Hawaii County Council Meeting November 19, 2025

The Hawaii County Council convened at 11:00 a.m. ET for its 27th session of the fiscal year. The meeting featured significant public testimony regarding environmental sustainability and rural zoning, including strong support for a single-use plastic ban and a proposal to amend regulations regarding backyard chickens. The council addressed appointments, adopted several resolutions for community funding, and advanced multiple legislative items.

Consent Calendar

• Communication 591: Confirmed the nomination of Don S. Amende to the Liquor Control Adjudication Board (6 ayes, 3 excused).
• Communication 592: Confirmed the nomination of Thomas E. Fratinardo to the Windward Planning Commission (7 ayes, 2 excused).
• Resolution 383-25: Approved the appointment of Claire McAdam as County Auditor for a six-year term, effective December 1, 2025. The nomination received 9 ayes. Councilmember Galimba requested the creation of a Deputy Auditor position to ensure continuity. Ms. McAdam expressed her commitment to reviewing priorities and supporting the existing team.

Public Comments & Testimony

Bill 83 (Plastic and Polystyrene Ban):

• Youth Advocates: Students from West Hawaii Explorations Academy, Hilo High School, and other local schools testified consistently, expressing 100% support for the bill as written. Positions included that single-use plastics pollute oceans, harm marine life (e.g., Honu entanglement), and create microplastic risks. Testifiers noted their direct observations of plastic accumulation on beaches and in waterways.
• Environmental Groups: Representatives from Sierra Club of Hawaii, Malama Puna, and Recycle Hawaii expressed full support. They argued against amendments, asserting that loopholes would hinder enforcement and that the cost of plastic pollution outweighs the transition costs. Tanya Anisazian stated that "plastic is one of [fossil fuel industries'] lifeboats" and urged a vote to remember ancient wisdom.
• Business Owners: Russell Ruderman (Island Naturals) expressed support, stating he has used compostable goods for decades without raising prices and that the cost is negligible. Conversely, Steven Uyeta (President, Suisan Company Limited) opposed the bill as written, citing a lack of processing infrastructure for compostables and a lack of data-driven studies on waste streams.
• Community Members: Alton Adolfsson and Stella Black (both students) stated the bill is necessary to stop the destruction of marine life and ocean oxygen production. Christopher Dipnerin (Environmental Sustainability Director, Maryland) testified that he is "100% in support" based on successful diversion models elsewhere.

Bill 52 (Household Henaries):

• Opposition to Restrictions: Jennifer Nobrega strongly opposed the bill as currently proposed, arguing that banning the sale of hens and eggs is government overreach and that enclosed coops are inhumane in Hawaii's hot climate. She requested allowing hens to free-range within fenced areas.
• Support for Flexible Regulation: Amy Kochop and Elena Wiley supported the bill's intent but urged amendments to allow hens to roam within a fenced area rather than a fully enclosed coop. They argued that fenced areas are culturally compatible and more humane, noting that wing clipping prevents escape.
• Support for Backyard Chickens: Josephine Kipio and Delilah Benson supported the bill, testifying that backyard chickens provide food security, are docile, and are essential to local rural culture. They opposed restrictions on egg sales and the requirement for fully enclosed coops.

Other Testimony:

• Resolution 388-25 (Malama Arts): Aaron Chung testified that the organization supports a monthly play-reading series to foster creativity in Hilo and requested funding.
• Resolutions 393-25 & 394-25: Tim Rowan and Gilbert Ha'Oanil Jr. supported funding for the Malamo Puna roundabout maintenance; Eileen O'Hara supported the same and funding for the Pahoa Lava Zone Community Kitchen.

Discussion Items

Bill 83 (Single-Use Plastic Ban - First Reading):

• Council Debate: Councilmember Viegas argued against an amendment to delay small businesses (10 or fewer employees) by one year. Viegas cited resolutions from 2007, 2008, and 2019 that established zero waste as a priority and stated that the council must create the impetus for infrastructure development rather than continuing to delay.
• Department of Environmental Management (DEM) Input: Deputy Director Craig Ka'guchi and Director Mike Rivera noted that they currently have no mechanism to verify the number of employees at businesses and that industrial-scale composting is not currently budgeted. However, they expressed interest in smaller-scale, distributed composting units.
• Amendment Vote: Councilmember Houstis moved to add a one-year extension for businesses with 10 or fewer employees. Councilmember Viegas opposed, citing a 45-day comment period from the Department of Environmental Management (deadline October 29) and prior zero waste resolutions. The amendment failed (2 ayes, 7 opposed, 3 excused).
• Vote on Bill 83: The Council voted to pass Bill 83 Draft Two on first reading. 8 ayes, 1 no (Vice Chair O'Nishi). Councilmember Galimba read a summary from the Lancet journal regarding the health dangers of plastics to support the move.

Bill 52 (Household Henaries - Second/Final Reading):

• Amendments: Council member Kimball proposed and passed multiple amendments:
  1. Removed specific noise regulations (Communication 286.11) as the State Department of Health does not regulate residential noise.
  2. Changed the stocking limit from 2 hens per 3,000 sq ft to 4 hens per 5,000 sq ft, with one additional hen per 1,000 sq ft (Communication 286.12).
  3. Clarified prohibition on commercial sale of eggs to ensure occasional non-commercial sales to neighbors are legal (Communication 286.13).
  4. Added flexibility allowing the Planning Director to approve exceptions to the "fully enclosed coop" requirement based on specific circumstances, such as lots already adjoining free-ranging flocks (Communication 286.14).
• Discussion: Director Jeff Darrow (Planning) confirmed the department is flexible on a case-by-case basis. Councilmember Kimball noted the rule suspension allowed for immediate final passage. Vice Chair O'Nishi supported the bill in its amended form, acknowledging it addressed concerns better than the original draft.

Other Legislative Items:

• Bill 63 (Residential Dwellings): Postponed to December 3rd at the request of Councilmember O'Nishi to allow more time for review.
• Bill 89 (Civil Defense Administrator): Approved on first reading with a requirement for a selection advisory panel. Discussion occurred regarding whether the panel's establishment would trigger Sunshine Law requirements; the Council agreed to verify this before second reading.
• Bill 101 (Fuel Tax Projects): Approved on second and final reading after an amendment corrected total project funding amounts and a rule suspension allowed for immediate final passage.
• Bill 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 102, 104: All approved on first reading (appropriations and operating budget amendments).
• Resolutions 369-25 through 395-25: All approved, covering road dedications, property dispositions, HR positions, habitat restoration grants, labor agreements, and various community program funding (Malama Arts, Malama Puna, Magic of the Seasons, Hamakua Health Center, Pet Fix, etc.).

Key Outcomes

• Bill 83 Draft Two: Passed on First Reading (8-1). No amendments accepted. Next hearing scheduled for December 3rd.
• Bill 52 Draft Three: Approved on Second and Final Reading (9-0) after four amendments addressed fencing, stocking numbers, and sales clarifications. The bill now allows household henaries with flexible fencing and adjusted stocking rates.
• Resolution 383-25: Claire McAdam appointed as County Auditor.
• Multiple Appropriations: Numerous resolutions (369-25 to 395-25) were approved to fund community initiatives, infrastructure projects, land acquisitions, and labor contracts.
• Bill 63: Postponed to December 3rd.
• Meeting Adjournment: The meeting concluded at 2:53 p.m. Council member Houstis thanked Barbara Cassell for the Veterans Day ceremony and announced local events honoring first responders. The Committee on Finance was scheduled to convene at 3:00 p.m.