HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP GOREDC 016 2021/09/07 (2020-2022) REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS,
RELATIONS, AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
DATE: September 7, 2021 Re: Comm. No. 365/Res. No. 190-21
PLACE: Council Chambers
Hilo, Hawaii
TIME: 11:01 a.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Your Committee on Governmental Operations, Relations, and Economic Development,to which
was referred Resolution No. 190-21, reports as follows:
Resolution No. 190-21, introduced by Council Member Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, urges the
State of Hawaii legislature to enact legislation directing the Department of Education to develop
curriculum and provide a required course in financial literacy.
Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder introduced the resolution by saying that he felt compelled to introduce
it after seeing the State-level bill die during the past legislative session. He stressed that the
pandemic and the resulting economic downturn have stressed families and underlined the need
for financial knowledge and skills for all individuals.
Several Council Members thanked Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder for bringing this issue to the
County Council and stated that they are supportive of the idea of teaching financial literacy in the
Hawaii public schools.
Council Member Ashley Kierkiewicz stated that she thought it would be beneficial to know why
the Department of Education opposed the State bill and encouraged the introducer to align with
community organizations that are also working to ensure financial literacy in our communities.
Council Member Sue Lee Loy asked if there could be additional actionable items added to the
resolution to make it more impactful.
Chair Heather Kimball gave her support for the measure and emphasized the importance of an
individual's ability to manage his or her own financial resources especially as our society sees
enormous growth in the gig economy sector of work.
Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder wrapped up the discussion by inviting the Council Members to submit
any amendments to Resolution No. 190-21 that they think would improve the measure.
GOREDC Report No.: 16
GOREDC-16 Page 2 September 7,2021
Your Committee on Governmental Operations, Relations, and Economic Development is in
accord with the purpose and intent of Resolution No.190-21, and recommends its adoption.
jlk
AYES NOES ABS EX Respectfully submitted,
CHUNG X
DAVID x COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL
INABA x OPERATIONS, RELATIONS, AND
KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER x ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
KIERKIEWICZ X
KIMBALL X
LEE LOY x iiiATHER L. kIMBALL, CHAIR
RICHARDS X GOREDC REPORT NO.: 16
VILLEGAS X ADOPTED: SEP 2 2 2021