2026-09-16 - County Council

02:14Aloha Kakahyaka. Welcome to the 49th

02:17session of the Hawaii County Council.

02:19The date today is September 16, 2026.

02:23And we are meeting today in our Hilo

02:25chambers at the Hawaii County Building,

02:2725 Alpoon Street with uh Council Member

02:29Houston joining via Zoom from our Kona

02:33Chambers. Uh this morning we are blessed

02:37and thankful to have one of our own

02:40county employees, Ko Robinson from

02:42Highly Congregational Church to provide

02:44our invocation. Good morning.

02:48>> Aloh everyone. Hello.

02:51>> Hello, Kakayyaka. It is indeed my honor

02:54to be with you folks this morning. I'm

02:56not only a housing specialist for the

02:59office of housing community development

03:01and I'm so grateful that my housing

03:03administrator Kho and Ko our housing a

03:06deputy housing administrator are here

03:07too. And Gigi, good morning Gigi. And

03:10then um but I'm also a uh bargaining

03:14unit 13 steward for Hawaii government

03:17employees association. also helped to

03:19negotiate our contracts. More

03:22importantly, I'm here in the capacity as

03:24a deacon for highly church. Um in 2024,

03:28we had celebrated our 200th anniversary

03:31and last year um Kuyo Chapo in Kokaha

03:35had celebrated its 100th anniversary. So

03:38the sanctuaries have a deep history here

03:40in Hilo. Okay.

03:44The word of kaakua for today is taken

03:46from the book of John 13:14

03:50and it speaks to being the being

03:52leaders.

04:11If I then, the Lord and the teacher,

04:14washed your feet, you also ought to wash

04:17one another's feet.

04:20While providing water was required, the

04:22actual act of bending down to wash

04:24someone else's dirty feet was considered

04:27a demeaning task. In biblical times, it

04:29was strictly reserved for the lowest

04:32ranking people in society, typically

04:34non-Jewish or gentile slaves. When Jesus

04:38washes the disciples feet in John 13, he

04:42completely flips the social hierarchy

04:44upside down by taking off his outer

04:47robe, wrapping a towel around his waist,

04:49and kneeling on the floor. He assumes

04:52the posture of the lowest slave. This is

04:55why Peter fiercely objects at first. It

04:58was culturally shocking for a revered

05:00master to perform a slave's duty for his

05:03followers. By doing this, Jesus models

05:06that true leadership in his kingdom is

05:09defined by radical humility and

05:12sacrificial service. Today's leaders

05:15often times expect to be served by those

05:17beneath them. Jesus completely reverses

05:20this true greatness in his kingdom is

05:24measured by servantthood. He doesn't

05:26just give a lecture on humility. He

05:29models it first and then says, "Now copy

05:32me." If I could have our council members

05:35please stand and gather in a huddle and

05:38hold hands elbow to elbow, please.

05:42And we will pray a blessing over you. If

05:45you could gather in a circle,

05:47thank you.

05:50Malonui, beautiful.

05:54Heavenly Father, we come before you

05:56today with deep gratitude for the Hawaii

05:58County Council. For these men and women

06:00who carry the weight of decisions that

06:03shape our island, our families, and our

06:05future, we lift them to you now, asking

06:08for your covering, your wisdom, and your

06:11breath of life upon every responsibility

06:13they bear. Lord, place your hand of

06:16protection over each council member and

06:19over every member of their ohana. Guard

06:21their health, their homes, their

06:23marriages, their children, and the quiet

06:26places of their heart. Let no harm, no

06:29discouragement, and no division come

06:32near them. Surround them with your

06:34peace, the kind that steadies the mind

06:36and strengthens the spirit. Grant them

06:39integrity that does not waver. The

06:42courage to do what is right even when

06:43the path is difficult. Even when the

06:46voices around them are loud. Even when

06:48the decisions they face carry weight and

06:51consequence. Let their leadership be

06:53anchored in truth guided by justice and

06:56shaped by aloha for the communities they

06:59serve. Give them perseverance, Lord, the

07:02strength to endure long meetings,

07:04complex issues, and the pressures that

07:06come with public service. When they feel

07:08weary, renew them. When they feel

07:11stretched, sustain them. When they feel

07:14alone, remind them that you walk beside

07:16them. Bless them with compassion that

07:19sees every constituent as a person of

07:21worth with stories, struggles, and

07:24hopes. and bless them with boldness, the

07:26courage to act decisively when action is

07:30needed, to speak clearly when clarity is

07:33required, and to stand firm when the

07:35moment calls for leadership. Lord,

07:38please bless the staff members of the

07:39county clerk's office, corporation

07:41council's office, the finance

07:43department, and all the hardworking

07:45staff and public workers who assist our

07:47county council and work in our county

07:49departments.

07:56May the Lord's blessing be upon the read

07:58the reading of his word. Mahalo.

08:09Mahalo, Vice President Robinson, for

08:11that wonderful pullet to get us started

08:13today. Uh, with that, I am calling this

08:17meeting to order at 9:07. Mr. Clerk,

08:20roll call, please. Council member Gimba

08:23>> here.

08:23>> Council member Hustus

08:25>> present.

08:26>> Council member Kagiada

08:28>> here.

08:28>> Council member Connie Lee Kleinfelder.

08:32>> Council Kirkowitz

08:33>> present.

08:34>> Council member Campbell

08:35>> here.

08:35>> Vice Onishu

08:36>> present. Council member Viegas

08:38>> AO.

08:39>> Cherry Nava.

08:40>> A chair of eight members present. You

08:42have quorum.

08:43>> Thank you. Mr. Clerk, would you please

08:44lead us in the pledge of allegiance?

08:46Please stand if you feel comfortable

08:48doing so.

09:12Thank you. And this morning before we

09:14get into our our official council

09:16agenda, we do have a few presentations.

09:19And we'll begin today with our Havo

09:22award for September 2026. And I'd like

09:24to call acting chief Daniel Vulpi

09:27forward to introduce our award

09:29recipient. Good morning, Chief. [snorts]

09:34>> Good morning, Chair Inaba, vice chair,

09:37council members. Uh my name is Daniel

09:38Vi, temporary fire chief, Hawaii Fire

09:40Department, and I come before you this

09:42morning again with the distinct honor of

09:45presenting one of our department's

09:46finest uh employees. This is firefighter

09:49Christopher Tomodakis. Um over the last

09:52year, year and a half, um certainly the

09:54last we talked about kind of the SISM

09:56program, that critical incident stress

09:57management program that's so vital to

09:59what we do. Um firefighter Troadakis is

10:03the lead of that program. He's currently

10:04been running as the the manager and kind

10:06of program manager, project manager. But

10:08um one of his I I first met Christopher

10:12when I was a captain at Central Fire

10:13Station, one of the first firefighters I

10:16worked with and I was new to the

10:17station. He was new to being a

10:19firefighter. Um, well-rounded,

10:22excellent, strong willed, determined,

10:24but he had a secret power that wasn't

10:26just cooking. Actually, was one of the

10:28secret powers that I learned was people.

10:31One of the best people persons that I've

10:34ever worked with. So, regardless of the

10:36calls we go on, fire calls, medical

10:38calls, um, it's people. Everything we do

10:42is people. and his ability to empathize,

10:45to relate, to um communicate with

10:48children, with the elderly, with with

10:51everybody in between, sick, well, was

10:54one of those things that that I really

10:55really identified right off the bat. Um

10:57it takes a lot of skills to be a good

10:59firefighter. We focus often we focus on

11:01hoses and and ladders and movement and

11:04driving operations. We don't necessarily

11:06always focus on those skills to be able

11:09to deal with people. Um Christopher is

11:11part of the he eventually joined the the

11:13critical incident stress team um through

11:16a series of events. He became the lead

11:17of that team and I don't know if you

11:18remember but I remember clearly that one

11:21of the first things I found out that

11:22when you was going to take the lead of

11:23this organization was to say make it

11:25better. I want to see a robust program.

11:28The need for this program has been well

11:30established. The idea that we can take

11:32care of everybody else without taking

11:34care of ourselves is something that

11:35we'll never go back to. We take care of

11:37ourselves. We take care of our own. And

11:39I want this program to thrive. Budget,

11:42training, metrics, deployments, times

11:45between diffusing, time between events,

11:47membership. These are the metrics that

11:49we want to see because I want to make

11:51sure that this program is growing. And I

11:52think Christopher has done an incredible

11:53job. This last year, not only the loss

11:55of our fire chief, the loss of um um our

11:59medical director just a week later. I

12:00think I had a conversation with you that

12:02night and I found myself going, "What is

12:04going on?" And I caught myself. I was

12:06being angry and I was grieving. I was

12:08still grieving the chief. I was still

12:10now and I was in the moment. I was

12:11grieving the loss of our medical

12:13director, but Christopher was on the

12:14phone kind of working through some of

12:16those things and very and that's part of

12:17that skill he has is talk to anybody

12:19regardless of rank, regardless of

12:21position, he talk to people. This year

12:23we've seen um multiple deployments of

12:27our system team whether the MVA is on a

12:29saddle um critical incidents with

12:31children, hurricanes, things that have

12:34changed our community like overnight. um

12:37his ability to continue to be there for

12:38our people to check in to be present

12:40when they need for is something that I

12:42will be super we always be eternally

12:44grateful um and that's the reason that

12:46we come here today. Um it's my very

12:48distinct pleasure to introduce

12:49firefighter Christopher Chamadakis for

12:51our Hov award this month.

12:53>> Thank you chief. Good morning. If you

12:55would like to activate your mic and you

12:57can um share anything that you'd like to

12:59get us started.

13:00>> Uh good morning council. Thank you. I

13:01just want to say um wow thank you so

13:03much. Um, I won't be getting a Grammy

13:05anytime soon, so I did write something.

13:09I'm going to refer to my notes so I

13:10don't um miss anything. Um, but yeah,

13:13when I took over as the lead in 2024,

13:16um, I had a really strong foundation and

13:18that was thanks to um, Chief Domingo,

13:20who was the coordinator for many, many

13:22years before me. So, I just wanted to

13:23shout her out and um, say thank you for

13:26her support, especially at the

13:27beginning, her guidance and her help.

13:28She was always there um, whenever I had

13:30a question or needed something. Um, and

13:33so yeah, um, I my goal was to, like

13:36Chief Opie was saying, um, kind of grow

13:38the program and I feel like we're

13:40achieving that, but we have a strong

13:42base to start from. So I want to give

13:44credit where credit is due to her. Um,

13:47like Chief was saying, what um, SISM and

13:50peer support are, they're programs um,

13:52that we use to really take care of each

13:53other when we go through the the tough

13:55and the most traumatic cause. Um, that's

13:58when we really need SISM. And it just

13:59gives guys uh the space, guys and men

14:01and women in the department to to

14:03process what's going on. Um so that

14:06nobody has to go through those um those

14:08tough times alone or bottle things up.

14:11Um but yeah, I just want to give thanks

14:14um to all the department chiefs and

14:17admin for always backing us and their

14:19support. And whenever we needed

14:21something related to sism or peer

14:23support, it's always been um a

14:25resounding yes. And without that, the

14:27program um wouldn't have the wheels to

14:29get off the ground. Um and then also to

14:32the team. I'm the coordinator, but

14:35there's a huge team behind me. Um 40

14:38plus personnel, and so they're really

14:40the backbone whenever anything gets

14:42done. They're there to answer the call.

14:44Um they never complain. They show up to

14:45whatever station I need them to. And

14:47then beyond just the team, the

14:50department as a whole, guys. Every time

14:53we do a sysm or um a meeting, we have

14:56guys holding over. We have guys coming

14:58in early, staying late, back field

15:00coverage. So, thank you to all the

15:02support that we have really

15:04departmentwide. Um and to the steering

15:06committee. Um and then definitely Pastor

15:09Renee, I don't know if she's here today,

15:10but she trained Hi. [laughter]

15:13She trained me in sism and um she really

15:17um she really vouched for me when I was

15:19coming up in the program to to go and

15:22get more training, more advanced

15:23training um and to go to different

15:27conferences and things like that and

15:28that really helped me in the coordinator

15:30position. Um so thank you and she helps

15:32us with sism but she helps us with so

15:34much more um our department, police

15:37department and countywide. So thank you

15:38Renee. Um I want to thank my mom. She's

15:41not here, but she's watching on Zoom as

15:43long as she figured out the link. I

15:45think she's in New York, but she always

15:47reminded me when I was growing up how

15:48important it was to um to talk about

15:50things and not keep things in sight. Um

15:54so I think that lesson is part of the

15:55reason that I'm in the position I'm in

15:57today as the coordinator. Um and thank

16:00you to my fire family. I don't have any

16:01blood relatives here in Hawaii. Um but I

16:04really do lean on you guys and think of

16:06us family. So thank you for yeah, always

16:09being there whenever I need something.

16:12That's all.

16:17We'll start with Vice Chair Onishi.

16:19>> Thank you, Chair.

16:20>> Oh, actually, sorry. Before I open it to

16:22the council, Pastor Goi,

16:27because you work so closely with our

16:28system team, I want to give you the

16:30opportunity to chime in.

16:33have this guy.

16:38>> So, first of all, I can pronounce his

16:40name, Chamadakis, and I can spell it

16:42correctly. So, I think I should get a

16:44Hav award just for that alone. And I

16:48just want to kind of reiterate, you

16:49know, everything that um Chief uh Vulpi

16:53said and um appreciate all the support

16:55that they've given us, but in especially

16:57he is kind to the elderly because

16:59apparently I am now elderly. So, he's

17:02been very kind to me and very good. Um,

17:04but we've worked together for over two

17:06years now and I've witnessed firsthand

17:08his passion and commitment to the SISM

17:11team and the mental health and wellness

17:12of his peers from pursuing and

17:15researching different training and

17:17resources to help his peers to

17:19responding quickly to late night calls.

17:21He's getting late night calls and

17:23getting out there personally himself as

17:25well as deploying people all while he is

17:28still working himself as a firefighter.

17:30As you may all know, it's a volunteer

17:32kind of position. The initial call to

17:34activate the SISM team involves a lot of

17:36coordination. Getting all the facts,

17:39finding who was on the call and all the

17:41important details, assembling the team

17:43to respond, working out everyone's

17:45schedule, finding a venue, and while

17:47still being a first responder himself.

17:50He cares for his team members and is

17:52patient and with sometimes there's

17:54hesitant or persist, you know, resistant

17:56personnel. He's patient with that. And

17:59because he worked with special needs

18:00children in his past, he has a lot of

18:02compassion for those who are different

18:05and low tolerance for derogatory terms,

18:08which his I think some of his peers know

18:10that his passion sometimes comes off as

18:13being a pest, but he is reluctant to

18:17give up on someone who needs help, but

18:19may be reluctant to accept it and is

18:22persistent in overcoming resistance to

18:25the program. He may be Greek in

18:27nationality, but he has a lot of aloha

18:30in his heart. And so I'm so proud of him

18:32and so so happy that you guys have

18:34decided to recognize his commitment to

18:37uh the SISM team. Thank you.

