Kauai Councilman Derek Kawakami intends to introduce a bill in coming weeks that would make it illegal for Kaua'i drivers to use handheld electronic devices when behind the wheel, the Garden Island newspaper reported.

The bill is being reviewed by the Office of the County Attorney and could be introduced to the Kaua'i County Council as soon as next month. The measure is based on similar bans in the City and County of Honolulu and the Big Island, Kawakami said Monday.

Kawakami has said public safety is his No. 1 priority as an elected official and that he has worked with Kaua'i Police Chief Darryl Perry on the legislation. Kawakami is chairman of the council's Public Safety, Energy and Inter-Governmental Relations Committee.