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REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON <br />GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS <br />DATE: May 19, 2026 <br />PLACE: Council Chambers <br />Hilo, Hawaii <br />TIME: 9:00 a.m. <br />Council Chair and Members <br />Hawaii County Council <br />Hilo, Hawaii 96720 <br />Re: Comm. No. 872/Res. No. 556-26 <br />Your Committee on Governmental Operations and External Affairs, to which was referred <br />Resolution No. 556-26, reports as follows: <br />Resolution No. 556-26, transmitted by Deputy Police Chief Sherry D. Bird, via Communication <br />No. 872, dated April 22, 2026, authorizes the Mayor to enter into an intergovernmental agreement <br />with the United States Postal Inspection Service for Postal Inspector Task Force Officers. This <br />resolution allows certain Hawaii Police Department officers to be designated as Postal Inspector <br />Task Force Officers, with the authority to investigate mail -related criminal matters. <br />Captain Edwin A. Buyten was present in the Kona Chambers to answer questions on this <br />resolution. He said it is important to be able to collaborate with the Postal Inspection Service on <br />matters relating to stopping drugs, firearms, human trafficking and exploitation of children. <br />Committee Member James E. Hustace asked if the County already had task force officers within <br />the police department. Captain Buyten said they do not yet have those officers and this agreement <br />has been three years in the making. Member Hustace questioned if the reimbursements and <br />stipends mentioned in the agreement would be coming from the Postal Service. Captain Buyten <br />said yes. <br />Committee Chair Jenn Kagiwada mentioned that a constituent asked if this would impact <br />immigrant rights and she did due diligence with contacts within the immigrant rights community <br />and they did not have any concerns regarding this agreement. <br />Your Committee on Governmental Operations and External Affairs is in accord with the purpose <br />and intent of Resolution No. 556-26, and recommends its adoption. <br />slm <br />AYES <br />NOES <br />ABS <br />EX <br />GALIMBA <br />X <br />HUSTACE <br />X <br />INABA <br />X <br />KAGIWADA <br />X <br />KANEALPI-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 />EXTERNAL AFFAIRS <br />JENN KAGIWADA, CHAIR+ <br />GOEAC REPORT NO.: 132 <br />ADOPTED: JUN D 3 2026 <br />