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REPORT OF THE <br /> COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS <br /> AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT <br /> DATE: May 16, 2017 Re: Comm. No. 281/Res. No. 205-17 <br /> PLACE: Council Chambers <br /> Hilo, Hawai`i <br /> TIME: 1:17 p.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 /> Resolution No. 205-17, reports as follows: <br /> Resolution No. 205-17, transmitted by Council Member Jennifer Ruggles, via Communication <br /> No. 281, dated April 28, 2017, acknowledges that Hawai`i County and the Hawaii Department <br /> of Transportation have historically discriminated against low income and native Hawaiian <br /> communities of the Puna and Ka`u districts, as established by the Office of Civil Rights' <br /> September 28, 2000 ruling, and pledges the Council's commitment to addressing disparity and <br /> preventing discrimination against disadvantaged populations. <br /> Ms. Ruggles shared that according to the 2015 General Plan data, the district of Puna comprises <br /> a quarter of the island's population and cited a DOH report identifying 30% of the population in <br /> the district as being below federal poverty level making it the most socio-economically <br /> disadvantaged in the State. She argued that despite these statistics, both State and County <br /> government still have not done enough to address the disparities that exist in her district. <br /> Councilmember Poindexter, referring to testimony heard from Puna resident Mr. John Olson, <br /> expressed concern about the possible liability risks that the County will face if the Council <br /> passed the resolution. Mr. Olson clarified that there is no lawsuit against the county and he <br /> wasn't alluding that one will be filed against the county if the resolution is not passed. <br /> Corporation Counsel Joseph Kamelamela opined that the resolution is aspirational and <br /> something for the Council to consider. He added that the resolution is acknowledging the <br /> existence of the complaint but does not create any liability for the county. <br /> Councilmembers David, Richards, Eoff, Lee Loy and O'Hara stated that they understand and <br /> support the intent of the resolution but do not agree with the language of the resolution, most <br /> notably the inference to the Hawaiian community. <br /> Councilmembers Chung, O'Hara and Richards emphasized the importance of relationship <br /> building in government and encouraged Councilmember Ruggles to continue to reach out to the <br /> different departments and agencies when advocating for projects in her district. <br /> GREDC Report No. 4 <br />