Committee on Governmental Operations and External Affairs - January 22, 2026

The Committee on Governmental Operations and External Affairs convened on January 22, 2026, at 9:02 a.m. at the Kona West Hawaii Civic Center. Council members Kimball, Viegas, Inaba, Oniishi, and Houstis were present, with Councilmember Kirkowitz joining late in the session. Key agenda items included the approval of a nomination to the Fire Commission and the authorization of a comprehensive performance audit on housing and homelessness fund usage. No public testimony was offered during the session. The committee moved all proposed motions forward to the full council with favorable recommendations.

Consent Calendar

• Communication 40.4: The committee voted unanimously to close the file on the executive committee meeting minutes from the Hawaii State Association of Counties (dated Dec 18, 2025). Councilmember Kimball shared Communication 40.5, a recent poll survey from the National Association of Counties (NACO), for informational purposes.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public testimony was provided. The Committee Chair confirmed via check that there were no testifiers in Kona or at courtesy sites prior to the start of agenda items.

Discussion Items

• Nomination of Derwin Ignacio (Communication 691):

  • Project Description: The Mayor's office nominated Mr. Derwin Ignacio (District 1) to the Fire Commission for a term expiring December 31, 2030, specifically to assist in hiring the next fire chief.
  • Speaker Positions:
    • Micah Alameda (Executive Assistant to the Mayor): Expressed strong support and pride in the nomination, citing Mr. Ignacio's unmatched experience as a former Air Force member, Hamakua Sugar employee, and over 25-year Hamakua Police Department sworn officer. Mr. Alameda stated that Mr. Ignacio would add "immediate value" to the commission.
    • Mr. Derwin Ignacio: Expressed gratitude for the "great opportunity" and affirmed his willingness to serve based on his first responder background, though he noted he had not yet attended Fire Commission meetings.
    • Councilmember Kimball: Expressed full support for the nomination, stating that the Ignacio surname is "synonymous with public service" and that the candidate possesses the necessary background to contribute well to the role.
    • Councilmembers Inaba, Houstis, and others: Expressed support for the nomination and appreciation for the candidate's willingness to volunteer their time and expertise.

• Performance Audit of Housing/Homelessness Funds (Resolution 445-26):

  • Project Description: The resolution requests the County Auditor conduct a performance audit of real property tax revenues appropriated for housing and homelessness. The scope includes evaluating performance against the Office of Housing Committee Development Strategic Roadmap, data indicators, and compliance with county code. The program is scheduled to sunset in 2027.
  • Speaker Positions:
    • Councilmember Kimball: Expressed full support, noting the critical timing to ensure decisions can be made before the program sunsets. She indicated the audit should be a "comprehensive review of all fiscal aspects of the program," covering all years of funding.
    • Councilmember Inaba: Expressed support, emphasizing the need for accountability given recent findings of other organizations using funds misaligned with contracts. He stated the audit is necessary to inform whether and how to continue the program after the five-year period.
    • County Auditor: Expressed willingness to conduct the audit and confirmed they have read the resolution. The Auditor stated that reviewing grant awardee selection processes and budget usage is a "basic sort of facet of all audits" and that the audit would be a priority.
    • Kiko Marcado (Assistant Housing Administrator): Expressed full support for the audit.
    • Councilmember Onishi: Expressed support but raised concerns about the lack of detailed legislation regarding the fund's creation. He stated a need for the department to review the original ordinance and roadmap to determine if future legislation needs to be more detailed.
    • Councilmember Viegas: Expressed support and emphasized the need for a "detailed and precise reflection" of where all funding has gone. She stated she hopes the audit will lead to the right direction and ensure monies are not used to "perpetuate... an industry in and of itself." She explicitly praised the new Auditor for not having prior conflicts that might impede a full truth revelation.
    • Councilmember Houstis: Expressed support and highlighted the critical timing. She expressed a desire for the audit to cover the selection criteria and grant awardee selection process to address concerns about favoritism.
    • Councilmember Kirkowitz: Expressed full support upon joining, citing the excellent job done by colleagues in covering the desired outcomes. She requested clarity on the expected report timeline.
    • County Auditor (Response to timeline): Stated they "would hope" to provide a report before the next funding round but could not provide a definitive timeline until scoping was completed. They agreed to investigate extending reporting if needed.

Key Outcomes

• Vote on Nomination (Communication 691): Approved to close file and send Mr. Derwin Ignacio's nomination to the full council with a favorable recommendation. Tally: 6 Ayes (Councilmembers Kimball, Viegas, Inaba, Oniishi, Houstis, and Kirkowitz who joined late), 0 Nays. Absences: Councilmembers Golimba, Conneli Kleinfelder, and Kirkowitz (prior to joining).
• Vote on Resolution (445-26): Approved to conduct the performance audit and forward it to the full council with a favorable recommendation. Tally: 8 Ayes, 0 Nays. Absences: Councilmember Conneli Kleinfelder.
• Directives: The committee directed the County Auditor to scope the audit immediately, focusing on the Strategic Roadmap, data metrics, grant selection criteria, and fund usage across all fiscal years. The Housing Administrator was directed to notify the council promptly if the audit timeline would conflict with the need to make decisions before the fourth funding round, to consider potential program extensions or pauses. The committee will reconvene with the County Auditor in "the next couple weeks" to discuss specific timelines.
• Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 9:36 a.m.