18:39>> Thank you, Pastor Godi. U we'll open it

18:41up to the council starting with vice

18:43chair Nishi.

18:44>> Thank you, chair.

18:45>> I'm not going to say your last names.

18:47I'm just going to call you firefighter

18:49Chris and congratulations. You know, one

18:51thing I noticed like on uniforms is the

18:54stars.

18:55And for the you know for the years that

18:58you have and for what you have done it's

19:00amazing that

19:03>> at you would think like more someone

19:05with three four stars would be kind of

19:07like but then you're from I guess from

19:09the start you're already involved right

19:11so which is awesome. Yeah. And as you

19:14mentioned

19:15that you're there was already this

19:18foundation, right? And you continue to

19:21just build on that foundation. And

19:23that's like that's how I want, you know,

19:25that's how I like to see as like council

19:27members. We try to build the foundation

19:30within our districts and hopefully

19:32whoever takes over continues to make it

19:34better and better. And to me, that's how

19:37the county will get even better that we

19:40can offer to the communities, right, of

19:43the I guess uh much more services that

19:47we can provide them, right? So, I really

19:50want to congratulate you and hopefully

19:52you'll be the influence for those

19:53volleyball players behind you that are

19:55like 16, 17 years old and your future

19:58might be within this fire department or

20:00police department, right? Or or even

20:02with the county. But congratulations

20:04again and keep up the good work

20:06>> or in your seat.

20:07>> Council member Kirkowitz.

20:09>> Thank you. I'm gonna attempt to say your

20:11last name, Tradakus. Okay, great.

20:13Because mine is also um very difficult

20:16to figure out, too, so I can relate. Um

20:18shout out to your mom for raising such a

20:21fine man. Um I'm so glad that you were

20:23able to find a home here in Hawaii. Um

20:27she really raised someone to be a

20:29protector and to and to be a community

20:31contributor. And so, thank you for the

20:33passion that you bring to this work. Um,

20:36my partner's in the fire department and

20:38so I can totally relate with the idea of

20:40you folks seeing things that most people

20:42do not see. It can be very traumatizing

20:44and you can't unsee it. And typical

20:47local boy, you know, like talk about his

20:49feelings, but I know he's struggling

20:51sometimes. So I just I appreciate the

20:52fact that there is a place where it is

20:55now being normalized to talk about what

20:57you are going through and to realize

20:59that there is a community of support

21:01that will help to get you through those

21:03difficult times. So I just again

21:05appreciate the passion for the program

21:07and for everything that you do to

21:08support your fire ohana and to serve our

21:11community. Congratulations.

21:13>> Yeah,

21:14>> council member Viegas.

21:16>> Aloha Chris. I want to echo the

21:18sentiments of my colleagues and uh honor

21:22also chief and the department as a whole

21:25pastor Gdoi

21:27for elevating and prioritizing EQ. So

21:32much in this world we have been focused

21:34on IQ and we've left behind

21:38um the superpower of EQ and being able

21:42to connect with people on a human level.

21:46I listen to a podcast and they like to

21:48say about for humans who want to stay

21:51human

21:53and you provide a pathway for our first

21:57responders who are exposed to

21:59circumstances that all too often we hope

22:02nobody

22:04ever

22:06would have to experience.

22:09But you're providing a pathway for them

22:11to process that the stages of grieving,

22:15anger being one of them without shame,

22:18without judgment,

22:20um, which are all too often the things

22:22that come along, especially for men

22:24navigating crisis, stress, and

22:26emergency. So, I am so grateful for the

22:31leadership in our fire department to

22:34recognize in you that high EQ and for

22:38your willingness and your mother to have

22:42raised you in a way that that was

22:44nurtured and cherished

22:48and allowed to bloom into this gift for

22:53not only our department, for our

22:55community as a whole.

22:57because with our healthy first

22:59responders, our community can be

23:02healthier, safer, and stronger. So,

23:04thank you from the bottom of my heart.

23:11>> Congratulations.

23:13>> Um, what's your mom's name?

23:14>> Barbara.

23:15>> Thank you, Auntie Barbara, if you're

23:17listening. For raising a a wonderful

23:19person who serves our community. It's

23:22awesome, too. So, I want to send a

23:24mahalo. Pretty much all of the upper

23:25rank of the department is here today.

23:28Thank you. With that, um, we're honored

23:31as Hawaii County Council to recognize

23:33you as a September 2026 Hav Award

23:36recipient. If we could please all stand

23:38for the presentation of the award.

23:48Come

23:50alama.

23:53[singing]

24:21>> [singing]

24:30>> And we're going to proceed. Everyone can

24:32be seated. We're going to proceed into

24:34our next um presentation and we're going

24:36to take photos one time at the end. So,

24:39at this time, I would like to hand it

24:40over to Council Member Kirkowitz.

24:45>> Thank you, Chair. Um, former prosecuting

24:48attorney, volunteer extraordinaire, Mano

24:50Mahime, Auntie Charlene Aboshi, reached

24:53out um to remind me that next week here

24:55on Havaii Island is peace week. Um, she,

24:59Governor Benson Medina, he's like the

25:01CEO of all the Rotary clubs in Hawaii

25:03and also our R&D director. Um, just

25:05magic maker. Um, I'm blessed to be Am I

25:08in your club? I'm in your Rotary Club.

25:09Yes. Okay. They can claim me. Anyway, we

25:12are proud Rotarians and I love Rotary

25:14because at the heart of what we do is

25:17service to community. We find time

25:19amidst our busy schedule to serve

25:21community in many ways, including um

25:24after tropical storm LA. I know that the

25:27clubs mobilize to organize $25,000

25:30for the incredible efforts that are

25:32happening in community to support COU um

25:35in this very, you know, difficult time.

25:37But next week is peace week. And so

25:40often this seems like a very like

25:41elusive but very big idea. But when you

25:44think about it, peace starts in very

25:46small ways, right? It here in Hawaii, we

25:48know it as aloha. That is an island

25:50value. Um and peace can be demonstrated

25:52every single day and how you speak to

25:55other people, how you treat your

25:56neighbor, how you take care of folks

25:58that you work with. Um, and I feel like

26:01now more than ever with all the conflict

26:03and division that's happening in our

26:04world, we need to take moments to

26:07recognize and elevate what we want in

26:09this world, and that is peace. Um, I

26:13also know that Rotary clubs have been

26:15very um integral in installing a number

26:18of peace poles around the island.

26:19There's one here in the county building.

26:21They're all across the island. they have

26:23the message may peace prevail in

26:25different languages which is such a

26:27powerful and simple reminder to just

26:30carry on um in peace in all of your

26:32interactions every day. So I just wanted

26:34to take a moment to thank both of you

26:36personally and also all of our Rotarians

26:39who may be tuning in or could watch this

26:41later. Mahalo for all of the peace and

26:43aloha that you share not just next week

26:46but year round. Governor Medina, did you

26:48want to share a few words and maybe talk

26:50about some of the activities that are

26:51happening that folks should be aware of?

26:53Thank you for being here, by the way. I

26:55know you both are so busy.

26:56>> Thank you.

26:56>> Thank you.

26:57>> There's a workshop I'm supposed to

27:01>> press the green button. Uh, thank you so

27:05much to all of you for allowing us to be

27:07here to talk about Peace Week. This

27:09says, by the way, Rotary is a very old

27:13service organization, one of the oldest

27:15in the world. And we're all over the

27:17world. We're not just in America. We're

27:19all over the world. And

27:21>> sorry, real quick, just if you could

27:23introduce yourself.

27:24>> I'm so sorry. Okay. My name is Charlene

27:26Iboshi.

27:28I'm very retired. I was um at the

27:31prosecute attorney's office for many

27:32many years and that has always been my

27:34passion to have peace nonviolence

27:38prevention as many of you know we had a

27:41youth builders program I think that they

27:43still have it and uh council person

27:46Herowitz was part of that program and

27:49Kellen who um who is our current

27:53prosecutor. So I think we were proud

27:55because there was a time when everything

27:57was hidden.

27:59It was hidden. It was a boy's world one

28:03and more importantly it was like hey

28:06suck them up. Don't say you have a

28:08problem. And so I'm glad that we have

28:10these programs now. And so

28:15uh we are all over the world and the

28:17vision really is to create lasting

28:20impact and peace. So in rotary peace is

28:23one of the main pillars. So on our

28:26island we have

28:29many different kinds of symbols of

28:31peace. When you see a symbol of peace

28:34and this is for the younger ones it is

28:36like your moment to say reflect on it in

28:40yourself in your heart between your

28:42partner your family the community nation

28:46and the world. So we're all linked

28:48together and if we don't recognize it,

28:49it starts with us. And so we have four

28:53symbols of peace on this island. One is

28:55a peace pole that came out of the uh

28:57Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombing and it

29:00says may peace prevail on earth and then

29:03every place where it's planted and

29:05there's over there's many all over the

29:08world and on our island we have over 60.

29:11So, we're trying to get it all put down

29:13in a map, electronic map for you young

29:15ones, so you can look at it and say,

29:16"Where's the one closest to me?" And

29:18come come and visit it and reflect on

29:20it. So, and the other is the Hava Peace

29:23Tree, which comes from the Hiroshima

29:26bombing where everything was devastated

29:29and they didn't think anything would

29:30grow, but then guess what? It's like a

29:33banyan tree that come up. And so we have

29:37HA trees

29:39all over this island and one is with the

29:42Hiroshima Fujinkai here in Hilo. It was

29:45brought over over 10 years ago as part

29:47of the peace effort for Rotary. And the

29:49others are in Kona. So they're all over

29:51the island. Okay. So the peace pole, the

29:55ha

29:57and then we also have saddako [snorts]

29:59sasaki story which is normally embodied

30:02in the origami queen.

30:07[clears throat] Okay, I brought a big

30:08one for demonstration purposes. Uh so

30:11and normally you put together a

30:14thousand. So during CO, we had a young

30:18girl who was 11 years old, Skylie

30:21Hiroaki, and she on her own

30:24during CO folded over a thousand cranes

30:27herself. So we're going to display that

30:29next week because next week is going to

30:31be recognized is not only International

30:34Peace Day, which is Monday, which is the

30:36United Nations recognition since 1980,

30:39but we've decided we're going to do it

30:40for a whole week. If we're going to do a

30:43party, we do it well. So, we're going to

30:44do it for the whole week. No, not as a

30:47party to only celebrate the good things,

30:49but to recognize our community is

30:51suffering. And so, like Caou right now

30:54and our brothers and sisters on Kawai.

30:57So, part of this next week is really to

31:01recognize that we can do something every

31:03day. So, we have a schedule. We'll

31:05provide that to you and we've provided a

31:07copy to council one at uh Kirkowitz and

31:11to I just want to show something to you

31:14because the Cahoo community was so hit

31:16hard

31:17and interestingly there was a Martin

31:21Luther King poems reading this year and

31:25guess what most of the winners came from

31:27COU so I have their poems here and I'm

31:31we're going to share that out because

31:33it's a significant thing and you can

31:35appreciate this council woman

31:37everybody's suffering right now so many

31:39times you have to reflect in yourself,

31:42>> get your family to support you, your

31:45friends, your community, and then to

31:47recognize this is a world problem and a

31:50world solution. So, we work together.

31:53Okay. So, enough talking, but I just

31:56wanted to let you know next month

31:59every every we have some activity that

32:02deals with peace. So, this is going to

32:04be our 11th year for our KCO let's work

32:08it out workshop. So yes or no. Rotary

32:11tries to gives the tools as is what's

32:14happening in the fire department.

32:16Everybody has to have tools and now with

32:18the you know the AI world you have to

32:22check it but verify it but it can build

32:25your emotional quotient. Okay so enough

32:29talk. Um Benson Medina is our current

32:33governor. It's like got the big cheese.

32:37Um, and we're very lucky because uh last

32:40year Nancy Cabral, who was from this

32:42island as well, was a district governor.

32:44So, we're very proud of him.

32:47>> Thank you. Uh, let me say a few words.

32:48I'm Benson Medina, and as Charlene said,

32:51I am the district governor for Rotary

32:53District 5000, which makes me one of 534

32:57district governors around the planet.

32:59Um, Rotary is an organization of over a

33:03million people globally. And so right

33:06now, while we um are already activated

33:10to help hurricane victims in LA and also

33:13um Hurricane LOL, we just received

33:15$25,000 from Rotary International to

33:18help that effort. And so we'll be uh

33:21deploying our Rotarians to hand out gift

33:24cards uh for food as they were hit

33:26really hard, particularly on the

33:28Northshore. But most of Rotary's assets

33:30right now are in Nepal and they have

33:33they have brought in thousands of

33:36Rotarians from around the planet put in

33:39at this point about $15 million which is

33:42not a huge amount but it is a big

33:44amount. Um so like our little club here

33:48in Hilo there are 46,000 clubs around

33:51the world over 1.2 2 million Rotarians

33:54and and this is a significant force of

33:57people and these are people that have

33:59come to this point in life where they're

34:01kind of over themsel and they're ready

34:04to give back to the community. So when

34:06people say what is Rotary I typically

34:08say we are just some local people trying

34:11to do good for our community. Now, of

34:13course, I don't say that there's over a

34:15million of us in 46,000 clubs around the

34:18planet, but we are very proud to be in

34:21this community because like all

34:24communities around the world, our

34:27connection to what is happening on our

34:29planet starts in our communities and

34:31certainly within our counties. So, we're

34:34very proud to be recognized by our

34:36county, to be recognized by the people

34:39in our community, to be recognized by

34:41people in the state for the work that we

34:43do because that work in our mind, it

34:45never ends. It continues to go because

34:48out there someplace people need to have

34:51some help and we're there to do that.

34:53So, I thank you very much for this

34:55opportunity uh to do that.

34:59>> Thank you very much. And I just want to

35:00say for the young ones out there, and

35:03there are young ones out there, um, just

35:06to let you know, it was a group of young

35:08people who actually passed a law. So the

35:13state has a state law to recognize

35:15Monday as World Peace Day. And it was

35:18young people like you who changed the

35:21law. It wasn't old people like me. It

35:23was young people like you. And you can

35:25make a difference. You work together as

35:28a team. and I know that you work

35:29together as a team. So, let's all calm

35:31down and worries are not forever. Yeah.

35:34>> So, we can do good and for our

35:36communities. So, thank you very much.

35:38>> I just wanted to add that at 9:00 on

35:39Monday morning, we are having a ceremony

35:42uh right here in the uh atrium to

35:44acknowledge uh peace week. So, um

35:46everyone here at the county certainly

35:48certainly welcome to join us for that 13

35:51minute um ceremony. Thank you. Thank

35:54you, Director Medina, and mahalo, Miss

35:57Bosshi, for your continued service to

35:59our community far into retirement.

36:04Okay. And we'll ask you folks to just

36:07have a seat and we're going to get into

36:09our final presentation of the morning

36:12that I will hand over to Vice Chair

36:14Onishi.

36:16>> I'm sorry.

36:18>> Okay. Thank you. Thank you.

