Hawaii County Council Meeting – March 18, 2026: Resolutions, Bills, and Ceremonial Awards Approved
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Hawaii County Council Meeting – March 18, 2026
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.
Ceremonial Presentations
- Java Award for March 2026: Presented to Ocean Safety Officer Kalani Awo for rescuing two surfers and a teenage girl off-duty during high surf on separate occasions. Chief Carvalho and acting Captain shared details; council members praised his bravery.
- March for Water Month Proclamation: Representatives from IAPMO (Kika Bukowski), Plumbers and Pipe Fitters Local 675 (Sam Barrett Jr.), and others received a certificate recognizing water awareness month. They highlighted water conservation, grey water reuse, and the importance of plumbing codes.
Public Comments & Testimony
- No public testimony was offered for any agenda item.
Routine Consent Calendar (Resolutions Approved Without Discussion)
- Communication 750: Confirmed nomination of Edwin B. Guzman to the Veterans Advisory Committee.
- Communication 751: Confirmed nomination of Reginald G. Alexander to the Veterans Advisory Committee.
- Resolution 481-26: Accepted donation of 207 pairs of footwear and 150 reusable bags from Olukai LLC (value $16,500) for water safety officers.
- Resolution 482-26: Appropriated $3,500 to Na Pulapula Inc. for the KL Family Fun Day on March 29 at Shipman Park, Kailua.
- Resolution 483-26: Appropriated $8,000 to the Merrie Monarch Festival for off-duty police traffic support.
- Resolution 484-26: Appropriated $8,500 to Lydia 8 for the Kona Town Night Markets Lay Day Bloom event on May 2.
- Resolution 485-26: Appropriated $5,000 to Hamakua Health Center for the Honokaa Western Week Festival (May 17–23).
- Resolution 486-26: Appropriated funds for the 2026 Outstanding Older Americans event, with a representative from the Office of Aging thanking the council.
- Resolution 487-26: Appropriated $5,000 to SHAC Foundation for Ulu Agroforestry producer education.
- Resolution 488-26: Accepted $12,500 grant from Hawaii Community Foundation for a West Hawaii Food Systems Network Specialist position.
- Resolution 489-26: Appropriated $10,000 to Merrie Monarch Festival for background and support services.
- Resolution 490-26: Appropriated $2,500 for the 2026 Easter Fun Day in the Kaʻū District.
- Resolution 491-26: Appropriated $9,520.83 for a large fan at Makaeo Advanced Pavilion, Kailua-Kona.
- Resolution 492-26: Appropriated $3,332 for a gazebo and picnic tables at Ocean View Community Association’s community garden.
- Resolution 493-26: Returned $5,000 in unspent grant funds from Kohala Cares to the contingency account after the organization closed.
Key Outcome: All items passed 8-0-1 (Councilmember Galimba excused).
Discussion Items
- Resolution 461-26: Authorized a six-year, $1.6 million per year construction management contract for the Hilo Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrade. Director clarified the funding is drawn from the previously appropriated $337 million bond, not a new request. Approved 8-0-1.
- Resolution 474-26: Authorized an intergovernmental agreement allowing Hilo Benioff Medical Center to use parking at Gilbert Carvalho Park through Dec 31, 2026. Councilmember Kagiwada amended the resolution to correct the year to 2027. Suspension of rules passed (6-2, Galimba excused) and amended resolution approved 8-0-1.
- Resolution 478-26: Accepted a SAFER grant from FEMA ($271,447) to fund 12 temporary firefighter positions. Councilmember Kirkowitz urged the administration to convert these to permanent over three years. Approved 8-0-1.
- Bill 130 and Bill 131 (first reading): Zone change from RS-10 to CN-10 for two CU Hawaii Federal Credit Union parcels (22,500 sq ft total) on Monono and Hinano streets in Hilo. Approved by the Planning Commission. Discussion on Bill 131 focused on paid parking; applicant CEO James Takamine confirmed no plans to charge. Councilmember Viegas suggested adding a prohibition on commercial paid parking. Both bills passed 7-0-1 (Councilmember Kimball recused, Galimba excused).
- Bill 133 (first reading): Companion to Resolution 478-26, appropriating $271,447 for 12 temporary firefighter positions. Approved 8-0-1.
- Bill 134 (first reading): Appropriated $16,100 from housing program income repayment for contractual services. Approved 8-0-1.
- Bill 143 (first reading): Appropriated $12,500 from private contributions for a West Hawaii Food Systems Network Specialist. Approved 8-0-1.
- Bill 129 (first reading): Prohibited parking at any time on portions of Ali Drive fronting Kahaluʻu Beach Park. Amended per communication 722.2 to match field conditions. Councilmember Viegas thanked sponsor. Approved as amended 8-0-1.
Key Outcomes
- All resolutions and bills were approved, with votes generally 8-0-1 (Councilmember Galimba excused) except for bills 130 and 131 (7-0-1 with Kimball recused) and the suspension of rules (6-2).
- The meeting recessed at approximately 10:27 a.m. and adjourned at 10:35 a.m. council member announcements included upcoming events (Prince Kuhio Day tea, Merrie Monarch festival) and a reminder to report storm damage via Civil Defense website.
Meeting Transcript
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.
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