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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN COUNCIL 2020-12-07 2018-2020 (SINE DIE) Hawai‘i County Council th 57 Session Hawai‘i County Building 25 Aupuni Street Hilo, Hawai‘i December 7, 2020 INVOCATION: Pastor Mark Zier of Christ Lutheran Church gave the morning’s invocation. CALL TO The regular meeting of the Hawai‘i County Council was called to order at ORDER: 9:00 a.m., in the Council Chambers, Hilo, by Mr. Aaron S. Y. Chung, Chair. ROLL CALL: Present: Mr. Aaron S. Y. Chung, Chair Ms. Karen Eoff, Vice Chair (via videoconference with Kona) Ms. Maile Medeiros David, Member (via videoconference with Kona) Mr. Matt Kanealii-Kleinfelder, Member Ms. Ashley L. Kierkiewicz, Member Ms. Susan L. K. Lee Loy, Member Ms. Valerie T. Poindexter, Member Mr. Herbert M. “Tim” Richards, III, Member Ms. Rebecca Villegas, Member (via videoconference with Kona) PLEDGE OF The Chair directed the Council to the next order of business, Pledge of Allegiance. ALLEGIANCE: (At this time, Ms. Eoff and Ms. Poindexter led the Council in the Pledge of Allegiance.) PETITIONS, The Chair directed the Council to proceed to the next order of business, Petitions, MEMORIALS, Memorials, Certificates of Merit, and Expressions of Condolence. CERTIFICATES OF MERIT, AND (There were none.) EXPRESSIONS OF CONDOLENCE: STATEMENTS The Chair directed the Council to proceed to the next order of business, Statements FROM THE from the Public on Agenda Items. PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS: (There were none.) Hawai‘i County Council-57 December 7, 2020 CHR. CHUNG: Okay, before I go to Order of Resolutions, I know each of us has these special leis this morning and all of those bear significance, but since I have the mic, I just wanted to make special note of this gift from our City and Corp. Counsel Joe Kamelamela, and it’s such a beautiful lei. I understand it is a hala. I’ve never seen this before, but Joe via Renee (Schoen) said that it bears a special meaning. And among other things, it signifies a transition. And I think it’s so appropriate, and of course, I want to congratulate the incoming Council Chair Maile David. I know she’s going to do a fine job. So I don’t know if she has one of these, but you know, it’s a connection that both of us have—and really with all of us. So thank you, Joe. I know you’re out there in Kona. Thank you very much, and Renee. Anyway, Mr. Clerk, Order of Resolutions. ORDER OF The Chair directed the Council to proceed to the next order of business, Order of RESOLUTIONS: Resolutions. Res. 784-20: EXPRESSES THE HAWAI‘I COUNTY COUNCIL’S HEARTFELT GRATITUDE TO COUNCILWOMAN VALERIE T. POINDEXTER FOR HER YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE COUNTY OF HAWAI‘I Reference: Comm. 1160 Intr. by: Mr. Chung Motion to Approve: Ms. Lee Loy moved to adopt Res. 784-20. Seconded by Ms. David. CHR. CHUNG: Any discussion? MS. DAVID: Chair? CHR. CHUNG: Maile, go ahead. MS. DAVID: Thank you. I’m going to remove my mask for a minute. You know today is a day that is filled with emotions for every one of us. Nervousness, anxiety; you name it, I think we’re all going through that today. And for me, I’m really thankful when I remember the day I first met Val. My God, her spunk and her energy was just so vivid. And coming from Kona, Karen and I sat on the Redistricting Committee, and boy, talk about somebody so, so passionate about everything she does and about her community. It just really put me in awe, and I wondered, when so insignificant to follow in her footsteps. But, you know, Val, I think my friendship that I developed with you on this Council has like enlighted my whole life because I believe that who we are in this world hangs heavily on the people that we meet throughout our lives. And Val, you’re one of those ladies, dear friends that I will never forget. And I thank you for your knowledge and just being you because I think you’re real. You’re Page 2 Hawai‘i County Council-57 December 7, 2020 such a real person, and I think we all need to be that way. And I know—Val told me in the parking lot this morning, “Hey, no cry yeah?” And I said, okay. But I think I’m lying. It’s just—I just can’t say enough. Your friendship and sitting here as a colleague of yours has enriched my life. So, before I do cry, I think Chair Chung, I’m going to yield. Mahalo. CHR. CHUNG: Thank you Maile. MS. VILLEGAS: Chair Chung? CHR. CHUNG: Yes, Rebecca, go ahead. MS. VILLEGAS: Mrs. Poindexter, I think of passion, I think of pink; I think of profound beauty, wisdom, courage, tenacity, and “tita.” It has been one of the highlights of my life to get to sit next to you during my first term. You have lead with humility; you have served myself, your staff, your constituents and everyone around you with a heart full of hope, and vision, and determination. I am so grateful to be able to serve with you; to learn from you, to continue to learn from you because this is far from over with just to turn a page, a different chapter, a new adventure. But participating in an elected position is government side-by-side I think is something that bonds you together like very few other things in life. And I am so grateful to be able to have served with you. And I just have a gift here for you from your Council ‘ohana. And I don’t know if everyone in Hilo can see, but it’s a paddle. And we had it engraved. “This paddle is presented to Valerie Poindexter in honor of your servant leadership as Hawai‘i County Council District 1 Council Member, Me Ke Aloha, Your Council ‘Ohana.” And it worked out just perfectly that our new Council Member Elect for District 8 (Holeko Goro Inaba) is also fluent in Hawaiian ‘Ōlelo. And the term that came to him was “Nā ‘ahu wai lani o ka moku, the Cloaks of Hawai‘i’s heavenly waters. An interpretation and a connection to your service is, “Like the various forms of wai lani, you felt, heard, and addressed the needs of our ‘āina and people. Whether in a form of heavy rain, clouds, light mist, or dew, you led with purpose and intention. Ke aloha, nui iā ‘olua.” I yield. CHR. CHUNG: That was very nice Rebecca. MS. EOFF: Mr. Chair? CHR. CHUNG: Karen, Tim? Page 3 Hawai‘i County Council-57 December 7, 2020 MS. EOFF: Okay, thank you. Yeah, before it gets any more emotional over here, I’m going to try to brave it. But I met Val in 2010. Maile and I did staff the Redistricting Commission when she came on board. And immediately we all became friends. So we’ve been friends for I believe about 10 years or more, but it kind of seems like a lifetime at this point because I’ve been through so much with Val. We came on the Council the following term at the same time, and we’ve only been here together for eight years now. And it’s so important to have friends while you’re serving as a Council Person, I think, because we experience a lot of important issues. Some are harder than others to go through, but having friends that you can spend time with, debrief with, have some fun with, and just enjoy listening to has made it really, really special. And Val has become a really dear friend to me. And also her family. And of course I’d think we’d be all happy today about having served all eight years together. But the fact that Val will be moving tomorrow for a while, it’s putting a little bit of a heaviness to the day, but I’m going to try not to think of that, because I know Val likes to travel and she’ll be back soon, probably often. And we promised not to cry so I’m not going to talk too much longer either, but I just want to appreciate Val for her leadership, her service to her community. I mean if our job is to represent our community, Val took that very, very seriously. And I think even before she started her service on the County Council, she was a community advocate and hard worker for the health of her community and the whole island. So I just want to congratulate Val and thank her again for being my friend and spending all these years together. And in the future I’m sure we’ll be hooked up together in many capacities. So, thank you, Val. Congratulations. CHR. CHUNG: Thank you Karen. Anyone else in Kona? MR. RICHARDS: Chair? CHR. CHUNG: Yes Tim, go ahead please? MR. RICHARDS: There’s no one else in Kona. I’ll take this back a little bit. I cannot see Val. So, Val, we’ve been on the Council for four years together, two terms and we don’t always agree but we have passion at disagreement. And we can come to a point when we can work together. And I realize you’re still harboring a grudge from high school days when HPA (Hawai‘i Pacific Academy) beat Honoka‘a, but through that, I wish you the best going forward and I’m still going to tease you, so Chair, I yield. Page 4 Hawai‘i County Council-57 December 7, 2020 CHR. CHUNG: Alright. You guys are actually classmates, right? No, same