Office of Boards and Commissions

The County of Kauai Office of Boards and Commissions was established by Kauai voters in the 2006 General Election. It provides support and oversight for Kauai County's 14 boards and commissions and 3 advisory committees. View information on each Board, Commission and Advisory Committee.(PDF, 248KB)

Kauai County's 14 boards and commissions and 3 advisory committees are comprised of 136 volunteer board members, commissioners, and committee members who oversee and make critical decisions about key County functions and groups. Volunteers who serve on Kauai County boards and commissions are the best in their fields, local leaders, and individuals with valuable, or technical knowledge. They give an extraordinary amount of time to serve in these roles each year and make both personal and professional sacrifices to do so. We are grateful for their dedication, and commitment to serve our island home.

Any person who wishes to apply for any board, commission or committee may complete the Application for Board or Commission form. Use the following link for anyone needing to file a disclosure statement. Or you may pick up an application at the Office of Boards and Commissions and mail it to:

Office of Boards and Commissions
4444 Rice Street, Suite 300
Lihue, HI 96766

Video information on the 2026 Ballot Question, 

Planning Commission process amendment on Nov. 3 ballot (YouTube)

 

Boards and Commissions

Arborist Advisory Committee

Advises the County Council in determining "exceptional trees" to be reserved for posterity by reason of historical or cultural value, aesthetic quality, endemic status, age, rarity, location, or size.

Board of Ethics

Initiates, receives, hears and investigates complaints of violations of the Code of Ethics, renders advisory opinions or interpretations with respect to application of the Ethics Code, and examines all Disclosure Statements for possible conflicts of interest.

Board of Review

The Board of Review hears Real Property Tax appeals as defined in the Kauai County Code, Section. 5A-12.3.

Board of Water Supply

Manages, controls, and operates the waterworks of the county and all property thereof for the purpose of supplying water to the public.

Building Board of Appeals

Hears and determines appeals from the decisions of the Building Official in the administration of the County Building Code, Electrical Code, Sign Ordinance and Plumbing Code, involving any denial of the use of new or alternate materials, types of construction, equipment, devices or appliances.

Charter Review Commission

The Charter Review Commission studies and reviews the operation of the County government. The commission may propose amendments or a new charter to the voters at any general or special election which it deems necessary or desirable.

Civil Service Commission

The Civil Service Commission hears and determines appeals made by any individual aggrieved by any action of the director or by any appointing authority; advises the mayor and director of human resources on problems concerning personnel and classification administration.

Committee on the Status of Women

The Committee, along with the Hawaii State Commission on Status of Women (HSCSW) works for equality for women and girls in the state by acting as a catalyst for positive change through advocacy, education, collaboration, and program development.

Cost Control Commission

Reviews personnel costs, real property taxes, travel budgets, and contract procedures; eliminates or consolidates overlapping or duplicate programs and services, scrutinizes for reduction of any County operation, and publishes a written summary of its recommendations at the end of each calendar year.

Fire Commission

Appoints and removes the Fire Chief, reviews rules for the administration of the Fire Department, reviews the annual budget prepared by the Fire Chief and makes recommendations to the Mayor and the County Council.

Elections Accessibility Needs Advisory Committee

The purpose of the advisory committee shall be to ensure equal and independent access to voter registration, casting of ballots and all other county elections division services.

Kauai Historic Preservation Review Commission

Conducts project reviews, provides recommendations on archaeological and building design of historic resources and in-fill development. It also discusses other issues related to the promotion of historic preservation.

Liquor Control Commission

Controls, supervises, and regulates the manufacture, importation, and sale of liquor within the county. Grants, refuses, suspends and revokes any license for the manufacture, importation, and sale of liquors; investigates violations of liquor control laws; hears, and determines all complaints and citations regarding violations of liquor control laws.

Planning Commission

The Planning Commission conducts public hearings on zoning and land use permits and applications and renders decisions on these matters.

Police Commission

Appoints and removes the Police Chief and oversees matters relating to the goals and aims of the Police Department. It reviews the annual budget prepared by the Chief and may make recommendations thereon to the Mayor.

Public Access, Open Space, Natural Resources Preserv. Fund Commission

Recommends a biennial list of lands or other property entitlement to be acquired for conservation purposes.

Salary Commission

The Salary Commission reviews and establishes the maximum salary of all elected officials and officers of the County and adopts policies governing the salary setting decisions.

Meeting Schedule

Board/Commission/Committee Meeting Schedule (Time, Location) Subject to change
Arborist Committee Meet as needed
Board of Ethics 1:00pm, Lihue Civic Center, Piʻikoi Bldg, Ste. 300, 3rd Friday of each month
Board of Review 1:00pm, Lihue Civic Center, Piʻikoi Bldg, Ste. 300, 1st and 2nd Friday of each month as needed

 
Board of Water Supply Board of Water Supply regular meetings ae held in the Department of Water's Board Room on a date determined by the Board. Use the following link for the monthly schedule Memorandum (kauaiwater.org)(PDF, 235KB)
Building Board of Appeals Meet as needed
Charter Review Commission 3:00 pm, Lihue Civic Center, Piʻikoi Bldg, Ste. 300, 4th Monday of each month
Civil Service Commission 3:00 pm, Lihue Civic Center, Piʻikoi Bldg, Ste. 300, 1st Tuesday of each month

 

 
Committee on the Status of Women 5:00 pm, 3rd Wednesday in the months of January, March, May, July, September and November in the Boards and Commissions Conference Room and Remotely by Microsoft Teams
Cost Control Commission 9:00 am, Lihue Civic Center, Piʻikoi Bldg, Ste. 300, 1st Thursday of each month
Fire Commission 2:00 pm, Lihue Civic Center, Piʻikoi Bldg, Ste. 300, 3rd Tuesday of each month
Historic Preservation Commission 1:00 pm, 3rd Thursday of each month in the Mo'ikeha Meeting Room 2A/2B
Kauai County Voters with Special Needs Advisory Committee Annually and as needed
Liquor Control Commission 1:30 pm, Lihue Civic Center, Piʻikoi Bldg, Ste. 300, 2nd & 4th Wednesday of each month
Mayor's Advisory Committee for Equal Access Meet as needed
Public Access, Open Space, Natural Resources Preservation Fund 1:00 pm, 2nd Thursday of each month in the Mo'ikeha Meeting Room 2A/2B
Planning Commission 9:00 am, Moikeha Meeting Room 2A/2B, 2nd & 4th Tuesday of each month
Police Commission 9:00 am, Moikeha Meeting Room 2A/2B, 4th Friday of each month
Salary Commission Meet as needed

Calendar of Upcoming Boards and Commissions Meetings

This element requires javascript to be enabled.

Please wait while we load this calendar...

Documents

Contact Information

photo of Ellen Ching

Ellen Ching
Administrator

Office of Boards and Commissions
4444 Rice Street, Suite 300
Lihue, HI 96766

Phone: (808) 241-4917
Email: boardsandcommissions@kauai.gov

Back to top