Laserfiche WebLink
REPORT OF THE <br />COMMITTEE ON FINANCE <br />DATE: December 19, 2023 <br />PLACE: Council Chambers <br />Kailua-Kona, Hawaii <br />TIME: 1:18 P.M. <br />Council Chair and Members <br />Hawaii County Council <br />Hilo, Hawaii 96720 <br />Re: Comm. No. 641/Res. No. 384-23 <br />Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred Resolution No. 384-23, reports as follows: <br />Resolution No. 384-23, transmitted by Finance Director Deanna S. Sako, via Communication No. 641 <br />dated December 1, 2023, authorizes the Mayor to enter into an agreement with the United States <br />Department of Housing and Urban Development. <br />This resolution allows for the receipt of $13,000,000 of federally -derived funds to be applied towards <br />the renovations to the Hilo Memorial Hospital, located at 34 Rainbow Drive, South Hilo. <br />Assistant Housing Administrator Harry Yada provided background on this measure. <br />Committee Member Heather Kimball congratulated the Office of Housing and Development for <br />acquiring these funds but said she would not support this resolution. She said that she would not be <br />voting against free money but would be making a protest vote against this, stating that there are <br />buildings in the County to be renovated. Due to the multiple problems that the Hilo Memorial Hospital <br />has, from deteriorating structure to asbestos in the walls, it does not feel like an appropriate project to <br />fund. <br />Committee Member Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder appreciated and thanked Ms. Kimball for her comments. <br />Committee Member Jenn Kagiwada appreciated Ms. Kimball's comments but stated that she would <br />support this. Ms. Kagiwada asked Mr. Yada how they planned to manage the relocation of the current <br />tenants. Mr. Yada shared that they do have a plan and don't anticipate those tenants would not be <br />displaced. <br />Committee Member Holeka Goro Inaba asked Mr. Yada who owned the Hilo Memorial Hospital, to <br />which he replied that the state owned the building. It is under executive order to the County for public <br />use. Mr. Inaba requested that all the apostrophes be correct to `okina's. <br />Committee Member Rebecca Villegas stated that she was born in this hospital. She also appreciated <br />Ms. Kimball's comments but understands that the department is under pressure to get these funds and <br />start this project. <br />FC Report No. 121 <br />