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REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON <br />GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS <br />DATE: January 7, 2025 <br />PLACE: Council Chambers <br />Hilo, Hawaii <br />TIME: 9:01 a.m. <br />Council Chair and Members <br />Hawaii County Council <br />Hilo, Hawaii 96720 <br />Re: Comm. No. 47 <br />Your Committee on Governmental Operations and External Affairs, to which was referred <br />Communication No. 47, reports as follows: <br />Communication No. 47, transmitted by Mayor C. Kimo Alameda, dated December 9, 2024, <br />requests the Council's review and confirmation of Clayton Honma as Director of Parks and <br />Recreation. <br />Mayor Alameda was present in the Hilo Chambers to introduce Mr. Honma, who was also <br />present in the Hilo Chambers, to the Committee. <br />Committee Member Ashley Kierkiewicz asked Mr. Honma what his top three priorities are. <br />Mr. Honma responded that he is trying to get specific projects done in each district with Council <br />Members' and the Mayor's input to provide safe services, including needed repairs. Secondly, <br />the priority is hiring new employees, specifically lifeguards at pools. His third priority is <br />providing additional recreational activities and transportation opportunities for kupuna. <br />Member Kierkiewicz asked what his approach would be to get County parks in areas that still <br />don't have them. Mr. Honma restated that he wants to work with each Council district to <br />prioritize which areas still need parks or help in those areas. <br />Committee Members Rebecca Villegas and Holeka Inaba mentioned improvements to the Old <br />Airport Park as a priority for Kona. <br />Committee Member Dennis "Fresh" Onishi recommended that the department increase its repair <br />and maintenance budget times five and increase the elderly budget and transportation budget. He <br />also asked about supporting the Summer Fun Program to help support working families with <br />childcare during the summer break. <br />Mr. Honma said that staffing is a concern, but they will be looking to explore other avenues to <br />find proper staff for the Summer Fun Program. <br />Committee Member Michelle Galimba asked for any updates or ideas on how to get some of the <br />permitting approved for some of the projects in parks in her district. Mr. Honma said the <br />GOEAC Report No. 3 <br />