2026-11-06 - County Council

00:303

02:33>> Aloha

02:35and welcome to the 52nd session of the

02:37Hawaii County Council. The date today is

02:39November 6, 2026.

02:42It's 9:01

02:44and to begin this morning's meeting, I

02:47would like to call on Pastor Zachary

02:49Chang Cordero of Oasis Church to provide

02:53our invocation. Good morning, Pastor.

02:56>> Good morning. Good morning, everyone.

02:59What a privilege and honor it is for me

03:00to be here to do this morning's prayer.

03:02Just want to introduce my wife here in

03:04the back,

03:06Keri. We have the privilege of leading

03:08Oasis Church right here in Kailua-Kona.

03:11And so this morning, as we take a moment

03:12to pray, we want to just say thank you

03:14on behalf of our church for all of you

03:17members and

03:18what you do. Thank you for helping

03:20keeping our community connected and

03:22strong.

03:23Let us pray.

03:25Father, we just thank you this morning.

03:27God, thank you for bringing us here

03:28together.

03:30Father, we ask for your wisdom and your

03:32guidance and your leading today.

03:34Holy Spirit, speak through every member

03:36today. Give us wisdom, give us guidance,

03:39give us inspiration as we open today's

03:42business meeting.

03:44God, we thank you, God, for all that

03:45you've done to keep our community safe

03:48and prosperous, God, and we continually

03:50ask that you continue to do that right

03:52here in every district. Thank you for

03:54every council member that's represented

03:56here, God, in their districts. God, that

03:58you would continually bless them.

04:00Father, we continue to pray for our

04:02neighbors, our family and friends down

04:05in Ka'uga, that you continually help

04:07them get all the resources that they

04:09need, not just physically, but God,

04:11emotionally, God, spiritually, God,

04:13continue to provide and bring peace on

04:16that place.

04:17God, we thank you and we ask God for

04:19your continual leading on our county as

04:22we continue to navigate the future, God,

04:25whether it be storms or crises, God, we

04:28ask for you to give wisdom to these

04:31council members as they lead this this

04:33county.

04:34God, we pray blessing on today as we

04:37open this session. We thank you for it

04:39in Jesus name.

04:41Amen.

04:41>> Amen.

04:43Mahalo Pastor Chang Cordeiro of Oasis

04:46Church for that this morning.

04:48We will call this meeting to order at

04:50this time, 9:03. Mr. Turk, roll call,

04:52please.

04:53>> Council member Galimba.

04:54>> Here.

04:55>> Council member Hustace.

04:56>> Present.

04:57>> Council member Kagiwada.

04:58>> Here.

04:59>> Council member Konnie Lee Kleinfelder.

05:02Council member Karkowitz.

05:03>> Present.

05:04>> Council member Kimble.

05:05>> Here.

05:06>> Vice Chair Onishi.

05:07>> Present.

05:08>> Council member Villegas.

05:09>> A'o.

05:10>> Chair Kama.

05:11>> A'o.

05:11>> Chair Nani, eight members present. You

05:13have quorum.

05:14>> Mahalo, Mr. Turk. If you would lead us

05:16in the Pledge of Allegiance, please

05:17stand if you feel comfortable doing so.

05:42Thank you. There are no presentations

05:44this morning, so we will proceed with

05:46statements from the public on agenda

05:48items.

05:52>> Thank you so much, Chair. Just noting

05:53that we do have a number of testifiers

05:56here via Zoom. What we'll do is we'll

05:57start with our testifiers in Kona and

05:59then we will end with all our Zoom

06:01testifiers. Mr. Clerk, if you could,

06:03please.

06:04>> Thank you, Mr.

06:04>> Ariscelli. May I please ask Trey

06:06Livingston to come forward to the

06:08testify by testimony on bill number 147.

06:12Mr. Livingston, you can activate the

06:14microphone by pushing the button at the

06:16base there on the right side, I believe,

06:18and it'll turn red.

06:20That will mean you're good to go. And um

06:22please start by introducing yourself.

06:23You'll have three minutes. Proceed.

06:26>> Thank you. Good morning, council

06:27members.

06:29I'm Trey Livingston, and I'm testifying

06:31on behalf of myself.

06:33And

06:34I always go up here thinking I want to

06:36be able to speak to it, but then I sit

06:38here in front of this giant table and

06:40get nervous. So

06:42it's very

06:43intimidating position here.

06:47With regards to bill 147,

06:49I support the current version of the

06:51bill,

06:53not because I think it's perfect and not

06:56because I agree of with the process

06:58that's gotten us here, but

07:02I think it's time for us to kind of

07:04solidify this quagmire and give some

07:06certainty to the public.

07:09But the condition that I support it

07:10under is that

07:12let's give people a year before you

07:14start enforcing.

07:17That way they have time, legitimate time

07:20to get things under

07:22under wraps, either permitting, maybe

07:24they need to to change their use and go

07:27to long-term rental.

07:29Maybe

07:30they need some time to sell and prepare

07:32things for that. So I think a year is

07:35considerate of the people that need to

07:37change their position.

07:38But then it's also an opportunity for

07:41the council and for the planning

07:42department to see these registrations

07:44come through.

07:46And maybe we identify some areas where

07:48the bill is is not perfect and needs to

07:50be updated, and it allows you to make

07:53those changes before

07:55people are kind of under the hammer and

07:57getting hit with these these heavy-duty

07:59fees.

08:00So I I think there's an opportunity for

08:02us to move forward.

08:04There's a conversation I had a few days

08:06ago, and we're

08:08just barely over 30 years from our last

08:10sugar plantation closing.

08:12And that's kind of a crazy thought that

08:14we're kind of in that first generation

08:15of what our economy is after these major

08:19industrial changes, especially in our

08:21rural areas.

08:23So I hope in the next year you can go

08:24over some changes like

08:27I don't know if it's possible to move

08:29the

08:30authority for the state land use

08:31boundary amendments for lots under an

08:34acre down to the planning director and

08:36out of the planning commission or try to

08:38find some ways to

08:40smooth out

08:42aligning our land use and our zoning

08:45with what currently is reflected in the

08:47community and how it's being used and

08:49lived in.

08:51Um maybe there's

08:53some education that needs to happen with

08:55the public on how they can um bring

08:57their existing homes into permitted

09:00status.

09:02I think there's a lot of concern and

09:04uncertainty about how to do that.

09:07Maybe it's an education thing, but maybe

09:08it's also simplifying those processes

09:12just for a one-time

09:14window for people to get caught up.

09:17Um

09:18I don't know, but I think a year gives

09:19us some time to

09:21to consider that, look at the

09:22registration numbers and adjust as

09:25needed before

09:26people fall under heavy fines.

09:29Thank you.

09:31>> Thank you for your testimony. Could I

09:33ask Joe

09:34Schneckenburger to come forward, please,

09:37to provide testimony on Bill 147?

09:45And activate the microphone by pushing

09:46the button that Yep, there you go.

09:48Please start by introducing yourself.

09:49You have 3 minutes.

09:50>> Aloha, I'm Joe Schneckenburger from

09:52Kona.

09:54Before you do anything with Bill 147,

09:56the county should introduce and pass a

09:59bill to delay the

10:01implementation of 2550 for another year.

10:04Then both citizens and government could

10:06have a better idea what the laws will

10:08really mean when they take effect, as

10:10they are a lot more than the simple

10:12registration we have been told.

10:14Supposedly, the goal of 147 and 2550 is

10:18to register STVRs.

10:21more people to register? Charge

10:23reasonable registration fees. Lower the

10:25fee to match what Hawaii charges to

10:27register a business. $50 initially and

10:30$25 annually. That will be more than

10:33reasonable and have enough money to

10:35maintain a simple registration database.

10:38[snorts]

10:39Most of us in Hawaii County do not have

10:42the benefit of making county council

10:44salary and benefits to be able to pay

10:46the $10,000 fines that are in this bill.

10:50Perhaps even council on on council

10:52salary, $10,000 or $10,000 a day might

10:55be a bit steep.

10:57[snorts] If you cannot afford that, then

10:59imagine your taxpayers who are bringing

11:01strangers into their home to make ends

11:04meet can afford.

11:05Take a few zeros off the fines to make

11:08them more reasonable for your

11:09constituents.

11:10I suggest one zero off for everyone and

11:13two zeros off for any rule breaker who

11:16has been actually paying the GE and TA

11:18taxes all along.

11:21Have all council members read the Hunton

11:24Partners STVR study that we taxpayers

11:26paid for last year?

11:28It should be required reading for all

11:30council members.

11:32Long before the start of 2550 and 147,

11:35you should read and discuss, perhaps at

11:38a forum where you interact with the

11:39community.

11:40Not this council format where there's no

11:43interaction between citizens and

11:44taxpayers and we're limited to only a

11:46few minutes and cannot ask ask council

11:50questions and get responses.

11:52The gist of the Hunton STVR study is

11:56most STVRs are operated by individuals

11:59with a personal financial stake

12:02and it [snorts] encourages that a simple

12:03registration to make sure everyone is

12:06paying TA and GE taxes,

12:09not the huge compliance enforcement law

12:12changes of 2550 and 147 that Heather

12:16falsely sells us as a simple

12:17registration.

12:19In all of Hawaii County, virtually only

12:21Heather wants 2550 and 147.

12:25is time to put the brakes on and say no.

12:28and or repeal 2550.

12:31Keep the tax revenue coming in from the

12:33STVRs and their guests. Stop sending our

12:36taxpayer money to mainland for

12:39compliance and enforcement.

12:41Thank you for your time.

12:44>> Thank you for your testimony. Could I

12:45ask Caitlyn Miller to please come

12:47forward by testimony on Bill 147?

12:56Please start by introducing yourself for

12:57the three minutes.

12:59>> Aloha chair and council members. I don't

13:01know why I always echo in here. Sorry. I

13:04think it's cuz I'm really loud. Um

13:06Caitlyn Miller, executive director of

13:09the Hawaii Mid and Short-Term Rental

13:10Alliance. We appreciate the time and

13:12effort that has gone into Bill 147 and

13:15the amendments that have been made

13:16throughout the process.

13:18As you consider Bill 147 on second

13:20reading, we want to emphasize that

13:22regardless of the outcome today, our

13:24work cannot end here. Our focus remains

13:27on creating policies and processes that

13:29protect residents and hosts, support

13:31responsible operations, and provide

13:33reasonable and attainable pathways to

13:35compliance. While Bill 147 attempts to

13:38address some of those challenges brought

13:40forward through the implementation of

13:42Ordinance 2550, important issues remain

13:45that will require additional legislation

13:47and administrative action. First, we

13:50encourage the council to pursue

13:51legislation extending the December 31st

13:53registration deadline. Residents and

13:56hosts are still navigating significant

13:58uncertainty regarding permitting

14:00requirements and how these restriction

14:02how these regulations apply to their

14:04individual properties.

14:06They deserve adequate time and clear

14:08guidance to understand and meet their

14:09obligations. Second, we urge continued

14:12work to expand and streamline permitting

14:14pathways for existing operators within

14:16the state agricultural district. While

14:19Bill 147 provides relief in certain

14:21circumstances, others will still face

14:23special use permit requirements. We must

14:25recognize that simply having a

14:28permitting process available does not

14:30necessarily mean that the process is

14:32financially or practically attainable.

14:35The cumulative costs, requirements, and

14:37challenges facing existing operators

14:39must be considered if we genuinely want

14:41to create a pathway to compliance.

14:43Ultimately, our goal should not simply

14:45be to establish regulations, but to

14:47ensure that residents and hosts have a

14:49realistic opportunity to comply with

14:51them.

14:52HiMAST remains committed to working

14:54collaboratively with the planning

14:55department and council to address these

14:57outstanding issues and develop solutions

15:00that minimize unnecessary harm to

15:02residents and hosts. Thank you for your

15:04time today.

15:05>> And thank you for your testimony. Can I

15:07ask Martina Wing to come forward to

15:10provide testimony on Bill 147?

15:20Please start by introducing yourself.

15:21You have 3 minutes.

15:23>> Aloha, Chair and council members. My

15:25name is Martina Wing, testifying as an

15:28individual on Bill 147.

15:30I'm back again using my voice to keep

15:32calling things out. I have been on a I

15:35have been a Big Island resident for over

15:3725 years.

15:38I own a house in Kailua-Kona, live in

15:40it, and host guests.

15:42My message today is about corrupted

15:44thinking. It has taken 4 years to

15:47regulate a single issue, and it remains

15:49unsolved.

15:50If you step back for a minute, you can

15:52see for yourself that it is a corrupt

15:54process. The approach to law making has

15:57failed the people you serve.

15:59It started with Council Member Kimball

16:01and others, and Bill 147 carries her

16:03name. She told the committee it is meant

16:06to cut bureaucracy and that she shares

16:08the concern for residents who rent a

16:10room or two or make ends meet.

16:13Instead, after Bill 121, Bill 47, and

16:16now this bill, your constituents are

16:18still scared, trapped, and confused.

16:21I'm one of them. I'm an intelligent

16:23woman running a small company, and I did

16:24everything right.

16:26Whether bill 147 passes or not, I'm

16:28stuck and being punished. For what? For

16:31paying my taxes? For trying to take part

16:32in the tourism industry?

16:34Hosting supplements my income like it

16:36does for so many others, normal people

16:38try and make it in Hawaii. I worked for

16:40years to get where I am today.

16:42You must find solutions today. These are

16:44the steps to reach a place that is good

16:45for the community.

16:47Defer bill 147

16:49first. Second, extend to December 31st

16:51registration deadline by 6 to 12 months

16:54and state lawmakers have a chance to

16:56address the agricultural land issue.

16:58Three, repeal what it has already been

17:00enacted. Four, sit down with hosts at a

17:02round table before any new bill is

17:04written. No more two down top down

17:06regulation, webinars or three minute

17:08testimony limit for those you serve.

17:11Five of you oppose this bill in

17:12committee, so please hold this hold that

17:14to caution.

17:16To the incoming council members,

17:18aloha and congratulations. I wish you

17:20the best, and I hope you realize this.

17:23You have a clean slate to do right, and

17:25what you inherit today becomes yours.

17:27The midterm elections and the blue

17:28tsunami taught us that we are only but

17:31we are on to every lawmaker, federal,

17:33state, and county, and we are watching.

17:36Hosts are not asking to avoid

17:37regulation. We are asking for rules that

17:39are clear, final, and possible to

17:41follow. Please defer one bill 21st 147

17:45and extend the deadline for December

17:4731st. Mahalo.

17:50>> Thank you for your testimony.

17:54>> Thank you so much. We will start with

17:56our Zoom testifiers now, first of which

17:59is Dell Otsuka testifying on bills 147

18:02and 205 to be followed by Krista Olsen.

18:05Dell, if you could unmute your mic,

18:06introduce yourself, you'll have three

18:08minutes per agenda item if you clearly

18:10transition. If not, it will be three

18:11minutes total.

18:17>> Good morning, aloha chair and council

18:19members. My name is Dell Tsuka.

18:21I am testifying today in opposition of

18:23Bill 147. We need to call a spade a

18:26spade.

18:27Bill 147 proposes to expand the

18:29definition of a short-term vacation

18:31rental from 30 days to a staggering 180

18:34days.

18:346 months is a lease.

18:36Let's look at the actual numbers and the

18:38real people this 180-day loophole will

18:41crush. 6 months is an entire college

18:43semester.

18:44We have over 4,000 local college

18:46students attending UH Hilo and Hawaii

18:48Community College who desperately need

18:50affordable, actually, long-term housing

18:53each year.

18:54By redefining a 6-month stay as a

18:56transient vacation rental, this council

18:58is voluntarily giving away local housing

19:00stock and rezone authority. This

19:03reclassification directly compromises

19:05residential and agricultural

19:07neighborhoods under the guise of

19:08administrative cleanup.

19:10You you recently deployed Ordinance 2550

19:14to force registration. Instead of

19:15waiting for that data to clear

19:17indisputable compliance metrics,

19:20this bill prematurely opened the

19:22floodgates to allow protracted 6-month

19:24occupancies without requiring a standard

19:27residential long-term rental agreement.

19:30If an operator wants a tenant for 6

19:32months, they should be part of our local

19:33housing infrastructure by requiring a

19:35standard long-term lease. Do not allow

19:37commercial vacation codes to overtake

19:40our residential neighborhoods.

19:42Reject the 180-day extension and keep

19:45our local housing defined by logic, not

19:48by concessions. Do not sacrifice our

19:504,000 students, our Mary Monarch hula

19:53halaus from around the world, our Global

19:55Ironman athletes, our Summer Canoe

19:57Regatta participants, and all of our 1.7

20:00million visitors.

20:02This should not be a debate about who

20:03can stay where less than 30 days, but

20:06rather is there somewhere affordable to

20:08stay for less than 30 days?

20:10You forgot to factor in the revenue in

20:12millions that all of these people

20:14add to our economy every year. You

20:16forgot to account for the intrinsic

20:17value to this island cooperative that

20:20cannot be measured in tourist revenue or

20:22commercial profits. Revenue means

20:24nothing if residents are displaced.

20:27The promise of certainty and income flow

20:29to our local crafters, vendors, and

20:30farmers that work so hard for and at

20:33these events every year. Think of the

20:35physical, emotional, physiological, and

20:38financial stress you will have created.

20:40You may have learned or you may have

20:42listened to their three-minute pleas

20:44when you weren't eating,

20:46but did you hear them?

20:48Vote no on Bill 147. Thank you.

20:50>> seconds.

20:54>> Oral testimony on Bill 205. Aloha,

20:56chair. I am testifying today in strong,

20:59uncompromising opposition to Bill 205.

21:02This bill is the ultimate exercise in

21:04double standards and administrative

21:06shortcuts.

21:07We need to talk about the intent of this

21:09infrastructure and demand that this

21:10council stop overspending and borrowing

21:13future money from us to fund unnecessary

21:16costly projects.

21:17Look at this November agenda alone.

21:20We have resolution 720 26 spending

21:23$22,500,000

21:25for software. We have resolution 721,

21:28722, 723 spending $2,389,000

21:32for Department of Environmental

21:34Management

21:35for equipment that did that do not have

21:37enough trained operators to operate

21:40from a department that has been plagued

21:42by poor management. So I hope you vote

21:44no on 183.

21:46Why are you spending money that we do

21:47not have on these resolutions when we

21:49need to make sure that we do have the

21:51monies for resolution 716

21:5426 to fund the $38,880,033

21:59for firefighter collective bargaining

22:01adjustments.

22:02On one hand, the county has spent years

22:04on a meticulous 310-page

22:0620 45 general plan grounded in an

22:10framework and community protection, yet

22:12Bill 205 attempts to hijack that entire

22:15process by substituting a rushed 72-page

22:18alternative framework

22:20to bypass community scrutiny right

22:22before a major council turnover.

22:24But the lack

22:26Council Member Kimble,

22:29is using bill 205 to forward a favorable

22:31recommendation on communication 1126.

22:34This action grants a free five-year time

22:36extension for condition C and D to a

22:39commercial speculator Talon Properties

22:42for a three-story self-storage warehouse

22:44at 525 P Lani Street. That is 2.57 acres

22:48of prime level urban land covered by tax

22:51map keys 11, 12, 19, and 20 in the heart

22:54of Hilo, equipped with a direct sewer

22:56hookup. We are in a declared local

22:59housing crisis for working families.

23:01Homelessness has taken over our downtown

23:03Hilo district. The question is not where

23:05can we get land to build homes, it's

23:06when.

23:07Again, stop overspending and borrowing

23:09future money from us to fund unnecessary

23:11costly projects, software and equipment

23:13we do not need now.

23:15Focus on essential needs, responsible

23:17spending, and long-term financial

23:19stability instead of creating more debt.

23:21We are paying you to do only just this.

23:24You work for us as a combined salary of

23:27$880,000

23:30Excuse me?

23:31>> 30 seconds.

23:33>> Okay.

23:34$7,500 a month.

23:37I think we the taxpayers can demand

23:38this.

23:42Stop trading away the intrinsic value of

23:44Hilo land to comfort corporate

23:46warehouses. Table this measure with

23:48until residents are prioritized over

23:50speculation speculators. Vote no on bill

23:54205. Thank you.

23:59>> Thank you for your testimony. Chair, our

24:00next Zoom testifier is Krista Olsen, to

24:02be followed by Anna Ruth Piford, both

24:04testifying on bill 147. Krista, when

24:07you're ready to begin, please introduce

24:08yourself and you've got three minutes.

24:11>> Good morning, council chair and council

24:13members. I am Krista Olsen. I am the

24:15owner and operator of a five-acre

24:17organic farm in Kealakekua.

