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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN GOREDC 2022/01/05 2020-2022 Committee on Governmental Operations, Relations, and Economic Development 20th Session Hawaii County Building 25 Aupuni Street Hilo, Hawai i January 5, 2022 CALL TO The regular meeting of the Committee on Governmental Operations, Relations, ORDER: and Economic Development was called to order at 10:32 a.m., in the Council Chambers, Hilo, by Ms. Heather L. Kimball, Chair. ROLL CALL: Present: Ms. Heather L. Kimball, Chair Ms. Ashley L. Kierkiewicz, Vice Chair Mr. Aaron S. Y. Chung, Member Ms. Maile Medeiros David, Member Mr. Holeka Goro Inaba, Member Mr. Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Member Ms. Susan L. K. Lee Loy, Member (came in later) Mr. Herbert M. "Tim" Richards, III, Member Ms. Rebecca Villegas, Member (via videoconference) CHR. KIMBALL: Just as a note before we begin, that one item on the agenda, Communication 476. Due to some challenging issues with scheduling, because we're having Committee on a Council day, we are going to still have that presentation, but it will be at 1:00 p.m. So we'll take the other items on the agenda, and then we'll recess until 1:00 o'clock for that presentation. I just wanted to mention that while we had our testifiers on because most of you are testifying on that particular issue. STATEMENTS The Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business, FROM THE Statements from the Public on Agenda Items. PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS: The following individuals registered to speak and came forward when called by the Chair: Cory Harden: Comm. 476, comment. (representing the Sierra Club, Hawaii Island Group) Janice Palma-Glennie: Comm. 476, comment. GOREDC-20 January 5,2022 CHR. KIMBALL: Closing public testimony. Mr. Clerk, if we could go to the top of the agenda, Communication 29.6. COMMUNI- The Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business, CATIONS: Communications. Comm. 29.6: HAWAII STATE ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES' OCTOBER 26, 2021, EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES From Council Member Heather Kimball, dated December 7, 2021. Requires Council Confirmation by: January 1, 2022 (Section 13-4(k), Hawaii County Charter) Vote on Motion Ms. Lee Loy moved to close file on Comm. 29.6. to Approve: Seconded by Mr. Richards and carried by the Filed following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members Chung, David, Inaba, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Lee Loy, Richards, Villegas, and Chair Kimball—9. Noes: None. Absent: None. Excused: None. CHR. KIMBALL: Okay, moving on to Communication 29.7, please. Comm. 29.7 HAWAII STATE ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES' NOVEMBER 23, 2021, COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES From Council Member Heather Kimball, dated December 9, 2021. Vote on Motion Ms. Lee Loy moved to close file on Comm. 29.7. to Approve: Seconded by Mr. Richards and carried by the Filed following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members Chung, David, Inaba, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Lee Loy, Richards, Villegas, and Chair Kimball—9. Noes: None. Absent: None. Excused: None. CHR. KIMBALL: Communication 453, please. Page 2 GOREDC-20 January 5,2022 Comm. 453: REQUESTS AN UPDATE FROM THE ADMINISTRATION REGARDING ITS PRIORITIES FOR THE 2022 SESSION OF THE HAWAII STATE LEGISLATURE From Council Member Ashley L. Kierkiewicz, dated October 11, 2021. Postponed: December 8, 2021 (Note: There is a motion by Ms. Kierkiewicz, seconded by Mr. Inaba, to close file on Communication 453.) CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you, Mr. Clerk. So there was a motion on the floor it was postponed from our last meeting. We were informed yesterday that the Mayor's representative, Steve Bader is unable to participate to provide us with an update today. So, I'll open it up for any discussion, if we need to have any comments about that. But then looking for another postponement to our meeting on the 18''. Council Member Kierkiewicz. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Corporation Counsel, Judge Strance, maybe if you could come forward. Just curious if you're involved in any of the conversations regarding Hawaii County's Legislative Package. I know that Mr. Bader was also involved in conversations the Mayor is having through Hawaii, you know, with associated county Mayors (Hawai`i Council of Mayors). So just wondering if you're able to share any progress or updates regarding, you know, those convenings? I will be postponing the matter, but just curious to know if there's anything that you're able to share and provide insight into. (Note: At this time, Corporation Counsel Elizabeth Strance came forward to address the members of the Committee.) MS. STRANCE: Elizabeth Strance, Corporation Counsel. I was unaware of the request for the continuance and was not involved in any discussions regarding it. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Okay. Do you know who is, besides Steve Bader? MS. STRANCE: I do not. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Okay. Thank you. Chair, I'll just note that there was no communication to my office directly regarding a request to postpone. I know that the communication came through you and I'm glad you're able to share that with us. But this was something that we had agreed upon as Council Members. And the Administration when Steve first presented to us, I know things happened in the time of COVID, but just would have appreciated maybe even a bullet point list of what they're working on. Because I have to imagine that significant Page 3 GOREDC-20 January 5,2022 progress in things have been discussed and things have been done between October and this point in time. So, you know, at some point after folks have weighed in, I will make a motion to postpone to the January 181h meeting so that we can have these discussions. But maybe I'll ask that the Administration send us something in advance because time is of the essence and session is convening in a few weeks. So with that I'll yield. Thank you. CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you, Council Member Kierkiewicz. Council Member Lee Loy. MS. LEE LOY: Yes, thank you. Yeah, I'm actually really disappointed because the clock is ticking as far as the opening of the Legislature. And I reallyI have to agree with Ms. Kierkiewicz that a bulleted list of just high-level things that they're looking towards, or you know, guiding their resources towards, would have been incredibly helpful. And also maybe, assigning a second if Mr. Bader is going to be our point and then is unavailable. We have deputies in departments. There should be like a second assigned. I will be supporting the postponement. I just really am a little disappointed that—we're really not on track with the Mayor's direction, the Legislative opening. It just really puts us up against the wall as we galvanize some of the support needed. So,those are my only comments at this time, I yield. CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you, Council Member Lee Loy. Judge Strance, did you have a comment? MS. STRANCE: Just a question. Whether the request that Council Woman Kierkiewicz says, request that I ask the Mayor's Office to provide that information or will you be in touch with the Mayor's Office to request it? MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Chair, if I may? CHR. KIMBALL: Please. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: I can put the request in myself, Judge Strance. And I'll copy you on that communication, if you could kind of ensure that there is follow-up. Because you are a consistent presence here at our Council Meetings. And so, maybe they're able to include you some of those conversations in the event that Steve or others can't be present. You could provide kind of like a high level overview of what's being discussed. Thank you so much. Page 4 GOREDC-20 January 5,2022 CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you, Council Member, and thank you Judge Strance for your willingness to help assist us in this communication. Council Member Richards. MR. RICHARDS: Thank you, Chair. And I also will be supporting the postponement as well. But to Council Woman Lee Loy's point,the level of communication is really needed. This Council, we all have our contacts so we can help advocate for legislation coming forth. And we can be a huge benefit if we know what we're trying to advocate for. And so that comes down to the level of communication. So it would be great, I mean I appreciate Ms. Kierkiewicz is going to put forth a request. But I think what Council Woman Lee Loy said about having a second deputy or whatever terminology we use, be very beneficial for the County so we can help advocate for policy coming forward. With that Chair, I yield. CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you, Council Member Richards. Anyone else? Oh, I'm sorry, Council Member Inaba. MR. INABA: Chair, what was the reason for Mr. Bader not being here today? CHR. KIMBALL: I believe it's COVID related. MR. INABA: And is no one from—is the Mayor not able to come, being that it is his Administration? CHR. KIMBALL: We did request an alternative and were told that there was no one else available to provide us with an update. MR. INABA: Okay. Thank you. CHR. KIMBALL: Unless you had other comments before you make the motion, I would share the concern of my colleagues from the standpoint that Council Member Richards took, which is that we can provide a valuable service as a united front as the County to help support and advocate for State Legislation that benefits us all. And without adequate communication from the Administration about what priorities they have, it really puts us behind, especially since it looks like now we'll be getting the priorities the day before Leg session. And it usually helps to lay some groundwork as we all know, and that's what we could be doing right now. Unfortunately, because of this current situation, we are unable to do so. Page 5 GOREDC-20 January 5,2022 We do have some information from Mr. Bader from our last discussion, but I am disappointed as well. So but, happy to support the postponement so we can at least continue to have this conversation. I'm sorry, Ms. Villegas, I didn't specially inquire if you had any comments before I go back to Ms. Kierkiewicz to make the postponement motion. Did you have any comments? MS. VILLEGAS: No worries. You know me, I'll chime in if I have some comments. CHR. KIMBALL: For sure. Okay, thank you. Council Member Kierkiewicz, please. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you. Just underscoring the last couple of days, we haven't gotten the information we've needed from the Administration. So I hope that there can be some level setting over the next couple weeks. And we're getting the information that we need to move things forward for our County. Thank you for carrying the water on this message, Judge Strance, appreciate it. I'll make a motion to postpone Communication 453 to the January 18'h Committee meetings. Vote on Motion Ms. Kierkiewicz moved to postpone Comm. 453 to to Postpone: January 18, 2022. Seconded by Ms. Lee Loy and (Approved) was carried by the following voice vote. Ayes: Committee Members Chung, David, Inaba, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Lee Loy, Richards, Villegas, and Chair Kimball—9. Noes: None. Absent: None. Excused: None. CHR. KIMBALL: If we could now move to Communication 556 on the agenda, please. Change Order As directed by the Chair and with no objection from the Council Members, the of Business: following item was taken out of order: Comm. 556: REQUESTS A DISCUSSION REGARDING THE COUNCIL'S FEDERAL PRIORITIES TO INFORM MEETINGS WITH HAWAI`I'S CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION AT THE 2022 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE From Council Member Heather Kimball, dated December 10, 2021. Page 6 GOREDC-20 January 5,2022 Motion to Approve: Ms. Lee Loy moved to close file on Comm. 556. Seconded by Mr. Richards. CHR. KIMBALL: If you guys will give me a little leeway here to just set the tone for this. We have been requested by the HSAC (Hawai`i State Association of Counties) Executive Committee to provide from this body, a list of three priorities. So that when the Executive Committee does meet on Capitol Hill during the Legislative meeting of NACo (National Association of Counties), we have a really concise message to share. And it will be with our congressional delegation, but could also be with other members of the Administration or other members of Congress. So this is unusual, as I understand it. It hasn't been done before that this request has come forward from the HSAC Executive Committee, so we weren't entirely sure of the approach. I've included the memorandum from President Chock in your pinkie folder so that you know where this is coming from (see Comm. 556.1). The communication is here today so that we can have that initial discussion, hopefully get to three priorities, I will then write those up as a resolution that we will hear in Council at the next Council meeting in order to meet the deadline of the 20'h of January. So that's the plan. And with that, I will open it up to any discussion from my colleagues. Council Member Richards, please. MR. RICHARDS: Thank you, Chair. It is unusual. We haven't done this before, which means it's a good thing, because I think it's something that we should do. It's my understanding that I think there is a Legislative recess when we are in D.C. So whether or not our contingency is going to be there or not, that's probably a little bit up in the air. Regardless, we should still have the priorities coming forth. And this is the cumbersome part of the Sunshine Law, right? We have to start with this this way. I think probably if people reflect at all, they can figure out what is the immediate need. And in my mind, a high priority is going to be infrastructure funding for us. And direct funding from the Feds to the counties bypassing the State, I think is very appropriate. So having the advocacy from our delegation to support that coming forth, I think that's probably going to be in my mind, my number one priority. I'm going to stop talking there, because I'm going to have to think this a little through. But I think if we can get that, we have a lot of infrastructure needs. So we know whether it be the Hamakua bridges, very mindful of that; our highways, connectivity. I don't think we have to worry about Mass Transit, because John Andoh seems to be doing a very good job accessing a lot of stuff right now. But our wastewater system, all of that I think we need to look at. So infrastructure direct funding would be one of my high priorities. Chair, I yield. Page 7 GOREDC-20 January 5,2022 CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you very much, Council Member Richards. And to your point about the Legislature. They will be on recess and we are working at actually setting up meetings regardless of whether or not they're physically there in D.C. at the time or not. But yeah, that is a bit of the complication, but we do intend to meet with all four of the members of our delegation. Any other conversation or comments about this item? Council Member Inaba. MR. INABA: Yeah, thank you. I think I would just like to echo the ideas shared by Council Member Richards. We know that yesterday we spent a lot of time discussing items related to our roads