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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN COUNCIL 2022-12-05 2020-2022 SINE DIE Hawaii County Council 541h Session Hawaii County Building 25 Aupuni Street Hilo, Hawaii December 5, 2022 INVOCATION: Kumu Keala Ching of Na Wai Iwi Ola cultural educational foundation gave the morning's invocation. CALL TO The regular meeting of the Hawaii County Council was called to order at ORDER: 9:04 a.m., in the Council Chambers, Hilo, by Ms. Maile Medeiros David, Chair. ROLL CALL: Present: Ms. Maile Medeiros David, Chair Mr. Holeka Goro Inaba, Member Mr. Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Member Ms. Ashley L. Kierkiewicz, Member Ms. Heather L. Kimball, Member Ms. Susan L. K. Lee Loy, Member Ms. Rebecca Villegas, Member Absent& Excused: Mr. Aaron S. Y. Chung, Vice Chair 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: STATEMENTS The Chair directed the Council to proceed to the next order of business, FROM THE Statements from the Public on Agenda Items. PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS: (There were none.) Return to Order The Chair directed the Council to return to the order of business. of Business: PLEDGE OF The Chair directed the Council to the next order of business, Pledge of ALLEGIANCE: Allegiance. (At this time, County Clerk Jon Henricks led the Council in the Pledge of Allegiance.) Hawaii County Council-54 December 5,2022 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: ORDER OF The Chair directed the Council to proceed to the next order of business, Order of RESOLUTIONS: Resolutions. Res. 621-22: EXPRESSES THE HAWAII COUNTY COUNCIL'S HEARTFELT GRATITUDE TO CHAIR MAILE MEDEIROS DAVID FOR HER YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE COUNTY OF HAWAII Reference: Comm. 1112 Intr. by: Mr. Chung Motion to Approve: Ms. Lee Loy moved to adopt Res. 621-22. Seconded by Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder. CHR. DAVID: Discussion, Council Members? MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Chair? CHR. DAVID: Thank you, Ms. Kierkiewicz. Go ahead. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: It's really been an honor and a pleasure to serve alongside you and particularly this term under your leadership. I've always appreciated your calm demeanor, your steadfastness, your fight for what's right, and you just truly exemplify an aloha-driven public servant. So much gratitude to know you and to be able to call you a friend. A hui hou. I yield. CHR. DAVID: Mahalo, Ms. Kierkiewicz. Ms. Lee Loy. MS. LEE LOY: Thank you, Ms. David. I promise not to get emotional, but, following in the steps of my colleague, absolutely you have been a grounding and leveling influence for us at times when we needed it the most. I know we often joke about your junior kupuna status, but I found that very comforting, warming, and fair. You truly have exemplified aloha on this Council. I just have one ask: that if I can still call you and make sure that you can be a wonderful sounding board for us. You're going to be missed. Chair, I yield. CHR. DAVID: Thank you, Ms. Lee Loy. Ms. Villegas. MS. VILLEGAS: Oh, Maile. Decades of friendship, of mentorship, of laughter and tears, of picnics in hotel rooms, and guiding the way. You are a bright light Page 2 Hawaii County Council-54 December 5,2022 of determination, of honesty and integrity, and I don't think it can ever be said enough that Maile Medeiros David was the first person of Native Hawaiian descent to serve as a Council Chair in the County of Hawaii. You represent our island, our host culture, and the people of this place with courage and kindness, creativity, and a collaborative spirit. It's been an honor to follow in your path, to stand side by side and hand in hand through the wins and the losses and the ups and the downs and the pandemics and the lava flows, and all the amazing things that have happened in the four years that I've been able to serve with you. I will be eternally indebted to you, and I am here for you eternally. We just have something small for you from the members of our Council. Holeka, would you like toChair, if it's okay—state the term that's been engraved here? But just so everyone can see, there's a black granite stone Big Island on here with a note from all of us thanking Maile for her years of service, and expressing our eternal love and gratitude for you. I'll pass it to Holeka. MR. INABA: Okay, I'm next then. On each of our plaques that we're presenting to our three outgoing Council Members, we selected an `olelo no`eau specific to the district that our leaving members represent. As we know, Kona kai `opua i ka la`i is Kona that stands proudly in the calm and in the sereneness. That really is what you brought to us. Myself, I'm fortunate to have overlapped one term with you. We had three generations in these Kona Council Members, each of us 21 years apart. So, me and Aunty Maile are 42 years apart. And just to have had this opportunity to learn from you the way to go about doing things. This was kind of my thought for later today, but it really, I think, reflects what you taught most of us in your time here: It's not only to do what is right, but to do it in a pono way. So, we'll miss you but come visit us. Bring us lunch. Mahalo nui for your years of service. Aloha. CHR. DAVID: Oh, mahalo nui, Holeka. Well, I'll probably be testifying at one time or another now. Thank you very