2026-09-01 - Governmental Operations and External Affairs Committee

02:08All right.

02:10Good morning everyone.

02:13Welcome to the 41st session of the

02:16committee on governmental operations and

02:18external affairs. My name is Jen Kaguad

02:21and I'll be chairing the meeting today.

02:24Today here in the Hilo chambers we have

02:26council members Kimell, Galima, Vieus,

02:31Connie Lee, Kleinfelder, Enaba,

02:34um, Onishi, and Hust.

02:38Um,

02:41okay. Uh, Council Member Kirkwitz will

02:43be joining us shortly. and it the time

02:46the day is September 1st, 2026 and the

02:50time is 9:02 a.m. Um, do we have any

02:54testifiers this morning, Mr. Clerk?

02:58>> No testifiers for committee this

03:00morning, Madam Chair.

03:02>> Okay, we'll go straight down the line

03:03here and start with communication 10003,

03:07please.

03:08>> Last chance. If anyone would like to

03:10testify in communication 10003, please

03:13speak up now. Hearing [snorts]

03:16and seeing none, communication 100003,

03:19nomination of Zahava Zidof to the

03:21transportation commission for mayor C.

03:24Kimo Alamita, dated July 28, 2026,

03:26requesting the council's review and

03:28confirmation.

03:29>> Chair, motion to close file

03:30communication 1003 and for the

03:32nomination of Zahava Zadaf to the

03:34transportation commission to council

03:35with a favor recommendation.

03:37I have a motion by council member Hustus

03:40and a second by council member Kimell to

03:43close file in communication 10003.

03:46I will turn it over to Mr. Alamita for

03:48the mayor's office to introduce the

03:50mayor's nominee.

03:52>> Hello and good morning council members.

03:53Mahalo chair Kagiada. My name is Micah

03:56Alamita executive assistant office of

03:58the mayor. It is my privilege to

03:59introduce communication 100003

04:02nominating Zahava Zidof to the

04:05transportation commission representing

04:07council district 6. If confirmed, Miss

04:10Zidoff will serve a term that expires on

04:12December 31, 2027. Uh I have known Miss

04:16Zidoff through her advocacy. Uh she came

04:19forward to testify at the committee on

04:21people with disabilities a couple of

04:22times and then of course through her

04:24application for the transportation

04:26commission. I know I know her as an

04:28advocate for um improving our

04:30transportation system on the island

04:32particularly in rural areas like Ocean

04:34View where she is from where she is

04:36zooming in right now from I am sure uh

04:39without further ado madam chair we're

04:41honored to nominate Miss Zaid off back

04:43to you

04:44>> thank you very much Mr. Alamita, I want

04:46to turn it over to Miss Zadeoff. Uh, I

04:49can call you Z. I've known Z for a long

04:51time. So, please, um, do you want to say

04:53a few words to the council or to the

04:56committee at this point about maybe why

04:59you're interested in joining this

05:01committee?

05:02>> Hi. Yes, I appreciate it. Uh, thank you,

05:05chair, and other esteemed council

05:08members. Uh, thank you, Micah Almita,

05:11for and to the mayor for the nomination.

05:13Um, I'm really interested in joining the

05:16transportation.

05:19>> Oh, did I just Okay,

05:22>> sorry about that. I'm interested in

05:24joining the transportation the

05:26commission mostly like uh Michael was

05:29talking about, right? I live in rural

05:30area. I live in Ocean View. Um, I know

05:34that there's transportation issues

05:36around the island. I know the public

05:38transportation system has gotten a lot

05:40better in uh the last couple years since

05:42I've been living there. And we still

05:44have we still have issues that I feel

05:47like need a voice need a voice at the

05:49county level specifically on this

05:50commission. Um

05:53namely those with disabilities

05:55paratransit is not available in the area

05:58where I live. Also the helon it runs in

06:01my area but it could be 5 miles from

06:05people's homes to be able to get down to

06:07where the helon runs. So, I'm really

06:09just excited to be a part of the

06:11solution and just to elevate the issues

06:13that happen in some of these smaller

06:15communities again for those with

06:17disabilities and those economically

06:21depressed areas that uh really could use

06:23additional services. So, like I said,

06:26excited to be a part of the solution.

06:27Thank you so much for the opportunity.

06:29>> Thank you, Z. I'll turn it over to the

06:31committee for any questions or comments.

06:36Council member Gimba,

06:40>> just wanted to say thank you, Z, for

06:42stepping up. Um, I know you're going to

06:44be a great um participant in this

06:48committee and you're not afraid to speak

06:51up for the needs of um the least the

06:54most vulnerable. So, thank you so much.

06:57>> Thank you, council member. Council

06:58member Onishi.

07:00>> Thank you, Madam Chair. I had a couple

07:01questions. So, you mentioned about paral

07:04transit, right? which is true. I mean,

07:06it's islandwide that we have this

07:08problem. So, what is your vision or what

07:12is your goal in accomplishing getting

07:15more um I guess support?

07:20>> I really appreciate your question,

07:22Council Member Onishi. I think one of

07:25one of the things that I've been able to

07:26see up close and personal, I have a

07:29child who attends Huh Hilo and I noticed

07:32the taxi cab program there. my kid has

07:34disabilities and so we were looking for

07:36different options in that area and I

07:39don't know if it was run as a pilot

07:40program and there are a couple of taxi

07:42cabs where people can call and get a

07:44ride up to the five miles um for free

07:48and that is being run as a part of mass

07:51transit and I understand with taxi cabs

07:54and people paying and the medallions and

07:56all of those I would really love to have

07:58a discussion amongst the members of the

08:01transportation commission about perhaps

08:03perhaps being able to start something

08:05like that in areas that don't have

08:08paratransit and or areas that are really

08:11rural and those that are economically

08:13depressed because I can tell you that in

08:15the ocean view area where I live for

08:17those who live up the hill if we from an

08:20economic perspective also if we created

08:23a program of sorts where people could

08:25use their private vehicles and it could

08:27be similar to the requirements that Uber

08:30andyft have. has to be a certain model

08:32year, right, for the car and

08:34registration, of course, all legal with

08:36insurance. We could create jobs for our

08:39community in giving people rides up to

08:41the five miles from where they live to

08:44make it down to the Helon. I also have a

08:46close friend who lives in Waloa village

08:49who's currently in a wheelchair and is

08:51unable to get to where mass transit runs

08:54to where the Helleon is over at the KTA.

08:56If we had a service like we had in Hilo

09:00in the village, you could get people

09:02from their homes over to the Helleon and

09:05then all of a sudden people who have no

09:08access to transportation could have it.

09:10So I'd really like to explore the

09:12financial implications around the taxi

09:15program and potentially what's holding

09:16it back from other areas on the island.

09:19I understand the issue with the

09:20paratransit and the cost of new

09:22paratransit vehicles and employees. I

09:25know the county has been working on

09:27that, but I feel like the creative

09:29solutions, I'd really just love an

09:31opportunity to be on the commission and

09:32have discussion around creative

09:34solutions so that we can get

09:35transportation for our most vulnerable

09:38people, disabled or not, economically

09:41depressed or not, just those in areas

09:43where access to transportation is

09:46hindered for whatever reason.

09:48>> I hope that answers your question,

09:49Council Member. And then you also

09:50mentioned about costs. Um, and that's

09:53one of the problems that Mass Transit

09:55faces is that the cost because this

09:58island is so big, you know, it's so

10:00spread it out, right? And so services

10:04cost money. So as a future commissioner,

10:09would you be willing to look into how

10:12you guys can generate more revenue? Like

10:15for example,

10:17at one time they're looking at having

10:19advertisements on the buses, right, to

10:22generate income, but they've been push

10:24backs about that. So what is your

10:28feelings on that?

10:30>> I would really be open to having the

10:32conversations with fellow commissioners

10:34around thoughts around it and I would

10:36absolutely reach out to council members

10:38to try to dis to try to figure out

10:39what's already been discussed, what

10:42opportunity, what are we looking at and

10:43what are we not. But at this particular

10:45moment, I don't know. Um I don't really

10:49have thoughts around how we would

10:50generate

10:53more money to be able to offer those

10:56services, but I do know that as a

10:58county, um as government electeds, as

11:00government appointees, right, we we have

11:03an opportunity really to prioritize our

11:06values, right? And I feel like we need

11:09to you need to budget for access is one

11:12of the things that I believe. Um, I'm

11:14not one of those people that thinks

11:16like, ooh, we just need to do it and

11:17there's no money for it. So, let's take

11:20money from other areas, but I would love

11:22to, if that's a part of my role as a

11:25commissioner on the transportation

11:27commission, to be able to look through

11:28the budget and see where the money would

11:30be available because I really do believe

11:32and it's kind of a personal thing of

11:34mine that we budget for access and we

11:36prioritize our values. And I think that

11:39public transportation, I mean, honestly,

11:41I do a lot of work in suicide

11:43prevention, in substance use. I'm a

11:46counselor by trade, and public

11:48transportation, I really see, I wrote an

11:50op-ed a couple of years ago, how public

11:52transportation can really be the answer

11:54to so many of the problems that face us

11:55as a county. Um, I see people who are

11:58trying to get mental health care and

12:00there's no availability on the west side

12:02of any doctors. And so, you know,

12:04particularly the psychiatrists. So you

12:06have someone who wants to get out to

12:08Hilo, but there's a 4:30 appointment. So

12:10you have someone who's willing to do the

12:11two and a half hour, the three-hour bus

12:13ride to get over to Hilo, but by the

12:15time the appointment ends, the buses are

12:17done running.

12:18>> Correct.

12:18>> Right. Like from all aspects, from the

12:20economic issue for people being able to

12:22get to work.

12:23>> I think we need to prioritize public

12:25transportation and I am excited. Great

12:28>> to sit with other commissioners and to

12:29brainstorm solutions. You can if you

12:31know once you get confirmed you can look

12:33at how you guys can generate more

12:35revenue to help provide those services

12:38that you're that you're mentioning.

12:39Right. My last question is how do you

12:42feel about light rail?

12:45>> How do I feel about light rail? I think

12:48that

12:50>> any anything that we can do for public

12:52>> Z hold on for one second.

