REP GOEAC 099 2026-02-17 2024-2026

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REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS DATE: February 17, 2026 PLACE: Council Chambers Kailua-Kona, Hawaii TIME: 9:01 a.m. Council Chair and Members Hawaii County Council Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Re: Comm. No. 732 Your Committee on Governmental Operations and External Affairs, to which was referred Communication No. 732, reports as follows: Communication No. 732, transmitted by Mayor C. Kimo Alameda, dated January 29, 2026, requests the Council's review and confirmation of the nomination of Lokelani Brandt to the Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resource Preservation Commission (PONC). Executive Assistant to the Mayor, Micah Alameda, was present in the Hilo Chambers to introduce Ms. Brandt, who was present in the Hilo Chambers. Committee Members Ashley'rL�. Kierkiewicz and Dennis "Fresh" Onishi spoke in favor of the appointment. r a Committee Member Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder encouraged Ms. Brandt that while looking to support properties in District 3 to also look at unique properties in Puna that could qualify for this program, and not just the obvious shoreline properties. Committee Member Jenn Kagiwada asked Ms. Brandt if she was aware of the meeting schedule and can attend upcoming meetings. Ms. Brandt said she is committed to being at the meetings, with the exception of one that she may be unavailable for as she may be attending an out of State conference. Mr. Alameda said that he is looking at solutions with all of the boards and commissions to be able to hold more hybrid/virtual meetings to potentially help with quorum and attendance for volunteers and community participation. He referenced Resolution No. 287-23 that urges the Office of the Mayor to provide virtual access for board and commission meetings. Member Kierkiewicz said that she appreciated the work being done to allow for remote access for this commission and also encouraged Mr. Alameda to review their overall meeting schedule for PONC to potentially meet monthly to account for the large amount of work they need to accomplish, especially due to the time sensitive nature of the property nomination process and stewardship grant awards. Acting Committee Chair James E. Hustace asked Ms. Brandt if she had been tracking the recent work of PONC. She said no, she's been more focused on working with community directly on various projects. Member Hustace asked for examples of spaces that she thought of as successful examples from the PONC program. Ms. Brandt stated that Honu`apo was a good example of how community can manage a place well and that the improvements and maintenance have been well done. Member Hustace mentioned the recent attempts to review and improve the PONC program, including an ad hoc committee tasked with reviewing ways to improve this process, including the process for acquiring properties as well as the stewardship process. GOEAC Report No. 99