Kauai mayor praised for his leadership, aloha for people

Disbelief was the common sentiment yesterday among those who knew and worked with Kaua’i Mayor Bryan Baptiste, as the late leader was praised for building affordable housing, fighting illegal drugs and improving the county park system.

“He was loved by everybody. It’s a huge, huge loss for the island,” said Kaua’i County Councilman Mel Rapozo.

Baptiste died Sunday afternoon after suffering a heart attack at his home in Kapa’a. He was 52. Nine days earlier, he underwent heart bypass surgery at The Queen’s Medical Center on O’ahu and had returned to Kaua’i on Saturday.

“Not too many people I know loved the island more than him,” Rapozo said. “He was always trying to reach consensus and to make sure everybody is a winner. … He really sincerely wanted the public to have participation in (the government) process.”

Julie Souza, an aide to the mayor, fielded hundreds of condolence calls yesterday but still couldn’t believe he was gone.

“I keep expecting him to walk in the door any minute,” Souza said.

Funeral arrangements for Baptiste are still pending, and his family declined comment yesterday.

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(Source: Diana Leone, Honolulu Advertiser)

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