Hawaii County Council Meeting Summary - November 5, 2025

The Hawaii County Council convened on November 5, 2025, at 9:03 a.m. with a quorum of six members present to conduct the 26th session. The meeting featured the presentation of awards to community heroes, extensive public testimony on environmental legislation and zoning measures, and the approval of various resolutions and bills.

Consent Calendar

• The Council minutes were approved with no comments received.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Support for Bill 83 (Plastic Reduction):

  • Tanya Yamanaka (Chamber of Sustainable Commerce) expressed strong support for Bill 83, stating plastic has no place in a resilient community and advocating for a transition to a care-based economy.
  • Corey Harden (Hawaii Island Group) urged the Council to continue supporting Bill 83, noting that businesses have offloaded plastic costs onto the public and environment.
  • Leah Gauker (Pohoa High School teacher) testified in support of Resolution 379, requesting funding for a field trip to the Hawaii Island Film Festival.
  • Sarah Ward, representing a compostable packaging supplier, expressed support for Bill 83, arguing that compostables are not cost-prohibitive and help build the foundation for future composting infrastructure.
  • John Elkcher expressed support for Bill 83, emphasizing the importance of protecting the environment, reducing waste, and aligning with the Zero Waste Hawaii goals.
  • Megan Lampson (Hawaii Wildlife Fund) expressed strong support for Bill 83, citing research on plastic endocrine disruptors and microplastics in human brains.
  • Christine Kubat (Recycle Hawaii) expressed support for Bill 83, challenging the narrative that commercial composting facilities are required immediately and highlighting that the cost of plastic is artificially low due to subsidies.
  • Malia Kipapa and Curtis Tyler expressed support for Bill 85, which updates tax map keys for Kipapa Park, emphasizing the historical and cultural significance of the park.
  • Colonel Deb Lewis expressed support for Bill 96 and Resolutions 372-25/382-25, advocating for broader membership on the Veterans Advisory Committee and encouraging community support for the upcoming Veterans Day Parade.

• Opposition/Concerns regarding Bill 83 (Plastic Reduction):

  • Stephen Uyeda (Sui Sang Company) respectfully opposed Bill 83 in its current form, arguing that Hawaii County lacks composting infrastructure, which renders compostables less beneficial and significantly more expensive (40-100% increase), and recommended delaying implementation until infrastructure is ready.
  • Amy Koch (Papaloa) expressed opposition to Bill 52 (Hens), arguing for the reinstatement of fenced area allowances over mandatory enclosed coops to respect rural culture and animal welfare.
  • Elena Wiley (Backyard flock owner) expressed concerns that Bill 52's regulations (prohibiting sales, requiring enclosed coops) ignore the reality of keeping hens, constitute government overreach, and are poorly written.
  • Jason Higa (Zippy's Restaurants) respectfully opposed Bill 83, warning that without proper composting facilities, compostable containers will end up in landfills producing methane, and highlighted the significant economic burden on businesses (40-100% cost increase).

• Mixed/Clarification on Bill 52 (Hens):

  • Elizabeth Logston expressed that she is not in support of Bill 52 as written, requesting it be postponed for clarification, arguing that two chickens are insufficient for a family and citing her experience with seven chickens posing no issues.

Discussion Items

• Bill 52 (Household Hens): Councilmembers Kirkowitz, Kimball, Viegas, and others discussed the bill's intent to legalize backyard flocks in residential zones. Due to lack of quorum for the introducer (Councilmember Kimball) and concerns raised by public testifiers regarding regulations, the Council voted to postpone Bill 52 Draft 3 to the November 19 meeting. Councilmember Viegas clarified that the bill does not prohibit hens in agricultural zones.

• Bill 83 (Plastic Reduction): A significant debate occurred regarding the environmental necessity versus the economic impact and infrastructure readiness. Councilmember Houstis proposed an amendment to provide a five-year exemption for small businesses with 10 or fewer employees. Councilmember Kagiwata, Kimball, and Kirkowitz expressed strong opposition to the amendment, citing it as a loophole that could compromise the waste stream. Councilmember Golemba could not support the amendment due to the need for immediate action on the waste bill. Councilmember Houstis argued the amendment was a soft landing for mom-and-pop stores to adjust costs. The amendment failed (2 ayes, 5 noes). Following the failed amendment and further discussion on the need for Department of Environmental Management (DEM) input and educational outreach, the Council decided to postpone Bill 83 Draft 2 to the November 19 meeting to allow for a fuller body of members and further dialogue.

• Bill 91 (Safe Routes to School): Councilmember Viegas questioned the geographical equity of project selection. Acting Director Neil Azevito and Public Works Director Kelsey Kalua Lewis provided updates, confirming that projects are being selected on a rotating basis across the island, including upcoming projects in Volcano, Hilo Union, and Kaonao Elementary, and acknowledging plans for Kohala and Mountain View.

• Veterans Advisory Committee (Bill 96): The Council discussed and approved the bill, which broadens membership eligibility to allow any council member to appoint representatives, removing the previous requirement for specific veteran organization affiliations.

Key Outcomes

• Bill 52 Draft 3: Postponed to November 19, 2025, for further discussion with the introducer and to address community concerns.
• Bill 83 Draft 2: Postponed to November 19, 2025, following the failure of the small business exemption amendment and a consensus to await further departmental input and a fuller council.
• Bill 84: Approved at second and final reading, repealing the 8-hour parking meter zone requirement at the Alapuni Center parking lot.
• Bill 85 Draft 2: Approved at second and final reading, amending the schedule for Kipapa Park to officially recognize the updated tax map keys.
• Bill 94: Approved at first and final reading, appropriating $4,045 in emergency solutions grants.
• Bill 95: Approved at first and final reading, transferring $62,500 in community development block grants.
• Bill 96: Approved at second and final reading, amending the Veterans Advisory Committee membership requirements.
• Bill 101: Approved at second and final reading, appropriating excess fuel tax revenues totaling $1,493,554.75 for roadway, bridge, and local road projects.
• Resolutions Approved:
  • 343-25: Lease agreement for Civil Defense copy machine.
  • 344-25: Software licensing for Department of Information Technology.
  • 345-25: Mutual aid agreement with DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife.
  • 368-25: Cafeteria plan implementation.
  • 371-25: Lease for Mass Transit copy machine.
  • 372-25: Grant to Big Island Resource Conservation and Development Council for Veterans Day Parade.
  • 373-25: Grant to Parks and Recreation for 3D printer equipment.
  • 374-25: Grant to Alexander and Duke DeRigo Foundation for Homoke High School scoreboard.
  • 378-25: Grant to Ka'ala'au Health Center for breast cancer awareness event.
  • 379-25: Grant to Malama Opuna for Pohai High School field trip.
  • 380-25: Grant to Hawaii Fire Department for Ocean Safety storage units.
  • 381-25: Grant to Food Basket Inc. for Kokua Harvest Fruit Stands.
  • 382-25: Grant to Big Island Resource Conservation Development Council for Veterans Day Parade.
• Community Recognition: Aaron Buyuan was awarded the Java Award for his maintenance work with the Fire Department, and Preston Paglinawan received the 2025 Daniel R. Sarah Memorial Foundation Award for his role in a suicide prevention rescue.
• Announcements: Upcoming events included the Veterans Day Parade (Nov 8), Hawaii Island Film Festival, Kona Coffee Cultural Festival, and various community gatherings.