2026-09-15 - Finance Committee

02:31Okay. Aloha. Welcome to the Committee on

02:33Finance. Today is September 15, 2026.

02:37It's 3:33 p.m. Calling this meeting to

02:40order. Meeting is being held in the Hilo

02:42Chambers. We do have our outlaying sites

02:44available to the public as well. Joining

02:47us today in the Hilo chambers we have

02:48council member Kimell, council member

02:50Gimba, council member Viegas, council

02:52member Kiwara, Enaba

02:56and we have floating around council

02:58members oni and Kirkowitz and in Kona we

03:02have joining us today council member

03:03Houston,

03:05Mr. Clerk.

03:07Oh you know for the public today coming

03:09in to testify uh we're going to start

03:12with bill 192.

03:14Uh, so for those of you wanting to

03:16testify,

03:17I would suggest testifying now because

03:20we're going to start with that item in

03:21case you're thinking about starting when

03:22the starting your testimony when the

03:24bill is heard. It's going to be the

03:26first one. So, if you can, let's start

03:29with all the testimony for bill 192 or

03:32any other item on the agenda today. Um,

03:35but due to the number of people we have

03:36and us being behind schedule today, uh,

03:39pursuant to rule 12 of the council's

03:41rules of procedure and as chair of the

03:43committee, I'm going to limit testimony

03:45time to two minutes per person instead

03:47of the usual three. So, thank you for

03:50being uh, patient with us today as we

03:51try and get back on schedule.

03:54Uh, so, Mr. RSL, if we could go to

03:57public testimony and then we'll jump to

03:58Bill 192 when you're ready.

04:02>> Thank you so much, Chair. With that,

04:04just [clears throat] like to note that

04:06everyone requesting to testify today is

04:08testifying on bill 192. With that, we'll

04:11start with our first testifiers via Zoom

04:14and then we will come back to our

04:16testifiers here in Hilo. First of which

04:18is Michelle Manalo to be followed by Les

04:21Estrella.

04:23Michelle, when you're ready to begin,

04:24you can unmute, introduce yourself, and

04:26you'll have the two minutes that the

04:28chair has designated.

04:30>> Thank you. Aloha, Chair Kane Ali

04:33Kleinfelder and members of the Hawaii

04:35County Council Finance Committee. My

04:37name is Michelle Manalo. I am the senior

04:39finance officer with Going Home Hawaii

04:41and co-chair of the Justice Lived

04:43Experience Advisory Group. Today I am

04:46speaking as someone with lived

04:47experience. I strongly support Bill 192

04:50and the continuation of the homelessness

04:52and housing fund. I understand

04:55personally how important it is for

04:57someone to have support and stability

04:59when they are trying to change their

05:00life. When someone is experiencing

05:02homelessness, coming out of

05:04incarceration, working through recovery,

05:07or simply trying to start over, housing

05:09is imperative. Without a safe and stable

05:12place to live, it becomes much harder to

05:14focus on everything else that is needed

05:16to move forward. finding employment,

05:18maintaining recovery, reconnecting with

05:20family, meeting responsibilities, and

05:23becoming a pro productive member of the

05:25community. My own lived experience has

05:27helped shape the work that I do today. I

05:30have had the opportunity to move forward

05:32in my own life and now I am in a

05:34position where I can give back and

05:36advocate for others who are facing many

05:39of the same barriers.

05:41Through my work with Going Home Hawaii

05:43and J League, I continue to see how

05:45important housing and supportive

05:47services are for people transitioning

05:50back into our communities. When people

05:52are given stability, resources, and an

05:55opportunity to succeed, we can help

05:57break the cycle of homelessness and

05:59incarceration and reduce the likelihood

06:02of people returning to the justice

06:03system.

06:04>> 30 seconds, please.

06:05>> Thank you. For me, this is more than

06:07funding. These are real people, real

06:09families, and real lives. I know what it

06:11means to need an opportunity, and I know

06:13when what can happen when someone is

06:15given one.

06:17I strongly support Bill 192 and ask you

06:20to continue the homelessness and housing

06:22fund, preserve these critical services,

06:25and require transparent reporting so our

06:28community can continue to see the impact

06:30of this investment. Mahalo for allowing

06:32me to share my voice, my experience, and

06:34my support for Bill 192. Thank you so

06:37much for your testimony. Chair, your

06:39next testifiers are Les Estrella to be

06:41followed by Dr. Hannah Preston Peta.

06:44Less, when you're ready to begin, please

06:45introduce yourself and you'll have two

06:47minutes.

06:48>> Hello, chair and members of the finance

06:49committee. My name is Les Estrella,

06:51president and CEO of Going Home Hawaii.

06:54I am here in strong support of bill 192.

06:57I also submitted written testimony for

06:59your consideration today. Wanted to

07:02focus on what the homelessness and

07:03housing fund is actually doing in our

07:05community. I understand why the council

07:07and the public want to see results. Our

07:10staff works directly in downtown Hilo

07:12where homelessness affects not only

07:13people living without shelter, but

07:15businesses, workers, families, police,

07:17and first responders. During the first

07:20six months of this year, our Hilo and

07:22Corner housing programs received 260

07:25referrals. Of those, 237 involved people

07:29who were homeless, at risk of homeless,

07:31or expected to become homeless upon

07:33release from our Hilo jail. That is more

07:36than nine out of every 10 people

07:38referred to us. Our justice navigator

07:41works daily in downtown Hila with

07:43businesses and community policing,

07:46addressing problems early and helping

07:48reduce arrest and repeat arrest. This is

07:51upstream work. We are interrupting the

07:54cycle between homelessness, emergency

07:56services, and the justice system. When

07:58someone moves from a sidewalk or parked

08:01into housing, that is a real outcome.

08:04And when that person remains housed and

08:07stable, the entire community benefits.

08:10For many of the people we serve,

08:11employment becomes another important

08:13step towards longterm stability and

08:16independence.

08:18We also have to count

08:20no longer living in our parks and

08:22downtown areas. The people who avoided

08:24homelessness and the people who are now

08:26housed, working, and rebuilding their

08:28lives. I support accountability,

08:30[snorts] transparency, measurable

08:32outcomes, and the audit. Every provider

08:35receiving public funds should be able to

08:37demonstrate results. Go to Hawaii and

08:40others are prepared to do that. We have

08:42spent four years building this capacity

08:44at the system of care. Please allow us

08:47to continue the work. Mahalo.

08:49>> Thank you chair. Our next testifier is

08:52Dr. Hannah Preston Peta. Then we will

08:54take our first two testifiers here in

08:56Hilo. Corey Cowzy and to be followed by

08:59Alice Snicker. Both of which if you guys

09:01would like Corey and Alice, you guys can

09:03come up to the testifier table now and

09:05prepare yourselves. With that being

09:06said, Dr. Hannah Preston Pa, whenever

09:08you're ready, you can introduce yourself

09:10and you'll have two minutes.

09:12>> Aloha kako chair and members of the

09:14Hawaii County Council. My name is Dr.

09:16Hannah Preston Pitta, the CEO of the Big

09:18Island Substance Abuse Council, and I'm

09:20here in strong support of Bill 192 and

09:23the continuation of the homeless and

09:25housing fund. For many years, I have

09:27worked on the front lines of behavioral

09:29health, substance use treatment,

09:30recovering, community services on Hawaii

09:33Island. I've seen what happens when

09:35people have nowhere to go. And I have

09:37also seen what becomes possible when our

09:39community chooses to invest in

09:40solutions. Homelessness is not simply

09:42about putting a roof over someone's

09:44head. It is often connected to

09:46addiction, mental health, incarceration,

09:48trauma, medical needs, family

09:50instability, and poverty. That means our

09:52response cannot be one-dimensional. This

09:55fund has helped Hawaii County build a

09:57continuum prevention, outreach, shelter,

09:59treatment, recovery, supportive

10:00services, and housing. The county itself

10:03identifies this multis- sector approach

10:05as central to its homelessness strategy,

10:08and it is being looked at by other

10:10counties who are amazed with the work of

10:12our providers and the county's

10:13investments. At BISAC, Koulihya is one

10:16example. Before its development, which

10:19is our detox center, Hawaii Island did

10:21not have this dedicated social

10:22detoxification resource. Today, people

10:24in crisis have a place to stabilize and

10:26an opportunity to move forward in

10:28treatment, recovery, and greater

10:30independence. And I want to be clear,

10:33continuing this fund does not mean we

10:34stop asking hard questions. We should

10:37demand accountability. We should measure

10:39outcomes. We should know what is working

10:41and where we need improvements and how

10:43and what is working on our women's detox

10:45program. But we should not confuse the

10:48fact

10:49>> homelessness still exists with the

10:51belief that these investments have not

10:53matter. The question is not whether we

10:55have solved homelessness. That's never

10:57going to happen. The question is whether

10:59Hawaii Island is stronger and better

11:00equipped today to prevent and respond to

11:02homelessness because of this investment.

11:04From what I've witnessed in our

11:06community, it is if you dismantle pieces

11:08of the system, the need does not

11:10disappear. The people do not disappear.

11:12The crisis simply shows up somewhere

11:14else. Bahala for your consideration for

11:17your continued commitment to our people

11:18in Hawaii Island.

11:20>> Thank you so much for your testimony.

11:22And with that, chair, we will come back

11:23now to our testifiers here in the Hilo

11:26Chamber. Starting us off is Corey Causy

11:28to be followed by Alice Netker. Corey,

11:30when you're ready to begin, you can turn

11:31that mic on by hitting the green button,

11:33introducing yourself, and you'll have

11:35two minutes.

11:36>> Aloha, chair and members of the finance

11:38committee. My name is Corey Kazy,

11:40director of operations with Loki

11:42Treatment Centers, and I'm here with

11:43Carla Silva, our client navigator and

11:47certified substance abuse counselor. We

11:49are submitting testimony in strong

11:51support of bill 192 relating to the

11:53homelessness and housing fund. Through

11:55the homelessness and housing fund,

11:57Hawaii County has built a unique and

12:00comprehensive system of care that

12:01deserves continued support. This

12:04achievement did not happen overnight and

12:06it was not created from a ready-made

12:08blueprint. It was built through years of

12:11commitment, coordination, and problem

12:13solving in response to the real needs of

12:15our community. With the support and

12:17oversight of the county council, the

12:20office of housing and community

12:21development took a tremendous challenge

12:24of building and refining this system

12:26over time. And that work required

12:29building together organizations with

12:31different areas of expertise.

12:33identifying gaps in services and

12:36strengthening partnerships and

12:37continuing continuing improving the

12:40approach based on what has been learned

12:42here in Hawaii County. What has emerged

12:46is more than a collection of funded

12:48programs. It is a coordinated network

12:51that connects housing, homelessness,

12:53behavioral health, substance use,

12:55treatment, case management, and

12:57outreach, and other essential services

13:00so individuals and families can be met

13:02with a more complete and responsive

13:05system of care.

13:07>> 30 seconds, please.

13:09>> So, this level of coordination took time

13:12to build, and it does deserve a careful

13:14and responsible transition. A two-year

13:16extension is a thoughtful and

13:18appropriate step because it does protect

13:20the system and its continuity while

13:23allowing for careful review. So with

13:27this transition in council membership

13:29approaching, new council members will be

13:31able to have the time to understand the

13:33fund, its history, its participating

13:36organizations. So the extension gives

13:38them that stability and time. For these

13:42reasons, we respectfully urge the

13:44committee to support Bill 192. Mahalo

13:46for your opportunity to

13:47>> Thank you so much, Corey. So sorry.

13:49We're gonna have to move on. Chair, your

13:51next testifier is Alice Netker to be

13:53followed by Lane Miyak Kamahel. Alice,

13:55when you're ready to begin, please

13:56introduce yourself and you've got two

13:58minutes.