year? MR. RICHARDS: Same year. Maybe one year? CHR. CHUNG: Oh, anyway, here in Hilo? MR. RICHARDS: She cheered against us. CHR. CHUNG: Ashley? MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you Chair. Aloha Val, I wish I could give you a hug right now. Thank you so much for your years of service to community. I remember meeting you before I was on the Council, and I really appreciated how much you showed up for your community. I’ve had great fun with you and just really love serving alongside another spicy Filipina. So, thank you for all you do. Good luck and take care. CHR. CHUNG: Okay, anyone else? Matt, go ahead, please? MR. KANEALI‘I-KLEINFELDER: Val, it has been my pleasure getting to know you. You are an amazing person. You are absolutely real. You speak directly from your heart. You don’t hold back. This is your last term, I understand that, but I mean you really didn’t hold back this year in a lot of different things you said. And I really, really appreciate that about you, is that you speak directly from your heart and you say what needs to be said and you have the best timing. And I just—it’s been a pleasure getting to know you. You have amazing hair. You have an amazing personality. And I am going to miss your terribly going forward, and I’m sorry I’m not in Kona today to give you a big hug as well. But it just was amazing getting to know you. Didn’t know you walking in the door, but wish you weren’t leaving. I saw a bumper sticker today on the way to work and it said, “No airbags on board. We die like real men.” And I was laughing, so I was thinking, you know, this is everyone’s last day. But that’s kind of how you rode out your last term. You’re just like no airbags and you just went. So I love you, Val, and I will miss you terribly. So, mahalo for being part of the County Council for the last eight years. And I hope you enjoy the next segment of your life and where you’re going. CHR. CHUNG: Ms. Lee Loy? MS. LEE LOY: Yeah, I just—I reflect back on 2012. We were sitting in a friend’s kitchen and you had just gotten elected. And you know, you had asked me a lot of questions about, what was it like to be on the Council? How do we Page 5 Hawai‘i County Council-57 December 7, 2020 kind of move this forward? The Charter—and I remember sitting there, and when most people would think, oh no, how could she have gotten elected and not really understand? But in that moment, I recognized Val, you were always willing to ask for help. And that is what I know has carried you for the last eight years, is to continue to reach out, ask for help, because deep down inside, that’s all you ever wanted to do was help your community. And that, Val, is an amazing character trait that not many politicians have. They all think that they know the right answer, but that you continue to ask for help every single time, taught me a lot about how to serve community. And that is something I will always take away, Val. And I do want to say, now you don’t have to look at me on TV (television), because Mikela’s not going to be watching and freezing that frame anymore? But I do wish you and Mikela especially, all the blessings; all the love, and a very happy holiday season. Chair, I yield. CHR. CHUNG: Thank you. Okay, we have a motion on the floor and a second. You want to do a roll call vote? MS. POINDEXTER: Chair, can I just, this is Val. CHR. CHUNG: Oh, yeah, go ahead Val. I’m so sorry. MS. POINDEXTER: No, not at all, I just wanted to say thank you to each and every one of you. And from the time I’ve served, 2012 to all those that are not here that have served with me also, you know, we’ve learned so much from each other. And we all come with these different personalities, and we somehow still remain as one ‘ohana, as one Council. And like Tim said earlier, you know, we can agree to disagree, and we can still come together and be friends. And that’s what I truly appreciate about this Council. You know, a lot of times we have challenges with each other; happy moments with each other. You know, I’ve experienced some hard times as well. So, on the Council it’s the ups and downs, but when it just comes to the end of the day, we still remain like family, ‘ohana, because we had to keep each other’s back. And to the constituents of District 1, my loyalties have always been to you. Born and raised in a sugar plantation village you learn a lot. You know, I grew up with a father that was an