Hawaii County Council 44th Session: July 8, 2026

The Hawaii County Council held its 44th session on July 8, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. in Hilo, with all nine members present. The meeting began with an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by presentations recognizing community contributions, public testimony on multiple agenda items, and the approval of several resolutions and bills. Key actions included confirmation of a fire commission nominee, approval of a resolution mandating Native Hawaiian law training within 12 months of taking office, and passage of bills establishing a disaster recovery officer and updating the Pahoa Village Design District.

Presentations & Recognitions

• Economic Recovery Fellow Recognition: Councilmember Kirkowitz introduced Mina Viditua Jr. and Susie Osborne (Ho'Uru La Hui) to honor Viditua's two-and-a-half-year fellowship with the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) supporting Lower Puna's recovery from the 2018 Kilauea eruption. The fellowship, one of 65 awarded from over 1,400 applicants (4% acceptance rate), focused on community-driven economic resilience. Susie Osborne highlighted the launch of Hale Halavai Opuna and other initiatives.
• Joveo Award (July 2026): Firefighter Lahaina Olson Karuda from Hiʻiaka Fire Station was recognized for exceptional service, including leadership in the Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) team, car seat safety programs, and organizing a Christmas party for fire department families. Council members praised his dedication to mental health and community support.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes: The minutes of the April 22, 2026, council meeting were deemed approved with no amendments.
• Fire Commission Nomination: Eric Enoy was confirmed to the Fire Commission (8 ayes, 1 excused: Councilmember Kanyeli Kleinfelder).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Sheree Grifford (Kona, on Resolutions 5926, 59326, and 16326): Expressed concerns about wastewater treatment plants not filtering "forever chemicals" (PFAS) and pharmaceuticals, and questioned the use of taxpayer monies. On Bill 163, she argued the law should prioritize Hawaiian beneficiaries and Kumu ʻāina over all descendants.
• Eileen O'Hara (Pahoa, on Bills 125, 126, 157, 165): Representing Malama O Puna, she supported Bills 125 and 126 (Pahoa Village Design District), Bill 157 (disaster recovery officer), and Bill 165 (PONC amendment). She also thanked Councilmember Kirkowitz for work on the Pahoa Village Master Plan and noted she was the only District 4 council candidate testifying.
• Kamaile Puluole Mitchell (via Zoom, on Resolution 577): On behalf of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA), she expressed support for the resolution requiring Native Hawaiian law training, particularly the 12-month completion amendment, to inform council decisions on land use, housing, and cultural resources.
• Renée Gadoy (in person, on Resolution 598): As founder of Friends of First Responders, she supported the resolution for the 2026 Robus couples conference for first responders, emphasizing the unique stresses on their marriages and the need for respite.
• Amadeo Markov (in person, on Bills 125, 126, 157, 165): Supported all four bills. On Bill 165, he noted the importance of stewardship funding beyond acquisition, and on Bill 157, he cited the 2018 eruption as a reason for a permanent recovery officer. He also spoke to the community-driven planning behind Bills 125 and 126.
• Wayne Braden (in person, on Resolution 598): Spoke in support of the resolution, sharing personal stories about first responders and advocating for traffic safety improvements on Saddle Road and signage related to Aliyah's Law.
• Susie Osborne (on Bills 125, 126, 157, 165): As co-chair of the Puna economic recovery effort, she praised the Pahoa special district planning and urged passage of the bills. She also testified on Bill 157, sharing her personal experience losing her home and nonprofit in the 2018 eruption and the need for a structured recovery framework.
• Deborah Ward (on Bill 165): Supported the charter amendment in general but expressed concerns about the lack of concurrent code changes and the omission of the PONC Commission's role in stewardship decisions, warning that the bill could give too much power to the Mayor and Finance Department.
• Debbie Hecht (via Zoom, on Bill 165): Co-author of the original charter amendments, she urged caution, suggesting a two-year delay to allow better understanding of the program. She proposed amendments to ensure semi-annual deposits, detailed financial reporting, and mandatory grant awards (changing "may" to "shall"). She noted that if the bill passes without safeguards, a "vote no" campaign could follow.

