In addition to naming the All-American scholars from each of the five Pop Warner Associations, the KPWFL presented the Shriner’s Club with a $1,500 award.

KPWFL Commissioner Mel Rapozo said the Shrine Bowl proceeds traditionally determine how much the league contributes to the Shriner’s Club.

Graduates of the 46th Drug Court — Noah Smazik and Akanahe Rapozo — are congratulated by County Councilmembers Mel Rapozo, Felicia Cowden, Fern Holland and Bernard Carvalho, and Judge Michael K. Soong in Courtroom 4 of the Puuhonua Kaulike building. As part of the pair’s graduation from the Kauai Drug Court, all pending charges are dismissed; if on probation, the probation is ended. Judge Soong said the pair are no longer under the jurisdiction of the courts.

Kauai Pop Warner Football League Commissioner Mel Rapozo said the league also turned over a contribution to the Kauai Shriner’s, as a result of the annual Shrine Bowl contest hosted on Saturday featuring a visiting football team from Hawaii Island.

Responding to a sharp rise in injuries and emergency calls linked to high-speed electric bicycles, a committee of the Kaua‘i County Council unanimously passed a bill that would regulate how and where electric bikes can be used, and mandate helmet use by minors.

“If there’s a way to include educational requirements in the bill, that would help,” said Councilmember Mel Rapozo, who introduced the measure.

“When they are in bloom, they are quite a sight, I gotta say, not just for the residents but for visitors as well,” said Kauai County Council chair Mel Rapozo.

The trees on Poipu Road will be on the agenda of the Oct. 15 Kauai County Council meeting, according to Council Chair Mel Rapozo.

The governor was joined by Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami, Council Chair Mel Rapozo and a majority of the Kauai County Council, in congratulating and acknowledging the work done by the volunteers that ranged from taking care of sea life, guiding museum tours, delivering food to home-bound residents, and tax preparation.

On Monday, Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami signed into law Bill No. 2961, an ordinance passed unanimously by the Kauai County Council to advance wildfire mitigation in West Kauai’s plantation camp districts.

GARDEN ISLAND NEWS — In an Aug. 7 formal press release from Mel for Mayor 2026, the current Council Chair, Mel Rapozo, announced his candidacy for Mayor of the County of Kauai in the 2026 election.

HAWAII NEWS NOW - Kauai’s mayoral race is heating up as the county council chair announces his candidacy.

Mel Rapozo, a longtime advocate for the treatment center, is frustrated by what he describes as a lack of political will to get the KIPA facility up and running.

HONOLULU CIVIL BEAT - Two familiar faces on the Garden Island have emerged as frontrunners, declaring their intent to run months before it’s even time for candidates to register.

The Kaua’i County Council on Wednesday took action to address the public access issues and unanimously passed two resolutions.

KAUAI NOW - With less than five weeks before Election Day on Nov. 5, Kaua‘i County Council candidates pitched themselves to constituents on Wednesday during the first of a two-night public forum held by community organizations.

HONOLULU CIVIL BEAT - For Hawaii’s Nov. 5 General Election, Civil Beat asked candidates to answer some questions about where they stand on various issues and what their priorities will be if elected.

GARDEN ISLAND NEWS — Robbie Tanita of the Hanapepe Colts, Kepa Pablo and Dryden Arbilera of the Kekaha Titans, and Takazee Thomas of the Kapaa Eagles were the exceptional standouts when the Kauai Pop Warner Football Association (KPWFL) hosted its annual Jamboree, which opened the 2024 Pop Warner Football season on Kauai on Sunday.