Derek Kawakami

The state measure is largely a response to the City and County of Honolulu's plans to site its next landfill in Wahiawā — on farmland and near a drinking water aquifer.

Illegal vacation rentals, federal funding uncertainties, budget plans and more were the topics of a live discussion with Kauaʻi County Mayor Derek Kawakami as he prepares to deliver his state of the county address Friday.

Kauaʻi Mayor Derek Kawakami shared with HPR that he's considering running for governor or lieutenant governor sometime in the future. The Conversation talked with Kawakami on the Garden Isle about that and more.

Kauaʻi Mayor Derek Kawakami shared his takeaways after attending the annual U.S. Conference of Mayors in Kansas City, Missouri. He has been involved with the conference since 2018.

Kauaʻi County Mayor Derek Kawakami spoke with The Conversation about some of the priorities he outlined in his State of the County address last week. He, along with the other three mayors, gives an annual address on how he plans to keep the county humming.

Each Hawaiʻi mayor gives an annual State of the County address in March. Housing, infrastructure, jobs, education and tourism consistently remain top of mind for the local leaders. HPR reporters have been tuning into this year's speeches on Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Maui and Hawaiʻi Island to learn the latest.

Mayor Derek Kawakami focused on making Kauaʻi and its residents more resilient in his State of the County address. He shared his plans for infrastructure upgrades, retaining county workers, preparing for disasters and more. HPR's Mark Ladao has more.

Each of Hawaiʻi's four mayors signed their respective county's fiscal budget this month, which will go into effect July 1. Affordable housing and sustainability were budgeted as top priorities for each county; tax relief measures and capital improvement projects were among the other expenditures mayors signed off on.

Ahead of the new county fiscal year in July, and Mayor Derek Kawakami signed the legislation last week. Key points of the County of Kauaʻi’s $400 million budget are infrastructure, tax relief and paying off debt.

Affordable housing is on the mind of many. Each mayor made it a key point in his respective state of the country address this month. HPR’s Sabrina Bodon dives deeper on how each county plans to increase housing infrastructure this next year.