36:35Okay, good morning everyone and I'll

36:37continue on giving this happiness of

36:40today. Right, so far we've been really

36:42great. Okay. So, today I have the honor

36:44of honoring

36:46um and also recognizing the 20126 AAOU

36:52boys junior national volleyball

36:55champions which is the pilipa

36:58uh 16 team. Come up boys and coach Mark.

37:13Can I check you guys birth certificates?

37:15[laughter]

37:22>> Okay. So, with their outstanding

37:24achievements, they claimed the boys 16

37:27elite division title at the 53rd AAU

37:31boys junior national volleyball

37:33championship in Orlando, Florida.

37:37At this time, I would like to turn this

37:40over to Mark Ozoro, which is the head

37:43coach. And you know, Mark from when he

37:45was young, because his father was a

37:47volleyball player, played volleyball,

37:50and he went through this whole age

37:51group. And now he's giving back to the

37:54community as a head coach, right? So,

37:56that's awesome to see. and for you folks

37:59for future that you folks can give back

38:01to your community but also you could

38:04become a fireman, you could become a

38:06police officer, right? Or something

38:08within the county. But it's up to you

38:11guys, right? Okay. So, I'll turn it over

38:14to Mark and then he will give a brief um

38:17I guess of their achievement in in going

38:21to that level of winning the

38:22championship. Here you go, coach.

38:25>> Mahalo Fresh. Uh first of all, I want to

38:27mahalo uh council member Fresh, which

38:30we've as a family known since I was zero

38:33years old. Uh longtime family friend,

38:36huge supporter of Pilipa volleyball.

38:38We've had multiple emus in his backyard.

38:41So, mahalo for your continued support of

38:43our program. Um so, first of all,

38:46pilipa, if you literally translate it in

38:49Hawaiian, it is um to stick together.

38:51And so, it's a big mantra for our club

38:53and definitely for this team. Um they,

38:58you know, went through lots of of times

39:00where they easily could have gave up

39:02during the tournament. Um they wish we

39:04faced Ory. We're in a division with over

39:0790 teams from all over the country and

39:10Puerto Rico. Um and those moments they

39:13really persevered, stuck together, and

39:15worked really, really hard. Um I also

39:18want to um acknowledge some of other

39:21people who are not here today. We have

39:23um our head or our club director and

39:27other coach uh coach Ekko my father and

39:29mentor which founded the club in 96. Um,

39:33we also want to recognize our team

39:35representative Crystal Levika here um

39:38for Quilina background taking care of a

39:41lot of organization and keeping

39:43everybody um together and laundry done

39:46and concessions organized and also um

39:48Erin Nases here who is our 14s team mom

39:51and concession queen that helped to fund

39:54a lot of these these trips that we take

39:56to Oahu and the continent. So, um, we're

39:59going to name these boys here who are

40:01here today and also the ones who are

40:03not. Um, first here to my left is Cashes

40:07Kenui. Um, our MVP and one of our

40:10leaders of our team. Um, McConey

40:14Anpotch, another allstar there.

40:18Uh, Tristan Cannon, uh, also an

40:21all-star.

40:24Ryden, Deainy,

40:28Canoa, Emsley,

40:32Matthysse, Kane, Kyota,

40:36Matias, sorry. U Mystic Rosario, our

40:40team captain and who I should always to

40:42be an an all-star but wasn't. Um,

40:49>> yep. Best Mystic. Yep. And then uh last

40:51here is Zian Subika. Also not here today

40:55is my son Kulup Ponohoo Sorio who um

40:58missed a bunch of school due to a wisdom

41:00poo. Wasn't able to make it today. And

41:03also um Kilah Navaro who is at Caou

41:08which is a a little bit of a travel down

41:10this way. Um also another assistant

41:13coach Antonio Guju Baldago couldn't get

41:15off of work and uh Tyson Takiou. So uh

41:19mahalo everyone for you guys time and

41:22recognizing our team here today.

41:25Oh yeah come come you. Yeah. See the

41:27biggest lay goes to our most important

41:29person here.

41:37And I I hope you boys were listening to

41:39the earlier um presentations about

41:41leadership and self-sacrifice and peace

41:45um and standing up for what you believe

41:47is is right. So, but these are all

41:48lessons that we we try to instill in

41:52these young boys as they turn into young

41:54men and go into our community and and

41:57try to be positive members and

41:59contribute in whatever way um they seem

42:02um to fit to help our our community here

42:05in Hawaii and wherever else their future

42:07lies. So, mahalo again.

42:12>> Congratulations Paw Boys. Anybody wants

42:16to say anything?

42:18One quick thing, one thank you to know

42:20anybody, you know, to your parents, to

42:23your coaches,

42:25to your girlfriend.

42:29>> Thank you, Auntie P.

42:33>> Also not here today.

42:35>> Congratulations again from the Hawaii

42:37County Council and also from the Hawaii

42:39County. Congratulations.

42:46Thank you. So, we're going to take a

42:47brief recess. We'll be back at 9:50 a.m.

42:50We'll start with photos u with the

42:52volleyball team and then our Java award

42:55recipient. We're in recess.

43:02>> Can you guys kind of in the middle?

54:28Aloha. Taking this meeting out of recess

54:319:53 a.m. and we will continue this

54:35morning with testimony from the public

54:37on agenda items.

54:41>> Thank you so much, chair. Noting that we

54:42do not have any testifiers in your

54:44remote sites. We do have one testifier

54:46here in the Hilo Chamber, Gary Gigi

54:49Napoleon, testifying on resolutions 676

54:52and 678.

54:54Gigi, when you're ready to begin, if you

54:56could turn the mic on by hitting the

54:57green button at the base of the mic,

54:59introducing yourself, and you'll have

55:00three minutes per agenda item, if you

55:02can clearly transition. If not, it'll be

55:04three minutes total.

55:06>> Good morning, everyone. My name is Gigi

55:09Napoleon. I'm from the Gigi Foundation.

55:12And let's get it clear, the Gigi

55:13Foundation does not stand for my name,

55:15okay? It stands for the giving group.

55:17But when you hear Gigi, you think of me,

55:19so that's a good thing, right? Um I'm

55:22just here today to um thank everyone and

55:25ask for your support. I did apply for

55:27CRFs and I got a couple of CRFs to

55:29support my event. I have an upcoming

55:32event that was supposed to be this

55:34Sunday. However, after the whole

55:37hurricane, um wait, first of all, my

55:39event is called Mahalo Teachers. Okay.

55:41So, basically my event started I

55:44recently became a substitute teacher to

55:47help out with the department of

55:48education. And after working at a couple

55:52of schools,

55:54if you know me, I don't take naps. And

55:56after working

55:58at a couple of schools, I took naps when

56:01I got home. I just couldn't believe some

56:04of the kids nowadays. And I told myself,

56:06these teachers are underpaid. This is

56:08crazy. I you know I I think we need to

56:12um boost our teachers up more and give

56:16them more thanks. So then I came up with

56:18the idea of creating a day dedicated to

56:20our teachers of Hawaii Island and it's

56:21called Mahalo Teachers 2026. Um the

56:24original date was supposed to be this

56:27Sunday the 20th, but because of the

56:29hurricane I felt really horrible that

56:31not a lot of the co teachers could join

56:33us. So we pushed it. I worked with parks

56:36and recre uh did the department and we

56:39pushed it back to November 15th. So, it

56:42gives me more time to make the day even

56:44more special. Um this day is just going

56:46to be a day to honor our teachers. When

56:48they come in, they're all going to get a

56:50gift bag. Um each gift bag is going to

56:52be worth up to $40 and there's going to

56:56be all kind of goodies in it. Um we're

56:57going to have a food show, so there's

56:59going to be at least 20 restaurants

57:01there and doing free food sampling for

57:03them. We have a massage section. They

57:06can get massages. It's basically your

57:08amplified grad night, you know. So,

57:12yeah, we're just creating I just created

57:14a day and I wanted to mahalo the

57:15teachers for all their hard work cuz

57:17they do put in a lot of work in our kids

57:21and yeah, so thank you.

57:23>> Thank you so much for your testimony.

57:25>> And with that, chair, those are all the

57:27testifiers you have this morning.

57:29>> Good. Mahalo, no mahalo, Mr. Napoleon

57:32for being here today. Uh we will proceed

57:36then with uh approval of minutes. Are

57:39there any amendments uh for the June

57:424th, 2026 council meeting?

57:46Seeing none, the minutes for the June

57:484th, 2026 council meeting are deemed

57:51approved. At this time, I'm going to

57:53pass the chair over to Vice Chair Onishi

57:56to take up communication 1051,

58:00and I will be stepping out as I need to

58:03recuse myself um as this nomination as a

58:06immediate family member.

58:09>> Okay, Mr. Click, can you show the record

58:12that I'm taking over? So, can you read

58:14in Goac

58:17161?

58:18Joc 161 communication 1051 nomination of

58:22Kila Ayahi Dorian Inaba to the public

58:25access open space and natural resources

58:28preservation commission.

58:30>> Chair motion to close file on GOEAC161

58:34communication 1051 and approve the

58:36nomination of Kilha Aihahi Inaba to the

58:39Pong commission.

58:40>> Okay. Motion by Miss Kirkowit, second by

58:44Mr. um Connie Kleinfelder. Any

58:47discussions,

58:48members? Okay, go ahead.

58:54>> Um, I just heard the conversation last

58:57time and I had a few emails about uh

58:59this applicant. Um, but what I do know

59:01is she's going to make decisions based

59:03on what's good for her community. Uh,

59:05above anything else, and there was a lot

59:07of things discussed at the last hearing.

59:11I find her to be a true representative

59:13for the district she is stepping in for

59:16and the area that she understands and

59:18knows and has grown up in. So, I

59:20completely support her nomination and uh

59:23hope everyone else will too. Thank you,

59:28>> Miss Glima. Um

59:31I just want to state that it's not it's

59:33really not about her. She seems like a

59:35wonderful person. So,

59:38so I will not be supporting it, but it's

59:40not about her. It's about principle, not

59:43the person. So, just completely want to

59:46divorce those two okay

59:48>> ideas. Good. Any others? Okay. Uh, roll

59:53call

59:55>> on the motion to confirm the namination

59:58of Miss Naba to the public access open

1:00:00space and natural resources preservation

1:00:02commission. Council member Gimma.

1:00:04>> No. Council Hustus.

1:00:07>> Hi.

1:00:08>> Council Kagiada.

1:00:11>> No.

1:00:12>> Council member Connelly Kleinfelder.

1:00:14>> Hi.

1:00:14>> Council Kirkowitz.

1:00:15>> I.

1:00:16>> Council Kimbo.

1:00:17>> No.

1:00:18>> Mr. Onishi.

1:00:20>> I.

1:00:20>> Council Viegas.

1:00:22>> I.

1:00:23>> Shava is excused from voting. That's

1:00:25five votes in favor with council members

1:00:27GMA, Kagiada, and Kimble opposed. Motion

1:00:30carries. Nomination is confirmed.

1:00:32>> Okay. So now I can turn over the chair

1:00:36back to chair Nava

1:00:40at 10 10 a.m.

1:00:42>> 959. Thank you, Vice Chair Onishi. We

1:00:45will proceed from the top of the agenda.

1:00:48>> Is there any testimony for GOEC 157

1:00:51communication 10003?

1:00:54Hearing none. Joey 157 communication

1:00:5710003 nomination of Zahava Zado to the

1:00:59transportation commission. Chair motion

1:01:01to close file on GOEC157

1:01:04and confirm the nomination of Zahaba

1:01:06Zidof to the transportation commission.

1:01:09>> Moved by council member Kirkwood,

1:01:10seconded by council member Galima to

1:01:12close file on communication 10003 and

1:01:15confirm the nomination of Zaha Zado to

1:01:18the transportation commission. Any

1:01:20discussion?

1:01:23Seeing none, all those in favor, please

1:01:24say I.

1:01:25>> Any opposed? Motion carries. Nine

1:01:28eyes's. The nomination of Zaha Zadaf to

1:01:31the transportation commission has been

1:01:33confirmed.

1:01:34>> Is there any testimony for GOEC 158

1:01:37communication 1047?

1:01:41Hearing none, communication, excuse me,

1:01:42go 158, communication 1047, nomination

1:01:46of Sunnita Preslaki to the public access

1:01:48open space and natural resources

1:01:50preservation commission. Chair motion to

1:01:52close file on GOEC

1:01:54158 and confirm the nomination of

1:01:56Sunnita Preslaki to the Pon Commission.

1:01:59>> Moved by council member Kirkwit,

1:02:01seconded by council member Kagiada to

1:02:03close file on communication 1047

1:02:06and confirm the nomination of Sunnita

1:02:09Prisaki to the public access open space

1:02:12and natural resources preservation

1:02:14commission. All those in favor, please

1:02:16say I.

1:02:17>> Any opposed? All right, we'll do a roll

1:02:20call vote, please.

1:02:24>> On the motion to confirm the nomination

1:02:26of Sunita Preslaki to the Public Access,

1:02:28Open Space, and Natural Resources

1:02:29Preservation Commission. Council member

1:02:30Gimma,

1:02:31>> I.

1:02:32>> Council member Hustus,

1:02:34>> I.

1:02:35>> Council member Kagiada,

1:02:36>> I council member Connelly Kleinfelder.

1:02:38>> No,

1:02:39>> Council Member Kirkowitz.

1:02:41>> Hi.

1:02:41>> Council member Kimble.

1:02:43>> I vice

1:02:45>> council Viegas.

1:02:46>> I chair Naba.

1:02:48>> Hi. Turn up. You have eight votes in

1:02:49favor with council member Kane

1:02:51Kleinfelder voting no. Motion carries.

1:02:53>> Thank you. The nomination of Sunnita

1:02:55Pas.

1:02:57This is how hard for me

1:03:00to the public access open space and

1:03:02natural resources preservation

1:03:04commission has been confirmed.

1:03:07>> Is there any testimony for JAC 159

1:03:10communication 1049?

1:03:14Hearing none. on Jac 159 communication

1:03:161049 nomination of Jason Asunian Grace

1:03:19to the game management advisory

1:03:20commission.

1:03:21>> Chair motion to close file on GOEAC 159

1:03:24and confirm the nomination of Jesa

1:03:26Asunian Grace to the game management

1:03:28advisory commission.

1:03:30>> Moved by council member Kirkowitz,

1:03:31seconded by council member Kagiada to

1:03:34close file on communication 1049 and

1:03:36confirm the nomin nomination of Jason

1:03:39sanctioned grace to the gay management

1:03:42advisory commission. All those in favor,

1:03:45please say I. Any opposed? Motion

1:03:48carries. Nine eyes's. The nomination of

1:03:50Jesunction Grace to the game management

1:03:53advisory commission has been confirmed.

1:03:57Is there any testimony for GOAC 160

1:03:59communication 1050?

1:04:03Hearing none, GAC 160, communication

1:04:051050, nomination of Robert A. Kamar to

1:04:08the Hawaii County Cultural Resources

1:04:10Commission. Chair motion to close file

1:04:12on GOEAC 160 and confirm the nomination

1:04:15of Robert Kamar to the Cultural

1:04:16Resources Commission.

