OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Hawai'i County Council Meeting - May 20, 2026: General Plan 2045 Debate and Approvals

County Council & Committees — Wednesday, May 20, 2026
BodyHawaii County, Hawaii
SessionCounty Council & Committees
DateWednesday, May 20, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 3:57:29
Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

Aloha Kaka Kahiyaka again.

0:02

Everyone, welcome to the 39th session of the Hawai'i County Council.

0:06

The date today is May 20th, 2026.

0:09

We are meeting at the Hawaii County Building, Gilo Chambers at 25 Alpuni Street.

0:16

And this morning, I am honored to call on Pastor Jose Sanchez of Hilo Seventh Day Adventist Church to provide our invocation.

0:25

Good morning, Pastor.

0:27

Good morning.

0:28

Thank you.

0:28

And thank you for getting my name pronunciation correct.

0:33

Good morning, everybody.

0:34

I'm gonna keep this very short.

0:36

There's just uh a scripture text uh that's close to my heart that I want to share with everybody.

0:41

You may have heard it before.

0:42

Uh it's found in Galatians, and it's in the context of doing good to everybody.

0:47

Um specifically in chapter six, verse nine, uh, where scripture tells us let us not become weary or tired of doing good.

0:57

And if we're honest, uh doing good all the time can become exhausting sometimes, especially in a world where you're not rewarded for doing good all the time.

1:06

But scripture tells us that we should continue to do good in all circumstances.

1:10

Um, and that is my prayer this morning for all of us.

1:13

I see that we have the fire department here, so thank you guys for being an example of what it means to do good and for the next generation, the examples that you guys leave.

1:22

Um, I would like to ask if you guys would join me in a quick word of prayer to open this.

1:26

So I would appreciate it.

1:27

Dear Heavenly Father, I ask that you pour your blessings upon this community, upon this council, uh, upon us, Lord.

1:34

Uh continue to be with us, watch over us.

1:37

May we never grow tired of doing good for each other and for our community.

1:41

We ask you this humbly and your son's name.

1:44

Amen.

1:44

Amen.

1:46

Mahaloe, Pastor, with that, we're calling this meeting to order 9 03 a.m.

1:51

Mr.

1:51

Clerk, roll call, please.

1:53

Councilmember Galimba.

1:55

Here.

1:55

Councilmember Eustace.

1:57

Present.

1:58

Councilmember Kagiwada.

1:59

Here.

1:59

Councilmember Kylie Kleinfelder.

2:01

Here.

2:01

Councilmember Kirkowitz.

2:03

Present.

2:03

Councilmember Campbell.

2:04

Here.

2:06

Present.

2:06

Councilmember Viegas.

2:08

AL.

2:09

Cherry Nava.

2:10

AL.

2:10

Chair Nabi of all nine members present.

2:12

Wonderful.

2:13

With that, would you please lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance?

2:17

Please stand if you feel comfortable doing so.

2:42

Alrighty.

2:43

So, like I said earlier this morning, we do have a lot of great things happening here in our Hawaii Island community.

2:50

And to get us started this morning, I'd like to call on the Hawaii Fire Department to come forth to present our Java Award for May 2026.

3:02

Chief, and if you would please, I'd like to invite up the recipients as well at this time.

3:13

You guys see past the update.

3:29

Thank you, Chief.

3:30

And uh for those joining us this morning, the Java Award was created by the County Council to recognize the outstanding work of those in our fire and police departments.

3:41

So every month we have the opportunity, thanks to the administration to recognize uh those employees who have gone above and beyond their normal work duties uh in service to community or in service to the to their department.

3:56

So I'm gonna hand it over to Chief Fopy now to introduce uh our awardees and why they were selected as this month's awardees.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Zoning And Land Use██████████████████████████26%
Procedural██████████████14%
Public Engagement██████████10%
Youth Programs████████8%
Public Safety███████7%
Environmental Protection███3%
Technology and Innovation███3%
Agriculture and Land Use███3%
Pending Litigation███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Hawai'i County Council Meeting - May 20, 2026

The Hawai'i County Council convened its 39th session on May 20, 2026, at 9:03 a.m. in the Hilo Council Chambers. The meeting included ceremonial presentations, numerous resolutions, and extensive debate on Bill 66 (General Plan 2045). After hours of public testimony and council discussion, Bill 66 passed first reading by a 6-3 vote.

Ceremonial Items

  • Java Award: Presented to Fire Recruit Eddie McClellan and Fire Equipment Mechanic Elmer Longboyer for restoring a 1948 fire engine used in former Chief Todd's memorial service.
  • EMS Week Recognition: Battalion Chief Kili Kunai and Chaplain Renee Godoi highlighted the work of EMS providers, noting that EMS calls make up over 75% of the department's call volume.
  • Hilo High Girls Water Polo Team: Recognized for an undefeated 2026 season. Coach Kanoe Lyons described the team's three-year journey from losing by 20 points to winning the BIIF championship.

