HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP FC 127 2020/07/21 2018-2020 REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
DATE: July 21, 2020 Re: Comm. No. 999/Res. No. 683-20
PLACE: Council Chambers
Milo, Hawaii
TIME: 9:05 a.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred Resolution No. 683-20, reports as follows:
Resolution No. 683-20, transmitted by Finance Director Deanna Sako, via Communication No. 999
dated July 2, 2020, authorizes the Director of Finance to negotiate a multi-year lease of real
property, being a portion of 34 Rainbow Drive (Old Hilo Hospital Complex), situated at Pi`ihonua,
District of South Hilo, County and State of Hawaii, and identified as being a portion of Tax Map
Key: 2-3-026:008, to the Big Island Substance Abuse Council.
This resolution authorizes the Finance Director to negotiate a lease for 15 years with an option for
three additional five-year terms with the Big Island Substance Abuse Council (BISAC), to be used as
a residential and outpatient treatment facility, with an annual cost of$10.
A motion to approve Resolution No. 683-20 to Council with a positive recommendation was made by
Council Member Poindexter, and seconded by Council Member Richards.
Finance Property Manager Hamana Ventura addressed Your Committee and recommended the lease
and its terms. Mr. Ventura credited Sharon Hirota, Executive Assistant with the Office of Mayor,
for her commitment to providing for the needs of our community through public/private partnerships
with programs such as Ke Ola Hou, and now integrating BISAC into the overall structure at the
34 Rainbow Drive property.
Ms. Hirota shared with Your Committee that the Rainbow Drive property has three floors: Ke Ola Hou
is within a portion of the second floor, which has been created as an emergency shelter with 50 shelter
beds for men experiencing homelessness; and the third floor, which has been recently vacated by the
University of Hawaii - Hilo, School of Pharmacy. This facility would provide an opportunity to open
Hale Kaulike, an18-permanent housing unit, focusing on male individuals to have their own"lockable"
private living space, with shared restrooms and kitchen facilities on site. Creating this program under a
separate name would allow for other funding opportunities that address homelessness. Ms. Hirota noted
that the proposed lease is for the remaining space of the building and emphasized its ideal location to
house BISAC and utilize the critical work they do in addressing many factors that affect the homeless
and substance abuse population.
FC Report No. 127
FC-127 Page 2 July 21,2020
Dr. Hannah Preston-Pita(aka Dr. Hannah) and Mr. Danny Paleka, representatives of BISAC, addressed
Your Committee, and expressed their appreciation for this opportunity to house all services under one
roof, allowing for a comprehensive treatment approach with 70 beds for a detox center, and the ability to
provide medical service for opioid treatment, as well. Other goals for this space is to provide
educational training and treatment services for adolescents needing BISAC assistance. She indicated
that having one single location in Hilo and another in Kona would reduce expenses for BISAC, which
would potentially allow opportunities to open a Waimea facility in the future. Dr. Hannah stated that
one of many opportunities for this space is the ability to keep people who need these services on this
island instead of sending them off-island for rehabilitative treatment services.
Mr. Paleka acknowledged the outstanding commitment that both Dr. Hannah and Ms. Hirota share in the
coordination and implementation of these services through a public/private partnership for the
betterment of our island and its communities.
Council Members credited Ms. Hirota, Dr. Hannah, and Mr. Paleka in standing this opportunity up,
bringing synergy into one space that can address oftentimes coinciding conditions, as well as
suggestions for longer lease terms to assist with long-term planning and additional funding opportunities
for BISAC. The overall consensus of the Council Members was in support of the lease, and the positive
impact that this public/private partnership will serve for our island communities.
Your Committee on Finance is in accord with the purpose and intent of Resolution No. 683-20, and
recommends its adoption.
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AYES NOES ABS EX Respectfully submitted,
KUNG X
AVID x COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
OFF X
NEALI`I-KLEINFELDER X
ERKIEWICZ X f
EE LOY X
oINDEXTER X MAIZE MEDEIROS DAVID, CHAIR
ICHARDS X FC REPORT NO.: 127
ILLEGAS X ADOPTED: AUG - -5 2020