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REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON <br />GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS <br />DATE: March 18, 2025 <br />PLACE: Council Chambers <br />Kailua-Kona, Hawaii <br />TIME: 9:01 a.m. <br />Council Chair and Members <br />Hawaii County Council <br />Hilo, Hawaii 96720 <br />Re: Comm. No. 125/Res. No. 74-25 <br />Your Committee on Governmental Operations and External Affairs, to which was referred Resolution <br />No. 74-25, reports as follows: <br />Resolution No. 74-25, transmitted by Director of Finance Diane Nakagawa via Communication No. 125, dated <br />January 30, 2025, authorizes the Mayor to enter into intergovernmental agreements with Federal and State <br />partners to support their continued cooperation with the Hawaii Police Department (HPD) for the safety of the <br />County of Hawaii. <br />Resolution No. 74-25 authorizes the Police Department to enter into two agreements with the Department of <br />Homeland Security (DHS) relating to immigration and customs enforcement and one agreement with the <br />Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) relating to the Safe Streets Task Force. <br />This bill was previously heard and postponed on February 18, 2025. <br />Governmental Operation and External Affairs Meeting of February 18, 2025 <br />Assistant Police Chief Sherry Bird was present in the Kona Chambers. She said that this is a process of <br />formalizing these agreements that have been in place for many years, and they are going through an annual <br />process of review. <br />Committee Member Michelle Galimba stated that some of the concerns are coming from worries about how <br />the Federal government is being viewed and not reflective of local values and how HPD is viewed. Member <br />Galimba asked how they are partnering with Federal officers regarding imbedding agents within HPD. <br />Assistant Chief Bird said that Federal officers might be involved with HPD officers regarding felony offenses, <br />not immigration offenses. <br />Member Galimba asked if Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) could be updated in the future without <br />further approval by Council. Assistant Chief Bird said they are working on a process to bring these agreements <br />back annually for discussion and approval at Council. <br />Committee Member Rebecca Villegas said that she understands the benefits of collaboration with Vice <br />working with HPD on fentanyl and other drug enforcement issues. However, she added that there is specific <br />vulnerability that is happening right now in our communities. <br />Committee Member Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder asked if there was an end date on these agreements. Assistant <br />Chief Bird said that they do not have an end date unless either parry submits a written 30-day notice of <br />termination. Member Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder asked what does this agreement allow the department to do that <br />GOEAC Report No. 27 <br />