Hawaii County Committee on Legislative Approvals and Acquisitions Meeting - May 4, 2026
Hawaii County Committee on Legislative Approvals and Acquisitions Meeting - May 4, 2026
The Committee on Legislative Approvals and Acquisitions convened on May 4, 2026 at 12:12 PM and adjourned at 12:41 PM. The committee considered three items: a closed file communication on stewardship grants, a roadway dedication resolution, and a resolution to authorize acquisition of a conservation easement for the Kokea Kealakekua property. All items were approved or closed with unanimous support.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Kanalu Kili Kuli Grace (lineal descendant of Napuopuo and Ohoaina for Huala Kealakekua Nui) testified in support of funding for Kukuia Kealakekua, stating that the acquisition would restore the property and the entire ahupua'a through traditional practices and provide educational opportunities.
- Kanani Inos (Director of Cultural and Community Affairs, Hoala Kealakekua Nui) requested support for Resolution 552-26, explaining that acquiring the conservation easement would enable restoration of the property as a gateway to Kealakekua Bay and protect the area from overuse by unmanaged tourism.
- Reyna Ramaleta Hayashi (Loha Aina project manager, Trust for Public Land) testified in support, noting that TPL would purchase the property and transfer it to Hoala Kealakekua Nui, with the county holding a conservation easement. She stated the project was ranked first by the PONC Commission and that $700,000 in matching state funds had been secured.
- Kiane Bini Madeiris (lineal descendant and digital media specialist, Hoala Kealakekua Nui) testified in strong support of the project, stating it would restore cultural and community connections.
- Shane Palakat Nelson (Executive Director and CEO, Hoala Kealakekua Nui) testified in support, emphasizing the high number of visitors (over 65,000 annually on the trail alone, 1.3 million to Kealakekua Bay) and the need for management. He framed the partnership as long-term and noted future work on parking, safety, and access.
Discussion Items
Communication 864 – Stewardship Grants for PONC Lands
The committee discussed a communication from Finance Director Diane Nakagawa (April 2, 2026) presenting five favorable recommendations for stewardship grants from qualified nonprofits. Ben Shapiro (PONC Program Manager) answered questions:
- Nine applications were received; five were forwarded.
- Some requests were reduced, mainly for transportation costs (not allowed per charter/code) and one applicant removed $10,000 for a hālau.
- Councilmember Houstis asked about efforts to identify stewards for uncared-for properties; Shapiro noted work is needed to promote the program.
- Councilmember Onishi raised concerns about inventory audits for equipment, and Shapiro acknowledged a need for better tracking, including an audit of previously purchased equipment.
- Shapiro explained the PONC acquisition fund is 2% of real property taxes and the stewardship/maintenance fund is 0.25% of property taxes.
- Councilmembers praised Shapiro's work.
Resolution 503-26 – Roadway Dedication in Pepeekeo and Makana Loa, South Hilo
The resolution accepts the dedication of a roadway lot (Lot 7A2, TMK 2-8-070-085) for public road purposes. Chair Kimball noted the road connects Old Mamalahoa Highway to Highway 19 and is needed to maintain public access. No questions. Motion to forward with favorable recommendation passed unanimously (9 ayes).
Resolution 552-26 – Acquisition of Conservation Easement for Kokea Kealakekua
The resolution authorizes the Director of Finance to negotiate for acquisition of a conservation easement over approximately 1.26 acres in South Kona (TMK 8-1-009-007 and 008), the highest priority in the 2025 PONC Commission report. Introduced by Councilmember Galimba. After testimony, Councilmembers Galimba, Viegas, and Inaba expressed strong support, highlighting community-led efforts, cultural practices, and the property's small but strategic importance. Motion to forward to council with favorable recommendation passed unanimously (9 ayes).
Key Outcomes
- Communication 864: Closed file; no action required.
- Resolution 503-26: Approved and forwarded to the full council with a favorable recommendation (9-0).
- Resolution 552-26: Approved and forwarded to the full council with a favorable recommendation (9-0).
- The committee adjourned at 12:41 PM.
Meeting Transcript
Aloha, everyone. If you can please take your seats. The time is 1212. We are going to start the committee on legislative approvals and acquisitions. Appreciate everyone's patience as we're starting a little bit late today. Mr. Clerk, do we have any testifiers? Oh, I'm sorry. Members present. Councilmember Kaguara, Councilmember Houstis, Councilmember Inaba, Councilmember Kanye Lee Kleinfelder, and somewhere is Councilmember Golemba. I am the chair of this committee, Councilmember Kimball. All right, now Mr. Clerk, if you would please. Do we have any testifiers at the beginning of the agenda? Thank you, uh committee chair Kimball. We do we have to start out here. We'll start with Tuan Kona, and then we'll take some testimony from our courtesy sites and Zoom. And the first Tonkona would be Kanani Enos and Kainalu Kili Kuli Grace. Are either of them available? Yes. Okay, if you could come forward to this table here. Um unfortunately, it looks like only the microphone on the left hand side. Your left hand side is working. Yes, sir. And if you could just start out by um stating your name. Please have a seat. And activate the microphone. There's a base button at the base there. It'll turn red when it's functional. Just push that button with the green sticker on it. Okay, and you have three minutes. Just start up by say your name. Please proceed. Thank you very much. Aloha. My name is Kanalu Kili Kuli Grace. Um, I'm a lineal descendant of Napu Opuo and Ohoaina for Huala Kialakikua Nui. I support the funding for Kuo Ki uh Kokua Kialakikuo. The acquisition of this land allows us to restore not only the property but our entire Ahupua through Kuonoiki practices that have been passed down to us from Ike Ike Kupuna and past generations. This land will also provide an amazing opportunity to educate and connect visitors and community members to our Bayupana. Um for the opportunity to submit testimony. Thank you very much for your testimony. Are you missing? If you could just move over to the other chair, I don't think that microphone's working, and then kind of moving the microphones, kind of helps them not to work. So you are good to go. If you could just start out by stating your name, no need push any buttons. You're you are active and ready to go. You'll have three minutes, and again, just start up by stating your name. Thank you so much. Alohaikako, my name is Kanani Inos.
openpublica.com