Kauai County Council Meeting - February 4, 2026
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Kauai County Council Meeting - February 4, 2026
The Kauai County Council met on February 4, 2026, beginning with a prayer and invocation by Pastor Matt Higa of New Hope Kauai. The council approved the agenda and minutes from the January 7, 2026 meeting, conducted an interview for a Planning Commission appointment, held an executive session to discuss a real property tax bill, and advanced several legislative items including shoreline setback and coastal protection ordinances.
Consent Calendar
- C 2026-26: Communication from the Fire Chief requesting approval of a Cradlepoint user agreement for secure cellular connectivity in fire department vehicles. Received unanimously.
- C 2026-30: Communication from the Director of Parks and Recreation requesting approval of indemnification in a Tesla wall connector building services agreement for county-owned EV charging stations. Received unanimously.
- C 2026-31: Communication from the County Clerk transmitting a claim by Turbin Shoe Had Height as subrogee for Melvin Sea Will for personal injuries and medical bills. Received unanimously.
- Resolution 2026-02: Confirming mayoral appointment to the Fire Commission for Jenny Jahovich. Approved 6-0-1 (Councilmember Cowden excused).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Lonnie Cycles testified on Proposed Draft Bill 2981 (real property tax), expressing concern that the bill concentrates excessive power in an appointed official rather than an elected one. He noted ambiguity regarding refunds under $5,000 and whether the bill allows tax adjustments without a formal appeal, and called for more transparency in reporting changes.
- Lonnie Cycles also testified on Proposed Draft Bill 2984 (shoreline setback), praising the planning department's work and suggesting that the definition of Mālama ʻāina and Mākaʻi should be moved earlier in the definitions. He thanked the county for protecting the shoreline.
- Karen Diamond testified in strong support of Proposed Draft Bill 2984, thanking Council Chair and Committee Chair Carvalho. She supported all changes made by the Planning Commission, stating the bill strengthens existing shoreline setback regulations, reduces coastal hazard exposure, and preserves critical coastal resources.
- The council noted receiving two written testimonies from Pacific Resource Partnership and the Carpenters Union that supported the concept of shoreline protection but opposed the specific limitations in Bill 2984.
Discussion Items
- Planning Commission Interview – Dan Giovanni: The council interviewed Dan Giovanni, a former senior vice president at Hawaiian Electric Company with extensive engineering and land-use experience, who currently serves as a holdover member on the State Land Use Commission. Giovanni expressed his commitment to balanced, legal decision-making, respecting the Kapakai analysis, water issues, and environmental laws. Councilmembers praised his qualifications and dedication, and he indicated he would resign from the state commission if appointed. The appointment is subject to a final vote at the next council meeting.
- Executive Session: The council held a 30-minute executive session (out of order) to consult with the County Attorney on Proposed Draft Bill 2981 (real property tax), discussing the council's powers, duties, and liabilities. No disclosure was made as it would frustrate the purpose of the session.
- Proposed Draft Bill 2969 (Shoreline Setback): First reading of the original bill referred to the Planning Commission on July 16, 2025. The council received it and noted the Planning Commission had returned a separate amended bill (2984). The motion to receive passed 6-0-1.
- Proposed Draft Bill 2981 (Real Property Tax): First reading approved 6-0-1, scheduled for public hearing on March 11, 2026, and referred to the Finance and Economic Development Committee.
- Proposed Draft Bill 2984 (Shoreline Setback – Planning Commission Recommendation): First reading approved 6-0-1, scheduled for public hearing on March 11, 2026, and referred to the Planning Committee. Councilmembers expressed strong support, highlighting the need to curb shoreline encroachment, protect public beach access, and stop illegal construction. Councilmember Kaneshiro noted a site visit to the North Shore revealed widespread construction and artificial vegetation growth. Council Chair expressed concern about opposition from powerful interests and urged community backing.
Key Outcomes
- Dan Giovanni nomination for Planning Commission (business seat) will proceed to final approval at the next council meeting; Giovanni will resign from the State Land Use Commission if confirmed.
- PDB 2981 (Real Property Tax): Approved on first reading, public hearing set for March 11, 2026, referred to Finance and Economic Development Committee.
- PDB 2984 (Shoreline Setback): Approved on first reading, public hearing set for March 11, 2026, referred to Planning Committee.
- PDB 2969 (Original Shoreline Setback): Received and will be considered alongside the amended bill.
- All consent calendar items and communications were approved or received without opposition.
- Meeting adjourned after concluding business.
Meeting Transcript
Ready? Morning, everyone. Uh, welcome to our council meeting today's February 4th. I'll call the meeting to order. Or I'm sorry, before we get started. Sorry, we got time delay. Uh the first Wednesday or the first council meeting of every month, we invite um our committee leaders to come give us some words of wisdom and some blessings. And today we are uh happy to have Pastor Matt Higa from New Hope. Kawhi, Matt, uh Pastor Matt, if you can come up, please. Thank you, everybody for allowing us. Um if you can press that mic to yeah, the little the top no, the little circle. I've been there before. I didn't do it. No, um, thank you guys so much for allowing us to be here. Uh, yesterday was a great meeting, by the way. And um, we really respect and honor all you do for us, and I'm not just blowing smoke here. We pray for you. We we pray for your families, and we thank you for leading Kawhi so much. And I'll keep the prayer short, but um is it just me or everyone can agree that we the society is a little bit too overly sensitive and get offended quickly, or am I the only one seeing that? And so I I really believe that we should be able to laugh at each other, with each other, and laugh at ourselves. And the Bible says this in Proverbs 1722, that laughter is good medicine for the bones. Scientists have proven that the more you and I smile and laugh, endorphins get released, and endorphins are healing, the more you and I stress, grumble, criticize, and judge, toxins get released. So I would I would have a hope and a prayer that we can just start to smile or laugh at each other with one another, and at ourselves. So with that being said, um, I want to share this. There's there was a pastor whose son just graduated, and his son had to get into a decision of what direction, vocation, or employment he's gonna seek after graduating. So you the the pastor went into his benjamin on his desk, he left a Bible, a bottle of whiskey, some money, and a girly magazine. And he said, Oh, if my son picks up a Bible, he'll be a pastor. He picks up the liquor, he might be a drunk because the money he might be a businessman, but he picks a little girly magazine. Oh, he's just gonna be a woman either. So he kind of peeked in and you watched his son walk in the room, son grabs the Bible, he's like, Oh, he's gonna be a pastor just like me. But then he grabs the bottle of liquor, and then he grabs the envelope of money and the girly magazine and walks out. The pastor goes, Well, I guess he's gonna be a politician. Oh with that, thank you all. I think it's better than the last time, but politics. Well, uh okay. I'm not sure who takes care of the list for uh well. If you got offended, then I'm so sorry, but if you could laugh at each other, thank you. Yeah, okay. So okay, now we can Felicia says so. Now we can pray. Lord, I just thank you for being blessing us with a gift called humor and laughter. And you know, please allow us to smile and find it a way every day to just laugh, have fun and enjoy. And Lord, I pray that this county council team would always have it in their hearts, that though we never see eye to eye, may we always see heart to heart for the sake of the people in Kawaii. Keep them safe, Lord, protect them and their family. We pray no sickness, we'll visit the household, their homes. We pray that you would protect them wherever they go, and we ask for your wisdom that they'll work together in unity, and yes, find some fun, and may this be the best county session and the shortest one in Jesus' name. Amen. Thank you guys. I just want to say that is so typical of his sermon at New Hope, Kawhi though. If you haven't been there, check it out.
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