The 38th session of the Hawaii County Council convened on May 5, 2026, at 9:03 a.m. at the West Hawaii Civic Center Chambers, with Council Chair Nava presiding. Councilmember Galemba was absent; all other eight members were present. The meeting included ceremonial presentations, committee reports, and legislative actions on resolutions and bills.
Introduced by Councilmember Kierkewicz, this resolution authorized the Finance Director to negotiate for acquiring ~1,967.96 acres (TMKs listed) in Puna via the Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation (PONC) fund. Councilmember Kierkewicz stated all property owners are on board. An amendment (Communication 818.2) corrected TMK numbers. After a recess due to a disruption, the amendment passed 9–0. The rules were suspended (7–2) and the resolution as amended passed 9–0. Councilmembers noted that any acquired land becomes public property preserved in perpetuity.
Introduced by Councilmember Kagiwada, this resolution authorized a grant to the Big Island Invasive Species Committee (BISC) for controlling coconut rhinoceros beetle, two-lined spittlebug, and other invasive species. An amendment (Communication 821.1) corrected language: BISC is part of the University of Hawaii, not a separate nonprofit, and added a sixth whereas clause allowing additional programs with R&D director concurrence. The amendment passed 9–0. The rules were suspended (7–2). Councilmembers questioned equity of funding; BISC Manager Franny Brewer explained that 50% of their budget comes from HISC grants, ~$250,000 from the county, and that staff costs account for ~$170,000 of the $250,000. The resolution passed 8–0 (Councilmember Viegas absent).
Introduced by Councilmember Connelly Kleinfelder, this bill appropriated $50,344 for safety equipment and data collection at schools island-wide. Councilmember Kimball inquired about equity; Engineering Division Chief Koni Thompson stated 12 schools have received bike safety training, serving ~600 students, and that 80% of DOE schools (32 of 40) have been reached. The bill passed 9–0.
Introduced by Councilmember Connelly Kleinfelder, this bill appropriated $1,386,656 (state) plus a county match of $621,344, with a federal matching component of ~$8 million, for sidewalks on Kilo Way Avenue near Waikia Waena School. Councilmember Kimball expressed concern about equity, noting that only two schools (Waikia Waena and Keonepoko) have received significant grant funding, and that the rest of the island's schools may lack such resources. Thompson stated that the grant applications were project-specific and that internal public works staff selected the schools based on need and eligibility. The bill passed 8–0 (Councilmember Kimball absent).
Aloha Kakahiyaka and welcome to the 38th session of the Hawaii County Council. The date today is May 5th, 2026. And we are meeting today at our Hawaii County at West Hawaii Civic Center Chambers. And to begin today's meeting, we have Pastor Charles Broadhead of Kona Church at the Nazarene to provide our invocation. Good morning, Pastor. Good morning. Greetings to you here in this chamber and the Chamber of Hawaii. It's always a pleasure to pray for you and bless you and your proceedings today. So let's go before King Kuwait. Gracious and almighty God, we come before you today with hearts full of gratitude. We give you thanks and praise for your mighty works and your loving goodness and your gracious nature among us. Mahalui for creating and sustaining us day today. Thank you for making us in your image to exist a community with one another. We thank you for our county, this island, and for these leaders that you have given us, and you have given them the opportunity to serve its people. Father, we come from many places. We come from many backgrounds, ethnicities. Yet we are gathered here today, inspired by our singular mission to advocate for the well-being of all those who call this beloved island and state our home. We thank you, O God, for your consistent presence and your wisdom that you freely offer us, and we ask for your wisdom to guide these leaders as they dedicate and make as they deliberate and make decisions today that affect our community and islands. May they be guided to do what is right and defy anything that would diminish justice. We pray for respect within this chamber and that your presence will be felt in their midst. Grant them the discernment, O Lord, to act with integrity, to act with fairness, to be patient, to listen to one another, and the grace to understand each different perspective. May your truth be the foundation of every decision that is made. May their work be righteous in your sight, serving the greater good and bringing glory to your name. But most of all, may everything that is done today be done in the spirit of aloha, love and unity. Strengthen these servants, O Lord, as they work to improve the lives of those they represent. Lead them today and always so that they baby glory to an honor to you. It's in the great and majestic name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen. Amen. Thank you so much, Pastor. With that, we're calling this meeting to order at 9 03 a.m. Mr. Clerk, roll call, please. Councilmember Galemba. Councilmember Houstis. President. Councilmember Kagiwana. Here. Councilmember Connie Lee Kleinfelder. Councilmember Kirkowitz. Present. Council Mr. Kimball. Here. Vice Chair O'Nishi. Present. Councilmember Viegas. Ao. Chair Nava. Ayo.