and highways, to our wastewater. And while it is beneficial for us to go and seek support from the Federal level, we very much need to be ready and capable of carrying out the jobs and the work, if that money and support should come. So, full support for those ideas shared by Mr. Richards. And based on those conversations we had, I hope that we may be ready. Thank you. CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you. Council Member Lee Loy. MS. LEE LOY: Yes, thank you Chair. You know, Tim and I attended the conference in Atlanta, which was a small sampling of what we're hearing from all the other counties across the United States. So, definitely the infrastructure package. And I'm glad that Council Member Inaba is picking up on what we're trying to drive in over here at home. Which is we can get all the money we want, but if we can't execute it, it really isn't going to be beneficial to really change community after this pandemic. And so, if there are tools in the various funding mechanisms to assist with tracking, monitoring, you know, highlighting those things. And one thing I would like to see is all of our islands have Hawaiian Homes. And there are very special carve outs in some of the package money that assist tribal nations. While DHHL (Department of Hawaiian Home Lands) is very unique to some of those languages, I would love to see if there is something unique—some kind of unique funding for our homestead communities across the entire State, because we could actually begin to leverage separate monies that they get with monies that come directly from the Federal Government to the counties or through the State and really amplify change in infrastructure and the needs of all the communities. So that's what I would like to see also. CHR. KIMBALL: Great. Thank you, Council Member Lee Loy. Anyone else? Council Member Richards, back to you. Page 8 GOREDC-20 January 5,2022 MR. RICHARDS: Yeah,just to augment a little bit about infrastructure. This is kind of a little bit springboarding off what Cory Harden was talking about as far as the food and the economy of agriculture. When we talk about infrastructure, we talk about roads; we talk about bridges; we talk about water infrastructure, etcetera. But also, we need the infrastructure for ag economic export, meaning facilities at the ports, both sea and air, to export our commodities, whatever they may happen to be. And we also need infrastructure here for value adding; call it manufacturing if you want to. And I think that's where the infrastructure, if we can get that stuff done so we don't have this heavy capital cost carrying forward, we can stimulate some of those Ag commodities coming forward and build that economy of agriculture. Also, I think we should pay attention to COVID right now and be sure we're tapping into resources, follow-up testing, whatever the case may be. We're not done with this, so let's be mindful and come up with a plan. We've seen the stutter steps. We as a community society got a little bit complacent. And we needed the rapid testing, and all 500 million have been ordered, but delivery date is kicked way out because we geared down, so I think we should be planning for that. Because this isn't going away in the near term. We can do a better job. I yield. CHR. KIMBALL: Council Member David. MS. DAVID: Yes, thanks Chair. And I agree wholeheartedly that the infrastructure funding is pretty much for this island, a number one priority all the way around. And I believe generally it's that. Affordable housing and then sustainability, and ramping up our ag production here. I think those three things to me go hand-in-hand in priorities as far as I'm concerned. So that's my input, and I yield. CHR. KIMBALL: Anyone else? Alright. So, I'll just summarize here. Key points, infrastructure funding, specifically funding that's going to be advanced directly to the counties without a pass through to the State regards to Wastewater, Water, Ag, Infrastructure, Roads, Highways, so forth. To making sure that we have the capacity to take advantage of opportunities and how to best utilize any tools or resources, providing tracking and metrics, so that we're making sure to take advantage of all the dollars that are out there, and that we're prepared to receive them. Particularly information about Hawaiian Homes, any special funds dedicated to tribal nations that might help us support our DHHL community and beyond. Agriculture value added, additional infrastructure. What I may suggest on that is that we specifically schedule a meeting with USDA (United States Department of Page 9 GOREDC-20 January 5,2022 Agriculture)to talk about some of that potential opportunity. And then the rest, we can talk about our infrastructure priority. COVID planning, for additional resources, testing, whatnot. And then finally, Housing. And again on that one I think I'll suggest that we try to schedule something with Housing directly; that department, so we can have that conversation with them. So what I'll do, as I said before, I'll take this information I'll write it up in a resolution to present at our next Council Meeting so that we can have that for the HSAC Executive Committee. Appreciate all of you bringing