ILWU (International Longshore and Warehouse Union) agent, and we had people over the house all kinds of hours, from the morning to the evening, late evenings. And it was always fighting for the underdogs. My father said whatever you continue to do in your life, fight for the underdogs because those are the people that are falling through the cracks. Those are the people whose voices are not heard. And I did that and I hope I made you proud. Page 6 Hawai‘i County Council-57 December 7, 2020 And my mother always was the compassionate one. So when I leave my house for a meeting, my husband would go, “Remember what your mom says.” You know, always just love everybody, and you know, have a good meeting but be kind. I tried to, but like Matt said that I guess the last year, I wasn’t that passionate or compassionate or whatever, but I tried to do the best I could. And to Takashi Domingo, who always reminded me to compromise on the issues but never compromise on your values. And again, to the constituents, thank you for allowing me to serve you for eight years. And as I leave this island tomorrow, I have no regrets, because I feel that I did all I could do and I will continue to. Thank God for technology and Zoom and all of that good stuff, but I’ll be back. Like Karen said, I love to travel, you know. So thank you to each and every one of you. And you know, Becca, this paddle is just a little bit of home, yeah? So home is always where the heart is. And my heart will always be here. And especially on the Hāmākua Coast. So, thank you, Chair Chung, appreciate it. Aloha. CHR. CHUNG: Thank you, Val. Mr. Clerk, roll call. Vote on Res. 784-20: The motion to adopt Res. 784-20 was carried by the (Adopted) following roll call vote: Ayes: Council Members David, Eoff, Kanealiʻi-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Lee Loy, Poindexter, Richards, Villegas, and Chair Chung – 9. Noes: None. Absent: None. Excused: None. CHR. CHUNG: Okay, motion is carried. The resolution is adopted. Congratulations, Val. Okay, Mr. Clerk, Resolution 785-20. Res. 785-20: EXPRESSES THE HAWAI‘I COUNTY COUNCIL’S HEARTFELT GRATITUDE TO VICE-CHAIR KAREN EOFF FOR HER YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE COUNTY OF HAWAI‘I Reference: Comm. 1161 Intr. by: Mr. Chung Motion to Approve: Ms. David moved to adopt Res. 785-20. Seconded by Mr. Richards. CHR. CHUNG: Discussion, who’d like to go first? Page 7 Hawai‘i County Council-57 December 7, 2020 MS. POINDEXTER: Chair, this is Val. CHR. CHUNG: Yeah, Val, go ahead. MS. POINDEXTER: Since I pau cry. And I told Karen, okay, no crying today we’ve got to keep strong; and you know, I failed completely. But I just want to say, mahalo Karen. You know, you are such a different kind of politician. I don’t think I have ever seen a politician of your nature. I’ve never ever seen you get angry at all. Yeah, maybe Maile had, but kind of like in secret or whatever. But I have never seen that from you. You have always shown so much Aloha to everybody and anybody. People could be even attacking you and you hold your composure and you just beam that light over to them to take that darkness away. You’re just incredible. I’ve had the opportunity to travel with you. And you know, when we’ve gone to look for kupuna care in San Diego and different places to try to work on things for our kupuna. And it was just such a pleasure being around someone of your nature. Just so kind in everything. Every single thing that you do. So, I really appreciate your friendship. The greatest gift too, was you were embracing Mikela, my daughter with special needs, and you know, not everybody would give her your phone number, because she’ll call you a million times a day. And which she did. But what I can tell you is she learned through her speaking, her ability and speech was so improved and her cognitive skills by Karen’s conversations with her, was just incredible. So you have done, not just been a big part of my life, but my family’s life. And you have touched my daughter’s life, who’s our living angel. And I’ll forever be grateful to you. So, I’m just a phone call away, computer, Facetime, whatever it is. I hope to travel with you again sometime. But, yeah, you’re the best thing that ever happened to Hawai‘i County Council, that we should be able to learn so much from you on behaviors. So, thank you Karen, you’re just a beautiful woman inside and out. I yield Chair. Thank