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REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON <br />GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS <br />DATE: March 17, 2026 <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. 776 <br />Your Committee on Governmental Operations and External Affairs, to which was referred <br />Communication No. 776, reports as follows: <br />Communication No. 776, transmitted by Mayor C. Kimo Alameda, dated February 27, 2026, <br />requests the Council's review and confirmation of the nomination of Maile Ann Lu`uwai to the Cost <br />of Government Commission. <br />Executive Assistant to the Mayor, Micah Alameda, was present at the West Hawaii Civic Center to <br />introduce Ms. Lu`uwai, who was unable to attend in person due to an unforeseen circumstance. <br />Mr. Alameda requested that Communication No. 776 be forwarded to Council with a favorable <br />recommendation, noting that further discussion will take place at Council when Ms. Lu`uwai is <br />present. <br />Committee Member James E. Hustace asked Mr. Alameda to explain what the administration is <br />looking for and how they are actively working to fill the positions. Mr. Alameda responded that they <br />plan to fill all nine committee positions. He also mentioned that he is working with Corporation <br />Counsel to clarify whether the Cost of Government Commission must have all seats filled to be <br />considered active, or if it can operate as long as it has the required five members for quorum. He <br />added that, regardless, filling all seats is a priority, though it may affect the timeline since he is only <br />able to bring five nominees to each Government Operations and External Affairs Committee meeting. <br />Member Hustace encouraged Mr. Alameda to reach out to the Committee Chair and Council Chair to <br />explore the possibility of expediting the process of filling the board due to the limited timeline <br />requirement. <br />Committee Members Dennis "Fresh" Onishi and Ashley L. Kierkiewicz spoke in favor of the <br />appointment. <br />Pursuant to Article V, Chapter 2, Section 5-2.2 of the Hawaii County Charter, members of the Cost <br />of Government Commission shall be appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the Council. <br />GOEAC Report No. 106 <br />