12:58right now.

13:10>> We're going to take a quick recess Z.

13:12We'll be right back.

14:03See the go ahead. Um I think um or go

14:06ahead council member Onishi. You had one

14:08last question.

14:09>> Thank you. So my last question is yeah

14:11what what is your thoughts on light rail

14:13for the island?

14:16>> Um I thought about light rail a little

14:18bit. I appreciate the question, council

14:19member. Um, Onishi, I don't know enough

14:23about the effect, the environmental

14:25impact and uh um what that would look

14:29like as far as um if there needed to be

14:32what's it called? Eminent domain around

14:34some people who who live in certain

14:36areas. I'm not sure where it would go.

14:38As an idea, I think that having fast,

14:41efficient transportation around the

14:43island would be great. I would not

14:45necessarily be willing to

14:48to give up right taking care of the

14:52environment and the aina here in order

14:53to get it but I am absolutely open to

14:55learning more about it

14:56>> and that's true so that's where as the

14:58commission eos can look at that as

15:00proposals right and hiring like a

15:03consultant to look at those options

15:06right because um our island is still

15:09young it's not like Aahu like how

15:11they're doing things now and then have

15:13to you do condemnations and so forth and

15:17you know the way they're doing

15:18everything. At least we have a we have a

15:22chance, right? Because our um our rural

15:25areas is still rural, but then they need

15:28the transportation, right? And faster

15:31transportation instead of waiting in the

15:34uh you know traffic for like an hour or

15:36so, especially down in Paradise Park

15:38area in the Puna side, right? if you

15:41don't leave by a certain time, you're

15:43stuck in traffic, right? So, yeah, I

15:46mean, just something that maybe you can

15:48come up with with discussion when you

15:50get on the on the commission, but thank

15:52you very much for volunteering and I'll

15:54yield that.

15:56>> Thank you, Council Member Onishi.

15:58Council member Viegas.

15:59>> Yeah, just really quickly, Aloha Z. It's

16:01great to see you. I was super excited to

16:03see your name on this list today and um

16:07I have every faith that you will lean

16:11into this position of leadership and

16:14participation with um bold courage

16:19uh innovative thoughts and ideas and the

16:22willingness and the capacity to um

16:26sometimes gently sometimes with um

16:30necessary very tenacity

16:33uh drill down and get those answers. I

16:36also have trust in your um ability to

16:42utilize intuitive discernment

16:45and um just recognize the difference

16:48between opportunities and um what could

16:52accidentally as an island sell us down

16:54the river which um for projects or

16:58policies or you know quote unquote

17:00opportunities that aren't in alignment

17:02with the value system, the resources or

17:04the capacity

17:06uh for the longevity of our island and

17:09service to our community. So, thank you

17:11so much for being here today and always

17:13being that um that voice for really for

17:18I can't think of a group that you're not

17:20willing to lean up and speak up and um

17:23serve. So, thank you. I yield.

17:26>> Thank you, Council Member Viegas,

17:28Council Member Con Lee Kleinfelder.

17:30>> Thank you, Chair Mahalo for being here

17:32today. I appreciate the recommendation.

17:35Uh, what is your understanding of the

17:37mass transportation master plan?

17:43>> Um, I'm sorry. Can you repeat the

17:45question, council member?

17:47>> Am I not Am I not clear? Am I not loud

17:49enough for you? You want me to speak up

17:51or didn't hear me?

17:52>> Yeah, no, I can hear you now. I think my

17:54speaker was a little off. Sorry about

17:55that.

17:56>> What is your understanding of the mass

17:57transit master plan?

18:00Um, I don't have a great understanding

18:03of the master plan. I've read it or I've

18:06skimmed through it. I know that uh we

18:09were trying to get more green vehicles

18:12and buses in from the environmental

18:14perspective. I know that we just bought

18:16a whole bunch of new buses. Um, I know

18:20that there's a shortage of the vehicles

18:23that are available. I know that the plan

18:25is to get more more availability in all

18:29the areas and the rural areas. I know

18:31that at current moment um the buses are

18:34free. Mass transportation right right

18:36now on the island is completely free. I

18:38know that there are some issues around

18:40if there would be cost again and how the

18:42buses aren't even fitted for the ability

18:45to take payment yet. Um I have not

18:49delved into the plan in an analytical

18:52way yet. Um, but I look forward to doing

18:54so.

18:56>> Uh, from what you said, it sounds like

18:57you haven't read the plan. What's your

19:00understanding of our multimotal

19:01transportation plan?

19:04>> Uh, that is not a plan I have looked at

19:06yet.

19:07>> Okay, that's concerning.

19:12>> How do we fund the mass transit agency

19:14currently?

19:18Um, if there's if you'd like to share

19:21information with me, council member, I

19:22would love to I'd love to hear it. I'd

19:26love to engage with conversation. I'm

19:28not I'm not understanding

19:32the questions that you're asking right

19:33now.

19:34>> How do we fund the mass transit agency

19:37and the buses and the routes and our

19:41contracts with Roberts? How do we fund

19:43all those things currently in our county

19:46budget?

19:46>> I am assuming that everything is

19:48currently funded through general tax

19:50that the way everything else is funded

19:51on the island.

19:53>> County tax or state tax.

19:57>> I'm assuming it's county since public

19:58transportation is county, but there may

20:01be some funding that comes in from state

20:03department of transportation as well. I

20:05am unsure.

20:08>> Okay, that's also concerning. Council

20:11member, um I'm just wondering, do you

20:13have uh specific questions related to

20:16being on the commission? You're talking

20:18about budgeting and things like that

20:19that uh a prospective commissioner

20:22generally wouldn't have knowledge about

20:24or deep knowledge of. Do you have

20:26specific something about um the way

20:29we're doing it now versus the way you

20:31would like to see it done or

20:34>> chair? I if you don't follow the

20:36questions I'm asking, I'm concerned

20:37about you as well.

20:40U to Moff from what I've heard so far,

20:42you don't understand the funding sources

20:44for our mass transportation agency. You

20:46haven't read the multimmoal

20:47transportation plan. From your answers

20:50regarding our mass transportation plan,

20:52you haven't read that either.

20:56You've nailed a few of the things that

20:58Mass Transit is doing currently. I

21:00appreciate that. That shows some

21:02knowledge about the the agency.

21:05Um, but for someone who wants to be on

21:07the transportation commission and be a

21:09commissioner and make decisions for the

21:11entire island,

21:13uh, I have my concerns. Thank you.

21:17>> Thank you, Council Member.

21:20>> All right. Um, oh, thank you for joining

21:22us. Uh, Council Member Kirkowitz, uh,

21:25the floor is yours.

21:25>> Thank you. I apologize for my um my

21:28delayed chair. I've been helping with um

21:30some water hauling to Caou for our

21:32ranchers. Um, Z, it's so nice to see

21:34you. Um I I do want to just kind of

21:36maybe level expectations for the public.

21:39Um when members of the public are

21:42nominated to serve on boards and

21:43commissions, there's no requirement to

21:45have read all the plans or to have

21:47certain degrees. I think there is a

21:49genuine desire and willingness to serve

21:51and to show up for meetings that we have

21:53every month. Um the administration

21:55should be preparing each of these um

21:58nominees and letting them know what sort

22:00of plans uh need to be read over the

22:02time of their service on the border

22:04commission. But I don't think there's

22:06any expectation to pour through hundreds

22:09of pages of documents before you even

22:11get started. Um and what I know about

22:13you is you are someone that as council

22:15member Vega said very tenacious. You are

22:18somebody that is a fighter and an

22:20advocate. you do do your research and I

22:22do know that if given the opportunity to

22:24serve, you will go through all of those

22:26documents and be a strong voice for

22:28folks that need access to transportation

22:30services so they can get to essential

22:33services like jobs and recreation and,

22:35you know, employment and education. So,

22:37I just um I appreciate you putting your

22:40name forward. I am in full support of

22:42your nomination and I do appreciate the

22:45administration for really taking the

22:47time to find individuals that have such

22:49a heart and passion for serving

22:51community. Thank you. I yield. Thank

22:53you. Seeing no other lights. Um

22:56appreciate your comments there, Council

22:57Member Kirkowitz. Yes, leveling the play

23:00playing field. We don't expect our our

23:02our volunteers to come with all this. Um

23:05once you're we're confirmed and um start

23:08digging in, then you'll you'll be have

23:09access to some of this information. Um

23:13all right, with no further ado, all

23:15those in favor on closing file and

23:17commission communication 10003 and

23:21sending a favorable nomination of Zaha

23:24Zado for the transportation commission

23:27to the full council. Please say I.

23:29>> Any opposed?

23:30>> No.

23:31>> We have nine I mean eight eyes and one

23:34opposed. That's council member Connie

23:36Lee Kleinfelder. Thank you Z. We'll

23:38we'll talk to you later. Um with that,

23:41we're going to actually jump down to

23:44communication 1051 as our nominee is at

23:48work and um needs to take a break in

23:51order to be with us. So I want to make

23:53sure we value her time here. So if we

23:55could please go to communication 1051.

23:59>> If anyone would like to testify in

24:00communication 1051, please speak up now.

24:06Hearing and seeing none, communication

24:081051, nomination of Kilha Ai ai Dorian

24:11Inaba to the public access open space

24:13and natural resources preservation

24:15commission for mayor C. Kimo Alamita

24:17dated August 13, 2026 requesting the

24:20council's review and confirmation.

24:21Confirmation is required by 20 by

24:23September 26, 2026. Chair motion to

24:26close on communication 1051 forwarding

24:29the nomination of Kilha Aiyiahi Inaba to

24:31the Punk Commission to council with the

24:33favor recommendation.

24:36>> Uh thank you. We have the nomination

24:39um communication.

24:42Uh sorry I got a little distracted

24:44there. I'm sorry. Um

24:47okay. Um we have the um sorry motion by

24:51council member Hustus and a second by

24:53council member uh Kirkowitz for closing

24:56file and communication 1051.

24:59Um before we get started I'm going to go

25:02ahead and turn it over to council

25:04member.

