HomeMy WebLinkAboutCRC 2022-05 CRC 2021-08 edited.pdfDEREK S.K. KAWAKAMI, MAYOR MICHAEL A. DAHILIG, MANAGING DIRECTOR
4444 Rice Street, Suite 300 • Līhu‘e, Hawai‘i 96766 • (808) 241-4917 (b) • (808) 241-5127 (f)
An Equal Opportunity Employer
OFFICE OF BOARDS & COMMISSIONS
ELLEN CHING, ADMINISTRATOR
1. Prosecutor’s office vacancies:
Ballot Language: Shall the County Charter be amended to require that future elections
for Prosecuting Attorney occur at the same time as the County’s elections?
Purpose: The purpose of this amendment is to amend the County Charter to avoid the
high cost of conducting a special election to fill a vacancy of the Prosecuting Attorney.
Background: The recent resignation of the Prosecuting Attorney triggered a special
election pursuant to the Charter. The cost to the County of the election was
approximately $500,000.00. This amendment would allow the first deputy prosecutor
to serve as Prosecuting Attorney until the seat is filled in a regularly scheduled
election. The special election to fill a vacancy of the Prosecuting Attorney would be held
concurrently with the County’s elections if the vacancy occurs more than three days
before the filing deadline for the elections. If the vacancy occurs later, the special
election will occur concurrently with the County’s next scheduled election and the first
deputy would serve until the County Prosecutor is seated. In the event a first deputy is
unable to serve, the Prosecuting Attorney will be appointed by the mayor with approval
of the county council.
CRC 2021-08
DEREK S.K. KAWAKAMI, MAYOR MICHAEL A. DAHILIG, MANAGING DIRECTOR
4444 Rice Street, Suite 300 • Līhu‘e, Hawai‘i 96766 • (808) 241-4917 (b) • (808) 241-5127 (f)
An Equal Opportunity Employer
OFFICE OF BOARDS & COMMISSIONS
ELLEN CHING, ADMINISTRATOR
1. Electric Power Authority:
Ballot Language: Shall the Charter be amended by removing the County Council’s ability
to create a corporation to provide electricity pursuant to Article 30?
Purpose: The purpose of this amendment is to remove provisions in the Charter that
will allow the Council to create an electric power corporation like KIUC (Kauai Island
Utility Cooperative) to avoid duplication of services and limit the growth of government.
Background: In 2002, voters approved Charter amendment (Article 30) in response to
the proposed sale of the Kauai Electric Company to the Kauai Island Utility Cooperative
(KIUC). If the sale of Kauai Electric to KIUC failed, or if KIUC was not able to provide
adequate electrical services, Article 30 allowed the County Council to create an electric
power authority corporation. In September 2003, the Hawaii Public Utilities
Commission approved the sale of Kauai Electric to KIUC. KIUC has adequately managed
and operated Kauai’s electrical power system since 2002 and has become a national
leader in renewable energy.
CRC 2022-05