your ideas to the discussion today. Hopefully this will be fruitful. So with that we'll proceed with the motion on the floor, which is to close file on Communication 556. All of those in favor? Vote on Comm. 556: The motion to close file on Comm. 556 was carried by Filed the following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members Chung, David, Inaba, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Lee Loy, Richards, Villegas, and Chair Kimball—9. Noes: None. Absent: None. Excused: None. CHR. KIMBALL: With that, as I mentioned before, our presentation for Communication 476 will take place at 1:00 o'clock today. So with that I will put us into recess until 1:00 o'clock. Recess: At 11:02 a.m., the Chair called for a recess. Reconvene: The meeting reconvened at 1:01 p.m. CHR. KIMBALL: Alright. Good afternoon everyone. Thank you, we are coming out of recess. We are going to go to item Comm. 476. Mr. Clerk. Return to Order The Chair directed the Committee to return to the order of business. of Business: Comm. 476: REQUESTS A DISCUSSION WITH THE ISLAND OF HAWAII VISITORS BUREAU REGARDING THE DESTINATION MANAGEMENT ACTION PLAN AND THE COMMUNITY ENRICHMENT PROGRAM From Council Member Heather Kimball, dated October 25, 2021. Page 10 GOREDC-20 January 5,2022 Motion to Approve: Mr. Richards moved to close file on Comm. 476. Seconded by Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder. CHR. KIMBALL: To just set the stage here, we have Ross Birch and David Pettinger from the Hawaii Island Visitors Bureau to provide us with a presentation today. This was actually rescheduled over two different committee meetings. The intention originally was actually have this coincide with our conversations about TAT (Transient Accommodation Tax) and the discussions about the impacts of tourism. And I also wanted to provide this body with an update on the Destination Management Plan and the results of the survey that was conducted. So without further ado, I'll ask Mr. Birch to come forward and begin the presentation. I understand you're doing the introductions today. (Note: At this time, Island of Hawaii Visitors Bureau Ross Birch came forward to address the members of the Committee.) MR. BIRCH: Yes. Thanks, Council Woman Kimball, appreciate it. Glad to see everybody and have the opportunity to speak a little bit. As Heather had mentioned, we tried to schedule this a few times, unsuccessfully. I'm glad we were able to get on the agenda, so to kind of review it. And our focus today is really going to be on what the results of our Resident Sentiment Survey have and came back to us after receiving them, or doing the survey in July and August this past year. To set this up, the survey was actually funded by the County Tourism fund, and it was flipped between two different fiscal years, where the previous fiscal year we used Capital funding to provide the set up and the questioning and the laying the plan out, and the process to be made from the survey. Where the second half of the funding in the second fiscal year would kick in and actually be the meat of the survey itself and the process, and then the reporting of that. So fortunately we were able to carry it over within one calendar year, but on two different fiscal budgets, so it worked out very well in that way. And the purpose of this is twofold. The Hawaii Tourism Authority, DBEDT (Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism) regularly do Resident Sentiment Surveys. They do them quarterly, bi-annually, they do them regularly, but what we had found is that those that were interviewed or surveyed from our island only equaled to about maybe 100 of the multitude of survey individuals throughout the State. So our specific voice for the island wasn't really heard when you saw that survey results that came through on the Statewide level. Page 11 GOREDC-20 January 5,2022 So our intent was to get a much deeper dive to get a cross-section of the entire island and to get at least 100 survey recipients from each one of the County Council districts, and we were able to get slightly over 1,000 in this survey once it was all complete. So we achieved that goal of getting a louder voice from our specific island. The other intent was IHVB (Island of Hawaii Visitors Bureau) became the contractor with HTA (Hawai`i Tourism Authority) to oversee the Designation Management Action Plan as well as the CET program, the Community Enrichment Program. So in that process, IHVB, myself as well in that process, wanted to have a correlation with to making sure our steering committee with the DMAP (Designation Management Action Plan) was matching what our overall Resident Sentiment was. And to make sure that we're lining up our action items with Designation Management. An action plan with those priorities that are coming in from this Resident Sentiment Survey. So the good news is, yes, once you see the survey, you'll see that everything is aligning in the process that our steering committee was definitely community based and it was a cross section of basically exactly what our Resident Sentiment Survey is providing. So as that as a setup, David Pettinger is the Senior Vice President of Anthology Marketing Group. They're the entity