The position commonly referred to as the Mayor of Kauai is formally the Mayor of Kauai County, the chief executive officer of the County of Kauai, Hawaii, United States. The mayor is elected to a four‑year term and may serve a maximum of two consecutive terms, as prescribed by Hawaii state law and the county charter.
Current Officeholder
- Derek Kawakami – Assumed office on December 3 2020; re‑elected in November 2022 for a second term. He is a member of the Democratic Party and previously served as a member of the Kauai County Council (2002‑2020).
Responsibilities
- Administration of county departments, including public works, planning, parks and recreation, police, fire, and emergency management.
- Preparation and implementation of the annual county budget.
- Enforcement of county ordinances and Hawaii state law within the county’s jurisdiction.
- Representation of Kauai County in intergovernmental affairs with the state government, federal agencies, and other municipalities.
Election and Term Details
- Election cycle: Every four years, coinciding with the United States mid‑term elections (e.g., 2020, 2024).
- Term limit: Two consecutive terms; a former mayor may run again after a gap of at least one term.
Recent Historical Officeholders
| Mayor | Term of Office | Party |
|---|---|---|
| Bernard P. Carvalho Jr. | 2011 – 2020 | Democratic |
| Michael W. Warner (Acting) | 2010 – 2011 | — (interim) |
| Albert B. “Bud” D. Spanner | 2002 – 2010 | Democratic |
| Maryanne “Mona” I. H. Pedersen (Acting) | 2000 – 2002 | — (interim) |
(Only a selection of recent mayors is shown; the full list is documented in the official records of the County of Kauai.)
Institutional Context
Kauai County is one of four county governments in the State of Hawaii. Unlike many U.S. municipalities that use the term “mayor” for city leadership, Hawaii’s county system consolidates municipal functions at the county level. Consequently, the mayor’s jurisdiction covers the entire island of Kauai, including its principal towns (Līhuʻe, Kapa‘a, Kapaa, and others) and unincorporated communities.
References for Verification
- Official website of Kauai County, Office of the Mayor.
- Hawaii Revised Statutes, Chapter 92 (County Government).
- County of Kauai Annual Budgets and Reports (2020‑2023).
All information reflects publicly available, verifiable sources up to June 2026.