25:05>> Uh thank you chair. I will be recusing

25:07myself from this matter as missaba is an

25:10immediate family member. So I'll be

25:11leaving the room at this time. Thank

25:13you.

25:13>> Thank you council member. And with that

25:15I go back to you Mr. clerk.

25:20>> Oh, sorry. Sorry. I got a little

25:22confused there. Uh, Mr. Alamita, would

25:24you please introduce the nom the mayor's

25:26nominee?

25:27>> Mahalui. Madam Chair, it is my privilege

25:29to introduce communication 1051

25:32nominating Keeli Ainahi Inaba to the

25:35public access open space and natural

25:37resources preservation commission

25:39representing council district 8. If

25:41confirmed, Missaba will serve a term

25:43that expires on December 31, 2030. Uh

25:46it's been a pleasure getting to know Ms.

25:48Naba throughout this process. Uh she

25:50comes to us with over 30 years residency

25:52on Havaii Island. She's a proud mother.

25:55She's a daughter of Kona. Uh she has

25:58degrees uh from the University of Hawaii

26:00West Oahu from the Hawaii Community

26:02College um in her MICT and her

26:05associates in nursing um where she was a

26:08former firefighter, a former paramedic

26:10with the Hawaii Fire Department. Today

26:12she is a RN at the Kona uh community

26:15hospital um where she is currently

26:17taking a break. Um we know that she will

26:20come forward to this role um with the

26:23utmost um you know seriousness and

26:25commitment um and loyalty to the mission

26:28madam chair. Um without further ado we

26:30throw it back to you.

26:31>> Thank you so much Mr. Alamita. Uh Miss

26:33Nava, would you like to say a few words

26:35to the committee?

26:38>> Uh good morning. Uh, thank you, Council

26:41Member Kakiato for giving me this time.

26:43Um, especially because yeah, I'm I'm at

26:46work right now in the ER and um I

26:48appreciate the moving me up, but I

26:50didn't want it to be um an issue for

26:52anyone. So, m um thank you council

26:54members for the opportunity to um be

26:57here today and to yeah to serve in this

27:00capacity. Um, I think, you know, maybe I

27:04don't know if you guys are going to ask

27:04me, but I'll just say I think, you know,

27:06Kana is the word for this job, for what

27:11you guys do, for what so many do. Um but

27:13I I see this not just Kulana as a

27:16responsibility but as a privilege to be

27:18able to serve in this capacity um to

27:22work with other community members um of

27:24Havi Island and who see the value of

27:28places as all land here is so valuable

27:31and um so interconnected but culturally

27:34significant uh places as well as lands

27:38that are uh significant in regards to

27:40natural resources. um we've seen so much

27:43change and um you know grateful for the

27:46change but also remembering um where we

27:49all come from and so I think I would be

27:51so honored and grateful to be able to

27:53serve in this capacity of um making

27:55decisions and working with people who um

27:58who decide what's the lands that should

28:01be perpetuated for generations to come

28:03for our kei um and for our kuna alike.

28:05So yes, mahalo.

28:08>> Thank you Miss Anaba. Um, with that, I'm

28:10going to turn it over to the committee

28:12for comments or questions. Council

28:13member Viega,

28:15>> aloha. Thank you for being here. My

28:18heart is warmed to know, Key, that you

28:20are in our emergency room as well. Um,

28:24and I'm very grateful for your

28:25willingness to lean in and serve also in

28:28this capacity. Um,

28:31as a woman born and raised

28:36on the Big Island with um

28:39cultural and lineal

28:42legacy of stewardship and honoring past,

28:46present, and future. I am confident that

28:49you will serve in this role with

28:50integrity, with discernment, and with an

28:54insight

28:56uh that not everyone gets to have. Um, I

29:00think it comes to you innately in your

29:02roles of service and your um, courage

29:06having served with our fire department

29:08as well. And now in the emergency room,

29:11you have a capacity to lean in in times

29:14of um, crisis um, and serve our

29:17community on the front lines as a first

29:18responder. And so I'm hopeful that this

29:21punk role will be much mellower for you.

29:25[laughter] Um, but thank you for your

29:27willingness to lean in and um serve as a

29:30volunteer on the Pon Commission. I'll be

29:31in full support of your nomination

29:33today. I yield.

29:34>> Thank you, Council Member Viegas.

29:36Anybody else?

29:39Council member Kirkowitz.

29:40>> Aloha, Keely. Nice to see you on the

29:43Zoom screen. I've known Keely for over a

29:46decade now. know she and my partner um

29:48were in the same firefighter cohort and

29:50I was so incredibly um inspired and

29:53impressed by her just Manow essence and

29:57is somebody that is rooted here who's

29:58raising a family here who is

30:00contributing to community in so many

30:02ways. I know that she's going to bring a

30:04wealth of perspective um and capacity to

30:08the commission. So thank you so much for

30:09making time to take on this um important

30:12kana in full support of your nomination.

30:14Thank you chair. Thank you, Council

30:16Member Kirkowitz. Council member Connie

30:18Lee Kleinfelder.

30:19>> Thank you very much, chair for being

30:21here today. Keely, I as Miss Viegas

30:24said, just amazing that you are both in

30:26our emergency room and stepping up for

30:29the punk commission.

30:33I I am u completely in favor of your

30:37nomination because I understand

30:41that your understanding of what needs to

30:43be perpetuated for for our future

30:46generations is transparent and you

30:50understand completely

30:53the importance of preserving those

30:54lands.

30:56So

30:57the u the a beautiful part of this too

31:00is your understanding of the system

31:02through your own ohana and what it takes

31:05on all different levels through

31:07government and public and through the

31:10commission itself to work to get both

31:13properties

31:15onto the list as well as funded to be

31:17able to purchase properties on the list

31:19and to get them prioritized as such and

31:22approved by the commission. And in

31:24following all the different changes that

31:26have occurred to the punk commission

31:28legislatively,

31:30your ability in your ohana to grasp that

31:34full situation and full understanding of

31:36what's going on uh should put you above

31:38and beyond the rest and help us make

31:40good decisions going into the future to

31:42preserve what's important for our kei

31:46and for a Thank you.

31:49Thank you to the administration for

31:50bringing forward such a valuable person.

31:54Thank you, Council Member Kimble.

31:57>> Yes. Thank you. Um, at the risk of of

32:00ruffling feathers, um, I'm not going to

32:02support this nomination. Um, just in

32:05terms of consistency with position that

32:07I've taken previously, which is I have

32:09have discomfort around appointing a

32:11family member of a council member when

32:14decisions from the commission that they

32:15serve on will also come before this

32:18board. Um, so I'm going to maintain that

32:20position. That is not to say you are not

32:23an excellent individual and that you

32:24wouldn't make an excellent contribution

32:26to the punk. So I please understand that

32:28that my position comes really from a a

32:33personal ethical position that it isn't

32:35appropriate. So thank you.

32:38>> Thank you Council Member Kimble. Anybody

32:40else? All right. With no further, thank

32:43you so much for um stepping up and uh

32:46being willing to put in the time for a

32:49volunteer position such as this. Um

32:52we'll go ahead and take a roll call

32:54vote, please, Mr.

32:56Clerk.

33:01On the motion to forward the nomination

33:03of Kilha Ai ai Dorian Inaba to the

33:06public access open space and natural

33:08resources preservation commission.

33:12Miss Kimba

33:14>> no

33:15>> Mr. Houston.

33:17>> Hi.

33:19>> Mr. Inaba is absent. Mr. Excuse is

33:22excused. Mr. Connie Kleinfelder. Hi.

33:26>> Miss Kirkowitz. I

33:28>> Miss Kimble.

33:29>> No.

33:31Mr. Onishi,

33:32>> hi

33:33>> Miss Viegas.

33:34>> Hi,

33:35>> Chair Kagi.

33:36>> Hi.

33:42>> Sorry, chair. I make sure I get my

33:47chair. You have six votes in favor with

33:49two nos. Council member Galima and

33:51council member Kimble. The motion moves

33:53forward to council with a favorable

33:54recommendation.

33:55>> Thank you. Thank you, Miss Anaba.

33:59We'll go on to communication 1047 now.

34:04>> Thank you.

34:08>> If anyone would like to testify in

34:09communication 1047, please speak up now.

34:15>> Hearing and seeing none. Communication

34:171047, nomination of Sunnita Preslaki to

34:21the public access open space and natural

34:22resources preservation commission for

34:24mayor for mayor C. Kimo Alamita dated

34:27August 14, 2026 requesting the council's

34:30review and confirmation confirmation by

34:32September 27, 2026.

34:34>> Chair motion to close file communication

34:361047 forwarding the nomination of Sun

34:38Presi to Punk to council a favor

34:41recommendation.

34:43>> I have a motion by council member Hustus

34:45and a second by council member Viegas to

34:48close file in communication 1047.

34:51With that, I'll turn it over to Mr.

34:53Alamita to uh introduce the mayor's

34:56nominee.

34:56>> Mahalu, Madam Chair. It is my privilege

34:59to introduce communication 1047

35:01nominating Sudita Preslaki to the public

35:04access open space and natural resources

35:07preservation commission representing

35:09Council District 2. If confirmed, Miss

35:11Preslocki will serve a term that expires

35:13on December 31, 2029. Um I've really

35:17enjoyed getting to know Sunnita over

35:20this process. uh she has applied in 2024

35:24in those final months before the

35:26transition. Um so as I've alluded

35:29before, I'll say again, my apologies,

35:30Sunita. Um but we are so happy that you

35:33know it came to fruition. Uh she came to

35:35Hilo over 20 years ago when she came to

35:37study at the University of Hawaii at

35:38Hilo where she got a bachelor's in

35:40psychology. Um she is currently today a

35:43a real estate agent. Um she spends her

35:46time a lot outdoors, ocean sports. Uh

35:48she loves to surf. She's a competitive

35:50swimmer. Um yeah, you know, really

35:53really lucky that um she not only

35:56adopted the lifestyle when she came

35:57here, but she's willing to step forward

35:58with the Kana. So without further ado,

36:00Madam Chair, back to you. Mahalo.

36:02>> Thank you, Mr. Alamita. Uh Sunnita, Miss

36:05Brazili, if you would, Locky, would you

36:07please uh say a few words to the

36:09committee?

