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.
Public testimony was heard on several agenda items, including Bill 165, Bills 125/126 (Pahoa zoning), and Resolutions 595, 607, and 608.
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.