2025-12-22 Salary Commission Minutes

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Salary Commission December 22, 2025 CHR. PAVAO: Good morning, aloha. You can turn the mic. on. (At this time, Ms. Millicent Cummings came forward.) MS. CUMMINGS: This green button, right? CHR. PAVAO: Okay, thank you. State your name for the record. MS. CUMMINGS: I’m Millicent Cummings—Hilo. CHR. PAVAO: Thank you. MS. CUMMINGS: I really appreciated that last testimony, I have to say—very, very clear. I don’t think I’m going to make it any clearer. There are many in this community who are more than dismayed to learn that the Hawaiʻi County Salary Commission has proposed, yet another raise for our representatives. We are rightfully concerned that proper notice for this meeting was not provided—falling just into the six-day notice required—and are curious why a timely agenda was not forthcoming. As you have been consistently late in providing agendas since the date of this meeting was established almost six months ago, it begs the question why? Also in question is in regards to possible conflicts of interest in the fact that the Human Resource Department Director and Deputy Director stand to gain financial, biased decision. This lack of transparency is in breach of HRS 92-7, the Sunshine Law that assures us our integrity among our representatives. In so doing, you have rendered this meeting all in void and must reschedule so that more than just two of us can be informed and included in this matter. The first raise in 2023, of a staggering 27.44%—where not even one person was present, when approved, was questionable. To so soon seek, yet another of 16.1% when salaries for representatives are already notably higher than the rest of the country is alarming. This constitutes a total of 43.54% of a raise and is simply unacceptable, while sending a very clear message to those you serve in such times of need, almost $1.25 million is a lot of hard earned and badly needed money—when there are so many pressing issues of obvious note, to even propose a raise at this time, after such a historic raise last—less than two years ago—is insulting. A raise of even $1.00 when such breaches have occurred will not be considered. Thank you for alerting the community. The integrity is rightfully in question. This will be the case until these breaches are corrected. Only then will any other raises be considered. Thank you for doing what you’re paid to do in accordance with the HRS 92-7—and Merry Christmas! Have a wonderful, wonderful holiday season. Thank you. Aloha. Page 5