Welcome to the 31st session of the Committee on Finance.

Today's meeting is being held in the West Hawaii Civic Center with members joining us in the Hilo Chambers as well.

It is March 17, 2026.

It's 3:31 p.m.

I'm calling this meeting to order.

Joining us today in West Hill is Mr.

John Henrix.

The one and only the pink shirt.

Councilmember James Eustace.

Councilmember O'Neill.

Councilmember Rinaba.

Councilmember Viegas.

And in Hilo, we have joining us.

Looks like no one.

Oh, I see a hand.

Tiffany, good to see you.

Is there really no council members in Hilo Chambers?

Councilmember Kagiwada is in the room, the chamber room.

Hey, we have Councilmember Kogiwata, which gives us Councilmembers Kirkowitz, Councilmembers Kimball and Councilmember Galimba excuse for the time being.

Mr.

R.S.

Do we have any public testimony to start us off today?

Thank you so much, Chair.

Just noting that we do not have testifiers at your remote sites.

We do have a number of testifiers here in the heal chamber and a couple via Zoom.

So what I'll do is I'll start with our Hilo chamber testifiers, take the first two, rotate to Zoom and then come back to HELO.

Thank you.

Douglas and Marsha, if you could please come to the testifier table at the front.

You can turn the mic on by hitting that green button at the base of the mic.

Introducing yourself, and then you'll have three minutes once you begin.

I guess I'm on Campbell.

Yes, you are.

Good afternoon.

If you could just pull that there you go.

Good afternoon, honorable members of the council.

I've stated my position and filed written testimony and public testimony to the council in opposition to the resolution as amended.

I recently filed testimony and included my attempts to analyze the seven home purchases and a very conservative projection over a five-year period for cost.

They were done in the form of Excel spreadsheets.

You can download.

Yesterday afternoon to update you, Housing sent me an email responding to my FOIA request of February 11th, seeking payment before they disclosed public records to me.

I had asked to inspect public records.

The housing private secretary sent me a very nice email on the 16th at 42 432, the end of the day yesterday.

I feel housing is continued to stonewall to make it difficult for citizens and for the council to review and analyze the information sought.

I will purchase what I have and forward it to you.

I think the appropriate course based on this kind of conduct is for you to deny the amended resolution until and unless you receive all information relevant that you feel you need to make an informed decision.

Alternatively, as I've suggested previously, you could defer action at this time.

Perhaps a hundred and twenty-day delay to perform due diligence on the seven properties to ensure the monies are being uh spent effectively.

And maybe the county auditor could assist you.

I don't know.

In particular, ask yourselves how was the $10 a year lease rent determined?

Did the proposed leases address issues such as insurance, indemnity, cost, upkeep, and maintenance for the future.

Do the proposed leases comply with the terms of the funding grant.

I haven't seen the grant yet.

Do the proposed leases comply with the provisions of chapter 201 H-57 HRS.

In conclusion, I feel the seven purchases were made without any clear link to an articulated county housing policy.

Perhaps some I feel the money's gonna be more effectively spent uh by purchasing other than luxury high-end homes.

I don't think that's the answer.

I have a sense housing was under pressure to spend the unused grant monies.

You know, housing doesn't cure uh the social problems.

The individuals who have those types of special needs will still have those special needs when they move in.