36:11>> Sure. Thanks for having me. Um thank you

36:13for this opportunity to put myself

36:16forward. Um, as Micah mentioned, I did

36:19apply back in 2024

36:21um to serve on this commission because I

36:24think the Ponch program is like one of

36:27the crown jewels that um we have here on

36:30Hawaii Island. I think it's so amazing

36:33to um prioritize preserving these public

36:38spaces and um opportunities for access.

36:42I love that it, you know, there's a

36:44mechanism

36:46in perpetuity to continue um to acquire

36:51these lands so that they can remain um

36:56open and untouched. And I think that's

36:58part of the fabric of what makes the Big

37:00Island so incredible

37:03um is the vastness in these wild areas

37:06and um the opportunity to

37:10find yourself in the middle of nowhere

37:12with no other human beings around. Um, I

37:16just can't overstate how how important

37:19that is to me personally and and I think

37:22it's just an incredible opportunity to

37:25maintain that legacy for um future

37:27generations. We have three girls that

37:30were all born and raised here and we've

37:33spent a lot of time outdoors as a

37:35family. Um, we're all water people and

37:39um, ocean access incredibly important,

37:42hiking access, forest access. So um it

37:46would be a real honor to participate in

37:48continuing that legacy moving forward.

37:53>> Thank you so much Sunnita. Um questions

37:56or comments from the committee please.

38:01>> Council member Onishi.

38:03>> Thank you Madam Chair. You know I just

38:05wanted to mention that you know our big

38:07island we're small. So people who step

38:10up to volunteer, I mean, no matter if

38:13they're relatives or they're, you know,

38:17great friends or just a friend, I mean,

38:19this is the Big Island, right? These are

38:21families, right? And so we should be

38:24appreciated when they want to step up

38:26and try volunteer and do this community

38:29service and and nothing to the

38:32administration. I mean, they're trying

38:33their best, too, right? And there's just

38:36small numbers. I mean, not everybody's

38:37just jumping out. I want to volunteer at

38:39this and that whatever right so we got

38:42to look at how this whole situation is

38:45and remember again that you know we're

38:47born and raised here right we're locals

38:50right and so we going to have family we

38:53going to have extended family and so I

38:55think what we what we got to do is ex

38:59accept and appreciate that they're all

39:00stepping up and volunteering so I want

39:03to just say that oh you no thank you

39:06>> okay thank you anybody I appreciate

39:08that, council member. I think that's

39:09awesome. Which which I'll just say she's

39:11the partner of representative Matias

39:13Kush and I wasn't going to say it

39:15because you know I didn't but I think we

39:16should be proud of that you know like

39:18his partner is stepping up to serve you

39:20know an island that she loves that her

39:23children loves that they love that we

39:25all love and thank you for mentioning

39:27that council member. I think that is

39:29very important for us to always keep in

39:31perspective. Thank you.

39:34>> It's okay. It's okay. Uh thank you. Uh,

39:37with that we'll move on to council

39:39member Connie Lee Kleinfelder.

39:41>> Uh, thank you for saying that, Mr.

39:43Alamia. That that is important to note.

39:45Um, and while we may be one big happy

39:50shining Ohana here on Havi Island, um,

39:53sometimes we are not. Um, that's just

39:56the way that it works politically and

39:59socially and there are different things

40:00going on at all times.

40:02Uh it is important to note when there

40:05are connections amongst commissions and

40:08representatives or council members

40:12and it's

40:15it is

40:17important to note that

40:20because decisions are being made both in

40:23the public eye and out of the public

40:26eye.

40:28And that's where the importance of

40:29understanding connections and family

40:34and predisposed

40:36decision making comes into question. And

40:40that's where government gets questioned

40:41a lot is on the transparency of what we

40:43do and where we do it.

40:48So I I appreciate the comments by the

40:51both the administration and Mr.

40:54But it is very important for government

40:56to be absolutely transparent in what it

40:58does. Thank you.

41:00>> Thank you. Um just a a comment before I

41:03go to council member Hustas here. Uh

41:05just to for the public, uh

41:08the county council does operate under

41:11the sunshine law and we follow the rules

41:13under sunshine law. We do not make

41:14decisions um that are not in the public

41:17eye. I just want to be very clear about

41:19that. Thank you. Um, Council Member

41:21Hust.

41:22>> Thank you, Chair. Uh, back to Miss

41:24Preslaki. I really appreciate, uh,

41:26Sunnita, your your engagement and

41:28involvement in community. Thank you for

41:29your willingness to step forward and

41:31serve on this commission and the

41:33opportunity. I know you're involved in

41:34community, a lot of different aspects.

41:35So, I think your perspective of of land

41:37use um, and also preserving those spaces

41:40could could bring a lot to the

41:42commission as well. So, thank you for

41:44your engagement and appreciate you.

41:45Aloha.

41:47>> All right. seeing no other lights. Thank

41:48you so much for stepping up, Cindia. I

41:50know um this is something that's near

41:53and dear to your heart and appreciate uh

41:55what you bring. I know you're um very uh

41:59thoughtful and intelligent uh Wahine and

42:02will not disappoint as far as being

42:05prepared and involved in these

42:07discussions. So, thank you for stepping

42:09up. I wholeheartedly support your

42:11nomination. With that, um, could we

42:14please,

42:16uh, vote on closing file on

42:18communication 1047? All those in favor,

42:20please say I.

42:22>> Any opposed?

42:22>> No.

42:23>> We have eight eyes and one no. Council

42:26member Con Lee Kleinfelder. Thank you so

42:28much. We're going to move on to

42:31communication 1049, please.

42:34>> If anyone would like to testify in

42:36communication 1049, please speak up now.

42:40Hearing

42:42and seeing none, communication 1049,

42:45nomination of Jesa Assunction Grace to

42:48the game management advisory commission

42:50for mayor C. Kimo Alamita dated August

42:5213, 2026, requesting the council's

42:54review and confirmation. Confirmation is

42:56required by September 26, 2026.

43:00>> I have a motion, please.

43:01>> Motion.

43:02>> Oh, go ahead. Go ahead. Go ahead.

43:06>> Motion to nominate Cha Young Grace to

43:11the game management advisory commission

43:14for to forward the nomination of the to

43:19the council with a positive

43:21recommendation.

43:22>> Thank you. And close file. Thank you. I

43:24have a second.

43:25>> Thank you. I have a nomination by

43:27council member Glima to close file in

43:29communication 1049. A second by council

43:32member Onishi. With that, I will turn it

43:34over to Mr. Alamita.

43:37>> Malui. Madam chair. It is my privilege

43:39to introduce communication 1049

43:41nominating Jason Asunian Grace to the

43:44game management advisory commission

43:46representing council district 6. If

43:48confirmed Miss Asian Grace will serve a

43:50term that will expire on December 31,

43:532027.

43:54Um I'll be honest, this is the first

43:56time in physically meeting Jaya and you

43:58she look like my ohana, you know, like

44:00just looking feel like my cousin right

44:02here. Um this feels good. Yeah. Jason

44:04comes to us uh from Pajala where she's

44:08uh currently resides but she's born and

44:10raised the southside. Yeah. Trout South

44:12Kona Trout Caou. Um she was introduced

44:16to this opportunity through chair Tason

44:18Wong of the GMAC. They are part of you

44:20know the hunting community, the game

44:22management community. So she comes to us

44:24from a solid referral in Chair Tason. Um

44:27she does come from a hunting ohana. You

44:29know this is who they are, this is what

44:30they do. Um, I think just within the

44:33last couple of weeks, what what what you

44:35know, our island went through and her

44:37being here is is a solid testament to

44:40what she will bring in in her service to

44:43GMAC and of course to just moving Havi

44:46Island forward. Um, you know, Jason is

44:502015 graduate Konowana. You know, she's

44:52she's younger than me, right? Which, you

44:54know, I mean, you know, feel like I'm

44:56getting kind of old, but um Jason not

44:59yet. Yeah. and you know she will one day

45:01be a mother, right? But right now she's

45:03willing to dedicate all her time um to

45:05help you know provide for Hava Island.

45:08So Madam Chair, it is our honor to

45:09nominate Chasa. Back to you.

45:11>> Thank you so much, Mr. Alamita. Uh Miss

45:14Asansion Grace, please um speak up to

45:17the committee if you want to share

45:18anything

45:19>> and tell us who your papa is. What's

45:20your papa's name?

45:21>> Oh, yeah. Yeah. Sorry.

45:22>> Good morning. Um my name is Jason Grace.

45:24This is my grandpa, Hano Grace. Um we

45:27are born and raised here on the south

45:28side of the big island of Havi. Um we do

45:31come from a long line of hunters,

45:33fishers, gatherers, ranchers, paneolos.

45:36Um I myself still carry on that till

45:38today along with my siblings and my

45:40cousins. Um

45:43I found myself interested because

45:44becoming a game management commissioner

45:46for my code district 6 means preserving

45:48our AA. Now our my AA has done more than

45:51its fair share to provide for my family,

45:54my community. um and other families as

45:57well. Um my goal as a commissioner is to

46:00keep cahoo kahoo and and have its cool

46:02way of life. Um and I know Michelle can

46:04agree with me on that. Um and also from

46:08past present past present to to current

46:12day, they still carry that cool way of

46:14life. Therefore, I want to lend a hand

46:15in helping and preserving and practicing

46:18our self-sustainability out there as

46:19well.

46:20>> Yeah.

46:21>> Mahalo. All right. Thank you. Um,

46:25anybody on the committee want to say

46:28anything?

46:30Council member Gimma.

46:31>> Um, just briefly, thank you so much for

46:33stepping up um know your family well and

46:37just um amazing folks just salt of the

46:41earth and I know you're going to um

46:43really bring that very grounded way of

46:46living and thinking to this commission.

46:48So, thank you so much and look forward

46:50to talking story with you more outside

46:52of this.

46:54Thank you, Council Member Glima. Council

46:55member uh Kirkwood.

46:58>> Thank you, Mr. Sunshine. Grace, good to

46:59see you. Um how are you? How are you and

47:02your Ohana? I mean, with um

47:04>> Sorry. Good.