24:20We provide six grocery stores and food

24:22hubs up and down the west coast of

24:23Hawaii, primarily with leafy greens,

24:26um fruit and other produce.

24:28And we also subsidize that through farm

24:31stays that integrate agritourism into

24:34our operating model.

24:36I am here testifying against Bill 147

24:40because it appears to me while there's

24:41been a lot of work to find a compromise

24:43solution, part of the compromise is that

24:46it leaves folks on agricultural land

24:48behind. And I understand the struggles

24:50that you all face around the Rose Hill

24:52decision, but I want to highlight the

24:54fact that there are some alternative

24:56avenues that would allow us to keep

24:58agricultural properties

25:00in the mix. And many of us who live on

25:01farms

25:03simply don't make ends meet without a

25:05creative integrated approach. And I see

25:08that we have not yet figured out how to

25:09make that work. I understand that

25:11there's hope that a special use permit

25:13process would allow a few farms to stay

25:16in there. There are several farms who

25:18are in the process who are more than

25:20$100,000 in.

25:22And that's just not feasible for many of

25:24us. So I want to say that

25:26while that seems like an approach that

25:27at leaves an avenue, it leaves an avenue

25:29for very few. In fact, it's really going

25:32to bring folks to an abrupt halt.

25:34I think that there are alternatives. I'm

25:36happy to be engaged in creating them

25:38together, but I want to say that this

25:40bill is not ready. My understanding is

25:42that 20 to 30%

25:44of our rentals actually exist in that

25:45agricultural zone where the only avenue

25:48would be a lengthy costly special use

25:50permit process.

25:52And I don't think that that is viable

25:53for very many of us. So until we have

25:55resolved that, I encourage you to to

25:58delay that

26:00passing anything around around this. I

26:02understand that

26:032550 creates this time pressure. I see

26:06two significant problems with 2550's

26:09registration

26:12and one of them is simply the timeline.

26:14You know, I'm planning now for next

26:16year's crops. I'm planning my budget two

26:18years out. If I lose half the revenue of

26:21my business operation

26:22because of losing the rental avenue,

26:25I'm going to need to stop planting and I

26:26need to know. So we need to make that

26:29timeline longer so folks can transition

26:32can consider either selling their

26:33properties or moving into some other

26:35avenue of production.

26:37And the other concern I see that I

26:39haven't heard mentioned is Dacor itself.

26:42I think that I hope the council is

26:43familiar with the PHP security question.

26:46>> please.

26:48>> I want to just highlight for you that

26:49Dacor is at the center of the PHP shell

26:52vulnerability crisis and their ability

26:54to protect data is of considerable

26:57concern. If you're not familiar with

26:59that crisis, I'm happy to share more,

27:01but I want you to know that folks are

27:03going to be very concerned about giving

27:05data to to Dacor right now. I encourage

27:07you if you're not familiar to look into

27:09the PHP crisis that happened in October

27:12around protecting personal data and to

27:14recognize that because of using Frontier

27:17Security AI, Dacor placed

27:19>> much for your testimony, Christa. Your

27:20time is up, so we have to move on.

27:22Chair, your next certifier is Anna Ruth

27:24Pifer to be followed by Linda Halbrider,

27:26both testifying on Bill 147.

27:29Anna, when you're ready to begin, please

27:30unmute, introduce yourself, and you'll

27:32have 3 minutes.

27:39Calling out to Anna Ruth Pifer. I just

27:41sent you an a request to unmute. If you

27:43could please click that, introduce

27:44yourself, and this is your chance to

27:46provide your testimony.

27:51Hearing no response, we'll move to our

27:53next certifier and we'll come back to

27:55Anna if we can. Linda Halbrider.

27:59Linda, if you're ready at this time, you

28:00can unmute, introduce yourself, and

28:02you'll have 3 minutes.

28:06>> Okay. Aloha Council,

28:08aloha commissioners. My name is Linda

28:11Halbrider. I have lived in North Kohala

28:13for more than 40 years. I am asking you

28:15to change Bill number 147 before passing

28:18it.

28:19I have testified before

28:22because this bill will severely impact

28:25me and other residents who host guests.

28:28Most of them don't even know what's

28:30happening. My husband and I both are in

28:32our 80s.

28:34He has a disability and I host a

28:36vacation rental for years to support us.

28:40This is how we pay our bills. If this

28:42new rule prevents me from continuing my

28:45business, I might not be able to keep my

28:47home. My units are not big.

28:51Only one bedroom enough is not enough

28:53for long-term renting.

28:55Our home

28:57is on ag land,

28:58but it is not a big lot. I'm worried

29:01that the new rules for ag land could

29:03make it harder for if not impossible for

29:06me to keep housing

29:07hosting.

29:09People here have built their homes

29:10around how they live here.

29:13The limits of one CVR space does not

29:16match

29:17our houses we built here. The new

29:21rules need to take into account the ways

29:24people actually live. I understand the

29:26county needs rules

29:29and I'm okay with paying a fee.

29:31What I'm asking is that you give

29:33residents who have been hosting legally

29:36for years, including the many people on

29:39ag land, a clear way

29:42to

29:43to keeping to keep hosting.

29:46Please stop rushing this and make the

29:48bill

29:50and fix the bill before you pass it.

29:53Thank you.

29:54>> Thank you so much, Linda. Before we go

29:56on to uh c- come back to Anna Linda, is

29:59Jeff there with you?

30:02>> Uh he's not here right here in the room.

30:04He's in his own space.

30:06>> Thank you.

30:07With that, chair, our next testifier via

30:09Zoom is Anna Ruth Pfeifer, to be

30:11followed by Jesse Rubendal. Anna, when

30:14you're ready to begin, please introduce

30:15yourself and you'll have 3 minutes.

30:18>> Thank you. I apologize. I was having

30:19tech- technical difficulties a moment

30:21ago.

30:23Um I have spoken to this council at

30:26least three times before. I've never had

30:28the chance to ask you a question

30:30directly. You've never had a chance to

30:33ask me a question directly or any other

30:36of the testifiers that have been here

30:37today or the many meetings before.

30:41So in a way, I feel like I'm speaking

30:43into the void.

30:45Um and I feel like um Ms. Kimball just

30:48has the earmuffs on when any of us

30:50speak.

30:52But this process has been completely

30:55confusing. It has been infuriating and

30:59it has been disheartening.

31:02The bill has changed and many of the

31:04amendments um and the language tweaks

31:06that you've made have been positive and

31:08we appreciate that.

31:10Um but then there have been other

31:12changes such as including uh that only

31:15one building can be on um a TMK

31:19considered as a hosted rental.

31:21If you are to pass that today, that

31:24would close my business

31:26in North Kohala.

31:28It would put my hosts, my property

31:30managers out of a job.

31:33I don't know where they would go to

31:34live.

31:36And I want to take us back to the heart

31:38of this where this all started many many

31:40months ago, but that is the economic

31:43study that you commissioned and we paid

31:45for.

31:46And that commission showed clear as day

31:50that the short-term rental

31:52um industry is critical

31:55to keeping the big island keeping big

31:58island jobs

32:00sustaining support and sustaining

32:02employment

32:03and keeping tax revenues

32:06flowing in a positive direction.

32:09And so I'd like you to go back to the

32:10heart of that today when you think about

32:13uh

32:14the regulations that you are about to

32:17pass.

32:19And I want you to think about if each of

32:21those each of the clauses in this bill

32:24is actually going to support that

32:26economic study or if it's going to

32:29dismantle it.

32:31And I can tell you from my position um

32:35it's really scary to be here today

32:37because if you pass this is and you do

32:41not invite an actual back and forth

32:43discussion and dialogue so that we can

32:46come to a mutual understanding and

32:49figure out how to mutually craft

32:50language that supports that supports

32:55all all needs and all points of view

32:58that you were actually going to

33:01take that economic study and you're

33:03going to flush it down the toilet and no

33:05one is going to be better for it except

33:07maybe Ms. Campbell's pockets from the

33:09Hotel Industry Association.

33:15>> Thank you for your testimony. Chair, our

33:16next testifier is

33:18Jesse Rubendal to be followed by Adrian

33:21Sosic, both testifying on Bill 147.

33:24Jesse, when you're ready to begin, you

33:25can unmute your mic, introduce yourself,

33:27and you've got three minutes.

33:31>> Aloha council members and good morning.

33:35My name is Jesse Rubendal and I'm here

33:37today to testify against Bill 147 as it

33:39currently reads

33:41on behalf of myself, my family,

33:44and the Big Island Lost Resort.

33:46I live in North Kohala with my wife and

33:48two-year-old daughter.

33:50I manage and maintain a hosted

33:51short-term vacation rental, a

33:52seven-bedroom property that has operated

33:54here in compliance for over 20 years.

33:57This business is the reason my family

33:59can live here.

34:00It provides most of our livelihood and

34:02the property owners provide us with

34:04affordable housing on site.

34:07Farming the land brings in very little

34:08income, but this work supports it

34:11so we can keep growing food and stay

34:13rooted in this community.

34:15Without it, we simply couldn't afford to

34:17live here.

34:18That's why I'm asking you today not to

34:21pass Bill 147 as it currently reads.

34:24It tries to do too much.

34:26It adds a five-bedroom cap and strict

34:27limits on rentals per property and it

34:29applies them to businesses that have

34:31followed the rules here for over 20

34:32years.

34:33Those restrictions don't solve the

34:35housing crisis. The county's own study,

34:38as Anna Ruth just mentioned, found that

34:40only 4% of said they'd convert to

34:42long-term rentals.

34:44What they would do is cost this island

34:46jobs.

34:47That same study estimated thousands of

34:49full-time and part-time jobs tied to

34:51this industry. These are cleaners,

34:53landscapers, contractors, and

34:55maintenance workers, many of whom depend

34:57on this income to live on this island.

34:59North Kohala has very few places to stay

35:02for visitors as well.

35:04These rentals are critical, often the

35:06only option for family reunions and

35:08community events, such as the Kohala

35:10reunion or Kamehameha Day.

35:14We aren't asking for no rules.

35:16We support registration, paying taxes,

35:18and being good neighbors. That's what

35:20this bill should focus on. Remove the

35:22bedroom caps and the one rental per

35:24property limits and hold everyone to

35:26those standards. As Trey spoke to

35:28earlier, I believe giving the community

35:30at least one year to utilize the new

35:33registration system and collect more

35:35data on local short-term vacation

35:37rentals is a wonderful idea. Hold off on

35:39implementing all these limitations until

35:41you better understand what existing

35:43businesses look like.

35:45Please don't push this through

35:47unnecessary with unnecessary

35:48restrictions on existing businesses that

35:51have been good neighbors and

35:52contributors to this community for

35:53decades.

35:54Don't take away the affordable housing

35:56that allows families like mine to be on

35:58this island.

35:59Mahalo for your time.

36:01>> Thank you for your testimony. Chair, our

36:03next testifier is Adrian Sosic

36:05testifying on Bill 147 to be followed by

36:08Lahi Versher testifying on Bill 199.

36:11Adrian, when you're ready to begin,

36:13please introduce yourself and you've got

36:14three minutes.

36:17>> Aloha, Chair and Council members. My

36:19name is Adrian Suchak and I reside in

36:21North Kohala.

36:22I ask you to defer final action on Bill

36:24147 until it is more pono.

36:27There are many older, legally

36:29grandfathered homes in rural Hawaii

36:31Island that are built long before

36:32today's agricultural and zoning laws.

36:35The proposed five-bedroom limit does not

36:37account for these properties.

36:39The resort zone is less than 2% of of

36:41island but now gets an exception. Most

36:44of the resort zone homes are not even

36:46owned by residents. That is an

36:48equitable.

36:49I support reasonable regulations and

36:51fees. The regulations should not put

36:54local families out of business or shut

36:56residents out of our island's largest

36:58economy, tourism.

37:00I have not seen the county target and

37:02attempt to force any other residents out

37:04of business except hosts.

37:06I also ask you to extend the ordinance

37:082550 compliance deadline.

37:11These last minute changes have left many

37:13hosts confused about what the rules mean

37:16and whether they can continue operating.

37:18People need clear rules and reasonable

37:20time to comply.

37:22For the 98% of residents who are not in

37:25a resort zone, they need more than a

37:27December 31 deadline to comply. And what

37:30about ag zone people? There are no clear

37:32guidelines at this time.

37:34Please defer it, address existing lawful

37:37properties, and give rural residents a

37:39fair chance to continue participating in

37:42our economy. Mahalo for hearing my

37:43testimony.

37:46>> Thank you so much for your testimony.

37:47Chair, your next testifier via Zoom is

37:49Lahi Vashur

37:50to be followed by our testifier in

37:52Pahoa. Lahi, when you're ready to begin,

37:54please introduce yourself and you've got

37:553 minutes.

38:01Oh, Lahi, it seems like you're still

38:02muted. I've sent you a notification to

38:05unmute. If you could click that,

38:07you should be able to unmute. There you

38:09go.

38:09>> Got it.

38:10Okay, mahalo. My name is Lahi Vashur and

38:12I'm testifying on behalf of County

38:14Kalave and the Koma Legacy Foundation

38:17and the Puna non-profit organizations

38:20Pohaku Pele Maka and the Red Road

38:22Resilience Network. We stand in support

38:24of Bill 199 Draft 2 with the amendment

38:26submitted by Vice Chair Onishi detailed

38:28in communication 1095.009.

38:31We appreciate Councilwoman Kirkwood and

38:33the Council for improvements made to the

38:35first draft of this legislation. The

38:37extension from 12 to 18 months for

38:39developing the implementation plan and

38:41hopefully the increase to 24 months for

38:43installation make a huge difference in

38:45providing a more thoughtful and

38:47realistic time frame for this important

38:48work.

38:49We want to emphasize that the success of

38:51this program should be measured not

38:53simply by how many markers are

38:54installed, but by the relationships and

38:57community partnerships developed along

38:58the way.

38:59Hawaii Island has many communities with

39:01deep cultural knowledge local

39:03historians,

39:04educators and residents who have already

39:06taken the initiative to preserve and

39:08perpetuate the names, boundaries and

39:10stories of their places. Communities

39:12like

39:13in

39:15Paiko and

39:16have demonstrated the ability to

39:18organize and lead projects based on

39:20their own priorities and knowledge. We

39:22urge the council and the Department of

39:24Research and Development

39:26to preserve this flexibility as the bill

39:29moves toward passage and implementation

39:30so that communities ready and already

39:33beginning

39:35to lead are able to do so and

39:36communities that prefer or need a county

39:38supported approach can choose to to that

39:41path as well. As a partner and resource,

39:43the county can and should provide

39:45administrative support, agency

39:46coordination and funding. We hope the

39:48Research and Development Department will

39:49immediately use all means of available

39:51outreach to get the word out to schools,

39:53community development plan action

39:54committees, Hawaiian cultural

39:56organizations and nonprofits and and

39:58really encourage involvement as soon as

40:00the 18 month implementation timeline

40:02begins. This is an extraordinary

40:05opportunity for youth engagement.

40:10might get the best response from

40:11reluctant to share about resources,

40:14stories and

40:16that are disappearing or becoming

40:17erased. Schools, educators and should be

40:20invited to learn the names

40:22of their

40:23work alongside to document local

40:26knowledge and participate in bringing

40:27that knowledge forward.

40:29This is how we create

40:31relationship and connection to the

40:33places where we live. Markers should not

40:35appear along our roads out of the blue.

40:37If communities help research develop and

40:39bring them into being, the markers

40:41become something people understand,

40:43recognize and have a relationship with.

40:46The process itself becomes an important

40:48act of cultural education and community

40:50stewardship.

40:51Thank you again for your thoughtful work

40:53on this bill. We respectfully ask that

40:55you pass bill 19 199 draft two with the

40:58amendment. We are grateful for your

41:00leadership and stand ready to assist in

41:02any way that is helpful. Mahalo nui.

41:05>> Thank you for your testimony and now we

41:07can transition to Pahoa with their

41:09testifier. Gloria, if you could take

41:11that away, please.

41:12>> Thank you everyone. Good morning. We

41:14have Paula Actor here

41:16commenting on bill 147 representing

41:19herself. Please restate your name for

41:21the record. You have three minutes.

41:23>> Thank you. My name is Paula Actor. I'm a

41:27new member of the Sea View community. I

41:30moved here and bought a home in February

41:33with the understanding that the home was

41:36in compliance

41:38to with a with a guest house to

41:40accommodate

41:42um temporary rentals.

41:44And um I bought it

41:47under this understanding because I've

41:49been a

41:50host to temporary rentals in other

41:54places for more than uh 13 years because

41:58as a

42:00person without uh a single person it's

42:03what I've had to do to augment my

42:05ability to own a home.

42:08And um I'm really grateful that and then

42:11in September I found out that

42:13I was I I got the house the um

42:17permitted so that I could do the Airbnb.

42:20And um then in September I found out

42:23that I had to have a

42:24uh a special use permit.

42:26As I understand this bill right now

42:29um because I'm in a pre-1976

42:33zone that that special use permit will

42:36not be required. I understand these

42:38other people's testimonies and that

42:39would be a real hardship

42:42to um have to do a special use permit

42:45and I feel for them. I also um

42:48but the argument

42:50I come late to this argument

42:53um but I've seen it before. And it's

42:56the the hotels labeling the Airbnb

42:59people as somehow taking their business

43:02when it increases tourism and visitors

43:06because they want those options. And

43:09they want those options in places like

43:11Sea View and other places too.

43:13And like I say, it's I'm not competing

43:16with a hotel to be a hotel. I'm

43:19I'm here because of Airbnb and my

43:22ability to sustain myself with that

43:24extra income.

43:25I I'm so I don't know how to interpret

43:28the bill at this point, but I do thank

43:30you if it remains in effect that the

43:32special use permit is not required in

43:34pre-1976

43:36um

43:38developments. And I question the 180

43:41versus 30-day temporary rental

43:45designation. I I don't even know how to

43:48handle that. That is just so weird

43:50because usually if you go over 30 days,

43:52you get to treat it like a normal

43:54tenant.

43:55So um I'm I'm not happy with that, but

43:58um

43:59I I see the efforts that you're trying

44:01to do here and I hear you listening to

44:02people and I thank you for this time

44:04that I was able to introduce myself and

44:06speak on my behalf. Thank you. Bye-bye.

44:09>> Thank you, Paula. That's it for

44:12>> Thank you so much. We have a couple more

44:14testifiers via Zoom, the first of which

44:16is Jamie Humphrey testifying on Bill

44:18147.

44:19Jamie, when you're ready to begin,

44:20please unmute yourself,

44:22introduce yourself, and then you'll have

44:233 minutes to provide your testimony on

44:24Bill 147.

44:27>> Good morning. My name is Jamie Humphrey.

44:30Um I'm

44:32in strong opposition against Bill 147.

44:35Uh as a local house cleaner, my

44:37livelihood depends on these vacation

44:39rentals.

44:41These properties provide steady work

44:43that allows me to support me and my

44:45daughter as a single mom. When you

44:47create regulations that threaten these

44:49businesses,

44:51you aren't just hurting property owners,

44:52you're hurting the local working

44:54families who depend on them.

44:56All the vacation rental properties I

44:58clean are legally permitted

45:01permitted and many have more than five

45:03bedrooms. These are established

45:05businesses that have been operating

45:07responsibly for years, some for over 20.

45:11Yet Bill 147 threatens their ability to

45:14continue operating because of new

45:15restrictions including limiting

45:19affecting larger properties.

45:22These rules should be simple. Register

45:25your business, pay your taxes, and

45:28be a good neighbor. Instead, Bill 147

45:31adds more restrictions on where vacation

45:33rentals can operate, expands the

45:35definition of short-term rentals to

45:37stays under 180 days, and introduces

45:40additional operating standards and

45:42compliance requirements.

45:44These regulations create uncertainty for

45:46established, legally operating

45:48businesses. Some may be forced to close,

45:50taking local jobs and income with them.

45:53Why are we making it harder for

45:55responsible businesses to survive when

45:57we should be supporting our local

45:58economy? Please consider the house

46:01cleaners, landscapers, maintenance

46:03workers,

46:04and other local families who live whose

46:06livelihood depends on these properties.

46:10I strongly urge you to vote no on Bill

46:12147. Thank you.

46:15>> Thank you for your testimony. Chair, our

46:17next testifier is registered or seen in

46:20the Zoom room as iPhone 237.

46:23If you're ready to provide your

46:24testimony at this time, please unmute,

46:25confirm your name for the public record,

46:27and you'll have 3 minutes to provide

46:29your testimony.

46:31>> Hi, this is Madeleine Ross.

46:34Thank you for having me.

