HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN COUNCIL 2024-05-01 2022-2024 Hawaii County Council
371h Session
West Hawaii Civic Center
74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway, Building A
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
May 1, 2024
INVOCATION: Pastor Charles Brodhead of Kona Church of the Nazarene gave the morning's
invocation.
CALL TO The regular meeting of the Hawaii County Council was called to order at
ORDER: 1:08 p.m., in the Council Chambers, Kailua-Kona, by Ms. Heather L. Kimball,
Chair.
ROLL CALL:
Present: Ms. Heather L. Kimball, Chair
Mr. Holeka Goro Inaba, Vice Chair
Ms. Cindy Evans, Member
Ms. Michelle M. Galimba, Member
Ms. Jenn Kagiwada, Member
Mr. Matt Kdneali`i-Kleinfelder, Member (via videoconference from Hilo)
Ms. Ashley L. Kierkiewicz, Member(via videoconference from Hilo)
Ms. Susan L. K. Lee Loy, Member
Ms. Rebecca Villegas, Member (came in later)
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.)
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 (Note: At this time, Chair Kimball presented a certificate to the County Council
EXPRESSIONS OF on behalf of the organizers of the Merrie Monarch Festival in recognition of the
CONDOLENCE: Council's participation in the 61st annual parade.)
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:
ANNOUNCE- The Chair directed the Council to proceed to the next order of business,
MENTS: Announcements.
Hawaii County Council-37 May 1,2024
CHR. KIMBALL: I wanted to take this opportunity to share with you folks, you
know, between the last Council meeting and the budget hearings, we did have a
quick trip to Hatsukaichi, Japan, our newest sister-city relationship. And I wanted
to share with you, during the ceremonial signing of that sister-city agreement, we
were presented with some gifts. So I'm putting one of them here which is this
lantern that has, you can't see it on the screen, but it has cranes imprinted on it.
For those of you who don't know the history, Hatsukaichi is in Hiroshima
Prefecture, which of course Hiroshima was one of the places where the bomb was
dropped. And the symbol of the crane is both the symbol of peace and the symbol
of recovery, and that is an important part of why we formed the sister-city
relationship with Hatsukaichi.
So these gifts here, including the lantern and a couple of teacups that were made
specifically in Hatsukaichi were the omiyage that was shared with me from City
Council Chair Nita from Hatsukaichi City as a gift to us in the formation of our
sister-city agreement. So I wanted to take the opportunity to share that all with
you.
We presented them with a kukui nut bowl, the kukui nut being both a functional
and beautiful wood. But this symbolizes the kukui nut oil was one of the oils
that can keep burning and it provides light. And that symbol of light in terms of
our relationship I think is interesting, that they gave us a lantern and we gave
them a bowl that symbolizes that sort of brightness. So, happy to be part of the
ceremony to form that relationship.
Return to Order The Chair directed the Council to return to the order of business.
of Business:
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: The following individuals registered to speak and came forward when called by
the Chair:
Michael Lancaster: Bill 125, Draft 2 (Comm. 679.45), in support.
Randee Golden: Bill 125, Draft 2 (Comm. 679.45), in support.
Raymond Pajek: Bill 125, Draft 2 (Comm. 679.45), in support.
Jon Luft: Bill 125, Draft 2 (Comm. 679.45), in opposition.
Debbie Choo: Bill 125, Draft 2 (Comm. 679.45), in support.
Susan Laughlin: Bill 125, Draft 2 (Comm. 679.45), in support.
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Hawaii County Council-37 May 1,2024
Alohalani Hope Cermelj: Bill 125, Draft 2 (Comm. 679.45), in support.
APPROVAL The Chair directed the Council to proceed to the next order of business, Approval
OF MINUTES: of Minutes.
Chair Kimball announced that the Minutes of March 6,
2024, were approved.
ORDER OF The Chair directed the Council to proceed to the next order of business, Order of
RESOLUTIONS: Resolutions.
Res. 471-24: AUTHORIZES THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE
HAWAII EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY (HI-EMA), PURSUANT
TO HAWAII REVISED STATUTES 46-7, FOR A GRANT TO THE HAWAII
FIRE DEPARTMENT
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.
Reference: Comm. 797
Intr. by: Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder(B/R)
Approve: FC-154
Motion to Approve: Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder moved to adopt Res. 471-24 and
Finance Committee Report No. 154. Seconded by
Ms. Galimba.
CHR. KIMBALL: Any discussion on this resolution? Do we have anybody there
from HFD (Hawai`i Fire Department)?
MR. KANEALII-KLEINFELDER: We do not have anyone in chambers. Given
the positive discussion at Committee level, I look forward to everyone's support.
