Kauai County Council Meeting - April 22, 2026: Lifeguard First Responder Recognition, Wastewater Loan, and Tax Amendments
Kauai County Council Meeting - April 22, 2026
The Kauai County Council convened on April 22, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. in the council chambers. The meeting included public hearings on two bills, a resolution recognizing ocean safety officers as first responders, approval of a $15 million loan for the Lihue Wastewater Treatment Plant planning, and consideration of several tax and fee amendments. All votes were unanimous where tallies were recorded.
Public Hearings
- Bill 2990: A bill to appropriate $3,790,769 for temporary hazard pay for Hawaii Firefighters Association Bargaining Unit 11 members exposed to COVID-19 between March 4, 2020, and March 25, 2022. Six pieces of written testimony were submitted; no oral testimony. Hearing closed.
- Bill 2991: A bill to amend real property tax code allowing property owners who missed the September 30 home exemption deadline due to not yet owning property to apply for an owner-occupied tax credit after the deadline. One written testimony; no oral testimony. Hearing closed.
Consent Calendar
- Approved minutes of March 25, 2026, public hearing for Bill 2985.
- Interview and appointment of Leah Ragsack to the Board of Review (real property tax appeals). Ragsack is a real estate broker with experience in title and property management. Her term is partial, ending December 2026, with expectation of reappointment.
- Approved communications C2026-86 through C2026-88 (receipt items), C2026-89 (donation for home-delivered meals, $868), C2026-90 (federal funds of $310,941 for Older Americans Act services), C2026-91 (temporary operator positions for fire department and ocean safety), C2026-92 (HUD family self-sufficiency grant of $250,616), C2026-93 (Rocket Software license agreement), C2026-94 (emergency management grant of $3,000), C2026-95 (indemnification for police events at Island School), C2026-96 (budget amendment for liability claims and health fund - received), C2026-98 (firefighters bargaining unit cost items received), C2026-99 (DHHL radio repeater site lease), C2026-100 (state funds of $201,306 for dispatcher positions), C2026-101 (bill on real property tax tenant age - received), C2026-102 (bill on motor vehicle fees - received).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Resolution 2026-13 (Lifeguard First Responder Recognition): Eleven speakers testified in strong support:
- Laola Aya (Vice President, Kauai Lifeguard Association) gave personal examples of lifeguards responding to ocean emergencies and noted over 54,000 preventive actions annually.
- Monty Downs (former president) expressed support.
- Cleve Zarba (lifeguard) urged support, stating lifeguards deserve first responder status and benefits.
- Ricky Roscon (swim coach, former EMT) highlighted partnership with lifeguards for free swim lessons and noted Kauai has high drowning rates; he called lifeguards first responders.
- Chance Swanson (ocean safety officer) recounted two rescues, including a shark attack where lifeguards saved his life.
- Isabella Arenas (junior lifeguard program graduate) stated lifeguards put their lives on the line and deserve title for respect and resources.
- Dickie Chang (former lifeguard) supported, thanking program pioneers.
- Faelis Dominguez (freshman, Waimea High School) shared personal story of being caught in a rip current and how junior lifeguards helped her overcome fear; she emphasized preventive actions.
- Pat Durkin (former county lifeguard) called first responder status long overdue.
- Jai Dominguez (sophomore) credited lifeguard program for ocean safety skills.
- Kahe Lelani Brady (junior lifeguard participant) stated lifeguards are as important as KPD, fire, and EMS; she urged proper pay and respect.
- Chad Lissman (Lieutenant, OSO3, union president) explained that official designation would help in court exemptions (jury duty) and labor matters, but noted response behavior won't change; it's about respect.
- Kristen Hermstead (Executive Director, Hawaiian Lifeguard Association) announced that a state legislative resolution recognizing lifeguards as first responders passed on Monday, April 20, 2026. She emphasized that lifeguards are often the first link in the chain of care, especially on Kauai where ambulance response can be 40 minutes. Designation helps with training, resources, and mental health studies (lifeguards are termed "forgotten first responders").
- Resolution 2026-14 (Wastewater Loan): Bruce Hart testified, questioning whether the project relies on old technology and suggested considering modular plants. He expressed concern about costs.
Discussion Items
- Resolution 2026-13: Council members unanimously expressed strong support. Council Chair addressed the delay, apologizing and noting that lifeguards should have been recognized earlier. Benefits discussed include exemption from jury duty, improved union bargaining, and alignment with state resolution. The resolution will be forwarded to state and federal representatives, the governor, and HGEA. Passed 7-0 on roll call.
- C2026-91 (Fire Department Temporary Positions): The fire chief explained these are accounting (TAN) numbers for overtime when additional vehicles (water tankers, quick response vehicle) are staffed during red flag warnings. No new personnel are created. Council clarified that existing firefighters acting in higher ranks receive temporary assignment pay. Approved unanimously.
- Resolution 2026-14 (Lihue Wastewater Treatment Plant SRF Loan): A detailed presentation by Donald Fujimoto (Chief Wastewater) covered the plant's history, capacity (currently 1.2 MGD average, permitted 2.5 MGD), and future growth projections (up to 5 MGD full build-out). The $15 million loan from the State Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund will fund environmental review, planning, and design for near-term improvements. Total estimated costs for improvements are over $275 million, not including effluent disposal ($35–$100 million) or collection system repairs. Council members questioned debt service, rate impacts, and the need for a long-range financial plan. Director of Finance noted a financial study is underway, with results expected mid-to-late 2026. Concerns about technology and cost were raised by Councilmember Reposo and Councilmember Kaneshiro. The resolution passed 7-0.
