Hawaii County Council 45th Session: July 23, 2026 – PONC Fund, Pahoa Zoning, Awards
Hawaii County Council 45th Session: July 23, 2026 – PONC Fund, Pahoa Zoning, Awards
The Hawaii County Council held its 45th session on July 23, 2026, at the West Hawaii Civic Center in Kona. The meeting began at 9:04 a.m. and adjourned at 12:00 p.m., with all nine council members present. Key actions included approvals of various resolutions, passage of several bills, and a failed third-reading vote on Bill 165, a charter amendment regarding the Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation (PONC) maintenance fund. The meeting also featured a certificate presentation honoring a police detective, and multiple public testimony periods.
Consent Calendar
- Minutes of the May 5, 2026 council meeting were deemed approved without amendment.
- GOAC-144 (Communication 946): Nomination of Shauna Kalaukukui to the Cultural Resources Commission – confirmed unanimously (9-0).
- GOAC-145 (Communication 947): Nomination of Jonathan Zeigner to the Hamakua Community Development Plan Action Committee – confirmed unanimously (9-0).
Public Comments & Testimony
Public testimony was heard on several agenda items, including Bill 165, Bills 125/126 (Pahoa zoning), and Resolutions 595, 607, and 608.
- Bill 165 (PONC maintenance fund): Multiple testifiers expressed positions:
- Susan Durston (Captain Cook) urged the council to vote against Bill 165 if meaningful changes could not be made, emphasizing the need for consistent and secure funding for nonprofit stewards.
- Brenda Ford (District 6/7, former council member) argued that the word "shall" must be enforced as mandatory, citing Supreme Court rulings, and urged a vote against the bill.
- Corey Hardin (via Zoom) supported the bill, stating that PONC "does not work without a well-designed and well-run maintenance fund."
- Amadeo Markov (PONC Commissioner, speaking personally) expressed strong support for Bill 165, calling it a "modernization of the program" that provides a comprehensive stewardship framework. He also expressed strong support for Bills 125 and 126 (Pahoa village design).
- Tim Rowan (President, Malama O Puna and Black Sands Community Association) supported Bill 165, noting the summit that led to the bill.
- Eileen O'Hara (Executive Director, Malama O Puna) supported Bill 165, citing problems with the current stewardship program and the need for flexibility.
- Sammy Stanbro (Hilo) opposed removing open space protections from the charter, recounting the grassroots history of the PONC program.
- Deborah Ward (via Zoom) opposed Bill 165, arguing it was offered "in haste" and "guts the charter" without fixing underlying problems.
- Susie Osborne (via Zoom) supported Bill 165, stating it does not weaken the maintenance fund but provides greater clarity.
- Deborah Hecht (long-time PONC advocate) opposed the bill, presenting preferred amendments and warning that moving too much detail out of the charter could allow future councils or administrators to undermine the fund.
- Resolutions 607/608 (grants to Malama O Puna): Testifiers supported the resolutions, highlighting the feral pig problem and the need to celebrate the preservation of Honolulu Landing.
Discussion Items
- Certificate Presentation: Detective John Kari (Juvenile Aid Section) was awarded the June 2026 Hubveil Award for his investigation and arrest of a Canadian adult male who traveled to Hawaii to meet a minor (under age 14) via an online gaming platform. The detective's actions led to a grand jury indictment for sexual assault and promoting child abuse.
- Bill 168 (Rezoning, Kinaloli): The bill repeals several old ordinances to revert zoning from village commercial/multiple-family residential to double-family residential and agricultural on a 6.467-acre parcel. A motion to amend the bill to include affordable housing conditions (Communication 937.4) was withdrawn after Corporation Counsel advised that such a condition could raise legal issues related to takings and proportionality. The bill was amended to remove a section allowing conditions (Communication 937.2) and then approved at first reading (9-0). It was briefly tabled for clarification on title and survey, which was provided by the applicant.
- Bill 165 (PONC Charter Amendment): Extensive debate occurred on the third and final reading. Key amendments were adopted:
- Communication 915.7: Requires deposits into the maintenance fund "at least annually."
- Communication 915.8: Requires a publicly available "itemized accounting of receipts and disbursements" and a "public notice of the annual opportunity for maintenance funds." Council members expressed divided views. Supporters argued the bill removes the outdated $3 million cap and provides needed flexibility, while opponents (Councilmembers Galimba, Connelly Kleinfelder, Kimball, and Kagiwada) cited insufficient community time to review, the lack of a companion code amendment, and concerns about moving details out of the charter. After a roll call vote, the bill failed 5-4 (Councilmembers Houstis, Kirkowitz, Onishi, Viegas, and Chair Inaba in favor; Councilmembers Galimba, Connelly Kleinfelder, Kimball, and Kagiwada opposed). Councilmember Kimball pledged to continue work on the issue if the bill does not pass on the ballot.
- Bills 125 and 126 (Pahoa Village Design/Downtown District): Both bills were approved. Bill 125 clarifies duties and procedures for the Pahoa Design Review Committee. Bill 126 creates the Downtown Pahoa Commercial special district, a voluntary zoning designation to preserve the village's character while allowing compatible economic activity. Both bills passed with eight ayes (Councilmember Connelly Kleinfelder excused on Bill 125; Councilmember Vegas excused on Bill 126).