CHR. KIMBALL: Any other discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor please
say "aye."
Vote on Res. 471-24: The motion to adopt Res. 471-24 and Finance Committee
(Adopted) Report No. 154 was carried by the following voice vote:
Ayes: Council Members Evans, Galimba, Inaba,
Kagiwada, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz,
Lee Loy, Villegas, and Chair Kimball—9.
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Excused: None.
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Hawaii County Council-37 May 1,2024
Change Order As directed by the Chair and with no objection from the Council Members, the
of Business: following items were taken out of order:
Bill 146: AMENDS ORDINANCE NO. 23-50, AS AMENDED, THE OPERATING
BUDGET FOR THE COUNTY OF HAWAII FOR THE FISCAL YEAR
ENDING JUNE 30, 2024
Appropriates revenues in the Federal Grants —Hazard Mitigation Grant Program —
Mana Road Fire account($33,200); and appropriates the same to the Hazard
Mitigation Grant Program —Mana Road Fire account to reduce the risk of wildfires.
Reference: Comm. 797
Intr. by: Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder(B/R)
Approve: FC-155
Motion to Approve: Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder moved to pass Bill 146 on first
reading and adopt Finance Committee Report No. 155.
Seconded by Ms. Galimba.
CHR. KIMBALL: Council Member Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder.
MR. KANEALII-KLEINFELDER: I look for everyone's support. Thank you.
CHR. KIMBALL: Any further discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor please
say "aye."
Vote on Bill 146: The motion to pass Bill 146 on first reading and adopt
(Approved) Finance Committee Report No. 155 was carried by the
following voice vote:
Ayes: Council Members Evans, Galimba, Inaba,
Kagiwada, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz,
Lee Loy, Villegas, and Chair Kimball—9.
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Excused: None.
Bill 147: AMENDS CHAPTER 24, ARTICLE 10, DIVISION 5, SECTION 24-279,
SCHEDULE 27 OF THE HAWAII COUNTY CODE 1983 (2016 EDITION, AS
AMENDED), RELATING TO PARKING ON PAVEMENT PROHIBITED AT
ALL TIMES
Adds a provision prohibiting parking on pavement at all times for a portion of the
east side of Government Road in Ka`u, near its junction with Nmole Loop Road.
Reference: Comm. 803
Intr. by: Ms. Lee Loy (B/R)
Approve: PCIA-7
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Hawaii County Council-37 May 1,2024
Motion to Approve: Ms. Lee Loy moved to pass Bill 147 on first reading and
adopt Policy Committee on Infrastructure and Assets
Committee Report No. 7. Seconded by Mr. Inaba.
CHR. KIMBALL: Any discussion, Council Member Lee Loy? Anyone else?
Council Member Inaba.
MR. INABA: Yeah, sorry. Just wanted to make sure Council Member Galimba
is in support. I believe it's in her district.
MS. GALIMBA: Yes, it is. I am.
CHR. KIMBALL: Any other discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor please
say "aye."
Vote on Bill 147: The motion to pass Bill 147 on first reading and adopt
(Approved) Policy Committee on Infrastructure and Assets Committee
Report No. 7 was carried by the following voice vote:
Ayes: Council Members Evans, Galimba, Inaba,
Kagiwada, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz,
Lee Loy, Villegas, and Chair Kimball—9.
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Excused: None.
Bill 159: AMENDS ORDINANCE NO. 23-51, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO PUBLIC
IMPROVEMENTS AND FINANCING THEREOF FOR THE FISCAL YEAR
JULY 1, 2023 TO JUNE 30, 2024
Increases the appropriation to the Public Works Bridge Repair Projects —Honoli`i
and Kaiwilahilahi Streams - Federal Project($14,282,000) in the Capital Budget.
Funds for this project shall be provided from Federal Grants Receivable and would
be used for structural repairs to and preservation of the Honoli`i Stream Bridge and
the Kaiwilahilahi Stream Bridge.
Reference: Comm. 844
Intr. by: Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder(B/R)
Waived: FC
Note: Requires 2/3 vote of the entire
membership to amend,pursuant to
Section 10-6(e), Hawai`i County Charter
Motion to Approve: Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder moved to pass Bill 159 on first
reading. Seconded by Ms. Galimba.
CHR. KIMBALL: Council Member Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder.
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Hawaii County Council-37 May 1,2024
MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: I do have a comment about this. When I
started surfing here on the island, I surfed at Honoli`i all the time. And as a
20-something year old, I always did wonder about how those bridges were
upkept, who did the work. In my role now and still as a, you know, not as much
surfing as I used to, but in my role now, I look at those bridges a little differently
and how they act as emergency access routes and those kinds of things. So it's
good to see us taking the steps to ensure that we're taking care of some of our
bridges.
