Hawai'i County Council 48th Session: Budget Items, Legislation, and Community Grants Approved on September 2, 2026

The Hawaii County Council held its 48th session on September 2, 2026, at the Hawaii County Building in Hilo. The meeting began with presentations recognizing two youth representatives to a national AI symposium, Officer Blake Bragos as the August 2026 HVEO Award recipient, and lifeguards in appreciation of Lifeguard Appreciation Week (August 17-23, 2026). The Council then proceeded through a lengthy agenda including over 30 resolutions, multiple bills for first and second readings, and two executive session items. The meeting lasted from 9:03 a.m. to 1:04 p.m., with a brief recess.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Josephine Kili Pio opposed Resolution 633-26 (Kona Cat Commons Sanctuary Project), noting the D-FIN Foundation has been registered less than two years and lacks a known track record.
• Nicole Sasaki Simmons from the County of Hawaii Parks and Recreation supported Resolution 650-26 for the 40th annual Kupuna Hula Festival, highlighting its role in honoring kupuna and perpetuating Hawaiian culture.
• Julie Eliason testified in support of Bills 173 and 175, describing the property tax burden on her hosted transient vacation rental and urging passage of a bed-and-breakfast tax class and amnesty.
• Stephanie Bath supported the nominations of Jaylyn Brendlen and Gary Rosenberg to the Puna Community Development Plan Action Committee, citing their community involvement and expertise.
• Tom Wazinski, president of the West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery Development and Expansion Association, strongly supported Resolution 657-26 for a Medal of Honor Memorial, noting Sgt. 1st Class Rodney J. Yano's connection to the island.
• Lilinoi Kili Pio Young supported Resolution 641-26 for a ceremony honoring Honolulu Landing, expressing gratitude for the county's acquisition and preservation efforts.
• Celia Bardwell Jones supported Resolution 661-26 for the Barrio Fiesta, emphasizing its educational value for Filipino diaspora and UH Hilo students.
• Renee Godoy, founder of Friends of First Responders, supported Resolutions 636, 655, and 656 for the Robust Conference and officer wellness resources, sharing a story of a couple whose marriage was saved by the conference.
• Del Otsuka supported Resolution 609-26 (HGEA contract) but urged the council to prioritize filling vacancies over spending on consultants.
• Mitchell Marks, executive director of the D-FIN Foundation, testified on Resolutions 633 and 649, explaining the Kona Cat Commons will serve as a pilot project with a template for other cat sanctuaries island-wide.

Discussion Items

• Communications (Nominations): The Council confirmed Jaylyn Brendlen (Puna CDP Action Committee), Gary Rosenberg (Puna CDP Action Committee), and Grace Reinhard (Tax Board of Review) unanimously (9-0 each). Brendlen and Rosenberg received detailed introductions from Mayor's representative Mike Alameda and supportive comments from council members.
• Resolutions: Most resolutions were approved without debate, including:
  • Res. 609-26 (HGEA Unit 15 contract, estimated cost $1,819,315 over four years) – approved 9-0.
  • Res. 610-26 (MRI Software licensing agreement, approx. $55,593/yr) – approved 7-0 (two excused).
  • Res. 611-26 (Police de-escalation training grant, $129,033) – approved 9-0.
  • Res. 612-26 (Legal research services, approx. $13,522/month increasing 7% yearly) – approved 9-0.
  • Res. 614-26 (Handheld mass spectrometers for HPD fentanyl detection) – approved 9-0.
  • Res. 615-26 (Domestic violence prosecution grant, one deputy prosecutor) – approved 9-0.
  • Res. 616-26 (Naloxone nasal spray distribution boxes) – approved 9-0.
  • Res. 617-26 (NACo and WIR board nominations) – approved 9-0.
  • Res. 627-26 (Preservation forum travel stipends, $20,192) – approved 9-0.
  • Numerous community grant resolutions (Res. 633-26 through Res. 663-26, and Res. 647-26, 648-26, 649-26, 650-26, 652-26, 653-26, 654-26, 655-26, 656-26, 657-26, 659-26, 660-26, 661-26, 662-26, 663-26, 667-26) were approved, mostly 9-0. Some had brief sponsor remarks highlighting the funded programs.
  • Res. 634-26 (Ocean View Skatepark Association grant) was amended via Comm. 1008.1 to extend the project completion deadline to May 31, 2027. The amendment and suspension of Rule 23 passed on a 7-2 roll call (Councilmembers Houstis and Kimball opposed). The resolution as amended passed 9-0.
• Bills for First Reading:
  • Bill 169 (Draft 2) – PONC program amendments: Approved with an amendment (Comm. 939.6) to align language, then passed first reading 8-0 (one excused).
  • Bill 173 (Draft 2) – Bed and breakfast home tax class and amnesty: Extensive discussion occurred. Councilmember Kimball introduced an amendment (Comm. 960.6) to remove the waiver of rollback taxes, which failed 2-7. The main motion failed on a roll call vote of 3-6 (Ayes: Galimba, Kagiwada, Campbell; Noes: Houstis, Kānealiʻi-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Onishi, Villegas, Inaba).
  • Bill 176 (Draft 2) – General Plan amendment procedures: Passed first reading 9-0.
  • Bill 177 – Budget amendment for de-escalation training: Passed first reading 9-0 (companion to Res. 611-26).
  • Bill 178 – Budget amendment for special response team grant: Passed first reading 9-0.
  • Bill 179 – Research and Development Department responsibilities and grant program: Passed first reading 9-0.
  • Bill 180 – Budget amendment for preservation forum travel: Passed first reading 9-0 (companion to Res. 627-26).
• Bills for Second Reading:
  • Bill 172 – Motor vehicle weight tax budget: Passed final reading 9-0.
  • Bill 174 – Kona Low Small Business Recovery Grant ($500,000): Passed final reading 9-0.
  • Bill 175 (Draft 2) – Transient accommodations law amendments: Passed final reading 9-0.
• Executive Session: The Council entered executive session on Communication 1034 (enumeration & settlement of property acquisition and inverse condemnation claim) and accepted the Office of Corporation Counsel's recommendation. The file was closed (9-0). Communication 1006 (litigation against the county) was also closed after accepting counsel's recommendation (9-0).

Key Outcomes

• Nominations Confirmed: Jaylyn Brendlen (Puna CDP Action Committee), Gary Rosenberg (Puna CDP Action Committee), and Grace Reinhard (Tax Board of Review) all confirmed unanimously.
• Resolutions Approved: All 30+ resolutions passed, most unanimously. Res. 634-26 was amended and passed 7-2 on the suspension vote but 9-0 on final.
• Bill 173 Failed: The bed-and-breakfast tax class bill did not pass first reading (3-6).
• Other Bills Advanced: Bills 169, 176, 177, 178, 179, 180 passed first reading; Bills 172, 174, 175 passed second/final reading.
• Executive Session Actions: The Council approved legal recommendations for two matters (litigation and property settlement), closing the files.
• Presentation Recognition: The Council honored student AI symposium delegates, Officer Blake Bragos (HVEO Award), and lifeguards for Lifeguard Appreciation Week.