we hired to do this survey and he is far better at explaining the nuts and bolts. And he's also a non-biased individual that can kind of speak to just the statistics and the results of the survey, much better than having any perspective put into that as well. So, he's the best individual to provide this presentation to you. And it is not lack of information or great insights. So put your seatbelts on, sit back and get ready for a great presentation. (Note: At this time, David Pettinger, Senior Vice President of Anthology Marketing Group came forward to address the members of the Committee.) MR. PETTINGER: Thank you so much, Ross. Good afternoon Council Members. My name is David Pettinger. I lead the research team at Anthology Research, part of Anthology Marketing Group in Honolulu. This is all do, it's market research. So I do work on different topics on different islands. We've been working on efforts in Hawaii for more than 25 years. And so what I'm going to present to you today, as Ross mentioned is an overview or a summary of the findings from the Resident Sentiment Survey that was conducted among Hawaii Island residents. It covers on many of the same areas that the HTA Resident Sentiment Survey that is done Statewide covers, but it also explores some different areas that are more island-specific and more related to the activities that are being done on-island. So I'm going to share my screen here. Page 12 GOREDC-20 January 5,2022 There are about 45 slides in total. So I will try to move along, but also not move too quickly. So please do interrupt me if you have any questions as we go. And thank you again for the opportunity to be here. I'm sorry that I couldn't be there in person, given all things that are happening related to COVID, but as the next best thing we're doing this virtually. (Note: At this time, Mr. Pettinger came forward to provide a PowerPoint presentation to the members of the Committee. For viewing of subject presentation, see the DVD copy of the meeting proceedings on file in the Clerk's Office or online by navigating to the Council's video archives from the County's homepage at www.hawaiicounty.gov. A copy of the PowerPoint presentation is made a part of the record, see Comm. 476.1.) MR. PETTINGER: I'm happy to answer any questions. I think I'm two minutes ahead of schedule here. CHR. KIMBALL: Excellent Job. Appreciate that, David. And thank you for taking the time to go through all this material with us, fascinating information. With that I will open it up to my colleagues for questions. Council Member Richards. MR. RICHARDS: Yeah, it's not so much a question, it's just a statement. That's a huge amount of information. And it's very interesting, and it actuallyI mean it's valuable, and a better term invaluable, for this Council as far as we start crafting legislation going forward because by Council district as well as looking at it from a County and Statewide, it truly gives us a barometer of what the thoughts are in the community overall. So, I'm sure I will have questions, but it's going to take a while to digest all of this. Thank you very much. CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you, Council Member Richards. MS. VILLEGAS: I have a couple of questions. CHR. KIMBALL: Go ahead, Rebecca. MS. VILLEGAS: Aloha, thank you for being here, gentlemen. That's a lot of information to try and track and data to turn into information points. I suppose what I was hoping for is a little bit more of a story. I mean, I've just been sitting here reading Na Wai Ola, the OHA (Office of Hawaiian Affairs) documentation and paperwork talking about how we as a State are really striving to reshape tourism. And so I'm kind of looking for, I suppose—is the intention of this presentation to just give us a baseline point? I just kind of come out of it going, okay, so everybody thinks it's fine. But I would have to say for me, personally, I feel like Page 13 GOREDC-20 January 5,2022 some of the people's answers are related to a feeling of being overwhelmed and feeling like there is no other option. And so, okay this is what it is. I mean, we've continually heard from constituents throughout the last year. Once as a State and as an island, we were able to experience our natural spaces, our roads. We didn't have the traffic issues we have with thousands of cars on the road. You know, our coral ecosystems were, in fact, spawning again. There were a lot of very positive changes, but in some ways I feel folks feel trapped in tourism being this primary economic driver. And as we continue to have conversations about transitioning away from it, I guess I'm looking for that broader story of how or why. Or does this information just provide justification for why we continue with the status quo, you know. Just in all honesty, that's kind of what I'm a little confused about here. MR. PETTINGER: I was going to interject right after Tim got finished there, to basically say that this is kind of that starting point. This is giving us a baseline because it's the first time we've ever done any type of survey like this ourselves at this island level. And it was really to give us an understanding of agenda items for the Destination Management and action plans