about how La Akea made a difference, he thought it was a great way for the younger generation to have their voices heard.

3:32

And he wanted to serve on the Charter Commission.

3:35

Although his mom Marissa is also on that commission, when I asked him, would he feel constrained?

3:41

Or would he be able to freely express his opinion?

3:44

He readily answered, no problem.

3:48

Given his interest and enthusiasm, I'm so grateful that Swede is willing to contribute his time during his busy senior year to join the Charter Commission to add his fresh perspective.

4:02

Thank you.

4:04

Anything to add to that amazing resume?

4:07

Oh yeah.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural█████████████████████████████████████████████62%
Public Safety█████7%
Parks and Recreation█████7%
Boards And Commissions████5%
Budget Equity Analysis████5%
Emergency Preparedness███4%
Youth Programs██3%
Technology and Innovation██3%
Public Engagement█2%
Summary of Proceedings

Kaua‘i County Council Meeting: July 30, 2025 – Tsunami After-Action, Drone Tech, and Hanapepe Monument

The Kaua‘i County Council met on July 30, 2025, in Līhu‘e, Hawai‘i, at 8:30 AM. The meeting included the nomination of the county’s first student member to the Charter Review Commission, approval of police technology and funding for drug enforcement, acceptance of a donated park improvement, and introduction of bills to fund a monument commemorating the 1924 Battle of Hanapepe. Multiple council members and public testifiers expressed gratitude for the county’s response to a overnight tsunami threat that ultimately caused no damage.

Consent Calendar

  • C 2025-159: Communication (05/02/2025) from the Mayor transmitting the appointment of Christine L. Ing to the Charter Review Commission for a term ending 12/31/2027. (Received and filed unanimously.)
  • C 2025-160: Quarterly Report on Settled Claims against the County (April 1 to June 30, 2025), transmitted by First Deputy County Attorney Tyler C. Saito. (Received and filed unanimously.)

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Randy Francisco (Hanapepe resident) spoke in support of all three police communications (C 2025-161, -162, and -163), emphasizing that the previous day’s tsunami response demonstrated the need for continued investment in innovation and training. He stated the police department needs “the best tools to save lives” and thanked frontline personnel and the general public.

Discussion Items

  • Nomination of Swede E.K. Sandblom to the Charter Review Commission: Council Chair Pozzle noted the vote on Resolution 2025-32 (confirming Ing) and the interview for Sandblom would be considered for appointment in two weeks. Sandblom, a rising senior at Waimea High School, stated that the Charter Review Commission “stuck out to [him] the most” because it can pass rules affecting the entire community. All council members present expressed strong support for his nomination, highlighting his research, maturity, and the value of youth perspective. Councilmember Kaneshiro noted “really from how you've come before us today, I know whatever you choose, you'll be successful.”
  • C 2025-161 – HIDTA Grant ($188,000): Assistant Chief Darren Rose requested and received approval to accept $188,000 from the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) Program for overtime, vehicle rental, off-island training, equipment replacement, and new technology for drug enforcement. Councilmember Cavallio asked if training goes to all frontline officers; Rose replied it primarily goes to vice officers. Councilmember Kaneshiro praised it as reducing general fund costs.
  • C 2025-162 – Pix4D Drone Mapping License: Assistant Chief Makana A. Rivera requested approval of indemnification provisions for a perpetual Pix4Dreact 2D Fast-Mapping license, part of a broader drone package with Advexure. Rivera explained that the software creates digital multi-dimensional maps from drone footage to support disaster and criminal response. Council members inquired about the previous evening’s tsunami response, learning the drone operator (Sergeant David Phillips) provided stable, real-time aerial footage from Princeville, including thermal imaging. Councilmember Kaneshiro noted the drone footage was the most reliable stream due to limited access.
  • C 2025-163 – DroneSense Software Platform: Rivera requested approval of indemnification for the DroneSense platform, which enables live streaming, mission management, and FAA flight data tracking. He confirmed that evacuation decisions were based on predetermined scientific data and GIS support, not solely on live video. All three police items were approved unanimously.
  • C 2025-164 – Hanalei Pavilion Gift: Parks & Recreation requested acceptance of a $111,000 gift from The Hanalei Initiative, which covered opening rear/side walls and replacing the roof. Director of Parks & Recreation noted the work was completed about two years ago and acknowledged a mistake in not bringing it to council sooner. Councilmember Cowden expressed concern that removing walls reduces shelter from rain and wind for community events, and that she received negative community feedback. Councilmember Kaneshiro noted that most county pavilions are open and users can put up tarps, and thanked The Hanalei Initiative. The motion passed.
  • C 2025-165 – Open Space Fund Transfer: Communication from the clerk of the Public Access, Open Space, Natural Resources Preservation Fund Commission, transmitting bills to move $215,000 for a monument to the 1924 Battle of Hanapepe. Planning Department staff clarified that the Open Space Commission recommended $215,000 after the Planning Department had preliminarily suggested $300,000. Councilmember Kuli confirmed that the first bill (No. 2970) moves funds from the fund balance to the operating budget, and the second bill (No. 2971) appropriates funds for the monument improvement capital project. Both bills were approved for first reading, scheduled for public hearing on August 27, and referred to the Finance and Economic Development Committee.
  • C 2025-166 – Kealaula Supportive Housing Phase II Waiver: The council approved a Waiver, Release and Indemnity Agreement with the Department of Water for construction activities at the Kealaula Supportive Housing Project Phase II in Līhu‘e. Approved unanimously.
  • C 2025-167 – Vehicle Damage Claim (James Braun): Referred to the County Attorney for disposition and report back. Unanimous.

