REP GOEAC 123 2026-05-04 2024-2026

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REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS DATE: May 4, 2026 Re: Comm. No. 855/Res. No. 545-26 PLACE: Council Chambers Kailua-Kona, Hawaii TIME: 2:00 p.m. Council Chair and Members Hawaii County Council Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Your Committee on Governmental Operations and External Affairs, to which was referred Resolution No. 545-26, reports as follows: Resolution No. 545-26, transmitted by Council Member Holeka Goro Inaba, via Communication No. 855, dated March 27, 2026, amends Rule No. 2 of the Rules of Procedure and Organization of the Council of the County of Hawaii, relating to excused and unexcused absences. This resolution requires a member of the Council to notify the Council Chair whenever that member is unable to attend a Council meeting; requires the Council Chair to determine and announce whether the absence is excused or unexcused. Member Inaba began by explaining that this rule change resolution resulted from inquiries from Council Members regarding the definition of excused versus unexcused absences. He explained that the County Charter has some language regarding multiple unexcused absences and the possibility of withholding pay for a month for multiple absences and that there is nothing in the rules to explain the difference between excused and unexcused absences. He said this rule change requires notification to the Council Chair and that they can then determine whether it is excused or unexcused and announce into the minutes what the ruling is. He said the current practice of emailing the notice of absence to the Chair would not be changing. Committee Member Heather L. Kimball asked for clarification on what is entered into the minutes. Member Inaba said the reason is not required to be entered into the minutes and it would just be noted as either excused or unexcused. He added that there is also an option for appeal of the ruling of the Chair, which would then go to a vote by Council Members. Committee Member Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder asked where it is currently mentioned that a note is required. Member Inaba said it is in the proposed rule. It is also in the current Rules of Procedure and Organization for the 2024-2026 Council Term. Member Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder asked some additional clarifying questions, including how the absences are being tracked. Member Inaba said that is what this rule change is addressing. Committee Member James E. Hustace asked if or how this rule change impacts the voting record blocks. County Clerk Jon Henricks said that the voting block would not need to be updated to signify excused versus unexcused, as those designations are not reasons that need to be recorded during voting. Clerk Henricks said that the voting record block would still reflect absent into the record regardless of the reasonsythe Council Member was not in attendance or the determination of GOEAC Report No. 123