County In-Person Meetings Return March 28

In-person meetings are returning starting Monday, March 28.

This decision comes on the heels of Gov. David Ige’s announcement that his statewide emergency proclamation related to COVID-19 will expire at 11:59 p.m., March 25.

The County of Kaua‘i’s Office of Boards and Commissions and the Kaua‘i County Council will return to live meetings the Monday following the official end of the proclamation.

While virtual platforms for public meetings are not required, the County of Kaua‘i and Kaua‘i County Council are committed to maintaining virtual options which will continue to provide added convenience for all participants.

“We have long-awaited this day when we can welcome the public back to attend our meetings in person,” said Council Chair Arryl Kaneshiro. “We will also continue to allow remote participation for those who are unable to make it to the Historic County Building to further enhance the public’s ability to participate in our meetings. In addition, members of the County Administration and other resource persons will also be permitted to participate remotely in an effort to maximize efficient use of their time.”

The Kaua‘i County Council will hold its first in-person meeting on March 28, which is a scheduled departmental budget review date. All of the Kaua‘i County Council’s meetings will be hybrid, allowing for in-person attendance, Zoom participation, and a call-in line.

“It has always been our goal to modernize antiquated government processes, and the past two years have shown us the great benefits of virtual meetings,” said Mayor Derek S. K. Kawakami. “While we are very excited to safely return to meeting in person, we are also excited to continue moving forward in our digital initiatives as we work to one day offer a combined in-person and virtual, or hybrid, meetings for all county boards and commissions.”

The Office of Boards and Commissions intends to eventually hold hybrid meetings for all 18 boards, commissions, and committees. Officials are currently working to secure and install the needed equipment for this initiative. In the meantime, entirely in-person meetings will take place for most of the county’s boards and commissions.

The following County of Kaua‘i commissions will hold hybrid meetings, which involves in-person attendance, a Zoom meeting link, and a call-in line:

· Planning Commission;

· Kaua‘i Historic Preservation Review Commission (KHPRC); and

· Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Commission (Open Space).

Additionally, the Planning Commission meetings will continue to be livestreamed via www.kauai.gov, as a courtesy for the public.

For more information on meetings held by the Office of Boards and Commissions, call 808-241-4917.

For more information on meetings held by the Kaua‘i County Council, please call (808) 241-4188.