1:04:19Moved by Council Member Kirkowit,

1:04:21seconded by Council Member Galima to

1:04:22close file in communication 1050 and

1:04:25confirm the nomination of Robert Camra

1:04:27to the Cultural Resources Commission.

1:04:29All those in favor, please say I. Any

1:04:32opposed? Motion carries, nine eyes. The

1:04:34nomination of Robert Kamar to the

1:04:36Cultural Resources Commission has been

1:04:38confirmed.

1:04:40Is there any testimony for a JOC 162

1:04:43communication 1052?

1:04:47Hearing none, Jac 162 communication

1:04:491052, nomination of Porsche Ho to the

1:04:52board of appeals.

1:04:53>> Chair motion to close file on GOE AC 162

1:04:56and confirm the nomination of Porsche Ha

1:04:58to the board of appeals. Moved by

1:05:01council member Kirkwood, seconded by

1:05:02council member Galima to close file on

1:05:04communication 1052 and confirm the

1:05:06nomination of Porsche Ha to the board of

1:05:08appeals. All those in favor, please say

1:05:11I.

1:05:11>> I.

1:05:12>> Any opposed? Motion carries. Nine

1:05:14eyes's. The nomination of Porsche Ha to

1:05:16the board of appeals has been confirmed.

1:05:20Is there any testimony for resolution

1:05:21632-26?

1:05:27Hearing none. Resolution 632-26

1:05:29authorizes the director of finance to

1:05:31enter into enter negotiations for the

1:05:32acquisition of lands or conservation

1:05:34easements for all or portion of the

1:05:35properties identified as tax map keys 15

1:05:3808800 09 010 011 012 and 013 also known

1:05:43as Bahiola

1:05:45village ocean access and tax map keys

1:05:4815063 042 and 043 also known as Bakahula

1:05:53burial site 1 19014 and agricultural

1:05:56complexite site 19013 both situated in

1:05:59the Apoa Abahi Caillou district of Puna

1:06:02using the public access open space and

1:06:04natural resources preservation fund

1:06:06county seeks to acquire approximately

1:06:071.505 505 acres of land listed as the

1:06:11fifth and sixth highest priorities in

1:06:12the 2025 annual report of the public

1:06:15access open space and natural resources

1:06:17preservation commission introduced by

1:06:19council member Kirkowitz.

1:06:20>> Chair motion to approve resolution

1:06:22632-26.

1:06:25>> Moved by council member Kirkwood,

1:06:26seconded by council member Viegas to

1:06:28approve resolution 632-26.

1:06:31Council member Kirkowitz.

1:06:32>> Thank you. I want to thank um Jan

1:06:34Marshall and Noa Wu O'Brien for

1:06:37advancing these applications and

1:06:38Mahalanui the Pon Commission for seeing

1:06:40the value of preserving these spaces. Um

1:06:43moving forward on this resolution will

1:06:44authorize the finance director to begin

1:06:46negotiations with the property owners.

1:06:48Um there is impending development that

1:06:50will likely happen if these parcels are

1:06:52not acquired by the county. So there is

1:06:54a sense of urgency um with getting this

1:06:57resolution passed. We have our property

1:06:58manager for the county, Shannon Arola,

1:07:01here in case folks have questions. But

1:07:03just appreciate everyone's ongoing

1:07:05support um and really valuing the

1:07:07importance of preserving these

1:07:09archaeological features, historical

1:07:11sites, and just natural and cultural

1:07:13resources. Thank you, Chair

1:07:16>> Council Member Ali. I just wanted to

1:07:18mahalo Miss Archola for being here so

1:07:21consistently at every one of these

1:07:22hearings for everything. Thank you.

1:07:25>> Thank you. All those in favor of

1:07:26approving resolution 632-26,

1:07:29please say I. Any opposed? Motion

1:07:32carries. Nine eyes's. Resolution 632-26

1:07:35is approved. Is there any testimony for

1:07:37resolution 645-26?

1:07:42Hearing none, resolution 645-26

1:07:44authorized the payment of funds of later

1:07:46fiscal years to enter into a multi-year

1:07:47agreement with a just appraise

1:07:49incorporated to renew a software license

1:07:51for the Department of Finance Rural

1:07:52Property Tax Division. authorizes the

1:07:54mayor to enter into a three-year

1:07:56agreement with approximate annual cost

1:07:57of $61,110

1:08:00to be used by the department to update

1:08:01ownership information that is used for

1:08:03issuance of assessments, tax billing,

1:08:04and other required correspondences.

1:08:06Introduced by council member Connelly

1:08:08Kleinfelder by request.

1:08:09>> Chair motion to adopt resolution 645-26.

1:08:14>> Moved by council member Connie

1:08:15Kleinfelder, seconded by council member

1:08:17Kirkowitz to approve resolution 645-26.

1:08:21All those in favor, please say I. Any

1:08:24opposed? Motion carries. Nine eyes.

1:08:26Resolution 645-26 is approved. Is there

1:08:30any testimony for resolution 646-26?

1:08:35Hearing none. Resolution 646-26

1:08:38authorizes the mayor to enter into an

1:08:39intergovernmental agreement with the

1:08:40state of Hawaii department of the

1:08:42attorney general to receive a grant for

1:08:43trial advocacy training. Los receipt of

1:08:46$86,932

1:08:48in federally derived funds to support

1:08:49trial advocacy training efforts. Deputy

1:08:51Prosecuting Attorneys introduced by

1:08:53Council Member Connelly Kleinfelder by

1:08:54request and this is a companion to bill

1:08:56182.

1:08:58>> Chair motion to adopt resolution 646-26.

1:09:02Moved by council member Connie Ali

1:09:04Kleinfelder, seconded by council member

1:09:06Galima to approve resolution 646-26.

1:09:10All those in favor please say I. Any

1:09:12opposed? Motion carries. Nine eyes.

1:09:15Resolution 646-26

1:09:17is approved.

1:09:19Is there any testimony for resolution

1:09:21651-26?

1:09:24Hearing none, resolution 651-26

1:09:26authorizes the mayor to enter into

1:09:28intergovernmental agreement with state

1:09:29of Hawaii Department of Health to

1:09:31receive a grant for the Hawaii Fire

1:09:32Department community parame medicine

1:09:34program. Allows for receipt of

1:09:36$2,355,000

1:09:37in federal derived funds to be used to

1:09:39fund personnel, telealth equipment, and

1:09:41software and provide training, travel,

1:09:42and program implementation materials

1:09:44introduced by council member Connelly

1:09:46Kleinfelder by request. This is a

1:09:47companion to bill 188.

1:09:49>> Chair. Motion to adopt resolution

1:09:51651-26.

1:09:53Second.

1:09:53>> Moved by council member Kanye Lee

1:09:55Kleinfelder. Seconded by council member

1:09:56Kirkowitz to approve resolution 651-26.

1:10:01Council member Kanye Kleinfelder.

1:10:03>> Thank you.

1:10:03>> All those in favor of approving

1:10:05resolution 651-26,

1:10:07please say I.

1:10:08>> Any opposed? Motion carries. Nine eyes.

1:10:11Resolution 651-26 is approved.

1:10:15So any testimony for resolution 658-26.

1:10:19>> Hi Mr. Clerk. We do have one testifier

1:10:21here in the Hilo Chamber. Dorothy

1:10:24Daskawixit. Sorry Dorothy if I ruined

1:10:26your name.

1:10:26>> Great.

1:10:27>> Kind of like Kirkowitz, I guess.

1:10:30>> Dorothy, whenever you're ready to begin

1:10:31to begin, please introduce yourself and

1:10:33you'll have three minutes.

1:10:36>> No. Good morning. I'm Dorothy Staswitz.

1:10:38come before you uh previously and I

1:10:41first want to say thank you to the

1:10:43entire council but also to council

1:10:46member Ashley Kirkowitz for her

1:10:48continued support of the kei of Poa. Uh

1:10:53the news of new diving boards has get

1:10:56people pretty excited. So I I am here to

1:11:00support that and the diving the starting

1:11:04blocks as well. So, that's all I really

1:11:06have to say and I hope you all have a

1:11:08great day and um I appreciate your

1:11:11continued support. It is a lifeline.

1:11:14That pool is a lifeline for the kids.

1:11:16So, thank you.

1:11:18>> Thank you so much for your testimony and

1:11:20I believe that's all, Mr. Clerk.

1:11:24>> Thank you. Resolution 658-26

1:11:27transfers, appropriates an appropriation

1:11:29out from a designated fund account and

1:11:32credit scene to a designated fund

1:11:33account in the geothermal relocation and

1:11:35community benefits fund to enhance the

1:11:36PA aquatic center at the William Billy

1:11:39Kinoi district park. Transfers $113,000

1:11:42from the planning department geothermal

1:11:44other current expenses account to the

1:11:45department of parks recreation

1:11:46geothermal miscellaneous equipment

1:11:48account introduced by council member

1:11:50Kirkwitz.

1:11:50>> Chair motion to approve resolution

1:11:52658-26.

1:11:54Moved by Council Member Kirkwood,

1:11:56seconded by Council Member Connie Lee E.

1:11:58Kleinfelder to approve resolution

1:12:00658-26. Council member Kirkwoods.

1:12:02>> Thank you. I just want to take a moment

1:12:04to thank you um Auntie Dorothy for not

1:12:07just your support for this particular

1:12:09request, but over the years, this is not

1:12:11the first time that we've, you know,

1:12:12advocated and found resources for Paja

1:12:15Aquatic Center. But I think it just

1:12:17speaks to your passion for building

1:12:19capacity in community and also making

1:12:21sure that there are opportunities for

1:12:23our youth, right? Like it's so important

1:12:25for POA youth to have these beautiful

1:12:28spaces so that they can practice and

1:12:30then see themselves competing at all

1:12:32kinds of levels. So, thank you for being

1:12:34a very strong advocate and a wonderful

1:12:36community partner and I can't wait for

1:12:38um Parks and Wreck to deliver all the

1:12:40wonderful things that they're going to

1:12:42be procuring after this resolution is um

1:12:44passed. Um, thank you to parks and wreck

1:12:46and also the planning department for

1:12:48helping to facilitate this request.

1:12:49There's so much paperwork that goes into

1:12:52each one of these. So many hands make

1:12:53light work, but again, thank you for

1:12:55bringing us all together um raising

1:12:57awareness of the issue and I'm so

1:12:59grateful that we had the ability to do

1:13:01something about it. Thank you. Thank

1:13:03you, chair.

1:13:04>> Thank you. All those in favor of

1:13:05approving resolution 658-26,

1:13:08please say I. Any opposed? Motion

1:13:11carries. Nine eyes. Resolution 658-26 is

1:13:14approved.

1:13:15>> Is there any testimony for resolution

1:13:17664-26

1:13:18draft 2?

1:13:22Hearing none, resolution 664-26 draft 2

1:13:24approves the Hawaii County Council

1:13:26legislative proposals and priorities to

1:13:27be considered for inclusion in the 2027

1:13:30Hawaii State Association of Counties

1:13:31legislative package. includes proposals

1:13:34prohibiting the capture and sale of

1:13:35aquatic life for commercial aquarium

1:13:37purposes, allowing counties to request a

1:13:39state land use boundary amendment from

1:13:40agriculture land to rural districts for

1:13:42smallest parcels. Requiring

1:13:44detentrification in individual

1:13:45wastewater systems, extending the county

1:13:47searchcharge of general excise tax until

1:13:492045,

1:13:51updating eligible criteria for housing

1:13:53assistance applicants to allocate a

1:13:54percentage of housing units to be used

1:13:56by the state or county employees under

1:13:57chapter 201. and allowing counties to

1:14:00regulate the sale of tobacco products

1:14:02and 10 policy priorities relating to one

1:14:04herbicide usage on public property, two

1:14:06solar system installation of public

1:14:08property and renewable energy

1:14:09generation. Three, wershed management,

1:14:11repairing areas and flood control, four

1:14:14mental and behavioral health resources.

1:14:15Five, economic development,

1:14:17diversification. Six, wastewater

1:14:19infrastructure and cessible conversion.

1:14:21Seven, implementation of safe routes to

1:14:23school programs. Eight, increasing funds

1:14:25for emergency preparness, evacuation

1:14:27routes, notification systems, and

1:14:28community level emergency planning.

1:14:30Nine, responsible game management of

1:14:32wild undulates. And 10, increasing

1:14:34wages, introduced by council member

1:14:35Kimbell.

1:14:37>> Chair, motion to approve resolution

1:14:38664-26 draft 2.

1:14:41>> Moved by council member Kimble, seconded

1:14:44by council member Kagiada to approve

1:14:45resolution 664-26

1:14:48draft 2. All those council member Kagi.

1:14:52>> Thank you. So, I have an amendment um to

1:14:53propose. Um so, I'm making a motion to

1:14:58amend resolution number 664-26

1:15:02with the contents of communication

1:15:041048.3.

1:15:08>> Moved by council member Kagiada,

1:15:09seconded by council member Galima to

1:15:12amend resolution 664-26

1:15:15draft 2 with the contents of

1:15:16communication 1048.3.

1:15:18Council member Kaguana.

1:15:20>> Thank you, Chair. just um number 10 of

1:15:23the priorities. Um Council Member Onishi

1:15:27had had mentioned that wages maybe

1:15:30wasn't really um the thing that we we

1:15:34want to um promote here and I and I kind

1:15:37of agree. So I changed it to um

1:15:41legislation relating to creating more

1:15:43affordable opportunities for Hawaii

1:15:45residents. Um so really focusing on the

1:15:48affordability piece. Um, so I hope uh I

1:15:52can get your support. Uh, happy to take

1:15:54any questions.

1:15:56>> Seeing no lights on, all those in favor

1:15:59of amending resolution 664-26

1:16:01draft 2 with the contents of

1:16:03communication 1048.3, please say I.

1:16:06>> Any opposed?

1:16:08Roll call vote, please.

1:16:10>> On the motion to amend resolution 604,

1:16:12draft 2 with communication 1048.3.

1:16:14Council member Gimba,

1:16:16>> I.

1:16:16>> Council member Hustus,

1:16:18>> I. Council member Kagiada.

1:16:20>> Hi.

1:16:20>> Council member Connie Kleinfelder.

1:16:22>> No.

1:16:23>> Council member Kirkowitz.

1:16:24>> Hi.

1:16:25>> Council member Kimell.

1:16:26>> Hi.

1:16:26>> Vice Chair Onishi.

1:16:27>> Hi.

1:16:28>> Council Viegas.

1:16:30>> Hi.

1:16:30>> Chair Nava.

1:16:31>> I.

1:16:32>> Chair. We have eight votes in favor with

1:16:33council member Connelly Kleinfelder

1:16:35oppose. Motion carries.

1:16:37>> Thank you. A motion please to suspend

1:16:39rule 23 for further discussion and

1:16:41action on this agenda item.

1:16:44Okay.

1:16:45>> Moved by council member Connie

1:16:46Kleinfelder. Seconded by council member

1:16:48Kirkowitz to suspend our rule 23 for

1:16:51continued discussion. Roll call vote

1:16:53please.

1:16:54>> On the motion to suspend the rules.

1:16:55Council member Gimba

1:16:57>> I.

