Committee on Government Operations and External Affairs Meeting – May 19, 2026

The 34th session of the Committee on Government Operations and External Affairs convened at 9:00 a.m. on May 19, 2026, in the Hilo County Council Chambers. The committee considered four nominations, a resolution for a postal task force agreement, and two bills, including a controversial charter amendment to create a county manager position. The meeting adjourned at 11:27 a.m.

Consent Calendar

• Communication 895: Nomination of George Applegate to the Banyan Drive Hawaii Redevelopment Agency. Approved unanimously (9 ayes).
• Communication 896: Nomination of Jacob K. Andrews to the Leeward Planning Commission. Approved unanimously (9 ayes).
• Communication 897: Nomination of Bobby Jean Akani Leitehead Todd to the Board of Ethics. Approved unanimously (9 ayes).
• Communication 898: Nomination of Jim Monk to the Cost of Government Commission. Approved unanimously (9 ayes) with the understanding that the nominee would appear at the full council meeting.
• Communication 899: Nomination of Nick Risnik to the Water Board. Approved unanimously (9 ayes).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Debbie Hecht (via Zoom) testified in support of Bill 158, advocating for a county manager form of government. She cited the need for merit-based, at-will professional leadership to improve long-term project completion and consistency, noting that 45% of U.S. counties use such a model. She commended the current administration’s work on roads and parks but argued that the four-year electoral cycle disrupts major projects.

Discussion Items

• Resolution 556-26: Authorized an intergovernmental agreement with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service to designate certain Hawaii Police Department officers as Postal Inspector Task Force Officers. Captain Boyten explained the agreement would help combat drug trafficking, firearms, and human trafficking. The resolution was forwarded to the full council with a favorable recommendation (9 ayes).
• Bill 156: Amended Chapter 2, Article 25 of the Hawaii County Code to require nonprofit organizations applying for county grants to certify, under penalty of perjury, that they have internal policies on management, audits, fiscal procedures, nepotism, and conflicts of interest. Councilmember Inaba, the bill’s sponsor, stated it would streamline the review process. The committee forwarded the bill to council with a favorable recommendation (9 ayes).
• Bill 158: Proposed a charter amendment to create a hybrid council-manager system, replacing the managing director with a county manager appointed by the council and mayor for a six-year term. Councilmember Kimball, the sponsor, argued the change would improve fiscal stability, bond ratings, and long-term project management by depoliticizing administrative functions. The mayor’s office indicated a veto was likely. Debate focused on the balance of power, accountability, the appointment process, and the potential for political influence. After extensive discussion, the committee voted 5-4 to forward the bill to council with a favorable recommendation.

Key Outcomes

• Nominations: All four nominations (Communications 895, 896, 897, 898, 899) were approved unanimously and sent to the full council with favorable recommendations.
• Resolution 556-26: Approved unanimously and forwarded to the full council.
• Bill 156: Approved unanimously and forwarded to the full council.
• Bill 158: Approved by a vote of 5-4 (Councilmembers Galimba, Kimball, Viegas, Kagiwada, and Connelly Kleinfelder in favor; Councilmembers Houstis, Inaba, Kirkowitz, and O’Nishi opposed) and forwarded to the full council for first reading. The mayor has indicated he will veto the bill, but the committee proceeded. The deadline for charter amendments to appear on the ballot is July 30, 2026.