The Committee on Finance met on May 4, 2026, at 12:49 PM in the West Hawaii Civic Center with members in Kona and Hilo. The meeting covered routine consent items, resolutions for grants, housing vouchers, firefighter contracts, and pesticide subsidies. All votes were unanimous (9-0) except for one recusal.
Okay, aloha, welcome back. This is the 35th session for the committee on finance. Today's May 4th. May the 4th be with you. 2026. It is 1249 p.m. We are running a little behind today. Our apologies. This meeting is being held in the West Hawaii Civic Center. We have members joining us in the Hilo chambers as well. Joining me here in Kona. To my right, Councilmembers Kimball and Govimba and Councilmember Viegas. And to my left, Councilmember Kagiwata, Houstis, and Councilmember Inaba. And in Hilo, we have joining us today, Councilmembers O'Neshi and Kirkowitz. And of course, our beloved clerk, Mr. John Henrix. We also have corporation council here in Kona. Scotty joining us and some members of the departments. With that, Mr. Ariselli, do we have any testimony today? Thank you, Chair. I can confirm that you do not have any testifiers at any of your remote sites for this meeting. That is too bad. We shall move on. Thank you very much. Mr. Clerk, let's just start at the top of the agenda. Communication 24.32, report of change orders authorized February 16 through 28, 2026 from Finance Director Diane Nakagawa, dated April 14, 2026, transmitting the above report pursuant to section 2-12.3 of the Hawaii County Code. Chairmotion of Close File and Communication 24.32. Second. We have a motion by Councilmember Houston and a second by Councilmember Kalgawata to close file on communication 24.32. Council members, any discussion on the item on our councilmember houstis. Go ahead. Thank you, Chair. I have a question for Office of Housing on this matter, please. Aloha, Councilman Houstis. This is Michelle here. Ishii, Office of Housing. Hello, Ms. Hirishi. Good to see you. Thank you. Just a question on the Salvation Army contract there. This contract originally went out 2024. Has there been annual amendments to that contract then? There has not been annual amendments. However, this is the third amendment. The first contract order, the first change order was to extend the excuse me, was to expand the existing program and increase the number of beds. The second change order was simply to extend the existing contract. And now this third change order is a final extension of the contract, which includes some funding.