14:01>> Hello, chair and members of the finance

14:03committee. My name is Alice Nitker. I'm

14:05here today to stand in strong urgent

14:07support of bill 192 to extend the

14:10homelessness and housing funds through

14:11through 2029.

14:13Before these medical respit houses open,

14:16vulnerable people were simply being

14:17released from the hospital straight back

14:18onto the pavement because they had no

14:20safe place to recover even though they

14:22no longer needed to be hospitalized. I

14:25am speaking today on behalf of my

14:26brother Antoner who is a resident at the

14:29hope services medical respit care home

14:31in Analoa. Before getting to his getting

14:33into this home, my brother was unhoused.

14:36In late June, he was viciously mobbed.

14:38He sustained multiple concussions, a

14:40fractured skull, a fractured eye socket,

14:41and a broken jaw. He laid unconscious in

14:44the hospital for three days, unknown to

14:46us, his family, and now suffers

14:48permanent double vision. When it came

14:50time to discharge him, he could not

14:52return to the streets with a fractured

14:54skull. I know my brother prayed, and I

14:56know God heard his prayer because that

14:58is exactly when the bis space opened up

14:59for him. Because they have nursing staff

15:01available 24/7, he has a safe place to

15:04heal. The staff meticulously documents

15:06his appointments, keeps him aware of his

15:08schedule, and coordinates medical taxi

15:10to ensure he gets his care. My mom and I

15:12drive him when he doesn't use a taxi.

15:14But the home's daily structure is what

15:16keeps him keeps his health care on track

15:18while his case managers actively help

15:20him transition to permanent housing. For

15:23my brother, this respit bed is a line is

15:25a thin line between life and death. If

15:28he is forced back onto the streets, the

15:29question is not if he will die. It is a

15:32matter of when.

15:32>> 30 seconds, please.

15:33>> It is a matter of when he will die.

15:36>> Hope services cannot provide this

15:38life-saving oversight and housing

15:40transition work on unstable funding.

15:42They need the stability of this fund

15:44extended through 2029. Please vote yes

15:46on bill 9 192. Mahalo for your time.

15:49>> Thank you for your testimony, chair. Our

15:51next testifiers are Lane Miyaki Kamahel

15:53to be followed by Zena Lobe.

15:59Lane, when you're ready, please

16:00introduce yourself and you've got two

16:02minutes. Good afternoon, chair, vice

16:04chair, um, and county council members. I

16:07had a script, but I'm going to go off

16:09script because I just want to be very

16:12candid with all of you. Um, because of

16:14the fact that these funds are I'm in

16:17strong support of bill 192 across the

16:19board and you guys have material. You

16:22guys had an evaluation done in 2025 that

16:26gives a recommendation to extend the

16:27funds beyond 2027 with also

16:30recommendation of what's to do with to

16:32do what to do with the funds. Right? So

16:33you guys have that information of how

16:36strongly and how in how it has impacted

16:38our community, right? So you cannot say

16:40that you don't know. Um, but I also just

16:43want to ask you guys to take into

16:45consideration all of the testimonies

16:47that you guys are going to hear today,

16:48right? Not just because we're reading

16:50off of a script like I was going to do,

16:53right? But to actually listen to the

16:55stories. And I just want to ask if it

16:56was your brother, if it was your sister,

16:59if it was your family member that needed

17:00to access these services,

17:03would you wanted to be around, right?

17:05Because these are your brothers, these

17:07are your sisters, these are your

17:08neighbors, these are regular people,

17:12right, that need help. And so we just

17:15want these services to be around. That's

17:17all I'm going to say. Thanks.

17:19>> Thank you for your testimony, chair.

17:21Next testifier is Zena to be followed by

17:23Natalie Chavez or Chavez. Sorry.

17:25Natalie, come down if you'd like. And

17:27Zena, when you're ready, you can

17:28introduce yourself and you've got two

17:30minutes.

17:30>> Thank you.

17:32>> Chair.

17:33>> Oh, there you go.

17:34>> Aloha chair, members of the committee.

17:36My name is Zena Loe and I am the mentor

17:38manager at Project Vision Hawaii. I

17:40support bill 192, continuing the

17:42homeless and housing fund through 2029.

17:45Through our he outreach team and street

17:47medicine services. I have encountered

17:49people across I have encountered people

17:52who have no other way to access health

17:54care. Many of them have not seen a

17:56provider in months or years and their

17:58health conditions have gone untreated

17:59while they are living unsheltered.

18:01Meeting them where they are at on the

18:03street is often a way to reach them

18:04before a treatable condition becomes a

18:06medical emergency. This work is only

18:09possible because of the HHF. This fund

18:11has strengthened street medicine,

18:13medical integration, and outreach across

18:15Hawaii Island. And during year three

18:17alone, HHF supported organizations,

18:20served 4,166

18:22unduplicated residents, and prevented

18:241,218 people from becoming homeless.

18:27Every patient on our street

18:30medicine team reaches is one less

18:32emergency room visit, one less crisis

18:34call, and one one more person moving

18:37towards sustainability. I support clear

18:39outcome reporting and fiscal

18:41accountability. But if this fund is

18:42reduced, outreach and street medicine

18:44teams like ours will not be able to

18:46reach the people who depend on this

18:48depend on them and their health and

18:50safety will be put at a greater risk. So

18:52please consider continuing HHF through

18:552029 so that street outreach and

18:58medicine can can keep meeting our most

19:01valuable neighbors where they are.

19:03Mahalo for the opportunity to testify.

19:05>> Thank you for your testimony. chair.

19:07Your next testifier is Natalie to be

19:09followed by Alli Vanetti. Ally, please

19:11feel free to come down. Natalie, when

19:13you're ready to begin, introduce

19:14yourself and you'll have two minutes.

19:16>> Aloha. Aloha, chair and members of the

19:19committee. My name is Natalie Chavez and

19:21I am a certified peer specialist with

19:23Project Vision Hawaii. I strongly

19:25support Bill 192 and the continuation of

19:29the homelessness and housing fund

19:31through two 2029. Through street

19:34outreach, I met a mother who was living

19:36on the streets and had lost custody of

19:38her two babies. I helped connect her

19:41with the Malama family recovery center

19:43on Maui where she completed a one-year

19:47treatment program. She successfully

19:50ended up having a closed case with um

19:53CWS and regained her custody of her

19:57children. When she returned back to

19:59Hilo, I helped her secure housing at the

20:03Dolphin Bay. Today, she works full

20:06full-time and is raising her two

20:08children in her own apartment. She has

20:11remained connected to Project Vision

20:13Hawaii for the past four years. This is

20:16what coordinated coordinated care can

20:19accomplish. During year three, HHF

20:22funded program served 4,166

20:25unduplicated Hawaii Island residents and

20:28prevented 1,28

20:30people from becoming homeless. Behind

20:33these numbers are real people and

20:35families, people like the mother whose

20:37life was transformed through recovery,

20:40housing, and continued support. I

20:42strongly support accountability and

20:44clear outcome reporting. However, if HHF

20:48services are reduced, families may lose

20:51their path toward stability,

20:52>> 30 seconds, please.

20:54>> And more people could end up living on

20:56the streets. Please support Bill 192,

20:59continue HHF through 2029, as it could

21:03lead to even higher numbers of

21:05homelessness, including myself. Mahalo

21:07for the opportunity to testify.

21:10>> Thank you so much, chair. Your next

21:11testifier is Alli Venetti to be followed

21:13by Brandy Manino. Ally, when you're

21:15ready to begin, please introduce

21:16yourself and you've got two minutes.

21:19>> Um, is this on?

21:21>> Okay. Um, aloha chair and members of

21:24finance committee. Um, my name is Ali

21:26Venetti and I am the executive systems

21:28coordinator at Going Home Hawaii. I am

21:31here today to strongly support Bill 182

21:33and the continuation of the homelessness

21:36and housing fund through June 30th,

21:382029.

21:40For the people we serve, housing is more

21:42than simply just a place to live. is a

21:44foundation for employment, recovery,

21:46family stability, and successful

21:48re-entry into the community. We see the

21:51impact of this support in our outcomes.

21:54At Going Home Hawaii, 84% of the

21:56individuals we serve are employed.

22:00Our success rate is 93.3%

22:03and recidivism is less than 8.7%.

22:06These outcomes demonstrate when we when

22:10what can happen when people have access

22:11to stable housing and the support they

22:14need to rebuild their lives. The year

22:16three HHF data also demonstrates the

22:18importance of the investment across

22:20Hawaii Island. HHF supported program

22:23served 4,166

22:25unduplicated residents, helped 1,218

22:29people avoid homelessness through

22:31prevention and housing stabilitation,

22:34and supported 448 people in securing

22:37permanent housing. These numbers

22:39represent real people reaching safety

22:41and stability. If HHF capacity is

22:43reduced, the need will not disappear.

22:45Instead, more pressure will fall on

22:47families, shelters, hospitals, law

22:49enforcement, first responders, and

22:51community or organizations.

22:54>> 30 seconds, please.

22:56>> Thank you. I respectfully ask you to

22:58support Bill 192 and continue the

23:00homelessness and housing fund through

23:01June 30th, 2029. Mahalo for the

23:03opportunity.

23:05>> Thank you for your testimony. Chair,

23:06your next testifier is Brandy Manino to

23:08be followed by Trillium Simington.

23:10Brandy, when you're ready, please

23:11introduce yourself and you've got two

23:13minutes.

23:13>> Thank you. Aloha, Chair Kali E

23:15Kleinfelder, Vice Chair Hustes, and

23:17members of the finance committee. My

23:19name is Brandy Manino. I'm the CEO of

23:21Hope Services Havi. I strongly support

23:24Bill 192 and the continuation of the

23:27homeless and housing fund. Every day,

23:29teams are out in the street engaging

23:31with people on the streets, in the

23:33parks, in their cars throughout the

23:35island. Their first need may be wound

23:37care, photo identification, access to

23:40shelter, a place to recover after

23:42leaving the hospital, treatment,

23:44reunification with family or housing.

23:47One program cannot meet every need. One

23:50organization cannot support a person

23:53through every stage of recovery and

23:55housing stability. Because of your

23:57investment, the homeless and housing

23:59fund has helped Havi County build and

24:02strengthen that continuum of services.

24:05You have invested in prevention and

24:07outreach, shelter, medical respit,

24:10behavioral health, case management,

24:12housing navigation, interim and

24:14permanent housing. It has also

24:16strengthened the workforce facilities

24:19partnerships that allow providers to

24:21make effective referrals. Your support

24:24also invested in HOPE's operating

24:27capacity and infrastructure in order for

24:30us to leverage and bring new resources

24:32into our community. One example that

24:35show how this worked include hope

24:38services becoming a Medicaid

24:40credentialed provider helped us achieve

24:42national accreditation for medical

24:44respit services 30 seconds

24:46>> and community-based case management with

24:48these early supports from donors our

24:51local hospital and Y county investments

24:54over the last three years we are now

24:56readying ourselves to scale from four

24:59medical respit beds to 40 with the

25:02state's award of the rural health

25:03transformation grant. That is just one

25:06example of how we're able to leverage

25:08county of state, federal, and

25:10philanthropic dollars. Our hospitals and

25:13medical facilities now have an option to

25:15discharge people to these homes instead

25:18of returning them to the streets. Thank

25:20you.

25:21>> Thank you so much, chair. Your next

25:23testifier is Trillium to be followed by

25:25Peter Tui Silva. Trillium, when you're

25:27ready to begin, please introduce

25:28yourself and you'll have two minutes.

25:30>> Aloha, chair and members of the finance

25:32committee. My name is Trilliam Simington

25:34and I'm here in strong support of Bill

25:36192.

25:38My support comes in both lived

25:40experience and professional experience.

25:42As a teenager, I experienced

25:43homelessness and know firsthand what it

25:46feels like to live without the state

25:47safety and stability of a place to call

25:50home. That experience has stayed with me

25:52and is one of the main reasons why I'm

25:54so passionate about the work I do today.