46:36I strongly oppose Bill 147 in its

46:39current form. I want our public

46:41officials, all of you in this courtroom,

46:44to understand that we are watching, we

46:46are paying attention, and quite frankly,

46:48it does not feel like you are listening.

46:50We have repeatedly asked for

46:51clarification on the five-bedroom limit

46:53and how multiple structures on a single

46:56TM cable be treated?

46:58These are not small details. These are

47:00serious questions that directly affect

47:02our businesses, properties, families,

47:04and livelihoods.

47:06Yet we continue to receive no clear

47:07answers. We are hardworking tax-paying

47:10members of this community. We want to

47:12legally operate, pay our taxes, follow

47:15the rules, and be in full compliance

47:17with the law.

47:18But how can you expect us to comply with

47:20the law when you cannot clearly explain

47:22it or define it?

47:24It feels like decisions are being made

47:26about our livelihoods without truly

47:27considering the people who we who will

47:29be affected.

47:32We are asking for fairness,

47:34transparency, and regulations that make

47:36sense. I oppose bill 40 147 because it

47:39leaves too many unanswered questions and

47:42too many responsible

47:44short-term vacation rental operators

47:46behind. Please stop moving forward

47:49without providing the clarity we have

47:50repeatedly requested.

47:52We deserve answers before decisions are

47:54made that could permanently affect all

47:56of our livelihoods. Thank you.

48:00>> Thank you so much for your testimony. At

48:01this time, Chair, I'd like to reach out

48:03to the Zoom room. If there's anyone left

48:04in the Zoom room who would like to

48:05provide testimony at this time, if you

48:07could unmute, introduce yourself for the

48:09record, and then you'll have 3 minutes

48:11to provide your testimony.

48:17With the gentleman under the Captain

48:19Handyman

48:21name, would you like to provide

48:22testimony at this time? If so, please

48:24introduce yourself and you'll have 3

48:25minutes.

48:27>> Yes, good afternoon.

48:29Good morning. Could I Are you Are you

48:31hearing me?

48:32>> Yes, we are.

48:33>> Okay, great.

48:34Uh yes,

48:36I'm Jeff Halberter.

48:37Families from North Kohala. We've lived

48:39there for most of my life.

48:42Um

48:43and this is not just about me and my

48:45family. It's about

48:48uh all the other people who

48:50depend on this income of

48:53their units to be

48:55available for tourism. And tourism is

48:57one of the biggest

48:59draws to Hawaii. And we need to bring in

49:01the tourists any way we can, not just

49:03the hotels.

49:05But this helps out all the the vendors

49:07on the side of the road to uh

49:09restaurants and bars and fishing

49:11charters

49:13and whatnot.

49:14Um

49:15living on ag land and having elderly

49:18parents and disabled

49:20uh parents at that

49:22to um limit their ability to bring in

49:27some extra money

49:28uh

49:29using their properties and their ag land

49:33is unusable in their state and their

49:36physical state, I should say.

49:38Um

49:39and so any way that we can amend this

49:42147 before it's passed

49:45is going to benefit

49:47everyone and the state to continue with

49:49the tourism that's needed.

49:51So I appreciate your time

49:53and considering

49:55all the factors that this bill has.

50:00Other than that, thank you.

50:02>> Thank you so much for your testimony.

50:05And seeing no other testifiers, with

50:07that, chair, those should be all the

50:09testifiers you have here at the

50:10beginning of your meeting.

50:12>> Thank you, Mr. Arcellana. With that, are

50:14there any amendments to the minutes of

50:16the

50:17September 2nd, 2026 council meeting?

50:22Seeing none, the September 2nd, 2026

50:25council meeting minutes are deemed

50:27approved and we'll proceed then with

50:29reports.

50:32>> Seeing any testimony for GOAC 166

50:35communication 1114.

50:38Hearing none, GOAC 166 communication

50:401114 nomination of Arthur D. Cope to the

50:43Fire Commission.

50:45>> Chair, motion to close file on GOAC 166

50:48and confirm the nomination of Arthur

50:50Cope to the Fire Commission.

50:52>> Moved by council member Kirkwood,

50:54seconded by council member Eustace to

50:55close file on communication 1114 and

50:58confirm

50:59the nomination

51:03of Arthur D. Kolt to the Fire

51:05Commission. All those in favor, please

51:07say aye. Any opposed? Motion carries.

51:10Eight eyes,

51:11one excused, Council Member Kaniho, the

51:14Ekleinfelder.

51:16The motion carries and the nomination of

51:18Arthur D. Kolt

51:20to the Fire Commission has been

51:21confirmed.

51:23Um and just for everyone's awareness, we

51:24are going to take up bill 206 and then

51:27followed by bill 147.

51:29>> Is there any testimony for bill 206?

51:35There being none, bill 206 amends

51:36ordinance number 09-138

51:38as amended, which reclassified lands

51:40from single family residential 10,000 sq

51:42ft to industrial commercial mixed 20,000

51:45sq ft at Waikele House Lots, Waikele

51:47South, Hilo, Hawaii, covered by tax map

51:49key 22035034.

51:52Applicant GP Automotive LLC area 22,300

51:55sq ft.

51:56The Honolulu Planning Commission

51:57forwards a favorable recommendation for

51:59this requested change was unamended for

52:01a seven year time extension to condition

52:02D, complete construction, to allow for

52:05the development of an automotive repair

52:06business. Property is located at 513

52:08Colony Cove Street

52:10and Hualani Street, Waikele House Lots

52:12first series, introduced by Council

52:13Member Kimble by request.

52:15>> Chair, motion to approve bill 206 at

52:18first reading.

52:19>> Moved by Council Member Kimble, seconded

52:21by Council Member Kirkwood to approve

52:23bill 206 at first reading. Council

52:25Member Kimble.

52:26>> Yeah, we had a good discussion about

52:28this at um committee, but um I believe

52:31the applicant's representative is here

52:32if there's further questions or comments

52:34on this matter, but ask for everyone's

52:35support.

52:38>> Signal lights on. All those in favor of

52:40approving bill 206 at first reading,

52:43please say aye.

52:43>> Aye.

52:44>> Any opposed?

52:45Motion carries. Eight eyes, bill 206 uh

52:48one excused, Council Member Kaniho, the

52:50Ekleinfelder. Bill 206 is approved at

52:53first reading. And sorry, Mr. Clerk, if

52:55we can actually take bill 205 first.

53:00>> [clears throat]

53:01>> Is there any testimony for bill 205?

53:05Hearing none, bill 205 amends ordinance

53:07number 92 - 122 which amended section 25

53:11- 114 city of Hilo zoning map article

53:13three chapter 25 of the Hawaii county

53:16code by changing the district

53:17classification from resort hotel safety

53:20to limited industrial at Waikoloa South

53:23Hilo Hawaii covered by tax map keys

53:2522033011

53:271219 and 20 applicant Talon One

53:30Properties area 2.57 acres the planning

53:34commission forwards a favorable

53:35recommendation for this requested change

53:36of zoning amendment for a five-year time

53:37extension to condition C final plan

53:40approval and condition D complete

53:41construction to allow for the

53:43development of a three-story

53:44self-storage warehouse properties

53:46located at 525 PE Lani Street introduced

53:48by council member Kimball by request.

53:51>> Chair, motion to approve bill 205 at

53:53first reading.

53:53>> Second.

53:54>> Moved by council member Kimball,

53:56seconded by council member

53:59Perkowits to approve bill 205 at first

54:02reading. We do have the applicants

54:04as well. Council member Kagiwada.

54:06>> Thank you. I just want to voice my

54:08support for this. I was able to meet

54:10with the

54:11owners of the property and the developer

54:13and I think they really have the

54:15community's best interest at heart and

54:17are really willing to

54:19go above and beyond to try to make this

54:22work for the community. So I support.

54:24I yield.

54:25>> Thank you. All those in favor of

54:26approving bill 205 at first reading,

54:29please say aye.

54:30>> Aye.

54:30>> Any opposed? Motion carries. Eight eyes,

54:33one excused. Council member

54:36Bill 205 is approved at first reading.

54:42>> Yes, please.

54:44Is there any additional testimony for

54:46bill 147 draft three?

54:51Hearing none, bill 147 draft three

54:53amends chapter two and chapter 25 of the

54:55Hawaii county code 1983 2016 edition as

54:58amended related transit accommodations

55:01establishes operational standards,

55:02administrative procedures and use

55:04regulations for hosted and hosted

55:05transit vacation rentals and allows

55:07hosted transient vacation rentals as a

55:09permitted use in a single family

55:10residential, double family residential,

55:12multiple family residential, residential

55:14commercial mixed use, resort hotel,

55:16neighborhood commercial, general

55:17commercial, village commercial, special

55:19downtown Hilo commercial zoning

55:20districts, allows hosted TVRs as

55:23permitted use in certain agricultural

55:24zoning districts under certain

55:25conditions, allows unhosted TVRs as a

55:28permitted use in the resort hotel,

55:30general commercial, village commercial,

55:31and special downtown Hilo commercial

55:33zoning districts, allows unhosted TVRs

55:35in certain areas of the neighborhood

55:37commercial or residential zoning

55:38districts under certain conditions.

55:40Introduced by Councilmember Kimball,

55:42this matter passed first reading October

55:4321, 2026.

55:47>> Chair, I move to approve Bill 147 Draft

55:493 at second and final reading.

55:52>> Moved by Councilmember Kimball, seconded

55:54by Councilmember Galimba to approve Bill

55:56147 Draft 3 at second and final reading.

55:59Councilmember Kimball.

56:00>> Thank you, Chair. Um,

56:02I wanted to just We We had a good

56:04discussion about this at the last

56:05meeting. Um, wanted to make sure that

56:07you and you, Chair, and and

56:09Councilmember Villegas were um aware of

56:12some of the amendments we made last

56:13time. Um,

56:15Councilmember Eustace um added language

56:17that would allow for more than five

56:19bedrooms in the resort nodes. Now, it

56:22should be noted that that doesn't

56:24alleviate the building code requirements

56:26with respect to the number of of

56:28bedrooms. Um, we also added language to

56:32um make the process clear in terms of um

56:36the the due process around violations,

56:37like people getting a warning letter, a

56:39chance to resolve the situation before

56:42any sort of um actions were taken on

56:44behalf of the department. Um, did want

56:47to answer uh a couple of

56:49statements that were made

56:51um

56:53in testimony. You know, first of all,

56:54it's important to note that the 180 days

56:57ties into the state's definition of

56:59transient vacation rental as well as um

57:02our own Chapter 19 tax code. Um, there

57:06are exemptions though, and we talked

57:08about

57:09um time share

57:11uh sorry, home exchanges. Those are

57:12exempted. Um

57:15month to month rentals are exempted.

57:17Student housing is exempted. Um medical

57:20care workers are exempted. Those those

57:22are all outside of there's a whole list,

57:25military personnel, um whatnot. So those

57:28are exempted as unusual situations.

57:30They're not considered TVR by the state

57:32and they're not considered TVRs by

57:35this law. Um I did want to also note

57:38that there is a condition there in the

57:41at the end of the bill that does allow

57:43until December 31st 20 27 to accommodate

57:48timeline to get everybody in compliance

57:50with the building permit. So that

57:52actually is already written into the the

57:55legislation. Um I did want to ask

57:57planning director Darrow to come

57:59forward. There's been a little I've

58:01gotten a couple of emails about this and

58:03I know you've been cc'd on them as well

58:06about the one building one one TVR

58:09number per TMK and the department has

58:12historically

58:13managed short-term vacation rentals,

58:16which are the unhosted rentals. Um it is

58:19supposed to be one dwelling unit, but

58:21with hosted rentals, [snorts] it's

58:23really more about the bedroom count than

58:25the actual dwelling. And if you could

58:26just confirm that and explain that to

58:28folks.

58:29>> Aloha chair

58:31Inaba, members of the Hawaii County

58:33Council,

58:34Jeff Darrow with the planning

58:36department.

58:37Yes, uh

58:38I was a little surprised to hear that

58:41testimony. Uh typically

58:43um

58:45it it's we look at the amount of

58:48bedrooms that are being rented out on

58:50the subject property. The main thing is

58:52that the host needs to reside on the

58:55subject property, whether it's in

58:58one dwelling or another. A good example

59:01is we have a number of properties that

59:03have their first dwelling in an Ohana

59:06dwelling. So typically they will either

59:09live in one and rent out rooms in the or

59:13they will have rooms in both and there

59:16are other situations where we have a

59:18guest house and they'll use that as a

59:22detached bedroom type of uh scenario

59:25uh as well. So um it's even within our

59:28scenarios that we provided to the

59:31council members uh the situation where

59:34we have multiple dwellings on site.

59:37>> Great. Thank you. So are you as far as

59:40what the department is advising folks

59:42right now because they get one TVR

59:44number when they register that applies

59:45to the whole TMK. If they they're

59:48listing bedroom here and then also a

59:51guest house, they can use that the same

59:53TVR number and the hosting platforms for

59:56those two

59:57um

59:58>> Correct.

59:59>> Okay. So hopefully that that clarifies

1:00:01that with regard to some of the

1:00:03testimony we received today. Um

1:00:06like I said, we had a good discussion

1:00:07about this last time. I did

1:00:09think a little bit about um

1:00:12council member Kirk Witz's comments last

1:00:14time and I do appreciate the support in

1:00:16the first reading. You know the

1:00:21the the promise that was made at the

1:00:23introduction of and passage of of 2550

1:00:27was that we wouldn't change any of the

1:00:29zoning of things where things were

1:00:30permitted or not permitted. And

1:00:34147 is actually intended to maintain

1:00:37that. It's intended in the in its

1:00:38original form. It was intended to

1:00:40maintain the status quo which was the

1:00:42department didn't require a use permit

1:00:45on in um the urban districts for hosted

1:00:48rentals.

1:00:49Um but the law says otherwise. The law

1:00:51says that they're supposed to under the

1:00:53current bed and breakfast. And so 147

1:00:55>> Kimble, can you just pull the mic real

1:00:57close and speak up so we

1:00:59as can hear clearly.

1:01:01>> you know the the bill 147 its original

1:01:03intent was actually to maintain the

1:01:04status quo which is what the department

1:01:07has been doing which is to say that they

1:01:09didn't require use permits for hosted

1:01:11rentals even though that's what it says

1:01:13under the current bed and breakfast law.

1:01:15And as we were developing that

1:01:17registration process, running into that

1:01:19conflict of what the law says, 147 was

1:01:22meant to ensure that the status quo was

1:01:24maintained while we started the

1:01:25registration process

1:01:28as it as originally introduced. Now I

1:01:29will say we made the amendment with

1:01:31regard to RM. That is a change.

1:01:34Um and so, you know, if the opposition

1:01:37is is tied to that I can certainly

1:01:39understand because it is a change than

1:01:41what we had originally proposed. But 147

1:01:44in its original form was really intended

1:01:46to

1:01:48um maintain the status quo. I'm hopeful

1:01:50that we can get to to this together

1:01:52today. I just like the director one more

1:01:54time

1:01:55to reiterate the importance of this to

1:01:57his department

1:01:58and then um

1:02:00yes, director if you will.

1:02:03>> Thank you council member Kimball. So

1:02:07uh as

1:02:08as

1:02:09council member Kimball mentioned we had

1:02:12a

1:02:13a lengthy discussion at our last

1:02:16hearing first reading

1:02:18um and I was able to express

1:02:21the situation that we find ourselves in

1:02:24in the planning department currently

1:02:27having

1:02:28uh chapter six

1:02:30ordinance 2550

1:02:32and ordinance

1:02:342663

1:02:37being passed and in operation now

1:02:40without clear guidance in our zoning

1:02:43code.

1:02:44If we were to operate now according to

1:02:47our zoning code the way it is, every

1:02:51hosted T V R that would be registering

1:02:54would require either a use permit in

1:02:58residential zones or a special permit in

1:03:01agricultural zones.

1:03:03We've been holding off on number one

1:03:05enforcement, number two on directing

1:03:09um

1:03:11people to come in for permits in

1:03:13residential zones and on pre 76 lots

1:03:17anticipating and hoping for this build

1:03:20to pass. We have been still directing

1:03:24uh applicants on post 1976 lots to come

1:03:29in within that time period of one year.

1:03:33Um some of them have been coming in

1:03:35uh pretty quickly uh to get their

1:03:38special permit.

1:03:39But

1:03:40this particular bill when passed

1:03:43uh will bring clarity

1:03:46to staff and to the public as to where

1:03:49TVRs are permitted and where they're not

1:03:52permitted, as to what type of permit if

1:03:55needed they will need in the process.

1:03:59Uh we've been

1:04:00um

1:04:01again staff is

1:04:03really

1:04:04looking towards this bill to bring uh

1:04:07direction and guidance and

1:04:10help us uh

1:04:12be able to

1:04:14uh get past this uncertainty that we

1:04:17find ourselves in right now.

1:04:19Thank you.

1:04:21>> Thank you. And um

1:04:23you know just I'll leave it there. Happy

1:04:24to answer any other questions

1:04:26outstanding from the body. I know that

1:04:27council member Houstoun has two

1:04:29amendments um

1:04:31and both of which I'm I'm willing to

1:04:33support. So thank you.

1:04:35>> Thank you council member Kimble. Council

1:04:36member Houstoun.

1:04:38>> Thanks chair. Uh thanks council member

1:04:39Kimble for starting us off there and for

1:04:41asking director about the one uh the TVR

1:04:44per building site and the questions

1:04:46because I I think you're all getting

1:04:47emails about that and questions about

1:04:49some of the clarity. So thank you

1:04:50director for responding to that very

1:04:52clearly.

1:04:53Um

1:04:55you know many of these uh concerns I

1:04:57think we're receiving and involve lawful

1:04:59operations, historic properties,

1:05:01multiple guest accommodations on a

1:05:03single building site and really the

1:05:04distinction between county zoning

1:05:07and state

1:05:09ag land use and some of the challenges

1:05:11and requirements therein. So I think

1:05:13there's some space I think in the future

1:05:14that we kind of need to think about

1:05:16that.

1:05:17Um director while you're here at the

1:05:18stand I just wanted

1:05:21have you answer a couple of questions

1:05:22that I've received that just for for

1:05:24clarity sake

1:05:26um regarding historic homes, historic

1:05:29plantation homes. So kind of looking at

1:05:31254B, 254C in that space.

1:05:35How does planning evaluate homes

1:05:37constructed before 1976 on parcels

1:05:41subsequently created through

1:05:43plantation era subdivisions?

1:05:47>> We We'd have to look at each uh

1:05:49circumstance. I don't think I can answer

1:05:51that as a blanket

1:05:53answer.

1:05:54Um

1:05:55it depends. Uh some of these were um

1:06:01uh and this happened during Bill 108

1:06:03too. Some of these were what we call

1:06:06pre-existing lot determinations.

1:06:09And so there was a question

1:06:12as to whether or not um

1:06:14we would apply

1:06:16um

1:06:17post-76

1:06:19uh to those particular lots that

1:06:22actually were just taking pre-existing

1:06:25lots, combining them and consolidating

1:06:28them into lots, right? Because these are

1:06:31typically, especially plantation type

1:06:34lots, you'll you'll have a lot of lots

1:06:37but not TMKs. And so they typically will

1:06:40come in and create this to be able to

1:06:43get separate TMKs for each lot. So

1:06:47again, we would have to look at those um

1:06:51you know, I know that in the previous

1:06:54administration has mentioned uh when we

1:06:57were going through this, they allowed

1:07:00during that particular time a particular

1:07:04uh the the time to allow

1:07:07um people to come in for a

1:07:09non-conforming use certificate on

1:07:11pre-76.

1:07:13They made the determination that if they

1:07:16were on

1:07:17a within a subdivision created by a

1:07:20pre-existing lot determination, that

1:07:23they would look at that as a

1:07:24consideration for a

1:07:28possible non-conforming

1:07:30certificate for those. So again, we

1:07:33would have to look at those. There were

1:07:35some that were

1:07:38not so clear cut and dry. They were

1:07:42they were questionable. There were some

1:07:44that were very clear that's all the

1:07:46intention was when they did that.

1:07:49>> Okay, so with with that thought in mind,

1:07:51I know you've talked a little bit about

1:07:54you know, the zoning sort of conditions

1:07:56that give your department some guidance

1:07:58in terms of registration and those and

1:08:00at least in the community as well. So

1:08:03when people have particular conditions

1:08:04or situations

1:08:06you know

1:08:08how are these going to be reacting? You

1:08:10know, we have

1:08:12the ordinance 2550 bill 147 zone

1:08:14requirements.

1:08:15So what happens when the operator's

1:08:17registering but doesn't meet the chapter

1:08:1825 requirements?

