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I/ <br /> Before we go into the Research and Development <br /> and the Planning Department, I think I would like to call on <br /> the pension board people here to give us a little synopsis on <br /> their department. Last week, somebody did mention that they <br /> would like to have somebody come before the commission and give <br /> us some idea about the county pension board, so I did call on <br /> Mr. Legaspi , the County Clerk , and he has appeared before us <br /> today. Mr. Legaspi. <br /> MR. LEGASPI : Thank you, Mr. Chairman. By <br /> virtue of the Hawaii Revised Statutes, Section 88-181 , the <br /> county pension board exists. We do have our chairman for the <br /> county pension board, Mr. Horace Kawamura, who can expand on <br /> any of the sections that you so desire. <br /> Basically, we are trying to cover employees who <br /> were in the system prior to 12/51 and their heirs, I guess, if <br /> they qualified for a county pension. These would exclude those <br /> who are presently members of the Hawaii Retirement System, of <br /> course, and; again, the legal mandate is in HRS 88-181 and the <br /> County Charter, Section 5-3.4. Also circulated is the synopsis <br /> of the function of the pension board. I think each member <br /> should have a copy in front of you. Whether the concern was <br /> whether the pension board should be part of the charter, I <br /> think it is mandated by state law so that should be kind of <br /> conclusive. <br /> MRS. KOBAYASHI : Who funds the pension board? <br /> MR. LEGASPI : It is funded by the general fund <br /> of the county. <br /> MRS. KOBAYASHI : And the amount of the pension <br /> is set according to. . .is similar to the way the State ' s <br /> Retirement Systems are funded? <br /> MR. LEGASPI : As far as the award, I 'm not <br /> familiar with the amount of the award but it is based on the <br /> years of service. To qualify for the county pension, he will <br /> have to have served for at least 10 years to qualify. . .working <br /> for the county. Horace, do you recall the percentage of the <br /> award? The amount we give to pensioners? The amount of the <br /> award, is it based on a percentage? <br /> MR. KAWAMURA: . . . .plus the cost of living bonus <br /> . . . .comes up to about $150 dollars. <br /> CHAIRMAN SAKATA: Is that standard for all? Or <br /> is that. . .the pension is based upon. . .you have to serve ten <br /> years before you can get pension from the county? <br /> MR. LEGASPI : Right. Maybe Horace had better <br /> come up so he can be recorded. Yes, ten years. <br /> MR. KAWAMURA: May I introduce myself. I am <br /> Horace Kawamura, Chairman of the Hawaii County Pension Board <br /> of 5 members. Appointed by the mayor, confirmed by the council. <br /> They all serve a term of 5 years. The staggered terms are <br /> finished. . .so 5 years. <br /> -2- <br />