25:57In my professional role, I serve

25:59pregnant and postpartum women who are

26:01experiencing substance use, justice

26:04involvement, domestic violence, poverty,

26:05and housing instability. Many of the

26:08women that I work with are unsheltered

26:09while pregnant, sometimes sleeping in

26:11vehicles, tents, and places not meant

26:13for somebody preparing to bring in a

26:15baby. Through collaborate collaboration

26:19with housing providers and community

26:21partners, I have been able to help

26:23pregnant mothers get off the streets in

26:25as little as 72 hours. I have worked

26:28with the mothers who finally

26:31got housed just days before giving

26:33birth. Without pro programs, resources,

26:37and partnerships, many of these mothers

26:39and babies would remain unsheltered in

26:41our community. I have seen what can

26:44happen when we intervene at the right

26:45time. Stable housing gives the mothers

26:47the opportunity to focus on pregnancy,

26:49recovery, medical care, family, and the

26:52future of her child.

26:54It takes

26:56it can help prevent newborn from ever

26:58experiencing homelessness in the first

27:01place.

27:01>> 30 seconds, please.

27:02>> I also know from my own lived experience

27:05that homelessness does not define a

27:07person's future. When someone is given

27:10opportunity, support, and a safe place

27:11to rebuild their life, it can change.

27:16When we help a mother get off the

27:19streets, we are not only changing her

27:21life, we are giving her baby the

27:23opportunity to begin someplace safe.

27:26Thank you for allowing me to provide

27:27testimony.

27:29>> Thank you for your testimony.

27:31Chair, your next testifier is Peter Duis

27:33Silva to be followed by John Marcato.

27:35Peter, when you're ready to begin,

27:36please introduce yourself. and you've

27:38got two minutes.

27:39>> Aloha, chair and members of the finance

27:41committee. My name is Peter Tui Silva,

27:44CEO of Kumukai Health and Wellness. I'm

27:47in strong support of Bill 192 and the

27:49homelessness and housing fund. At

27:52Kumukai, we serve people living with

27:55hepatitis C and HIV, people with active

27:59substance use and mental health needs,

28:01the LGBTQ community members, and others

28:05facing barriers to care. So many people

28:08face stigma and shame and lose housing

28:11because of fear and judgment. For us,

28:13housing is healthcare. We can help

28:15someone get medication or a counselor to

28:18prevent community spread of disease, but

28:21it's hard to focus on getting well when

28:23you don't know where you're going to

28:25sleep tonight. We've lost some federal

28:27funding for our housing programs. And if

28:29this is also cut, our clients needs will

28:33increase drastically. they still need

28:36housing and supportive care to help them

28:38navigate um their needs. A stable home

28:42like our non-binary home give someone

28:45the chance to focus on recovery,

28:47reconnect with family, or return to

28:49work. This work takes time and trust.

28:52Progress is not always a straight line,

28:54and ending funding cycles can interrupt

28:57that work before someone finds their

28:59footing. As you consider Bill 192,

29:02please remember the people behind the

29:03numbers. These are our neighbors, our

29:06families, and the people we care for

29:07every day. Mahalo for giving me this

29:10opportunity to testify.

29:12>> Thank you so much. Chair, your next

29:14testifier is John Marcato to be followed

29:16by Kana Aena. John, when you're ready,

29:20please introduce yourself and you've got

29:21two minutes.

29:22>> Okie dokie.

29:25>> Good afternoon.

29:25>> Oh, you'll have to hit the button again.

29:31>> There you go.

29:32>> Okay. Good afternoon, county council

29:34members. My name is John Marcado and I'm

29:37here in support of Bill 192. There are

29:40no words that can fully express the

29:43gratitude and love I have for BISAC. On

29:46August 11th, 2025, I walked through the

29:49doors of BISAC broken. I had no future.

29:53I had no dreams. I had no hope. And most

29:56importantly, I had no purpose.

29:59At that point in my life, I honestly

30:01didn't know if I would ever be able to

30:04change. I didn't know if there was

30:06anything better waiting for me. But

30:08BISAC believed in me when I struggled to

30:11believe in myself. Today, my life is

30:14completely different. Because of BISAC,

30:16I am now a student at Hawaii Community

30:19College, enrolled in the substance use

30:22disorder studies program. I also work

30:25part-time at Little Caesars in Hilo.

30:28Today I have goals. I have dreams. I

30:31have hope. And for the first time in a

30:34very long time, I can look toward my

30:36future and actually be excited

30:39about what I see today. I have a

30:42purpose. I cannot fully explain what it

30:44feels like to have hope again. To wake

30:47up and know that my life has purpose. To

30:50realize the mistakes I have made do not

30:52have to define the rest of my life. None

30:55of this would have been possible without

30:57BISAC and their clean and sober program

31:00that provides affordable, stable

31:02housing, case management. [bell]

31:05>> 30 seconds, please.

31:06>> Thank you. Also, afterare that helps to

31:09build a life of recovery. I am living

31:12proof that programs like BISAC matter. I

31:15am living proof that recovery is

31:17possible. I am living proof that when we

31:20invest in people, lives can be changed.

31:24I am a living breathing miracle and I am

31:26BISAC's testimony. Thank you.

31:29>> Thank you for your testimony. Chair,

31:31your next testifier is Ka Moana Aina to

31:34be followed by Melanie Ko.

31:38>> Thank you. Son,

31:39>> yes. You have two minutes. Once you

31:41begin, please introduce yourself.

31:42>> Aloha, chair. Um, and committee members

31:45of the fin or finance committee. My name

31:48is Kaam Moana Aina and I serve as a

31:50director for mental health and wellness

31:52at the Big Island Substance Abuse

31:53Council. I stand before you today in

31:56strong support of the continuation of

31:58the homelessness and housing fund bill

32:00192. Since coming on board in December

32:02of 2025, I've had the privilege of

32:05working alongside an incredible staff

32:07and leadership team here at BISAC.

32:10Together, we walk daily with clients who

32:12come to us both willingly and by

32:14mandate. But regardless of how they

32:16arrive at our door, our kana remains the

32:19same. To meet every person who walks

32:22through it with the utmost support, care

32:24and aloha as they begin their recovery

32:27journey. As the overseer of our Mohalla

32:30Family Resource Center, I see firsthand

32:32what it takes to help someone rebuild

32:34their life from the ground up. Our

32:36program connects each member with vital

32:38documents, financial support and

32:40benefits, our donation closet, and

32:42mental health services. But above all

32:44the all of these, the single most

32:46important piece we provide is stable and

32:48safe housing. Without a roof, without a

32:51place to lay their head at night, none

32:53of the other work we do can take root.

32:57Housing is not simply a service we

32:59offer, it is a foundation upon which

33:01everything else is built. When we

33:04provide secure housing, we are doing far

33:06more than sheltering a body. We're

33:08uplifting our people, our Lahi.

33:11We are telling each individual often

33:15for the first time in a long time that

33:18they

33:18>> seconds please

33:19>> that they belong somewhere.

33:22Members of this council, each of you

33:24hold a tremendous kana in this decision.

33:26Kana is not just a word we use lightly

33:29in our line of work. We are not just

33:31asking you for a favor. We are asking

33:33you to continue standing in your kana to

33:36continue being the hands that hold up

33:38the most vulnerable members of our big

33:39island ohana. Our kapuna taught us that

33:42the community is only as strong as how

33:44it cares for its weakest members. And

33:46right now homelessness on the island is

33:49someone else's not someone else's burden

33:51that we carry, but it's all of us

33:53together. I stand strongly with bill

33:55192.

33:56>> Thank you so much for your testimony.

33:58Chair, your next testifiers are Melanie

34:00Kinoa to be followed by Anthony Poi.

34:03Melanie, when you're ready, please

34:04introduce yourself and you'll have two

34:06minutes.

34:08>> Hi, my name is Melanie Kinoa

34:11and I am here in support of Bill 192.

34:17Um, in my work at BISAC as a um,

34:21assessment counselor, I meet people

34:22experiencing h homelessness and housing

34:26instability. And I see how difficult it

34:28is to focus on recovery, employment,

34:31family, or a better future when you

34:32don't have a safe space, stable place to

34:35live. I understand this because I've

34:37been there myself. The funds and support

34:39I receive received gave me stability

34:42when I needed it the most. That

34:45assistance helped me move forward and

34:47ultimately brought me to where I am

34:49today, helping helping others who are

34:52facing similar challenges. That's why

34:54investing in a homelessness housing fund

34:56is so important. These funds aren't just

34:58financial assistance. They provide

35:00stability, dignity, hope, and an

35:03opportunity

35:05for people to rebuild their lives. I'm

35:07not just speaking from what I see in my

35:09work. I'm speaking from personal

35:10experience. I am proof that when

35:14people receive the right support at the

35:16right time, their circumstances can

35:19change. Thank you.

35:22Thank you so much for your testimony.

35:23Chair, your next testifiers are Anthony

35:26Poi to be followed by Aelen Khalia

35:28Fishman Dea. Anthony, when you're ready,

35:31please introduce yourself and you got

35:32two minutes.

35:33>> Hello everyone, my name is Anthony.

35:37>> Hello everyone. My name is Anthony Pu.

35:39[clears throat] I want to express the

35:41deepest gratitude and appreciation to

35:43BISEAC and everyone who supports this

35:45incredible program. Because of your

35:48generosity and sponsorship, I have been

35:50given a safe, stable, and supportive

35:52environment to focus on my recovery and

35:55build a better future.

35:57Your belief in me and in the power of

36:00second chances means more than words can

36:02say. Thank you for a place to call home,

36:05for investing in my journey, and for

36:08helping to make my recovery possible.

36:11Thank you.

36:12>> Thank you for your testimony. Alen,

36:14before you begin, you'll be followed by

36:16Perisa Perez, but at this time, Alen, if

36:18you'd like to just introduce yourself,

36:20you'll have two minutes to provide your

36:21testimony.

36:22>> Aloha, chair and members of the council.

36:24My name is Alen Kalia Fishman Divera,

36:26and I'm a case manager for the Mohalla

36:28Family Resource Center at BISAC. I am

36:31here today in support of Bill 192. In my

36:34role, I work directly with individuals

36:36and families who are trying to rebuild

36:38their lives while facing barriers such

36:39as unstable housing, substance use,

36:42unemployment, limited income, healthcare

36:44needs, and legal obligations. I see

36:46every day that people want to change.

36:48They want to work. They want to care for

36:50their families. They want to recover.

36:51And they want to build, sorry, they want

36:53to become independent and build a better

36:55future. But wanting change is not always

36:57enough when someone does not have a safe

36:59and stable place to live. Housing is

37:01more than just a roof. It provides

37:03stability, safety, dignity, and a

37:05foundation from which people can begin

37:07addressing everything else in their

37:09lives. As a case manager, I have seen

37:11individuals take steps that may seem

37:13small to others, but are incredibly

37:15significant to them. Obtaining vital

37:17documents, applying for benefits,

37:19attending appointments, strengthening

37:21their recovery, reconnecting with

37:22family, and working towards stable

37:24housing. Those moments may not always

37:26tell the whole story in a statistic, but

37:28I see the people behind those outcomes.

37:30I understand that public funding must

37:32come with accountability, measurable

37:33outcomes, and continued improvement. But

37:36the fact that homelessness continues

37:38does not mean that the need has gone

37:39away. It just means that the need is

37:41still there. For me, continuing this

37:43fund is not about supporting an

37:45organization. Is it about Sorry, it is

37:47about supporting people. It is about

37:49giving our community members an

37:51opportunity to move from surviving to

37:53stabilizing from crisis towards recovery

37:56and from uncertainty towards hope. I

37:59respectfully ask that the county council

38:00to continue in investing in the

38:02homelessness and housing fund and in the

38:04people and families of Hawaii Island.