I know this isn't my district, but I've seen it in two different lights now. So, good
to see us taking up the repair projects, and look forward to seeing how this
benefits the community. And I do believe this is your district, Chair. So thank
you.
CHR. KIMBALL: Indeed it is. Anyone else, discussion on this? All right,
seeingoh, Council Member Galimba.
MS. GALIMBA: I just noted that this is an Infrastructure Investment and Jobs
Act grant with a hundred percent Federal funds. So, pretty cool. Yeah.
CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you for that, Council Member Galimba. Mahalo to our
Department of Public Works for bringing that funding into our County. These are
two important bridges in District 1. So, very glad to have that Federal support.
MS. VILLEGAS: Chair?
CHR. KIMBALL: Yes, Council Member Villegas.
MS. VILLEGAS: I just want to second that. After having been at a meeting last
week with DPW (Department of Public Works) and some of the engineers there
that were sharing another project that they've gotten 90 percent of the funding
from the Federal government, I just want to give highest praise and credit where
credit is due for going out and finding these resources and funding to help us
improve, not just improve, but rebuild our dilapidated infrastructure. So for the
furtherance of health and safety of our community. So thank you for all that extra
legwork it takes to go find this money, do the paperwork, and then engage in the
projects. I yield.
CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you, Council Member Villegas. Anyone else? Seeing
none, all those in favor please say "aye."
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Hawaii County Council-37 May 1,2024
Vote on Bill 159: The motion to pass Bill 159 on first reading was carried by
(Approved) the following voice vote:
Ayes: Council Members Evans, Galimba, Inaba,
Kagiwada, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz,
Lee Loy, Villegas, and Chair Kimball—9.
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Excused: None.
Bill 142: ADOPTS A PAY PLAN FOR PERSONS EMPLOYED BY THE COUNTY
OTHER THAN THOSE WHOSE PAY IS OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR,
DESIGNATING PAYROLL PERIODS, PAY DAYS, PRESCRIBING
REQUIREMENTS WITH RESPECT TO OFFICIAL FIDELITY BONDS, AND
REPEALING ORDINANCE NO. 23-46 AND ALL AMENDMENTS THERETO,
SAID ORDINANCE TO BE KNOWN AS THE SALARY ORDINANCE OF 2024
Establishes rates of compensation for appointed employees in the Legislative
Branch and the Office of Housing and Community Development, the County
Physician, Student Helpers, and Senior Community Services Aids for various
County agencies, and incorporates updates to minimum wage positions.
Reference: Comm. 781
Intr. by: Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder(B/R)
First Reading: April 17, 2024
Vote on Bill 142: Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder moved to pass Bill 142 on
(Adopted) second and final reading. Seconded by Ms. Galimba and
carried by the following voice vote:
Ayes: Council Members Evans, Galimba, Inaba,
Kagiwada, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz,
Lee Loy, Villegas, and Chair Kimball—9.
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Excused: None.
Return to Order The Chair directed the Council to return to the order of business.
of Business:
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Hawaii County Council-37 May 1,2024
Res. 488-24: TRANSFERS/APPROPRIATES AN APPROPRIATION OUT AND FROM A
DESIGNATED FUND ACCOUNT AND CREDITS SAME TO A DESIGNATED
FUND ACCOUNT TO PROVIDE A GRANT TO THE NORTH KOHALA
COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTER FOR THE KING KAMEHAMEHA DAY
PARADE CELEBRATION
Transfers $4,000 from the Clerk-Council Services —Contingency Relief account
(Council District 9); and credits to the Department of Liquor Control, Public
Programs account.
Reference: Comm. 826
Intr. by: Ms. Evans
Motion to Approve: Ms. Evans moved to adopt Res. 488-24. Seconded by
Ms. Lee Loy.
CHR. KIMBALL: Council Member Evans.
MS. EVANS: Thank you. I just wanted to let my colleagues know that there is a
King Kamehameha Day Commission. They work really hard to raise money, and
they distribute it across the islands. It's not a whole lot when they spread it
around to the different groups doing this King Kamehameha Day celebration.
And I learned that my community had to do bake sales and really work hard to
cover their costs of having the King Kamehameha Day celebration up in Kohala.
And so I really want to support their efforts, which has been continuous year after
year and will continue hopefully forever. So thank you. I ask for your support.
CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you, Council Member Evans. Anyone else? Seeing
none, all those in favor please sayoh, Council Member Villegas.
MS. VILLEGAS: Just a quick question about what's the date of this
King Kamehameha Day. And I apologize. I'm not remembering what the date of
the parade is.
MS. EVANS: I think it's June 1 Ph this year. It's always on the 1 Ph.
MS. VILLEGAS: Okay, great. Thank you.
CHR. KIMBALL: Anyone else? All those in favor, please say "aye."
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Hawaii County Council-37 May 1,2024
Vote on Res. 488-24: The motion to adopt Res. 488-24 was carried by the
(Adopted) following voice vote:
Ayes: Council Members Evans, Galimba, Inaba,
Kagiwada, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz,
Lee Loy, Villegas, and Chair Kimball—9.
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Excused: None.
Res. 489-24: TRANSFERS/APPROPRIATES AN APPROPRIATION OUT AND FROM A
DESIGNATED FUND ACCOUNT AND CREDITS SAME TO A DESIGNATED
FUND ACCOUNT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION,
ELDERLY ACTIVITIES DIVISION IN COUNCIL DISTRICT 9
Transfers $9,300 from the Clerk-Council Services —Contingency Relief account
(Council District 9); and credits to the Department of Parks and Recreation, Elderly
Activities Division Special Programs Other Current Expenses account($7,295) and
Equipment account($2,005).
Reference: Comm. 827
Intr. by: Ms. Evans
Motion to Approve: Ms. Evans moved to adopt Res. 489-24. Seconded by
Ms. Lee Loy.
CHR. KIMBALL: Council Member Evans.
MS. EVANS: Thank you. I have three senior centers. I have one in Waikoloa,
one in Waimea, one in North Kohala and Kapa`au. The Elderly Activities
Division, there's been so much, over time, less money available, and so many of
their activities have been cut back. I was kind of surprised to hear how much
they'd been cut back. So this little bit spread amongst three clubs hopefully will
get them some more activities. Thank you.
CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you, Council Member Evans. Anyone else? Seeing
none, all those in favor please say "aye."
Vote on Res. 489-24: The motion to adopt Res. 489-24 was carried by the
(Adopted) following voice vote:
Ayes: Council Members Evans, Galimba, Inaba,
Kagiwada, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Lee Loy,
Villegas, and Chair Kimball—8.
Noes: None.
Absent: Council Member Kierkiewicz— 1.
Excused: None.
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Hawaii County Council-37 May 1,2024
Res. 490-24: TRANSFERS/APPROPRIATES AN APPROPRIATION OUT AND FROM A
DESIGNATED FUND ACCOUNT AND CREDITS SAME TO A DESIGNATED
FUND ACCOUNT TO PROVIDE A GRANT TO THE NORTH KOHALA
COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTER TO SUPPORT THE"KOHALA VOICES:
YOUTH DOCUMENTARY FILM PROGRAM" PROJECT
Transfers $4,700 from the Clerk-Council Services —Contingency Relief account
(Council District 9); and credits to the Department of Liquor Control, Public
Programs account.
Reference: Comm. 828
Intr. by: Ms. Evans
Motion to Approve: Ms. Evans moved to adopt Res. 490-24. Seconded by
Ms. Lee Loy.
CHR. KIMBALL: Council Member Evans.
MS. EVANS: Thank you. Many of us have heard of oral history and how
important it is to tell the stories of where we come from. This is one of those
efforts. It has been ongoing and this just supports them in continuing their
program. Again, it's about the history of North Kohala. Thank you.
CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you, Council Member. Any further discussion?
Seeing none, all those in favor please say "aye."
Vote on Res. 490-24: The motion to adopt Res. 490-24 was carried by the
(Adopted) following voice vote:
Ayes: Council Members Evans, Galimba, Inaba,
Kagiwada, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Lee Loy,
Villegas, and Chair Kimball—8.
Noes: None.
Absent: Council Member Kierkiewicz— 1.
Excused: None.
Res. 491-24: TRANSFERS/APPROPRIATES AN APPROPRIATION OUT AND FROM A
DESIGNATED FUND ACCOUNT AND CREDITS SAME TO A DESIGNATED
FUND ACCOUNT TO PROVIDE A GRANT TWO KAT KAKOU TO
SUPPORT ITS COMMUNITY GARDENS PROJECT
Transfers $8,500 from the Clerk-Council Services —Contingency Relief account
(Council District 6); and credits to the Department of Research and Development,
Agriculture Other Current Expenses account.
Reference: Comm. 829
Intr. by: Ms. Galimba
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Hawaii County Council-37 May 1,2024
Motion to Approve: Ms. Galimba moved to adopt Res. 491-24. Seconded by
Ms. Lee Loy.
CHR. KIMBALL: Any discussion?