1:08:20And so they have

1:08:22I'm kind of looking for

1:08:24what direction are you going to give

1:08:25individuals and community members to

1:08:26kind of come and engage with you to kind

1:08:28of come in alignment with some of these?

1:08:32What does that process look like for you

1:08:33in your department?

1:08:34>> So within bill 147 there's a

1:08:39time period for them to come into

1:08:41compliance for I I believe this is what

1:08:45you're asking for in regards to the

1:08:47requirements

1:08:49requested as far as the TVO.

1:08:51>> So because

1:08:53Councilmember Kimball talked about 2027

1:08:55that that kind of end date there. So I'm

1:08:56just as these pieces are kind of coming

1:08:59together how are we working with

1:09:01residents? How are you and your

1:09:02department working with residents to

1:09:04kind of

1:09:05usher them through the process, support

1:09:06them

1:09:07identify the right path for them in

1:09:09these spaces?

1:09:11>> So this

1:09:13there we've tried to make the process

1:09:16you know, any process especially when

1:09:19you're dealing with land use issues can

1:09:21become complicated. We've really taken a

1:09:25strong look at this and let go of a

1:09:28number of areas that we felt like we

1:09:31really don't need that for this

1:09:33particular permit. We tried to keep it

1:09:36to very specific information.

1:09:39Um one is a land use, I mean a land

1:09:42owner's authorization, obviously your

1:09:44GET, TAT tax license, um a floor plan, a

1:09:49site plan, and then any building permit

1:09:52information.

1:09:53Um

1:09:54that's typically the information we need

1:09:57to be submitted along with the request.

1:10:00In the process we will find out whether

1:10:03or not there's a need um within that TVR

1:10:07to bring something up to code, right? So

1:10:11we give them a period of time. We let

1:10:13them know, hey this particular area will

1:10:17need uh

1:10:19a change of use permit or uh a building

1:10:22permit to bring something unpermitted to

1:10:25permit it.

1:10:26Uh additionally when we review we'll

1:10:29find out whether or not a land use

1:10:31permit is required. Again we give them a

1:10:34one year period to be able to take care

1:10:37of these issues. We're not doing

1:10:40enforcement

1:10:42for these as the main thing is they come

1:10:45in and register.

1:10:46I believe the date that we have now is

1:10:48for those people that have not come in

1:10:51and register, right? They have till that

1:10:54period.

1:10:55My understanding is it's being looked at

1:10:57that that period is going to be

1:10:59extended.

1:11:00Um I can't speak to it personally, but

1:11:03maybe one of the or several council

1:11:06members can speak to it. It was brought

1:11:07up

1:11:08>> It may not be appropriate this time

1:11:09though I think with the with the motion

1:11:11we have in front of us, so

1:11:12>> Yeah. So

1:11:15given the fact that in the bill now it

1:11:18gives us the leniency to be able to work

1:11:20with them through this process for these

1:11:23other requirements. We're not looking at

1:11:26it for enforcement in that area. The

1:11:28enforcement has to do with somebody just

1:11:32not coming in and registering. And then

1:11:34when that particular time hits, whatever

1:11:37time that is, there's going to be a

1:11:39review done of everybody that's on the

1:11:43rental platform, whether or not they've

1:11:46come in and registered or not.

1:11:48And even then, our goal is to send out a

1:11:51notice saying, hey, we've noticed that

1:11:54you're advertising.

1:11:56Um please come in and register.

1:11:58>> Okay. Can I pivot just a little bit to

1:12:00the non-conforming use certificates? Uh

1:12:02just some questions I've received about,

1:12:05you know, what protections or appeal

1:12:06rights exist if they're canceled under

1:12:08the registration in chapter six

1:12:11and then it also revokes their their

1:12:13their non-conforming use certificate and

1:12:15then how will those deficiencies

1:12:17be distinguished from other violations?

1:12:21>> Um

1:12:22so there were

1:12:24in the bill, it talks about what we call

1:12:26deemed registered um registrations.

1:12:30They are

1:12:32currently active registrations, whether

1:12:35or not they were non-conforming use

1:12:37certificates, STVRs that received

1:12:40approvals, or older B&Bs. Um

1:12:44they do not have to come in and

1:12:46register.

1:12:48But they do need

1:12:50Uh the goal is

1:12:53for them to come in and create an

1:12:55account in Dekert so that they can

1:12:58receive that registration number that

1:13:00Dekert needs to provide them to be able

1:13:03to register on the hosting platform as

1:13:06well as the annual fee. But there's no

1:13:10registration.

1:13:11There's no I mean,

1:13:15I don't see any um

1:13:18situation where this bill would tell an

1:13:22existing legal non-conforming or

1:13:25conforming registered STVR and Dekert.

1:13:30You You cannot do it under this bill.

1:13:32They've already been deemed registered.

1:13:35If if they find themselves in any

1:13:38situation

1:13:40that doesn't, you know, seem like that

1:13:43was the right call, there's always the

1:13:45ability to appeal the director's

1:13:47decision.

1:13:49But I do personally I don't see that

1:13:52uh an issue.

1:13:53>> Okay, thank you for that clarification.

1:13:55And I I've asked you this every time

1:13:56we've had Bill 147 in front of us, and

1:13:58it's how are we doing on our

1:14:00registration

1:14:02uh numbers at this point?

1:14:03>> So

1:14:04I was anticipating this this time.

1:14:08Um our BBRs, which are basically the

1:14:12hosted rentals, we have 95 as of today.

1:14:16Uh STRs, we have 104. My numbers were

1:14:19off last time because I was trying to

1:14:21guess. It's it started off uh

1:14:25with more, and it's kind of toned down.

1:14:29And again, I think the understanding is

1:14:32that they're waiting to see what's

1:14:34happening. Uh our Kona and Hilo office

1:14:38are

1:14:39uh getting overwhelmed with inquiries

1:14:42and phone calls regarding this process.

1:14:45A lot of questions and that

1:14:49again, the need for clarity would

1:14:51uh greatly assist us in providing that

1:14:56direction uh as we move forward.

1:14:59>> And that's kind of my next question in

1:15:00terms of

1:15:03something goes through and there is

1:15:04clarity for the departments.

1:15:07What processes or

1:15:09what needs do you have to kind of

1:15:11You said you're receiving a lot of

1:15:13questions already from community

1:15:14members, so I'm curious

1:15:16what what what sort of staffing or

1:15:18support or mechanisms you have in place

1:15:19to kind of really take on the the

1:15:21workload that may be coming down down

1:15:23for you.

1:15:25>> We uh we were anticipating an an

1:15:29increase in workload. I don't think we

1:15:32were anticipating uh this amount of

1:15:36workload on top of our

1:15:39current everyday activities. Um we do

1:15:42have several what we call

1:15:45SDVR personnel,

1:15:47but it's not to the point that we need

1:15:49them filled because

1:15:51the these positions are filled by the

1:15:56monies that are in the SDVR account.

1:15:59That's why the account was created.

1:16:01And those

1:16:03when we get to a point that more

1:16:05additional staff that were created can

1:16:09be hired, that will help us to be able

1:16:11to

1:16:12um relieve uh the

1:16:16uh amount of workload that's happening

1:16:18to our staff at this time. Right now

1:16:20it's

1:16:21everybody, no matter what position you

1:16:24are, uh is assisting in the process.

1:16:26>> Okay. Thank you.

1:16:28I appreciate your your time answering

1:16:29these questions, director. I just wanted

1:16:31some some clarification questions that

1:16:33my office received, I've received and

1:16:35we're kind of hearing from different

1:16:36sources uh the news and this kind of

1:16:38stuff. So just appreciate the

1:16:39clarification there. Um and I just want

1:16:41to thank my colleagues um for our

1:16:43discussion last time.

1:16:45Uh the three amendments that brought to

1:16:46the table that are now a part of 147, I

1:16:49appreciate your insight and trying to

1:16:51align some different pieces that each of

1:16:53us see in different spaces from the

1:16:55resort nodes and the resort community,

1:16:57um but also

1:16:59trying to provide some clarity between

1:17:01147

1:17:02and what is in Ordinance 2550, so

1:17:05chapter six, so that there is kind of

1:17:07there's some they they they speak to

1:17:08each other a little bit more efficiently

1:17:09there, as well as the enforcement

1:17:11mechanisms and just providing some

1:17:13clarity that I know director you would

1:17:16seek and prefer, but I just was grateful

1:17:18that we can incorporate that into the

1:17:20language that there is a clear process

1:17:21through that. So thank you.

1:17:23Um

1:17:24lastly, chair, I just want to return to

1:17:26an additional issue uh involving our

1:17:29multi-family residential zone

1:17:30properties.

1:17:32As we discussed, the current bill ties

1:17:34eligibility

1:17:35uh to in certain RM areas

1:17:38to prior plan approval, right? Uh but

1:17:40that process doesn't necessarily use

1:17:43that that process isn't used for all uh

1:17:45previously approved residential

1:17:48developments. So before you have two

1:17:50amendments, communications 806-23 and

1:17:53806-24 to really give you an opportunity

1:17:55to consider two different ways to

1:17:57address some of this disparity for our

1:18:00previously approved residential

1:18:01developments. Uh so I'd I'd like to

1:18:03explain each of them and I'll I'll

1:18:04definitely bring the motion for each to

1:18:05kind of go through those so you can

1:18:07consider those appropriate scope for

1:18:09that exception.

1:18:10Uh so with that chair, I move to amend

1:18:13Bill 147 Draft 3 with the contents of

1:18:16806.23.

1:18:20>> Moved by Council Member Eustis, seconded

1:18:22by Council Member Kerkowits to amend

1:18:24Bill 147 Draft 3 with the contents of

1:18:26communication 806.23

1:18:29Council Member Eustis.

1:18:30>> Thank you chair.

1:18:31Uh following our discussion on and the

1:18:34questions raised about Bill 147

1:18:37>> You may proceed.

1:18:37>> Kerk, do I have a okay. [snorts] I'd

1:18:39like to introduce this amendment

1:18:41addressing kind of those those

1:18:42previously approved developments. This

1:18:43issue came to my attention um through

1:18:46conversations concerning some of our RM

1:18:48zoned areas in the in the Kohala region,

1:18:51communities that already exist, that

1:18:52already are kind of operating transit

1:18:54vacation rentals and really some

1:18:56subsequent conversations with Director

1:18:58Darrow.

1:18:59Under Draft 3 the opportunity to operate

1:19:02an unhosted TVR in RM areas outside

1:19:04those designated resort locations is

1:19:05tied to whether uh the dwelling

1:19:08previously received plan approval.

1:19:10However, not all residential

1:19:11developments followed that approval

1:19:13process.

1:19:14Some established subdivisions received

1:19:16final subdivision approval

1:19:18uh with individual homes subsequently

1:19:19constructed under those separate

1:19:22building permits.

1:19:23So communication 806-23

1:19:26uh would recognize final subdivision

1:19:28approval as an alternative to plan

1:19:31approval

1:19:32provided that the subdivision approval

1:19:34creating the building site was issued

1:19:37before the effective date of the

1:19:38ordinance.

1:19:40This approach would preserve the

1:19:41opportunity for qualifying properties

1:19:44within previously approved RM

1:19:45subdivisions including lots that may

1:19:49not have been developed. So something to

1:19:51consider there.

1:19:52I want to emphasize this is not a

1:19:53blanket you know authorization for

1:19:55unhosted TBRs throughout RM zoning.

1:19:58The amendment retains the existing

1:20:00approval cutoff

1:20:02and does not extend eligibility to newly

1:20:04approved subdivision and leaves other

1:20:06applicable TBR requirements in place.

1:20:08And the intent is really just to

1:20:09recognize

1:20:11previously approved residential

1:20:12developments

1:20:13uh while maintaining the broader

1:20:15regulatory framework in 147. So I'll

1:20:17leave I'll leave it there for now if

1:20:19members have questions also for the

1:20:20director too. Thank you.

1:20:24>> Director Darrow, you want to chime in

1:20:26first?

1:20:27>> Sure. I just want to say thank you for

1:20:30the to the maker of this

1:20:32uh bill.

1:20:34Um this I believe the intention was

1:20:37there

1:20:38uh in the creation of this change

1:20:41thinking that plan approval was

1:20:44um required for either a situation, a

1:20:47condominium or a

1:20:51uh single family dwelling in the RM

1:20:53zone. Unfortunately in the zoning code

1:20:56if they create a subdivision within the

1:20:59RM zoning and have separate single

1:21:03family dwellings, it does not trigger

1:21:06plan approval for those dwellings if

1:21:08it's only one dwelling. But it will

1:21:11trigger final subdivision approval. So

1:21:13this clarifies and brings in both those

1:21:17that would be required for plan approval

1:21:20and those that would also be required

1:21:22for subdivision approval. Uh

1:21:25definitely in support of

1:21:27this amendment. Thank you.

1:21:30>> Mahalo [clears throat] director,

1:21:31members.

1:21:35Are those in favor of amending bill 147

1:21:38draft three with the corrections?

1:21:40>> Sorry, just for

1:21:40>> clarification. Um, these the two

1:21:43amendments in front of you are competing

1:21:45amendments, so if you wanted to hear

1:21:47about the other one, I will I will

1:21:48withdraw the amendment

1:21:50um just for your consideration.

1:21:52That's

1:21:53They kind of they're competing in terms

1:21:55of the language in that space.

1:21:58>> Council Member Kimball on the amendment?

1:22:00>> Yeah. Um, I I think that it is

1:22:03this is a significant enough difference

1:22:06between these two amendments that I

1:22:07think it warrants um introduction of the

1:22:10second one for discussion um and

1:22:12explanation prior to making a decision

1:22:15which way to go.

1:22:18>> Okay. With that, I will withdraw the uh

1:22:20motion to amend the 147.

1:22:22>> All right. Motion to amend with the

1:22:24contents of communication 806.23

1:22:27has been withdrawn.

1:22:30>> Thank you, Chair. Appreciate the

1:22:31latitude here. Um, move to amend Bill

1:22:33147 Draft 3 with the contents of

1:22:35communication 806.24.

1:22:38>> Moved by Council Member Husted, seconded

1:22:40by Council Member Kirkowitz to amend

1:22:42Bill 147 Draft 3 with the contents of

1:22:44communication 806.24.

1:22:46Council Member Husted.

1:22:47>> Thank you, Chair. Thanks for giving me

1:22:48the time to explain this one a little

1:22:50bit too. It provides an alternative

1:22:51approach to the RM approval issue.

1:22:54Uh this amendment 806.24 addresses the

1:22:57same underlying concern. Some properties

1:23:00within the RM zoning districts were

1:23:02developed under building permits rather

1:23:04than plan approval process, so this is a

1:23:06kind of just a different perspective

1:23:07here.

1:23:08Uh it it this alternative

1:23:11uh establishes a more specific

1:23:13eligibility requirement.

1:23:15Rather than recognizing an entirely

1:23:17previously approved subdivision, the

1:23:19amendment would allow either plan

1:23:20approval or a building permit for the

1:23:23individual dwelling before the effective

1:23:24date of the ordinance.

1:23:26Uh this would recognize homes that have

1:23:27already received building permits

1:23:30including those that may still be under

1:23:31construction

1:23:33without extending the exception to

1:23:34undeveloped lots

1:23:35uh that have not received a building

1:23:36permit. It provides another way to

1:23:40acknowledge prior approvals while

1:23:42retaining the council's limitation of

1:23:43future unhosted RM development in those

1:23:46areas, TVR and RM areas.

1:23:49So as with the first amendment, this

1:23:50approval approval, this proposal will

1:23:51not alter one TVR per building site,

1:23:54bedroom restrictions, any of that. It's

1:23:56just just wanted you to consider another

1:23:58opportunity here looking at the RM zoned

1:24:00areas. Thank you.

1:24:03>> Director

1:24:04>> Thank you, chair. Uh

1:24:07I'm supportive of both,

1:24:09but if I were to choose, I believe this

1:24:13particular amendment

1:24:15uh would be more inclusive

1:24:17uh because of the fact that you will

1:24:19find

1:24:20uh RM zoned properties that may not have

1:24:24um that have already been existing and

1:24:27only needed a

1:24:29building permit. Uh they would be

1:24:31included, but it would also capture

1:24:34those that came in for final subdivision

1:24:37approval and created lots and each uh

1:24:41dwelling received a building permit as

1:24:44well as those that were built by plan

1:24:47plan approval.

1:24:49Thank you.

1:24:49>> Thank you, director. Council member

1:24:51Kimball.

1:24:52>> Yeah, I share the director's position

1:24:54that of the two, this is my preferred

1:24:57one. Um I think, you know, what what

1:25:00we're really talking here about is is

1:25:02grandfathering in certain properties.

1:25:04And so

1:25:06when we when we're thinking about that,

1:25:07we're generally being

1:25:10considerate of what sort of expectations

1:25:13the property owner or developer would

1:25:15have had at any given time and the

1:25:17potential for the takings sort of um

1:25:21scenario. I think for the type of

1:25:24objectives that this council has as well

1:25:27as

1:25:28the desire to maintain that fairness and

1:25:31be considerate of the potential takings

1:25:33issue, this one is

1:25:35provides more clarity and and is more

1:25:37robust in my personal opinion. So of the

1:25:39two, I support this one.

1:25:46>> All right. Thank you, council Member

1:25:47Kimble, for pointing out this other

1:25:49option. Um, with that, all those in

1:25:51favor of amending Bill 147 Draft 3 with

1:25:55the contents of communication 806.24,

1:25:59please say aye.

1:26:00Any opposed? Motion carries. 8 ayes, 1

1:26:04excused, Council Member Kanu and E

1:26:06Kleinveldt

1:26:07Uh, Bill 147 Draft 3 has been amended.

1:26:15If we are to continue discussion on

1:26:17this, I believe it's at second and

1:26:19final.

1:26:26Oh, no, I'm just saying that if we are

1:26:27going to continue discussion on this,

1:26:29then a motion to suspend our rules would

1:26:31need to be made.

1:26:34>> Move to suspend Rule 23.

1:26:37>> Moved by Council Member Kimble, seconded

1:26:39by Council Member Kagiwada to suspend

1:26:41Rule 23 for further discussion on Bill

1:26:43147 Draft 3 at second and final reading.

1:26:47Roll call vote, please.

1:26:49>> On the motion to suspend the rules,

1:26:51Council Member Galimba.

1:26:52>> Aye.

1:26:53>> Council Member Houstis.

1:26:54>> No.

1:26:55>> Council Member Kagiwada.

1:26:56>> Aye.

1:26:57>> Council Member Kani-Kleinveldt.

1:26:59Council Member Kerkvliet.

1:27:00>> No.

1:27:01>> Council Member Kimble.

1:27:05>> Kanu.

1:27:07>> Vice Chair Onishi.

1:27:08>> No.

1:27:10>> Council Member Viegus.

1:27:11>> Aye.

1:27:14>> Chair Inaba.

1:27:14>> No.

1:27:16>> Council Member Kimble.

1:27:17>> No.

1:27:19>> You have three votes in favor, those

1:27:21being Council Members

1:27:22Galimba, Kagiwada, and Viegus.

1:27:26Five opposed and one absent. The motion

1:27:28is lost.

1:27:30>> Thank you. So this matter per our roll

1:27:33Council rules will be agendized at the

1:27:35next Council meeting, which is to occur

1:27:38here at our Council Chambers on November

1:27:4018th.

1:27:41Thank you.

1:27:42>> Chair, point of personal privilege.

1:27:44>> Yes, please go ahead.

1:27:46>> I would just

1:27:47would to have the opportunity with some

1:27:49leeway to

1:27:52request that in future

1:27:56I I've taken a lot of slings and arrows

1:27:57for this and I I

1:27:59am aware that I made that choice

1:28:01but it is outside of the decorum of this

1:28:03body to make personal attacks towards an

1:28:06individual council member or question

1:28:09their ethics and integrity. Um testimony

1:28:12should be directed towards the matter

1:28:14before the body.

1:28:16Um I have

1:28:20put this forward with best intentions

1:28:22and um

1:28:25I I do think it is inappropriate

1:28:28to allow

1:28:30testimony that that questions my

1:28:34integrity in terms of why this was

1:28:36introduced. So I ask that in the future

1:28:38those that are here to testify do not

1:28:42use that approach because it it it is

1:28:44outside of the decorum of this body.

1:28:46Thank you.

1:28:47>> Thank you council member Kimball and my

1:28:48apologies for not catching that earlier.

1:28:51So noted for the record in future

1:28:54meetings um members of the public who do

1:28:56come to testify please keep that in

1:28:58mind. I will stop you um if you do

1:29:01assign intention to the work of any

1:29:04council member here on this body.