Discussion Items

• Resolution 577-26 (Native Hawaiian Law Training): Councilmember Kagiwada moved to amend the resolution to require council members to complete the OHA Native Hawaiian Law Training within 12 months of taking office, down from 24 months. OHA's Kamaile Puluole Mitchell confirmed that training is offered 2-3 times per year at no cost, with plans to increase to four times per year. The amendment passed 9-0. The resolution as amended was approved unanimously.
• Resolution 592-26 (Wastewater Treatment Plant Extensions): Authorized extensions of EPA consent agreements for Kulae Manual and Popeiko plants. Councilmember Kanyeli Kleinfelder questioned the timeline and potential for incorporating R1/R2 water reuse and addressing PFAS. DEM Director Dan Gervin noted that PFAS treatment is not in current plans but may be required in future permitting. The resolution passed 9-0.
• Bill 126 (Pahoa Village Special District): Councilmember Kirkowitz introduced an amendment (Communication 710.5) to add plan approval requirements for projects, which was adopted. The bill as amended passed first reading.
• Bill 164 (Housing Administrator Confirmation): Councilmember O'Nishi moved to amend the bill to align with charter provisions (30-day appointment, 60-day council confirmation). A discussion noted that the amendment might need refinement to match charter language exactly; the council agreed to perfect it at second reading. The amendment and bill passed first reading.
• Bill 157 (Disaster Recovery Officer): On second and final reading, Councilmember Kirkowitz emphasized the need for a proactive recovery framework, noting the after-action report from the 2018 eruption showed the county could have done better. The bill passed 9-0.
• Bill 162 (Paid Parking Facilities): Councilmember Viegas expressed disappointment at the number of vacant storefronts in Kailua-Kona but noted the bill is a step toward transparency. Passed 9-0 on final reading.
• Bill 165 (PONC Charter Amendment): Extensive discussion on the amendment to increase the maintenance fund allocation and remove the $3 million cap. Councilmember Kirkowitz offered an amendment (Communication 915.4) to keep the allocation at 0.25% (quarter percent) but allow the council and Finance Director to appropriate additional funds as needed. The amendment passed 7-2 (Houstis and Kagiwada opposed). Debate included concerns about the fund accumulating without a cap, the need for concurrent code changes, and the desire to protect the program from political interference. Deputy Finance Director Malia Kai confirmed that the department supports the bill and plans to spend more on property assessments and stewardship. The bill passed second reading 9-0, with a third reading scheduled.

Key Outcomes

• Fire Commission Nomination Confirmed: Eric Enoy confirmed to the Fire Commission (8-1).
• Resolution 577-26 Approved: Requires council members to complete Native Hawaiian law training within 12 months of taking office (9-0).
• Resolution 586-26 Approved: Authorizes $142,000 in recovery grant funds to Pohaku Pelemaka for the Kilauea eruption recovery (9-0).
• Resolution 592-26 Approved: Extends EPA consent agreement deadlines for Kulae Manual and Popeiko wastewater treatment plants (9-0).
• Resolution 593-26 Approved: Extends deadlines for Pahala and Naalehu large capacity cesspool closures (9-0).
• Resolutions 596-601 Approved: Various grant and transfer resolutions passed (all 9-0).
• Bill 125 Approved at First Reading: Clarifies the Pahoa Village Design District procedures (9-0).
• Bill 126 (as amended) Approved at First Reading: Creates the downtown Pahoa commercial district as a special zoning district (9-0).
• Bill 157 Approved at Second and Final Reading: Establishes a permanent county disaster recovery program led by a recovery officer (9-0).
• Bill 162 Approved at Second and Final Reading: Amends paid parking facility regulations (9-0).
• Bill 163 Approved at First Reading: Establishes a real property tax dedication for properties owned by descendants of original owners (minimum tax for generational lands) (9-0).
• Bill 164 (as amended) Approved at First Reading: Requires council confirmation for the housing administrator (9-0).
• Bill 165 (as amended) Approved at Second Reading: Initiates a charter amendment to increase the PONC maintenance fund allocation and remove the accrual limit (9-0). Third reading scheduled for next meeting.

Announcements

• Next Meeting Location Change: Due to election operations, council meetings on July 22-23, August 4-5, and August 18-19 will be held in Kona at the West Hawaii Civic Center. Hilo chambers will be closed.
• Waikōloa Evacuation Traffic Study: Community meeting on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. at the Village Association Banquet Room.
• Memorial: Councilmember Viegas acknowledged the passing of Wendy Madaras Baez, a long-time legislative aide, with condolences to her family. A certificate of service will be prepared.

Meeting adjourned at 12:20 p.m.