47:05>> You know, with Hurricane La

47:07>> hitting so much of Caou when one part of

47:09our community is hurting, the whole

47:11island kind of feels that hurt too as

47:13well.

47:13>> And when you're there is when you feel

47:15it.

47:16>> You feel it. Even just driving through,

47:18you'll feel it.

47:19>> Yeah. But we're rebuilding.

47:22>> Yeah. You're an incredibly resilient

47:24community. I was in Cahoo a few times

47:25over the last couple of weeks and just

47:27continuously impressed by just how

47:29strong the people are and how everyone

47:31looks out for and takes care of one

47:33another. For sure.

47:34>> Yeah. Um, incredible that you're

47:36stepping up to serve. Um, Mr. Alamita,

47:38would Jason be the first Wah GMAP

47:42commissioner to serve? Because I'm

47:44thinking of the makeup right now and

47:46>> we had Courtney Okamura Reese. Yeah, we

47:48had a Courtney Okamura um who termed out

47:50and then now her husband David is so um

47:52one of the few. One of the few for sure

47:54>> but Wahine right now the only wine right

47:57now. Okay.

47:58>> Presently. Yes.

47:59>> You're going to bring a really solid

48:00perspective to the commission. Really

48:02excited to have you there. They're doing

48:04some really meaningful work at the

48:06commission um trying to advocate for

48:08Hunter Levite rights. Um there's a lot

48:11of support coming in from research and

48:13development because they do have

48:14agricultural specialists. So stay tied

48:16in with them. Um, and we are nearing the

48:19start of the next legislative session.

48:22So it'd be good for the commission to

48:23take a look at what are some of the

48:25rules and statutes that you guys might

48:27want to tackle so that we could continue

48:29to preserve just as you say way of life

48:32and the ability for Ohana and community

48:35to feed itself. Yeah. Just out of

48:39curiosity, you know, during your time on

48:40the commission, what is one thing that

48:42you hope to accomplish?

48:45the

48:46overtaking.

48:48Um, you have to let the land rest for a

48:51bit and then you can go back. Let it

48:53come back for a bit.

48:54>> Um, just overtaking and the greediness

48:57with amongst each other. Um, outlaws I

49:01should say, hunting not where you're

49:03supposed to be hunting. Um, we currently

49:05do deal with that and I see what it does

49:08to my family. Um, and when we want to go

49:11down or we we want to go gather, there's

49:13nothing left for us, then you know

49:16that's it's a problem. So that's my my

49:19biggest thing.

49:20>> Let it rest.

49:22>> Yes. Givea time to rest. I don't I think

49:24those are very valid concerns and I hope

49:26that you raise them during the

49:28commission. That is the most appropriate

49:30forum. Um, and there's a lot that you

49:32folks can do as commissioners to begin

49:34to advocate for the needs not just of

49:36your individual districts but

49:37islandwide. Thank you so much for your

49:39willingness to serve.

49:40>> Thank you.

49:41>> Thank you, Council Member Kirkwoods.

49:43Council member Connie Lee Klein.

49:45>> Thank you, Chair. Thank you for being

49:47here this morning. Uh in person as well,

49:49especially coming from Bahala. So,

49:52Mahala.

49:54Uh I've known Wong Jong for about 15

49:59years. So, if he brought you in front of

50:02the mayor guys to be a nominee, I'm

50:06going to support you as well. and from

50:07your answers that you've given so far. I

50:09like your thought process and I like

50:11what you're

50:12>> thank you

50:12>> shooting for and that um I loved you

50:15touching on letting rest.

50:19We all have our cycles, you know, human

50:21beings and nature.

50:24When we don't let different species rest

50:27in the times where they're giving birth

50:30or making babies or whatever, we're not

50:33>> actually letting more generations come

50:35into. And a lot of people don't

50:37understand that at all. And that was

50:39pounded into me by my aunt and uncle on

50:42my wife's side who explained that

50:45there's an incredible importance that

50:47has been forgotten. That used to be

50:49information that everyone knew. Uh but

50:51when we forget those kind of things

50:54culturally and it just becomes a hunt

50:56and take and greed component of why we

50:59do it then we begin to actually hurt

51:02what we all want to do that

51:03>> correct.

51:04>> So I love it. So

51:05>> thank you.

51:06>> Thank you for being here in person.

51:08>> Thank you

51:08>> and showing up and I look forward to

51:09seeing what you want.

51:11>> Thank you.

51:13>> Council member Viegas.

51:14>> Aloha. Thank you for being here. Hey

51:17Konowina. [laughter]

51:19I believe I went to school with a number

51:22of members of the Grace Ohana. You have

51:24a legacy of um service within community

51:28and connection to land and flora and

51:31fauna in those places. I really

51:33appreciate this generational

51:36opportunity for past, present, and

51:38future to be represented as we navigate

51:41a time of such technological quote

51:44unquote advances.

51:46Um, I continue to cling to the belief

51:51that the wisdom of our host culture and

51:54the people who have lived and thrived

51:57and nurtured

51:59these spaces by honoring their capacity

52:02for generations

52:04is the wisdom that will ensure that the

52:09resources are available

52:12to provide for future generations. So

52:14you bringing that perspective, that

52:16value system

52:18um to the table as well, joining those

52:21that share that, but being that strong

52:23voice as Monovah there. Um I think you

52:26will uh continue to do your family

52:30proud.

52:30>> Thank you.

52:31>> Thank you. I fully support your

52:33nomination and yield at this time.

52:35>> Thank you, Council Member Viegas.

52:37Council member Onishi,

52:38>> thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you very

52:40much for stepping up and you know if you

52:43need some help or advice our deputy

52:45clerk Aaron Brown is one of them. He's

52:48been long long time.

52:50>> Okay.

52:50>> Yeah. Abid Hunter you know he's been

52:53GMAC and all that right and

52:55>> also with the state too and he knows how

52:57the state operates. So

52:59>> he can help kind of give you an insight.

53:01Right.

53:01>> Okay.

53:02>> But just to add to Mr. quiz is that so I

53:06guess when the commission once you folks

53:08kind of decide what you folks need to

53:10get changes like to the state laws and

53:12so forth come to us.

53:13>> Okay.

53:13>> So we can do resolutions in support of

53:17>> your ideas or your plans to change

53:20stuff. Right. Sounds good.

53:21>> And then that can maybe give a little

53:23bit more reinforcement.

53:24>> Okay. [laughter]

53:25Good.

53:26>> So just reach out to us.

53:27>> Thank you.

53:27>> Yeah. Thank congratulations.

53:30>> Thank you.

53:30>> Thank you.

53:31>> Uh Council Vas, did you have something

53:33else? you're like, "Okay, thank you."

53:35All right. Thank you so much for

53:37stepping up and and being willing to,

53:39you know, put your good knowledge and

53:42ohana, you know, going I can see that

53:45you brought your grandfather here. Um

53:47it's really it's really great. Um, I

53:49will say that, you know, as you're

53:51looking at ways to maybe let some areas

53:53in Caou rest, um, maybe you can look at

53:57ways of turning attention to some of the

54:00areas on the island that have

54:01overpopulations of some wild game,

54:03especially unullet. Um, that would be

54:06extremely helpful as well. So, I would

54:09love to see uh us working also with the

54:12state on this um better and our county

54:15kind of pushing a little bit on the

54:17state to to get some of that under

54:19control as well, but to open it up for

54:21hunters and and let people go ahead and

54:23and hunt some of those areas where we're

54:25overpopulated. So, thank you so much for

54:27stepping up.

54:29>> Thank you.

54:29>> All right. And with that, um, all those

54:31in favor of closing file on

54:33communication 1049 and sending a

54:36favorable nomination of JSA Asans Grace

54:40for GMAC to the full council. Please say

54:44I.

54:45>> Any opposed? We have nine eyes. Mr.

54:48Clerk, thank you so much for being here

54:51and for stepping up. All right. With

54:53that, we have communication 1050.

54:57If anyone would like to testify in

54:59communication 1050, please speak up now.

55:04Hearing and seeing none, communication

55:061050, nomination of Robert A. Camaro to

55:08the Hawaii County Cultural Resources

55:10Commission for Mayor C. Kimo Alamita

55:13dated August 13, 2026, requesting the

55:16council's review and confirmation.

55:18>> May I have a motion, please?

55:21Chair motion to close file on

55:23communication 1050 and for the

55:26nomination of Robert Kamar to Cultural

55:29Resources Commission to the council with

55:30a favorable recommendation. I have a

55:33motion by council member Kirkowitz and a

55:34second by council member Galima to close

55:37file on communication 1050.

55:40With that, I will

55:43turn it over to Mr. Alamita to introduce

55:47the mayor's nominee, please. Mahalui.

55:49Madam Chair, it is my privilege to

55:51introduce communication 1050 nominating

55:54Robert A. Kamar to the Cultural

55:56Resources Commission. If confirmed, Mr.

55:58Kamar will serve a term that expires on

56:00December 31, 2029. I've met Mr. Kamar,

56:04as I'm sure many administrations do when

56:07he, you know, calls us and kind of tells

56:09us what the hell you folks doing. Yeah.

56:11Um, a lot of times, you know, I've feel

56:13like I'm getting scolding, right? Which

56:15is which I can appreciate, you know. um

56:18looking at past records, you know, Mr.

56:20Kamar is is an advocate for good

56:22government. You know, he's he's a

56:24watchdog. You know, he doesn't just let

56:26administrations come in and do whatever

56:28they think they can, right? Um he's

56:30always holding us accountable, which I

56:33can appreciate and which is how I've get

56:35to know Mr. Kamar more and more. Um

56:38which is why we are super lucky to have

56:40him wanting to step forward, wanting to

56:43serve with this administration. I think

56:45that says a lot for me. Yeah. That he

56:48wants to work with us and help this

56:50county during this time. So, you know,

56:53without further ado, Madam Chair, we

56:55look forward to a positive confirmation.

56:57Back to you.

56:57>> Thank you, Mr. Alamita. Mr. Kamar, would

57:00you like to say anything to the

57:02committee? Uh, just need to press the

57:04little green button there. There you go.