1:16:58>> Council member Hustus.

1:17:00>> No.

1:17:00>> Council member Kagiada.

1:17:02>> I.

1:17:02>> Council member Connie Kleinfelder.

1:17:05>> Hi.

1:17:06>> Council Kirkowitz.

1:17:07>> Hi.

1:17:08>> Council member Kimell.

1:17:09>> No. [laughter]

1:17:10>> Vice Chair Onishi.

1:17:12>> No.

1:17:14>> Council member Riez. I

1:17:16>> chair Naba.

1:17:17>> I chair Nabia have six votes in favor

1:17:19with three opposed. Council members

1:17:21Hustus, Kimble, and Vice Chair Onishi.

1:17:24Motion carries. The rules are suspended.

1:17:26>> Thank you. Any further discussion?

1:17:28Seeing none. All those in favor of

1:17:30approving resolution 664-26

1:17:32draft 2 as amended. Please say I.

1:17:35>> Any opposed? Motion carries. Nine eyes.

1:17:37Resolution 664-26

1:17:40draft 2 as amended has been approved.

1:17:44Is there any testimony for resolution

1:17:45665-26?

1:17:50Hearing none, resolution 665-26

1:17:52authorizes the mass transit agency

1:17:54toward a grant to people for active

1:17:55transportation Hawaii provides $240,000

1:17:59in grant funds to manage the high bike

1:18:01share program introduced by council

1:18:03member Connelly Kleinfelder by request.

1:18:05>> A motion to adopt resolution 665-26.

1:18:09Second.

1:18:10>> Moved by council member Kelli

1:18:11Eclinfelder, seconded by council member

1:18:12Kirkowitz to approve resolution 665-26.

1:18:16All those in favor, please say I.

1:18:18>> Any opposed? Motion carries. Nine eyes.

1:18:21Resolution 665-26 is approved.

1:18:25Is there any testimony for resolution

1:18:27666-26?

1:18:31Hearing none. Rosen 666-26 authorizes

1:18:34the mayor to enter into an

1:18:35intergovernmental agreement with the

1:18:36United States Department of Labor,

1:18:37Employment, and Training Administration

1:18:39to receive a grant of workforce

1:18:41innovation opportunity act program

1:18:42funds. Allows for the receipt of

1:18:44$1,300,000 in federal funds to be used

1:18:47to provide services that enhance

1:18:48employment opportunities, job retention,

1:18:50earnings, skill development, and

1:18:52literacy introduced by Council Member

1:18:53Connie Clanolder by request. This is

1:18:55companion to bill 190.

1:18:58Chair motion to approve resolution

1:19:00666-26.

1:19:02>> Second.

1:19:03>> Moved by council member Kirkowitz,

1:19:04seconded by vice chair Nishi to approve

1:19:06resolution 666-26.

1:19:10All council member Kanye Kleinfeler.

1:19:12>> Just a comment for our council services

1:19:14to um potentially in the future just not

1:19:17use this number anymore. Just putting it

1:19:19out there.

1:19:19>> Why?

1:19:20>> This is not a good number. You know,

1:19:22>> I don't understand. Thank you [laughter]

1:19:26for the suggestion.

1:19:28All those in favor of approving

1:19:30resolution 666-26,

1:19:33please say I. Any opposed? Motion

1:19:35carries. Nine eyes. Resolution 666-26

1:19:40is approved and mahalo to our R&D Ohana

1:19:42for being here in chambers.

1:19:45Is there any testimony for resolution

1:19:47668-26?

1:19:51Hearing none. Resolution 668-26

1:19:53transfers appropriates and appropriation

1:19:55out from a designated fund account.

1:19:57Credit saint to a designated fund

1:19:58account by a grant to the friends of the

1:20:00children's justice center of East Hawaii

1:20:01Incorporated for its special needs

1:20:03enhancements support education and

1:20:05training program transfers $1,000 from

1:20:08the clerk council services contingency

1:20:10account council district 4 and credits

1:20:12to the office of prosecut expenses

1:20:14account introduced by council member

1:20:15Kirkowitz.

1:20:16>> Chair motion to approve resolution

1:20:18668-26.

1:20:20Moved by Council Member Kirkowitz,

1:20:22seconded by Vice Chair Nishi to approve

1:20:24resolution 668-26. Council member

1:20:26Kirkowitz.

1:20:27>> Thank you, Chair. I'm just looking for

1:20:29support for the Friends of Children's

1:20:30Justice Center of East Hawaii. They

1:20:32operate a closet that is available to

1:20:34children who are um facing um very

1:20:37unstable home situations where they may

1:20:40have to leave home for um an extended

1:20:42period of time. So, this allows them to

1:20:44grab clothes and and stuffed animals and

1:20:46other um comforting items that kind of

1:20:48make this transition and difficult time

1:20:50a bit more bearable. So, just looking

1:20:52for everyone's support. Thank you.

1:20:54>> Thank you. All those in favor of

1:20:55approving resolution 668-26,

1:20:58please say I.

1:20:59>> Any opposed? Motion carries. Nine eyes.

1:21:02Resolution 668-26 is approved. Is there

1:21:05any testimony for resolution 669-26?

1:21:11Hearing none. Resolution 669-26

1:21:13authorize the payment of funds of later

1:21:15fiscal year to enter a multi-year lease

1:21:17agreement for three multifunction copy

1:21:19machines to be used by the office of

1:21:20housing community development authorized

1:21:22the mayor to enter in a 5-year lease

1:21:24agreement with an approximate annual

1:21:25cost of $25,000 to be used by the

1:21:27department's administration division

1:21:29existing housing division and west

1:21:30civics center personnel introduced by

1:21:32council member Connie Clanfelder by

1:21:34request

1:21:35>> a motion to adopt resolution 669-26

1:21:39>> move by council member Conclaner

1:21:41seconded by council Member Kirkowitz to

1:21:43approve resolution 669-26.

1:21:45All those in favor, please say I. Any

1:21:48opposed? Motion carries. Nine eyes.

1:21:50Resolution 669-26 is approved. Is there

1:21:54any testimony for resolution 676-26?

1:21:59Hearing none. Resolution 676-26

1:22:01transfers appropriates an appropriation

1:22:03out from a designated fund and credit

1:22:04sane to a designated fund account to

1:22:06provide a grant to the GG Foundation for

1:22:08the Mahalo teachers event. transfers

1:22:10$2,000 on clerk council services

1:22:12contingency relief account conrict 7 and

1:22:14credits to department liquor control

1:22:15public account introduced by council

1:22:17member Viegas.

1:22:18>> Motion to approve resolution 676 6-

1:22:24sixes are getting us today. Motion to

1:22:27approve resolution 676-26.

1:22:31>> Moved by council member Viega, seconded

1:22:33by council member Kirkowitz to approve

1:22:35resolution 676-26.

1:22:38I also need to bring forth a motion to

1:22:42amend

1:22:44resolution 676-26

1:22:47with the contents of communication

1:22:491070.1.

1:22:52>> Moved by council member Viegas, seconded

1:22:54by council member Kirkowitz to amend

1:22:55resolution 676-26

1:22:58with the contents of communication

1:22:591070.1.

1:23:01Council member Viegas.

1:23:02>> Yes. I just ask for my colleague support

1:23:04as the testifier this morning. um kind

1:23:08um man Gigi shared with us the date for

1:23:11this event has changed to November 15th.

1:23:14So the communication uh communicates

1:23:17that. [snorts]

1:23:18>> Thank you. All those in favor of

1:23:20amending

1:23:21resolution 676-26 with the contents of

1:23:24communication 1070.1

1:23:27please say I. I.

1:23:28>> Any opposed? Motion carries nine eyes.

1:23:32Uh a motion please to suspend rule 23

1:23:34for further discussion.

1:23:37Moved by council member Kanye

1:23:39Kleinfelder, seconded by Vice Chair

1:23:40Onishi to approve um suspend rule 23 for

1:23:43further discussion of resolution 676.

1:23:46All those in favor, please say I.

1:23:48>> Any opposed? Motion carries, nine eyes

1:23:51for our rule is suspended. And any

1:23:54further discussion? Seeing none, all

1:23:56those in favor of approving resolution

1:23:58676-26

1:23:59as amended, please say I. Any opposed?

1:24:03Motion carries. Nine eyes. Resolution

1:24:05676-26

1:24:07as amended has been approved. Is there

1:24:10any testimony for resolution 677-26?

1:24:15Hearing none. Resolution 677-26

1:24:17transfers appropriates an appropriation

1:24:19out from a designated fund account.

1:24:20credit saying to a designated fund

1:24:21account for the Hawaii Police Department

1:24:23to purchase supplies for high pal

1:24:25activities transfer $6,000 to the clerk

1:24:27council services contingency relief

1:24:28account consist 3 and credits to the

1:24:31police department Hawaii IO police

1:24:32activities league other current expenses

1:24:34account introduced by council member

1:24:35onishi motion to approve resolution

1:24:38677-26

1:24:40>> moved by council member onishi seconded

1:24:42by council member Kima to approve

1:24:44resolution 677-26

1:24:46council member onishi

1:24:48>> thank you chair yeah just wanted to give

1:24:50you guys some brief information. So,

1:24:52Lieutenant Pagan from the community

1:24:54police came to talk to me about looking

1:24:57at I guess certain funding for certain

1:25:01activities. And what really is

1:25:04interesting is that this year he's going

1:25:06to be doing or H Highal is going to be

1:25:08doing this girls flag football.

1:25:11>> Um they also going to be conducting a

1:25:14volleyball tournament. Um they also have

1:25:17a threeon-ree basketball event and they

1:25:21are also um going to be helping with the

1:25:24kei rodeo again this um whole year. They

1:25:28also will be doing a baseball clinic.

1:25:30But the best one that I really like is

1:25:32they're reaching out like to the I think

1:25:34was the middle school and high school

1:25:36students to do a cooking contest. So,

1:25:40they're working with the Hawaii

1:25:42Community College culinary

1:25:44um department to utilize their equipment

1:25:48and supplies to do this contest. So, I

1:25:52think that's really great and hopefully

1:25:54if it if it's a success on the east

1:25:57side, then we'll do this islandwide.

1:25:59Yeah. And so, we might be reaching out

1:26:01to other council members in the future.

1:26:04Thank you. So, I'm asking for your

1:26:05support. Thank you.

1:26:06>> Thank you, Vice Chairman Nishia. All

1:26:08those in favor of approving resolution

1:26:10677-26,

1:26:12please say I.

1:26:13>> Any opposed? Motion carries. Nine eyes.

1:26:16Resolution 677-26 is approved. Is there

1:26:20any testimony for resolution 678-26

1:26:25hearing? None. Resolution 678-26

1:26:27transfers appropriates and appropriation

1:26:29on from a designated fund account and

1:26:30credit sane to a designated fund account

1:26:32by a grant to the GG Foundation for the

1:26:34Mahalo teachers event. transfers $8,000

1:26:36of clerk council services contingency

1:26:38leaf account cause district 8 and

1:26:40credits to the department of parks

1:26:41recreation administration of their

1:26:42current expenses account introduced by

1:26:44council member nava

1:26:45>> chair motion to approve resolution

1:26:47678-26

1:26:49>> moved by council member Kirkowitz

1:26:51seconded by vice chair Nishi to approve

1:26:52resolution 678-26

1:26:55>> chair if I can make a motion to amend

1:26:57resolution 678-26 with the contents of

1:27:00communication 1072.1 second

1:27:03>> moved by council member Kane Kleinfelder

1:27:05seconded by Vice Cher Nishi to amend

1:27:06resolution 678-26 with the contents of

1:27:09communication 1072.1.

1:27:12Uh this is from my office, same

1:27:15amendment as council member Viegas for

1:27:17the change of date asking for your

1:27:19support. All those in favor of amending

1:27:21resolution 678-26 with the contents of

1:27:24communication 1072.1, please say I. Any

1:27:27opposed? Motion carries. Nine eyes's.

1:27:30Resolution 678 has been amended. A

1:27:33motion please to suspend rule 23.

1:27:36Moved by Vice Anishi, seconded by

1:27:38council member Conneal E Kleinfelder to

1:27:40suspend rule 23. All those in favor,

1:27:42please say I. Any opposed?

1:27:45>> Um Mr. Clerk, roll call vote, please.

1:27:47>> On the motion to suspend the rules,

1:27:49Council Member Gimma. [snorts]

1:27:52>> I know.

1:27:54>> Sorry, I didn't hear you. There was

1:27:55>> That's okay.

1:27:56>> I

1:27:57>> Oh, thank you. Council member Huis.

1:28:00>> Hi,

1:28:01>> Council Kagiada. I

1:28:03>> council member Connley Kleinfelder.

1:28:05>> No.

1:28:06>> Council Kirkowitz.

1:28:07>> Hi.

1:28:08>> Council member Campbell.

1:28:08>> No.

1:28:10>> Mr. Onishi.

1:28:11>> Hi.

1:28:12>> Council member Viegas.

1:28:13>> I.

1:28:13>> Cherry Nava.

1:28:14>> I.

1:28:14>> Chair Navi. You have seven votes in

1:28:16favor with council members Connie

1:28:17Kleinfelder and Campbell opposed. Motion

1:28:19carries. Those are suspended.

1:28:21>> Thank you, Mr. Clerk. All those in favor

1:28:23of approving resolution 678-26 is

1:28:25amended. Please say I.

1:28:27>> Any opposed? Motion carries. Nine eyes.

1:28:30Resolution 678-26

1:28:33as amended has been approved. Bills for

1:28:36first reading. Is there any testimony on

1:28:38bill 181?

1:28:42Hearing none. Bill 181 amends section

1:28:4425-8-33

1:28:46city of Pilo district zone map article 8

1:28:48chapter 25 of the Hawaii County code

1:28:502016 edition as amended by changing

1:28:52district classification from single

1:28:54family residential 15,000 ft to single

1:28:56family residential 10,000 ft at white ka

1:28:59south hilo Hawaii covered by tax key

1:29:012414016

1:29:03applicant Zack Aikawa area 21,9007

1:29:08excuse me 21,792

1:29:10ft the win planning commission forwards

1:29:12favor for recommendation for this

1:29:14requested change of zone which allow the

1:29:15applicant to subdivide the property into

1:29:16two lots. Property is located at 283

1:29:19West Portical Street. Introduced by

1:29:21council member Kimble by request.

1:29:24>> Motion to approve bill 181 at first

1:29:26reading.

1:29:27>> Moved by council member Kimble, seconded

1:29:29by council member Kima to approve bill

1:29:31181 at first reading. All those in

1:29:32favor, please say I. Any opposed? Motion

1:29:36carries. Nine eyes. Bill 181 is approved

1:29:38at first reading. Thank you, Mr. Pippen,

1:29:40for joining via Zoom. [snorts]

1:29:41>> Thank you.

1:29:43Is there any testimony for bill 182?

