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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. 53 <br />Your Committee on Governmental Operations and External Affairs, to which was referred <br />Communication No. 53, reports as follows: <br />Communication No. 53, transmitted by Mayor C. Kimo Alameda, dated December 16, 2024, <br />requests the Council's review and confirmation of Hugh Y. Ono as Director of Public Works. <br />Mayor Alameda was present in the Hilo Chambers to introduce Mr. Ono, who was also present <br />in the Hilo Chambers, to the Committee. <br />Committee Member Dennis "Fresh" Onishi asked if the department could help resolve the <br />Certificate of Occupancy inconsistencies. Mr. Ono said they would look into that. Mr. Ono <br />praised Deputy Director Neil Azevedo as a "can -do" guy and a huge asset to the department. <br />Member Onishi mentioned prioritizing improving and repairing existing County facilities and <br />Mr. Ono agreed. <br />Committee Member Rebecca Villegas mentioned the importance of holding everyone to the <br />same standards and proper enforcement and accountability when violations occur. <br />Committee Member Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder spoke to the issues that occur when there is <br />inconsistency between the standards enforced by inspectors in Kona and those in Hilo. Mr. Ono <br />responded with assurances that he and his staff would be working on those issues. <br />Committee Chair Jenn Kagiwada said that various plans, for example the Multi -Modal Plan, <br />come out of work done within the Planning Department and then the expectation of <br />implementation is by the Department of Public Works. However, sometimes this expectation is <br />not upheld or able to be executed. Mr. Ono mentioned that the administrative support above from <br />the Mayor and Managing Director will help alleviate some of these concerns to get the <br />departments working together more cohesively. <br />Multiple Committee Members spoke in favor of the appointment. <br />Pursuant to Article VI, Chapter 2, Section 6-2.2 of the Hawaii County Charter, the Director of <br />Public Works is appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the Council. <br />GOEAC Report No. 9 <br />