MS. GALIMBA: Chair, I wanted to thank my Legislative Assistant Kea for
shepherding all of the CRF (Contingency Relief Fund) funds, but especially this
one. `O Ka`u Kakou is a great organization. They are helping to feed those in
need in the community, but also providing opportunities for folks to learn
agricultural skills and other life skills through these community gardens. And it's
quite an extensive community garden. Asking for my colleagues' support.
Thanks.
CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you, Council Member Galimba. Council
Member Evans. Council Member Evans, did you ?
MS. EVANS: Oh, I'm sorry.
CHR. KIMBALL: No worries. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all those in
favor please say "aye."
Vote on Res. 491-24: The motion to adopt Res. 491-24 was carried by the
(Adopted) following voice vote:
Ayes: Council Members Evans, Galimba, Inaba,
Kagiwada, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz,
Lee Loy, Villegas, and Chair Kimball—9.
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Excused: None.
Res. 492-24: TRANSFERS/APPROPRIATES AN APPROPRIATION OUT AND FROM A
DESIGNATED FUND ACCOUNT AND CREDITS SAME TO A DESIGNATED
FUND ACCOUNT TO PROVIDE A GRANT TO THE HAWAII SOCIETY OF
OBSTETRICIANS AND GYNECOLOGISTS TO SUPPORT ITS RESIDENCY
ROTATION PROGRAM
Transfers $4,000 from the Clerk-Council Services —Contingency Relief account
(Council District 2); and credits to the Department of Research and Development,
Business Development account.
Reference: Comm. 830
Intr. by: Ms. Kagiwada
Motion to Approve: Ms. Kagiwada moved to adopt Res. 492-24. Seconded by
Ms. Lee Loy.
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Hawaii County Council-37 May 1,2024
CHR. KIMBALL: Any discussion? Council Member Kagiwada.
MS. KAGIWADA: Thank you, Chair. Just looking for my colleagues' support
on this. We worked along with Chair Kimball's team to try to get this to a place
that we were happy with and the organization was happy with and the
Corporation Counsel was okay with. It's really important. As you all know, we
have a huge doctor shortage here, especially around obstetrics. So thank you so
much. Looking for your support.
CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you, Council Member Kagiwada. Anyone else?
Seeing none, all those in favor please say "aye."
Vote on Res. 492-24: The motion to adopt Res. 492-24 was carried by the
(Adopted) following voice vote:
Ayes: Council Members Evans, Galimba, Inaba,
Kagiwada, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz,
Lee Loy, Villegas, and Chair Kimball—9.
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Excused: None.
Res. 493-24: TRANSFERS/APPROPRIATES AN APPROPRIATION OUT AND FROM A
DESIGNATED FUND ACCOUNT AND CREDITS SAME TO A DESIGNATED
FUND ACCOUNT FOR MAINTENANCE AND/OR IMPROVEMENT
PROJECTS AT VARIOUS PARK FACILITIES IN COUNCIL DISTRICT 2
Transfers $33,508 from the Clerk-Council Services —Contingency Relief account
(Council District 2); and credits to the Department of Parks and Recreation,
Transfer to Capital Projects Fund-General account.
Reference: Comm. 831
Intr. by: Ms. Kagiwada
Motion to Approve: Ms. Kagiwada moved to adopt Res. 493-24. Seconded by
Ms. Galimba.
CHR. KIMBALL: Council Member Kagiwada.
MS. KAGIWADA: Thank you, Chair. Just looking for my colleagues' support.
As you probably know in your districts, we have a lot of needs with our Parks and
Rec's (Recreation's) department for maintenance and improvement of our Parks
facilities. Originally, I wasn't going to give quite this much, but a couple of my
last-minute CRFs fell through. So I'm really happy to give this much to Parks
because they really need it. So, looking for your support. Thank you.
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Hawaii County Council-37 May 1,2024
CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you, Council Member Kagiwada. Anyone else?
Seeing none, all those in favor please say "aye."
Vote on Res. 493-24: The motion to adopt Res. 493-24 was carried by the
(Adopted) following voice vote:
Ayes: Council Members Evans, Galimba, Inaba,
Kagiwada, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz,
Lee Loy, Villegas, and Chair Kimball—9.
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Excused: None.
Res. 494-24: TRANSFERS/APPROPRIATES AN APPROPRIATION OUT AND FROM A
DESIGNATED FUND ACCOUNT AND CREDITS SAME TO A DESIGNATED
FUND ACCOUNT TO PROVIDE A GRANT TO THE HAWAII COUNTY
ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY COUNCIL FOR REIMBURSEMENT OF
EXPENSES RELATING TO THE KEA`AU FAMILY FUN DAY
Transfers $5,000 from the Clerk-Council Services —Contingency Relief account
(Council District 5); and credits to the Department of Liquor Control, Public
Programs account.