1:29:07Uh

1:29:08Mr. Clerk if we can proceed from the top

1:29:11please.

1:29:12>> Is there any testimony for resolution

1:29:14705-26?

1:29:18Hearing none resolution 705-26

1:29:21authorized payment of funds of later

1:29:22fiscal years to enter into a

1:29:24multi-release agreement for 14

1:29:25multi-function copy machines to be used

1:29:27by the police department.

1:29:29Authorize the mayor to enter into a

1:29:30five-year lease agreement with an

1:29:31estimated monthly cost of $1,113

1:29:35introduced by council member Connelly

1:29:36Kleinfelter by request.

1:29:38>> Chair motion to approve resolution

1:29:39705-26.

1:29:42>> Moved by council member Kirkwood

1:29:43seconded by council member Eustis to

1:29:45approve resolution 705-26.

1:29:48All those in favor please say aye. Any

1:29:50opposed? Motion carries eight eyes, one

1:29:52excused.

1:29:55Resolution 705-26

1:29:57is approved.

1:29:59Is there any testimony for resolution

1:30:00706-26?

1:30:04Hearing none, resolution 706-26

1:30:08urges the governor and the mayor to

1:30:09prioritize and fund proactive vegetation

1:30:11management to mitigate potential

1:30:13destruction caused by natural disasters.

1:30:15Introduced by council members Kirkowitz

1:30:17and Inaba.

1:30:18>> Chair, motion to approve resolution

1:30:19706-26.

1:30:21>> Moved by council member Kirkowitz,

1:30:23seconded by council member Eustis to

1:30:24approve resolution 706-26.

1:30:28Council member Kirkowitz.

1:30:29>> Thank you, chair. Um we had robust

1:30:31discussion in committee and I just

1:30:32appreciate the opportunity for this body

1:30:34to hold space and acknowledge the

1:30:36tremendous impact that Hurricane Lala

1:30:39had on our community as it relates to

1:30:42invasive species crushing, decimating

1:30:44infrastructure island wide. Um this does

1:30:47require a report of the administration

1:30:49to the council in 180 days. So looking

1:30:51to the next term of council members to

1:30:54request that report of the

1:30:55administration and ensure that there is

1:30:57funding in our county budget and money

1:31:00appropriate at the state level to ensure

1:31:02that there are resources to proactively

1:31:04address

1:31:05um vegetation management here on the

1:31:07island. Thank you, chair.

1:31:08>> Thank you, council member.

1:31:10Seeing no further lights on, all those

1:31:13in favor of approving resolution 706-26,

1:31:16please say aye. Any opposed? Motion

1:31:19carries. Eight eyes, one excused.

1:31:21Council member Inaba declined further.

1:31:22Resolution 706-26

1:31:25is approved.

1:31:26>> Is there any testimony for resolution

1:31:31Hearing none, resolution 714-26 accepts

1:31:34the donation of charitable funds for

1:31:36disaster relief from Hurricane Lala to

1:31:37be used by the Office of Aging.

1:31:39The donation from US Aging Disaster

1:31:41Relief Fund in the amount of $10,000

1:31:43will be used to support older adults who

1:31:44need recovery assistance. Introduced by

1:31:47council member Connelly Clatter by

1:31:48request. This is a companion to bill

1:31:50203.

1:31:51>> Chair, motion to approve resolution

1:31:53714-26.

1:31:55>> Moved

1:31:55>> council member Eustace, seconded by

1:31:56council member Kirkwood to approve

1:31:58resolution 714- 26. Council member

1:32:01Eustace.

1:32:02>> Thanks Sharon. I just want to thank

1:32:03administrator Fukuda to providing a

1:32:05little more insight into the expenses

1:32:07and the use of those monies. So thank

1:32:08you for that.

1:32:10>> Thank you. All those in favor of

1:32:11approving resolution 714-26

1:32:14please say aye. Any opposed? Motion

1:32:17carries. Eight eyes, one excused,

1:32:18council member Canali Kleinfelder.

1:32:20Resolution 714-26

1:32:22is approved.

1:32:23>> Is there any testimony for resolution

1:32:25716-26?

1:32:29Hearing none, resolution 716-26

1:32:32authorizes payment of funds of later

1:32:33fiscal years for the funding of cost

1:32:35item adjustments associated with the

1:32:36Hawaii Firefighters Association

1:32:38bargaining unit 11 and certain other

1:32:40employees excluded from bargaining unit

1:32:4111 for the contract period beginning

1:32:43July 1 2025 and ending June 30 2029.

1:32:47Estimated costs over the four years of

1:32:49the new contract resulting from across

1:32:50the board increases will be $38,888,033,

1:32:54an increase of approximately $13,595,173

1:32:59over the amount previously approved by

1:33:00resolution number 550-26

1:33:03introduced by council member Connelly

1:33:04Kleinfelder by request.

1:33:06>> Motion to approve resolution 716-26.

1:33:10>> Moved by council member Eustace,

1:33:11seconded by council member Kirkwood to

1:33:13approve resolution 716-26.

1:33:16Council member Kirkwood.

1:33:17>> Thank you chair. It's no secret but just

1:33:19disclosing for the record that my

1:33:20partner is a member of the Hawaii Fire

1:33:22Department. Thank you.

1:33:24>> Thank you. And for the record,

1:33:27my sister is no longer with the fire

1:33:28department. She's a nurse now so I won't

1:33:31have to make those disclosures anymore.

1:33:33All those in favor of

1:33:35approving resolution 716-26

1:33:38please say aye. Any opposed? Motion

1:33:41carries. Eight eyes, one excused,

1:33:43council member Connelly Kleinfelder.

1:33:45Resolution 716-26

1:33:47is approved.

1:33:49>> Is there any testimony for resolution

1:33:54Hearing none, resolution 717-26 is

1:33:56substitution of new appliances for the

1:33:58Pu'uhonua o Hōnaunau Community Center on

1:34:00behalf of the Department of Parks and

1:34:01Recreation.

1:34:02Donation from Wekolo Community

1:34:04Development Corporation has an estimated

1:34:05value of $2,000 introduced by

1:34:07Councilmember Connelley Kleinfelter by

1:34:09request.

1:34:10>> Motion to approve resolution 717-26.

1:34:13>> Moved by Councilmember Hustace, seconded

1:34:15by Councilmember Kaluhiokalani to

1:34:16approve resolution 717-26.

1:34:20Councilmember Hustace.

1:34:21>> Thank you, Chair. Just want to recognize

1:34:22the community members and the nonprofit

1:34:24for donating these appliances to the

1:34:26Pu'uhonua o Hōnaunau Community Center.

1:34:27Thank you.

1:34:28>> Thank you. All those in favor of

1:34:30approving resolution 717-26, please say

1:34:32aye. Any opposed? Motion carries. Eight

1:34:35ayes, one excused, Councilmember

1:34:37Kaluhiokalani Kleinfelter. Resolution

1:34:39718-2

1:34:41Sorry, 717-26

1:34:43is approved.

1:34:44>> Is there any testimony for resolution

1:34:45718-26?

1:34:49Hearing none, resolution 78-26 accepts a

1:34:52donation of fencing materials and labor

1:34:53for the Punalu'u Ala Reinforcement Zoo

1:34:55and Gardens on behalf of the Department

1:34:56of Parks and Recreation.

1:34:58Donation from an anonymous donor has an

1:35:00estimated value of $74,000 introduced by

1:35:02Councilmember Kaluhiokalani Kleinfelter

1:35:04by request.

1:35:05>> Motion to approve resolution 718-26.

1:35:08>> Moved by Councilmember Hustace, seconded

1:35:10by Councilmember Villegas to approve

1:35:12resolution 718-26.

1:35:15All those in favor, please say aye. Any

1:35:17opposed? Motion carries. Eight ayes, one

1:35:20excused, Councilmember Kaluhiokalani

1:35:21Kleinfelter. Resolution 718-26

1:35:24is approved.

1:35:26>> Is there any testimony for resolution

1:35:27725-26?

1:35:31Hearing none, resolution 725-26 accepts

1:35:34a donation of refrigerated storage

1:35:35containers for the Civil Defense Agency.

1:35:37Donation from Matson Incorporated with a

1:35:39total estimated value of $20,000

1:35:41will be used for the Nānākuli Cemetery

1:35:43Recovery Project. Introduced by

1:35:44Councilmember Kaluhiokalani Kleinfelter

1:35:46by request.

1:35:47>> Chair, motion to approve resolution

1:35:49725-26.

1:35:52>> Moved by Councilmember Hustace, seconded

1:35:53by Councilmember Kaluhiokalani to

1:35:55approve resolution 725-26.

1:35:58Um, good morning.

1:36:01Acting administrator Olivera, if you

1:36:03want to chime in, you have the floor.

1:36:07>> Well, good morning. Just just thank you

1:36:08for the opportunity just to provide some

1:36:10additional information. These containers

1:36:11were donated and I request to support

1:36:13the cemetery recovery efforts being used

1:36:17to properly store at climate controlled

1:36:19temperatures those funerary items and

1:36:22remains that have been collected from

1:36:23the cemetery for proper disposition in

1:36:26the future.

1:36:28That's it. Thank you.

1:36:29>> Thank you very much for that insight.

1:36:31All those in favor of approving

1:36:33resolution 725 - 26 please say aye. Any

1:36:37opposed? Motion carries. Eight eyes, one

1:36:39excused, council member Connelly

1:36:41Kleinfelder. Resolution 725 - 26 is

1:36:44approved.

1:36:45>> Is there any testimony for resolution

1:36:47726 - 26?

1:36:51Hearing none, resolution 726 - 26

1:36:53authorizes the payment of funds of later

1:36:55fiscal years to enter into a multi-year

1:36:57agreement for two multi-function copy

1:36:59machines to be used by the office of the

1:37:00prosecuting attorney, authorized the

1:37:02mayor to enter into a five-year lease

1:37:03agreement with an approximate annual

1:37:05cost of $4,940

1:37:07introduced by council Connelly

1:37:09Kleinfelder by request.

1:37:10>> Chair motion to approve resolution 726 -

1:37:1326.

1:37:14>> Moved by council member Eustis, seconded

1:37:16by council member Kirkowitz to approve

1:37:17resolution 726 - 26. All those in favor

1:37:21please say aye. Any opposed? Motion

1:37:23carries. Seven eyes, two excused council

1:37:25members Connelly Kleinfelder and Viegas.

1:37:27Resolution 72 6 - 26 is approved.

1:37:32>> Is there any testimony for resolution

1:37:33727 - 26?

1:37:37Hearing none, resolution 727 - 26

1:37:40authorized the payment of funds of later

1:37:41fiscal years to enter into a multi-year

1:37:43lease agreement for the multi-function

1:37:45copy machine to be used by the planning

1:37:46department. Authorized the mayor to

1:37:48enter a two-year lease agreement with an

1:37:50approximate monthly cost of $250

1:37:52introduced by council member Connelly

1:37:53Kleinfelder by request.

1:37:55>> Move to approve resolution 727 26.

1:37:58>> Moved by council member Eustis, seconded

1:38:00by council member Galimba to approve

1:38:02resolution 727-26.

1:38:04All those in favor, please say aye. Any

1:38:06opposed? Motion carries. Seven ayes, two

1:38:09excused. Council members Coneli,

1:38:10Kleinhalter, and Viegas. Resolution

1:38:12727-26

1:38:14is approved.

1:38:15>> Is there any testimony for resolution

1:38:17728-26?

1:38:20Hearing none, resolution 728-26

1:38:23authorizes the payment of funds of later

1:38:24fiscal years to intern to a

1:38:25multi-release agreement for a digital

1:38:27postage meter to be used by the office

1:38:29of the corporation council. Authorizes

1:38:31the mayor to enter into a five-year

1:38:32lease agreement with an approximate

1:38:34annual cost of $1,000 introduced by

1:38:36council member Coneli Kleinhalter by

1:38:37request.

1:38:38>> Move to approve resolution 728-26.

1:38:41>> Moved by council member Houston,

1:38:43seconded by council member Kirkewitz to

1:38:45approve resolution 728-26. All those in

1:38:48favor, please say aye. Any opposed?

1:38:50Motion carries. Seven ayes, to excuse

1:38:53council members Coneli, Kleinhalter, and

1:38:54Viegas. Resolution 728-26 is approved.

1:38:59>> Is there any testimony for resolution

1:39:00729-26?

1:39:04Hearing none, resolution 729-26

1:39:06transfers appropriates an appropriation

1:39:08from a designated fund account credit

1:39:10saint designated fund account for the

1:39:11grant to action for animals Hawaii to

1:39:13support the community dog wellness

1:39:14program. Transfers $1,800 on clerk

1:39:17council services contingency relief

1:39:19account council district five and

1:39:21credits to the department of control

1:39:22public programs account introduced by

1:39:23council member Coneli Kleinhalter.

1:39:25>> Chair, motion to approve resolution

1:39:27729-26.

1:39:29>> Moved by council member Kirkewitz,

1:39:30seconded by council member Houston to

1:39:32approve resolution 729-26. All those in

1:39:35favor, please say aye. Any opposed?

1:39:37Motion carries. Seven ayes, to excuse

1:39:40council members Coneli, Kleinhalter, and

1:39:41Viegas. Resolution 729-26

1:39:45is approved.

1:39:46>> Is there any testimony for resolution

1:39:47730-26?

1:39:51Hearing none, resolution 730-26

1:39:54transfers appropriates an appropriation

1:39:56from a designated fund account credit

1:39:57saint to a designated fund account for

1:39:59the 2026 magic of the seasons event.

1:40:02Transfers $1,000 on clerk council

1:40:03services contingency relief council

1:40:05district five

1:40:06and credits to the Department of Parks,

1:40:08Recreation, Culture, and Education other

1:40:10current expenses account introduced by

1:40:12council member Kani'ali'i Kleinfelder.

1:40:13>> Chair, motion to approve resolution

1:40:15730-26.

1:40:17>> Moved by council member Onishi, seconded

1:40:19by council member Hustace to approve

1:40:20resolution 7

1:40:2330-26.

1:40:27Um did want to point that out since the

1:40:29maker of this the introducer of this

1:40:31resolution isn't here, the Magic of the

1:40:33Seasons Holiday Open House event will be

1:40:36held December 7th to December 11th at

1:40:39the Hawaii County Building in Hilo. So

1:40:41please go check that out.

1:40:42All those in favor of approving

1:40:44resolution 730-26

1:40:47please say aye. Any opposed? Motion

1:40:50carries seven ayes to excuse council

1:40:52members Kani'ali'i Kleinfelder and

1:40:54Viegas. Resolution 730-26

1:40:57is approved.

1:40:58>> Is there any testimony for resolution

1:41:00731-26?

1:41:04Hearing none, resolution 731-26

1:41:06transfers appropriates an appropriation

1:41:08out from a designated fund account

1:41:10credit same to a designated fund account

1:41:12to the Hawaii Police Department to

1:41:13assist with expenses relating to the

1:41:14High PALS High School Island Showdown

1:41:16Drag Race and Car Show. Transfers $2,000

1:41:19and clerk council services contingency

1:41:21relief account, council district three

1:41:23and credits to the police department

1:41:24Hawaii island police activities league

1:41:25other current expenses account

1:41:27introduced by council member Onishi.

1:41:29>> Motion to approve resolution 731-26.

1:41:33>> Moved by council member or vice chair

1:41:35Onishi, seconded by council member

1:41:37Kleinfelder to approve resolution

1:41:39731-26,

1:41:41vice chair Onishi.

1:41:41>> Thank you, chair. I just wanted to

1:41:44mention to the parents is that

1:41:48with this activity for a high school

1:41:50students

1:41:52or high school drivers, it's not where

1:41:54you need to have a drag racing car.

1:41:57They could have their mom or dad's car

1:41:59which they do on the streets anyway and

1:42:02they burn rubber, they drag race with

1:42:04their parents' cars and so forth. So

1:42:06this is the intent of this activity was

1:42:08to have them come into the drag strip to

1:42:11make it legal for them to do whatever

1:42:13they wanted to get their frustrations

1:42:15out. So, I'm just asking for support and

1:42:17a clarification for the parents out

1:42:19there for the next annual that we do

1:42:21this that they can have more of their

1:42:23kids participating. Thank you.

1:42:26>> Noted.

1:42:27Probably ask your parents before you

1:42:29bring their cars. [laughter] Okay. All

1:42:32those in favor of approving resolution

1:42:34731-26

1:42:36please say aye.

1:42:37Any opposed? Motion carries. Seven ayes

1:42:40to excuse council members Conelly, Klein

1:42:43Felder, and Viegas. Resolution 731-26

1:42:46is approved.

1:42:47>> Is there any testimony for resolution

1:42:49732-26?

1:42:52Hearing none, resolution 732-26

1:42:55transfers appropriations and

1:42:56appropriation out from a designated fund

1:42:58account same to a designated fund

1:42:59account to a grant to the

1:43:01Friends of Children's Justice Center of

1:43:02East Hawaii Incorporated for expenses

1:43:04relating to the 24-hour emergency closed

1:43:06closet.

1:43:07Transfers $3,000 in clerk council

1:43:09services contingency leave account

1:43:10council district three and credits the

1:43:12office of prosecutor of the current

1:43:14expenses account introduced by council

1:43:15member Onishi.

1:43:16>> Motion to approve resolution 732-26.

1:43:20>> Moved by council vice chair Onishi,

1:43:22seconded by council member Hustace to

1:43:25approve resolution 732-26.

1:43:28Vice chair Onishi.

1:43:29>> Asking for support. Thank you.

1:43:30>> Thank you. All those in favor please say

1:43:32aye. Any opposed? Motion carries. Seven

1:43:35ayes to excuse council members Conelly,

1:43:38Klein Felder, and Viegas. Resolution

1:43:40732-26

1:43:42is approved.

1:43:43>> Is there any testimony for resolution

1:43:45733-26?

1:43:49Hearing none, resolution 733-26

1:43:51transfers appropriations and

1:43:52appropriation out from a designated fund

1:43:54account credit same to a designated fund

1:43:55account to a grant to Wahine Wellness

1:43:58Resilient Hawaii for their Kuleana Girls

1:44:00Athletics Hawaii event. Transfers $1,000

1:44:02in clerk council services contingency

1:44:04leave account council district four and

1:44:06credits to the department of liquor

1:44:07control public programs account

1:44:09introduced by council member Kirkowitz.

1:44:10>> Chair, motion approve resolution 733-26.

1:44:14>> Moved by council member Kerkowitz,

1:44:16seconded by council member Eustace to

1:44:17approve resolution 733-26.

1:44:20Council member Kerkowitz.

1:44:22>> Thank you. I do want to mahalo nui Misty

1:44:24Carter for reaching out to our office

1:44:26about this event. The

1:44:29collective initiative is going to be

1:44:30supporting 100 girls for an all day

1:44:34sports clinic where they can get

1:44:35technical assistance, coaching, and

1:44:37mentorship around flag football,

1:44:39volleyball, speed and agility

1:44:41development as they prepare for college

1:44:44and putting their portfolios together in

1:44:46order to get academic scholarships. So

1:44:48looking for everyone's support. Again,

1:44:49this event takes place in November at

1:44:51Punahou Park in Hilo and supports 100

1:44:54Hawaii Island girls. Thank you.

1:44:57>> Thank you council member Kerkowitz. All

1:44:58those in favor of approving resolution

1:45:00733-26

1:45:02please say aye. Any opposed? Motion

1:45:05carries. Seven ayes to excuse council

1:45:07members Kani'ali'i Kleinfeldt and

1:45:09Viegas. Resolution 733-26

1:45:12is approved.

1:45:13Is there any testimony for resolution

1:45:15734-26?

1:45:18Hearing none, resolution 734-26 repeals

1:45:21resolution number 598-26 and transfers

1:45:24appropriate an appropriation out from a

1:45:25designated fund account and credit same

1:45:27to a designated fund account to add a

1:45:29grant to the Friends of First Responders

1:45:31for the 2026 Robust Conference transfers

1:45:33$5,000 in clerk council services

1:45:35contingency leave for council council

1:45:36district four and credits to the

1:45:38department of control for the problems

1:45:39account introduced by council member

1:45:41Kerkowitz.

1:45:42>> Chair, motion to approve resolution

1:45:43734-26.

1:45:45>> Moved by council member Kerkowitz,

1:45:47seconded by council member Eustace to

1:45:48approve resolution 734-26.

1:45:51Council member Kerkowitz.