you. CHR. CHUNG: Who’s that? MS. DAVID: Maile. CHR. CHUNG: Okay Maile, go ahead. MS. DAVID: Val, those were just so loving words. But you know what, we’re sticking to the mandate of not crying. I have to share, my friendship with Karen started more than 30 years ago. And I need to share how that friendship started. Because I think every single one of you will be able to relate. Okay, alright, you ready? Page 8 Hawai‘i County Council-57 December 7, 2020 I was introduced to Karen by a mutual friend who worked in a law firm down the hall. And this was the time, when Keohane and Iolani lawsuits and stuff in our community activisms were moving against the state. And she said, I want you to meet someone. I want you to meet a friend of Angel and Nita Pilago. And so I said, okay. And so, I went down, and here’s this young surfer chick, haole girl in the law office, and I introduced myself and she started talking about, you know, the lawsuit and this and that, and she wouldn’t stop talking. I stayed at the office for like an hour and I couldn’t say anything. Come on now, I’m Portuguese Hawaiian and I take pride in the fact that I can talk. But this lady, she out talked me. And I thought, okay, that’s it. First time I’m meeting her, I’m not going to, you know, I’m not going to see her again. Amazingly, the reason why our friendship grew, even on that negative note, is because I immediately realized her association with my dear friends, Nita and Angel Pilago. This lady here embraced with her deepest hope, the native Hawaiian culture and their respect. And she understood all that. And that’s very hard to find people back in the late ‘80s, early ‘90s when the Hawaiian movement was still very contentious. But she understood that. She understood all that, and she embraced it, and she knew that she would never, ever intend to speak for Hawaiians. That was her deepest respect. And doing everything she could to help do something that was right, and it was necessary. In the time we started our community activism, she and I became so close, like sisters, and I really—unlike Val moving away, if this one was going to move away, I think I’d be a basket case. But she and I no matter where we are, we talk every day. She is, like Val said, she keeps me seeing things in ways that are—it’s fair. So, I don’t know. And actually, I need to say this, she has a fetish. I think it’s— it’s not a fetish, right? She has this thing about telephones, okay. If her phone is ringing and we’re in the middle of like we’re wrapping up with Angel in a real important meeting and her phone goes off, any phone goes off, she can’t function. She has to answer it. And she will. So, I told her if anyone needed to torture her, tie her up to a chair and let her phone ring right in front of her, because she not being able to answer it—and my observation she confirmed. She showed me pictures of her when she was a baby and guess what was in her crib? A telephone on her ear. And that continued till she was in elementary school. You know, this lady, I just wanted to share that with you because to share my deep love and aloha for this lady and that she’s not going away. And our nicknames for ourselves, Thelma and Louise, we are not going to drive over the cliff at the end of this meeting. So, love you dearly. And I yield Chair. CHR. CHUNG: Thanks Maile. Page 9 Hawai‘i County Council-57 December 7, 2020 MS. VILLEGAS: Chair Chung? CHR. CHUNG: Rebecca, go ahead please? MS. VILLEGAS: Thank you. Oh, Karen. I got to know Karen when I was a teenager and I found Kohanaiki, which became the home of my heart and Kohanaiki ‘ohana, my ‘ohana. When I look at Karen, the words that come to mind are kind, wise, intuitive, insightful, servant leader, gracious—kind, kind, and the term righteous. Many times in this last term I’ve struggled with my own inadequacies or frustrations, or misunderstandings, or attachments to outcomes. Karen had so graciously reminded me that my words and my actions, my intentions, need to come from a righteous grounding. And the term that comes to mind is, “The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness. Ua Mau ke Ea o ka ‘Āina i ka Pono.” And you wear that crown of wisdom, that gorgeous white hair as an incredible attribute as such a reflection of the wisdom that resides within you and that you so graciously and generously share with everyone around you. It’s been such a joy to watch Thelma and