38:06Thank you.

38:06>> Thank you so much. Up next we have

38:08Perisa to be followed by Capono Cella.

38:11Perisa, when you're ready to begin and

38:13please introduce yourself and you'll

38:14have two minutes.

38:16[clears throat]

38:16>> Okay. Aloha chair and members of Hoy

38:19County Council. My name is Perisa Perez

38:22and I work as a case manager with the

38:23Big Island Substance Abuse Council. I am

38:26respectfully sharing my support for the

38:28continuation of the County of Hawaii

38:30Homelessness and Housing Fund, Bill 192.

38:33Through my work, I have seen firsthand

38:35how access to housing and supportive

38:37services can affect a person's ability

38:40to move forward and create a better

38:42life. Every day I work with individuals

38:45who are trying to make changes in their

38:47lives while facing challenges that can

38:49feel overwhelming. Some are working

38:52through substance use and rec recovery

38:55while others are struggling with

38:56homelessness, unemployment, financial

38:59hardship, lack of identification,

39:02healthc care needs, or limited support.

39:04Often these challenges are connected.

39:07When someone does not have a safe and

39:09stable place to live, it can make it

39:11much harder to focus on treatment,

39:13employment, health, family, and

39:16long-term goals. The people we serve are

39:18not just case numbers or statistics.

39:21They are individuals with families,

39:23responsibilities,

39:24hopes, s fears, and goals.

39:28Many have experienced difficult

39:30circumstances that have made it

39:31challenging for them to find stability.

39:33What they often need is not simply a

39:36place to stay, but someone to help them

39:38identify their next step and support

39:40them as they work towards it.

39:42>> In my role as case manager, I help

39:44clients work through some of these

39:46barriers one step at a time. This can

39:49include helping someone obtain

39:50identification, please,

39:52>> apply for benefits, connect with medical

39:54or behavioral services, attend

39:56appointments, look for employment,

39:59strengthen sober support, and begin

40:00working towards stable housing. The

40:03people we we serve deserve an

40:05opportunity to rebuild their lives. They

40:08deserve the chance to move beyond their

40:10past circumstances and work towards

40:12something better with continued support

40:15and resources and a community that does

40:17not give up on them that change is

40:20possible. Thank you for taking the time

40:24to hear my perspective. Thank you.

40:26>> Thank you so much for your testimony.

40:27Chair, our last testifier here at the

40:28beginning of your meeting is Capono.

40:30Capono, when you're ready to begin,

40:31please introduce yourself and you've got

40:33two minutes.

40:34>> All right. Hello, [clears throat] Chair

40:35Connealy Kleinfelder, Vice Chair

40:37Eustace, uh members of the finance

40:39committee. Mahalo for having me today.

40:41Um I'm here to oppose the extension of

40:44Bill 192 and the homeless and houses

40:46housing fund, excuse me. Um mainly

40:49because um I like that I'm going last

40:52because I got to see all these positive

40:53stories of folks that, you know, the

40:55fund has affected positively changed

40:57their lives. Um the concern for me is

41:00that uh sitting on the other side of

41:04someone who um would be contributing to

41:05this one um essentially I haven't seen

41:10um well I'm representing myself just so

41:12you guys folks know kind of puts a

41:14target on my back because I do work with

41:16a lot of these organizations and I do

41:18work with a lot of folks in um

41:21homelessness and suffering from that uh

41:24mental illness, substance abuse, but

41:28there's two sides to that. You know,

41:29there's a personal willingness to want

41:32to change, right? Um uh for example, in

41:35my life, I've had two instances where I

41:37could have been homeless, but instead I

41:38chose to kind of lift up the bootstraps,

41:42get to work, not take, um no for an

41:45answer, and try to better my life that

41:48way. I'm not saying that resources can't

41:50help, but I believe that um taking a

41:54chance to pause on an extension,

41:56re-evaluate the wonderful programs that

41:58have been um going on. Um identifying

42:02where is more of a need, maybe detox,

42:05residential treatment.

42:06>> 30 seconds, please.

42:08>> Highly monitored county oversight in

42:11programs. Um, since it is a public

42:13funded program, I believe that more

42:16county insight would be detrimental. Um,

42:20a third party audit just so we know and

42:22it's clear to the public where the fun

42:24is going and of course more buyin by the

42:27state and the federal government to help

42:30support these wonderful organizations.

42:31But for now, I oppose the extension. I'm

42:34not saying do with the program. I'm just

42:36saying that it's time to reevaluate and

42:38evolve because the work is great.

42:42Thank you for your testimony and chair.

42:43With that, those are all the testifiers

42:45you have at the beginning of your

42:46meeting.

42:49>> Okay. Thank you. Uh Mr. Clerk, please

42:51let the record reflect that Council

42:53Member Onishi and Council Member

42:54Herwoods have joined us. So, we

42:56[clears throat] do have all council

42:57members in attendance. Can we please go

42:59to bill 192 first?

43:01>> Bill 192 amends chapter 19 article 11

43:03section 19-90 of the Hawaii County Code

43:061983 2016 edition as amended relating to

43:08real property tax. Extends requirement

43:10to appropriate residential tier 2 and

43:12tier 3 property tax revenue to the

43:14housing and homelessness fund until

43:162029. Requires that monies from the fund

43:18be used to award grants that address

43:19housing and homelessness. Introduced by

43:21council member.

43:22>> Move to forward bill 192 to council with

43:25a favorable recommendation.

43:27>> Motion by council member, seconded by

43:29council member Kagiada to forward bill

43:31192 to council with a favorable

43:33recommendation. Council member Nava.

43:35>> Uh thank you. We know that this fund was

43:38created um to help primarily with

43:41homelessness and you know I I did speak

43:44with former Chair Chung um about about

43:48this bill and his time on council

43:50recently and kind of unpacking it and

43:53and just over the last few years we even

43:56changed the funding here so it wasn't a

43:59set percentage but a minimum

44:03uh $9 million of the revenue from the

44:06tier two and three property taxes.

44:11Um

44:13there's a few bills I think that this

44:15council is working on right now through

44:18the end of this council term that we

44:21wanted to make sure we had the

44:23opportunity to discuss this being one of

44:25them even though it doesn't sunset until

44:28next year. Um I did have some

44:32conversations with some of the providers

44:33and did want to introduce this. Um

44:38first and foremost, you know, I council

44:42member Kimble and I worked on that um

44:44the audit of this program and that is

44:49something that we have not yet been

44:50provided and it's something that I'm not

44:53sure we will be provided prior to the

44:55end of this council term. So I do want

44:57to acknowledge that and

45:00based on the stories that were shared

45:02today and just all of us being in

45:05community we know that there is a lot of

45:07good things that came out of um this

45:10allocation of funding.

45:12I can't say that everything was perfect

45:14and that and that there isn't room for

45:17improvement. Um but I did want to bring

45:20it out for this body. So what this bill

45:24does is um articulate

45:27seven uses. Um rather than just saying

45:30homelessness in general, we were saying

45:33homelessness prevention, outreach,

45:35diversion, navigation, coordinated

45:37entry, emergency transitional supported

45:40recovery and permanent housing,

45:41behavioral health support, housing

45:44development, preserv preservation,

45:46rehabilitation

45:49services for families, youth, and

45:50vulnerable or underserved populations,

45:53facilities, equipment, technology, and

45:55other partnerships and activities that

45:57leverage either public or private

45:59funding um for the uses in this section.

46:03So, as we know, the bill would

46:05[clears throat] extend the sunset period

46:07out two years. Uh and I'm really leaving

46:10it to the discussion of this body to see

46:13where we end up, but I did want to bring

46:16it forward. Um but before we do that, I

46:18do have an amendment. Um so, move to

46:21amend bill 192 with the contents of

46:23communication 1059.2.

46:28by council member Nava, second by

46:29council member Gimmba. Mr. Inava, go

46:33ahead.

46:33>> Thank you. Uh, this amendment

46:36for those of us in in chambers and

46:39watching online seeks to clarify um

46:45the language in the bill as proposed

46:48talked about a fund. Um, and we don't

46:51want to confuse this with a special fund

46:54in the charter. special funds require

46:56recommendation by the mayor. Uh they

46:59have their own set of parameters that

47:00they need to work under. That's not what

47:03this source of funding has been. And um

47:07in consultation with our finance

47:09director,

47:11I wanted to make sure that there was no

47:13confusion that we were trying to create

47:15a new special fund. So, uh, this

47:18amendment, uh, says that the $9 million

47:23shall be appropriated each fiscal year

47:26to fund homeless and housing programs

47:30rather than to a fund known that known

47:33as the homeless and housing fund. Um,

47:37and in its last section, the requirement

47:39to appropriate funds to housing and

47:42homeless programs rather than to the

47:45housing and homeless funds. So purposes

47:48remain the same, amount remains the

47:50same. It's just to clarify that this is

47:52not a special fund um per the county

47:55charter. So ask for your support in

47:58clarifying this language. I'll yield for

48:01now on the amendment. Thank you. Council

48:03members.

48:05Okay. Hearing seeing none, motion is on

48:06the floor to amend bill 192 with the

48:09contents of communication 1059.2.

48:13All in favor?

48:15Any nos?

48:18Seeing none, motion carries with

48:22nine eyes. Mr. Clerk, Mr. Back to the

48:25main motion as amended.

48:26>> Uh, thank you. We do have the office of

48:29the county auditor standing by. Again,

48:32because they're in the middle of the

48:33process, it's unlikely they'll be able

48:35to provide any specifics as to the

48:37ongoing uh work that they're doing, but

48:40I they are tuned in. If anyone does has

48:43have general questions, um, I'll yield

48:45at this time for discussion. Thank you.

48:47>> Thank you, Council Member Kawaga.

48:49>> Thank you, chair, and thank you to the

48:51introducer of this bill. I think it's

48:53really important that we get this um out

48:56here for discussion. Uh, I really want

48:58to thank all the testifiers from all the

49:00organizations and especially uh the

49:03courage of those who have utilized the

49:05services and were able to come up and um

49:08testify today. I think that was very

49:10brave and and very helpful for us to

49:12hear. Um, couple things. One, I agree

49:15with the last testifier in that, you

49:18know, we do need to bring state and

49:19federal into this discussion more. I

49:22think we're we've kind of been leading

49:23the way and other uh other counties have

49:27been looking at us and saying, "Yeah,

49:29that we want to emulate what they're

49:31doing." But I do uh believe that we have

49:35not brought in as much state and federal

49:38partnerships on this issue that we can

49:40do. So I'm looking forward to trying to

49:43do that more going forward. Um my other

49:47I have a question and I guess this might

49:50be for um OCD.

49:53um the language that we have, which I

49:56know is similar to what we've had

49:58already, um but I just want to make sure

50:00that we because the language

50:02specifically says that all the money

50:05will be going out as grants to

50:08nonprofits that there aren't any

50:11programs that, for instance, smaller

50:13programs or things we might actually be

50:15doing in house that need funding. So, I

50:18want to make sure that we're including

50:19those if we have those on the table.

50:22Oh, you turn just turned it off. Go

50:24ahead.

50:25>> Khal Costa, housing administrator. Hi.

50:27Um, thanks for bringing that up. I just

50:29was speaking with um Corp Council in the

50:31back. That I think we can clean that up,

50:34but that terminology grants um as

50:36opposed to county sponsored programs

50:38does restrict us a little bit. We've

50:41been doing um procurement RFP direct

50:44contracts for our shelter operations.

50:46that allows us to have more control over

50:49um specific uh scope of services that we

50:53need for some of our operations. So that

50:56I think that's pretty minor that we can

50:59work on that. Thank you. And thank you

51:00to the author for being flexible there

51:02because I'm thinking of things like

51:04potentially for cowhal programming for

51:06cowhal things like that as well. Uh

51:08potentially you know funding the you

51:11know overnight CO service all those

51:13things might uh not be uh RF

51:17done in the same way nonprofit grants

51:18normally are. So, thank you for being

51:20flexible on that. Appreciate that. Um,

51:23and the last thing I just want to say on

51:25this, I'm obviously very supportive. um

51:28is I really appreciate the two-year um

51:32extension,

51:33but I just want to say to the community

51:35and to members who are staying on the

51:38council that I think we should be

51:40thinking about this at looking at this

51:42in about one year to really be um

51:45thinking about you know what is it going

51:47forward after that if there is something

51:49and you know after we've had the um

51:52audit after the new members get on board

51:55and have get gotten up to speed on

51:57what's going on here. I think um it's

52:00great to have the two years because we

52:01need that, but I think we really should

52:04be thinking about addressing this for

52:05the long term um in one year because um

52:09we don't want to be in this position we

52:11are in this year where we're one, it's

52:13an election year, two, we're kind of

52:15like making sure that programs are going

52:17to continue and being worried about

52:19shutting down and all this other stuff.

52:21So I I I just wanted to put that

52:23expectation out there. At least from me

52:25and my office, I hope to uh make sure

52:28that we have this discussion probably in

52:30a year, not two years. So, thank you so

52:33much for bringing this forward. I yield.

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

52:39>> No, thanks, Chair.

52:41>> Okay, back to you, Council Member.

52:44>> Thank No, he stay. No, it's great. Um,

52:48thank you for bringing this forward,

52:49Cheraba. I'm in strong support of

52:53um this piece of legislation and I do

52:55want to mahalo all of the providers that

52:57are here today and for all of the hard

52:59work that you have done over the years

53:01and I think just the opportunity for the

53:02county to support your work um because

53:06it's it's a gap that we can't fill and

53:08so you're a very strong partner in

53:09community. Um, couple points that were

53:12raised that I I do want to just speak on

53:14is very recently, I think it was maybe

53:17two weeks ago, the fire department had

53:19come forward with the I think it was the

53:21rural transformation grant related to

53:23community parame medicine. I'm seeing

53:24some nods in the audience. Um, I would

53:27like for us to consider I mentioned it

53:29then and I'll mention it again now. Um

53:31because that is a program where money

53:34will run out and it decreases

53:36year-over-year for that infrastructure

53:39within the fire department to be

53:41supported with this fund because the

53:43fire department is looking at something

53:45permanent and they seem to be a central

53:47coordinating agencies for many of the

53:50partners in this room that are boots on

53:52the ground and part of kind of like that

53:54triage system. So I I would I would hope

53:56that we would be open to providing

53:59[clears throat]

53:59support for the fire department so they

54:01can continue to do that incredible work

54:03in partnership with community. Um the

54:06other thing is I just want to urge you

54:08know this council and the administration

54:11to convene a conversation with our state

54:13and federal partners. I was really

54:16hoping that over the last few years we

54:18would be able to use this county money

54:20as leverage to do more and to invest in

54:23the critical infrastructure that we need

54:25like the beds and the specialists to

54:27really meet the needs that we're seeing

54:29on the ground.

54:31um we should say, hey, we've got a few

54:34more years that we're willing to finance

54:35this, but there needs to be a

54:37coordinated strategy where we're

54:38building that capital stack and that

54:41every level of government is making that

54:43financial commitment. I don't want this

54:45to be seen as, oh, Hawaii County is

54:47going to pay for it now. So then the the

54:49state feels like they don't have a

54:51responsibility to do their part. So, I

54:53just want to make sure that someone's

54:55convening the conversation um and that

54:58everybody at every level is paying their

55:00fair share and that it shouldn't just be

55:02on the backs of our county because we

55:05don't have a Department of Health and

55:06Human Services and as we've seen um the

55:09state really does need to step up. Yeah.

55:12So, in full support and hope those

55:13considerations um can be taken into

55:16account for friendly amendments. Thank

55:17you.

55:19>> Thank you, Council Moni. Thank you,

55:21chair.

55:24So,

55:26somebody mentioned about there there was

55:28um I guess the report done last year,

55:32but council members

55:35back then had a lot of questions about

55:37it because we felt that the report

55:39wasn't clear enough and it didn't have

55:41enough details of what the metrics was

55:44about how successful the programs were.

55:47And so then the council members requ

55:50a auditors to come in to audit this this

55:54funding.

55:56So for me, I would really want to see

56:01what the report come, you know, that the

56:04auditors did so that we can make to me a

56:08better decision on if this funding is

56:11successful or it should be I guess

56:15targeted in certain areas because then

56:19[snorts] if there's areas where like for

56:22example we need more some funding to

56:24towards government like for example the

56:27fire department or like to mass transit

56:29for that the security at their bus

56:32shelters which now it's coming out of

56:35general fund or funding from other

56:37resources

56:39helping the police department with some

56:41of that funding um I've been working

56:44with a working group on the mental

56:46health side where there's needs to be

56:48more providing beds but which I hear is

56:51hope service seems it has now at total

56:5440 beds So what was [clears throat]

56:57happening was

56:59they would get uh these

57:02I guess people would get picked up, they

57:06would get assessed, they would go

57:08through the program at the hospital, but

57:10then there was no place for them to go

57:13and get further help. So they ended up

57:15back on the street. So now with this

57:20well with hopefully with hope services

57:22they can provide that gap with adding

57:24more bids and more treatments for them

57:28right but for me it's like we need to

57:32see like I guess the whole nine yards of

57:37how this funds is being used and

57:40utilized and I mean it's all taxpayers

57:43money and I know it's on the higher end

57:47of these residents, but we still yet

57:50it's overall because we have other

57:52expenses that we looking at, right? And

57:55for example, we just had about the

57:57wastewater.

57:59Some of these funds maybe could be

58:01directed towards helping our residential

58:04that was mentioned about who is

58:07suffering right now, right, with with

58:09the economy. So you know I right now I I

58:13really cannot support this moving

58:15forward but if we postpone it and then

58:17oh and the last thing is I feel extended

58:20for two more years.

58:23We should have maybe a new council

58:25coming in because we're gonna have four

58:27new members

58:29or I'm sorry, three more new members and

58:32you know they could at least give their

58:35or their comments or their thoughts of

58:37if we should proceed with this funding

58:39to to extend to the 2027 or 20 2029.

58:45Thank you. I yield.

58:47>> Thank you. That was very

58:49>> Yeah. Thank you. Um you know first to

58:51just acknowledge um you know it would

58:53have been desirable to have the audit in

58:56hands as we were considering this but

58:59timing

59:00is of the essence. Um you know having

59:02talked to some of the providers over the

59:04last few months um without

59:08extension by this just two years at this

59:11stage this next application cycle which

59:14starts in November the the applications

59:18would likely include suns setting of the

59:21programs like we can't just stop them.

59:23So if the the fund is not going to be or

59:26the programs are not going to be

59:27renewed, they need to know now so that

59:30they can write those grants to sunset

59:32those programs. Whereas if we just give

59:34this a little bit more time, they can

59:38apply for for sustaining their programs

59:40this next goround. We'll get the audit

59:43in hand and then we can do that second

59:45review as council member Kagiada

59:48mentioned

59:49to once we have that data in hand. I

59:52100% think that this program needs

59:55accountability and very detailed

59:57observation. It is a lot of money. Also

1:00:00100% agree with the fact that like state

1:00:02needs to step up and be more involved in

1:00:04this. No questions asked. Um so I'm very

1:00:08supportive appreciate um you chair Namba

1:00:10for bringing this forward now. I think

1:00:12it's um it's something program as as a

1:00:16whole I've always supported um and you

1:00:19know I do think we need the data to to

1:00:21continue to refine it but understand

1:00:23that we're kind of in a in a place now

1:00:25where we need to extend it in order to

1:00:27make sure we don't leave anybody in a

1:00:30really dire situation which I think

1:00:31could happen if we we sunset it

1:00:33immediately. Thank you. Thank you.

1:00:36>> Thank you.

1:00:38>> Yeah. Um, you know, I I can totally hear

1:00:41your concerns, Vice Chair Onishi, about

1:00:43wanting to wait for the audit to come

1:00:45forward before we proceed. But, um, this

1:00:48particular council saw the birth of this

1:00:51program and has a lot of institutional

1:00:54knowledge and I think it's our

1:00:55responsibility and opportunity to kind

1:00:58of shape this. Um the the list of items

1:01:02that could be funded

1:01:04that council member Inava has put

1:01:06forward in this bill are very

1:01:08appropriate. They are things that we are

1:01:11seeing are absolutely needed on the

1:01:13ground. And so this list for me is

1:01:15sufficient guard rails to ensure that

1:01:17money is spent very transparently and

1:01:19appropriately and that the community as

1:01:22well as our nonprofit partners, they

1:01:24know what the priorities are. So I I

1:01:26would want to proceed with this as is. I

1:01:29and I I'm curious. I don't I don't know

1:01:30if this is a question for you

1:01:32administrator or auditor, but I'm I want

1:01:35to I want to get to this 30,000 foot

1:01:38level and just understand how all the

1:01:40different players are working to

1:01:42contribute to the whole ecosystem,

1:01:44right? So that we're not duplicating

1:01:46efforts that things are complimentary

1:01:48and at the same time we're understanding

1:01:51where the gaps are and that there is

1:01:53some kind of process where we can

1:01:55identify the opportunity for a new

1:01:58partner to come in and fulfill that need

1:02:00because it's not presently being met by

1:02:03someone um on the ground. So I just I

1:02:05don't know if that's a you question Miss

1:02:07Costa or if that's something that is

1:02:09going to be revealed through the audit

1:02:11process.

1:02:15Kosta, housing administrator. Um,

1:02:18absolutely. I, you know, I'm, this is

1:02:20only our, this will be my second year

1:02:23of, of doing the grant process. Um, I

1:02:27see the evolution and how we're really

1:02:30starting to finesse and fine-tune.

1:02:32Specifically, like, you know, when this

1:02:35started, it was just one big grant

1:02:36process and you get what you get. And

1:02:39then I think the part that has been

1:02:41really critical in this um program is

1:02:44the community of practice that we've

1:02:46convened every quarter since this grant

1:02:49um has started and through the community

1:02:51of practice where all of the partners

1:02:53behind us come together. We meet for a

1:02:55full day. um we we're able to see how

1:02:59that

1:03:01how that net is connected where where

1:03:04it's tied together where the pukas are

1:03:07and things are falling through and it

1:03:10really has allowed us in the office to

1:03:14see how we're going to write the next

1:03:16RFP the next grant where we're saying we

1:03:19specifically need this program like our

1:03:22shelters or cucoola and where we can

1:03:25open it up for what are the programs

1:03:28that that are in the community that are

1:03:31needing to be funded. So, I I really see

1:03:33that happening um and

1:03:37evolving and will continue to evolve

1:03:40because that is already what's

1:03:41occurring.

1:03:42>> That's great to hear and I'm I'm curious

1:03:44if there are any members of the council

1:03:46or state delegation that are invited to

1:03:49these conversations just to observe um

1:03:51not to be critical but to observe so

1:03:53that we can do something useful with

1:03:55that information. Is there a policy

1:03:56change or an investment that needs to

1:03:58happen at the county or state level? So,

1:04:00I do think there's opportunity to kind

1:04:02of um just have more more folks at the

1:04:05table who can actually do something to

1:04:07continue to support the good work.

1:04:08>> Absolutely. Always invited.

1:04:10>> Yes.

1:04:11>> Thank you. I yield.

1:04:12>> Thank you. One more time. Checking

1:04:14corner.

1:04:17>> I'm okay, chair. Thank you.

1:04:18>> Okay. Council.

