Waimea High senior sworn in as first student rep on county commission

Waimea High School senior Swede Sandblom was sworn in Aug. 25 for a seat on Kaua‘i County Charter Review Commission, officially becoming the first student representative to serve on a county board or commission.

Sandblom — who was nominated by Kaua‘i County Mayor Derek Kawakami and unanimously confirmed Aug. 13 by Kaua‘i County Council — completed his orientation training with Kaua‘i County Office of Boards and Commissions Administrator Ellen Ching and participated in his first meeting of the charter review panel this week.

Kaua‘i County Charter Review Commission meets on the fourth Monday of each month to review and recommend updates to the county charter.

Kawakami and Kaua‘i County Managing Director Reiko Matsuyama were there to congratulate him and the new commission members.

“Engaging young people in public service is vital to ensuring that a diverse range of voices shapes Kaua‘i’s future,” said Kawakami in a release about Sandblom’s appointment to the commission. “We are proud to welcome Swede to the Charter Review Commission and encourage more of our students to step forward and contribute to their county government.”

Interested students are invited to apply to become a student representative on a county board or commission. Volunteer opportunities are also available for community members who want to serve as full voting Commissioners.

Students who volunteer gain firsthand experience in civic engagement, learn how policy decisions are made and contribute a youth voice to important community discussions.

Kaua‘i voters in 2024 approved an amendment to the Kaua‘i County Charter allowing high school juniors and seniors to actively serve and provide a youth perspective on county boards and commissions.

Most of the county’s 17 boards and commissions are eligible to include a youth ex officio seat.