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PCHSW-9 Page 2 June 2, 2026 <br />Committee Member Heather L. Kimball thanked Ms. Kierkiewicz for bringing this legislation <br />forward. Ms. Kimball asked what the recourse would be if the appointed recovery officer is not <br />the right fit. Ms. Kierkiewicz responded that this would be an exempt position and the mayor <br />would have full appointment and removal powers. Ms. Kimball questioned if the "civil service" <br />language was needed. <br />Ms. Kimball asked questions concerning oversight and expenditure of resources. <br />Ms. Kierkiewicz asked to clarify "expenditure of resources." Ms. Kimball clarified by citing <br />"resources" as other department staff. Ms. Kierkiewicz stated that this would ensure coordination <br />between departments and the recovery office and would not be sustained long-term but for the <br />beginning of recovery while the long-term team is established. Ms. Kierkiewicz said she was <br />open to adjusting the language. Ms. Kimball cited the possibility of misappropriated spending <br />and suggested that a six-month time frame may be appropriate for an after -action report. <br />Ms. Kierkiewicz stated that a timeframe on the after -action report was discussed with <br />Administrator Magno, but that might be too limiting. She called on Mr. Magno to speak on the <br />subject. <br />Mr. Magno stated that an after -action report must be completed as soon as possible after an event <br />with no specific timeframe. Delays can occur due to back-to-back events. Ms. Kimball asked if <br />there should be some flexibility in the interim, built in to allow for open communication on <br />recovery progress, such as a biennial report to pinpoint what still needs to happen in recovery <br />efforts. Ms. Kimball also discussed including OSCER (the Office of Sustainability, Climate, <br />Equity, and Resilience) in developing resilience strategies. <br />Committee Member Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder stated that he has seen Ms. Kierkiewicz struggle <br />to improve recovery efforts and ensure encumbered recovery funds. The experience showed that <br />government recovery efforts take time. Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder expressed frustration in seeing <br />government lag, showing support in an established recovery framework. Mr. Kaneali`i- <br />Kleinfelder highlighted securing funding for the Kea`au Armory, observing the lack of progress <br />in improvements. He stated he is supporting the Bill. <br />Committee Member Michelle M. Galimba stated she generally likes the bill but believes one or <br />two more definitions would be helpful, such as a "disaster recovery" definition to help with <br />agency focus. <br />Committee Member Holeka Goro Inaba asked Mr. Magno if Civil Defense was in favor of <br />Bill 157. Mr. Magno affirmed that the Civil Defense Agency is in favor of this bill as it aligns <br />with agency function. He stated that damage assessment occurs immediately after a disaster <br />event and this bill would add continuity to Civil Defense's operation. Mr. Inaba expressed full <br />support, citing Ms. Kierkiewicz's hard work and experience in disaster preparedness and <br />recovery. <br />Committee Member James E. Hustace thanked Ms. Kierkiewicz's foresight in bringing forward <br />Bill 157. Mr. Hustace expressed one question concerning possible barriers in establishing the <br />program, citing the mayor's responsibility in establishing the recovery framework. Ms. <br />Kierkiewicz stated three conditions to activation; federally proclaimed disaster, a state <br />proclaimed emergency, and activation by the mayor. She stated the goal is to provide a transition <br />from response to recovery. <br />PCHSW Report No. 9 <br />