REP GOEAC 134 2026-05-19 2024-2026

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REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS DATE: May 19, 2026 PLACE: Council Chambers Hilo, Hawaii TIME: 9:00 a.m. Council Chair and Members Hawaii County Council Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Re: Comm. No. 890/Bill No. 158 Your Committee on Governmental Operations and External Affairs, to which was referred Bill No. 158, reports as follows: Bill No. 158, transmitted by Council Member Heather L. Kimball, via Communication No. 890, dated May 1, 2026, initiates an amendment to Articles III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, X, XIII, and XVI, of the Charter of the County of Hawaii (2024 Edition), relating to the structure and organization of the County. This bill converts the County's government to a hybrid council-manager system, in which certain County departments and operations are overseen by an appointed County Manager and others are overseen by an elected Mayor. Member Kimball began by saying that while some may think that this bill is a referendum on the current administration, this is something she has been working on since before she was elected to office. She said that she is bringing this up now in honor of a constituent who advocated for it who recently passed away, as well as to help create stability and consistency between mayoral administrations. She further explained how the Council has the authority to set policy like this, including that they are not actually required to have a Mayor. She provided additional rationale and background for this legislation, as well as explaining the mechanics of this policy. Additionally, she explained the fiscal benefits of this model of governance as well as improved service to the community. Committee Member James E. Hustace asked questions about the hiring process for the County Manager. Member Hustace asked if the education requirements were on par with other counties that have adopted this model. Member Kimball replied that these are similar requirements across counties and that there is a professional guidance on this from national organizations. Member Hustace also asked about the physical space that this person would be operating within. Member Kimball said that this would basically substitute the Managing Director position and that they would continue to occupy that space and work with the Mayor closely. Committee Member Dennis "Fresh" Onishi mentioned that this idea works in areas with smaller populations. Member Onishi also brought up concerns about having only four members of the County Council and the Mayor appointing this individual. Member Kimball mentioned that there are a variety of sizes and organizations of counties across the nation and that 57 percent have a commission only model, with no elected chief executive officer, and 27 percent have a county manager, and only 17 percent have the model that we have. Member Kimball also clarified that the four members that would participate in selecting and interviewing the County Manager, similar to how our County Auditor is selected, but that the entire Council would vote to appoint this GOEAC Report No. 134