1:29:48Hearing none, bill 182 amends ordinance

1:29:50number 2644, the operating budget of the

1:29:52county of Hawaii for the fiscal year

1:29:53ending June 30, 2027. Appropriate

1:29:56service in a federal grants justice

1:29:57assistant grant account grant account

1:29:59$86,932

1:30:01and appropriate same to justice

1:30:02assistance grant program account funds v

1:30:05support trial advocacy training efforts

1:30:06to deputy prosecuting attorneys

1:30:08introduced by council member Connie

1:30:09Clford by request is a companion to

1:30:11resolution 646-26

1:30:14>> a motion to adopt bill 182

1:30:17>> moved by council member Kane Kleinfelter

1:30:20seconded by council member Gimba to

1:30:21approve bill 182 at first reading all

1:30:24those in favor Please say I. Any

1:30:26opposed? Motion carries. Nine eyes. Bill

1:30:30182 is approved at first reading.

1:30:32>> Is there any testimony for bill 184?

1:30:38Hearing none. Bill 184 amendments

1:30:39chapter 14 of Hawaii County Code 1983

1:30:422016 edition as amended relating to the

1:30:44use of native plants in county

1:30:45landscaping. Requires use of native

1:30:47plants in county landscaping. Introduced

1:30:49by council member Kirkowitz. Chair.

1:30:52Motion to approve bill 184 on first

1:30:54reading.

1:30:56>> Moved by council member Kirkowit,

1:30:57seconded by Vice Chair Onishi to approve

1:30:59bill 184 at first reading. Um, chair,

1:31:02there was some feedback that was

1:31:03provided in committee. So, I do have a a

1:31:06communication um, which contains

1:31:08amendments to the bill. So, I'll make a

1:31:10motion at this time to amends bill 184

1:31:13with the contents of communication

1:31:151023.2.

1:31:18Moved by council member Kirkowitz,

1:31:19seconded by council member Kimba to

1:31:21amend bill 184 with the contents of

1:31:24communication 1023.2.

1:31:26Council member Kirkowitz.

1:31:28>> Thank you chair. This is actually

1:31:29expanding the current definition to be

1:31:32um much more comprehensive so that there

1:31:35is clear guidance to the departments

1:31:36about what is meant when we say native

1:31:39plants. Um there was also your

1:31:41suggestion of ensuring that um laymaking

1:31:45materials those kinds of flora are

1:31:46included. So that is there and then

1:31:48there was one aspect about um who the

1:31:51department should consult with um

1:31:53agencies on the state side and within

1:31:55the community that has been taken out of

1:31:57the definition and put into the section

1:31:59related to landscaping requirements

1:32:01that's on the back of the communication.

1:32:03So happy to answer any questions but

1:32:04pretty straightforward looking for

1:32:05everyone's support. Thank you

1:32:08>> council member Kimble.

1:32:10>> Yeah apologies. This was only brought to

1:32:12my attention yesterday, but I wanted to

1:32:15make sure the author was um familiar. Um

1:32:18so, Act 233 from 2015 requires on all

1:32:22state properties that at least 25% be

1:32:25planted in native plants. And they

1:32:27actually have it defined in the HRS as

1:32:29native plants, which was more aligned

1:32:31with your initial definition and didn't

1:32:33include the lay plants. Um, I don't have

1:32:36any issues with the bill as drafted, but

1:32:38I do like the concept of saying that

1:32:40there is a minimum requirement of

1:32:43landscape area that is required to be in

1:32:46native plants. The language now is where

1:32:48it's practicable, right? And um, just

1:32:50throwing that out for consideration um,

1:32:53for the next hearing if and if if

1:32:56setting a minimum actually would be

1:32:58something you'd be interested in doing

1:32:59with this one. I think it's an

1:33:02interesting idea. Thank you.

1:33:05Thank you, Council Member Kimell.

1:33:07All those in favor of amending Bill 184

1:33:10with the contents of communication

1:33:121023.2,

1:33:14please say I. Any opposed? Motion

1:33:17carries, nine eyes. Bill 184 has been

1:33:19amended. Uh, any further discussion?

1:33:22Council member Kirkwitz.

1:33:23>> Um, thank you, Council Member Kimell,

1:33:25for that idea about a minimum

1:33:26requirement. I do want to consult with

1:33:28departments of public works and parks

1:33:30and wreck because they were

1:33:31collaborators on the bill's development

1:33:33and they were comfortable with the

1:33:35language that was introduced with and

1:33:37and the amendments, but I just want to

1:33:38make sure that that is a threshold that

1:33:41is something they can actually implement

1:33:43and it's not going to be too burdensome

1:33:44on the department. There was also um I

1:33:48just got yesterday uh an email from the

1:33:50outdoor circle about including shade

1:33:53trees um in the amendment for next time.

1:33:57So if anyone has any mano on that, I'm

1:34:00not opposed to including it. I think

1:34:01it's great to be um as explicit as

1:34:04possible so that departments have all

1:34:06the guidance they need as they implement

1:34:07the code. Thank you.

1:34:11>> Thank you, Council Member Kirkowitz. Um,

1:34:13mahalo for the amendment today. Just

1:34:15last week, a member of the public

1:34:17reached out about the tiade growing at

1:34:20the West Hawaii Civic Center and whether

1:34:21they could pick some. So, um, we have

1:34:24Ali there, which we know is native, but

1:34:26we also have, um, that resource that

1:34:28community obviously knows about and

1:34:31requested to use. So, appreciate the

1:34:33amendment. Um, and just a comment

1:34:36regarding the shade trees. I know you're

1:34:39probably the most aware on this council,

1:34:41but perhaps just making sure that

1:34:43whatever street trees are um you know,

1:34:46able to withstand strong winds and

1:34:49ensure community is safe. Um so with

1:34:52that, all those in favor of approving

1:34:53bill 184 as amended with the contents of

1:34:56communication 1023.2 at first reading,

1:34:59please say I. Any opposed? Motion

1:35:02carries. Nine eyes. Bill 184 as amended

1:35:05is approved at first reading.

1:35:08Is there any testimony for bill 185?

1:35:12Hearing none. Bill 185 amends section

1:35:1425-8-11

1:35:16LAO pool couple district zone map

1:35:18article 825 of the Hawaii County code

1:35:212016 as amended by change of district

1:35:23classification from agriculture 40 acres

1:35:26to family agriculture 1 acre at capua

1:35:29Hawaii covered by tax map key 64018030

1:35:32applicants Jacqueline Visser Honlay

1:35:34Vister and Gilbert Visser area 2.397

1:35:37acres the lure plant commission forwards

1:35:39it f recommendation for this requested

1:35:41change of zone which allow applicant to

1:35:42create a two lot subdivision of 1 acre

1:35:45each. The property is located at 64-5091

1:35:48White Road. Introduced by council member

1:35:50Kimble by request.

1:35:52>> Chair. Motion to approve bill

1:35:56185 at first reading.

1:35:58>> Moved by council member Kimble, seconded

1:36:00by council member Kirkowitz to approve

1:36:02bill 185 at first reading. All those in

1:36:04favor, please say I. Any opposed? Motion

1:36:08carries. Nine eyes. Bill 185 is approved

1:36:11at first reading.

1:36:12>> Is there any testimony for bill 188

1:36:16hearing? None. Bill 188 amends orders

1:36:18number 26-44, the operating budget of

1:36:20the county of Hawaii for the fisc June

1:36:2230, 2027. Appropriations represent the

1:36:24federal grants rural health

1:36:25transformation program account 2,355,000

1:36:28and appropriate same to the rural health

1:36:30transformation program account. Funds be

1:36:32used to fund personnel, telealth

1:36:34equipment and software and provide

1:36:35training, travel and program invitation

1:36:36materials introduced by council member

1:36:38Connie Kleinfelder by request. This is a

1:36:40companion resolution 651-26.

1:36:43Is there a motion to approve bill 188

1:36:46first reading?

1:36:47>> Moved by council member Connie

1:36:48Kleinfelder, seconded by council member

1:36:50Kirkowitz to approve bill 188 at first

1:36:52reading. All those in favor please say

1:36:54I. Any opposed? Motion carries. Nine

1:36:57eyes. Bill 188 is approved at first

1:36:59reading.

1:37:01Is there any testimony for bill 189?

1:37:07Hearing none. Bill 189 amends chapter 14

1:37:09article 25 section 14-151 of the Hawaii

1:37:13County Code 1983 2016 edition as amended

1:37:16relating to clearing unsafe flora.

1:37:18Specifies the department designated by

1:37:20the mayor may investigate and certify

1:37:22complaints of unsafe flora and specifies

1:37:23that an appropriate expert may be

1:37:25consulted in such cases. Introduced by

1:37:27council member Onishi.

1:37:29Chair, I'm going to withdraw bill 189.

1:37:33>> Noted. Bill 189 has been withdrawn by

1:37:35the introducer. Proceed with bill 190,

1:37:38please. Is there any testimony for bill

1:37:41190?

1:37:45Hearing none, bill 190 amends orders

1:37:47number 2644 to the operating budget of

1:37:49the county of Hawaii for the fifth, June

1:37:5030, 2027. appropriates res federal

1:37:53grants workforce innovation opportunity

1:37:54act account $1,300,000 and appropriates

1:37:57same to the following workforce

1:37:58innovation opportunity act 2026 2027

1:38:01accounts administrative planning

1:38:03$150,000 adult program $500,000

1:38:06dislocated worker program $250,000 and

1:38:09youth program $400,000 funds be provide

1:38:12services and enhance employment

1:38:13opportunities job retention earnings and

1:38:15skill development literacy introduced by

1:38:17council member Connie Cliveer by request

1:38:19this is a companion to resolution 66

1:38:2166-26.

1:38:24>> Just really had to draw that one out,

1:38:26didn't you, Mr. Clerk? Is there a motion

1:38:29to approve bill 190 at first reading?

1:38:32>> Moved by Council Member Concler,

1:38:34seconded by Council Member Kirkowitz to

1:38:36approve bill 190 at first reading. All

1:38:38those in favor, please say I. Any

1:38:41opposed? Motion carries. Nine eyes. Bill

1:38:44190 is approved at first reading.

1:38:48Bills for second and or final reading.

1:38:50Is there any testimony for bill 169

1:38:53draft 3?

1:38:56Hearing none, bill 169 draft 3 amends

1:38:59chapter 2, article 42 of Hawaii County

1:39:01Code 1983, 2016 edition as amended

1:39:04relating to public access, open space,

1:39:05and natural resources preservation.

1:39:08Requires that all qualifying lands

1:39:09ranked with a score of 70% or higher be

1:39:11included on the public access, open

1:39:13space, and natural resource

1:39:14preservations commission's

1:39:15recommendation list to the mayor.

1:39:16requires the finance director to make

1:39:18reasonable efforts to acquire authorized

1:39:20properties within five years. Requires

1:39:22the finance director and the public

1:39:24access open space and natural resources

1:39:26preservation commission to reassess any

1:39:28such properties not acquired within 5

1:39:30years. Introduced by council members

1:39:31Huis and Glima this past first reading

1:39:34September 2, 2026.

1:39:37>> Motion to approve bill 169 draft 3 at

1:39:39second and final reading. Moved by

1:39:42Council Member Hust, seconded by Council

1:39:43Member Galima to approve bill 169 draft

1:39:463 at second and final reading. Council

1:39:47member Hustus.

1:39:49>> Thank you, Chair. Uh thank you, Council

1:39:51Member Galima. I really appreciate your

1:39:52support in co-introducing this measure

1:39:54before the body. Uh really in a

1:39:56nutshell, Bill 169 strengthen

1:39:57strengthens the punk process by

1:39:59establishing a more consistent framework

1:40:01and prioritizing properties and ensuring

1:40:04that these properties are not acquired

1:40:05within 5 years are reassessed as

1:40:07circumstances change. Thank you so much.

1:40:10law.

1:40:12>> Thank you, Council Member Eustace.

1:40:13Council member Kimble.

1:40:15>> Uh, yes. I just had a quick question to

1:40:17the authors. Um, I'm curious if you have

1:40:19had conversations then with the finance

1:40:21department. Um, is once this passes, um,

1:40:26presuming it does, is there a plan to go

1:40:28then and review some of the, um, punk

1:40:32proposals that have been on the books

1:40:34for quite some time?

1:40:36Oh, here comes Shannon.

1:40:39>> [snorts]

1:40:40>> Uh, Mr. Hustus.

1:40:43>> Yes, Chair.

1:40:45>> Did you want to answer that question?

1:40:48>> Mr. Chair, we've had some conversation

1:40:49with finance on this, but I I do know

1:40:51and um, Mr. Arola can can answer that

1:40:53question directly on on kind of the

1:40:55process and procedure, but it's my

1:40:56understanding that they would go back

1:40:57over time to kind of start start

1:40:59reviewing.

1:41:01>> Sure. Um, if you could restate the

1:41:03question, please, Miss Kimble.

1:41:06>> Yes. Yes. So, I was just asking um if

1:41:08there is any plan in place um or

1:41:12intended to um review some of the pong

1:41:16parcels that have been on the list for

1:41:17quite some time with the passage of this

1:41:20bill.

1:41:28>> Is that to me? Sorry.

1:41:30>> No, we have um finance here.

1:41:33>> Okay. Good morning. Um Shannon Arola

1:41:37property manager

1:41:40thank you for the question. So we are

1:41:44waiting for the passage to determine the

1:41:48next steps on what will happen. So at

1:41:50this time the answer is no. Okay. Just

1:41:53curious. I'm interested to see how your

1:41:56the finance department intends to handle

1:41:58that going forward. There's a lot of

1:41:59work. So, and I I know we have volunteer

1:42:02commissioners that are responsible for a

1:42:04lot of these decision making and I don't

1:42:05want to make make it too rough on them,

1:42:07but I do support the measure. Thank you.

1:42:11>> Thank you. All those in favor of

1:42:14approving bill 169 draft 3 at second and

1:42:17final reading, please say I. Any

1:42:19opposed? Motion carries. Eight eyes, one

1:42:23excused. Council member Onishi, Bill

1:42:25169, draft three is approved at second

1:42:28and final reading. Is there any

1:42:30testimony for Bill 176 draft 2?

1:42:36Hearing none. Bill 176 draft 2 amends

1:42:38chapter 16 article 1 of the Hawaii

1:42:40County Code 1983 2016 edition as amended

1:42:42relating to the general plan.

1:42:44Establishes amendment procedures for the

1:42:45general plan including comprehensive

1:42:47review every 10 years and interim

1:42:49amendments. Describes powers and duties

1:42:50of the planning director and planning

1:42:52commissions introduced by council and

1:42:54Kirkowitz. This past first reading

1:42:56September 2, 2026. Chair motion to

1:42:59approve bill 176 draft 2 on second and

1:43:02final reading.

1:43:04>> Moved by council member Kirkovit,

1:43:05seconded by council member Kima to

1:43:07approve bill 176 draft 2 at second and

1:43:09final reading. Council member Kirkowitz.

1:43:11>> Thank you chair. I appreciated the

1:43:12opportunity to collaborate with you to

1:43:14provide um more guidance to future

1:43:16councils and administrations on how to

1:43:19tackle comprehensive updates and

1:43:21amendments to our county's general plan.