- Bill 2995 (First Reading): Amending real property tax code to clarify that tenants in long-term affordable rentals must be 18 years or older. The property tax manager explained this is to prevent abuse where minors were listed as tenants. Passed 7-0.
- Bill 2996 (First Reading): Amending motor vehicle and traffic fee ordinance to allow collection of non-refundable road test booking fees ($10 regular, $50 for CDL) to reduce no-shows. Passed 7-0.
- Bill 2987 (Second Reading): Amending agricultural dedication definitions to allow processing, packing, and retail of products grown on dedicated land to qualify as agricultural use; clarifies that non-agricultural uses will be separately assessed. Councilmember Kaneshiro explained the benefits for small farmers. Passed 7-0.
Key Outcomes
- Resolution 2026-13 (Lifeguard First Responder Recognition) passed unanimously (7-0). Copies to be sent to state and federal officials.
- Resolution 2026-14 (Lihue WWTP $15 million SRF loan) passed 7-0.
- Bills 2993 (budget amendment), 2994 (collective bargaining agreement), 2995 (real property tax tenant age), and 2996 (motor vehicle fees) passed first reading and were scheduled for public hearing on May 20, 2026, and referred to Finance and Economic Development Committee.
- Bill 2987 (agricultural dedication) passed second reading and was adopted.
- All consent calendar items approved.
- Three executive sessions (ES 1162, 1163, 1164) were held with no public discussion; subsequently, communication C2026-97 (opioid settlement funds) was approved.
Meeting Transcript
Morning, everyone, and uh welcome to our council meeting today's April 22nd. Uh, we do have a public hearings, couple public hearings that we have to do. Uh but before we get started, I just wanted to uh recognize our staff. Today's administrative professionals day. So I just wanted to say thank you all to uh to all the administrative professionals out there. I still I still think ours is the best, but you know I'm I'm biased, of course. So thank you all for all that you do for us and for the people of Kawaii and um all right with that uh we do have like I say we do have a couple of public hearings. Madam Clerk, could you uh read the notice for the first bill, please? Chair notices hereby given that the Koei County Council will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, April 22nd, 2026 at 8 30 a.m. or soon thereafter in the council chambers 4396 Rice Street, room 201 in the historic county building on bill number 2990, a bill for an ordinance to amend ordinance number B 2025-905 as amended, relating to the operating budget of the county of Koi, state of Hawaii for the fiscal year July 1st, 2025 through June 30th, 2026 by revising the amounts estimated in the general fund. This is for the Hoei Firefighters Association Local 1463 Bargaining Unit 11 temporary hazard pay. This bill proposes to fund the agreement of resolution with the Hawaii Firefighters Association, IAFF Local 1463 Bargaining Unit 11 for temporary hazard pay for exposure to the coronavirus disease 2019 for those bargaining unit members employed during the period of March 4th, 2020 to March 25th, 2022, including portions thereof, and to resolve the THP class grievance submitted by the Hawaii Firefighters Association. In total, this bill appropriates $3,790,769 to fund the agreement of resolution for the Hawaii Firefighters Association Bargaining Unit Employees. Chair, we have uh six pieces of written testimony and no remote testifiers. Thank you. Is there anyone in the audience wishing to testify on this bill? Seeing none, this public hearing is now closed. Can we have the notice for bill 2991, please? Notices here. By given that the Koei County Council will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, April 22nd, 2026 at 8 30 a.m. or soon thereafter in the council chambers 4396 Rice Street in the historic county building on bill number 2991, a bill for an ordinance amending chapter 5a Coe County Code 1987 as amended relating to real property tax. This bill proposes to amend COI County Code 1987 as amended, sections 5A-11.4 and 5A-12.3 to allow certain property owners who did not apply for a home exemption by September 30th deadline because they did not yet own property to apply for an owner-occupied principal home tax credit after the September 30th deadline relating to the property of their principal home. Successful applicants will receive a tax credit that shall equal the difference between the tax amount based on the classification of the property at the time of application and the tax amount based on taxes that would have been owed if the property were classified as owner-occupied or owner-occupied mixed use beginning on the first day of the month following the date the taxpayer commenced occupancy of the property as a taxpayer's principal home. Applications will be accepted starting with the date of assessment, October 1st and ending on June 30th of the following year. The more than 270 calendar days of occupancy normally required of the owner-occupied and owner-occupied mixed use tax classes will not apply to this tax credit. Property owners will still need to qualify and apply for the home exemption in order to be assigned to the owner-occupied or owner-occupied mixed-use tax classes and to be taxed accordingly for future years. Chair, we have no remote testifiers and one piece of written testimony. Thank you. Is there anyone in the audience wishing to testify? Seeing none, this public hearing is closed. With that, I'll call the meeting to order. Roll call, please. Councilmember Bulasan. Here. Councilmember Cavallio. Councilmember Cowden. Here. Council Member Holland. Present. Councilmember Kaneshiro. Present. Councilmember Kulei. Council Chair Opposal. Here. All present. You'd have a motion to approve the agenda, please. Second. Thank you very much. Just for your information, if there is no objection, uh after the consent calendar, we will take resolution 2026-13 out of order so we can get all these uh people back to work. All right.
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