All in-person services at the Līhuʻe Civic Center closed through Fri.
Published on September 13, 2026
LĪHUʻE – A fire at the Kāpule Building has closed all in-person services at the Līhuʻe Civic Center through Friday, Sept. 18. County employees are working.
“Our employees are working, and our focus right now is getting services back to our community as quickly and as safely as we can,” said Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami. “We know this is going to be an inconvenience for a lot of families and businesses, and we do not take that lightly. If you call us, you are going to reach a real person who will take down your question. We may not have every answer today, but we will get back to you. I also want to be clear that we are not putting anyone back into a workspace until we know it is safe, and we are not rushing systems back online until we know they are sound. Mahalo to our community for your patience, and mahalo to our employees who are showing up and taking care of our island.”
The closure applies to walk-in visits and counter services at all offices on the Līhuʻe Civic Center campus. Affected Līhuʻe Civic Center services include:
- Division of Motor Vehicles, including driver licensing and motor vehicle registration
- Real property assessment and collections, including property tax payments
- Planning Department, including permits and land use
- Building Division and Engineering Division
- Wastewater Management Division and sewer billing
- Solid Waste Division and Recycling Programs offices
- Office of Boards and Commissions
- Department of Finance administration, and the Purchasing and Budget Division
- Information Technology Division
- Housing Agency, including Section 8 rental assistance
- Agency on Elderly Affairs, including RSVP
- Department of Human Resources
- Department of Parks and Recreation administration
- Public Works administration and the Roads Division
- Office of Economic Development
- Office of the County Attorney
- Department of Liquor Control
- Kauaʻi Fire Department headquarters administrative offices
The fire destroyed critical information technology infrastructure that supports County operations islandwide. Systems used to process transactions, access records, and connect County phone lines were housed in the building, and restoring that infrastructure is necessary before counter services can resume. Crews from the Information Technology Division are working on recovery and standing up temporary systems.
The closure is also necessary to make sure County employees have safe workspaces. Building conditions, utilities, and safety across the Līhuʻe Civic Center campus are being assessed, and employees will not be returned to any space until it is cleared.
All Division of Motor Vehicles services are unavailable islandwide through Friday, Sept. 18, including the Kapaʻa DMV. Customers with appointments scheduled during that time will be contacted by the division for rescheduling.
When systems are available, motor vehicle services will resume at the Kapaʻa DMV. Residents should expect considerable delays for driver licensing services.
Residential refuse collection, refuse transfer stations, and other field operations are not affected and will continue on their regular schedules.
Emergency services are not affected. Residents should continue to call 911 for emergencies.
County offices that are not located at the Līhuʻe Civic Center remain open.
If residents have questions, they can call KEMA at 808-726-0702 or 808-347-9833. Staff will take down each question and follow up as information becomes available.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Kauaʻi Fire Department’s Fire Prevention Bureau. A preliminary damage estimate is not yet available.
Updates will be shared as soon as they are confirmed, including reopening plans and any changes to office access, appointments, and services.
For more information, please email CountyPIO@kauai.gov or call 808-726-0702 or 808-347-9833.
To sign up for Everbridge, the County’s emergency notification service, please visit www.kauai.gov/KEMA and click on “Notification Services.” You may also text “KAUAIEMA” to 888777, or call the Kauaʻi Emergency Management Agency’s alternate numbers at 808-726-0702 or 808-347-9833. The KEMA non-emergency line, 808-241-1800, remains unavailable due to ongoing outages.
Officials on scene at the Kāpule Building at the Līhuʻe Civic Center on Sept. 13.
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