Louise and their relationship, and just continue to learn so much. I was a single mom and Karen actually helped me raise my daughter. And Karen may not have biological children, but you are a mother of millions. You have touched so many lives. Those of us beginning as keiki who will continue to do our very best to follow in your footsteps and make you proud. They are big shoes to fill though. And with that we have a paddle for you too. So, “This paddle is presented to Karen Eoff in honor of your servant leadership as Hawai‘i County Council District 8 Council Member, Me Ke Aloha, Your Council ‘Ohana.” And we did engrave the same message for both of you because that was the inspiration. Thank you, Holeka. So I’m going to try not to butcher it this time. “Nā ‘ahu wai lani o ka moku.” “The Cloaks of Hawai‘i’s heavenly waters.” An interpretation and a connection to our service is, “Like the various forms of wai lani, you felt, heard, and addressed the needs of our ‘āina and people. Whether in a form of heavy rain, clouds, light mist, or dew, you led with purpose and intention. Ke aloha, nui iā ‘olua.” Mahalo Karen. I yield Chair Chung. CHR. CHUNG: Thank you Rebecca. Tim? MR. RICHARDS: Thank you, Chair. Karen, you and I share the west coast. And we’ve discussed about the calmness that you bring to Council. That’s very true. You and I have had some very good conversations about some pretty tough things, and it’s always been gentle going forward. I’m going to miss that aspect Page 10 Hawai‘i County Council-57 December 7, 2020 of you, Karen, sitting on Council and the conversations that we had. But since you’re not going too far away, you may end up in those conversations as well. And I’m sure I’ll be talking to you more. I’m not changing my number, so don’t change yours. Aloha. CHR. CHUNG: Thank you, Tim. Hilo, anyone? Go ahead, Sue. MS. LEE LOY: Thank you, Chair. Karen, yes, we’ve heard so many amazing compliments about you being a different type of politician. You know, just your kindness, your patience, your calm and leveling influence. And what came to mind for me was grace upon grace. And that’s what you have been for so many years for so many. And I just want to thank you for teaching me those things too. You know, being patient, being kind; but just walking it out with a level of deep grace and dignity really does a lot for our constituency and our entire island. So Karen, thank you for teaching me those values of grace upon grace. Chair, I yield. CHR. CHUNG: Thank you, Sue. Matt? MR. KANEALI‘I-KLEINFELDER: Karen, you’re always very quiet. And then you say something that just kind of stops everything. And one has to realize that although you may be quiet, you carry a tremendous amount of knowledge. And I’ve always appreciated that about you and waited for those moments when you would stop and then very politely and calmly remind us all that we’re totally off track. Or that we had missed a very small but important section of the Code. And I think I will definitely miss that going forward. And you’re a unique and a very amazing person. And I hope that you enjoy every minute of beach time that you get going forward, because you deserve it. And I hope it’s more than you could possibly need, and you and Gary spend a huge amount of time in the water and doing whatever you do down by the water. And I will miss you, even Val. You’re just both very amazing people. So thank you for being the way you are and for having that very calm and gracious tact that is so needed, I think, in some of the moments that we have on this Council. And I will miss you and I will definitely be calling you going forward. So, please keep my number in your phone. And mahalo for everything that you’ve done. CHR. CHUNG: Ashley? MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you, Chair. Karen, you just have this ethereal quality about you. Thank you for always being friendly and encouraging towards me and just so very thoughtful. I can’t remember why we were texting on a weekend, but we happened to be, and I let you know that I was going to be down Kohanaiki, and you went out of your way to let me know that there’s a beautiful Page 11 Hawai‘i County Council-57 December 7, 2020 star compass and native garden I needed to bring my keiki to and I did. And it was just so beautiful. And I just want to thank you for your big heart and service to community. Take care, and aloha. CHR. CHUNG: Karen? MS. EOFF: Wow, I don’t know how to thank you guys for saying such beautiful words. And I think what Maile said when we first met when I was talking, talking, talking, but it’s only because she was talking to me about something that I was so very passionate about and had learned so much about regarding Kohanaiki and all of the land use struggles and the history that I’d been taught up to that point. And just my excitement going forward to be part of something that was so important because I think all my life, I wondered what I was here for, and what are we doing here? And what could I do that would be meaningful? And when I came here and I did meet the people at Kohanaiki because I surfed like every day, and then found out that that place was destined for a huge resort marina type development. And being privileged to get involved with the Pilago’s and some of their very meaningful and influential people. But even my sister. We’d go visit my dad in the mainland and my cousins, and she would finally just tell me, “Can you please just shut up?” Because all I would talk about was Kohanaiki. I like ate, breathe, and slept about it. It was just like all that mattered. And I was like involved in like every aspect I guess too, between the community stuff and the beach cleanups; keiki surf, grass roots efforts, legal. Understanding the history of Hawai‘i. I mean it was a big deal, but for me it was—somebody once asked, “Well, you get paid for this?” I’m like, no way, the pay is just a reward of being able to have been a prat of something that was not only important to all of Hawai‘i, but to the friends around me and getting to meet these people that I met throughout that time. But you know, Angel was here before me and like Maile said, we worked for him. We learned a lot, we were scolded a lot, but I think it did teach me how to be a Council Woman. And, you know, I hope I can help others to continue to do their job. Congratulations, by the way, to all of you for being re-elected, and I’m so happy that Holeka will be filling my seat. I think part of the reason I’m so happy today, because I know he’ll be here, so really grateful for that. And to all the people that supported me during the eight years that I was able to serve—sorry if I’m rambling, but I want to especially thank my staff, Wendy and Kehau who have been so loyal and helpful, and awesome. And then, all the staff here in the Kona Office, they’re just like an amazing team of people who make us feel like family with, we’re here, we’re safe, we’re cared for. And amidst all of Page 12 Hawai‘i County Council-57 December 7, 2020 the stresses and things that we do deal with on the political scene, you know, our staff has always made us feel safe to come to work. And somewhere we can lean on friends, so that’s been so very important. And of course, I did work in, I think several capacities over the eight years before I became a Council Member. So I got to know a lot of the Civil Service staff and the people in our Legislative branch as well as in Administration, but I just want to take this opportunity to say I love all of the people in, especially in our Legislative Branch. We are one ‘ohana that really keeps things moving for the County. And before when I was involved in suing the County, I just thought it was government. It was us against them. I thought we were the people and then there was the government, but then as I started working here and got involved with all the people who make the squeaky wheels of government turn. I found out that we are the government. All of us, whether it be the staff, the community, the politicians, the decision makers, Administration. We are the government. It’s all of us, and I’ve told a lot of people that. It don’t feel right to be us against them, and even though we do have to keep our ears open for what is happening in the community, and we appreciate the people who come forward to testify and tell us what’s what sometimes. I mean we have a beautiful Government here in Hawai‘i, and especially on this Island. I think we are different. And we should keep it that way. So I would say, if anything, as I do finish my term, that I would encourage everybody to keep that specialness of this island in your heart as you’re governing and as you’re making decisions and dealing with all of the wonderful people here, because that’s what makes it special. So thank you. Thank you all and thank you