1:04:22>> Yeah. Um, just wanting to get the the

1:04:24body's pulse. Overall, I'm hearing um

1:04:27specific to the fire infrastructure

1:04:30premise. I'll follow up with you,

1:04:32council member Kirkwood, making sure I

1:04:33understand exactly. Also making sure

1:04:36that um we're not limiting our own

1:04:38ability to use some of the funds for

1:04:40direct servicing. Um, and then I was

1:04:44going to be having a meeting with the

1:04:45finance director and administrator

1:04:47regarding

1:04:49um perhaps an ex an annual external

1:04:51audit specific to this fund to ensure

1:04:54that we're not waiting, you know, to

1:04:58yours and and to council member Kagui's

1:05:00point, I think that exactly on the

1:05:02money. Um but we might just need more

1:05:05regular auditing um for evidence and

1:05:08proof that the funds the public funds

1:05:12going towards these purposes are

1:05:14actually effective. Um but anything else

1:05:17that I can jot down

1:05:22you want?

1:05:23>> Thanks. Just very quick thing. Um I know

1:05:25it's not a large number of people, but

1:05:28we did have a program I think the first

1:05:31round maybe that was helping um people

1:05:34who were newly to the island who wanted

1:05:36to return home and and that that could

1:05:38be something I know that some of the

1:05:40courts and the judges will um like to

1:05:43use that for people who desire to return

1:05:47home. Do are the current language, have

1:05:50you checked does that do you feel like

1:05:52it could be inclusive of a program like

1:05:54that if that's something that um ends up

1:05:57being possible?

1:05:59I just want to check in with you that

1:06:01that's or I guess to the maker just to

1:06:03double check it if you could. I think

1:06:05that would be helpful. I don't know for

1:06:07sure that that's going to occur, but I I

1:06:09think it has been discussed um several

1:06:11times. Thank you. I

1:06:16>> thank you.

1:06:18We have Maxine here from the auditor's

1:06:20office. Can you please come up?

1:06:27>> Good afternoon, Maxine Pashco with

1:06:30Office of the County Auditor.

1:06:31>> Thank you for coming by. Um would you be

1:06:34able to help provide the council some

1:06:38update?

1:06:39>> Sure, happy. What's going on? We engaged

1:06:42with the department of housing and we

1:06:45told them our objectives. We met with

1:06:48them. We started our interviews and they

1:06:51have been um uploading some documents

1:06:53for our review through the FTP site. So,

1:06:56we're in the process of reviewing their

1:06:58documents.

1:07:01>> I know this is going to be a hard

1:07:02question for you to answer, but

1:07:06what would be your suggestion on this

1:07:08bill right now? like should we pass it

1:07:12or should we hold on and I mean I mean I

1:07:18because you know

1:07:19>> no pressure well you know because the

1:07:22thing is right I mean what if we pass it

1:07:24right and it passes two or three

1:07:26meetings and then the audit comes up

1:07:29with something negative

1:07:32then the council after that going to

1:07:34have to maybe amend it right

1:07:36>> that's fair

1:07:37>> yeah and but then then for some uh these

1:07:41uh profit these agencies that might be

1:07:44depending on those funding could get

1:07:46kind of like you know things could

1:07:49happen. So I you know like M Kim

1:07:51mentioned like they get they they need

1:07:53to plan right they need to plan if

1:07:55they're going to phase out or they going

1:07:57to continue right so I mean it's kind of

1:07:59like a stuck right because we we

1:08:02requested that audit because we wanted

1:08:04to find out how the money was being

1:08:07spent and if it was being spent properly

1:08:10right and so that's why for me I have a

1:08:13hard time

1:08:14>> right because then we asking for help

1:08:19but Now we're not going to wait for the

1:08:20help and we can just do what we want to

1:08:22do.

1:08:23>> So our office follows government

1:08:26auditing standards and there's two

1:08:28things that we cannot do and that is to

1:08:31make management decisions and so in my

1:08:35role I'm not able to advise you.

1:08:37>> No. Okay.

1:08:38>> Today on that I apologize on that.

1:08:40>> No and that's why I said hard question

1:08:42for you to answer. Yeah. But I just

1:08:44wanted to kind of get that out. But

1:08:46yeah, thank you.

1:08:48Thank you.

1:08:49>> Uh thank you, chair. Just wanted to

1:08:51point out communication 1059.1

1:08:55um is a

1:08:58short summary of some of the work that

1:09:01was done over the last few years. So I

1:09:03just wanted to point that out and that

1:09:04was something that was worked on with

1:09:07some of the providers. Um I think Dr.

1:09:10Hannah from VISAC ultimately kind of

1:09:12compiled and um based on the reporting

1:09:15that has been ongoing to the office of

1:09:17housing and community development. I

1:09:20asked for it to just be paired down. So

1:09:22that's what you have there and for for

1:09:24the public. I know there are some folks

1:09:27wanting to know um you know what have we

1:09:29gotten out of the funds. So there's

1:09:31that. But again,

1:09:34we're at we're at a a place and it um

1:09:37Maxine, could you give us an estimated

1:09:39date of anticipated completion?

1:09:42>> We're hoping definitely by the end of

1:09:44the calendar year.

1:09:45>> Okay, thank you. Which is the last we

1:09:47heard as well. Okay, I'm going to yield

1:09:49for now. I will take the feedback that

1:09:51was given and about to be given um and

1:09:55work on an amendment for our next

1:09:57hearing. Thank you.

1:10:02Okay.

1:10:03Uh thank you, Mr. Alberta, for bringing

1:10:05this forward. I understand the

1:10:06timeliness uh of the

1:10:10bill. Yeah, my my my

1:10:14grumble with this one has been kind of

1:10:16ongoing. Even office of saying, you know

1:10:18where I stand on this and even miss

1:10:20director Nakagawa.

1:10:22I look at this holistically. I look at

1:10:24this uh as term in terms of like Mr.

1:10:28Onishi

1:10:30ultimately we're responsible to the

1:10:32taxpayers at this point this is three

1:10:33years in we spent a minimum minimum 27

1:10:37but I think it's more like 33 just from

1:10:39this

1:10:41fund itself the homeless and housing

1:10:43fund this fund and others

1:10:47are funding nonprofits

1:10:50to do the services that the county

1:10:52cannot

1:10:54and I appreciate that but I am very

1:10:57cognizant of

1:10:59some of the places where we started and

1:11:02watching the grants come in and go out

1:11:05and seeing admin fees and 401k plans and

1:11:08pension plans.

1:11:11Um, even getting emails from past

1:11:13directors of some of the organizations

1:11:15reminding me of how many voters work

1:11:18within their organization that are in my

1:11:20district. When I hear comments like

1:11:23that, it it begins to raise some

1:11:25questions for me as far as the NOS's

1:11:29becoming voting blocks. Um the scrutiny

1:11:33that we look at these organizations with

1:11:35as far as administrative administrative

1:11:38fees.

1:11:40And then on the back end, I watch our

1:11:43communities carefully, especially in our

1:11:44urban areas like Baja, Hilo, Kona, where

1:11:48a lot of business owners spend their

1:11:50morning scraping

1:11:53whatever off their front doorstep and

1:11:56cleaning their doorstep just before they

1:11:59can begin to open their doors to the

1:12:00public. These are countymaintained

1:12:03sidewalks

1:12:04that they're maintaining themselves

1:12:08because of the homeless folks that we

1:12:10have in our community. I was here for

1:12:12the original bill. Aaron Chong brought

1:12:14it forward and originally it was just

1:12:17homelessness. And when I heard that

1:12:19bill, my understanding was Aaron Chong

1:12:23was trying to take care of his district,

1:12:25take care of the businesses in the in

1:12:27the town. The concerns we're having in

1:12:29parks and recreation, mass transit, and

1:12:32a lot of those centered around some

1:12:35certain characters who are just causing

1:12:37trouble. There is almost zero

1:12:40accountability for the individuals that

1:12:42the police department, the fire

1:12:43department services.

1:12:47They don't track the calls for service

1:12:48when it comes to homeless folks. The

1:12:51impact of homeless on our county and our

1:12:56community, including businesses and even

1:12:58the nonprofits,

1:13:00is huge.

1:13:03And it this this underlying need to fund

1:13:07it and subsidize at the taxpayer level

1:13:11I understand but it has an impact. When

1:13:13we look at the Coconut Island Bridge and

1:13:16we b at the price for how much it's

1:13:17going to cost but I look back in the

1:13:20last three years we spent 33 million

1:13:22addressing homelessness.

1:13:24We want the projects. We want new roads.

1:13:27We want all these things, but we have a

1:13:29hard time coming up with the funds.

1:13:33It's hard to balance. So, when I look at

1:13:36things like this that, you know, that

1:13:38overall we give it two more years, we

1:13:39see how it goes. Five years was supposed

1:13:41to be, we see how it goes. Uh, and here

1:13:44we are. All right. When I look at the

1:13:46numbers and the reporting on OECD's site

1:13:48from the different nonprofits,

1:13:50I see I see data reported to us by the

1:13:54same nonprofits were paying to take care

1:13:56of the problem.

1:13:59That raises some questions for me that

1:14:00the auditor's office should be

1:14:02reviewing. If it's third party audit of

1:14:06the information, okay? Otherwise, it's

1:14:08self-reported data by the organizations

1:14:10that are paid to provide the service. I

1:14:13look around the room today. I love a lot

1:14:15of you folks and I know you well. Um,

1:14:17but you also get paid by the county. Of

1:14:20course, you want this to continue. If

1:14:22it's stopped, it's not in your best

1:14:24interest and and in some way it's not in

1:14:26the community's best interest. But

1:14:28there's there's got to be a there's got

1:14:30to be a balance. My biggest headache

1:14:33right now

1:14:35is the way this was originally written

1:14:38was $9 million minimum per year.

1:14:42So I asked director Nakagawa to come

1:14:45today just to help me understand

1:14:47holistically

1:14:49in our budget right now and she's going

1:14:51to hate me for this because she always

1:14:53does when I ask the same question every

1:14:55time. If you could finance director

1:15:04she's got the big book today.

1:15:08So the big book she reserves for me when

1:15:10I act up so she can throw it at me if

1:15:12she needs to

1:15:14or it might have information that I

1:15:16need.

1:15:18Okay. So here here's my question and we

1:15:20kind of go back and forth this a lot.

1:15:21How many different funds do we have that

1:15:24are going towards some of the services

1:15:26that we heard from our testifiers today

1:15:28or programs that are now included in the

1:15:31bill if it was to be passed.

1:15:33>> Good afternoon council members Diane

1:15:35Nakagawa Finance Department. Uh thank

1:15:38you council member chair for your

1:15:39question. Um it is one that we have

1:15:42talked about before. It isn't a press of

1:15:44a button report when it comes to looking

1:15:46at all of these different organizations

1:15:48and the funding. Um

1:15:51there are as we talked about the

1:15:53homeless and housing funding.

1:15:57We have the affordable housing uh

1:15:59production funds. We have um there are

1:16:03various other grants that could be

1:16:07related to homelessness and housing if I

1:16:10think that's what you're asking

1:16:11specifically for. Uh so such as our CRF

1:16:14or our II grants. Um

1:16:19there are also could be our impact

1:16:21grants but that could be minimal um with

1:16:24our research and development department.

1:16:28>> Let's let's let's start with those. So I

1:16:30think that sums up the big ones. So HHF

1:16:32is a minimum by ordinance minimum $9

1:16:35million a year. Correct.

1:16:37>> It it is now. That is correct.

1:16:40>> And then the AHP affordable housing

1:16:42production fund.

1:16:44>> We have 5 million is in our budget.

1:16:46>> That's a minimum of correct

1:16:50set.

1:16:52>> Yes.

1:16:54>> So no less than

1:16:55>> I'd have to go through I don't have the

1:16:57language with me but

1:17:00It is, but we've we've um we have

1:17:02budgeted higher than five in the past.