1:43:23Um, I want to invite our planning

1:43:25director, Jeff Darl, to come forward

1:43:27because there was an email disseminated

1:43:29a communication about um, amendments to

1:43:32the draft the council recently adopted.

1:43:38And given that we are in the throws of

1:43:41establishing rules for updates to the

1:43:44general plan, it would be wonderful if

1:43:46you could clarify the goals and the

1:43:48intents of initiating the process when

1:43:50you did. Thank you.

1:43:52>> Sure. Uh, thank you, Chair Inaba, Vice

1:43:55Chair Onishi, and members of the Hawaii

1:43:58County Council. Uh, Jeff there with the

1:44:00planning department. So, um,

1:44:05I believe it was end of June, we passed,

1:44:08uh, general plan 2045.

1:44:11Um, there were no amendments that were a

1:44:15part of that package. Uh the request um

1:44:19to the department was to work with the

1:44:21council members as well as the

1:44:23administration and provide

1:44:25[clears throat]

1:44:26a interim amendment package back to the

1:44:30council uh hopefully as soon as we

1:44:33could. So we actively worked on that for

1:44:36the past several months meeting with

1:44:38council members, meeting with the

1:44:40administration, uh working with our

1:44:43consultants uh in house providing this

1:44:46package. Um we had looked at the

1:44:51proposed amendments um in uh council

1:44:55member or cherry naba's uh chapter 16

1:44:59amendments under the director initiated

1:45:02um general planned amendments and saw

1:45:06that there wasn't uh a conflict there

1:45:09with what we were doing. the conflict

1:45:11was coming with timing under the

1:45:14planning department rule which said that

1:45:17before we could bring it to hearing we

1:45:21had to do a public comment period for 45

1:45:24days. Um we don't do this very often. So

1:45:28this was kind of a u we were looking at

1:45:32timing without that 45 days. When we had

1:45:35learned that, we realized we had to

1:45:38implement that 45day public hearing

1:45:41process before we could bring it to

1:45:44hearing. Um, my apologies for not

1:45:48contacting the chair and informing him

1:45:50of this process before we initiated. Uh,

1:45:55I think in our minds we were just trying

1:45:57to get it done as soon as we possibly

1:46:00could to bring it back to the council as

1:46:03soon as we could. Um, but, uh, at this

1:46:07point, um, it has been initiated for the

1:46:12public comment period. We're

1:46:13anticipating to bring the amendment

1:46:16package to both Winward and Leeward in

1:46:19November.

1:46:23Thank you, director. Um, just appreciate

1:46:25the opportunity to kind of clear the air

1:46:28and address any confusion that may have

1:46:30arisen with your email to council

1:46:32members and that um, communication to

1:46:34the public. Thank you. Thank you.

1:46:36>> Thank you.

1:46:38>> Thank you, director. Um, yes. So, I just

1:46:40want to clarify cuz I didn't see a

1:46:43correction go out um to the public, but

1:46:46the council was notified by the planning

1:46:49department pursuant to the planning

1:46:51department rule for uh the initiation of

1:46:55this interim amendments. And given that

1:46:58we currently do not have any um code or

1:47:02charter provisions that directly guide

1:47:05us through an interim amendment process.

1:47:09We're operating strictly off of rule 4

1:47:11in the planning department. The 45day

1:47:14window for comments from the council and

1:47:18from the public will end on October

1:47:2124th, 2026.

1:47:25uh and director, those comments, where

1:47:28are they supposed to be submitted?

1:47:31>> To the planning department,

1:47:33>> how uh typically we receive uh comments

1:47:37through our email planning at hawaii

1:47:39county.gov.

1:47:41Uh but uh any way you can bring them in,

1:47:44we'll accept them.

1:47:45>> Okay. Sorry, I just found I just reread

1:47:49your notice. general plan at

1:47:51hawaiicount.gov.

1:47:52If you have any questions, you can

1:47:54contact Bethany Morrison 9618138.

1:47:59Um, thank you again, director.

1:48:01>> Thank you. And again, I really uh

1:48:04apologize for the oversight and I

1:48:06appreciate um uh especially from you,

1:48:09chair, giving me a call. Pretty right

1:48:12when you had found that. Thank you very

1:48:14much.

1:48:15>> No worries. Mahalo, director. All those

1:48:17in favor of approving Bill 176 draft 2

1:48:20at second and final reading, please say

1:48:22I. Any opposed? Motion carries. Nine

1:48:25eyes. Bill 176 draft 2 is approved at

1:48:28second and final reading. Thank you,

1:48:30director.

1:48:31>> Is there any testimony for bill 177?

1:48:36Hearing none. Bill 1777 amends orders

1:48:38number 2644 the operating budget of the

1:48:40county of Hawaii for the fisc June 30

1:48:422027 appropriation of the federal grants

1:48:44burn state crisis intervention program

1:48:46grant account 129,333 and appropriate

1:48:49same to the burn state crisis

1:48:51intervention deescalation training

1:48:52program account funds be used to conduct

1:48:54verbal judo deescalation training for

1:48:56law enforcement this introduced by

1:48:58council member Connley Kleinfelder by

1:48:59request and pass first reading September

1:49:02226 and is a companion to resolution 611

1:49:061-26 which is adopted on September 2,

1:49:082026.

1:49:10>> Chair, a motion to adopt bill 177 at

1:49:12final reading.

1:49:14>> Moved by council member Connie Ali

1:49:16Kleinfelder, seconded by council member

1:49:17Galima to approve bill 177 at second and

1:49:20final reading. All those in favor,

1:49:22please say I.

1:49:24>> Any opposed? Motion carries. Nine eyes.

1:49:26Bill 177 is approved at second and final

1:49:29reading. Is there any testimony for bill

1:49:32178?

1:49:34Hearing none. Bill 178 amends orders

1:49:36number 2644 the operating budget of the

1:49:38county of Hawaii for the fifth year in

1:49:40June 30, 2027 appropriates represent the

1:49:43federal grants justice assistance grant

1:49:44special response team capability

1:49:46enhancement grant account $20,797

1:49:49and appropriates the same to the justice

1:49:51grant special response team capability

1:49:53enhancement account introduced by

1:49:54council member Connie Clamper by request

1:49:56this past first reading September 226.

1:49:59>> Chair motion to adopt bill 178 at second

1:50:02and final reading. Moved by council

1:50:04member Kanye Kleinfelder, seconded by

1:50:06council member Galima to approve bill

1:50:08178 at second and final reading. All

1:50:10those in favor, please say I. Any

1:50:12opposed? Motion carries. Nine eyes. Bill

1:50:15178 is approved at second and final

1:50:17reading. Is there any testimony for bill

1:50:20179?

1:50:24Hearing none. Bill 179 amends chapter 2

1:50:26of Hawaii County Code 1983 2016 edition

1:50:29as amended relating to the department of

1:50:31research and development. describes the

1:50:32responsibilities of department of

1:50:33research and development establishes a

1:50:35grant program to support community-based

1:50:37economic development introduced by

1:50:39council members Kirkowitz and Inaba.

1:50:41This past first reading September 2,

1:50:422026.

1:50:44>> Chair motion to approve bill 179 on

1:50:47second and final reading.

1:50:50>> Moved by council member Kirkwood,

1:50:51seconded by council member Gimbo to

1:50:53approve bill 178 at sorry 179 at second

1:50:56and final reading. Council member

1:50:58Kirkowitz.

1:50:59>> Thank you. Um I had prepared an

1:51:01amendment at first reading but it was

1:51:02not correct. So we've made sure to file

1:51:05the the correct amendment. We also have

1:51:07um leadership from research and

1:51:09development here, Director Benson Medina

1:51:11and Deputy Dennis Lynn. Um so chair at

1:51:15this time I will make a motion to amends

1:51:17bill 179 with the contents of

1:51:19communication 984.3.

1:51:22Moved by council member Kirkowitz,

1:51:24seconded by vice chair Nishi to amend

1:51:26bill 179 with the contents of

1:51:28communication 984.3.

1:51:32Thank you. And just walking members

1:51:33through this amendment. Section one

1:51:36establishes the purpose. Um I can't

1:51:37believe our office forgot to do that,

1:51:39but want to make sure that for the

1:51:40record the intention for this work um

1:51:43was included so that anybody reviewing

1:51:45this section of code understands the

1:51:48intention of the council at the time.

1:51:50and I think it really does encapsulate

1:51:52the conversation that we had in

1:51:54committee. Um for the next section

1:51:57related to duties and responsibilities,

1:51:59there was a request by the Sierra Club

1:52:02um to include um industries related to

1:52:05environmental protection. Um and given

1:52:07the new very recent um publication

1:52:10regarding kind of where we are with

1:52:13climate change um it felt very important

1:52:15to elevate the

1:52:18environment in this way. Um Deputy Lynn

1:52:21had made a suggestion for uh the focus

1:52:24of this um industry to be environmental

1:52:27industries and innovation.

1:52:30there would be no conflict with Oscar

1:52:31because this is purely for envisioning

1:52:34jobs of the future and ensuring that our

1:52:36people are equipped um to be working in

1:52:39these capacities. We've also added a

1:52:42definition for economic development

1:52:44because we want to be crystal clear

1:52:46about what is meant when we use those

1:52:49words. And then finally, under

1:52:50community-based economic development and

1:52:53financial assistance programs, uh,

1:52:56Council Member Kimell wanted assurances

1:52:58that the money that is being set aside

1:53:00for the program is purely for, uh,

1:53:02granting out to, um, community partners

1:53:05and not for operations of the

1:53:07department. So that um, that piece is

1:53:10added there. And then just providing

1:53:12some clarity around when we expect the

1:53:14department of research and development

1:53:16to report back to the council um to

1:53:20describe the impacts that the funds

1:53:23awarded to community for economic

1:53:26development purposes um are reported

1:53:28back and we understand the outcomes. Um

1:53:30and this is very timely. It comes 90

1:53:32days after the close of the fiscal year.

1:53:34So we'll definitely help to inform the

1:53:36council's upcoming budget process. happy

1:53:39to answer any questions and department

1:53:41leadership is here as well. Thank you

1:53:42gentlemen for being here. I yield.

1:53:44>> Thank you council member Kirkwitz. Uh

1:53:46any discussion on the amendment? Council

1:53:48member Kimble.

1:53:49>> Yeah, I just want to voice my support

1:53:50for the amendment in particular the

1:53:53change in language from the last

1:53:54proposed amendment around um the

1:53:56environmental language. I I actually had

1:53:59problems with environmental protection

1:54:00as being the wording in there and prefer

1:54:02this much better. So thank you.

1:54:04>> Thank you. Um,

1:54:07R&D, any comment at this time?

1:54:10>> Yeah. Um, Dennis Lynn, deputy director.

1:54:12Um, just want to appreciate uh both uh

1:54:16chair and uh council member for

1:54:18introducing this bill. Um, we appreciate

1:54:21the clarity on the duties and roles of

1:54:23the department. Um, the only comment I I

1:54:26I wanted to maybe ask the the maker of

1:54:28the amendment uh uh council member

1:54:30Kimble for the well for the that's that

1:54:33one amendment for the community based

1:54:36economic development and financial

1:54:37assistance programs. Um the language

1:54:41regarding uh restricting grant awards in

1:54:43alignment with the purpose of the

1:54:45program established under the section.

1:54:47Uh, one consideration while I was

1:54:49looking at this was whether or not um

1:54:52this restriction would limit us from

1:54:55using any type any of our existing grant

1:54:58funding to be as a match to apply for

1:55:02other grant funding. Um whether that

1:55:04restricts the use of our uh grant grant

1:55:09dollars. So that would be my my question

1:55:11there. Yeah,

1:55:13>> I will go ahead and answer and I'll just

1:55:15I'll I'll restate um the concern that

1:55:19council member Kimell brought up in the

1:55:21past and it was it was to ensure that

1:55:23the the million dollars that's being

1:55:25appropriated for this program goes to

1:55:28community in the form of a grant. Um I'm

1:55:31not interpreting any of this to be to

1:55:33mean it can be used for matching

1:55:35dollars. Um, I think if that's something

1:55:37you'd like, it's important to

1:55:39communicate that to the council so that

1:55:41we can figure out where it's appropriate

1:55:43in the budget to include that. Um, $1

1:55:45million is really not that much for

1:55:47economic development. So, I do want to

1:55:49make sure we are preserving it for the

1:55:51grant making programs, the impact

1:55:53program, and the events programs that

1:55:54you folks have kicked off and are

1:55:56administering. I think anything else for

1:55:58matching should come in the form of a

1:56:01separate request to the council.

1:56:03>> Thank you.

1:56:04>> Thank you.

1:56:06member Kimble.

1:56:07>> Yeah, if I may, I would I would agree

1:56:08that I think that that's important here.

1:56:11And you know, in addition to not being

1:56:15used for matching grants, I would also

1:56:19want to keep it unavailable for RFP for

1:56:23services for the department. So the the

1:56:25goal here is to really get this out into

1:56:27support community and I want to protect

1:56:29that through this. So support the

1:56:31amendment.

1:56:33>> Thank you. Uh, director, any further

1:56:35comments? Sorry.

1:56:36>> Um, yeah, I just want to comment under

1:56:38the um last section where um where we're

1:56:42asked to come to make an annual report

1:56:45on the expenditure expenditures uh on

1:56:48those grants. Um, personally, I think

1:56:51that we um should be our department

1:56:54should be uh in front of this um body at

1:56:57least uh once a year, not in the

1:57:00framework of our budget hearing. Um, but

1:57:03just to keep you a breast of of the many

1:57:06many things that are flowing uh through

1:57:09our department that um I feel like the

1:57:13council should be should be aware of as

1:57:15we're as projects coming in, we're

1:57:17trying to develop them. Um it would be

1:57:19great to get some guidance from the from

1:57:21the council on some of the stuff that

1:57:23we're working on and just to sort of

1:57:25keep you guys a breast of what's um

1:57:28happening. We we are probably of all the

1:57:30departments in the county the most

1:57:33public facing for sure. Uh we're the um

1:57:36the department that's engaging out there

1:57:38at least in uh the community in terms of

1:57:42not just economic development but

1:57:43workforce development, agriculture, all

1:57:45of that. So, um yeah, I think it would

1:57:49be great for us to engage with the

1:57:52council outside of the uh budget uh

1:57:55[snorts] environment um just to talk

1:57:57about ideas and development.

1:58:00>> Thank you, Director Medina.

1:58:02>> Yeah.

1:58:03>> All those in favor [clears throat] of

1:58:06approving the amendment communication

1:58:10984.3, please say I.

1:58:13>> Any opposed? Motion carries, nine eyes.

1:58:24>> Moved by council member Kirkwood,

1:58:26seconded by Vice Chair Onishi to suspend

1:58:28rule 23 for further discussion of bill

1:58:31179 as amended. Mr. Cler, roll call

1:58:34vote, please. On the motion to suspend

1:58:36the rules, council member Gimba,

1:58:37>> I.

1:58:38>> Council member Hustus,

1:58:40>> no.

1:58:40>> Council Kagiada,

1:58:42>> hi. Council member Connie Kleinfelder.

1:58:46>> Council member Kirkowitz.

1:58:48>> Hi.