57:06Perfect.

57:07>> Perfect. Can you folks hear me?

57:10>> Yes.

57:11>> Uh, good morning.

57:12>> Good morning.

57:14I appreciate being here today.

57:18Cultural resources is

57:21one of those kind of nebulous things for

57:25a lot of people. Um for me it's really

57:28really important.

57:30Um the driving thing for the commission

57:33is the national and state register of

57:36historic places. There are dozens of of

57:42places, many of them buildings that are

57:45on the registers.

57:48Many of them many of those are on Halani

57:52Place across Wuku River from here. And

57:57most of Honuka is on the register

58:02building by building. I was born and

58:04raised in Hanukkah. And so all of those

58:06buildings are very very familiar to me

58:09even though their present incarnations

58:12don't make a whole lot of sense

58:13sometimes.

58:15Um cultural resources are also really

58:18intimately tied to history

58:21and I worry that in these times of

58:27what I call antisocial media history is

58:31being lost.

58:33The tragedy that happened in

58:35a couple of weeks ago

58:40is dwarfed by what happened there in

58:421868.

58:44And I don't hear anybody talking about

58:471868 and Kau. There was a the biggest

58:52earthquake on this island happened in

58:54April of that year.

58:56There was an eruption that formed Uho, a

59:00big big

59:02um cone at the shore [snorts] near

59:05Kalai.

59:06There was a big mudslide in Woods Alley

59:10and there were tsunami that wiped out

59:13people who lived along the coast. So,

59:16you know, we we concerned about what to

59:19do with one disaster flooding. what

59:22happens when four happen at the same

59:25time. And so that history to me is

59:30really really important and I don't want

59:32people to forget that. Um it's it's one

59:36thing to

59:38say that oh this is a historic building

59:41and it's beautiful and we have to

59:43maintain it but many places

59:46have historic landscapes like the tunnel

59:49systems in Caou

59:52um

59:54and many many other things

59:56archaeological sites all over the island

59:59and I hope to be able to

1:00:03kua that those things that that people

1:00:08are mostly unfamiliar with. Thank you.

1:00:11>> Thank you so much, Mr. Kamar. With that,

1:00:14I'll open it up to the committee

1:00:15members. Council member Viegas,

1:00:18>> mahalo for being here, for

1:00:23utilizing your skill set and your vast

1:00:26knowledge to serve our community. I

1:00:28think the words that you said really

1:00:30resonated with me. um the history of a

1:00:34place and so many times that is of the

1:00:37land and the species that reside there.

1:00:40Um Civil Beat this morning had an

1:00:43article about the um kind of neglect of

1:00:46following the history of flood corridors

1:00:49and stream beds. um which is uh

1:00:53something I have seen even here in in a

1:00:57colonial time of map making the small

1:01:00dotted lines disregard

1:01:04in so many different developments and

1:01:06leave us vulnerable to natural disasters

1:01:08which are increasing. Um, and it's

1:01:12through the history and the wisdom of

1:01:16the people of those places

1:01:19that I think we are most apt to be able

1:01:22to gert ourselves up for future

1:01:25potential um, challenges and

1:01:27catastrophes. And while the man-made uh

1:01:30structures

1:01:32are valuable and carry historic um

1:01:36meaning, I

1:01:39what I think I heard you say is the

1:01:41natural elements of the ecosystems on

1:01:45this island also have that value and

1:01:48need to be taken into consideration.

1:01:51um and cultural historic sites, not just

1:01:55um those uh from times um more

1:02:00more recent. Um at a time when history

1:02:03is being rewritten, disregarded or

1:02:06destroyed, I am heartened to hear um

1:02:09from a man um of your knowledge and

1:02:14girth of um understanding

1:02:18to hold strong

1:02:22to the purpose of history and and with

1:02:24the resource that you present for this.

1:02:26So, thank you so much for your

1:02:27willingness to lead in a time when so

1:02:30much of this is being tragically

1:02:32disregarded.

1:02:35>> Thank you, Council Member Viegas.

1:02:37Council member Glima,

1:02:39>> thank you. [clears throat] I definitely

1:02:42support your nomination. You have a um

1:02:44very impressive resume. Thank you for

1:02:47sharing it with us. Um, and I also

1:02:49wanted to thank you, speaking of

1:02:52antisocial media, for going on there and

1:02:56doing your best to

1:02:58tamp down some of the crazy rumors that

1:03:02conspiracy theories about the flood. Um,

1:03:05that you know, like it's hard enough

1:03:08having to deal with things and then

1:03:09having to spend time trying to tell

1:03:13people something that they know things.

1:03:15They know. They know. And no matter what

1:03:17you tell them, they know it. So, thank

1:03:20you for your work on that. [laughter]

1:03:22>> It's a pleasure.

1:03:25>> Thank you, Council Member GMA. Anybody

1:03:27else? Council member Kirkowitz.

1:03:29>> Thank you. I've known Uncle Bobby for a

1:03:31long time. Um, and Mr. Alamita, when he

1:03:33calls you, he's not yelling. He's just

1:03:36very passionate and he's sharing his

1:03:38mana and um, you know, his very very

1:03:42broad and informed perspective. So,

1:03:45there's always a gem um in what he has

1:03:47to share. I've had many calls and emails

1:03:50from Uncle Bobby. I'm so grateful that

1:03:52there is an avenue for you to put your

1:03:54knowledge and expertise to work um in

1:03:57service to our community, but also in

1:03:59service to future generations because

1:04:01the work of this commission is so

1:04:02important in the preservation of natural

1:04:05and cultural resources. So, thank you

1:04:07for making the time um and I look

1:04:09forward to your service on the

1:04:10commission. Thank you.

1:04:11>> Thank you, council member. With that,

1:04:12all those in favor on closing file and

1:04:14communication 1050 and sending the

1:04:17favorable nomination of Robert Kamar for

1:04:20the Cultural Resources Commission to the

1:04:22full council. Please say I.

1:04:24>> Any opposed? With that, Mr. Clerk, we

1:04:27have nine eyes. Thank you so much for

1:04:29being here, Mr. Kamar. We're going to go

1:04:32to communication 1052.

1:04:34If anyone would like to testify in

1:04:36communication 1052, please speak up now.

1:04:42Hearing and seeing none. Communication

1:04:441052, nomination of Porsche Ho to the

1:04:47board of appeals for Mayor C. Kimo

1:04:49Alamita dated August 13, 2026.

1:04:51Requesting the council's review and

1:04:53confirmation. Confirmation is required

1:04:54by September 26, 2026.

1:04:57>> Motion to close file on communication

1:04:591052 and for the nomination of Porsche

1:05:02to council with the favorable

1:05:04recommendation. This being for the board

1:05:06of appeals. Second. I have a motion by

1:05:08council member Inaba and a second by

1:05:10council member Hustus to close file on

1:05:12communication 1052.

1:05:14With that, I'd like to please turn it

1:05:16over to Mr. Alamita.

1:05:18>> Mahalui. Madam Chair, last one. Council

1:05:20members, I appreciate your patience. It

1:05:22is my privilege to introduce

1:05:23communication 1052 nominating Porsche Ha

1:05:26to the board of appeals. If confirmed,

1:05:29Miss Ha will serve a term that expires

1:05:31on December 31, 2030. Um, it's been a

1:05:34pleasure getting to know Miss Ha. She's

1:05:36a Hilo girl, born and raised, 2005,

1:05:40graduate of Hilo High School. I recently

1:05:42got to know Miss Ha a little better over

1:05:44the beginning of the summer where we

1:05:46both attended Havi on the Hill. Um, she

1:05:48was her business. Um, her ohana is the

1:05:51Mao Ohana here in Hilo. They are proud

1:05:53owners of the famous one ton chips. Um,

1:05:56so Porsche proudly represented their

1:05:59family heirloom. Yeah. The the the

1:06:01values of what makes them who they are

1:06:03in the name and brand. she represented

1:06:06that on the east coast proudly. I think

1:06:08if you were to ask United States Senator

1:06:10Maisie Herona what her favorite poo poo

1:06:13is or her favorite snack, she would tell

1:06:15you it's the one ton chip. Um, Porsche

1:06:18stole the show up there in up there at

1:06:20Hawaii on the hill. We were so grateful

1:06:23that she went. But more importantly,

1:06:25that is where I I I got to learn of her

1:06:27want to to do more. Yeah. Um, she's a a

1:06:30realtor by trade. um you know, she her

1:06:33and her siblings are trying to carry on

1:06:36their ohana business. Um but yet she

1:06:38still had time to want to do a little

1:06:41more. So we're kind of talking story.

1:06:42She asked me, you know, what the

1:06:43vacancies look like. And I thought, hey,

1:06:46you know, we could really use someone

1:06:48like you on the board of appeals, right?

1:06:50So she looked at it, she thought about

1:06:51it. Um and I'm so happy that she stepped

1:06:54forward um and allowed us to nominate

1:06:56her to the board of appeals. Without

1:06:57further ado, Madam Chair, back to you.

1:06:59>> Thank you, Mr. Alamita. Miss Ha, would

1:07:01you like to say a little bit to the

1:07:04council here to the committee?

1:07:08>> Thank you. Well, thank you first of all

1:07:10for the opportunity to be here today.

1:07:12Um, like Ma said, I've been looking for

1:07:14more ways to be involved in the

1:07:16community and um when we were in DC, I

1:07:19got to see the mayor and his team in

1:07:22action and I was just so impressed by

1:07:24the way they work together, the drive,

1:07:26and the way that they serve the

1:07:27community. So, I knew that that was my

1:07:30sign to look into what more I can do,

1:07:32which is um how I got to Micah. And as

1:07:35for the board of appeals, um I know that

1:07:38cases would be related to planning,

1:07:40zoning, building. Um I believe that

1:07:42property ownership is what strengthens

1:07:45our community because then the residents

1:07:47have stake in the game. Um so when there

1:07:50are disputes on that that property use

1:07:52um I see the importance of making sure

1:07:54that people not only conform to the code

1:07:57but also receive their fair um and

1:08:00patient due process.

1:08:03>> Thank you so much for that. Um council

1:08:05members, any

1:08:08uh questions or comments for Miss

1:08:11Council member Kirkitz?