so that we could really look at making some action that is in line to,then redo the survey, let's say another year down the line, and did we move any of these items in any specific direction positively by the ability to utilize the DMAP and CET, and other programs that we have from Kukulu Ola to Aloha `Rina. All of the different facets that HTA has the ability to support and fund. Are we able to move the needle specifically? And I think as an island, I wanted to get a deeper dig on it to make sure that we had kind of that starting base, or really, where do we need to start? And can we move the needle? So,the story is just beginning, I would say right now, Rebecca. We're just getting into it. MS. VILLEGAS: Okay, thank you, I appreciate that. I know, you know, being born and raised and growing up here, some of the frustration has been that things aren't built for those that live here. They're built to attract more people to come here, and we don't have the infrastructure. And we do have limited resources. And as we—in District 7 I see a high percentage of malihini who've moved here and then made this place their home, and have seen opportunities for economic growth and new businesses. I think one of the things that had me throwing up in my mouth, quite honestly during the `rona(Coronavirus) was having people come and protest in front of the Chambers with signs that said Hawaii is Tourism and Tourism is Hawaii, which is such is a number one, false statement; number two, incredibly offensive to the history and the legacy of these islands. Page 14 GOREDC-20 January 5,2022 And so, I'm really hopeful that as you guys are creating kind of this baseline that you can continueI'm grateful. I know that you're going to continue to take into consideration trying to transition. I hear a lot of people, as lot are from District 7, "Well, where I come from we have da da da da da da, in all of our da da da da da." And to that, my response is well where you came from they probably built the community you were living in for you. And here we have the malihini and the maka`ainana who it wasn't built for them or us. And so, we're constantly in this shuck and drive, and push and pull. But the sensitivity as things get more and moreI appreciated you mentioning the `Rina Aloha Economic Futures. Was that what you were referring to, Ross? MR. BIRCH: That involved the funding program or the grant program at HTA has, which is based off of that premise. But it gives the ability to fund different resources to help make some of these impacts. MS. VILLEGAS: Right. MR. BIRCH: Open resources then, in the economy. MS. VILLEGAS: Right. Well I'm so grateful that we're taking the inventory. We have somebody—you know, we have this organization, it's anthropology. It's anthropology, correct? MR. BIRCH: Anthology. Like a collection. Yes. MS. VILLEGAS: Yes, anthology. Right, great job with pulling together reports. And wow, you have a brilliant mind in your capacity to take all that information and put it into something that really does try to tell that story. I look forward to continued conversations, and visioning. And hopefully, continuing to take the opportunity that we've had to have a pause; and to revision, and to realign, and to reimagine, and reconnect with the values of this place, and the long-term residents. So thank you once again for all your hard work on this and for fielding my questions. I appreciate it. Aloha. MR. BIRCH: Thank you. CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you, Council Member Villegas. MR. BIRCH: So taking that and then going just one step further is, you know, as we enter the Destination Management Action Plan, it was a July 2021 that goes to May 2023 contract with HTA, so this kind of sets us up at the beginning. We're hoping that we can do other surveys through the process to see how we're gaining ground. But again, it has an expiration date. What we'd like to be able to do is to Page 15 GOREDC-20 January 5,2022 see if our actions and our outlines are really, you know, changing that resident sentiment or creating a narrative that you really want to be able to wrap your hands around and have that narrative kind of be what that sentiment comes from our residents in a positive way. Then you also need to look at, okay, so how are we going to perpetuate this? If this has a finite term limit on what we can do and we've been very successful, we now need to look at, how can we continue this process or how can we then put other elements in place to keep the motor running in that right direction? Otherwise, it's just going to be good for a period of time and we're going to go kind of back to the same ol', same of eventually. MS. VILLEGAS: If I'm understanding you correctly, is that in reference to HTA funding for these kinds of research projects? MR. BIRCH: Yes, or potential County funding for some of these projects as well. So they could definitely come from many different sources. MS. VILLEGAS: Okay, great. Thank you. CHR. KIMBALL: Okay, thank you Ross, and thank you Council Member Villegas. Council Member Inaba. MR. INABA: Thank you. I guess looking at the HTA Strategic Plan and what you folks have put together with the Hawaii Island Action Plan, how are