The fate of Bill 2491 lies in the hands of Kauai County Council members, who can override the mayor’s veto with five votes, according to the Kauai County Charter. “We need to follow prescribed procedures to get to that vote,”
The fate of Bill 2491 lies in the hands of Kauai County Council members, who can override the mayor’s veto with five votes, according to the Kauai County Charter.
“We need to follow prescribed procedures to get to that vote,” Councilwoman JoAnn Yukimura wrote in an email Thursday shortly after the veto was announced. “This may or may not happen at the next meeting, but it needs to happen as soon as possible.”
Council Chair Jay Furfaro said Thursday he and other council members were considering their options and analyzing the veto’s details.
A more specific plan, he said, would be available today.
“Right now, I’m just asking for more time,” Furfaro said.
According to the County of Kauai Charter, the council has between five and 30 days to act on the veto.
Former Council Vice Chair Nadine Nakamura will not vote, as she starts her new job as the county’s managing director today.
If at least five councilmembers vote to override the veto, Bill 2491 will become law once it is certified by the county clerk. A vote of fewer than five, however, will void the bill.
A 70-page legal opinion written by Deputy County Attorney Mauna Kea Trask on Bill 2491, made public with Mayor Bernard Carvalho’s announcement, explained there are several legal issues with the bill in its current form.
E-mails sent to Councilmembers Mel Rapozo, Ross Kagawa and Tim Bynum were not returned before press time.