1:08:13>> Uh thank you.

1:08:17>> Um I I just wanted to mahal you for

1:08:21stepping up to serve.

1:08:22>> Excuse me. Sorry, just a sec. There's

1:08:24there's something going on in the

1:08:26background noise.

1:08:29Okay, I think it's taken care of. Go

1:08:31ahead. I'm so sorry.

1:08:32>> No, you're fine. I I just wanted to say

1:08:34mahalui. you strike me as um a wahine

1:08:37that is incredibly sharp um but also

1:08:39very tempered and even in your approach

1:08:41and I know that you're going to do all

1:08:42of the research and due diligence for

1:08:44all of the cases that come forward and

1:08:46make a very fair um you know assessment

1:08:49and kind of ruling. So I just I I thank

1:08:50you for taking on this very important

1:08:52kana um here and all the all that you do

1:08:55to serve our community. Mahalo.

1:08:57>> Thank you council member Kirkwitz.

1:08:59Council member Connie Lee Kleinfelder.

1:09:01>> Thank you. Uh Porsche, I've worked with

1:09:03you on and off for the last I don't know

1:09:06how long with Solar Brothers. Thank you

1:09:09for being that person in the

1:09:10consolidation point and as well thank

1:09:12you for being a man business owner,

1:09:15entrepreneur

1:09:17in Hilo and it's it's just it's been

1:09:20amazing watching your company grow and

1:09:22watching what you've done as you know

1:09:25the up and cominging generation running

1:09:26the business. It's not easy being a

1:09:28business owner in Hilo or on Havaii

1:09:31Island or just in general in Hawaii. It

1:09:33costs a fortune and you got to work

1:09:3618our days and you never get a break and

1:09:38something's always breaking and then you

1:09:39got to fix it and it's a pain in the ass

1:09:41and nobody helps you and then everyone

1:09:44expects you to pay your taxes and be on

1:09:45time and support employees and blah blah

1:09:48blah blah blah. It just goes on and on

1:09:49and on and here you are stepping up for

1:09:51more punishment. So

1:09:54I greatly appreciate you stepping up.

1:09:56Thank you for the administration for

1:09:57finding someone who has a deep

1:10:00understanding of all forms of community

1:10:04and I look forward to working with you

1:10:06in the future. And again, uh I just I

1:10:09keep watching you guys grow and it's

1:10:11it's it's like the dream to see our

1:10:14local businesses step up and keep

1:10:16moving, moving, moving and expanding and

1:10:18scaling and doing what you're doing. So,

1:10:20mahalo and look forward to supporting

1:10:22your nomination. Thank you.

1:10:24>> Thank you.

1:10:26Thank you, council member, council

1:10:28member Onishi.

1:10:29>> Thank you, Madam Chair. Good morning and

1:10:31great to see you and you know your whole

1:10:34family. You folks really work hard and

1:10:36you have my total support and you know

1:10:39if there's anything that I can help out,

1:10:42you know, with you on your confirmation,

1:10:46just let me know. Thank you. Good luck.

1:10:49>> Thank you, council member. With that,

1:10:51uh, thank you once again for stepping up

1:10:52on behalf of our whole committee. Um,

1:10:56all those in favor on closing file on

1:10:59communication 1052 and sending a

1:11:02favorable nomination of Porsche Ha for

1:11:04the board of appeal appeals to the full

1:11:06council. Please say I. Any opposed? We

1:11:10have nine eyes, Mr. Clerk. Thank you,

1:11:13Miss Ha. And we are going to go to the

1:11:16final um item on our agenda. I I do have

1:11:21a

1:11:22amendment for this item. So I would like

1:11:25to pass the chair over to my vice chair

1:11:28uh council member Con Lee Kleinfelder

1:11:30for this last um item.

1:11:33>> Thank you. Please let the record reflect

1:11:35that I have assumed the chair at 10:10

1:11:38a.m. Uh with that, Council Kiara, please

1:11:42go ahead. If you don't mind, I can I'll

1:11:44read the uh reading the measure. Um last

1:11:48last chance, if anyone like to testify

1:11:49in resolution 664-26,

1:11:52please speak up now.

1:11:56Hearing and seeing none, resolution

1:11:57664-26

1:11:59approves the Hawaii County Council

1:12:00legislative proposals and priorities to

1:12:02be considered for inclusion in the 2027

1:12:05Hawaii State Association of Counties

1:12:07legislative package. includes proposals

1:12:09prohibiting the capture and sale of

1:12:11aquatic life for commercial aquarium

1:12:13purposes, allowing counties to request

1:12:15the state land use boundary amendment

1:12:16from agriculture to rural districts for

1:12:18small parcels, requiring denitrification

1:12:21[clears throat] in individual wastewater

1:12:22systems, extending the county search

1:12:24charge of general excise tax until 2045

1:12:27and updating eligible criteria for

1:12:29housing assistance applicants to

1:12:31allocate a percentage of housing units

1:12:32to be used by state or county employees

1:12:34under chapter 201H. and seven policy

1:12:37priorities relating to one herbicide

1:12:39usage on public property. Two, solar

1:12:42system insulation on public property and

1:12:44renewable en energy generation. Three,

1:12:46wershed management

1:12:49repairarian areas and flood control.

1:12:51Four, mental and behavioral health

1:12:53resources. Five, economic development

1:12:55and diversification. Six, wastewater

1:12:57infrastructure and cesspool conversion.

1:12:59And seven, implementation of safe routes

1:13:01to school programs. Introduced by

1:13:03council member Kimble.

1:13:06Motion to approve resolution 664-26 and

1:13:09forward to council with favorable

1:13:11recommendation.

1:13:12>> We have a motion by council member Kimbo

1:13:13and a second by council member Kagiada

1:13:15to forward the res forward

1:13:19forward resolution 664-26 council with a

1:13:22favorable recommendation. Council member

1:13:25Kimble.

1:13:26>> Yes, thank you. Um this is the second

1:13:28step in the process of creating our

1:13:31legislative package for the Hawaii State

1:13:33Association of Counties. Um, the first

1:13:36step was our conversation we had a

1:13:38couple months ago. Hopefully, I've

1:13:40faithfully captured everybody's

1:13:42recommendations for inclusion in the

1:13:44package. I I did go general with the

1:13:47priorities in order to capture more

1:13:49legislation as it as it goes through.

1:13:51Um, we are because of the delayed

1:13:55hearing um due to uh the hurricane, we

1:13:58are a little bit under the gun here in

1:14:00terms of moving this forward. So, if

1:14:03there are further amendments that folks

1:14:04wish to make to this, I ask that we do

1:14:06move it to council and make those

1:14:08amendments there just so we stay on our

1:14:11legislative timeline. Um, just one final

1:14:14reminder with respect to the priorities

1:14:16by approving the priorities here. Um, we

1:14:20will that allows us to discuss those and

1:14:22submit testimony um as a body with um

1:14:26within the sunshine law and then we made

1:14:28to that a couple of years ago. So, ask

1:14:30for everybody's support this forward to

1:14:33council. Thank you.

1:14:34>> Thank you.

1:14:38>> Thank you. Like to make a motion to

1:14:40amend

1:14:42resolution 664-26

1:14:45with the contents of communication

1:14:471048.1.

1:14:50Motion by council member Kagiada,

1:14:52seconded by council member Kima to amend

1:14:57resolution 664-26 with the contents of

1:15:00communication

1:15:061048.1.

1:15:07Council go ahead.

1:15:09>> Thank you so much. Um just wanted to add

1:15:13back a few of these that we had on

1:15:15previous years and then one additional

1:15:18item under priority. So adding back a

1:15:21draft bill to allow counties to regulate

1:15:24the sale of tobacco products. Um this is

1:15:28uh usually informally called the

1:15:29preeemption bill. Um, last year I

1:15:34believe city and county of Honolulu put

1:15:37this bill forward as a priority for

1:15:40HSAC. Um, I was also interested in in

1:15:45very much in that as well as I've been

1:15:47working with many of our local health

1:15:49and youth organizations here who

1:15:53understand that when our county had the

1:15:57ability to do these regulations, we had

1:15:59much stronger tobacco regulation. Um and

1:16:03since it has been taken away and and

1:16:07only being regulated by the state, we

1:16:09are have not been allowed to do that for

1:16:11our people and our youth especially. So

1:16:15we would like to get that back um and

1:16:17hope that um HSAC can be a part of

1:16:22advocating for that. um under priorities

1:16:25which are um just kind of general

1:16:27priorities that HSAC can look at and to

1:16:30see what bills may be um put forward

1:16:34this year. I added back legislation

1:16:36relating to increasing funds for

1:16:38emergency preparedness, evacuation

1:16:40routes, notification systems, and

1:16:43community level emergency planning. Um,

1:16:46we had this on last year and I feel like

1:16:48it's incredibly important once again

1:16:50that we continue to look at that as

1:16:53something that um, HSAC can advocate

1:16:56for. Also adding back legislation

1:16:59relating to responsible game management

1:17:01of wild unullet. um kind of mentioned

1:17:04that a little bit when we were speaking

1:17:06with our nominee for GMAC, but um

1:17:09obviously uh people here understand that

1:17:13um we need support at the state level

1:17:15for this issue. It's not really

1:17:17something the county can do on our own.

1:17:20And lastly, I added uh a piece about

1:17:22legislation related to increasing wa

1:17:24wages. Um this is just a very broad

1:17:27statement. Obviously, HSAC will look at

1:17:30um any bills that come up that might

1:17:32have to do with that, but I think

1:17:34everybody's also aware that people are

1:17:36really struggling right now as far as

1:17:38just making ends meet, affordability,

1:17:40and um paying their bills. So, um those

1:17:44are the ones that I've I'm asking to add

1:17:47back. Happy to take questions. Love to

1:17:50hear input from people.

1:17:52>> Thank you, Council Member Kiwada. Any

1:17:55questions?

1:17:57regarding the amendment.

1:18:01I do have one just just to the the

1:18:04maker.