much. Ms. Kimball, go ahead. MS. KIMBALL: Thank you, Chair. At the HSAC (Hawai`i State Association of Counties) Conference that happened in September, we got to hear the story of Chair David's trajectory from somebody who was a passionate community member dedicated to protecting the `aina,protecting a special place in her heart, and that led her on a path with her good friend, former Council Member Eoff, who is here today as well, to join the County and to become somebody that could make a difference in the policies that are going to affect generations to come. The impact that you and Karen have had on this community, on this island, is a lasting legacy that I think you should just be so proud of. I'm proud to know you. I am proud to have had the opportunity to learn from you. I am proud to have learned what is truly in your heart, and your dedication to service, to this community, which I'm sure won't go away when you leave that Page 3 Hawaii County Council-54 December 5,2022 chair. I'm really proud and honored to call you a friend, and I wish you the very best. I hope you can trust us to follow your legacy, to take what you've taught us and to share that with the next generations that come behind us. We just thank you so much for your leadership. Aloha and a hui hou. CHR. DAVID: Thank you so much. Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, best for last. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: No doubt I'm the best. CHR. DAVID: Just for this term. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Okay. Oh, Ms. David. Chair David, we are going to miss you greatly. You were always the stable leadership and the voice of reason and the voice of calm. You also taught me how to put my boards in order, how to take the little dividers out in the fastest, most efficient manner, and it only took me four years to learn that. But you were always there to kind of guide and make sure that we all were on track, and you're just an amazing individual. You draw on a wealth of information, from the PASH (Public Access Shoreline Hawaii) decision to your role on the Council to the unique votes in the way you represented your district. You epitomize leadership on our island and your district. For all of us, we're just going to miss you. You're an amazing person. I am happy to know that Thelma and Louise will be partnering together. At one point, I'm hoping you'll come in and you'll give us a hard time as testifiers and change our minds on something pivotal for this County. CHR. DAVID: Be careful what you wish for. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: I would have nothing more than to have you change my mind at some point in the future on some crazy decision that's in front of this body. We will miss you greatly. I will miss you greatly. The Council will not be the same without you. I yield, Chair. CHR. DAVID: Thank you, Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder. Okay. I think we overdid our comments at this time. I was trying to prepare for today, but I just couldn't express how much I appreciate each and every one of you. Clerk Henricks and your staff, you guys are such awesome people. Everybody talks about this Council, but without you guys and LRB (Legislative Research Branch) and every department we have, you guys make us look good. Without you, we would not function. So, I thank you and Aaron and especially my chair's staff that will carry on. I trust that each one of you will do the best job that you folks have been doing on this Council. I want to thank my family. In my retirement, I think I'll be spending a heck of a lot of time with them. This has been such a blessed journey for me. I mean, your words, I cannot express how deeply you folks are touching me right now. So, I hope somebody Page 4 Hawaii County Council-54 December 5,2022 can come up with a joke pretty soon because I usually try to do it but I can't. Not today. So, anyway, I just want to thank each and every one of you, my staff Dawn, Davelynin Kona. Unreal. You guys are just unreal. Laura, Kaci, and Jean, you have watched my back on the Hilo side. You have been best chair staff and I'm happy that you folks are going to stay here. Heather, your words are beautiful, and I just am honored that I will see you sitting in the Chair's spot and look forward to the good things that this body is going to be doing after I leave. I think that's it. I wasn't that bad. Anyway, I really want to thank Corp. (Corporation) Counsel Betsy for being throughout my life, you know, knowing you as well. Charles, back there in the video room, didn't forget you. Thank you. And all the staff. Mr. Ramzi and your staff, you are so special that you folks took the time and went out of your way to come and thank me. I just really appreciate that. And Human Services. Oh, hi, Glynis. Thank you. I see so many familiar faces. Leslie, I'm going to miss you terribly, but I have your phone number. Anyway, I think I'm talking too much. Okay. I'm fine now. All right, roll call,please. Vote on Res. 621-22: The motion to adopt Res. 621-22 was carried by the (Adopted) following roll call vote: Ayes: Council Members Inaba, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Lee Loy, Villegas, and Chair David—7. Noes: None. Absent: Council Member Chung— 1. Excused: None. Res. 622-22: EXPRESSES THE HAWAII COUNTY COUNCIL'S HEARTFELT GRATITUDE TO VICE CHAIR AARON S. Y. CHUNG FOR HIS YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE COUNTY OF HAWAII Reference: Comm. 1113 Intr. by: Ms. David Motion to Approve: Ms. Lee Loy moved to adopt Res. 622-22. Seconded by Ms. Kierkiewicz. CHR. DAVID: Go ahead. MS. LEE LOY: For those of you who were watching, we were given explicit instructions that, during the reading of this particular resolution, I was given an envelope to open and read. Just for the record, there was a signature across the seal so that I couldn't cheat and open it up and read it before. I have no idea what's in here. Page 5 Hawaii County Council-54 December 5,2022 For those of you who are old enough, I'm having a Johnny Carson moment about the great Carnac, and this has been sitting on Funk and Wagnall's porch in a mayonnaise jar. There's a few people who are nodding. For those of you who don't, go watch the great Carnac. I just hope this is in a large enough font for me to read. Oh my God. I cannot believe this. Nailed it! It says, at the very top, "David Letterman's Top Ten Public Tributes: Private Thoughts on Aaron Chung's Last Day on the Council." I cannot believe he did this. "These are the top ten nice things that council members are normally expected to say in public as a gracious send-off to a retiring councilman versus what they're really thinking in private. Number 10: `Congratulations on a well-deserved retirement.' Private thought: `He's retiring. Pfft,yeah right. Heard that before.' Number 9: `Your leadership skills will surely be missed.' Private thought: `Come on. The only thing he was good at leading was the lunch line at the Kona Council office.' "Number 8: `We found much value in your thoughts, ideas, and perspectives.' Private thoughts: `Please, God, don't inspire this guy to show up at the next Council meeting to share more of his thoughts, ideas, and perspectives during public testimony.' Number 7: `Now that you're gone, the Hawaii County Council will, for the first time in history, be without a Hilo High School graduate to sing its praises and proudly utter that immortal catch-phrase, "Once a Viking, always a Viking!"' Private thought: `Thank goodness. That high school pride nonsense was getting a bit too much.' "Number 6: `We always appreciate your creative problem solving.' Private thought: `Yup. Very creative in coming up with different excuses in order to avoid attending presentations. On second thought, though, who can really fault him for that.' Number 5: `You demonstrated to all of us the value of listening to all sides of an issue before making a responsible decision.' Private thought: `Hey, pal, no offense, but how's about skipping the vanity and spending some of that retirement money on a hearing aid.' Number 4: `The community should be very grateful for all your hard work and accomplishments.' Private thought: `Yeah, we're sure that they're really grateful for only having to wait eight years for Waianuenue to get fixed.' "Number 3: `You have a shining example of the truth behind you, that old saying about how with age comes mellowness, wisdom, patience, and grace.' Private thought: `Well, that might apply to Maile, but we certainly know of one outgoing member who can prove the theory wrong: "No, no, no, and no."' Number 2: `As you prepare to leave these chambers, please take with you our fondest aloha and wishes.' Private thought: `So long, good riddance, and don't let the door hit you on the way out.' Number 1 and finally: `All the best to you and your wife, Anne. We know you both are looking forward to spending more time together.' Private thought: `Okay, it's very unfair for us to say that we know what Anne wants. But one thing's for sure, he's her problem now."' Page 6 Hawaii County Council-54 December 5,2022 CHR. DAVID: Thank you, Ms. Lee Loy. Let me see. Who was that from? I think we all can guess that one. Oh, gosh. Okay, Council Members. Go ahead, Ashley. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: I have the second and final envelope, and this makes me really uncomfortable because I am a Capricorn. I like organization; do not love spontaneity. So, not knowing the contents of this is making me really sweaty and nervous. Here we go. I will indulge our only friend. That's what Aaron calls everybody: "You know, you're my only friend." How come I never get the funny one? "Hello, everyone, and thanks for letting me bid farewell, all of you, via proxy. Before going forward, I need to make a comment about an article in yesterday's newspaper wherein my good pal Sue Lee Loy referred to Maile, Tim, and me as being 'old."' Susan! "Whereas, I need to give kudos to Sue for saying what she might otherwise be thinking in private. All I'm going to say about it is this: She's just damn lucky that David Letterman wrote his Top Ten List prior to that article being run. "Anyway, I retired as of December 1st, so I thought it might be best if I just stayed home. Besides, this allows me to control the narrative of having to just listen to people offer up obligatory platitudes. I had to endure that once before, and it's a very uncomfortable feeling. I much prefer giving people/me their best shots. In that sense, I've always felt the need to be the Johnny Barend of the County Council. Maile and Tim know who I'm talking about, and I've educated Sue and Ashley about him as well. Our County Clerk Jon knows, I'm sure, and Rebecca might possibly know too. But for the others, he was the bad guy in the 50th State Big Time Wrestling of the 1960s. Please look him up to gain a better understanding of local sensibilities and the importance of yin and yang in everything we do. I give Holeka a pass because he's just too young to have known who I'm talking about. After all, he didn't even know who The Beatles were." Are you kidding me? MR. INABA: That's a lie. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: "I would like to offer up a thank you as an apology to the hard-working individuals at the Clerk's office, Council Services, and my office. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. You are the lifeblood yet unsung heroes of the County Council operations, and we would not be able to do what we do without you. "To my soon to be former colleagues, I apologize for being grumpy and seemingly standoffish at times." He's not really sorry. "First of all, as David Letterman pointed out, my hearing is not so good. So, if it seemed like I was ignoring you, it's only half of the time. Second, that's just how I am. My wife constantly tells me that I talk so roughly to her. A part of me thinks that Page 7 Hawaii County Council-54 December 5,2022 she's gaslighting, but I also recognize that I have that problem. I've often said that Dan Inouye could give a speech and get a standing ovation. I could give the same speech using the exact same words, and the crowd might boo me off the stage. I suppose it's all in the delivery and I accept my shortcomings. "Lastly, it's just a reflection of how I feel sometimes because what you see is what you get. Know this, however, regardless of how I may act towards you, there has never been a day that I did not respect you or what or who you represent. And that is not an obligatory platitude. We have done good things together. "As you all know, I enjoy telling stories which are then related to bigger messages. However, up until yesterday, I couldn't think of a message suitable for the occasion of the sine die, let alone a story to relate to. Then I figured, hey, why not use, as a springboard, something that happened during my first days as a retiree. So, here it goes. On Saturday, I went to the George Strait concert in Vegas. The National Finals Rodeo was also being held there that weekend. So, I'm pretty sure you can visualize the audience that evening. "Don't get me wrong. Cowboys and cowgirls are some of the most polite people you will find anywhere, and one cannot help but to be drawn to the engaging and genuine manner about them. Nevertheless, there were some things that didn't escape my attention. First, I didn't see any other person wearing a mask besides myself. Even my wife didn't wear a mask. What the hell! Second, aside from being a hapa or two, I didn't notice anyone of my Asian brothers there. Although I was wearing jeans, there is absolutely no question in my mind that I was the only one there wearing rubber slippers. "Finally, it crossed my mind as to how funny it would be if any of those people knew that there was a person amongst them who had introduced gun control legislation. In other words, there's a lot of differences between me and those guys, but there was one thing we had in common: We enjoyed George Strait and his music, and we wanted to have a good time. "And, of course, now the point emerges. In these tumultuous times, particularly in politics, it's so easy to get distracted and then motivated by our differences. That's stupid because so much can be accomplished by finding areas of commonality, and we are living proof of that. A symbolic theme from country music can be borrowed to illustrate this and it's the dance. As it applies to us, we were nine individuals from districts around the island, each with their own ideas, each with their own biases, thrown together in a dance to do good for our island. As I stated earlier, with the exception of a misstep here and there, I think we danced well together. I thank you for your time and best wishes to you all. Aaron Chung." Page 8 Hawaii County Council-54 December 5,2022 CHR. DAVID: Thank you, Ms. Kierkiewicz. Council Members' response to that one. Comments? Mr. Inaba. MR. INABA: Well,perhaps I'll start with the plaque again, and David Letterman doesn't know `olelo no`eau. So, on Aaron's plaque, we put"Hilo i ka ua Kani-lehua." As we know, the Kani-lehua rain of Hilo is not a heavy downpouring rain. It's almost a misty rain that's always here, and that's kind of how Aaron, we'll say, is. I don't think he's going to change in his ways, right? But always here, almost kind of constant, sometimes there's downpours; but we'll miss that about Aaron, I think. His perspective, I think, was always unique, especially for me as someone new to the Council and someone nearly 40 years' difference again as well. So, in his own creative way with his "a hui hou"today, we'll miss you, Aaron, and we'll see you for lunch at Kenichi's. It's always about lunch for me. Okay. A hui hou. CHR. DAVID: Thank you, Mr. Inaba. Anyone else? Ms. Villegas, go ahead. MS. VILLEGAS: Yeah, I like to think that somewhere out there Aaron is watching this meeting. Mahalo, Aaron, for the opportunity to serve with you; for the opportunity to disagree and to agree; to challenge one another and collaborate with one another; for your passion for Hilo; and the lineage and the legacy that you represent and the value systems that you spoke of in eloquent stories, analogies, and metaphors; for your mercurial sense of humor and way of keeping us on our toes. Thank you for the opportunity