1:17:06>> These are minimum. Yeah. And then we

1:17:08have other grants which is just random

1:17:10numbers. Not not an account like we have

1:17:13or a fund like we've had in the past,

1:17:15but these are

1:17:15>> these are these are various grants out

1:17:17of these programs that could be

1:17:18associated with homeless. Okay. And

1:17:21housing

1:17:21>> like CRF, like VIVI.

1:17:23>> Yeah. So, so for your question, um

1:17:26>> was able Go ahead. So, so Vivi is now

1:17:29minimum 2.5.

1:17:32>> Uh, yes.

1:17:34>> So,

1:17:35>> CRF's 900,000. So in anticipation of of

1:17:38this question just related to these two

1:17:41um just quickly glanced at the fiscal

1:17:44year 26 um in the CRF as as we see

1:17:48roughly um with those related to these

1:17:51programs it's about 73,000

1:17:54um and vi about 50

1:17:56>> 50,000 correct

1:17:57>> correct that's just looking at one year

1:18:00in programs and grants that were related

1:18:02to homelessness and housing. Okay.

1:18:06So, my headache begins when we start

1:18:09setting a minimum amount.

1:18:11When we say no, no more than. Okay. When

1:18:14we say no less than, that puts you in a

1:18:18bind. Ultimately, it puts the county in

1:18:19a bind. We start setting our budget

1:18:21every year that X amount will be set

1:18:23aside for the following. And we've done

1:18:26this in the past year. We've passed two

1:18:28bills that have done that. Just

1:18:30recently, I think a month ago, we passed

1:18:31another bill that there was a minimum of

1:18:33shall be deposited

1:18:36and that or set aside for and that that

1:18:39begins to be an area of concern for me.

1:18:42That's we start doing that in the budget

1:18:44for the county. You're locking funds

1:18:46every year that now require an ordinance

1:18:48to amend. Otherwise, you have to set

1:18:51that much in the budget every single

1:18:53year. This this one today, this is no

1:18:56different. the minimum of 9 million will

1:18:58be set aside for. There's no flexibility

1:19:01in that. On a bad year for the county,

1:19:04when taxes go down, then that puts the

1:19:07county in a hard spot. When I hear my

1:19:09finance director come in and say, "We

1:19:10have $500 million in debt we're looking

1:19:13at for wastewater and we're figuring out

1:19:16how to make that work for a budget

1:19:19amongst everything else that we need in

1:19:21the $40 million Coconut Island Bridge,

1:19:24then these kind of set aides for a

1:19:28minimum amount become an issue. If it's

1:19:31not for the other council members, then

1:19:33it is for me.

1:19:39Uh so for comments, Mr. Inava,

1:19:43that's where I stand. That's where I've

1:19:45stood.

1:19:48My my one ask for you as the maker of

1:19:50the bill would be to look at bringing

1:19:52down that amount as we expand the

1:19:54program to other things.

1:20:00But just do a fiscal responsibility and

1:20:03let's take this a little bit further. If

1:20:05the council coming in is faced with a

1:20:08rough year for property taxes,

1:20:10interest rates go up, inflation goes up,

1:20:14that drives down a lot of things that

1:20:16make revenue for the county.

1:20:19When that happens,

1:20:21we have to make it up another way. But

1:20:23ultimately what happens when we start

1:20:26setting aside too many funds for special

1:20:28projects and special funds and special

1:20:31ideas, we end up raising taxes for the

1:20:33public when it comes down to how we make

1:20:36ends meet because revenue for the

1:20:38government is tax base and expenditure

1:20:42equal needing more taxes to make it

1:20:44work.

1:20:46So just being realistic for the council

1:20:48and and being that one member who always

1:20:51says, you know, the crazy stuff, but the

1:20:53reality is we we have to be responsible

1:20:55in how we approach funding. Back to back

1:20:58to back to back to the basics.

1:21:01As a business owner in Hilo, the first

1:21:04hour of my day used to be cleaning up

1:21:06the back of the eye from everything that

1:21:08was left on it from the night before,

1:21:10trying to find my umbrellas that would

1:21:12disappear into the park.

1:21:14uh cleaning up whatever was on my porch

1:21:17in the back before we could even open

1:21:18the restaurant in the morning.

1:21:21Nighttime is scary and on the weekends

1:21:23people would come by and smash plants

1:21:24and whatever else they could find just

1:21:26because they wanted to. And I'd watch

1:21:28them do it and I know who they are. I

1:21:30watch them walk around Hilo. I haven't

1:21:32seen the problem get better and that's

1:21:35what I expected these funds to do. And

1:21:37that's where I start asking questions

1:21:38and that's where I get fussy. And I'm

1:21:40not the only one. We had one testifier

1:21:42in opposition today. Um, and again, I

1:21:46respect everyone for being here, but

1:21:47that one testifier in opposition. I

1:21:51mean, he he's speaking on behalf of a

1:21:53lot of business owners that I know who

1:21:54are frustrated and haven't seen resolve.

1:21:58So, that's my comments in hopefully, Mr.

1:22:00Nabo. I'm going to oppose today. And,

1:22:03uh,

1:22:05if you can take any of that to heart,

1:22:06I'd appreciate it.

1:22:08>> Thank you. Can I respond real quick,

1:22:10please? Um just wanting to point out

1:22:14I believe it was council member Kagiada

1:22:16and I who introduced because it this

1:22:19fund as originally not fund sorry this

1:22:23amount of money that was originally set

1:22:24aside by chair former chair Chun was 75%

1:22:29of the tier 2 and that's all we had at

1:22:31the time but it was becoming a runaway

1:22:34amount where we're trying to stand up a

1:22:36program but every year with rising

1:22:39assessed values use the collection and

1:22:41the amount. I think we were in excess of

1:22:44$12 million

1:22:46which is why the 9 million floor came in

1:22:50and that most of the a good portion of

1:22:53the 9 million is accounted for by the

1:22:56need to run our homeless shelters. So I

1:23:00just want to state that for the record

1:23:02and also to clarify regarding the

1:23:04housing production fund ordinance 22-77

1:23:08sets at least 5 million for affordable

1:23:11housing production. So both are

1:23:13minimums. But again, the 9 million when

1:23:16it comes to the homeless and housing

1:23:19fund

1:23:20is there as that floor

1:23:25so that we didn't keep seeing it grow

1:23:28while we were trying to stand up a new

1:23:29program. Um but no, I am noting the

1:23:33concern. Thank you.

1:23:34>> Thank you, Mr. M.

1:23:36>> Thank you. I just have a quick um thing.

1:23:38I know our laser fech has been a little

1:23:40wonky and so you might not have been

1:23:42able to get into all the testimony. I

1:23:44wasn't able to get into everything, but

1:23:46I just wanted to point out that the

1:23:48Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce, the

1:23:50Japanese Chamber of Commerce, and the DI

1:23:53the Hilo DIA all submitted supportive

1:23:55testimony. So, I understand that as a

1:23:58business owner that you're still seeing

1:24:00a lot of issues, but I also think there

1:24:02are a lot of business owners. These are

1:24:04groups that represent business interests

1:24:06on our island and they are saying that

1:24:09um they really want to see this

1:24:11continue. So I just wanted to point that

1:24:12out.

1:24:13>> Thank you.

1:24:17>> Okay. One more one more note for

1:24:20everybody. When we did our CRFs, there

1:24:23was this constant question that came up.

1:24:24Even the vivise was how does a nonprofit

1:24:27become sustainable?

1:24:29That was the number one question I heard

1:24:30again and again. How do the nonprofits

1:24:32seek to be sustainable and eliminate the

1:24:34need for subsidized funding into their

1:24:36programs? I'm not hearing that question

1:24:38anymore, which I find interesting. It

1:24:41becomes a despite not having an audit,

1:24:45not having very clear data that's third

1:24:48party provided, we're willing to put

1:24:50another $18 million minimum into the

1:24:53same program

1:24:55that we don't have

1:24:59solid resorts results for.

1:25:03Food for thought.

1:25:07Okay. Thank you. Thank you, Miss Nakawa.

1:25:10Thank you, Administrator Costa.

1:25:13Okay, Mr. Nava.

1:25:16Good. Okay. All in favor of

1:25:20forwarding bill 192 as amended to

1:25:22council with a favorable recommendation.

1:25:25>> I opposed.

1:25:27>> Mr. Clerk, can roll call, please.

1:25:29>> On the motion to forward bill 192 as

1:25:31amended to the council with favor

1:25:32recommendation. Council member Gimba.

1:25:34Hi.

1:25:35>> Council member Hustus. Hi.

1:25:38>> Council member Naba. Hi,

1:25:40>> Council Member Kagiada.

1:25:41>> Hi,

1:25:41>> Council Member Kirkowitz.

1:25:43>> I council Kimell.

1:25:44>> Hi.

1:25:45>> Councelor Onishi.

1:25:46>> No.

1:25:47>> Councelor Viegas.

1:25:49>> Hi.

1:25:50>> Committee chair Connie Kleinfelder.

1:25:52>> Nope.

1:25:53>> Committee chair. Connie Clanilder, you

1:25:54have seven votes in favor with yourself

1:25:56and vice opposed. Motion carries.

1:26:00>> Thank you. Okay. Let's go to the top of

1:26:02the agenda, please.

1:26:08Is there any testimony for communication

1:26:0923.42?

1:26:13Hearing none. Communication 2 3.42

1:26:15report of fund transfers authorized June

1:26:1616 through 30 and July 16 through 31,

1:26:192026 from controller John Arbles dated

1:26:21August 19, 2026.

1:26:24>> Chair motion to post communication.

1:26:30>> Mr. Houston, Miss Kirkowitz beats it to

1:26:32it, but I'll give you the second.

1:26:33Council member Kirkuitz with the motion

1:26:35with council member Hust seconding the

1:26:37motion to close file on communication

1:26:3923.42.

1:26:41Any discussion

1:26:44hearing and seeing none? Motion is on

1:26:46the floor to close file on communication

1:26:4823.42. All in favor?

1:26:52Any opposed?

1:26:55Mr. Clerk, you have one, two, three,

1:26:56four, five, six, seven, eight members in

1:26:58favor. Mr. Naba.

1:27:01Oh, sorry. Miss, you have

1:27:04You have seven members in favor of Miss

1:27:06Kagiada and Mr. Inaba being excused.

1:27:13>> Motion carries.

1:27:20[laughter]

1:27:20>> Reminds me of an Iona commercial.

1:27:23>> Is there any testimony? Communication

1:27:251056.

1:27:27Hearing none. Communication 1056.

1:27:29Counting Hawaii inventory as of June 30,

1:27:312026 from finance director Diana Kagawa

1:27:34dated August 19, 2026

1:27:36submitting the above inventory report

1:27:38pursuant to section 103D-1208

1:27:41of the Hawaii vice statutes.

1:27:46>> Have a motion.

1:27:47>> Motion to close file on communication

1:27:491056.

1:27:51>> Have a motion by council member Gimba

1:27:52and a second by council member Kirkowitz

1:27:54to close file on communication 1056.

1:27:58Any discussion?

1:28:02Okay. Hearing and seeing none. Motion is

1:28:04on the floor. All in favor?

1:28:06>> Any opposed?

1:28:10Mr. Clerk, you have five members in

1:28:12favor. Miss No, no, no. Sorry. Mr.

1:28:14Hughes, are you there?

1:28:16>> Yes, sir.

1:28:17>> Okay, we have six members in favor.

1:28:18Council members Viegas Inaba and Kagiwad

1:28:21excused. Motion carries.

1:28:28Is there any testimony for resolution

1:28:29670-26?

1:28:34Hearing none, resolution 670-26

1:28:36authorize the payment of funds of later

1:28:37fiscal years to enter into a multi-year

1:28:39lease agreement for two dump trucks to

1:28:41be used by the Department of Public

1:28:42Works. Authorizes the mayor to enter

1:28:44into a 5-year lease agreement with an

1:28:47approximate total annual cost of

1:28:48$110,000 to be used for hauling

1:28:50material, paving, and removing debris.

