OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Kauai County Council Meeting – June 17, 2026

County Council & Committees — Wednesday, June 17, 2026
BodyKauai County, Hawaii
SessionCounty Council & Committees
DateWednesday, June 17, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:40:38
Transcript — Verbatim
0:07

Morning everyone and welcome to our council meeting.

0:09

Today is June 17th.

0:11

Before we get started, I did have an announcement.

0:13

Is there anyone here to testify on the uh resolution number 2026 16 regarding the eminent domain of the parcel out there at Olimano?

0:23

If not, um we will that item will be deferred when we get to it.

0:27

It'll be deferred till August 12th.

0:28

The planning department is uh going to be working with the landowner to discuss possible options that wouldn't include eminent domains.

0:36

So that's good news.

0:38

Um I'll just if anyone was here, we would definitely pick your testimony.

0:42

Uh but if not, we will move on.

0:44

Uh with that, I'll call a meeting to order.

0:47

Roll call.

0:49

Councilmember Bolasan is absent.

0:51

Councilmember Cavallio.

0:52

Councilmember Cowden.

0:54

Here.

0:54

Councilmember Holland.

0:55

Present.

0:56

Councilmember Conishiro.

0:57

Present.

0:58

Councilmember Kulei.

0:59

Present.

0:59

Council Chair Pozo.

1:01

Here.

1:01

Six present.

1:02

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

1:04

So move.

1:05

Move and segment.

1:06

Any discussion or public testimony?

1:08

Seeing none, all in favor say aye.

1:10

Aye.

1:10

Motion carry next item, please.

1:12

The next item are the minutes on page two, the minutes of the following meetings of the council, the May 14th, 2026 Special Council meeting, the May 20th, 2026 Council meeting, the May 20th, 2026 public hearing regarding bill number 2993, Bill No.

1:27

2994, Bill No.

1:28

2995, and Bill No.

1:29

2996, and the May 27, 2026 public hearing regarding C 026-118.

1:38

Second.

1:38

Moved and seconded any discussion or public testimony.

1:41

Seeing none, all in favor say aye.

1:43

Aye.

1:44

Motion carry.

1:45

Next item, please.

1:46

Next item is an interview for the police commission for Patrick Ega for a term ending 1231 28.

1:52

Thank you.

1:53

Would that also spend the rules?

1:57

Thank you, Ellen, for being here.

2:10

Morning, Ellen Ching, Boards and Commissioners, Commission's Administrator.

2:15

Today I'm pleased to introduce Pat Higa, Patrick Higa.

2:19

Pat was born in Huntsville, Alabama, and grew up in a military family.

2:25

His dad was stationed all over the United States in Alabama, Southern California, Maryland, as well as in Okinawa and Chiba, Japan.

2:35

While Pat and his family followed his dad, many of their summers were spent on Kauai with Grandma Higa in the Waihua camp at the McBride Sugar Company.

2:46

At one point between deployments, Pat was even enrolled in LA Elementary.

2:53

Upon his graduation from Santa Anna Valley High School, Pat continued his education at California State University in Fullerton and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science.

3:06

He immediately entered the working world starting a job in law enforcement.

3:11

During his 28-year career with the Orange County Sheriff's Department, he advanced through the ranks from Deputy of Patrol, Undercover Operations, and Internal Affairs Investigator, Sergeant, Lieutenant, and ultimately Chief of Police for the City of Lake Forest, Southern Operations, and as the Chief of Police for Saddleback College.

3:36

Hawaii's Sheriff Division typically provides security for the courts, airport, interstate, prisoner transport, and warrant processes.

3:46

California's Sheriff's Department is very different.

3:49

The department is a county-level law enforcement agency that can provide the full range of police services for unincorporated cities that contract for services with the Sheriff's Department.

4:03

The City of Lake Forest is one of those areas.

4:06

It has a population in excess of 76,000.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Water And Wastewater Management█████████████████████████25%
Historic Preservation███████████████████19%
Procedural████████████████16%
Public Safety███████████11%
Emergency Preparedness███████7%
Homelessness█████5%
Pending Litigation█████5%
Community Engagement████4%
Environmental Protection███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Kauai County Council Meeting – June 17, 2026