to serve with you and for all that you've taught me. I wish you the best in whatever adventures lie ahead: more country concerts and trips to Japan and lunch at Kenichi's. I hope that when we bump into each other in the future I don't see right over your head, I mean, I'm sorry, yeah. Being a very tall woman is awkward for me in my life, and you handled my size and our size difference with humor and kindness, and I thank you for that and look forward to giving you a big hug when we do see you in another and yeah. Have fun. Have so much fun. I yield. CHR. DAVID: Thank you, Ms. Villegas. Anyone else? Ms. Kimball, go ahead. MS. KIMBALL: Thank you, Chair David. I have to say,just off the bat here, I'm really jealous of my colleagues that have had many more years of time with Council Member Chung. I only just got my database started of phrases that he would say during Council meetings that we thought were fascinating. I think probably my favorite was the link to Ukraine and if it was a plan that Russia had put together. Anyway, you guys all know the one that II'm not doing a good job of relating it. But, no, seriously, when we started this, my first term, my staff and I just thought they were funny things, and we started just keeping a log of Chungisms. When you write your biography, Aaron, we will share those with you so that you can use that as material. Page 9 Hawaii County Council-54 December 5,2022 But, yeah, genuinely, from the bottom of my heart, I learned so much just by watching how you conducted yourself: the professionalism, the respect for all of your colleagues. I think that's really important in terms of our ability to disagree agreeably, and represent to the community a behavior and decorum that allows us to work through challenging problems together. I really was impressed with the quality of work product that you put forward. It just showed your many years of involvement of the County and understanding of the procedures that make everything run as it does. I don't want to express any platitudes on the Top Ten List. Just know my respect for you is genuine, and I really thought we would disagree more than we ended up disagreeing over these last two years. But I'm just really grateful to have had the opportunity to learn from you and wish I had had a little bit more time. Just finally, I'll say, as the mother of four, Hilo High graduates, have no fear. I will continue to support our Vikings, the best high school in Hawaii County. Once a Viking mom, always a Viking mom. Anyway, I'll be fighting for the Vikings out here, rest assured. Mahalo, Aaron, and a hui hou. CHR. DAVID: Thank you, Ms. Kimball. Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, go ahead. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you, Chair. I'm really sad he's not here today because I think we could have roasted him quite well. Mr. Chung, if you are watching, it has been an absolute pleasure. I texted you and I hope that you're doing well. I'll give you a call later. There's a few moments that really stand out in my brain as far as Mr. Chung, from his nonchalant"motion to approve," done; that's it. Everyone, all we hear is "motion to approve." This is us: ". . . Resolution . . . ." He'd just"move to approve." And then to the points where he'd just stop someone and just ask them a point-blank question that just would turn everything on its head, and in a way that was funny and yet absolutely scary all at the same time. I'm going to miss these moments, and his ability to draw on years and years of service here in this County, and his expertise in whatever it may be that's in front of us. I realized the other day I am going to miss that because you can't replace experience. Mr. Chung was one of our experienced members on this Council. When something important came up, although he and I had our moments, I would look for him and for his knowledge and his mana`o on what was in front of us to understand where I needed to be and what my top theme should be. I will miss you, Mr. Chung, because I really did rely on you in a lot of different ways. It also is a harsh reminder that I need to be and we all need to be at the top of our game here in this Council at all times because what we do is absolutely important. It is easy to lose sight of that in the middle of all the different things going on and the politics. But reality is he just had a way about him that was absolutely amazing. Page 10 Hawaii County Council-54 December 5,2022 Mr. Chung, I will miss you and you were definitely a leader for everyone to look up to. I appreciate having the time and spending with you on the Council. Thank you. Thank you, Ms. David. CHR. DAVID: Thank you, Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder. Anyone else? Okay. What can I say about Vice Chair Chung. What I do know, that having sat next to Aaron for this term, serving side by side with him, the comments and the praises that you folks have given me, I think it's because of Aaron and I and the leadership of both of us on this Council. I respect him a lot. In the beginning, it's hard to figure out what his personality is. Some days he walks in, doesn't say one word and you go, "Hmm, I wonder if he's mad about something." And then you go, "Good morning." He goes, "Good morning." "Okay, he said, `Good morning."' And he had a really unique sense of humor. He is so smart. Yeah. Being the three of the oldest on this Council, what you