The Hawaii County Council held its 35th session on March 18, 2026, at the West Hawaii Civic Center, with members joining from Hilo chambers. The meeting opened at 9:04 a.m. with an invocation by Pastor Heather Moore and the Pledge of Allegiance. After ceremonial presentations, the council approved a series of resolutions and bills, with Councilmember Galimba excused for the entire meeting.
Key Outcome: All items passed 8-0-1 (Councilmember Galimba excused).
Aloha Kaka Hiyako, welcome to the 35th, 35th session of the Hawaii County Council. The date today is March 18, 2026. We are meeting today at the West Hawaii Civic Center with members also joining us from our heal chambers. To begin today's meeting, I'd like to call on Pastor Heather Moore of Hope Chapel Kona to provide our invocation. Good morning, Pastor. Good morning. Thank you so much for this honor and opportunity. Good morning. Good morning to all those in Hebo. You know, as I see on this morning amongst giants, I am reminded of a passage in Christure where Jesus is addressing his disciples. And the truth is they're arguing over who will have the seed of power, who will have the most authority. And Jesus would say this to his disciples. He would say, if you want to be great, you must learn to be a servant of all. And so I first want to say thank you to all of you who sit in this room, who serve our community here in Kona and in Hilo on the big island and the islands beyond. And I want to say thank you for being a servant of all. So often being a servant is to be unseen, to be unheard, to be misrepresented, to go where no one else wants to go, to risk what no one else would want to risk, to courageously sit and make decisions that no one would want to make on behalf of those who cannot speak and stand up for themselves. And so in that way I felt led to pray over us. Would you bow your head and close your eyes? So, Lord, first and foremost. That Jesus, you led the way of what it meant to serve and to sacrifice for those that you loved. And I speak a blessing right now in your name over each and every individual that is serving in some capacity those that will go where no one will want to go, and those who will risk when others would dare not to. Would you bless them? Would you keep them? Would you protect them? Would you cover them? Would you give us the grace and wisdom to make the decisions that we must make today on behalf of those we serve and love? We thank you and we love you and honor your name in Jesus' name. Amen. Amen. This morning. With that, we'll call this meeting to order at 9 04 a.m. Uh before we proceed, also ask that the Zoom be unmuted for the Hilo Chambers. Thank you. Uh, Mr. Clerk roll call. Councilmember Galimba. Councilmember Houstis. Present. Councilmember Kagiwada. Here. Councilmember Connie Lee Kleinfelder. Here today. Councilmember Kirkowitz. President. Councilmember Kimball. Here. Councilmember Viegas. Ao. Chair Yamawa. Ayo.