Key Outcomes

  • Resolution 2025-32 (Appointment of Christine L. Ing to the Charter Review Commission): Passed 5-0-2 (Councilmembers Holland and Bulaşan excused).
  • C 2025-161 (HIDTA Grant): Approved unanimously.
  • C 2025-162 (Pix4D License): Approved unanimously.
  • C 2025-163 (DroneSense Platform): Approved unanimously.
  • C 2025-164 (Hanalei Pavilion Gift): Approved unanimously.
  • C 2025-166 (Kealaula Waiver): Approved unanimously.
  • Proposed Draft Bill No. 2970 (Operating Budget Amendment for Hanapepe Monument): Approved on first reading, public hearing set for August 27, referred to Finance & Economic Development Committee. Passed 5-0-2.
  • Proposed Draft Bill No. 2971 (Capital Budget Amendment for Hanapepe Parcel Monument): Approved on first reading, public hearing set for August 27, referred to Finance & Economic Development Committee. Passed 5-0-2.
  • Executive Session: The council entered executive session (ES-1148 through ES-1151) to discuss pending and denied claims and possible settlement proposals. No votes or decisions were announced publicly.

Meeting Transcript

Morning everyone. Uh welcome to our council meeting. Today's July 30th. Uh we'll call a meeting to order. Roll call, please. Councilmember Cavallio. Here. Councilmember Cowden. Here. Councilmember Kaneshiro? Present. Councilmember Kuli. Present. Councilman Chair Pozzle. Here. Both Councilmember Holland and Bulasan are absent. Thank you. Can I have a motion to approve the agenda, please? I be approved. Second. Move and second it. Any discussion or public testimony. Seeing none, all in favor say aye. Aye. Motion carried next item, please. On page two, the minutes of the following meetings of the council, the June 25th, 2025 council meeting. Any discussion or public testimony? Seeing none, all in favor say aye. Aye. Motion carried next item, please. Next item is an interview for the Charter Review Commission for Swedes and Bloom. For term ending 1231 27. With that, I will suspend the rules. Um morning, Chair. Before I start, Ellen Ching, Boards and Commission's Administrator. Um, I just want to thank everybody, and I see we have some first responders in the audience for everything they did yesterday. Um, luckily, we are all well and doing well today, and could carry on with our with our business. Um in 2024, La Kia Chan, as part of her senior project, proposed a charter amendment that was ultimately adopted by the voters. This amendment established students official members for all boards and commissions. Today I'm happy to introduce our first student nominee, Swede Slan Boom. Swede was born and raised on Kuai. He attended Kikaha Elementary and Waimea Canyon Middle School. This fall, Swede will be a senior at Waimea High School. Upon graduation, he's interested in engineering and pursuing an education at UH or on the West Coast. To get a jump start on everything, this summer he's taking 18 credits of classes at the community college and works part-time at Target. During the year, Swede is involved in track, soccer, and tennis. He was named captain of the tennis team and was recognized as a top athlete and selected as a Kauai Interscholastic Federation KIF All-Star. Additionally, he's on the principal's list and the honor roll. A member of the National Honor Society, Key Club, Spanish National Honor Society, and the Leo Club. In his free time, he enjoys hanging out with his friends and playing video games.

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