we to see these two documents working with each other? Is the HTA Strategic Plan the overall guiding plan? And this is just specific to the Big Island, what we're talking about today? I'll start with that. And we have very limited time. If we can just keep the answers as brief as possible. MR. BIRCH: Yeah, it's definitely hand in hand with the Statewide process, and the HTA's overall plan as we move forward. What you can find is when David was showing you the major concerns or the priority areas that the residents are looking at match up very well with what the steering committee from the Destination Management Action Plan has created. And it's lined out to match the action plans with those same concerns, opportunities, and funding sources that we have available to do that. So, but we're hoping is that the DMAP is in line with everything that the survey provided, which is also fully aligned with HTA's long-term plan as well. So it all works hand in hand. And hopefully, we can, you know, redo the survey a year from now and see that we've made some progress in moving those hot button items to being more of a positive response from our local residents. Page 16 GOREDC-20 January 5,2022 MR. INABA: Okay, thank you. And then, to what extent did you folks involve R&D's (Research and Development)tourism staff with this? And to what extent did—if not, how did they reach out to be involved with this process? At least for the survey and any information that you folks have put together. MR. BIRCH: So it was part of our grant process, so when we applied for the tourism funding grant, we outlined our priorities and our programs in overviews. And that included doing a Resident Sentiment Survey based on that. It just happened to coincide that DMAP was being processed all at the same time. So it definitely goes hand-in-hand with that. But working with Doug and Frecia and the R&D team, as far as even coming up with a lot of the questioning and the processes we put in place, especially dividing it through each one of the Council districts to get it full-rounded on perspective, so we kind of know what everyone or each district is reporting as well. So they were fully in it from the beginning with us on that side, and the funding was sole sourced directly from that grant. MR. INABA: And moving forward based on the data collected, how do you anticipate working with R&D to address either the concerns or the potential and opportunities that have been highlighted by the survey? MR. BIRCH: Many of the items that have been outlined are also within that DMAP. And those items are actually addressed with the County's Innovation grants. So on top of the Kukulu Ola and Aloha `Rina programs, as well as DMAP from HTA side, the innovation grants that were provided for many of our local entities to be able to attack some of these Destination Management Action Plan items as well, are going hand in hand. And in turn, adjusting the Resident Sentiment, hopefully, in the end. MR. INABA: Okay, I'm going to yield at this time, Chair. I wish we had more time to discuss some of this because would like to hear a little bit more in conjunction with what our County is doing as I brought up on multiple occasions. So, I'll yield for now, thank you. CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you, Council Member Inaba. I'm going to go ahead and move us forward just because we do have Council starting at 2:00 o'clock today. I want to thank you both for being here and taking the time to share all this data with us and the analyses. I think you hear from all of us, we'd like to hear more of the story as it comes about. And so, you know, I'm extending the invitation to come back in a couple of months as we get more into the D-map process to share with us how that's going and some of the intentions that are coming out of that process. So thank you again for being here today. And with that, we will go ahead and take a vote on the motion on the floor, which is to close file on this communication. All of those in favor? Page 17 GOREDC-20 January 5,2022 Vote on Comm. 476: The motion to close file on Comm. 476 was carried by (Filed) the following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members Chung, David, Inaba, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Lee Loy, Richards, Villegas, and Chair Kimball—9. Noes: None. Absent: None. Excused: None. ORDER OF The Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business, Order RESOLUTIONS: of Resolutions. (There were none.) BILLS FOR The Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business, ORDINANCES: Bills for Ordinances. (There were none.) CHR. KIMBALL: With that, I will take a motion to adjourn. ADJOURN- There being no further business, at 1:58 p.m., Ms. Lee Loy moved to adjourn the MENT: meeting. Seconded by Mr. Richards and carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members Chung, David, Inaba, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Lee Loy, Richards, Villegas, and Chair Kimball—9. Noes: None. Absent: None. Excused: None. CHR. KIMBALL: We are adjourned. Approved: jictib( (4) 1/0.{ zi Heather L. K ball, Chair ( ate) Government Operations, Relations, and Economic Development Committee HK/dt Page 18