HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP FC 093 2023/10/17 2022-2024REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
DATE: October 17, 2023
PLACE: Council Chambers
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
TIME: 10:50 a.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Re: Comm. No. 521/Res. No. 304-23
Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred Resolution No. 304-23, reports as follows:
Resolution No. 304-23, transmitted by Finance Director Deanna S. Sako, via Communication No. 521
dated September 29, 2023, authorizes the Department of Research and Development to award funds to
the Hawaii Local203O HUB.
This resolution provides grant funds in the amount of $75,000 for community engagement and
communication plans to support the County's sustainability and climate action programs, and the
Aloha+ Challenge.
Committee Member Cindy Evans asked Sustainability Specialist Jake Sykes why the Department of
Research and Development decided not to staff this internally and decided to work with a nonprofit.
Mr. Sykes provided an overview of this project and the benefits of using this nonprofit. Climate Action
Specialist Kendra Obermaier provided comment to Ms. Evans's question, stating that although they
have staff working on this, there is a lack of knowledge and understanding within the department of the
Hawaiian language and culture that Community Engagement and Communications Coordinator Kihei
Seto of the Hawaii Local203O HUB can provide, especially when engaging with the community.
Ms. Evans asked Finance Director Deanna Sako why the department funded this via a nonprofit grant
and not as a temporary hire. Ms. Sako provided a brief overview of the funding process and why the
department decided to fund via a grant.
Committee Member Holeka Goro Inaba asked how this nonprofit was selected and if the department
sent out a Request for Proposal (RFP). Ms. Sako replied by stating that an RFP was not sent out for this
particular project, and it is not always required. She continued by saying that the department knew of
this nonprofit's knowledge and skill set and decided they wanted to work with this specific nonprofit.
Mr. Inaba then asked if the Aloha+ Challenge was an existing project or something new that they were
working on. Mr. Sykes replied that the Aloha+ Challenge is a current project that former Mayor Billy
Kenoi initiated. Mr. Inaba requested a quick presentation on the Aloha+ Challenge dashboard at the next
Council meeting, to which Mr. Sykes agreed.
FC Report No. 93
FC -93 Page 2 October 17, 2023
Committee Member Ashley L. Kierkiewicz asked where the Hawaii Loca12030 HUB is located.
Mr. Sykes replied that they are located in Oahu. Ms. Kierkiewicz then asked for some background on
the Hawaii Local203O HUB and their association with Hawaii Green Growth. Ms. Obermaier provided
her with a brief overview. Ms. Kierkiewicz then asked for precise details on the grant's timeline, how
the grant will be spent and if the department could provide those details at the next Council meeting.
Mr. Inaba asked Ms. Sako if this nonprofit meets all the requirements within the County Code. Ms. Sako
replied that she would work with the department and Corporation Counsel to confirm that this nonprofit
is eligible before moving forward. Mr. Inaba supported Ms. Kierkiewicz's request from the Department
of Research and Development regarding a detailed breakdown of how these funds will be spent.
Committee Chair Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder asked Ms. Sako if it was more appropriate to take these
funds from the Office of Sustainability, Climate, Equity and Resilience (OSCER) instead of the
Department of Research and Development as these projects will benefit OSCER. Ms. Sako explained
that as OSCER is up and coming, they cannot provide those funds. The Department of Research and
Development has the funds to provide for this project. As OSCER becomes self-sustaining, they can
discuss moving this contract to that department.
Your Committee on Finance is in accord with the purpose and intent of Resolution No. 304-23, and
recommends its adoption.
M
Respectfully submitted,
COMMITTEE ON
MATT KANEAKL
CHAIR
FC REPORT �& 93
ADOPTED: N(�
AYES NOES ABS EX
EVANS
X
GALIMBA
X
INABA
X
KAGIWADA
X
KANEALI°I-KLEINFELDER
X
KIERKIEWICZ
X
KIMBALL
X
LEE LOY
X
VILLEGAS
X
Respectfully submitted,
COMMITTEE ON
MATT KANEAKL
CHAIR
FC REPORT �& 93
ADOPTED: N(