HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP FC 154 2024/04/16 2022-2024REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
DATE: April 16, 2024 Re: Comm. No. 797/Res. No. 471-24
PLACE: Council Chambers
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
TIME: 1:30 p.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred Resolution No. 471-24, reports as follows:
Resolution No. 471-24, transmitted by Finance Director Diane Nakagawa, via Communication
No. 797 dated March 28, 2024, authorizes the Mayor to enter into an agreement with the Hawaii
Emergency Management Agency (HI-EMA), pursuant to the Hawaii Revised Statutes 46-7, for a grant
to the Hawaii Fire Department.
This resolution allows for the receipt of $33,200 to fund the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program -Post
Mana Road Fire program to reduce the risk of wildfires.
Committee Member Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder asked Assistant Fire Chief Darwin Okinaka, who was
available in the Hilo Council Chambers, to provide background on this measure. Mr. Kancali`i-
Kleinfelder asked if this would start this fiscal year, and Mr. Okinaka confirmed that the first phase
would start this fiscal year.
Committee Member Heather Kimball asked what the second phase may cost in total. Mr. Okinaka stated
that it would be about $500,000.
Committee Member Michelle Galimba asked if this project would only focus on the North Hawaii area
or if it is island -wide. Mr. Okinaka stated that it would be focused on that area because it is a grant
program for the post-Mana Road wildfires.
Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder asked Finance Director Diane Nakagawa if the Finance Department would be
able to reflect any matching funds in the resolution in the future, as our current process is to have
multiple resolutions to authorize funds and any fund matches. Ms. Nakagawa stated that she understood
his request but was unsure if that would be an appropriate practice, but she would look at trying to do
that in the future.
Acting Committee Chair Cindy Evans asked if the Fire Department would do all the work and all the
expenditures. Mr. Okinaka stated that the property owner or the contractors would do the work, not the
Fire Department. Chair Evans asked if she could see the projects, stating that we learn from community
projects like this, to which Mr. Okinaka replied definitely.
FC Report No. 154
FC-154 Page 2 April 16, 2024
Your Committee on Finance is in accord with the purpose and intent of Resolution No. 471-24, and
recommends its adoption.
ikh
AYES
NOES
ABS
EX
EVANS
X.
GALIM BA
X
INABA
X
KAGIWADA
X
KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER
X
KIERKIEWICZ
X
KIMBALL
X
LEE LOY
X
VILLEGAS
X
Respectfully submitted,
COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
�1
MATT KANEALN--Y.9EINFELDER,
CHAIR
FC REPORT MAY��
ADOPTED: