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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Hawaii County Committee on Governmental Operations Meeting - June 2, 2026

County Council & Committees — Tuesday, June 2, 2026

BodyHawaii County, Hawaii

SessionCounty Council & Committees

DateTuesday, June 2, 2026

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 1:12:27

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

0:09

Good morning, everybody.

0:11

Welcome to the 35th session of the Committee on Governmental Operations and External Affairs.

0:17

My name is Jen Kagiwata.

0:18

I'll be chairing this committee today.

0:21

Today we are over here in the Hilo Council Chambers, and the date is June 2nd, 2026, and it is 9 a.m.

0:31

Good to see everybody this morning.

0:34

So this morning we have here in the council chambers with us.

0:38

Councilmember Kimball, Councilmember Galimba, Councilmember Viegas, Councilmember Inaba, Councilmember Kirkowitz, Councilmember Houstis.

0:57

And I believe Councilmember O'Neci will be joining us when he can.

1:03

So we're gonna take everything in order except for resolution 577, which will go to the bottom of the agenda.

1:10

Okay.

1:12

Let's go ahead and get started with public testimony, please.

1:18

Thank you so much, Chair.

1:20

Just noting that we do not have testifiers at your remote site.

1:23

We do have one testifier here in the Hilo chamber.

1:26

Deborah Ward testifying on Bill 165.

1:32

Deborah, if you could come to the front of the room.

1:36

You can turn the mic on by pressing the green button at the base of the mic.

1:40

And then once you introduce yourself, you'll have three minutes.

1:55

I'd um I have been a member of the PONC commission for five years.

2:03

I recently termed out after serving five years with District 5 as a Punk Commissioner.

2:09

And I'd like to thank Councilmember Kirkowitz very much for convening the summit that met with PONC commissioners, with PONC participants, with nonprofits, with people who um care very deeply about protection of public land for open space and trails and coastal access and agriculture.

2:35

Um at the discretion of the council member, and I think it was in a very important way of bringing together a lot of perspectives.

2:44

And unfortunately, I think because the timeline was very short, we didn't really have a time to um flesh out the um council the charter um changes that are being proposed.

2:57

And I I really applaud many of them, including the um increase from a quarter of a percent of the um property tax to half a percent and removing the cap that's on the um on the maintenance fund so that as properties are acquired, they are then available to have stewardship grants provided.

3:22

The stewardship process has indeed been very difficult.

3:26

Um some nonprofits are feeling like they're under siege because they are required not only to fundraise in order to be able to be a nonprofit so that they can steward a property, but they're not allowed to fundraise on the property, and they're not allowed to get grants from other entities in order to provide funding for um for some of the work that needs to be done.

3:51

And so uh I'm sure many of you have heard the complaints, and I won't go into them, but I'm concerned about the changes to the charter, primarily because they omit many things that I think are really critical to be in the charter.

4:06

And um, much as I regret asking you to do this, I think that we don't have time to make the changes in time to make the charter this year.

4:16

And um, I think there are important things that need to be um addressed within the proposal.

4:22

30 seconds, please.

4:24

I'm so sorry, I have so much to say.

4:26

Um, I did send in um testimony, and I just wanted to bring up some of the things that I think need to be dealt with.

4:34

Um, the PONC commission has been sidelined within the description in the charter, and the idea is that many of the processes would go to the code.

4:44

Unfortunately, um the code provisions are not outlined at this point.

4:49

So the charter would actually cut many of the provisions that are very important for running the punk.

4:55

And I apologize for not being fast enough in my testimony.

5:00

I hope you'll be able to read my testimony.

5:01

And I also want to so much for your testimony, Ms.

5:03

Ward.

5:03

Your three minutes are up.

5:06

Chair, just noting that we did have Debbie Heck requesting to provide testimony via Zoom today.

5:10

She is not present at this time for Bill 165.

5:13

So those are all the testifiers you have at this moment.

5:17

Thank you very much, really.

5:20

Let's go ahead and read in communication 40.7, please.

5:24

Last chance if anyone would like to testify in communication 40.7, please speak up now.

5:33

Hearing and seeing none, communication 40.7, Hawaii State Association of Counties, February 17 and March 23rd, 2026.

5:41

Executive Committee meeting minutes from Councilmember Heather L.

5:44

Kimball, dated May 14, 2026.

5:46

Chair motion to close file on communication 40.7.

5:51

I have a motion by Councilmember Kimball and a second by Councilmember Houstis to close file and communication 40.7.

5:58

Councilmember Kimball.

5:59

Yes, just happy to take any questions regarding the meeting minutes from the executive committee and wanted to note for my colleagues that the next um executive committee meeting will be here on Hawaii Island in person.

6:11

So that is going to be on the 22nd of June from 10 to 21st.

6:16

No, it's the 22nd.

6:19

You're all welcome.

6:23

All right.

6:23

Any comments or questions?

6:25

Seeing none, all those in favor on closing file on communication 40.7, please say aye.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Public Access Open Space███████████████████████████████31%

Procedural████████████████16%

Personnel Matters████████████████16%

Fiscal Sustainability█████████████13%

Native Hawaiian Law Training█████████████13%

Economic Development███████7%

Historic Preservation████4%

Summary of Proceedings

Committee on Governmental Operations and External Affairs – June 2, 2026 Meeting Summary

The 35th session of the committee convened at 9 a.m. in the Hilo Council Chambers under Chair Jen Kagiwata. The meeting covered nominations to county boards, a business recovery grant, and two legislative measures. Votes were 7-0-2 on all items (Councilmembers Kleinfelder and Onishi absent).

Public Comments & Testimony

On Bill 165 (PONC charter amendment): Deborah Ward, former PONC commissioner, expressed support for many aspects but urged caution, noting that the timeline was too short to fully flesh out charter changes and that critical provisions were omitted. She requested the council read her written testimony.
On Bill 165: Eileen O'Hauer (representing Palama Puna, via Zoom) supported the bill, arguing that the current program has never functioned efficiently due to excessive detail in the charter.
On Bill 165: Amadeo Markov, current PONC commissioner, testified in support, citing three key improvements: increased stewardship allocation, removal of the cap, and prevention of fund reversion. He emphasized the need to move implementation details to county code for flexibility.

Discussion Items

Communications

Communication 40.7: Minutes from Hawaii State Association of Counties executive committee meetings. Closed and filed unanimously.
Communication 910: Nomination of Tristy Likoan to the Liquor Commission (District 9). Introduced by Executive Assistant Micah Alameda. Ms. Likoan spoke briefly. Councilmembers praised her community involvement. Closed with favorable recommendation to full council.
Communication 911: Nomination of Anna Liu to the Board of Appeals. Introduced by Mr. Alameda. Ms. Liu, a former member of the Banyan Drive Redevelopment Agency, expressed interest in continuing public service. Closed with favorable recommendation.

Resolution 576-26 – Kona Low Business Recovery Program

Authorizes the mayor to accept a $500,000 state grant (from DBEDT) to assist Hawaii Island small businesses damaged by the March Kona Low storm. Deputy Director Lynn (Finance) explained funds will be distributed via the county's existing impact grant system, with a new deadline of August 31, 2026. Councilmembers questioned coordination with SBA/FEMA to avoid duplication. The resolution was forwarded favorably.

Bill 164 – Housing Administrator Confirmation

Would require council confirmation for the housing administrator. The bill was postponed to the June 16 committee hearing at the sponsor's request.

Bill 165 – Charter Amendment Relating to Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation (PONC)

Introduced by Councilmember Kirkowitz. The bill proposes to: (1) increase the annual stewardship allocation from 0.25% to 0.5% of real property tax revenue; (2) remove the $3 million cap on the maintenance fund; (3) prevent unspent funds from reverting to the general fund; and (4) move detailed program requirements from the charter to county code.
Councilmember Kirkowitz stated the intent is to improve long-term sustainability and flexibility. Deputy Director of Finance Malia Kai reported current annual revenue from the quarter-percent is $1.396 million, with a fund balance of $3 million and historical spend of about $500,000. She supported the increase but suggested considering budget neutrality or flexibility to transfer funds from the preservation fund.
Councilmembers Viegas, Kimball, and Galimba expressed support for simplifying the charter but raised concerns about timing, ensuring code amendments are passed concurrently, and the need for more stewards before increasing funding. Councilmember Houstis suggested a future shift from acquisition to maintenance funding. Councilmember Kirkowitz committed to submitting a companion code amendment by July 6 for discussion at the July 22 committee hearing.
The bill was forwarded to the full council with a favorable recommendation (7-0-2).

Resolution 577-26 – Native Hawaiian Law Training for Council Members

Introduced by Councilmember Kagiwata. Would require council members to complete the Office of Hawaiian Affairs/Ka Huli Ao Center's Native Hawaiian law training. Councilmember Kagiwata said the free online training provides critical background on Hawaiian history, land, water, and traditional rights. Several councilmembers offered friendly amendments: allowing credit for prior equivalent training (e.g., from board/commission service), including "when available" language, and clarifying enforcement by the clerk. The resolution was forwarded favorably with amendments to be incorporated at second reading.

Key Outcomes

Communication 40.7: Closed and filed (7-0-2).
Communication 910 (Likoan nomination): Recommended to council favorably (7-0-2).
Communication 911 (Liu nomination): Recommended to council favorably (7-0-2).
Resolution 576-26 (Kona Low grant): Recommended to council favorably (7-0-2).
Bill 164: Postponed to June 16 committee hearing.
Bill 165 (PONC charter amendment): Recommended to council favorably (7-0-2). Maker to submit code amendment by July 6.
Resolution 577-26 (Native Hawaiian law training): Recommended to council favorably (7-0-2) with friendly amendments to be incorporated.

Meeting Transcript

Good morning, everybody. Welcome to the 35th session of the Committee on Governmental Operations and External Affairs. My name is Jen Kagiwata. I'll be chairing this committee today. Today we are over here in the Hilo Council Chambers, and the date is June 2nd, 2026, and it is 9 a.m. Good to see everybody this morning. So this morning we have here in the council chambers with us. Councilmember Kimball, Councilmember Galimba, Councilmember Viegas, Councilmember Inaba, Councilmember Kirkowitz, Councilmember Houstis. And I believe Councilmember O'Neci will be joining us when he can. So we're gonna take everything in order except for resolution 577, which will go to the bottom of the agenda. Okay. Let's go ahead and get started with public testimony, please. Thank you so much, Chair. Just noting that we do not have testifiers at your remote site. We do have one testifier here in the Hilo chamber. Deborah Ward testifying on Bill 165. Deborah, if you could come to the front of the room. You can turn the mic on by pressing the green button at the base of the mic. And then once you introduce yourself, you'll have three minutes. I'd um I have been a member of the PONC commission for five years. I recently termed out after serving five years with District 5 as a Punk Commissioner. And I'd like to thank Councilmember Kirkowitz very much for convening the summit that met with PONC commissioners, with PONC participants, with nonprofits, with people who um care very deeply about protection of public land for open space and trails and coastal access and agriculture. Um at the discretion of the council member, and I think it was in a very important way of bringing together a lot of perspectives. And unfortunately, I think because the timeline was very short, we didn't really have a time to um flesh out the um council the charter um changes that are being proposed. And I I really applaud many of them, including the um increase from a quarter of a percent of the um property tax to half a percent and removing the cap that's on the um on the maintenance fund so that as properties are acquired, they are then available to have stewardship grants provided. The stewardship process has indeed been very difficult. Um some nonprofits are feeling like they're under siege because they are required not only to fundraise in order to be able to be a nonprofit so that they can steward a property, but they're not allowed to fundraise on the property, and they're not allowed to get grants from other entities in order to provide funding for um for some of the work that needs to be done. And so uh I'm sure many of you have heard the complaints, and I won't go into them, but I'm concerned about the changes to the charter, primarily because they omit many things that I think are really critical to be in the charter. And um, much as I regret asking you to do this, I think that we don't have time to make the changes in time to make the charter this year. And um, I think there are important things that need to be um addressed within the proposal. 30 seconds, please. I'm so sorry, I have so much to say. Um, I did send in um testimony, and I just wanted to bring up some of the things that I think need to be dealt with. Um, the PONC commission has been sidelined within the description in the charter, and the idea is that many of the processes would go to the code. Unfortunately, um the code provisions are not outlined at this point. So the charter would actually cut many of the provisions that are very important for running the punk. And I apologize for not being fast enough in my testimony. I hope you'll be able to read my testimony. And I also want to so much for your testimony, Ms. Ward. Your three minutes are up. Chair, just noting that we did have Debbie Heck requesting to provide testimony via Zoom today. She is not present at this time for Bill 165. So those are all the testifiers you have at this moment. Thank you very much, really. Let's go ahead and read in communication 40.7, please. Last chance if anyone would like to testify in communication 40.7, please speak up now. Hearing and seeing none, communication 40.7, Hawaii State Association of Counties, February 17 and March 23rd, 2026. Executive Committee meeting minutes from Councilmember Heather L. Kimball, dated May 14, 2026.

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