1:58:48>> Council member Campbell.

1:58:49>> No.

1:58:51>> Mr. Onishi.

1:58:51>> Hi.

1:58:52>> Council member Viegas.

1:58:54>> I.

1:58:55>> Cherry Naba.

1:58:56>> I.

1:58:57>> Council member Connie Kleinfelder.

1:58:59>> I.

1:59:00>> Chair Nabi have seven votes in favor.

1:59:02Council members Houston and Kimble

1:59:03oppose. Motion carries. The rules are

1:59:05suspended.

1:59:06>> Thank you. Council member Kagi.

1:59:09>> Oh, sorry. Council member Kanye kind of

1:59:12>> just I'm just going to continue to voice

1:59:14this concern. Uh understanding the

1:59:16department has this money already in

1:59:18their budget. I talked to director of

1:59:19finance

1:59:21just for the council as we continue to

1:59:24set set amounts and program those funds

1:59:27into our budget as a minimum input per

1:59:30year. We do continue to lock our budget

1:59:33into this cycle and should anything

1:59:35happen to our budget that's based on

1:59:38property taxes, these funds are locked

1:59:40and until an ordinance is put in to

1:59:42amend that, it doesn't change. So, if

1:59:45this is the the way of the future, so be

1:59:47it. But I I'm just voicing my concern

1:59:50that this style. Thank you.

1:59:53>> All right. Thank you, Council Member

1:59:54Confelder. Council member Kirkowitz.

1:59:57>> Uh, thank you, Council Member Connealy

1:59:59E. Kleinfelder. think we all um share

2:00:02those same concerns which is why the

2:00:04bill does include language for the

2:00:06finance director to recommend a reduced

2:00:09amount for this program. It would

2:00:11essentially be the decision of the

2:00:13council as a legislative body which

2:00:16approves the budget to determine if the

2:00:18$1 million is sufficient or to um to

2:00:22take the reduced amount that the finance

2:00:24director is um recommending. So that is

2:00:27built into this ordinance for precisely

2:00:30that reason. We don't know what kind of

2:00:32economic picture we will be facing in

2:00:35the future. So that is one um just

2:00:37critical safeguard we wanted to have in

2:00:38the ordinance. Thank you.

2:00:41>> Council member Kany

2:00:43wanted to clarify that in speaking with

2:00:45you about the bill. Is that is that the

2:00:47correct understanding of the language

2:00:48that's in the bill right now?

2:00:52>> I'm sorry. Can you clarify your

2:00:54question? uh the because we we did speak

2:00:57offline about the wording of the the

2:00:59bill as far as the director shall

2:01:03uh in regards to the director of

2:01:05finance.

2:01:08>> Yeah. So this bill is currently drafted

2:01:11states that no fewer than $1 million

2:01:13shall be appropriated annually annually

2:01:16um for these community-based economic

2:01:18development program. So the director can

2:01:21the finance director can make a

2:01:23recommendation. Um there's other

2:01:25language in code specifically um or by

2:01:29grant and aid where the language is a

2:01:32little different as it directs the

2:01:34finance director to appropriate. Um and

2:01:37I would leave it up to the corporation

2:01:39council. In my reading of this, it's $1

2:01:42million. is the director can make a

2:01:44recommendation for less but I don't

2:01:48believe um but I don't believe we can go

2:01:53less than a million dollars um because

2:01:56it doesn't direct specifically the

2:01:58finance director like the vi grant and

2:02:00aid does this is saying as a policy $1

2:02:04million for the county it's not

2:02:06directing a specific person so if the

2:02:09unlike the vi the director of finance is

2:02:12required to do the two and a half. The

2:02:14council can choose to do less or more.

2:02:16Um but here we have a floor of $1

2:02:18million based on my reading and if the

2:02:20corporation council

2:02:22um disagrees with my reading, then they

2:02:24can come forward.

2:02:27>> Thank you. Thank you for clarifying uh

2:02:29chair and and for that because I that

2:02:32simple change in the wording

2:02:35creates the bottom floor for the funding

2:02:38level. So just for the council going

2:02:40forward, every time we do this in our

2:02:42budget, these numbers are set and so

2:02:46when things get tight, these have to be

2:02:48amended by ordinance to even consider

2:02:50going less than. So when we set these in

2:02:53stone, that's it. Uh so just making that

2:02:56clear. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Naba,

2:02:57for sharing that.

2:02:58>> Thank you. And I think from a policy

2:03:00standpoint, um as a county, we want to

2:03:03be investing in our economic

2:03:05development. There is perhaps a

2:03:07difference for the 5i because it's a

2:03:09council program. We don't want to unlike

2:03:13contingency relief funds. We don't know

2:03:15what the department or what the

2:03:17administration will put into the budget

2:03:20for our VIB by grants. We know it's

2:03:22going to be a minimum of 2.5 million.

2:03:24So, it directs the finance director such

2:03:27that when the budget comes to us, we

2:03:29know there's going to be $2.5 million um

2:03:32for that program. So, I just wanted to

2:03:34clarify that for the record. Thank you.

2:03:37Um, all those in favor of approving Bill

2:03:40179 as amended on second and final

2:03:43reading, please say I.

2:03:45>> Any opposed? No.

2:03:46>> All right. A roll call vote, please. Mr.

2:03:48Clerk,

2:03:49>> a motion to pass bill 179 as amended on

2:03:51second and final reading. Council member

2:03:53Gimba.

2:03:53>> I.

2:03:54>> Council member Huice.

2:03:56>> I.

2:03:56>> Council member Kagiada.

2:03:58>> I.

2:03:58>> Council Connie Kleinfelder.

2:03:59>> Nope.

2:04:00>> Council Kirkowitz.

2:04:01>> I.

2:04:02>> Council member Kimell.

2:04:02>> Hi.

2:04:03>> Mr. Onishi.

2:04:04>> Hi. Council member Viegas

2:04:06>> I.

2:04:06>> Cherry Nava.

2:04:07>> Hi.

2:04:08>> Cherry Navi have eight votes in favor

2:04:09with council member Connie Kleinfelder

2:04:11opposed. Motion carries.

2:04:13>> Thank you. Bill 180 is approved at

2:04:15second and fi oh sorry 179 is approved

2:04:17at second and final reading. We can

2:04:19pursue proceed to bill 180.

2:04:21>> Is there any testimony for bill 180?

2:04:26Hearing none. Bill 180 amends orders

2:04:28number 2644 the operating budget of the

2:04:30county of Hawaii for the fixed year

2:04:31ending June 30 2027 appropriates revs in

2:04:34the federal grant certified local

2:04:35government account $20,192

2:04:37and appropriate the same to the

2:04:39certified local government program

2:04:40account funds be used to cover travel

2:04:42stipens for two staff members from the

2:04:44planning department and two cultural

2:04:46resource commissioners introduced by

2:04:47council member Connie Clam by request

2:04:49this past first reading September 226

2:04:52and his companions to resolution 627-26

2:04:55which was adopted in September 2026

2:04:58>> chair. Motion to approve bill 180, a

2:05:00second and final reading.

2:05:02>> Second.

2:05:02>> Moved by council member Kanye

2:05:04Kleinfelder, seconded by council member

2:05:05Gimba to approve bill 180 at second and

2:05:08final reading. Council member Gimba.

2:05:11>> Oh, sorry.

2:05:12>> All those in favor of approving bill 180

2:05:14at second and final reading, please say

2:05:15I.

2:05:17Any opposed? Motion carries. Seven eyes.

2:05:21Sorry, eight eyes. One excused. Council

2:05:23member Viegas. Bill 180 is approved at

2:05:27second and final reading. Referrals for

2:05:30executive session, please.

2:05:31>> Is there any testimony for communication

2:05:331057?

2:05:37Hearing none. Communication 1057 claim

2:05:39against the county of Hawaii/R

2:05:41Fergus Rentals Incorporated from Deputy

2:05:43Corporation Council Justin C. Lee dated

2:05:46October, excuse me, August 24, 2026,

2:05:49requesting attorney client confidential

2:05:50discussion to solve with the council

2:05:52regarding the above entitled matter,

2:05:54including settlement discussion.

2:05:57A motion please to close file on

2:05:59communication 1057. So moved.

2:06:02>> Moved by Vice Chair Onishi, seconded by

2:06:04council member Gima to close file on

2:06:06communication 1057.

2:06:08Does the body feel the need to enter

2:06:10into executive session to discuss?

2:06:14I have one question for corporation

2:06:17council that I don't necessarily think

2:06:19requires

2:06:21closed session but

2:06:24yeah

2:06:26maybe I can ask it and if it's on the

2:06:29corporation council rest recommendation

2:06:31we go into close session.

2:06:33>> Sure.

2:06:35So my my only question is I noted that

2:06:39the quotes that were used to determine

2:06:43the settlement amount, the invoices came

2:06:46from the claimment themselves. And so

2:06:49I'm wondering if there was any

2:06:52independent corroboration of those

2:06:55amounts.

2:06:56>> That's a great question. Yes, there

2:06:57were. Um I kind of footnoted it. There

2:07:00were 40 invoices from different

2:07:02contractors. Um there was uh one

2:07:05contractor who basically reassembled the

2:07:08cab and then they got most of their

2:07:09parts from John Deere. So they were

2:07:12individual contractors and the uh

2:07:14attachment that I sent to council was uh

2:07:17basically Fergusum's tabulation of it

2:07:19and I cross-cheed it and made sure their

2:07:21math was correct.

2:07:23>> Um was there something similar for the

2:07:27hourly

2:07:30charge

2:07:31>> that was um based on the contract that

2:07:34was executed between the county and um

2:07:36our Fergus. So I thought that was fair.

2:07:40>> Thank you. That's the only question I

2:07:41had and that satisfactorily

2:07:44answers it for me.

2:07:45>> Okay.

2:07:46>> Yes. Shishi.

2:07:47>> So on that note, uh wasn't the county

2:07:51still leasing

2:07:54>> vehicle? That was um the 5 months lost

2:07:57wages was after the the contract had

2:08:00lapsed because the accident happened

2:08:02approximately 1 month before to go. So

2:08:04>> that's unluck.

2:08:05>> Yes. Yeah, I know. So basically it took

2:08:07him six months to get the thing back

2:08:09into

2:08:09>> Okay, thank you. I

2:08:12>> Okay, you guys make me nervous and we're

2:08:14asking these questions. [laughter]

2:08:16>> All right. Um, can I get a motion,

2:08:19please, to approve the [snorts]

2:08:21corporation council's uh recommendation

2:08:24for settlement uh with regards to county

2:08:27of Hawaii

2:08:29uh and the case by Ferguson Rentals

2:08:33Communication 1057.

2:08:35>> So moved.

2:08:36>> Moved by Council Member Kimell, seconded

2:08:37by Council Member Viegas to accept the

2:08:39recommendation requested by the

2:08:41Corporation Council related to

2:08:43communication 1057. All those in favor,

2:08:46please say I.

2:08:47>> Any opposed? Motion carries. Nine

2:08:50eyes's. All those in favor of closing

2:08:52file. Sorry. The recommendation um by

2:08:56the corporation council has been

2:08:58approved with nine I votes. And now um

2:09:02we have a motion to close file on

2:09:04communication 1057. All those in favor,

2:09:07please say I. Any opposed? Motion

2:09:10carries. Nine eyes's. Communication 1057

2:09:14is filed. Council member Hustus, any

2:09:17announcements.

2:09:18>> Thank you, Chair. I apologize I'm not

2:09:20there with you all in Hilo today and

2:09:22yesterday, but I wanted to distance

2:09:23myself and not give you what I have. So,

2:09:26thank you for your patience with me over

2:09:27here in Kona. Um, yeah, just this week

2:09:30the, you know, the Aloha Festivals

2:09:32Island of Hawaii have been holding a

2:09:33number of festivities across the Ya

2:09:35community and it really culminates into

2:09:38the Panola parade this Saturday. Um,

2:09:41just to, you know, for the community out

2:09:42there listening, the roads will be

2:09:44closed in Himea from 10:00 a.m. to

2:09:4711:30. So, just expect traffic delays

2:09:49and impacts in community as the parade

2:09:51makes its way there through Yimea Town.

2:09:53Thank you so much.

2:09:56>> Any other announcements?

2:09:58Uh, Mr. clerk

2:10:01>> just a general one about the election

2:10:03coming up and generally just reminding

2:10:05people to um update or just make sure

2:10:08their voter registration is accurate.

2:10:09but in particular with um the conditions

2:10:12in Caillou. Um if anybody knows of

2:10:14anybody who was impacted that was

2:10:16displaced um might have issues getting

2:10:19mailed due to that displacement

2:10:22um please have them contact our

2:10:24elections office uh 8089618277

2:10:27to make sure that um best possible

2:10:31chance that they receive their ballot um

2:10:33through the mail. and if they have any

2:10:35questions um about the process because

2:10:38of how the storm may affected their

2:10:40abilities to conduct normal business and

2:10:43we want to make sure I know that might

2:10:45not be the first thing on their mind

2:10:46right now but um we we want to make sure

2:10:49that people that might have been

2:10:51affected by these storms in Ku or other

2:10:53other place on the island um it doesn't

2:10:55affect their right to cast their

2:10:57ballots.

2:10:59>> Thank you Mr. Clerk for that

2:11:01announcement. Um I did also want to take

2:11:04the opportunity to notify the public um

2:11:07this evening September 16th at 5:00 PM

2:11:10at Antisali Kohhanosu Ahale the

2:11:13Department of Environmental Management

2:11:15will be holding a public hearing related

2:11:18to rule 2-8 um for solid waste fees and

2:11:23amendments to those fees. Uh the Kona

2:11:27meeting public hearing will be held this

2:11:31Friday, September 18th at 5:00 p.m. at

2:11:33the West Hawaii Community, sorry, West

2:11:36Hawaii Civic Center Community Meeting,

2:11:38Holly Building G. Uh for those who are

2:11:41not able to make it in person, there is

2:11:43a Zoom link uh available so testimony

2:11:46can be provided to the department

2:11:48regarding these proposed solid waste fee

2:11:51changes. Um, so just visit the

2:11:53Department of Environmental Management's

2:11:55website uh to get that Zoom link. Uh,

2:11:59with that, we have one last announcement

2:12:02by Council Member Viegas.

2:12:03>> Yes, one last announcement. Uh, just a

2:12:05quick shout out. Next week, um, Ulu Ho

2:12:09Laa, the 200

2:12:122026 bread fruit celebration will be

2:12:15happening in Kona between September 19th

2:12:18and 24th. There will be a culinary

2:12:21showcase, a bread fruit summit, and the

2:12:24Ulu Co-op's 10th anniversary. Lots of

2:12:27incredible activities, organizations,

2:12:30um, representatives from around the

2:12:33world coming to support the propagation,

2:12:37uh, restoration and perpetuation of

2:12:40cultivation of Ulu. So, um, hope to be

2:12:43able to see people there.

2:12:45>> Thank you, Council Member Viegas.

2:12:48And that brings us to the very end of

2:12:50our meeting. Our meeting today is

2:12:53adjourned at 11:12 a.m. Mahaloi.

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