Kauaʻi councilman ‘inappropriately’ messaged student on social media, school investigation reveals

Kaua’i County Councilman Billy DeCosta was put on unpaid leave from his teaching job at Kapaʻa High School earlier this year due to inappropriately messaging a student on social media, according to a June 20 letter sent to DeCosta from the state Department of Education.

After months of repeatedly denying Kauaʻi Now’s requests for information regarding the investigation, Department of Education staff provided the letter that was sent to DeCosta from Daniel Hamada, the DOE Interim Complex Area Superintendent for the Kauaʻi District.

The letter outlines the incident and results of the investigation regarding DeCosta’s behavior while employed as a building and construction teacher at Kapa‘a High School.

“On or about Jan. 14 and 15, you acted inappropriately so as to be construed as misconduct when you inappropriately messaged a student via social media,” Hamada wrote to DeCosta.

The letter states Kapaʻa High School Principal Tommy Cox recommended “serious discipline” for DeCostaʻs actions.

The recommendation was based on the investigation report conducted by investigator Courtney Dennis, and DeCosta’s comments made during a post-investigation meeting held on May 20 during which he did not present any evidence to refute the allegations — and during a May 30 meeting in which he admitted he commented on the student’s picture and acknowledged he should not have done so.

DeCosta was previously asked about the school investigation in a recent interview, saying: “I’m not allowed to discuss it. I don’t want to discuss it. It’s not pertinent right now.”

But after the letter was released by the Department of Education, he acknowledged Tuesday in a statement to Kauaʻi Now that he was disciplined for “commenting on a student’s social media post.”

“Please be assured that I had no ill intent and I take full responsibility for my conduct,” he wrote. “I apologize if this incident caused any distress or confusion.”

But DeCosta did not respond by deadline to requests for comment about what he had messaged the student and his reason for sending it.

The Department of Education also did not respond to requests for information about the contents of DeCosta’s message(s) to the student and clarification about whether he was found to have both commented on the student’s post, as well as privately messaged the student.

DeCosta, who was first elected as one of Kaua’i’s seven council members in 2020, is currently running for re-election. He finished in eighth place in the 2024 primary earlier this month.

According to the Department of Education letter, Dennis determined on May 7 that DeCosta violated Board of Education Policy 305-1 by negatively impacting the student’s emotional well-being and failing to adhere to the department Code of Conduct.

“You did not follow generally recognized professional standards, did not serve as a positive role model, did not maintain an appropriate adult/child relationship, and did not behave in a manner that contributed to a safe and healthy learning environment for students,” Hamada wrote.

The letter to DeCosta said that in the May 30 meeting “you stated that your father raised you to take responsibility when you do something wrong and you were taking responsibility for your actions. You stated that you learned from this experience and that you would maintain professionalism moving forward.”

The letter also said in that May 30 meeting DeCosta “apologized” for his actions and “promised to never do anything similar again.”

Hamada wrote that he agreed with the recommended disciplinary measures after reviewing the relevant documents submitted by Cox and testimony from both DeCosta and HSTA Uniserv Director Judy Ryan.

The letter states that DeCosta would be suspended without pay for 10 days, from July 30 to Aug. 12. 

It also noted DeCosta had submitted a request for a leave of absence without pay on March 13, while the investigation into the January incident was ongoing, for political campaigning reasons. That request was approved, but Hamada wrote that DeCosta’s record would be updated to reflect both the suspension and leave without pay.

“You will report back to work at Kapaʻa High School on the first day for teachers for SY 25-26,” Hamada wrote.
 
“Please be advised that any future occurrences of a similar nature may result in a more severe disciplinary action, including discharge,” the letter added.

But in a text message Tuesday, DeCosta also discussed plans to work as a teacher with the ALPSS (Alternative Learning Programs Support & Services), a branch of the state Department of Education that specializes in assisting students with difficulty succeeding in traditional learning environments.

“I would support each teacher with their program,” he wrote, “I have much experience in this field. I ran a program called FSC out at Waimea Middle School and Waimea High School back in 2001 to 2017.”

DeCosta said he would be involved with all three public high schools on Kauaʻi in the position. It was not clear when DeCosta would start in the role.

The Department of Education did not respond by deadline to a request for confirmation about DeCosta’s claim of plans to work for the alternative learning program.

But in his statement, DeCosta added: “As a schoolteacher, I find immense joy and fulfillment as an educator. Every day, I have the privilege of interacting with our rising generation and I strive to make a positive difference in their lives.

“I cherish those moments when I have seen the confidence of a student grow as they master new skills. I strive to create an environment where every student feels valued and empowered to reach their full potential. Being a positive influence in my studentsʻ lives is my passion, and I am truly honored to continue to be their guide.”

The full letter to DeCosta provided by the state Department of Education is available here.

Note: The department confirmed that the letter contains a typo regarding DeCosta’s requested return date at Kapaʻa High School. The correct date should say Tuesday, July 29, 2025, not 2024.