1:18:05Uh from my recollection, Council Member

1:18:08Leel

1:18:10uh passed a bill that basically had the

1:18:13preeemption language built into it. Did

1:18:16we not pass that for our county court

1:18:19already?

1:18:21And I I believe the state act did not.

1:18:23Didn't they pass some kind of measure?

1:18:24No, they did not. They didn't address

1:18:26the preeemption issue.

1:18:32>> Interesting. [clears throat] That's all

1:18:34my questions. Council.

1:18:36>> Yes. Sorry. Um, council member Kagi, can

1:18:38you just clarify? So, for this the

1:18:40number two in your amendment

1:18:43numbers 8, 9, 10 that are being added to

1:18:46the whereas clause. Those legislative

1:18:49priorities were submitted directly to

1:18:52ASAP.

1:18:54No, these. So, I'm asking for them to be

1:18:56added here to our recommendations to

1:19:00HSAC um from our county as what they

1:19:03would consider. Um my understanding and

1:19:06and council member Kimble can correct me

1:19:08if I'm wrong is that HSAC will still

1:19:11will take basically resolutions like

1:19:14this from each county, look at them, and

1:19:16then um decide what they will include in

1:19:20their packet. So, it's a recommendation

1:19:21to HSAC to um discuss including these

1:19:25items.

1:19:27>> Thank you.

1:19:28>> Confirming.

1:19:29>> All right.

1:19:32>> Okay. Thank you. And then, Council

1:19:34Kimble,

1:19:36if I remember right, we were to give

1:19:38priorities, but also have attached a

1:19:41copy of a bill to go to ASAP or this is

1:19:44just priorities for the Hawaii company.

1:19:47So the um first section, the first

1:19:50whereas here includes the bills and

1:19:53those are attached as actual copies. Um

1:19:56you'll see on the the one drive the um

1:20:00priorities do not require an actual bill

1:20:02to be submitted for them. They're

1:20:04they're basically general

1:20:07priority areas that we will then track

1:20:10if any bills are relevant to that

1:20:12subject matter and testify in support as

1:20:15they said.

1:20:16>> Okay. Thank you. And then council you

1:20:19want to the last one number 10

1:20:21legislation related to increasing wages.

1:20:24Could you expand uh expound upon that a

1:20:26little bit for me? Yeah, just um we've

1:20:30had people calling our office just

1:20:32really um

1:20:36trying their best to support their

1:20:38families. Um people who've gone and got

1:20:40degrees, people that are, you know,

1:20:42looking for positions that can actually,

1:20:46you know, pay all their bills and just

1:20:48really struggling. Um

1:20:51as well as people in very entry level

1:20:54positions. So, it's kind of broad, but

1:20:57we think there may be bills that we will

1:20:59want to support going forward.

1:21:03[laughter]

1:21:04>> So, then specifically like county county

1:21:08wages that you're speaking to.

1:21:13>> Sorry,

1:21:15>> that's it.

1:21:15>> This is for state

1:21:18>> state.

1:21:21Okay. Thank you, Council Member

1:21:26Thank you, chair. Um, just wanted to, I

1:21:28guess, comment on the evolution of this

1:21:30process. I know that when many of us

1:21:32first joined the council and these

1:21:34resolutions would be put forward, HSAC

1:21:36was kind of stuck in advocating for just

1:21:39those specific bills. Um, and over time,

1:21:42it seems that we've been able to do a

1:21:44bit more because of enabling

1:21:46resolutions. So, in addition to

1:21:47supporting bills included in this

1:21:49package, um there are priorities that

1:21:52provide HSAC flexibility to do a letter

1:21:55of support and provide advocacy. I guess

1:21:57one clarifying question I have, Council

1:21:58Member Kimell, is for the bills that are

1:22:00attached to the package. If there are

1:22:03similar bills that are being introduced

1:22:05because there are often a number of bill

1:22:08vehicles um that are all kind of saying

1:22:11the same but a little bit different but

1:22:12get to the same sort of destination. Are

1:22:15you folks procluded from advocating for

1:22:18those measures as well? I I think it's

1:22:19helpful to get clarification for the

1:22:21record. Thank you.

1:22:22>> Yeah, thank you for that. There are

1:22:24often bills that are either identical or

1:22:27very similar in terms of what they aim

1:22:30to achieve and um our bylaws allow us to

1:22:35basically adopt support of those

1:22:38identical vehicles if it's not the bill

1:22:41that's in the package that gets

1:22:42supported. That's really fantastic.

1:22:45Thank you. I know that there's so much

1:22:46work that is involved on your ends for

1:22:49all of the council members that are

1:22:50involved in HSAC to put together these

1:22:52packages and then stay on it in in the

1:22:55time of the legislative session when

1:22:57things are just really swirling around

1:22:59very quickly. So, thank you for your

1:23:00advocacy.

1:23:02>> Thank you, Counc. Thank you, J. So, on

1:23:06the amendment number 10 again for So,

1:23:09you're talking about like the minimum

1:23:10wage?

1:23:12Not necessarily. I It's just a very

1:23:15broad category that we can look at. If

1:23:17the state puts forward legislation

1:23:20around basically increasing wages for

1:23:23folks, we we can look at that as as hack

1:23:26and see if um we can support

1:23:30it.

1:23:31>> I mean, it's basically just I I guess we

1:23:34come down to the minimum wage,

1:23:36>> right?

1:23:36>> That's the most primary way that the

1:23:40state deals with.

1:23:41Why isn't there something about reducing

1:23:43the cost of living? Because when we re

1:23:47when we increase the minimum wages, the

1:23:50companies needs to also raise their

1:23:54prices to cover that minimum wage. So to

1:23:57[snorts] me, I look at it when they have

1:23:59this minimum wage increase every so

1:24:01often,

1:24:02it it it's a wash, right? Because then

1:24:05now

1:24:06>> like someone working at Burger King,

1:24:08they might make now $18. I think come

1:24:11end you know of January January 1 they

1:24:14have an increase to like [snorts] 17 or

1:24:16$18 an hour. Now Burger King going to

1:24:19have to increase their costs because now

1:24:23they got to spend more money expenses.

1:24:26So it becomes like a wash. So I I feel

1:24:29that instead of maybe doing a minimum

1:24:32increase in wages is looking at how we

1:24:35can reduce the cost of living for

1:24:37everyone. I think that's a great idea.

1:24:40If you want to put forward another

1:24:41amendment, I think that'd be wonderful.

1:24:43>> I'm just saying that because you put

1:24:45minimum you put in the

1:24:46>> I didn't put minimum wage.

1:24:47>> No, but you putting increase of wages

1:24:49that maybe you got to look at the other

1:24:51side too.

1:24:53>> Yeah, great great idea. Should add it.

1:24:57>> Thank you very much.

1:25:01>> Yeah, just two quick comments. Um first,

1:25:04uh you know, after this passes our

1:25:06council, it goes to the executive

1:25:08committee um along with the resolutions

1:25:11from the other four councils will

1:25:12whittle it down. We usually try to stick

1:25:14to about 10 bills to introduce as part

1:25:16of the package and then um you know we

1:25:19we try to have a reasonable amount of

1:25:21priorities, right? It's hard to track

1:25:23too many things and do a good job over

1:25:26time. So this list will probably be

1:25:28reduced or improved in terms of

1:25:31description. What I I will say is that

1:25:34um you know we are actively looking at a

1:25:38couple of different tools for tracking

1:25:41and submitting testimony. Um, there's

1:25:43quite a bit of advancement from the AI

1:25:46uh angle on working on tracking and and

1:25:49submitting testimony. So, we're hopeful

1:25:52that HAC will acquire some tool of some

1:25:55sort and that you folks will have access

1:25:57to that too in terms of being able to

1:25:59watch some of these bills. Thank you.

1:26:01>> That probably make Susan pretty happy

1:26:03too. She had enough to do it manually.

1:26:07Okay, everyone. So on the amendment

1:26:10uh as far as amending resolution

1:26:13664-26

1:26:18with the contents of communication

1:26:191048.1. All in favor? Any opposed?

1:26:24Mr. Kirk, we have

1:26:27eight members in favor and Mr. Onishi

1:26:30opposed.

1:26:32Motion carries. Back to the main motion,

1:26:35resolution 664-26

1:26:39as amended. Council member Roi.

1:26:41>> Thank you, chair. So in exhibit A

1:26:45the draft prohibit capture and sale of

1:26:47aquatic life

1:26:50the last couple days or something didn't

1:26:54have some kind of

1:26:57legislation or they passed some kind of

1:26:59rules about this already.

1:27:06Uh yeah, the BLNR had a hearing on

1:27:08Friday for proposed rules um for quotas

1:27:11and permitting licensing um to reopen

1:27:15this. The overwhelming testimony

1:27:18received by the board asked them to

1:27:21reject those rules. So [clears throat]

1:27:24the bill in this exhibit is again asking

1:27:29the legislature to enact law that sets

1:27:33out a complete statewide ban because

1:27:36they have failed to do that over the

1:27:38years. since renewing that request. But

1:27:41at this point, the BLNR does not have uh

1:27:45an outright ban on the table, but were

1:27:49asked by members or the BLNR did ask the

1:27:53department to go back and draft rules um

1:27:56and just reook at what they had provided

1:27:58them. So,

1:28:01okay. Thank you.

1:28:08Just noting it says in the bill that uh

1:28:14regarding the fish that the bill

1:28:17existing language in HRS says that col

1:28:21are have little or no value as food fish

1:28:24which I would completely disagree with

1:28:27because they're delicious.

1:28:29And I bet you u the previous

1:28:33member who came into the game management

1:28:35advisory commission would agree.

1:28:38Okay. So on the motion to for resolution

1:28:42664-26

1:28:45to council with the favorable

1:28:46recommendation.

1:28:48All in favor?

1:28:50Any opposed?

1:28:52Mr. Clerk, please let the record

1:28:54reflect. We have eight I votes and one

1:28:57no vote being Mr. Onishi. Motion

1:28:59carries. I believe that brings us to the

1:29:02end of our agenda. Okay, seeing no

1:29:04further business, it is 10:28 a.m. We

1:29:08are adjourned. Our next committee is the

1:29:09committee on finance. We will start

1:29:11shortly. Thank you.

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