Spotlight on Kauai County Planning Department Staff: Jodi Higuchi-Sayegusa and Romio Idica
By Marie Williams, AICP
Jodi Higuchi-Sayegusa, Deputy Planning Director
1. How long have you worked for the Planning Department and what is your job title?
I have been with the Planning Department since January 2018 as its Deputy Planning Director. I served as the Deputy County Attorney assigned to the Planning Department and Planning Commission since 2015.
2. What are working on right now?
The Department survived and succeeded in passing many zoning policy amendments at the Kaua‘i County Ordinance level. I am currently working to refine implementation of them through administrative rule changes. I also see my role as helping to plug any holes that develop or keep the many balls up in the air at any given time – this keeps me busy!
3. How has COVID-19 changed your overall duties?
To minimize the risk of any community spread, I along with much of the office are mostly teleworking from home, yet physically come in at least once a week. COVID-19 has incorporated reliance on virtual means to ensure continuity of work. E.g., daily tele video meetings with staff are required to check-in and stay connected in place of popping around the office.
On a personal level, while teleworking from home, my husband and I juggle the constant care for my one year old son, Kenta, and school instruction from home for my 6 year old daughter, Emi. As a result, there has been a lot of work during the nighttime hours as a result of the many virtual meetings and overall chaos during the daytime hours.
4. Tell us more about your telework schedule and what you like about it.
Teleworking from home has allowed the best of both worlds. I am accountable for work assignments and day to day duties while working from home and arguably have accomplished them more efficiently while also being physically present and spending time with my family and two kids.
5. How do you de-stress from your job?
I de-stress by spending quality time with my family, especially at the beach, as well as surfing and running.
6. What will be the first thing you do after getting vaccinated against COVID-19?
As soon as we are vaccinated, I would like to take Kenta and Emi to visit their grandparents and extended family on Oahu. Although we’ve been video chatting nearly every day, Emi regularly expresses how much she misses her grandparents (and her toys at their house) and my parents wish to hug and hold Kenta, who really has grown way too quickly since they’ve last seen him as a newborn!
Romio Idica, CZM Planner
1. How long have you worked for the Planning Department and what is your job title?
I’ve been working at the County of Kaua‘i Planning Department for 5 years now and I am the Coastal Zone Management (CZM) Planner.
2. What are working on right now?
I’m part of the regulatory team here at the Planning Department. My main tasks are to review and process Special Management Area (SMA) and shoreline permits.
3. How has COVID-19 changed your overall duties?
Besides travel restrictions, social distancing, and avoiding large gatherings, the County of Kaua‘i Planning Department, like all other counties, has adjusted how we interact with the public. Planning Commission meetings are held via the Microsoft Teams media platform. The Planning Department started consultations at the front counter by appointment only which has made us more efficient in processing permits and really allows us concentrate on day-to-day tasks.
4. Tell us more about your 4/10 schedule and what you like about it.
I am on a 4/10 schedule and I really enjoy my days off during a workday. I have four (three boys and one girl) grandchildren; three of which are here on the island. I get to take my littlest one to and from pre-school. I also have a chance to play catch or kick the old soccer ball around with my other grandson and take my granddaughter to hula.
5. How do you de-stress from your job?
Brazilian jiu-jitsu, archery, and playing Hawaiian slack key guitar. Not much jiu-jitsu lately with the COVID-19 pandemic. I recently got into kettlebell training.
6. What will be the first thing you do after getting vaccinated against COVID-19?
Probably go home and take a nap. Then after that, who knows!