Reference: Comm. 832
Intr. by: Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder
Motion to Approve: Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder moved to adopt Res. 494-24.
Seconded by Ms. Kierkiewicz.
CHR. KIMBALL: Council Member Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder.
MR. KANEALII-KLEINFELDER: With your okay, Chair, I'd like to just say a
few words about this event. This is an amazing event, and I really do appreciate
HCEOC (Hawai`i County Economic Opportunity Council) for partnering with
Jarneski Rentals to put on the Kea`au Family Fun Day. It proved to be—although
it was raining, like it always is in Puna, it was just an amazing event. I was there.
We had keikis. We had families. We had kupuna. We had free food. They had
waterslides. I mean, the list goes on.
And I just cannot highlight the partnership with Jarneski Rentals in putting on
such an amazing day. This is the second year they've done this. And his reason
for doing it is "I just want to see our Parks and our community having an amazing
time." He just wants to do this because he loves our community in Puna. So I
really cannot say enough about Stacey Jarneski. The family fun day was
absolutely amazing. The Parks and Recreation folks within the Shipman Park and
Buddy Perry park facility, Dana specifically at the Kea`au Armory,just amazing.
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Hawaii County Council-37 May 1,2024
I think the goal is to make this bigger and better every year. We've coordinated
with the Shipman group to help us with parking in the future. I just see some
really big potential here for this event. So I look forward to everyone's support,
and hoping people can make it if they have time next year. But just cannot say
enough about this event for our community. Thank you.
CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you, Council Member Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder. Anyone
else? Vice Chair Inaba.
MR. INABA: Just a question for the maker, I guess, and maybe Corporation
Counsel regarding the reimbursement nature of this resolution. Mr. Kaneali`i-
Kleinfelder, could you ?
MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: You know what, I've got to say this is an
ongoing conversation with the whole contingency relief fund process. The
paperwork was done before the event happened, as was decided by the group, I'd
say the Council and Corporation Counsel, as far as paperwork being done, the
process being done before the event, and then of course the resolution following
behind, given our time and our processes.
Reimbursement is what this is at this point. I don't know how else to say this. I
did listen to the prior Council meeting two weeks ago, relating to a resolution for
exactly the same purpose. So, interested to hear some ways on moving these
kinds of things forward. But, in my eyes, we follow the processes that we have in
effect right now to the T. I'm open to comments, ways to make this better from
Corporation Counsel.
MR. INABA: Okay, thank you. Corporation Counsel,just as a matter of having
us be consistent here. We've had discussion about having all the paperwork and
everything in ahead of the event. And then sometimes the resolution doesn't
make it to the Council floor till after, but this one has it drafted as a
reimbursement. So I just don't see how that's in line. I'm in support of this, but
it's counter to what we've been talking about.
(Note: At this time, Corporation Counsel Elizabeth Strance came forward
to address the members of the Council.)
MS. STRANCE: Good afternoon. Elizabeth Strance, Corporation Counsel. It is
what it is. It's accurate to state that it's a reimbursement. What I looked at was
the B-52 is dated before the event, and we have given some latitude. We've
talked a little bit to the Clerk's office. They're not comfortable calling something
an expense when the expense has already been paid.
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Hawaii County Council-37 May 1,2024
The main concern I have is when this becomes the rule instead of the exception.
And I think that as a body, too, you can say, "I don't want to approve
reimbursements no matter what. People need to get everything in early enough
for us to process it. That's just how I feel about it."
Where I try to come down is where I think something is illegal, and then leave for
you folks to have some conversation about it. This is an uncomfortable
compromise, I think, to do reimbursements. But, as a general statement, your use
of the contingency monies so long as the purpose itself is okay, you don't seem to
question the purposes for them. And so the commitments to awarding
contingency monies seems to be a place where people begin to count on them as
does the Council Member.
I would love for you to enact a rule saying everything has to be processed before
the event, but that's not a line that you folks feel comfortable with, nor a line that
I feel comfortable saying, "Absolutely not." So this an area where I think you
folks need to struggle and maybe have this as part of your rules, but this a line that
we've drawn.
MR. INABA: Okay. We've been struggling. I don't want to struggle anymore.
So I just think if we're going based on this idea that the B-52 is taking care of, but
we've been telling people we don't do reimbursements, it doesn't make sense to
have that language in the resolution then. Because, we're passing a piece of
legislation that goes directly against what we're telling community, that we don't
reimburse. So I hear what we're saying, what is considered an expense versus
what is a reimbursement, but it doesn't line up for me and what we're
representing to community.