- Bill 163 (Property Tax Dedication for Generational Lands): Approved on second and final reading (8-0-1, Councilmember Vegas excused). The bill establishes a new property tax dedication for certain properties owned by descendants of original owners (at least 100 years), subject to minimum tax.
- Bill 164 (Housing Administrator Confirmation): Approved as amended (9-0). The amendment (Communication 914.4) adds a requirement that the mayor appoint the housing administrator within 30 days of taking office or within 60 days of a vacancy.
- Resolutions 594, 595, 606, 607, 608: All approved unanimously (9-0) or as noted.
- Resolution 594: Cooperative service agreement with USDA for wildlife damage management.
- Resolution 595: Intergovernmental agreement with USDA NRCS for a conservation easement on the Keolo family 'loi (supporting Resolution 513-26).
- Resolution 606: Grant to grassroots group for "For the Love Festival."
- Resolution 607: Grant of $5,000 to Malama O Puna for the second annual "Smoke It Up Festival" (amended to move date to November 14).
- Resolution 608: Grant of $2,500 to Ki Paipai O Mo'o Foundation for a ceremony honoring Honolulu Landing preservation.
Key Outcomes
- Bill 165 (PONC Charter Amendment): Failed on third and final reading. The vote was 5-4 in favor, falling short of the required two-thirds (6 votes). The measure will not advance to the ballot in its current form.
- Bill 168 (Kinaloli Rezoning): Approved at first reading (9-0), after being amended to remove a conditions section. The bill will move to second reading.
- Bills 125 and 126 (Pahoa Zoning): Approved on second and final reading, establishing new design guidelines and a voluntary downtown commercial district.
- Bill 163 (Generational Property Tax): Approved on second and final reading, creating a new property tax dedication.
- Bill 164 (Housing Administrator): Approved as amended on second and final reading, requiring council confirmation and setting appointment timelines.
- Resolutions 594, 595, 606, 607, 608: All approved (unanimous or with minor amendments).
- Executive Session: The council entered executive session to consult with Corporation Counsel on legal proceedings concerning Alan Fukamizu (Communication 957). A motion to accept the recommendation provided by Corporation Counsel was approved (9-0), and the file was closed.
- Appointments: Shauna Kalaukukui (Cultural Resources Commission) and Jonathan Zeigner (Hamakua CDP Action Committee) were confirmed.
Meeting Transcript
Aloha Kakahiyaka and welcome to the 45th session of the Hawaii County Council. The date today is July 23rd, 2026. The time is 9 a.m. We are meeting today the entire county council in our Kona Chambers at the West Hawaii Civic Center. And to begin today's meeting, I'd like to call on Kahu Kialoha Kaopua of Calvary Community Church in Kona to provide our invocation. Aloha Kagahiaka. My pleasure to be here this morning. And uh I was reflecting on the fact that I've lived 65 years, and in those 65 years, I've learned one thing more than anything else is that actions have consequences. If I accidentally grab a hot pot or a hot pan, my fingers will burn. If I go too fast on the highway, I will be reminded by the law enforcers that I've gone too fast. So actions do have consequences. And today is July 23rd, just a typical Thursday in Korna. But thousands of years ago, on this very day, actions resulted in consequences that were very dire for the people of Israel. In Numbers chapter 13 and 14, on this very day, it's called the ninth of Av. They refused to enter into the promised land that God had for them. It was a year out from the first Passover. They had left uh slavery, they were about to enter into the promised land. God said, Give me 12 people, one from each tribe, go in to check out all the good things that I have for you. They did, they came back. Ten of them had a negative report, only two said that we can take it. We can overcome the giants of the land. But their decision not to go in resulted in the consequence that for 40 days while the spies were in the land, it turned into 40 years that they would have to wander in the desert until that disbelieving generation fell away, and the next generation could enter into the promise of God. I say all that to say this. I know you're about to embark on uh decisions that are going to be impacting for every individual in the Hawai'i County. And I want to pray with you, and I want to pray for you. And the prayer I'm going to do is uh Oli. I call it an Olipule by Auntie Edith Kanakaole. It's a very simple one. It's even embedded on the quarter that has her face. And it basically says, grant us wisdom from above. And that which is hidden, that which is embedded in the lyrics of songs. Being a hula master, it was a perfect setting for her students to go deeper in what they were called to do. But I believe it applies to every area of life, even today. The Bible says that if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, he will give it to us freely and without holding back. No impartiality. Bible also says that it's the glory of God to conceal the matter. But it is the glory of a king, a leader to seek it out. And so if you know this prayer, you can join me. If not, just allow the prayer to do what it needs to do and fill our hearts and our lives and prepare us as we're on the threshold of making so many decisions for Hawai'i County. Oh my Luna Mae. Oh Na Melehuna Noia Wona Mele Maya. And this Olipula ends with endow us, enrich us and empower us. And we ask this all these blessings through your son Jesus Christ. Mahaka in O Yesu Christo. Amen. God bless you all. Have a good day. Mahavanoi, Pastor. With that, calling this meeting to order at 9 04, Mr. Clerk, roll call, please.
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