AHA! Okay, figured out the google drive workaround. Have to click and hold on epub file in google drive. Select "Download a copy". Go into Kobo app, and "Import Items". The epub will now show up correctly on the list and can be imported to Kobo.
Laborious, so only good for transferring currently-being-read ebooks, getting the entire library transferred over will still have to wait on acquiring the current USB cable. But at least I can read something on it now