said, Mr. Kaneali`i- Kleinfelder, is something that holds true. Karen and I know this too. Historical knowledge is irreplaceable. If there is a way of maintaining historical knowledge, especially on a decision-making body such as this, access to historical knowledge is paramount to me. Not only did he have historical knowledge, but he was an attorney. So, you put those two things together and you just have an awesome person to work with. Aaron, I'm going to miss you, and I'm going to miss feeding you at the Kona office because his whole thing was "What you making for lunch"when they came over, and that is so Aaron. It just makes us even prouder to provide our Council Members with lunch, and it's a time for us to know each other personally. So, I'm going to miss you, Aaron Chung, but I will let you know when there's dry fish available. Moment of Silence: Before I stop, he did just text me and I'm thanking him for doing that. He said after his "thing" so, I assume it's what you read, right. I'm going, "What is his `thing'?" He wants me to pay tribute to former Council Member Danny Paleka, who passed away. Former Council Member Paleka actually started, he reminded me, when he and I got on the Council—Aaron and L So, I'd like to take a moment of silence for Mr. Paleka, please. Mahalo, Aaron, for reminding us of that, and our condolences and best wishes go out to the family. Clerk Henricks, roll call please. Page 11 Hawaii County Council-54 December 5,2022 Vote on Res. 622-22: The motion to adopt Res. 622-22 was carried by the (Adopted) following roll call vote: Ayes: Council Members Inaba, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Lee Loy, Villegas, and Chair David—7. Noes: None. Absent: Council Member Chung— 1. Excused: None. Res. 623-22: EXPRESSES THE HAWAII COUNTY COUNCIL'S HEARTFELT GRATITUDE TO HERBERT M. "TIM" RICHARDS, III, FOR HIS YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE COUNTY OF HAWAII Reference: Comm. 1114 Intr. by: Ms. David Motion to Approve: Ms. Lee Loy moved to adopt Res. 623-22. Seconded by Ms. Kierkiewicz. CHR. DAVID: Council Members, discussion? Ms. Kierkiewicz, go ahead. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Tim's become one of my best friends. He and Aaron and Sue have been so incredible during my time here. I remember meeting Tim for the first time at a Democratic Parry event, and I was like, "Oh, cute. You brought your grandkids." He was like, "No, girlfriend. Those are my kids." I was like, "Oh, bruh, sorry. We going have fun together. Promise." From that moment on, our friendship was forged and I know I could just say anything to this man and he could handle. He really wanted to be with all of us today. He called me on my way to work. He wanted to be here one final time and celebrate our good work together, and I was chewing him out over abandoning me, going to the State Legislature: "How's you?" I was like, "You had one more term and then." But we are going to be so incredibly well-served by having him in the State Senate, somebody that knows County issues and also has national connections, given his work at WIR (Western Interstate Region) and the NACo (National Association of Counties)board. He's going to be a phenomenal advocate for his community and our island, and I just feel so lucky to know him and that he's going to be there. Nobody's ever going to be able to fill his boots, yeah. I promised him: "I will carry on your legacy of being fiscally responsible and saying no every time to the budget." Tim, if you're watching, we miss you and we aloha you. It's not goodbye but it is a hui hou till we see each other again. Thank you, Tim, for your incredible service to our community. Chair, I yield. Page 12 Hawaii County Council-54 December 5,2022 CHR. DAVID: Thank you, Ms. Kierkiewicz. Ms. Lee Loy. MS. LEE LOY: Thank you, Ms. David. Council Member Kierkiewicz and I were kind of racing on who to go first. Tim. Never knew the guy before he joined the Council. Didn't know anything about him. Never heard of him. But a very good friend of ours put us in touch and assured Tim that we would become best friends. And we did. And he's our resident cowboy. He's the hardest working Council Member outside of Council: a dad, a husband, a veterinarian, a champion for ag. Tim is amazing. Like Ms. Kierkiewicz mentioned, his reach is far. We've attended a few conferences here and on the Mainland, and Tim's reach, whether it's through ag, being a vet(veterinarian), or at the National Association of Counties or at Western Interstate Region, everybody knows that cowboy. Two things that I will take away from learning from Tim is "Sue, when you see someone with a cowboy hat, you go make manners." So, cowboy hat, make manners. Thank you, Tim, for teaching me how to put myself out there in very awkward situations, especially on the Mainland. But he will be missed. We're just going to be incredibly lucky to have him in the Senate as a former Council Member to join our former colleague Dru Kanuha, who's a senator also. I think Big Island is very wisely positioned at this point to have the two very strong, hard-working gentlemen up at the Senate to advocate for us. Tim, we're going to miss you, but we're not going to be far. We're always going to be nearby. It's been a joy and an honor to work alongside you. I yield. CHR. DAVID: Thank you, Ms. Lee Loy. Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you, Chair. I wish Tim was here today. I wish Aaron was here today. I wish all you guys were here today because I really wanted to roast you. CHR. DAVID: You can. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: So, we'll do it from afar, wherever you are, Tim. You're a very unique individual. I have to say that. Every Finance meeting was always interesting with you. Every budget hearing was always interesting with you. You have a lot of very interesting euphemisms I always enjoy. One thing I have never shared and haven't told anybody this: We got married, my wife and I, at Kahua Ranch. Beautiful ranch. I met Monty there in the beginning to walk the property, to get a feel for where it was and where people get married, where the arch goes—all the stuff you do during a wedding. Come the day of the wedding, we're there. We're getting set up and we have the kegs, like every good wedding has. Got to have kegs at a wedding, and the bar. Everything's set up and it's just beautiful. It's a beautiful ceremony. Everything's gorgeous. Page 13 Hawaii County Council-54 December 5,2022 I walk in. This is post-ceremony. We come in and everyone's drinking, having a good time. The dance floor is in the barn area. There's two cowboys at the keg, and I'm looking over the room. I'm like "Who are these guys? Who could these be? I don't know anybody who's a cowboy." So, I'm looking at them and I'm like I don't know. So, I walk up to them. I've got my suit on and I'm the groom: "Hey, how you guys doing?" "Oh, good, good." I was like, "Who are you here with?" "Oh, we're here with Emily." And I look. Emily is my boss at ProVision (Solar). I look at Emily and I look back at them: "You're here with Emily. Interesting. Well, I'll go check with Emily then." So, I walk over because I know who I invited to the wedding and I look back—gone! Years later, I'm thinking—and I've always thought about this moment—years later, I meet and I work with Tim here on the Council. And one day I'm looking at Tim and I have an epiphany: He was the gentleman at the keg because he had his cowboy hat on, his boots, his big silver buckle. And I just realized it was him and his friend at the keg at my wedding, and I laughed out loud to myself. Only Tim. And then, how coincidental and yet how small our island that when we decided to have our wedding,probably one of the most beautiful the only wedding I've ever had but the most beautiful wedding I've ever had, but in an absolutely gorgeous spot. Absolutely gorgeous. And just the coincidence of Tim being at my wedding, even though he didn't get invited, and I apologize, Tim. I didn't know you at the moment. But it just was this kind of laugh-out-loud moment for me. And then to be in this place where we are here on the Council and to be coworkers at a Council level. I don't even know if I told you that, Tim, but if you're watching, I was proud to have you at my wedding and I was proud to work with you on the Council. I will miss you, sir. Thank you. Thank you, Chair. CHR. DAVID: Thank you, Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder. Ms. Villegas, go ahead. MS. VILLEGAS: Quality control of kegs—something in my past life too. I can appreciate that. Good call, Tim. Good call. Got to make sure the jockey box or the hand pump is flowing. One of the stories I hold dear, Tim, is something that you shared about your son. You shared a story with us about your son's perceptivity and sensitivity to the spirit realm and his dreams of the tree of knowledge and life, and that tree being in Maui and him talking to you about it with passion and clarity. I believe he was only four at the time. And for a father to listen with ears that truly hear. And with that recognition and that honoring, your family has legacy and lineage going back hundreds of years here in the islands. Your ancestors, their relationships with those ali`i and becoming family members, and the pride along with humor with which you told that story of your son and cherish and support the sensitivities that he has and the perceptivities to the realms normally broader than the human eye or ears or just our five senses. Page 14 Hawaii County Council-54 December 5,2022 It was a joy to be in Maui with our colleagues for the HSAC Conference, the one that happened before the pandemic, and have a little bit of time to talk about that tree and your son's visions and to do a little googling. You found that tree in Maui, and I believe you visited it. But watching that wisdom from our youth, from the eyes and innocence of keiki who perceive things that all too often our hearts and minds get consumed with other responsibilities. But that story will always hold dear in my heart. I look forward to your son's continued growth and perceptivities and your lineage and your legacy of leadership and accountability and kuleana to District 9 but also to the Big Island as a whole. So, thank you for taking the initiative and stepping up into sometimes I think it's frying pan into the fire, going from County to State. But I look forward to hearing of the adventures and seeing the work that you do to benefit our island from this new role that you will play and leadership in State government. A hui hou. I yield. CHR. DAVID: Thank you, Ms. Villegas. Anyone else? Mr. Inaba, go ahead. MR. INABA: For Tim's `olelo no`eau, it is Kohala i ka makani `Apa`apa`a. The `Apa`apa`a winds of Kohala are fierce, blunt sometimes. Hawaiians, as we know, believe that the place we are raised and are born at influence who we