MR. HENRICKS: Madam Chair? I'm sorry
CHR. KIMBALL: Yes, go ahead, Mr. Clerk.
MR. HENRICKS: Could I interrupt you, Mr. Inaba? Madam Chair, I just wanted
to provide a little context here. The use of the word "reimbursement"was never
suggested by Corporation Counsel in the resolution. It was something that was
suggested or incorporated by LRB (Legislative Research Branch)just to make it
clear that the event had already occurred. And we also timed it out to where, even
if the resolution was signed and introduced prior to the event but the resolution
was going to appear on the agenda, that was the threshold, if you will, as to
whether it was a reimbursement.
So, after we've heard clear the discussions that this Council has had with
Corporation Counsel, this will probably be the last resolution where you see that
word. Okay?
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Hawaii County Council-37 May 1,2024
MR. INABA: Okay. Thank you. Just want to make sure what's on paper is
lining up with what advice or opinions have been given and what we are trying to
follow. So, in support. Thank you. Apologies to Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder for
taking this away from what the actual event is, but we are really trying to stop
struggling. So thank you. Thank you, Chair.
CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you, Vice Chair Inaba. And this actually came up
around another resolution at our last meeting where you weren't here. Generally,
the advice that I have given to my colleagues is that if the paperwork has been
submitted and there is that expectation that the contingency funds will be
provided to the nonprofit, that satisfies the Code language that the event is "to be"
at some point in the future because there's an element there we don't have
control. But it is imperfect and so I look forward to suggestions for amendments
to that section of the Code so we have a little bit more clarity in our expectations.
All right, any more comments on
MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Chair?
CHR. KIMBALL: Yes, Council Member Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder.
MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: I just wanted to take a second to appreciate
the comments of Corporation Counsel. Ms. Strance, thank you for that
explanation. And then also to something that Mr. Henricks said, which is
completely true, is for balancing the actuality of the event and the timing of the
event and the paperwork, the correct language from LRB through our Clerk's
office, and then as well taken in the comments from Corporation Counsel and
trying to put all those into one pretty picture. And this is the result of that. And
everything about it is correct and appropriate except we still do have this struggle.
So I appreciate everyone's comments. And no offense taken, Mr. Inaba. We did
struggle with this as well when we put it forward. So, good to hear everyone kind
of in alignment, although we still don't have a definitive solution. Just nice to
hear that everyone's in alignment in understanding the process. Thank you.
CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you, Council Member Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder. Any
further discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor please say "aye."
Vote on Res. 494-24: The motion to adopt Res. 494-24 was carried by the
(Adopted) following voice vote:
Ayes: Council Members Evans, Galimba, Inaba,
Kagiwada, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz,
Lee Loy, Villegas, and Chair Kimball—9.
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Excused: None.
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Hawaii County Council-37 May 1,2024
Res. 495-24: TRANSFERS/APPROPRIATES AN APPROPRIATION OUT AND FROM A
DESIGNATED FUND ACCOUNT AND CREDITS SAME TO A DESIGNATED
FUND ACCOUNT TO PROVIDE A GRANT TO HAMAKUA HEALTH
CENTER, INC., FOR THE 2024 HONOKA`A WESTERN WEEK FESTIVAL
Transfers $5,000 from the Clerk-Council Services —Contingency Relief account
(Council District 1); and credits to the Department of Parks and Recreation,
Administration Other Current Expenses account.
Reference: Comm. 833
Intr. by: Ms. Kimball
Motion to Approve: Ms. Lee Loy moved to adopt Res. 495-24. Seconded by
Ms. Galimba.
CHR. KIMBALL: Any discussion? I just wanted to take a moment to invite all
of you to this annual tradition in Honoka`a. It's a lot of fun the whole week.
There's a lot of activities going on: rodeo,parades, food, the whole big gamut.
So I hope you will join us up in Honoka`a for a fun-filled week. I ask for my
colleagues' support. All those in favor, please say "aye."
Vote on Res. 495-24: The motion to adopt Res. 495-24 was carried by the
(Adopted) following voice vote:
Ayes: Council Members Evans, Galimba, Inaba,
Kagiwada, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz,
Lee Loy, Villegas, and Chair Kimball—9.
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Excused: None.
Res. 496-24: TRANSFERS/APPROPRIATES AN APPROPRIATION OUT AND FROM A
DESIGNATED FUND ACCOUNT AND CREDITS SAME TO A DESIGNATED
FUND ACCOUNT TO PROVIDE A GRANT TO HAWAII ISLAND LGBTQ
PRIDE TO SUPPORT ITS 12TH ANNUAL PRIDE FESTIVAL
Transfers $3,000 from the Clerk-Council Services —Contingency Relief account
(Council District 2); and credits to the Department of Liquor Control, Public
Programs account.
