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REPORT OF THE <br /> COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS <br /> AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT <br /> DATE: January 4, 2017 Re: Communication No. 19 <br /> PLACE: Council Chambers <br /> Hilo, Hawai`i <br /> TIME: 9:00 a.m. <br /> Council Chair and Members <br /> Hawai`i County Council <br /> Hilo, Hawai`i 96720 <br /> Your Committee on Governmental Relations and Economic Development, to which was referred <br /> Communication No. 19 reports as follows: <br /> Transmitted by Mayor Harry Kim, via Communication No. 19, dated December 7, 2016, <br /> appointment of Mr. Joseph Kamelamela as Corporation Counsel. <br /> There were fourteen people who testified on this communication at the following locations: Hilo <br /> and Pahoa. <br /> Communication No. 19 was read into the record. Council Member Maile David made a motion <br /> to approve Communication No. 19, seconded by Council Member Valerie T. Poindexter. <br /> Mayor Harry Kim supports his appointment recommendation and stated that he did not pre-speak <br /> to any of the testifiers who appeared to garner support for Mr. Joseph Kamelamela. Mayor Kim <br /> also wanted to address the notification of staff members via Mr. Joseph Kamelamela prior to his <br /> appointment confirmation. Mayor Kim states that it was his recommendation for <br /> Mr. Kamelamela to notify staff members of their future employment status as a courtesy to allow <br /> staff more time to address the issue of employment. <br /> Mr. Joseph Kamelamela was available during this appointment. Mr. Kamelamela gave an <br /> overview of his experience that qualifies him for the position of Corporation Counsel. <br /> Mr. Kamelamela also gave a brief bio of who he was, and where he came from. Mr. Kamelamela <br /> addressed the issue of him notifying staff of their employment prior to his confirmation. He <br /> states that this was done on the recommendation of Mayor Kim, and it was to be a courtesy to <br /> allow staff time to address the issue of employment. Mr. Kamelamela stressed that his goal is to <br /> follow the Corporation Counsel mission statement and will represent the County and community <br /> fairly. <br /> Several Council Members expressed their concerns with the way Mr. Kamelamela handled <br /> notification of staff in regard to future employment within Corporation Counsel. <br /> Seven Council Members voted aye, with two Council Members voting "kanalua"-no. <br /> GREDC Report No. 1 <br />