become. So, Tim, take that fierceness and that drive and do good for us at the State. We look forward to all of the accomplishments you will do there. Mahalo nui. CHR. DAVID: Thank you, Mr. Inaba. Ms. Kimball, go ahead. MS. KIMBALL: Thank you. There are the district boundaries that surround our various districts, the land; and the communities don't understand those boundaries. So, Tim and I, over these last two years, worked a lot together because there were issues that straddled our two districts, and the communities straddled those two districts. We would frequently get on the Waimea Community Association meetings together and give the updates about what was happening at Council. Afterwards, he'd always text me back and be like, "We tag team really well,"because we did. We would bounce off each other, and he would share with me a little cowboy with a thumbs-up emoji on my phone. I have to say I still haven't figured out how to do that, so I'm super impressed that he knows how to do that before I do. But it was a really great partnership. He used to rib me a lot here at the various budget hearings and whatnot about all the bridges in my district. But I've got to say jokes on him because they're your bridges now too. He's going to have some gentle reminders of those little jabs he had at me. I will also say that I believe, with him going off to the Senate, that we do not have a representative from HPA (Hawai`i Preparatory Academy) on Council anymore. So, Tim, I'd be happy to put a plug in for HPA from time to time, but I'd like that additional 5 million for Papa`aloa Gym. Just saying. All Page 15 Hawaii County Council-54 December 5,2022 right. Thank you, Tim, for all the laughs, all the support, all your leadership. We wish you the very best over at the Senate. I think you're going to do a fantastic job there. So, a hui hou. CHR. DAVID: Thank you, Ms. Kimball. Anyone else? Okay. Tim called me last night about nine o'clock and said, "Oh, Maile, I'm so sorry." And I'm going, "Why? What happened?" He goes, "I wanted to come today," and he said, "but I really have to go to the Governor's swearing in this morning." And I went, "That's fine, Tim. Thanks for calling. Don't worry." He goes, "Yeah, I know but I really wanted to be there." And I said, "I know but you know what? I think you should be at the Legislature and attending the Governor's swearing in." And then I said, "You know what" I told him thank you for serving and the privilege of meeting him. When I met him, I never really knew. I knew of his family, Kahua Ranch. But then when he sat on the Council and we talked story, he knew all of my family because they're ranchers and they're cowboys. We used to talk story up here before the meeting and have a really good time reminiscing about the old days, and also because we're now old. I need to share this because—and I told him that last night I said, "Hey, Tim. It took me two weeks to clean my office in Kona. As I was boxing up things, emptying my drawers, guess what I found." He goes, "What?" I said, "Remember the full-length arm glove you gave me when you first started here?" There's a story to this. As we were talking story, he came late to a meeting and I said, "Oh." He said, "So sorry I'm late" at a recess and I said, "What happened?" He goes, "Oh, I had to do an exam for a cow." And I'm going MS. LEE LOY: A preg (pregnancy) check. CHR. DAVID: Yeah. "Preg" check. Okay. And I went, "Ooh. Ew. How do you do that?" The next meeting, he goes, "Hey, Maile. Try come." He opens his case, pulls out these two long gloves that, when I put them on, it came up to my neck, right, and I'm going "OMG" (oh my God). And I told him, "I found it." I said, "I still have it, Tim." And he laughed and he goes, "You do?" I said, "Yeah. I'm going to keep it now forever." Anyway, Tim just loved to talk story and joke around. I swear when we do business, we do business. Same with Aaron. When we take a break and we have recess and stuff, we just are human and we enjoy each other's company. So, I'm going to miss these two guys terribly, not that we're not going to see each other. Thank you, Tim. I'm going to miss your cowboy stories and, yeah, your escapades. But thank you for your service. It was my privilege sitting up here with you. You're going to do good for us like everybody says. At the Senate, go get `em, cowboy. So, a hui hou. Page 16 Hawaii County Council-54 December 5,2022 Love you guys. Thank you, Council Members. I'm going to miss you. Mr. Henricks, roll call please. Vote on Res. 623-22: The motion to adopt Res. 623-22 was carried by the (Adopted) following roll call vote: Ayes: Council Members Inaba, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Lee Loy, Villegas, and Chair David—7. Noes: None. Absent: Council Member Chung— 1. Excused: None. ANNOUNCE- The Chair directed the Council to proceed to the next order of business, MENTS: Announcements. (There were none.) ADJOURN- There being no further business, at 10:12 a.m., Ms. Lee Loy moved to adjourn the MENT: meeting. Seconded by Mr. Inaba and carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Council Members Inaba, Kaneali i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Lee Loy, Villegas, and Chair David—7. Noes: None. Absent: Council Member Chung— 1. Excused: None. CHR. DAVID: Mr. Clerk, we are adjourned at 10:12 and we have nine"ayes"on the adjournment. We are adjourned. Council Approval: JAN ® 5 202 CO - -' JH/dg Page 17