1:45:52>> Thank you, chair. Just re-designating

1:45:54this funding that the council has

1:45:55already approved. The conference was

1:45:57postponed because of Tropical Storm

1:45:59Nolo, so it is now rescheduled for

1:46:01December 4th through 6th. Looking for

1:46:03everyone's support. Thank you.

1:46:05>> All those in favor of approving

1:46:06resolution 734-26

1:46:08please say aye. Any opposed? Motion

1:46:11carries. Seven ayes two excused. Council

1:46:13members Conelli, Kleinfelder, and

1:46:15Viegas.

1:46:17Uh, resolution 734-26 is approved.

1:46:20>> Is there any testimony for resolution

1:46:21735-26?

1:46:25Hearing none, resolution 735-26

1:46:27transfers appropriates an appropriation

1:46:29out from a designated fund account

1:46:31credit saint to a designated fund

1:46:32account by the grant to Hawaii Wellness

1:46:34Mobility Network Incorporated for its

1:46:36Holomua Nakeki Rural Early Detection and

1:46:38Access Program transfers $2,500 in

1:46:41Council Services Contingency Leave

1:46:43Account Council District 1 and credits

1:46:45to the Department of Research and

1:46:46Development Hawaii County Resource

1:46:48Center Account introduced by

1:46:49Councilmember Kimble.

1:46:51>> Chair, motion to approve resolution

1:46:52735-26.

1:46:55>> Moved by Councilmember Kimble, seconded

1:46:57by Councilmember Galimba to approve

1:46:59resolution 736-

1:47:02two

1:47:03Sorry, 735-26.

1:47:06Councilmember Kimble.

1:47:08>> Yeah, I just wanted to call uh

1:47:10everyone's attention, especially those

1:47:11of you that has have rural

1:47:14areas within your districts. Um, this is

1:47:16a new organization that I haven't funded

1:47:18with CRF before that came to me. Um, and

1:47:21it's really focused on early

1:47:23detection of childhood illnesses,

1:47:26whether we're talking about

1:47:27developmental

1:47:28or physical

1:47:29disabilities. And I was really impressed

1:47:32by their presentation and their program.

1:47:34Ask for your support in in approving the

1:47:37CRF today, but also encourage you to

1:47:39reach out to them as a potential

1:47:40partner.

1:47:41Um, we all know early detection means

1:47:43early treatment and usually better

1:47:45outcomes. So, I was really impressed

1:47:47with what they're doing and um encourage

1:47:49you all to look into it. Thank you.

1:47:51>> Thank you. All those in favor of

1:47:53approving resolution 735-26,

1:47:56please say aye. Any opposed? Motion

1:47:59carries. Eight eyes, one excused.

1:48:01Councilmember Conelli Kleinfelder.

1:48:03Resolution 735-26

1:48:05is approved.

1:48:06>> Is there any testimony for resolution

1:48:08736-26?

1:48:11Hearing none, resolution 736-26 repeals

1:48:14resolution number 656- 26 and transfers

1:48:17appropriation appropriation out and from

1:48:19designated fund account credit same to

1:48:21designated fund account to Friends of

1:48:23First Responders for the 2026 Robust

1:48:26Conference transfers 2700 Clerk Council

1:48:28Services contingency Council District 9

1:48:31and credits to the part of the control

1:48:32public programs account introduced by

1:48:34Council Member Houstoun.

1:48:36>> Chair moved to approve resolution

1:48:37736-26.

1:48:39>> Second.

1:48:40>> Moved by Council Member Houstoun,

1:48:41seconded by Council Member Kirkowitz to

1:48:43approve resolution 736-26.

1:48:45All those in favor please say aye. Any

1:48:48opposed? Motion carries. 7 ayes to

1:48:50excuse Council Members Conya Lee

1:48:52Kleingartner and Kimble. Resolution

1:48:55736-26

1:48:56is approved.

1:49:01>> Is there any testimony for resolution

1:49:02737-26?

1:49:06Hearing none, resolution 737-26

1:49:08repeals resolution number 618-26 and

1:49:11transfers appropriates an appropriation

1:49:13out from a designated fund account and

1:49:15credit same to designated fund account

1:49:16to write a grant to the Friends of First

1:49:18Responders for the 2026 Robust

1:49:20Conference transfers $10,000 of Clerk

1:49:23Council Services contingency leave

1:49:24account Council District 8 and credit to

1:49:26the part of the control public programs

1:49:28account introduced by Council Member

1:49:29Inaba.

1:49:30>> Moved to approve resolution 737-26.

1:49:33>> Second.

1:49:34>> Moved by Council Member Houstoun,

1:49:35seconded by Council Member Kirkowitz to

1:49:37approve resolution 737-26.

1:49:40All those in favor please say aye. Any

1:49:42opposed? Motion carries. 7 ayes to

1:49:45excuse Council Members Conya Lee

1:49:47Kleingartner and Kimble. Resolution

1:49:49737-26

1:49:51is approved.

1:49:53>> Is there any testimony for resolution

1:49:54738-26?

1:49:59Hearing none, resolution 738-26 repeals

1:50:01resolution number 636-26

1:50:03and transfers appropriates an

1:50:05appropriation out from a designated fund

1:50:06account credit same to a designated fund

1:50:08account to a grant to the Friends of

1:50:10First Responders for its 2026 Robust

1:50:12Conference transfers $5,000 from the

1:50:15Clerk Council Services contingency leave

1:50:16account Council District 2 and credits

1:50:19to part of the control public account,

1:50:21introduced by councilwoman Kagiwada.

1:50:23>> Chair, motion to approve resolution

1:50:24738-26.

1:50:26>> Moved by council member Kagiwada,

1:50:28seconded by council member Hustace to

1:50:29approve resolution 738-26.

1:50:32All those in favor, please say aye. Any

1:50:35opposed? Motion carries. Eight ayes, one

1:50:37excused, council member Kaniela

1:50:39Kleinfeldt. Resolution 738-26

1:50:42is approved.

1:50:43>> Is there any testimony for resolution

1:50:45739-26?

1:50:48Hearing none, resolution 739-26

1:50:51transfers appropriates an appropriation

1:50:52out from a designated fund account

1:50:54credit same to a designated fund account

1:50:55by the grant to the GG Foundation to

1:50:58assist with expenses relating to the

1:50:59Hilo Town Market's fifth anniversary

1:51:01event. Transfers $2,000 to clerk council

1:51:03services contingency leave account,

1:51:05council district two, and credits to the

1:51:07department of liquor control, public

1:51:08programs account, introduced by

1:51:10councilwoman Kagiwada.

1:51:11>> [snorts]

1:51:12>> Chair, motion to approve resolution

1:51:14739-26.

1:51:17>> Moved by council member Kagiwada,

1:51:18seconded by council member Hustace to

1:51:20approve resolution 739-26.

1:51:22Council member Kagiwada.

1:51:23>> Thank you, chair. Just want to invite

1:51:25everybody out tonight for this event.

1:51:28It's happening in Hilo. So, um the Hilo

1:51:31Town Market has been doing this every

1:51:34Friday night for the past five years,

1:51:37bringing people downtown with food

1:51:39trucks and live music and just a really

1:51:42wonderful atmosphere. So, um I just want

1:51:46to thank Mana Mohala who have

1:51:47spearheaded this and happy to support

1:51:50their efforts for the fifth year

1:51:52anniversary tonight. Thank you. I yield.

1:51:55>> Thank you. All those in favor of

1:51:56approving resolution 739-26, please say

1:51:59aye.

1:52:00>> Aye.

1:52:00>> Any opposed? Motion carries. Eight ayes,

1:52:03one excused, council member Kaniela

1:52:04Kleinfeldt. Resolution 739-26

1:52:07is approved.

1:52:09>> Bills for first reading. Is there any

1:52:11testimony for bill 202?

1:52:15Hearing none, bill 202 amends orders

1:52:17number 26-44

1:52:18as amended the operating budget of the

1:52:20county of Hawaii for the fiscal year

1:52:21ending June 30, 2027.

1:52:24Appropriates revenues state grants Kua

1:52:25Bay account 136,319

1:52:28and appropriate same to the following

1:52:29Kua Bay state account salaries and wages

1:52:31124,908

1:52:34and equipment 11,411

1:52:36for total appropriation of 846,063

1:52:40funds be used for costs associated with

1:52:42ocean safety introduced by Councilmember

1:52:44Rebecca Keliʻi Kleinfelter by request.

1:52:46>> Chair move to approve bill

1:52:48at first reading.

1:52:49>> Moved by Councilmember Hustace, seconded

1:52:51by Councilmember Kʻowits to approve bill

1:52:53202 at first reading Councilmember

1:52:55Hustace.

1:52:56>> Thanks Sharon. Chief Wolf is joining us

1:52:57today. Chief you wanted to add any

1:52:59insight into bill 202 here.

1:53:02>> Yeah sure thanks for the invitation our

1:53:05the temporary fire chief Daniel Wolf is

1:53:06so this was just

1:53:08as we prepared budget so far in advance

1:53:10what we had actually did was underfund

1:53:12under budget some of the salary and

1:53:15wages and equipment for Kua Bay. Kua Bay

1:53:17is one of the two beaches with Apuna

1:53:20that is funded by the state. So this was

1:53:22as underbudgeted then as we went through

1:53:24the actual submission process the state

1:53:26recognized that they readjusted their

1:53:28numbers. This is the state providing the

1:53:29additional money. So this is simply

1:53:31adjusting the budget to reflect the

1:53:34money that was provided by the state to

1:53:36fund those beaches.

1:53:37136,000

1:53:39I believe 11,000 in equipment 124 in SNW

1:53:43it just makes sure that the state

1:53:45allocation is reflected accurately

1:53:47within the county's budget.

1:53:49That's the the short version.

1:53:52>> Thank you Chief. Any questions from the

1:53:55membership?

1:53:56Seeing none all those in favor of

1:53:58approving bill 202 at first reading

1:54:01please say aye.

1:54:03Any opposed? Motion carries eight ayes

1:54:05one excused Councilmember Keliʻi

1:54:07Kleinfelter bill 202 is approved at

1:54:10first reading.

1:54:11>> Is there any testimony for bill 203?

1:54:15Hearing none bill 203 amends ordinance

1:54:17number 26-44 as amended the operating

1:54:19budget of the county of Hawaii for the

1:54:21fiscal year ending June 30, 2027

1:54:23appropriates revenues from the office of

1:54:24aging private contributions account

1:54:26$10,000 and the purpose is same to the

1:54:28US aging disaster relief fund private

1:54:31account funds used support older adults

1:54:32in need recovery assistance introduced

1:54:34by council member Kani Kleinfelter by

1:54:36request and this is a companion to

1:54:37resolution 714-26.

1:54:40>> Chair moved to approve bill 203 at first

1:54:42reading.

1:54:43>> Moved by council member Husted, seconded

1:54:46by council member Galimba to approve

1:54:47bill 203 at first reading. All those in

1:54:50favor please say aye. Any opposed?

1:54:53Motion carries. Eight ayes, one excused

1:54:55council member Kani Lee Kleinfelter.

1:54:57Bill 203 is approved at first reading.

1:55:02>> Bills for second or final reading. Is

1:55:03there any testimony for bill 154 draft

1:55:06two?

1:55:11Hearing none, bill 154 draft two amends

1:55:13chapter 25 articles one, five, and seven

1:55:15of the Hawaii County Code 1983 2016

1:55:18edition as amended relating to

1:55:19commercial parking lots and garages

1:55:21remove removes commercial parking lots

1:55:23and garages as a permitted use in the

1:55:24general

1:55:25industrial commercial mixed limited

1:55:27industrial and general industrial zoning

1:55:29districts allows commercial parking lots

1:55:31and garages in the resort hotel zoning

1:55:32district with use permit makes other

1:55:34housekeeping amendments introduced by

1:55:36council council members Ina Ben Viegas.

1:55:38This matter passed first reading October

1:55:4021 2026.

1:55:44>> Uh motion to approve bill 154 draft two

1:55:47at second and final reading.

1:55:49>> Moved by council member Viegas, seconded

1:55:51by council member Kirkwood to approve

1:55:52bill 154 draft two at second and final

1:55:55reading. Council member Viegas.

1:55:56>> Yeah, I first off want to start by

1:55:59thanking you uh Chair Ina

1:56:02for um

1:56:04bringing this legislation forward with

1:56:06me and with the intention of

1:56:09preventative measures to support our

1:56:12community, the small businesses, the

1:56:14economic vitality not only of Kailua

1:56:18Village but of the county as a whole as

1:56:21we continue to navigate boundaries,

1:56:23parameters, requirements, and um

1:56:26best practices for paid parking. And I

1:56:30believe that through all of

1:56:33the steps that have been taken related

1:56:35to this legislation that the areas

1:56:41that need it most are getting covered

1:56:43and those for whatever you know for

1:56:46their own personal reasons on the east

1:56:48side asking to be exempted.

1:56:52I'm good with that. So I just ask for

1:56:54everyone's support in moving this

1:56:56through a second and final reading.

1:57:00>> Any further discussion? Seeing none, all

1:57:02those in favor of approving Bill 154

1:57:05draft two at second and final reading,

1:57:07please say aye.

1:57:08Any opposed?

1:57:10Okay, let's do a roll call vote please.

1:57:12>> On the motion to pass Bill 154 draft two

1:57:15in second and final reading, Council

1:57:17Member Galimba.

1:57:17>> No.

1:57:19>> Council Member Hustace.

1:57:20>> Aye.

1:57:21>> Council Member Kagiwada.

1:57:25>> Aye.

1:57:26>> Council Member Connolly Kleinfeldt.

1:57:28Council Member Kirkowits.

1:57:29>> Aye.

1:57:30>> Council Member Kimble.

1:57:31>> Aye.

1:57:32>> Vice Chair Onishi.

1:57:33>> No.

1:57:34>> Council Member Riegels.

1:57:35>> Aye.

1:57:36>> Chair Inaba.

1:57:37>> Aye.

1:57:37>> Chair Inaba, you have

1:57:40six votes in favor,

1:57:42two opposed. Those being Council Members

1:57:43Galimba, Vice Chair Onishi,

1:57:46and Council Member Connolly Kleinfeldt

1:57:47absent. The motion carries. Bill 154

1:57:49draft two passes second and final

1:57:51reading.

1:57:52>> Thank you. Bill 193 please.

1:57:55Is there any testimony for Bill 193?

1:58:01Hearing none, Bill 193 amends Chapter

1:58:03two, Article 25 Section 2-137 of the

1:58:06Hawaii County Code 1983 2016 edition as

1:58:09amended relating to appropriation of

1:58:11funds to nonprofit organizations.

1:58:13Specifies that nonprofit organizations

1:58:15whose governing board members receive

1:58:16compensation for their governance duties

1:58:18are ineligible to receive county grant

1:58:20funds introduced by Council Member Inaba

1:58:21and Kimble

1:58:23this past first reading October 21 2026.

1:58:26>> Chair, motion to approve Bill 193 at

1:58:29second and final reading.

1:58:31>> Moved by Council Member Kimball,

1:58:32seconded by Council Member Houstis to

1:58:34approve Bill 193 at second and final

1:58:36reading. All those in favor, please say

1:58:38aye.

1:58:39Any opposed? Motion carries. Eight eyes,

1:58:41one excused, Council Member Conelli

1:58:43Kleinfelder. Bill 193 is approved at

1:58:46second and final reading.

1:58:47>> Is there any testimony for Bill 196?

1:58:52Hearing none, Bill 196 amends orders

1:58:54number 26-44 the operating budget of the

1:58:56county of for the fiscal year ending

1:58:58June 30, 2027 appropriates an estate

1:59:01grants coffee berry borer coffee leaf

1:59:02rust pesticide subsidy program account

1:59:04$150,000

1:59:06and appropriates the same to the coffee

1:59:07berry borer coffee leaf rust pesticide

1:59:09subsidy program account introduced by

1:59:11Council Member Conelli Kleinfelder by

1:59:12request in this past first reading

1:59:14October 21, 2026.

1:59:17>> I move to approve Bill 196 at second and

1:59:19final reading.

1:59:21>> Moved by Council Member Houstis,

1:59:23seconded by Council Member Kirkwood to

1:59:24approve Bill 196 at second and final

1:59:26reading. All those in favor, please say

1:59:28aye. Any opposed? Motion carries. Eight

1:59:31eyes, one excused, Council Member

1:59:33Conelli Kleinfelder. Bill 196 is

1:59:35approved at second and final reading.

1:59:38>> Is there any testimony for Bill 197?

1:59:42Hearing none, Bill 197 amends chapter 19

1:59:45article 7 of the White County Code 1983

1:59:472016 edition as amended relating to

1:59:49temporary real property tax amnesty for

1:59:52certain hosted transient vacation

1:59:53rentals.

1:59:54Establishes a tax amnesty for properties

1:59:56that have existing vacation rentals in

1:59:58violation of the restrictions of the

1:59:59homeowner class, requires either ceasing

2:00:02the rental activity or properly

2:00:03registering the rental activity without

2:00:04being assessed for back taxes,

2:00:06penalties, and interest.

2:00:08Introduced by Council Member Kimball,

2:00:09this matter passed first reading October

2:00:1021, 2026.

2:00:13>> Chair, motion to approve Bill 197 at

2:00:16second and final reading.

2:00:19>> Moved by Council Member Kimball,

2:00:20seconded by Council Member Galimba to

2:00:22approve Bill 197 at second and final

2:00:25reading. Council Member Kimball.

2:00:26>> Yeah, thank you.

2:00:28We do have administrator here to answer

2:00:30any of your questions regarding this

2:00:32bill

2:00:33um but it is meant to provide some

2:00:36reprieve to folks that

2:00:38through despite our best efforts to

2:00:40educate and make them aware that

2:00:42operating a transient vacation rental

2:00:44does

2:00:45cause you to lose your homeowner's tax

2:00:47class

2:00:48um that that they will lose that once

2:00:51the registration process um this bill

2:00:54gives people the opportunity to either

2:00:55say you know what I don't want to lose

2:00:57it I'm going to sign an affidavit saying

2:00:59I'm not going to do TVRs anymore and

2:01:01then they won't have this loss of the

2:01:02homeowner's tax class um or just

2:01:05acknowledge that they're they're going

2:01:06to do it and they're going to register

2:01:08and that consequences that that moves

2:01:10forward but then they're not liable for

2:01:12any rollback or penalties um I will note

2:01:15that

2:01:17as of right now and administrator mirror

2:01:19can confirm this like self-reporting has

2:01:22been handled in this way by the um

2:01:25office and so this is actually just

2:01:28aligning that and there has been some

2:01:30requests from the public to you know

2:01:31codify basically the procedures that are

2:01:33happening in our PT right now with this

2:01:36um this amnesty program you know the

2:01:37people that it protects are the

2:01:39long-time homeowners the aunties uncles

2:01:42tutus that have been

2:01:44you know living here for a long time

2:01:45they decide oh my kids gone off to

2:01:47college I'm going to rent for a little

2:01:48bit and they just didn't realize that

2:01:50there were these significant tax

2:01:52implications so

2:01:54um you know I

2:01:55leave it up to the body to decide of

2:01:56course but I do ask that you seriously

2:01:58consider supporting this and providing

2:02:00some reprieves for some of our long-time

2:02:02residents thank you

2:02:04fail

2:02:06>> thank you council member Kimball vice

2:02:07chair onishi

2:02:08>> thank you chair can I get property tax

2:02:11planning and corporation council up to

2:02:13the table

2:02:18and folks can pull the one chair up from

2:02:20the audience area

2:02:22thank you

2:02:27corporation council

2:02:45>> Vice Chair Onishi, you can proceed.

2:02:47>> Yeah. Okay.

2:02:48So with this legislation,

2:02:51it has here

2:02:54December 31st, 2026.

2:02:57[clears throat]

2:02:58I'm going to be proposing legislation

2:03:00coming up for chapter six. Director

2:03:03knows how will that affect with this

2:03:07bill because we're going to be pushing

2:03:09back, right, the deadline.

2:03:13[clears throat]

2:03:14And yeah, I think Chair, I think you got

2:03:16to give us some leeway because of

2:03:18if this might have to be postponed, I

2:03:20think I I don't That's why Corporation

2:03:23Council is also up here. Okay, go ahead,

2:03:24director.

2:03:25>> Thank you. So maybe just to to set the

2:03:28put us all on the same page, I believe

2:03:30Vice Chair Onishi is talking about an a

2:03:32bill to extend

2:03:34the registration date for short-term

2:03:36vacation rentals. [snorts] So just

2:03:39director, if you can answer his

2:03:40question, please.

2:03:42>> If if you could Sorry about that, Vice

2:03:45Chair Onishi, if you could repeat the

2:03:47question.