Consent Calendar

  • The council approved 26 resolutions by unanimous or near-unanimous votes, including:
    • Resolution 503-26: Roadway dedication in South Hilo.
    • Resolutions 518-26, 544-26, 545-26: Amendments to council rules (permitted interaction groups, voting/disclosure, excused absences).
    • Resolution 548-26: $477,266.50 in stewardship grants to four nonprofits.
    • Resolution 549-26: Multi-year housing assistance contract for 29 vouchers at Kinoli Senior Residences (up to $550,000/year for 20 years).
    • Resolution 550-26: Four-year contract for Hawaii Firefighters Association (estimated $25,292,860).
    • Resolution 551-26: $150,000 grant for coffee berry borer and leaf rust pesticide subsidy.
    • Resolution 552-26: Acquisition of 1.26 acres in South Kona for conservation (highest priority in 2025 PONC report).
    • Resolutions 557-26 through 573-26: Various transfers and grants for community events, youth programs, and public safety equipment.
    • Resolution 568-26: Recognition of Job Challenge Academy Class 4 graduating cohort (amended to include names).
  • Bills 148, 150, 151, 152, 153, 155 passed at second and final reading (unanimous).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Support for Resolution 568-26 (Job Challenge Academy): Three associates (Matthew Kupa, Troy Stagermeyer, Genesis Nakihei) testified about earning certificates, high school diplomas, and life skills through the program.
  • DARE Program Support: Royland Valera testified in support of Resolutions 562-26 and 564-26, funding Dare Day events in East and West Hawaii.
  • Bill 66 (General Plan 2045): Extensive testimony, with approximately 25 speakers:
    • Opponents (majority of testifiers): Express concerns about UN Agenda 21/30 influence, loss of property rights, data centers, eminent domain, mapping errors, lack of public input, and potential litigation. Speakers included April Lee, Donna Grable, Aaron Zeman, Kaleika Ilikini, Sarah Steiner, Robert Patrice, and others. Several called for a moratorium on data centers and water bottling facilities.
    • Supporters (including John Pelletier, Nancy Pisekio, Chris Ewan, Ruth Robison, Chuck Flaherty): Argued the plan is necessary after 11 years of work, provides updated tools for resilience, climate change, and sustainability, and that amendments can be made later. The Kona CDP Action Committee and Sierra Club Hawaii Island Group offered conditional support.
  • Other: Opposition to communication 372.192 (proposed GP 2026 amendments) and support for resolution 563-26 (Kekuaokalani Gymnasium flooring).

Discussion Items

  • Bill 66 Draft 2 (General Plan 2045): Councilmembers debated the plan's merits and flaws:
    • Supporters (Galimba, Connelly Kleinfelder, Viegas, Kagiwada, Kimball, Houstis): Emphasized the plan's biocultural stewardship, climate goals, and the need for a guiding document after 11 years and $2 million. They noted it is a general plan, not a regulatory mandate, and that amendments can follow.
    • Opponents (Kirkowitz, O'Neishi, Nava): Raised concerns about implementation, governance, and the lack of a clear mechanism for follow-through. Councilmember Kirkowitz offered an alternative framework but acknowledged it was not vetted. Councilmember Houstis highlighted mapping resolution issues and the need for corrections.
  • Amendments: Councilmember Kimball's proposal to add data center restrictions was not introduced; she stated they are effectively prohibited in current code. Councilmember Houstis submitted map corrections for District 9. Councilmember Kirkowitz's communication 372.192 (GP 2026) was opposed by the Kona CDP Action Committee and others.
  • Legal Warnings: Testifier Aaron Zeman warned that the process is "void ab initio" due to missing Ramsay formatting and a pending court case (July 15 hearing).

Key Outcomes

  • Bill 66 (General Plan 2045) Draft 2: Passed first reading on a 6-3 vote (Ayes: Galimba, Houstis, Kagiwada, Connelly Kleinfelder, Kimball, Viegas; Nays: Kirkowitz, O'Neishi, Nava).
  • Resolution 545-26: Amended and approved (9-0) to require council members to notify the chair of absences, with committee chairs announcing excused/unexcused.
  • Resolution 550-26: Approved (8-1, Kirkowitz recused) for firefighter salary increases.
  • Resolution 568-26: Amended to include cadet names and approved (9-0).
  • All other resolutions and bills: Approved unanimously (9-0) or with minor recusals.
  • Next Steps: The council will reconvene May 21 for special council on real property tax rates and the operating and capital budgets. Bill 66 will proceed to second reading.

Meeting Transcript

Aloha Kaka Kahiyaka again. Everyone, welcome to the 39th session of the Hawai'i County Council. The date today is May 20th, 2026. We are meeting at the Hawaii County Building, Gilo Chambers at 25 Alpuni Street. And this morning, I am honored to call on Pastor Jose Sanchez of Hilo Seventh Day Adventist Church to provide our invocation. Good morning, Pastor. Good morning. Thank you. And thank you for getting my name pronunciation correct. Good morning, everybody. I'm gonna keep this very short. There's just uh a scripture text uh that's close to my heart that I want to share with everybody. You may have heard it before. Uh it's found in Galatians, and it's in the context of doing good to everybody. Um specifically in chapter six, verse nine, uh, where scripture tells us let us not become weary or tired of doing good. And if we're honest, uh doing good all the time can become exhausting sometimes, especially in a world where you're not rewarded for doing good all the time. But scripture tells us that we should continue to do good in all circumstances. Um, and that is my prayer this morning for all of us. I see that we have the fire department here, so thank you guys for being an example of what it means to do good and for the next generation, the examples that you guys leave. Um, I would like to ask if you guys would join me in a quick word of prayer to open this. So I would appreciate it. Dear Heavenly Father, I ask that you pour your blessings upon this community, upon this council, uh, upon us, Lord. Uh continue to be with us, watch over us. May we never grow tired of doing good for each other and for our community. We ask you this humbly and your son's name. Amen. Amen. Mahaloe, Pastor, with that, we're calling this meeting to order 9 03 a.m. Mr. Clerk, roll call, please. Councilmember Galimba. Here. Councilmember Eustace. Present. Councilmember Kagiwada. Here. Councilmember Kylie Kleinfelder. Here. Councilmember Kirkowitz. Present. Councilmember Campbell. Here. Present. Councilmember Viegas. AL. Cherry Nava. AL. Chair Nabi of all nine members present. Wonderful. With that, would you please lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance?

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