Kaua‘i County Council Committee Meeting - October 9, 2026

The Kaua‘i County Council held a committee meeting on October 9, 2026, beginning at 8:30 a.m., covering the Planning Committee and the Finance & Economic Development Committee. The Planning Committee considered a bill to adopt wildfire and wildland-urban interface building standards, while the Finance Committee approved a settlement agreement for firefighters. (Note: The meeting agenda and transcript indicate the meeting occurred on October 7, 2026, but the provided date of October 9, 2026 is used as instructed.)

Consent Calendar

• Planning Committee Minutes of September 2, 2026: Approved.
• Finance & Economic Development Committee Minutes of September 2, 2026: Approved.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Bill 2998 (Wildfire/WUI Ordinance): No registered public speakers.
• Bill 3002 (Firefighters Settlement): A former County Director of Finance testified, expressing concerns that the settlement may undermine arbitration awards and set a precedent for other bargaining units, and questioning whether the employer group adequately defended its position.

Discussion Items

• Planning Committee – Bill 2998 (Wildfire/WUI Ordinance): Council members debated the bill extensively. Key points included:
  • Fiscal impact on the Department of Water due to a proposed exemption from the Facilities Reserve Charge (FRC) for single-family homes, estimated at up to $500,000 annually.
  • Cost of fire-hardening measures, such as a five-foot gravel perimeter. The Planning Department presented contractor quotes ranging from $4 to $8 per square foot, while the Contractors Association quoted $15–$20 per square foot.
  • Concerns that the bill does not address landscape fuel management or water system deficiencies, with some members advocating for a broader approach.
  • An amendment was introduced and adopted to add flexibility for landscaping by referencing the “Fire Resilient Landscape Guide for Hawai‘i” and allowing alternative plans approved by the planning department and fire chief.
  • Discussion of the bill’s effectiveness, with experts from Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization and Underwriters Laboratories explaining that ember-driven fires require hardening the built environment, and that the bill is one component of a comprehensive wildfire strategy.
  • Concerns that the bill might increase costs and slow housing development, though proponents argued safety measures are necessary and the FRC exemption offsets some costs.
• Finance & Economic Development Committee – Bill 3002 (Firefighters Settlement): Committee members discussed a settlement agreement resolving prohibited practice complaints between the employer group and the firefighters’ union. The settlement modifies terms of a prior arbitration award. Some members expressed concerns about process and precedent but acknowledged that decisions at higher levels had already been made.

Key Outcomes

• Bill 2998 (Wildfire/WUI Ordinance): The committee voted to defer the bill to a future meeting (motion passed 3–1). The bill had been amended to incorporate a flexible landscaping reference. Deferral was intended to allow additional cost data collection.
• Bill 3002 (Firefighters Settlement): The committee voted unanimously (6–0, with one member excused) to approve the bill, forwarding it to the full Council.