2:03:48>> Okay. So basically

2:03:50I have an amendment that we showed you

2:03:52on chapter six extending the deadline

2:03:55for it, I guess

2:03:57enforcement enforcement to next year.

2:04:01And so if we pass this now,

2:04:04right, and there's a deadline of

2:04:07December 31st,

2:04:09there might be conflicts.

2:04:15>> So as the bill, Lisa Mair, Real Property

2:04:17Tax Administrator, as the bill is

2:04:19written now for bill 197,

2:04:22despite if

2:04:26another bill does extend for planning,

2:04:28they can still register next year. They

2:04:30just don't get the amnesty.

2:04:32So we would adjust the current year's

2:04:34taxes.

2:04:36>> Okay,

2:04:36>> so

2:04:37>> Vice Chair Onishi, I

2:04:39>> Um, I was reminded this that we don't

2:04:42have that bill before us. So just

2:04:44looking at the bill that is before us,

2:04:46bill 197, understanding what legislation

2:04:50you may be introducing, you can either

2:04:54work with the introducer if there's an

2:04:56amendment to this current bill

2:04:58that would work in line with what you

2:05:00would be introducing um or just vote as

2:05:03you feel you need to on the bill as it

2:05:05is presented before us.

2:05:08>> As as chair mentioned, so your thoughts.

2:05:12>> So as the bill is before us, this

2:05:14amnesty would only go till December

2:05:1631st, 2026.

2:05:18>> Okay.

2:05:19>> Anything found next year

2:05:21>> Okay.

2:05:21>> we would have to do the current year for

2:05:2327 tax year.

2:05:25>> Okay. Cuz you know, to me I I see

2:05:27there's going to be some conflict, some

2:05:30some

2:05:31people are not going to understand,

2:05:33right? And so

2:05:37I don't know if we should like extend

2:05:40this deadline that matches the proposed

2:05:44deadline

2:05:45and

2:05:48might need some help on that.

2:05:54>> In looking at what the numbers are now

2:05:57for the hosted short-term vacation

2:05:58rental, if the goal is to

2:06:03encourage homeowners to not be worried

2:06:07about their real property taxes, Council

2:06:10may wish to extend bill 197

2:06:13to December 31st, 2027

2:06:17because it would

2:06:18our office would need to adjust next

2:06:20year's taxes. When they come forward as

2:06:24Council Member Kimble said, we

2:06:26don't roll back.

2:06:27>> Right.

2:06:28>> However, it it would be nice to be

2:06:30written to be clear for the public, so

2:06:32there's

2:06:33you know, there's no fear about what the

2:06:35real property tax office is going to do

2:06:37cuz going by the code,

2:06:39we could go back two years with reviews

2:06:42that are noted and they're going to come

2:06:43up.

2:06:45>> Yeah, and so

2:06:47I see there could be some confusion. So

2:06:50any comments from Corporation Council?

2:06:55>> [clears throat]

2:06:56>> Assistant Corporation Council, um

2:06:59I think the recommendation is sound just

2:07:01made by Ms. Miro that pushing it back.

2:07:03>> If the council so desires, yes.

2:07:05>> Okay. And Director, you'll be okay with

2:07:07that?

2:07:11>> Definitely supportive of again trying to

2:07:16provide more

2:07:17time

2:07:19to be able to allow this process to work

2:07:22out including matching deadlines. That

2:07:26would be good.

2:07:28Um your

2:07:30the thought of differing deadlines is

2:07:32confusing. It's better to just have one

2:07:35deadline

2:07:36which applies across the board.

2:07:39>> Okay.

2:07:43Alan Trudemaker?

2:07:45>> Yeah, if if I may respond. You know,

2:07:47thinking

2:07:49about how this

2:07:49>> Vice Chair O'Neal, should do you have

2:07:51the floor.

2:07:51>> Yeah, I'm

2:07:52>> Okay, so council member Campbell, you

2:07:53have the floor now.

2:07:54>> Thank you.

2:07:55Um I actually just asked council member

2:07:57Glemba to see if her staff could quickly

2:08:00do an amendment to move this to the 31st

2:08:03of 2027.

2:08:05That's perfectly acceptable and even if

2:08:09the assembly way chair there were not an

2:08:11amendment in the future to extend out

2:08:12the registration process, I think that

2:08:15even

2:08:17not even having this deadline further

2:08:19out would still be okay, right? If that

2:08:21bill came about and whether or not it

2:08:22passed. So if folks are okay with

2:08:25tabling this for a second, we can come

2:08:26back to it with an amendment. Of course,

2:08:29I'm not going to support bill 23 waiver

2:08:31again, but or rule 23, but um if that's

2:08:34acceptable, we can wait for a minute and

2:08:36table this.

2:08:36>> Yeah.

2:08:37>> Okay.

2:08:38>> Before we take that motion, just want to

2:08:40make sure every, if anyone else has a

2:08:43comment at this time. Okay.

2:08:46Oh, council member Kim, Rebecca, Rebecca

2:08:48Villegas.

2:08:49>> Yeah, I just want to thank you for

2:08:51taking the time and for council member

2:08:53Calimba for jumping on putting on that

2:08:56one year

2:08:58added leeway and hopefully that provides

2:09:01some support and relief

2:09:03for planning and real property tax.

2:09:07>> A motion please to table bill 197.

2:09:10>> Can I make a motion to table bill 197

2:09:15till

2:09:16end

2:09:16>> We're just going to table it.

2:09:17>> Okay, just table it? Okay.

2:09:19>> Okay. Moved by vice chair Onishi,

2:09:21seconded by council member Kim vote to

2:09:23table bill 197. All those in favor

2:09:26please say aye.

2:09:27>> Aye.

2:09:27>> Any opposed? Motion carries eight ayes,

2:09:30one excuse. Council member Connie Lee

2:09:32Kleinfelder, bill 197 is tabled.

2:09:38>> Is there any testimony for bill 198?

2:09:43Hearing none, bill 198 an amends

2:09:45ordinance number 26-44 as amended the

2:09:47operating budget of the county of Hawaii

2:09:49for the fiscal year ending June 30 2027

2:09:51appropriate as an federal grants

2:09:53Kukuiaola supportive housing project

2:09:55account

2:09:561,892,000

2:09:57and appropriate to same to the Kukuiaola

2:09:59supportive housing project account funds

2:10:01used to assist the planning design and

2:10:03construction of the Kukuiaola supportive

2:10:05housing project introduced by council

2:10:06member Connie Lee Kleinfelder by

2:10:07request.

2:10:09This matter passed first reading on

2:10:10October 21 2026 and its companion to

2:10:12resolution 694-26.

2:10:15>> Chair moved to approve bill 198 at

2:10:18second and final reading.

2:10:19>> Moved by council member Huesis, seconded

2:10:21by council member Kirkwood to approve

2:10:23bill 198 at second and final reading.

2:10:25All those in favor please say aye. Any

2:10:27opposed? Motion carries eight ayes, one

2:10:29excuse. Council member Connie Lee

2:10:31Kleinfelder, bill 198 is approved at

2:10:34second and final reading.

2:10:40>> Is there any testimony for bill 199 two.

2:10:46Hearing none, bill 199 draft two amends

2:10:49chapter 14 of the Hawaii County code

2:10:511983 2016 edition as amended by adding a

2:10:54new article relating to the

2:10:55establishment of a historic place marker

2:10:56program,

2:10:58the planning department to administer a

2:10:59historic place marker program, requires

2:11:01the department of department of public

2:11:02works to install and maintain historic

2:11:04place markers, requires the department

2:11:06of research and development to support

2:11:07the program through research and

2:11:08outreach, requires the submission of a

2:11:10historic place marker implementation

2:11:12implementation plan within 18 months,

2:11:14and requires the installation of all

2:11:16historic place markers within six months

2:11:18thereafter.

2:11:19Introduced by council member Karkowits

2:11:20and you know about this matter passed

2:11:22first reading October 21 2026.

2:11:25>> Chair, motion to approve bill 199 draft

2:11:28two at second and final reading.

2:11:30>> Second.

2:11:30>> Moved by council member Karkowits,

2:11:32seconded by council member Hustace to

2:11:33approve a bill 199 draft two at second

2:11:36and final reading. Council member

2:11:37Karkowits.

2:11:38>> Thank you, chair, for the collaboration

2:11:40on this particular bill, and I

2:11:41appreciate the support and encouragement

2:11:43from my colleagues and members of the

2:11:44community

2:11:46um for this particular piece of

2:11:47legislation which would really honor um

2:11:50place names in Ma'o Lele through the

2:11:52installation of markers that designate

2:11:54Moku and Ahupua'a around Hawaii Island.

2:11:57Um that is the start. That is the goal.

2:11:59We're hoping to build an online

2:12:00directory where we can collect these

2:12:02stories so that they can be accessible

2:12:03to residents and visitors in perpetuity.

2:12:06Um I really appreciate research and

2:12:08development and planning department for

2:12:10taking a strong lead in helping to build

2:12:12out the plan that engages community so

2:12:15we can identify where these signs are

2:12:17most appropriately located and the hard

2:12:19work of the public works department to

2:12:21install these signs. Um there was a

2:12:23request by the department of public

2:12:25works to allow for additional time

2:12:28beyond six months to install the

2:12:30signage. They've requested 24 months. Um

2:12:33director Azevedo feels very confident he

2:12:35could do it in six, but um director

2:12:37Segawa has requested that we put in code

2:12:40that they be allowed the 24 months just

2:12:42in case something happens. So at this

2:12:44time, I will be making a motion to amend

2:12:46bill 199 draft two with the contents of

2:12:49communication 1095.10.

2:12:54>> Moved by council member Kerkowitz,

2:12:56seconded by vice chair Onishi to amend

2:12:58bill 199 draft two with the contents of

2:13:01communication 1095

2:13:03point 10 council member Kerkowitz.

2:13:06>> Thank you. Again, chair, this would

2:13:08allow the department of public works 24

2:13:10months to install historic markers

2:13:13following the transmittal of the

2:13:15implementation plan to the council. I

2:13:17see Mr. Takaba on Zoom with his hand

2:13:20raised.

2:13:21Hi Aaron, thanks for joining us.

2:13:25>> Uh yes, hi. This Aaron Takaba from the

2:13:27traffic division.

2:13:29I just wanted to start by thanking

2:13:31council for uh not only being

2:13:33considerate towards the culturally

2:13:35significant program, but also being

2:13:37sensitive to the impacts this program

2:13:39will have on our workforce. I think

2:13:41having two years to complete

2:13:44the installation of the signs provides a

2:13:46more reasonable time frame

2:13:48for a scope of work that, you know, is

2:13:49not real clear at this point. So I

2:13:52appreciate that. And it also provides

2:13:54time to uh to find sufficient funding.

2:13:58And you know, perhaps, you know, what I

2:14:00would have liked to have seen maybe was

2:14:01a little uh amendment to section 14 D to

2:14:05maybe include the wording uh when

2:14:09budget and labor allows just to set the

2:14:12expectation that it's going to take

2:14:14those things to successfully carry out

2:14:16the program. But

2:14:17um I do appreciate the additional

2:14:20uh 18 more months that you or sorry, 24

2:14:23months that you provided. Thank you.

2:14:26>> Thank you, Mr. Takaba, for your

2:14:28comments. Really appreciate um the

2:14:29administration making this a priority.

2:14:31And I do want to remind um public works

2:14:34that in addition to your workforce,

2:14:36there has been um

2:14:39communication from the State Department

2:14:41of Transportation to approach this work

2:14:43in a collaborative way. So I do hope

2:14:45that we take advantage of their

2:14:46workforce and their kokua to make this

2:14:49um happen collectively and expediently

2:14:51on our island. Thank you, Chair. Looking

2:14:53for everyone's support. I yield.

2:14:56>> Seeing no further lights on, all those

2:14:58in favor of approving Bill 199 Draft 2

2:15:01at second and final reading, please say

2:15:03aye.

2:15:03>> I'm Chair, we're on the amendment right

2:15:05now.

2:15:05>> Oh my goodness. Sorry, getting ahead of

2:15:07myself. All right, all those in favor of

2:15:09amending Bill 199 Draft 2 with the

2:15:11contents of Communication 1095.10

2:15:14PCI.

2:15:15Any opposed?

2:15:17Motion carries. Seven ayes, two excused

2:15:20council members

2:15:22Caley, Kleinfelder, and Galimba.

2:15:26We're at second and final reading.

2:15:30>> Chair, motion to

2:15:32waive rule 23 of our or suspend council

2:15:34rules um 23 so we can continue

2:15:37discussion and deliberation on the bill.

2:15:39>> Moved by Council Member Kirkwood,

2:15:40seconded by Vice Chair Onishi to suspend

2:15:43rule 23 for further discussion on Bill

2:15:45199 Draft 2.

2:15:49Mr. Clerk, roll call vote, please.

2:15:52>> On the motion to suspend the rules

2:15:54Council Member Galimba.

2:15:57>> Council Member Hustace.

2:15:58>> No.

2:15:59>> Council Member Kagiwada.

2:16:00>> Aye.

2:16:02>> Council Member Caley Kleinfelder.

2:16:04>> Council Member Kirkwood.

2:16:05>> Aye.

2:16:05>> Council Member Kimball.

2:16:07>> No.

2:16:08>> Vice Chair Onishi.

2:16:09>> Aye.

2:16:10>> Council Member Viegas.

2:16:12>> Aye.

2:16:13>> Chair Inaba.

2:16:14>> Aye.

2:16:15>> Chair Inaba, you have five votes in

2:16:17favor.

2:16:18Council Members Hustace and Kimball

2:16:20opposed.

2:16:22And Council Members Galimba and Caley

2:16:24Kleinfelder absent.

2:16:26And now I'm trying to figure out if

2:16:28that's two-thirds vote of those of those

2:16:30present. Let's see. Help me with some

2:16:32math here.

2:16:34Five out of seven.

2:16:35>> Yes.

2:16:36>> Okay. Motion carries.

2:16:40Thank you. Thank goodness we have a good

2:16:42clerk.

2:16:45And I do want to take the opportunity

2:16:47Well, where are we now, Mr. Clerk?

2:16:50>> We are back to the motion um to pass

2:16:52bill 199 draft 2 as amended on second

2:16:55final reading.

2:16:56>> All right. Thank you.

2:16:57Any further discussion?

2:16:59Seeing none, all those in favor of

2:17:01approving bill 199 draft 2 at second and

2:17:04final reading, please say aye. Any

2:17:06opposed? Motion carries.

2:17:09Seven eyes, two excused council members

2:17:11Connie Lee Klein Felder and Galimba.

2:17:15Bill 199 draft 2 is approved at second

2:17:18and final reading. Before I forget, I do

2:17:20want to take the opportunity to

2:17:22recognize our clerk for his good work

2:17:25and actually today he makes the second

2:17:29longest serving clerk that our county

2:17:31has ever had since the beginning of our

2:17:34charter. So thank you clerk Hendricks

2:17:36for your good work. We're sure you will

2:17:39surpass the record in a few years.

2:17:45Some people keep track and they let me

2:17:47know. Thank you.

2:17:51>> Is there any testimony for bill 200?

2:17:56Hearing none, bill 200 amends chapter 14

2:17:58of the Hawaii County Code 1983 2016

2:18:01edition as amended by adding new article

2:18:02relating to establishment of a Mo'olelo

2:18:05interpretation program allows

2:18:07interpretation of installations on

2:18:09county property introduced by council

2:18:11member Kikaowitz. First reading was

2:18:12October 21 2026.

2:18:15>> Chair, motion to approve bill 200 on

2:18:17second and final reading.

2:18:19>> Moved by council member Kikaowitz,

2:18:20seconded by council member Houstis to

2:18:22approve bill 200 at second and final

2:18:24reading. Council member Kikaowitz.

2:18:28>> Thank you, chair.

2:18:29We've had robust discussion in committee

2:18:31and first reading about this, but just

2:18:33to remind the community that may be

2:18:34tuning in, this bill would establish a

2:18:36process for Hawaii Island residents and

2:18:39organizations to submit proposals and

2:18:41plans to the county to pitch murals and

2:18:45interpretive signage that showcases the

2:18:47Mo'olelo of an aina to be installed at

2:18:49county facilities island wide. So just

2:18:51really excited about the opportunity to

2:18:54provide this tool to residents and

2:18:56organizations to lift up stories um and

2:18:58history and cultural heritage um

2:19:01island-wide.

2:19:02Looking for everyone's continued

2:19:03support. Thank you, Chair.

2:19:05>> All those in favor of approving bill two

2:19:08zero zero at second and final reading,

2:19:10please say aye. Any opposed? Motion

2:19:13carries. Eight ayes, one excused council

2:19:15member Connelly Klein Felder. Bill 200

2:19:18is approved at second and final reading.

2:19:20>> And to reward you for your compliment,

2:19:22I'm going to acknowledge I made an

2:19:23error.

2:19:27A rule suspension requires two-thirds

2:19:29vote of the entire membership regardless

2:19:31of who's present. So therefore, I would

2:19:34like for you to announce that the vote

2:19:36on bill 199 draft two is void

2:19:39and it will be held over for second and

2:19:41final reading on November 18th.

2:19:44>> Understood.

2:19:45>> I'm not sure if this is proper motion to

2:19:47reconsider the

2:19:50uh waiver of bill

2:19:51>> Then you're going to make me get out a

2:19:52little book and find out if

2:19:54reconsideration of a rule suspension is

2:19:56appropriate. If I would need a I would

2:19:58need a I would require a recess cuz

2:20:01>> Let's proceed with bill 201 and then

2:20:04we'll look that up. Thank you, council

2:20:05member Kimble.

2:20:07>> Okay.

2:20:08Is there any testimony for bill 201?

2:20:15Hearing none, bill 201 amends ordinance

2:20:18number 26-45 relating to public

2:20:21improvements and financing thereof for

2:20:22the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027

2:20:25as the mass transit agency Kailua Kona

2:20:27hub and park and ride facility project

2:20:29$5 million to the capital budget. Funds

2:20:31for this project provided from general

2:20:33obligation bonds, capital project fund,

2:20:35fund balance under the sources

2:20:37introduced by council member Connelly

2:20:38Klein Felder by request. This passed

2:20:40first reading October 21, 2026 and

2:20:42requires a two-thirds vote of the entire

2:20:44membership to amend.

2:20:46>> Chair, motion to approve bill 201 at

2:20:48second and final reading.

2:20:50>> Moved by council member Hestus,

2:20:53seconded by vice chair Onishi to approve

2:20:56bill 201 second and final reading.

2:21:00>> Chair.

2:21:02>> Go ahead.

2:21:03>> Thank you, Chair. The

2:21:05we didn't have administrator Burham

2:21:06online with us. He wasn't able to join

2:21:08us in committee when this first came up.

2:21:10And

2:21:11he was here with us last time, but we

2:21:12wanted to give yourself, Chair, and

2:21:14Councilman Reviegas an opportunity to

2:21:16kind of hear the presentation from

2:21:18administrator Burham on the specific

2:21:19facility

2:21:21during this time. So thank you. Thanks,

2:21:23administrator.

2:21:26>> Thank you. And just to confirm, you

2:21:27folks did receive this presentation

2:21:29prior. Okay, got it. I did have the

2:21:31opportunity to meet with

2:21:33administrator, but

2:21:35we'll take it off with a quick summary

2:21:37administrator for Councilmember

2:21:39Reviegas.

2:21:43>> Yes, good morning

2:21:44Chair and council members. Thank you for

2:21:46allowing me to be here today. My name is

2:21:48Zack Burham, administrator for Mass

2:21:49Transit Agency.

2:21:51So I do got a few slides. Can you see

2:21:53them?

2:21:55>> Yes, we can.

2:21:56>> Okay, perfect.

2:21:59So yeah, so I'll go to the next slide

2:22:01here.

2:22:08Here we go.

2:22:10All right. So

2:22:12in close coordination with the mayor's

2:22:14office too, as well as our project

2:22:16liaison Mark Rosanowski, you know, we've

2:22:18been really just putting our heads

2:22:20together, trying to find a viable and

2:22:23safe location

2:22:25for the for the hub park and ride. As

2:22:27you know, the park and ride right now is

2:22:31on the Loku Street, which is behind

2:22:32Target in Kona.

2:22:34It doesn't have a shelter.

2:22:36There's no benches. There's no shade.

2:22:38There's no lighting. It's, you know,

2:22:40it's it's not a viable location for a

2:22:44park and ride, which has been operating

2:22:45as a temporary for the past few years.

2:22:49But we do have an opportunity that has

2:22:51came about. And so this is the site

2:22:54location that we're looking at.

2:22:57This location is roughly 3.1 acres of

2:23:00land.

