REP GOEAC 021 2025-02-18 2024-2026

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REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS DATE: February 18, 2025 PLACE: Council Chambers Kailua-Kona, Hawaii TIME: 9:19 a.m. Council Chair and Members Hawaii County Council Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Re: Comm. No. 133 Your Committee on Governmental Operations and External Affairs, to which was referred Communication No. 133, reports as follows: Communication No. 133, transmitted by Mayor C. Kimo Alameda, dated January 29, 2025, requests the Council's review and confirmation of Philip "Ippy" Aiona to the Water Board. Executive Assistant to the Mayor Micah Alameda was present in the Kona Chambers to introduce Mr. Aiona, who was also present in the Kona Chambers, to the Committee. Committee Member Rebecca Villegas requested that Mr. Aiona follow up on the status of the Water Use Development Plan which is a decade overdue. She also mentioned that a map of the island showing the location of aquifers with sustainable yield and water credit data attached to them would be a valuable asset for the County of Hawaii to create and maintain. Committee Member Dennis "Fresh" Onishi expressed a hope that Mr. Aiona could bring ideas outside of the box to this Board to help update and improve our water infrastructure. Committee Member Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder asked Mr. Aiona to explain his understanding of what the duties and functions are of the Water Board. Mr. Aiona said that he is willing to learn as he goes along and that it includes reviews of operating budgets and helping address island -wide issues. Member Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder said it is important that those on the Water Board be thinking not just about current budget and rates but about long-term development and farming and how all of those things require water and where that water is coming from. Member Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder said that there was a recent audit that discovered a substantial accounting error that showed that expenses were actually revenue. Mr. Aiona said he was aware of that. Member Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder said that those funds could be invested in various ways that could benefit our community. Committee Member Ashley Kierkiewicz highlighted that the Department of Water Supply is a semi -autonomous department and that the "buck stops" with the Water Board. Member Kierkiewicz said she does not fully agree with the current stance of Water Supply regarding how they maintain the current system and encouraged Mr. Aiona to discuss this with his fellow Board members and Department leadership moving forward. She also mentioned the Water Use Development Plan that was adopted in 2010 and also urged him to help figure out a way to get that update completed. GOEAC Report No. 21