for everybody’s kind words again, and the notes that I received, and all these beautiful leis. And yeah, I’m not going anywhere, and believe me, I do answer the phone. It’s rang a few times since I’ve been sitting here. It’s been really difficult to see it light up and not be able to answer it. But, yeah so, call me anytime and I’m going to be a lot more free. Oh, I think, I better thank my husband. I just realized, you know, our spouses they go through a lot, because we are distracted from home life a lot. And my husband is so patient, and so supportive, and he is looking forward to be able to spend more time together. And I am too, also. And I’m really looking forward to be able to help him with a lot of the projects at Kohanaiki and ‘O‘oma. There’s a lot of stewardship work that’s going on there, and I’m going to be privileged to be a part of all of that. Okay, I think that does it, thank you. Page 13 Hawai‘i County Council-57 December 7, 2020 CHR. CHUNG: Thank you Karen, and well said. And you know, a lot of us couldn’t resist the impulse of calling you right after what Maile told us about your fetish with telephones. Anyway, Mr. Clerk, we have a motion on the floor. Let’s do a roll call vote, please? Vote on Res. 785-20: The motion to adopt Res. 785-20 was carried by the (Adopted) following roll call vote: Ayes: Council Members David, Eoff, Kanealiʻi-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Lee Loy, Poindexter, Richards, Villegas, and Chair Chung – 9. Noes: None. Absent: None. Excused: None. CHR. CHUNG: Motion carried unanimously. Resolution 785-20 is adopted. CHR. CHUNG: We’ve come to the end of our agenda. Mr. Clerk, before we adjourn though, I would like to make, I guess it’s an announcement, maybe? ANNOUNCE-The Chair directed the Council to proceed to the next order of business, MENTS: Announcements. CHR. CHUNG: To Karen and Val, you know, you may or may not have noticed that I made no comments during the course of your resolutions. It’s not because I don’t like you guys, you know. I actually really like you guys and it has been my pleasure to work with both of you. And you know, I was really trying to think of an appropriate way to giving you guys a special send off, because both of you are term-limited out, right? Four terms, eight years. You guys came in with a really stellar group too. Dru Kanuha, now State Senator. Greggor (Ilagan), didn’t he come in with you guys too? Now, at the State House of Representatives. So you guys were very special. But the two of you in particular, you know, have been fixtures in the landscape of our County Government for so long. I really wanted to do something special for the both of you. A little bit different. And whatever is said hereafter, I want to incorporate my comments into that, okay? Because I didn’t say much. What we’ve done today is, we have prepared certificates of appreciation for each of you. And what makes it special, is that I’ve instructed the people, you know, most close to you actually to write the text of those certificates. Page 14 Hawai`i County Council-57 December 7,2020 So for Val, it was Lenny Castillo and Sunshine. And Sunshine is going to do the presentation to you on behalf of the Council. And for Karen, it was a collaboration among Kehau Pauole, Wendy Baez, and Karen's buddy, right, Maile. And Maile will be doing the presentation. So, I just wanted to extend my best wishes to the both of you, too. This is our send off to each of you. It's a little special. CERTIFICATES OF (Note: At this time, Certificates of Appreciation were presented to APPRECIATION: Council Vice Chair Karen Eoff and Council Member Valerie Poindexter in recognition of exemplary leadership during their eight years of service on the Hawai`i County Council.) CHR. CHUNG: That was very nice. Congratulations again to Karen and Val. Okay we have come to the end of our agenda now. Any further announcements, if not, can I have a motion to adjourn? ADJOURN- There being no further business, at 10:05 a.m., Ms. Kierkiewicz moved to adjourn MENT: the meeting. Seconded by Ms. Lee Loy and carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Council Members David, Eoff, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Lee Loy, Poindexter, Richards, Villegas, and Chair Chung—9. Noes: None. Absent: None. Excused: None. CHR. CHUNG: Motion carried, meeting adjourned. Council Approval: JAN - 6 2021 COUN LERK JH/dt/j a Page 15