HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP GOREDC 008 2021/02/02 (2020-2022) REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS,
RELATIONS, AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
DATE: February 2, 2021 Re: Comm. No. 89/Res. No. 35-21
PLACE: Council Chambers
Hilo Hawaii
TIME: 9:30 a.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Your Committee on Governmental Operations, Relations, and Economic Development, which was
referred Resolution No. 35-21, reports as follows:
Resolution No. 35-21, introduced by Committee Member Ashley Kierkiewicz, urges the County of
Hawaii through its Department of Research and Development and the Office of Housing and
Community Development to work together to establish a Jobs Corps program for Hawaii Island to
help address unemployment impacts and support economic diversification.
Council Member Kierkiewicz introduced the resolution by noting that people in our County are
experiencing a multitude of challenges due to the pandemic and the economic downturn. She also
stressed that we should "re-tool and upscale" existing community programs in lieu of starting from
scratch or duplicating efforts with an emphasis on collaboration between government, community-
based and educational organizations. This will allow us to align with state and federal programs and
enable our County to be ready to receive funding when it becomes available.
Director of Research and Development Douglass Adams was present and emphasized that this is an
opportune time to reimagine our economy to do good work for our community. Property Manager
Hamana Ventura, from the Department of Finance was also on hand to answer questions.
There was strong support from four testifiers on Resolution No. 35-21 including representatives of
non-profit organizations offering help and future collaboration as well as a staff member from State
Representative Sean Quinlan's office. Several Council Members praised the effort and gave their full
support to the resolution.
The vote was taken on the motion to move this measure to Council with a favorable recommendation
and passed unanimously with nine "ayes".
GOREDC Report No.: 8
GOREDC-8 Page 2 February 2,2021
Your Committee on Governmental Operations,Relations, and Economic Development is in accord
with the purpose and intent of Resolution No. 35-21, and recommends its adoption.
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AYES NOES ABS EX Respectfully submitted,
CHUNG X
DAVID x COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL
INABA x OPERATIONS, RELATIONS, AND
KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER x ECONOMIC DEVELOP NT
KIERKIEWICZ X I
KIMBALL X f'
LEE LOY x ATHER L. KI :ALL, CHAIR
RICHARDS X GOREDC REPAI NO.: 8
VILLEGAS X ADOPTED: h4 1 7 2021