2:23:03It's near the, it's on the backside of

2:23:05Tony Honda. It's off Kuakini highway

2:23:08and of which is about 0.6 of a mile from

2:23:12its from the Likelike Street

2:23:15stop currently,

2:23:16which is also about 0.4 of a mile from

2:23:19KTA. So the location is is really

2:23:22central to a lot of things

2:23:25as well as giving the opportunities for

2:23:27riders and also

2:23:29visitors utilizing the park and ride.

2:23:34So currently this location is a, it's a

2:23:36parking lot. So it's used heavily for

2:23:39for example like Iron Man when that's

2:23:41about, you know, people do utilize it

2:23:43for that. But as you can see here the

2:23:45top portion is Kuakini Highway. The

2:23:47buses would be able to turn off of the

2:23:49highway, which is great also is we would

2:23:52not stop traffic. We can come off of the

2:23:54highway and then loop around and you can

2:23:56see where two buses would be staged as

2:23:59well as a shelter.

2:24:02The bottom half of the

2:24:05the parking lot would include about 94

2:24:07parking stalls to also include ADA.

2:24:11The top half of the parking lot would

2:24:13include additional parking,

2:24:16but also

2:24:17that next portion would also allow us to

2:24:20move forward with the charging

2:24:22infrastructure for battery electric

2:24:24buses, which you can kind of see here on

2:24:25the left hand side.

2:24:27And then on the the right hand side,

2:24:30this would be like a training pad. So

2:24:32currently we don't have a

2:24:35we don't have a designated place to

2:24:37conduct training or staging of buses or

2:24:39anything like that. So on the west side

2:24:41of the island. So this would give us

2:24:43that opportunity. This would also give

2:24:45us the the great opportunity to do

2:24:47further training with drivers, get them

2:24:49off the road and we can perform all of

2:24:51those functions as necessary.

2:24:57And so this talks a little bit more

2:24:58about the the different phases, the two

2:25:01phased approach with this project. So,

2:25:03uh the bottom half, like I mentioned,

2:25:05would include 94 parking stalls to

2:25:07include uh two bus um designated areas

2:25:11as well as a shelter.

2:25:13And then uh in the meantime, the uh the

2:25:15top portion would be utilized for bus

2:25:17staging and also driver training until

2:25:19we could get it asphalted with

2:25:21everything like I just mentioned on the

2:25:22previous slide. Doing it this way also

2:25:25to kind of have it into two separate

2:25:27projects is it allows us to um move

2:25:30forward with the exempt list of my a

2:25:32minor permitting path um to to speed

2:25:35things along a little bit to get this in

2:25:37use.

2:25:43So, what is Kona get? So,

2:25:46currently right now on the local street,

2:25:48we're talking this is where nine

2:25:50different routes verge,

2:25:52which is roughly about 700 people a day.

2:25:56So, this is it's a high traffic area and

2:25:59like I mentioned, you know, this this is

2:26:01something that's been needed for quite

2:26:03some time. Um it's going to be safer and

2:26:06uh you know, more operationally

2:26:08effective as well.

2:26:10And then when you think about the park

2:26:11and ride function also,

2:26:13this gets cars off of the road. We want

2:26:16to promote the park and ride. We want

2:26:18less cars on the road, so there's not as

2:26:20much congestion as well.

2:26:22Um so it keeps that flow moving forward.

2:26:25And then of course, we would have

2:26:27security which would be on site. Uh we

2:26:29would move this the current security to

2:26:31this location uh to provide oversight as

2:26:34well.

2:26:38And then if we're able to move forward

2:26:40with land acquisition, um that is a

2:26:42rough cost of about $5 million for land

2:26:45acquisition, which we're looking at

2:26:47general go bonds and CIP. We also do

2:26:50have um in our GET budget $500,000 which

2:26:54would also help for the planning,

2:26:55design, and startup of this project.

2:26:59And then of course also moving forward,

2:27:01you know, pursuing grant uh

2:27:03possibilities as well.

2:27:09And this brings me to my my last slide

2:27:12and if we're able to to move forward

2:27:14with bill 201 to add the Kona hub but

2:27:17slash park and ride

2:27:19uh to the west side but this ultimately

2:27:21gives the multi-modal transit hub

2:27:24um as well as the park and ride and a

2:27:26home base for helion operations on the

2:27:28Kona side which is

2:27:30uh much needed so

2:27:32but yeah that's other than that that is

2:27:34my last slide thank you very much for

2:27:35your time today I really do appreciate

2:27:37it.

2:27:40>> Thank you administrator.

2:27:41Um

2:27:42council member Eustis you have the

2:27:43floor.

2:27:44>> you chair. Thank you. Thank you

2:27:45administrator Berg I appreciate you

2:27:47going through the presentation there and

2:27:48and presenting to the the body here in

2:27:50this space.

2:27:51Um

2:27:52pretty exciting to see this move forward

2:27:55and provide this opportunity for the

2:27:56west side

2:27:57particularly the the Kailua Kona area.

2:28:00Could you speak in terms of the

2:28:01alignment with the um the master plan

2:28:03for mass transit and kind of the

2:28:05connection of these pieces because this

2:28:06is

2:28:07I I believe helping to move some of that

2:28:09dialogue forward and I you know really

2:28:11building out hub and spoke and kind of

2:28:13really providing on some of the systems

2:28:15you're trying to meet in community.

2:28:17>> Yeah this really thank you council

2:28:19member Eustis this really falls in

2:28:21alignment with the master plan and what

2:28:24is needed

2:28:25um when you think of the hub and spoke

2:28:27this is something that is is been needed

2:28:29for quite some time this is where these

2:28:32routes will verge together and then and

2:28:35then reach out to the community and

2:28:36bring them back to a hub where then they

2:28:38can transition maybe if somebody lives

2:28:40on the other side of the island they can

2:28:41catch a route that'll take them there.

2:28:43Um

2:28:44you know this topic has been something

2:28:48that's been ongoing for the past couple

2:28:49of years and space availability has been

2:28:51something that's just been

2:28:53um kind of smooth

2:28:55slow rolling.

2:28:56Um and so this is one that that's came

2:28:58about we're right in alignment with the

2:29:00master plan and bringing this online and

2:29:03um you know having something on the west

2:29:05side of the island is is just a start of

2:29:07it. You know, we we we do talk about

2:29:09hubs being in the Pahoa area as well as

2:29:12Keaau, as well as Waimea.

2:29:15Um, but those are all to come and this

2:29:17is just one one step of that process.

2:29:20>> Well, thank you for for moving that

2:29:22along, that conversation forward and

2:29:23working with the administration to to

2:29:25really pursue this this opportunity.

2:29:27Thank you, administrator.

2:29:28>> Thank you.

2:29:30>> Council Member Villegas.

2:29:32>> Yeah, I want to echo the sentiments of

2:29:34gratitude, uh, administrator.

2:29:38Wow, we're finally getting there. Um, I

2:29:41am deeply grateful, uh, for the progress

2:29:45on this project and for Lonnie Hall

2:29:47Properties willingness and openness to

2:29:51sell this property to the county.

2:29:54For years, we've been looking at the

2:29:57transportation plan and also for years

2:30:00I've been getting emails and phone calls

2:30:02from people

2:30:04really disappointed in the lack of even

2:30:07any shelter at the bus stop by Target

2:30:09and, um, seen a number of different

2:30:12places, a number of different

2:30:13presentations.

2:30:15And I think that this is, um, I don't

2:30:19know if there's ever a perfect place for

2:30:21anything anymore, but being central in

2:30:24the heart of Kona, providing full access

2:30:28when you think of the way the roads go

2:30:30with Kuakini and the old Industrial and

2:30:33then even Kona Commons and utilizing

2:30:35Palani Road, I think this does become

2:30:39uh,

2:30:41a really good place for a hub to be

2:30:43located. Um, I know there are a number

2:30:45of other events that happen in Kona

2:30:48during the year who have worked with the

2:30:50current landowner in order to utilize

2:30:52that space for parking for their events.

2:30:55Um, so perhaps there will be opportunity

2:30:58to work with the county directly moving

2:31:00forward, but I just want to express my

2:31:03gratitude. It's kind of been a good week

2:31:05for having things that have been in

2:31:08progress for many years start coming to

2:31:11fruition

2:31:12uh to benefit the

2:31:16really vast growth

2:31:18in

2:31:19Kailua-Kona um and with the price of

2:31:22real estate

2:31:24I would say that this is uh

2:31:27it's it's a really good deal for us to

2:31:29be able to acquire this property in the

2:31:31heart of town. So I'll be in full

2:31:33support and I yield.

2:31:35>> Thank you council member.

2:31:37All righty uh thanks again administrator

2:31:39for being here and walking us through

2:31:41that presentation again.

2:31:43Um we are ready to take action. All

2:31:45those in favor of approving bill 201 at

2:31:48second and final reading

2:31:50please say aye.

2:31:52Any opposed?

2:31:54Motion carries eight ayes, one excused

2:31:57council member Kaniella Kleinfeldt there

2:31:58bill 201 is approved at second and final

2:32:01reading.

2:32:03Uh I am going to take the opportunity

2:32:05now to go answer a question regarding

2:32:09reconsideration. So for bill 199 draft

2:32:14two

2:32:15uh we cannot per our rules

2:32:18uh rule 17

2:32:21um reconsider

2:32:23the

2:32:24the vote to suspend our rules.

2:32:27>> Correct and Roberts also um states as

2:32:30much so you can't suspend the rule to

2:32:32suspend the rule.

2:32:33Um

2:32:35would you mind then um again you might

2:32:37have said it before would you please

2:32:38state for the record then that the vote

2:32:39to pass bill 199 draft two as amended on

2:32:42second and final reading

2:32:44is in was invalid and void and therefore

2:32:46it will be held over.

2:32:50>> I'll confirm what the clerk just said

2:32:52and state that bill 199 draft two is to

2:32:55be held over to the next council meeting

2:32:58which is set for November 18th here in

2:33:01Kona.

2:33:01>> Thank you chair.

2:33:02>> Thank you Mr. Clerk

2:33:04always keeping us in line. Um

2:33:07I don't believe we have the amendment

2:33:09yet so we will

2:33:12proceed with referrals for executive

2:33:14session.

2:33:15>> Send me testimony for communication 11

2:33:1857.

2:33:21Hearing none, communication 1157 Kona

2:33:23Hawaii versus Kapa'a Ho'olana

2:33:25Development Company 3 CCV-24-000233

2:33:30and Kapa'a Ho'olana Development Company

2:33:31versus County of Hawaii

2:33:333 CCV-24-0000343

2:33:37from Deputy Corporation Counsel Sherilyn

2:33:40K. Tavares dated October 19, 2026

2:33:43requesting attorney client confidence

2:33:44discussion to consult with the counsel

2:33:46regarding the above entitled matter

2:33:47including settlement authority.

2:33:50>> Chair, motion to close file on

2:33:51communication 1157 and accept the

2:33:54recommendations of Corporation Counsel.

2:33:56>> We're going to do one motion at a time.

2:33:59So move to close file on communication

2:34:011157 by Councilmember Hustace and a

2:34:04second by Councilmember Kawakami.

2:34:07And then

2:34:09>> And Chair, yes, a motion to accept the

2:34:11recommendations of Corporation Counsel

2:34:13for communication 1157.

2:34:15>> Moved by Councilmember Hustace, seconded

2:34:18by Councilmember Viegas to accept the

2:34:19recommendation as provided

2:34:23in our confidential regarding

2:34:24communication 1157.

2:34:27All those in favor, please say aye.

2:34:29Any opposed? Motion carries. Seven ayes

2:34:32to excuse Councilmembers Kaniho,

2:34:34Kleinfelder, and Galimba.

2:34:37Back to the

2:34:38>> Chair, would you mind I'm sorry, I just

2:34:39missed I know that motion was made by

2:34:41Mr. Hustace. I did not hear the second.

2:34:43>> The second was by Councilmember Viegas.

2:34:46>> Thank you.

2:34:48>> Thank you. So on the main motion to

2:34:50close file on communication

2:34:541157

2:34:56all those in favor, please say aye.

2:34:59Any opposed?

2:35:00Motion carries. Seven ayes to excuse

2:35:03Councilmembers Kaniho, Kleinfelder, and

2:35:06Galimba.

2:35:07We have close file on communication 1157

2:35:10and we're going to take a brief

2:35:12let's say I'm going to say 15 minute,

2:35:1610 minutes until 11

2:35:20We'll be back at 11:45. Folks, thank

2:35:23you. We're in recess.

2:38:11>> I

2:42:15>> spk:

2:48:26>> This

2:54:08>> 1990

2:58:39>> I

3:01:01>> Aloha

3:01:02It's 11:59 We apologize for the delay.

3:01:04We are bringing this 52nd session of the

3:01:08Hawaii County Council back to order and

3:01:11we will be back for bill 197 so if we

3:01:14can please have a motion to remove bill

3:01:16197 from the table.

3:01:19>> Second.

3:01:20>> Moved by Vice Chair Onishi seconded by

3:01:21Council Member Villegas to remove bill

3:01:24197 from the table. All those in favor

3:01:26please say aye. Any opposed? Motion

3:01:29carries eight ayes one excused Council

3:01:32Member Kani Aluli Kleinfeldt.

3:01:35So we are back with bill 197 and we have

3:01:38our amendment and Council Member

3:01:41Galimba.

3:01:42>> Thank you Chair

3:01:44move to amend bill 197 with the contents

3:01:48of

3:01:48communication 1082

3:01:51.3

3:01:53>> Moved by council member Galimba,

3:01:55seconded by council member Kagiwada to

3:01:57amend bill 197

3:02:00with the contents of communication 1082

3:02:02.3 council member Galimba.

3:02:05>> Thank you. So this

3:02:07amendment simply changes

3:02:10the date in

3:02:14a

3:02:16from

3:02:17December 31st 2026 to

3:02:202027 to give folks more time as

3:02:25um

3:02:26council member Onishi I believe

3:02:28um desires.

3:02:32>> Any discussion on the amendment?

3:02:34Seeing none, all those in favor of

3:02:36amending bill 197 with the contents of

3:02:38communication 1082 .3 please say aye.

3:02:42Any opposed?

3:02:43Motion carries. 8 eyes, 1 excuse.

3:02:46Council member Connealy Kleinfelder.

3:02:50We would need a motion.

3:02:51>> to suspend rule 23.

3:02:55>> Moved by vice chair Onishi, seconded by

3:02:56council member Galimba to suspend

3:02:58suspend rule 23 for further discussion

3:03:01of bill 197 which is at second and final

3:03:03reading.

3:03:04Mr. Clerk, roll call vote please.

3:03:09>> On the motion to suspend the

3:03:11non-considerable rule

3:03:14[laughter]

3:03:14council member Galimba.

3:03:16>> Aye.

3:03:17>> Council member Eustis.

3:03:18>> No.

3:03:19>> Council member Kagiwada.

3:03:20>> Aye.

3:03:21>> Council member Connealy Kleinfelder.

3:03:24>> Aye.

3:03:24>> Kirkowitz.

3:03:25>> Aye.

3:03:25>> Council member Campbell.

3:03:27>> No.

3:03:28>> Vice chair Onishi.

3:03:29>> Aye.

3:03:30>> Council member Viegas.

3:03:31>> Aye.

3:03:32>> Chair Inaba.

3:03:33>> Aye.

3:03:35>> Chair Inaba has 6 votes in favor to

3:03:37oppose those being council members

3:03:38Eustis and Campbell. Council member

3:03:40Connealy Kleinfelder absent.

3:03:42The motion carries with 6 votes.

3:03:45>> Thank you.

3:03:45>> rules are suspended.

3:03:48Any further discussion on

3:03:50this bill as amended.

3:03:55Seeing none,

3:03:56all those in favor of approving bill 197

3:04:00as amended at second and final reading,

3:04:02please say aye.

3:04:03>> Aye.

3:04:03>> Any opposed?

3:04:05Motion carries. Eight eyes, one excuse,

3:04:08council member Kaniella Kleinfelder.

3:04:10Bill 197 as amended passes second and

3:04:12final reading.

3:04:14That brings us to the end of our agenda.

3:04:17Mr. Hustace, announcements.

3:04:19>> Thank you, chair. I'm sure all of your

3:04:21calendars are filling up as we kind of

3:04:22look towards the holidays. Here we are

3:04:24at the start of November. Just wanted to

3:04:25highlight a couple here.

3:04:28This weekend the early learning

3:04:30consortium is holding an event, Ohana

3:04:31Festival at Queen's Marketplace

3:04:33tomorrow. So great opportunity there to

3:04:35meet with a lot of our early childhood

3:04:37education providers and those in

3:04:39community in that space. And then next

3:04:41week there's actually a Hawaii

3:04:43agricultural conference happening on the

3:04:44west side of the island as well.

3:04:46And look forward to attending. Thanks so

3:04:48much, chair.

3:04:50>> Thank you. Council member Kagiwada.

3:04:52>> Thank you, chair. Just once again

3:04:53inviting everybody to come out for the

3:04:55black and white night tonight in Hilo.

3:04:58There'll be live music, lots of food,

3:05:00lots of fun.

3:05:02Yeah, hope you can come out. I think

3:05:03there's supposed to be a break in the

3:05:05rain about that time, so hopefully it'll

3:05:07work. I also wanted to just let people

3:05:09know that the veterans parade will be

3:05:11happening tomorrow on Saturday in

3:05:13downtown Hilo, so hope people can come

3:05:15out for that as well to support our

3:05:17veterans. Thank you. I yield.

3:05:20>> Council member Kikuiwits.

3:05:22>> Thank you, chair. A couple of things.

3:05:24Second annual Smoke It Up Smoke Meats

3:05:26Festival is happening next Saturday,

3:05:28November 14th in Pahoa 2:00 to 5:00 p.m.

3:05:31More information at smokeitup808.com.

3:05:35Live music, all you can eat, and good

3:05:37times celebrating local chefs and

3:05:39supporting our food ecosystem.

3:05:42And then chair, just you know, a moment

3:05:43of silence for one of my constituents,

3:05:45John Olsen, who was a regular fixture

3:05:48here

3:05:49at council providing testimony on a

3:05:52number of different bills and

3:05:54legislation.

3:05:55He was a pillar of the Puna community,

3:05:59involved in the development of our

3:06:01community development plan, on sat on

3:06:03every single committee possible, always

3:06:06advocating for

3:06:08just better quality of life for Puna and

3:06:09Hawaii Island residents. He sadly passed

3:06:12away

3:06:13on election day.

3:06:16But

3:06:17we will miss him

3:06:18truly. One of a kind individual, very

3:06:21principled man, very passionate, and

3:06:23always appreciated the that he had to

3:06:25share with all of us. So just a moment

3:06:27of silence. Thank you.

3:06:41>> Thank you, Council Member Kerkovitz.

3:06:43Council Member Viegas.

3:06:45>> Yeah, thank you for that, Council Member

3:06:47Kerkovitz.

3:06:48I was just hearing John Olson's

3:06:51voice in my head in that moment of

3:06:53silence. And

3:06:56everything he worked for will continue

3:06:57to move forward, and I'm grateful for

3:06:59that.

3:07:00A couple of things happening here on the

3:07:02west side.

3:07:04This weekend at Amy Greenwell

3:07:06Ethnobotanical Gardens will be an Arbor

3:07:09Day event with lots of activities for

3:07:11family, for interaction with plant

3:07:15species and educational activities.

3:07:18And we also have

3:07:21the Kona Coffee Festival

3:07:24in

3:07:25happening right now. And so just want to

3:07:28encourage people to go ahead and take a

3:07:30look at their website. There are a

3:07:31number of different events and

3:07:32opportunities to participate, spectate,

3:07:35and sample the delicious Kona coffee and

3:07:38other desserts and specialty items.

3:07:41This evening on Ali'i Drive will be the

3:07:45Kona Coffee Festival parade, the lantern

3:07:48parade. So if anyone is looking for a

3:07:51beautiful evening activity, please come

3:07:55down to Ali'i Drive and witness that

3:07:58wonderful event. And if you can't make

3:08:00it to Alii Drive, also happening in

3:08:02Holualoa this evening is First Friday

3:08:06and the gathering of the community

3:08:07there's supporting our small businesses,

3:08:10artists, artisans, um restaurants in

3:08:13that area, and musicians.

3:08:15So with that, uh thank you for the

3:08:17opportunity to share. I yield.

3:08:19>> Thank you Council Member Villegas.

3:08:22And I believe that brings us to the very

3:08:24end of our meeting. Our 52nd session of

3:08:27the Hawaii County Council is closed at

3:08:3012:06 p.m.

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