1:28:52Introduced by Council Member Connie

1:28:53Clampler by request. Chair motion to

1:28:55forward resolution 670-26

1:28:59to the council with the favorable

1:29:00recommendation.

1:29:02>> Have a motion by council member

1:29:03Kirkowitz and a second by council member

1:29:05Galima to forward resolution 670-26

1:29:08to council with a favorable

1:29:09recommendation. Any discussion? Council

1:29:11member Kirkwitz. Council member.

1:29:13>> Thank you chairs.

1:29:16Thank you.

1:29:22[snorts]

1:29:26>> Good afternoon, Kelsey Kalua Lewis

1:29:29Public Works.

1:29:30>> Thank you. So, these vehicles, is it

1:29:34like new vehicles that we leasing or is

1:29:38it like renewing this lease that we had

1:29:40before? Um these are new leases um to

1:29:44kind of replace aging fleet.

1:29:47>> Oh

1:29:47>> yeah.

1:29:48>> Okay. So the other ones was like leased

1:29:51before that's return got returned back.

1:29:54>> Um no we usually lease to own. Um and I

1:29:59believe the dump trucks we have now um

1:30:01they're constantly in for repairs. Um I

1:30:05don't know the exact year but they are

1:30:07older. So, these two would just be

1:30:10leased to own eventually um for um to

1:30:14replace the aging fleet.

1:30:16>> Okay.

1:30:16>> And then what's going to happen to those

1:30:18older vehicles?

1:30:20>> Um

1:30:22depending on um you know the repair

1:30:25costs. Um, I don't know if highways will

1:30:28choose to leave them in the fleet for

1:30:32um, you know, emergency situations like

1:30:34leave it at a base where it doesn't have

1:30:36to transfer far to another district um,

1:30:41or if they're going to dispose or um,

1:30:44auction it off. Um,

1:30:45>> because I know auctions and correct me

1:30:48if I'm wrong, director Nakal, but

1:30:51auction wise, we haven't had vehicle

1:30:54auctions in a while.

1:30:58Um I believe we just had one. I remember

1:31:02working on

1:31:05>> Diana Kagawa finance department um happy

1:31:07to come up and say no actually we have

1:31:09had um and our property manager just

1:31:11walked out. I would have the dates for

1:31:12you can follow up but we actually did

1:31:14have a couple auctions and we're

1:31:16planning on the next one. Okay. As well

1:31:18so we we are slowly getting back on

1:31:20track with our auctions. So, lot lot of

1:31:22the fire trucks that was I guess stored

1:31:27away, those got auctioned off, too.

1:31:30>> You know, I don't remember off the top

1:31:31of my head which ones were in the last

1:31:32one and on the next one, but happy to

1:31:34follow up with our property management

1:31:36team and look at what was included in

1:31:38the last auction we recently did and

1:31:41also work with fire on what might be

1:31:42included in the next one.

1:31:43>> I'm just happy that you folks are

1:31:45moving.

1:31:45>> We are.

1:31:46>> I remember like when the

1:31:50We we are happy we're we're back on

1:31:52track and we've had a couple and we also

1:31:54have another one planned and I'll get

1:31:56the date out as well.

1:31:57>> Right on. Thank you.

1:31:57>> You're welcome. Are you sure?

1:31:59>> Thank you. Any further discussion?

1:32:03>> Thank you for being here, Miss Kos.

1:32:05Thank you. Motion is on the floor to

1:32:07forward resolution

1:32:11670-26

1:32:13to the council with a favorable

1:32:15recommendation. All in favor?

1:32:17>> Any opposed?

1:32:19Mr. Clerk, you have 1, two, three, four,

1:32:21five, six, seven, eight members. Seven

1:32:24members in favor, council members and

1:32:25Viegas excused.

1:32:28Motion carries.

1:32:31And it does. Is there any testimony for

1:32:33resolution 671-26?

1:32:37Hearing none, resolution 671-26

1:32:39authorized payment of funds of later

1:32:41fiscal years to enter into a multi-year

1:32:43lease agreement for three grapple trucks

1:32:44to use by Department of Public Works.

1:32:46authorized the mayor to enter into a

1:32:485-year lease agreement with approximate

1:32:50total annual cost of $225,000 to be used

1:32:52for emergency response for down trees,

1:32:54clearing drains, removing dead animals,

1:32:56and regular road maintenance work

1:32:57introduced by council member Connley

1:32:59Kleiner by request.

1:33:00>> Chair, motion to forward resolution

1:33:02671-26

1:33:03to the council with a favorable

1:33:05recommendation.

1:33:07>> Motion by council member Kirkowitz and

1:33:09seconded by council member Galima.

1:33:12Any discussion on the measure?

1:33:14Hearing and seeing none. Thank you for

1:33:16being here. Public works. All in favor?

1:33:20>> Any opposed? Mr. Clerk, you have seven

1:33:23members in favor. Two members excused.

1:33:26Council members Inava and Viegas. Motion

1:33:28carries.

1:33:30On boarding resolution 671-26 to council

1:33:33with a favorable recommendation.

1:33:35>> Is there any testimony for resolution

1:33:37672-26?

1:33:40Hearing none. Resolution 672-26

1:33:43authorized payment of funds of later

1:33:44fiscal years to enter into a

1:33:45multi-release agreement for an excavator

1:33:47with a mulching unit to be used by the

1:33:49Department of Public Works. Authorizes

1:33:51the mayor to enter into a 5-year lease

1:33:52agreement with an approximate total

1:33:54annual cost of $80,000 to use roadside

1:33:57repair, debris removal, clearing pledge

1:33:58channels, and digging trenches

1:34:00introduced by council member Connelly

1:34:01Clanfolder by request.

1:34:03>> Chair motion to forward resolution

1:34:04672-26

1:34:06to the council with a favorable

1:34:07recommendation.

1:34:09Motion by council member Kirkwood,

1:34:10seconded by council member Kimble to

1:34:13ford resolution 672-26

1:34:15to council with a favorable

1:34:17recommendation. Any discussion

1:34:20hearing and seeing none motion is on the

1:34:22floor. All in favor?

1:34:24>> Any opposed? Mr. Clerk, you have seven

1:34:27members in favor. Council members Inava

1:34:29and Viegas excused. Motion carries.

1:34:32>> Is there any testimony for resolution

1:34:33673-26?

1:34:37Hearing none. Resolution 673-26

1:34:39authorizes payment of funds of later

1:34:40fiscal years to enter into a military

1:34:42lease agreement for a crew cab pickup

1:34:43truck to be used by the department of

1:34:45public works. Authorizes the mayor to

1:34:46enter a 5-year lease agreement with an

1:34:48approximate total annual cost of $19,000

1:34:51to be utilized by the department's

1:34:52highway maintenance division introduced

1:34:54by council member Connie Clampler by

1:34:55request.

1:34:56>> Chair motion to ford resolution 673-26

1:35:01to the council with a favorable

1:35:02recommendation.

1:35:04Have a motion by council member

1:35:05Kirkowitz and a second by council member

1:35:07Kima. Any discussion on resolution

1:35:10673-26

1:35:13hearing and seeing none. Motion is on

1:35:15the floor. All in favor? Any opposed?

1:35:18Mr. Clark gives seven members in favor.

1:35:21Miss Vgas and Mr. Excused. Motion

1:35:25carries.

1:35:26>> Is there any testimony for resolution

1:35:28674-26?

1:35:31Hearing none. Resolution 6 74-26

1:35:33authorized the payment of funds in later

1:35:34fiscal years to enter a multi-year

1:35:37subscription agreement for a proprietary

1:35:39legal research investigative software to

1:35:40be used by the office of prosecing

1:35:42attorney. Authorized the mayor to enter

1:35:43a 5-year agreement with an approximate

1:35:45monthly cost of $697

1:35:47for the clear online investigator

1:35:49research subscription introduced by

1:35:51council member Connley Kleiner by

1:35:52request.

1:35:54>> Chair motion to forward resolution

1:35:56674-26

1:35:57to the council with the favorable

1:35:58recommendation.

1:36:00Moved by council member Kirkowitz,

1:36:02seconded by council member Onishi. Any

1:36:04discussion?

1:36:06Hearing and seeing none. Motion's on the

1:36:08floor. All in favor?

1:36:10>> Any opposed?

1:36:12Mr. Clerk, you have seven members in

1:36:13favor. Council members, sorry, council

1:36:17members Viegas and Naba excused. Motion

1:36:19carries.

1:36:20>> Is there any testimony for resolution

1:36:22675-26?

1:36:26Hearing none. Resolution 675-26

1:36:28authorized the payment of funds of later

1:36:29fiscal years to enter into a multi-year

1:36:31subscription agreement for proprietary

1:36:33legal research investigative software to

1:36:35be used by the office prosecuting

1:36:36attorney. Authorize the merit to enter

1:36:38into a 5-year agreement with an

1:36:39approximate monthly cost of $4,835

1:36:42for continued use of the West Law for

1:36:44trial preparation and online legal

1:36:46research service. Introduced by council

1:36:48member Kylie Clanfelder by request.

1:36:50Chair motion to forward resolution

1:36:52675-26

1:36:54to the council with a favorable

1:36:55recommendation.

1:36:57>> We have a motion by council member

1:36:58Kirkwoods and a second by council member

1:37:00Anishi to for resolution 675-26 the

1:37:03council with a favorable recommendation.

1:37:05Any discussion?

1:37:07Hearing and seeing none. Motion is on

1:37:09the floor. All in favor?

1:37:12Any opposed? Mr. Clerk, you have eight

1:37:15members in favor. Council member excuse.

1:37:18Motion carries.

1:37:19Is there any testimony for Bill 171?

1:37:25Hearing none, Bill 171 amends chapter 2,

1:37:27article 4, section 2-12.7 of the Hawaii

1:37:30County Code, 1983, 2016 edition as

1:37:32amended relating to fiscal impact

1:37:34statements. Requires that a fiscal

1:37:36impact statement be prepared by the

1:37:38finance director,

1:37:40excuse me, requires that a fiscal impact

1:37:42statement prepared by the finance

1:37:43director be submitted with council bills

1:37:45that have fiscal implications.

1:37:47introduced by council onishi. This

1:37:48matter is postponed July 22, 2026. And

1:37:51you have a motion on the floor made by

1:37:53council onishi, seconded by council

1:37:54member Glima to recommend passage of

1:37:56bill 171 on first reading.

1:38:00>> Mr. Chair [laughter]

1:38:04for discussion with the finance

1:38:05director. Can I u make a motion to

1:38:09postpone bill 171 to the November 5th

1:38:13committee meeting?

1:38:14>> Okay. I have a motion by council member

1:38:18the six

1:38:20October

1:38:22>> November 6 November

1:38:24>> November

1:38:25>> yeah november 6th

1:38:27>> November 6th

1:38:27>> nove November 5th

1:38:30>> yes

1:38:30>> November 5th

1:38:33>> okay we have a motion by council member

1:38:35to postpone bill seven bill 171 to the

1:38:38November 5th committee hearings is there

1:38:41any discussion sorry we have a second by

1:38:44Second by council member Kimble. Is

1:38:47there any discussion on the motion?

1:38:51Hearing none. All in favor?

1:38:54>> Any opposed? Mr. Clerk, you have

1:38:58this is one, two, three, four, five,

1:39:01six. Seven members in favor. Council

1:39:03members Kirkowitz and Nava excused.

1:39:05Motion carries.

1:39:08That does bring us to the end of our

1:39:10agenda. You all set, Mr. Clerk?

1:39:13Okay, thank you. That brings us to the

1:39:15end of our agenda. Seeing no further

1:39:16business in the finance committee, we

1:39:19are adjourned and it is 5:09 p.m. Our

1:39:23next committee will start shortly. Thank

1:39:24you by

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