HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP FC 121 2023/12/19 2022-2024REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
DATE: December 19, 2023
PLACE: Council Chambers
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
TIME: 1:18 P.M.
Council Chair and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Re: Comm. No. 641/Res. No. 384-23
Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred Resolution No. 384-23, reports as follows:
Resolution No. 384-23, transmitted by Finance Director Deanna S. Sako, via Communication No. 641
dated December 1, 2023, authorizes the Mayor to enter into an agreement with the United States
Department of Housing and Urban Development.
This resolution allows for the receipt of $13,000,000 of federally -derived funds to be applied towards
the renovations to the Hilo Memorial Hospital, located at 34 Rainbow Drive, South Hilo.
Assistant Housing Administrator Harry Yada provided background on this measure.
Committee Member Heather Kimball congratulated the Office of Housing and Development for
acquiring these funds but said she would not support this resolution. She said that she would not be
voting against free money but would be making a protest vote against this, stating that there are
buildings in the County to be renovated. Due to the multiple problems that the Hilo Memorial Hospital
has, from deteriorating structure to asbestos in the walls, it does not feel like an appropriate project to
fund.
Committee Member Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder appreciated and thanked Ms. Kimball for her comments.
Committee Member Jenn Kagiwada appreciated Ms. Kimball's comments but stated that she would
support this. Ms. Kagiwada asked Mr. Yada how they planned to manage the relocation of the current
tenants. Mr. Yada shared that they do have a plan and don't anticipate those tenants would not be
displaced.
Committee Member Holeka Goro Inaba asked Mr. Yada who owned the Hilo Memorial Hospital, to
which he replied that the state owned the building. It is under executive order to the County for public
use. Mr. Inaba requested that all the apostrophes be correct to `okina's.
Committee Member Rebecca Villegas stated that she was born in this hospital. She also appreciated
Ms. Kimball's comments but understands that the department is under pressure to get these funds and
start this project.
FC Report No. 121
FC -121 Page 2 December 19, 2023
Committee Member Susan L. K. Lee Loy requested an offline meeting with Mr. Yada to discuss the
ownership of state assets and how they fall into disrepair and to discuss strategies to get these assets
before they deteriorate.
Committee Member Ashley L. Kierkiewicz asked Mr. Yada to provide information on the amount of
money invested in this project. Mr. Yada replied that he could not speak to the capital spent in the past
as the County has occupied this building for several years. However, Mr. Yada said the County
paid $1.2 million to prep for this project. Ms. Kierkiewicz asked Mr. Yada if he could provide a full
accounting of how much state and county funding had gone to this building at the next council hearing.
Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder thanked Mr. Yada for his efforts in acquiring these funds.
Committee Chair Cindy Evans asked Mr. Yada how they envision using this building. Mr. Yada replied
that Hope Services currently occupies this building to house people experiencing homelessness. Once
the renovation is complete, the Big Island Substance Abuse Council will utilize this building.
Your Committee on Finance is in accord with the purpose and intent of Resolution No. 384-23, and
recommends its adoption.
lkh
Respectfully submitted,
COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
MATT KAN ` - EINFELDER,
CHAIR
FC REPORT NO.: 121
ADOPTED: JAN 1 0 2024
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 FINANCE
MATT KAN ` - EINFELDER,
CHAIR
FC REPORT NO.: 121
ADOPTED: JAN 1 0 2024