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REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON <br />GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS <br />DATE: May 4, 2026 <br />PLACE: Council Chambers <br />Kailua-Kona, Hawaii <br />TIME: 2:00 p.m. <br />Council Chair and Members <br />Hawaii County Council <br />Hilo, Hawaii 96720 <br />Re: Comm. No. 858Bill No. 152 <br />Your Committee on Governmental Operations and External Affairs, to which was referred <br />Bill No. 152, reports as follows: <br />Bill No. 152, transmitted by Council Members Holeka Goro Inaba and Ashley L. Kierkiewicz, via <br />Communication No. 858, dated March 27, 2026, initiates an amendment to Article III, <br />Section 3-18, of the Charter of the County of Hawaii (2024 Edition), relating to the Office of the <br />County Auditor. <br />This bill clarifies that the County Auditor has the same power with respect to employees within the <br />Office of the County Auditor as department heads in the Executive Branch and specifies that the <br />County Auditor may appoint a deputy. <br />Member Inaba explained that he worked on this bill with Member Kierkiewicz during the interim <br />when the prior County Auditor departed. Member Inaba explained that this charter amendment <br />ensures clarity and that operations will be able to continue if the County Auditor leaves and allows <br />for a Deputy Auditor to be appointed by the Auditor. Member Kierkiewicz added that they wanted <br />to ensure that the Council is supporting the Office of the County Auditor with proper resources so <br />that they can continue to do their important work. <br />Committee Members Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder and James E. Hustace spoke in favor of this bill. <br />Your Committee on Governmental Operations and External Affairs is in accord with the purpose <br />and intent of Bill No. 152, and recommends its passage on first reading. <br />shn <br />AYES <br />NOES <br />AES <br />EX <br />GALIMBA <br />X <br />HUSTACE <br />X <br />INABA <br />X <br />KAGIWADA <br />X <br />KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER <br />X <br />KIERKIEWICZ <br />X <br />KIMBALL <br />X <br />ONISHI <br />X <br />VILLEGAS <br />X <br />Respectfully submitted, <br />COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL <br />OPERATIONS AND <br />EX ERNAL AFFAIRS <br />JE KAGIW , CHAIR <br />GOEAC REPORT NO.: 126 <br />ADOPTED: MAY 2 0 2026 <br />