Kauai County Council Meeting - April 1, 2026

The Kauai County Council convened on April 1, 2026, for a series of committee meetings: the Planning Committee, the Finance and Economic Development Committee, and a Committee of the Whole. The Planning Committee approved minutes from March 18, 2026. The Finance Committee approved minutes and passed Bill 2985, which amends the County Housing Development Fund to allow funds to be used for housing preservation programs. The Committee of the Whole received a briefing from Helen Raine, Hawaii Conservation Coordinator for Pacific Birds Habitat Joint Venture, on the endangered 'Alae 'Ula (Hawaiian gallinule), now numbering only 700 statewide. The council issued a certificate recognizing Pacific Birds and their partners.

Consent Calendar

• Planning Committee minutes of March 18, 2026, approved unanimously.
• Finance and Economic Development Committee minutes of March 18, 2026, approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Bart Thomas (running for county council, speaking as a resident) testified on Bill 2985, expressing concern that existing housing projects (e.g., a duplex development on Kah Road) are not maintained—with overgrown grass, overflowing trash, abandoned cars, and five empty units. He asked whether the county checks existing properties before building more. He did not take a position for or against the bill but emphasized the need for maintenance and waste management. He also later testified during the 'Alae 'Ula briefing, noting that golf balls frequently hit the birds at the Hokuala golf course (where he estimated 50 birds reside) and urged the council to address the issue.

Discussion Items

• Bill 2985 – Amendment to Chapter 6, Kauai County Code 1987, relating to the County Housing Development Fund

  • Director Adam Roversi (Kauai County Housing Agency) explained that the current fund is restricted to construction projects. The proposed amendment would allow a sub-portion of funds to be used for housing preservation programs, such as deed-restricted workforce housing modeled after programs in Colorado and Michigan. The goal is to keep housing affordable for local residents and prevent conversion to second homes or vacation rentals.
  • Councilmember Kuali'i expressed support, noting it is cheaper to keep people in existing homes than to build new ones. Councilmember Cowden supported the bill, stating the county cannot build its way out of the housing crisis and that preservation helps maintain the rural landscape and way of life. Councilmember Bolison echoed support but emphasized that maintenance of existing projects must accompany new development.
  • Bart Thomas's testimony prompted Councilmember Carvalho to clarify that the maintenance concerns were not opposition to the bill.
  • Vote: All seven members present voted aye (Councilmembers Bolison, Carvalho, Cowden, Holland, Kuali'i, Chair Reposo, and Committee Chair Kaneshiro). Motion passed.

• Committee of the Whole – Briefing on the 'Alae 'Ula (Hawaiian gallinule)

  • Helen Raine (Pacific Birds Habitat Joint Venture) presented on the status of the 'Alae 'Ula, an endemic waterbird. Only 700 birds remain statewide, with 500–600 on Kauai. The species has declined over the past decade despite earlier recovery from 50 individuals in the 1950s to 1,000–2,000. The birds require high-quality wetland habitat, loʻi kalo (taro fields), and predator control (especially cats and dogs). Only 15% of coastal wetlands remain statewide.
  • Raine outlined the partnership efforts, including the newly formed Kauai Wetland Partnership. She highlighted a community event on April 4, 2026, at Kukui Grove from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., featuring an art competition, blessings, hula, and 14 partner booths.
  • Councilmembers discussed the birds' role as bioindicators, the need for large-scale wetland restoration (e.g., at Wailua, Mana Plain, and Waimea 400), and the potential for using treated wastewater to create wetland habitat. Councilmember Cowden noted that the Wailua wetland area, including the former Coco Palms Hotel and the jail, has lost breeding pairs of 'Alae 'Ula due to habitat destruction, and she reported that she had documented such destruction to DOFAW. Raine clarified that enforcement falls to DOFAW, while Pacific Birds focuses on voluntary partnerships.
  • Councilmember Kaneshiro asked about the threat of avian flu and botulism; Raine reported that Kauai has so far avoided avian flu but warned that botulism from stagnant water can cause mass die-offs.
  • Councilmember Kuali'i suggested that DHHL lands could be used for both homesteading and wetland restoration, noting that homesteaders could be part of the solution. Councilmember Carvalho stressed the cultural significance of the bird, citing David Malo's 19th-century writings.
  • Councilmember Reposo (Chair) read a certificate recognizing Pacific Birds and their partners, which was presented to Helen Raine.

Key Outcomes

• Bill 2985 passed unanimously (7-0) and will be forwarded to the full council for final action.
• Certificate of recognition was presented to Pacific Birds Habitat Joint Venture for their conservation work on the 'Alae 'Ula.
• The council encouraged the public to attend the April 4 event at Kukui Grove and to support wetland restoration and predator control.
• No further business; the Committee of the Whole adjourned.