The Committee on Public Safety and Economy met on Thursday, April 30, 2026, at 1 p.m. via remote conferencing, chaired by Councilmember [Chair] with Vice Chair Kia Aina, Councilmembers Nishimoto, Okimoto, and Tupola present. The meeting addressed two resolutions and an informational briefing on wildfire preparedness.
Key discussion points:
Aloha and good afternoon, everybody. It is 1 p.m. on Thursday, April 30th, and I call the council the Committee on Public Safety and Economy meeting to order. I would like to welcome uh committee vice chair Kia Aina, Council Members Nishimoto and Okimoto. Pursuant to section 92-3.7 Hawaii vice statute. This meeting will be conducted as a remote meeting by interactive conference technology. With the following procedures in effect for the meeting, members of the public will be allowed to provide oral testimony on all items on the agenda in person in the council chamber and remotely when each item is taken up. As both English and the Hawaiian language are official languages of the state of Hawaii, pursuant to Article 15, Section 4 of the Hawaii State Constitution, Section 1-13 of the Hawaii Revised Statute. Members of the public may testify in either language for testimonies offered in Olelo Hawai'i. Additional time may be necessary. We'll be allowed for the testifier to provide an English translation of their testimony. Before testifying, each person shall state the name. Each speaker may not have anyone else read their statement and is limited to a one-minute presentation on each item. All persons who have registered to testify in person will be called upon first. When the timer goes off, please conclude your remarks promptly. Persons who have not registered would be given an opportunity to testify following the registered testifiers. Once in-person testimony has concluded, our proceed to remote testimony. All persons who have registered to testify remotely by video conference or telephone will then be called upon. When your name is called, please monitor your screen and activate your audio feed when prompt. For persons who are testifying by telephone, only I will identify you by the last three digits of your phone number. When your number is called, please listen for the prompt to unmute and press star six. When I call for anyone else standing by remotely, please utilize the zoom raise hand button to indicate your desire to speak. For those joining us by telephone only, please pre please press star nine to indicate your desire to speak. So friendly reminders and tips. Video conference from a quiet location if possible. If you're also watching the proceedings on Olelo, please mute your television and when you're called when you're called to testify. When the timer on the screen reaches zero, please conclude your remarks promptly. HRS section 92-3.7 requires all votes to a remote meetings be conducted by roll call unless unanimous. Therefore, first call for objections, and if there are any, I'll call a roll call vote. Within testimonies, including the testifyers' email address and phone number will be available to the public as described on the posted agenda. As a courtesy, please turn off our cell phones for the duration of the meeting. We'd like to welcome Councilmember Tupolo to the chamber. Okay. Moving on to agenda item number one for action, resolution 2659. The resolution confirms the appointment of Richard Bryce to serve on the fire commission, the city and county of Honolulu members. I posted an agenda a proposed CD1 submitted by myself for your information. A summary of the amendments is listed on the agenda. And I believe Richard is here. Would you like to say a few words? Afternoon. I appreciate the opportunity to come again and sit in on this meeting. Um I had a chance to talk with some of you. I'm very much looking forward to jumping on board, helping out in accomplishing some faster, better, cheaper results within the processes. So ready when you are. Members, you have questions. Councilmember Okimoto. Thank you, Chair. Aloha, and good afternoon. Well, I had some questions if that's okay. I don't believe I was one that was able to meet, and I I checked with my office and I I didn't see an office.