The Kauai County Council met on June 17, 2026, at 7:30 PM (UTC) to consider routine approvals, hear an update on the relocation of the Wailua wastewater treatment plant, approve grants and software agreements, and pass a resolution opposing a federal lawsuit challenging the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act. Six council members were present (Councilmember Bolasan excused). The meeting lasted approximately two and a half hours, including a caption break.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved the agenda and minutes from May 14, 20, 27, 2026 meetings (unanimous).
  • Received communications C2026-140 and C2026-141 on consent (unanimous).
  • Approved multiple routine items: EV Connect subscription (C2026-143), Toyota tech stream software (C2026-144), fall prevention grant (C2026-145), additional state Ohana zone funds (C2026-146), NASPO ValuePoint (C2026-147), STOP violence against women grant (C2026-148), Bluebeam software (C2026-149), Magnet Forensics license (C2026-150), Cellebrite software (C2026-151), fire prevention grant (C2026-152), SAFER grant (C2026-153), AFG grant for fire engine and hoses (C2026-154), and a claim referral (C2026-155). All approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Bruce Hart (resident): Expressed support for the county-DHHL partnership on the Wailua wastewater plant, but asked for clarity on technology and future expansion.
  • Sherry Cummings (DHHL beneficiary): Spoke against DHHL taking the lead on the Wailua plant, urging the county to be the lead and operator. Also testified on homelessness, asking for better outreach to the Marshallese community and an update on Women in Need. Later provided detailed testimony on Resolution 2026-18, supporting the resolution but requesting an amendment to change the word "confiscated" to "transferred" regarding lands under the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act.

Discussion Items

  • Interview for Police Commission (Patrick Higa): Higa, a retired 28-year law enforcement officer from California, was interviewed. Council members praised his qualifications and encouraged him to understand local police union contracts. A vote on his appointment was deferred to the next council meeting.
  • Update on Wailua Wastewater Treatment Plant Relocation (C2026-142): County Engineer Troy Tanigawa reported that DHHL is taking the lead on a proposed 0.5 MGD packaged treatment plant for their new development, with county involvement possible for an additional 1.5 MGD to replace the existing Lydgate plant. Council members expressed confusion over roles and costs, with several (Councilmembers Kualiʻi, Cowden, Kanashiro, Chock) strongly urging the county to take full lead and ownership. Concerns about injection wells were raised, and Councilmember Holland suggested exploring artificial wetlands. The county engineer acknowledged the need for further planning and stated the county will be ready when needed. Council Chair Raposa emphasized that the council's prior direction was for the county to lead the relocation.
  • Supportive Housing Update (C2026-146): Housing Director Adam Roversi explained that $1.5 million in state funds would support operations of homeless supportive housing projects, including new phase two of Kalala. He noted the program has a good record of transitioning people to permanent housing. Councilmembers asked about case management and state compliance.
  • Resolution 2026-18 – Opposing Ryan v. Watson: Councilmember Cowden introduced the resolution, detailing federal laws recognizing Native Hawaiians. Council members condemned the lawsuit as an attack on indigenous rights and culture. Public testimony from Sherry Cummings led to a friendly amendment changing "confiscated" to "transferred" in the first whereas clause. The resolution passed 6-0 (1 excused).

Key Outcomes

  • Approved all consent calendar items and most new business items unanimously.
  • Deferred Resolution 2026-16 (eminent domain for Olimano beach access) to August 12, 2026, pending further landowner negotiations.
  • Passed Resolution 2026-18 (6 ayes, 1 excused) opposing Ryan v. Watson and supporting the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act, with an amendment to the language.
  • Directed the administration to prioritize the county's lead role in the Wailua wastewater treatment plant relocation and to report back quarterly.

Meeting Transcript

Morning everyone and welcome to our council meeting. Today is June 17th. Before we get started, I did have an announcement. Is there anyone here to testify on the uh resolution number 2026 16 regarding the eminent domain of the parcel out there at Olimano? If not, um we will that item will be deferred when we get to it. It'll be deferred till August 12th. The planning department is uh going to be working with the landowner to discuss possible options that wouldn't include eminent domains. So that's good news. Um I'll just if anyone was here, we would definitely pick your testimony. Uh but if not, we will move on. Uh with that, I'll call a meeting to order. Roll call. Councilmember Bolasan is absent. Councilmember Cavallio. Councilmember Cowden. Here. Councilmember Holland. Present. Councilmember Conishiro. Present. Councilmember Kulei. Present. Council Chair Pozo. Here. Six present. Can I get a motion to approve the agenda, please? So move. Move and segment. Any discussion or public testimony? Seeing none, all in favor say aye. Aye. Motion carry next item, please. The next item are the minutes on page two, the minutes of the following meetings of the council, the May 14th, 2026 Special Council meeting, the May 20th, 2026 Council meeting, the May 20th, 2026 public hearing regarding bill number 2993, Bill No. 2994, Bill No. 2995, and Bill No. 2996, and the May 27, 2026 public hearing regarding C 026-118. Second. Moved and seconded any discussion or public testimony. Seeing none, all in favor say aye. Aye. Motion carry. Next item, please. Next item is an interview for the police commission for Patrick Ega for a term ending 1231 28. Thank you. Would that also spend the rules? Thank you, Ellen, for being here. Morning, Ellen Ching, Boards and Commissioners, Commission's Administrator. Today I'm pleased to introduce Pat Higa, Patrick Higa. Pat was born in Huntsville, Alabama, and grew up in a military family. His dad was stationed all over the United States in Alabama, Southern California, Maryland, as well as in Okinawa and Chiba, Japan.

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