Reference: Comm. 835
Intr. by: Ms. Kagiwada
Motion to Approve: Ms. Kagiwada moved to adopt Res. 496-24. Seconded by
Ms. Lee Loy.
Motion to Postpone: Ms. Kagiwada moved to postpone Res. 496-24 to May 15,
2024. Seconded by Ms. Lee Loy.
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Hawaii County Council-37 May 1,2024
CHR. KIMBALL: Council Member Kagiwada.
MS. KAGIWADA: Thank you. Sorry. We just have a small technical issue that
we need to check on before we put this through completely. We weren't able to
get the answer before today, but just want to double-check on something to make
sure everything's good and above board. But it should be fine for next time.
Thank you.
CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you. Any discussion on postponement? Seeing none,
all those in favor please say "aye."
Vote on Motion to The motion to postpone Res. 496-24 to May 15, 2024, was
Postpone: carried by the following voice vote:
(Approved)
Ayes: Council Members Evans, Galimba, Inaba,
Kagiwada, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz,
Lee Loy, Villegas, and Chair Kimball—9.
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Excused: None.
Res. 497-24: TRANSFERS/APPROPRIATES AN APPROPRIATION OUT AND FROM A
DESIGNATED FUND ACCOUNT AND CREDITS SAME TO A DESIGNATED
FUND ACCOUNT TO PROVIDE A GRANT TO D.A.R.E. HAWAII TO ASSIST
WITH EXPENSES RELATED TO ITS 2024 D.A.R.E. DAY CELEBRATION
EVENT IN WEST HAWAII
Transfers $4,990 from the Clerk-Council Services —Contingency Relief account
(Council District 8); and credits to the Department of Liquor Control, Public
Programs account.
Reference: Comm. 836
Intr. by: Mr. Inaba
(Note: Comm. 836.1, from Council Member Holeka Goro Inaba dated April 30,
2024, transmitting proposed amendments to Res. 497-24, was circulated.)
Motion to Approve: Mr. Inaba moved to adopt Res. 497-24. Seconded by
Ms. Lee Loy.
Motion to Amend: Mr. Inaba moved to amend Res. 497-24 with the contents
of Comm. 836.1. Seconded by Ms. Lee Loy.
CHR. KIMBALL: Council Member Inaba.
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Hawaii County Council-37 May 1,2024
MR. INABA: Thank you. As we continue to clean up our language regarding
public purpose in our resolutions, we're moving the words "gifts" since we do not
support individual gifts with our contingency relief funds or any County grant. So
ask for your support on this amendment.
CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you, Vice Chair Inaba. Any other comments? Seeing
none, on the amendment, all those in favor please say "aye."
Vote on Motion to The motion to amend Res. 497-24 with the contents of
Amend: Comm. 836.1 was carried by the following voice vote:
(Approved)
Ayes: Council Members Evans, Galimba, Inaba,
Kagiwada, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz,
Lee Loy, Villegas, and Chair Kimball—9.
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Excused: None.
Vote on Motion to Mr. Inaba moved to suspend Council Rule 23 to waive the
Suspend Council holdover for the substantive amendment of Res. 497-24.
Rules: Seconded by Ms. Kagiwada and carried by the following
(Approved) voice vote:
Ayes: Council Members Evans, Galimba, Inaba,
Kagiwada, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz,
Lee Loy, Villegas, and Chair Kimball—9.
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Excused: None.
CHR. KIMBALL: Go ahead, Vice Chair Inaba.
MR. INABA: Thank you. I ask for my colleagues' support. This event is taking
place here in Kona at the Kekuaokalani Gym at Kona aquatics center on May 10''.
So, welcome the community to head on down and participate. And mahalo to our
community policing `ohana for helping to organize this and for asking for our
support. Mahalo.
CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you, Vice Chair Inaba. Anyone else? Seeing none, all
those in favor please say "aye."
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Hawaii County Council-37 May 1,2024
Vote on Res. 497-24: The motion to adopt Res. 497-24, as amended to Draft 2,
Draft 2 was carried by the following voice vote:
(Adopted)
Ayes: Council Members Evans, Galimba, Inaba,
Kagiwada, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz,
Lee Loy, Villegas, and Chair Kimball—9.
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Excused: None.
Res. 501-24: TRANSFERS/APPROPRIATES AN APPROPRIATION OUT AND FROM A
DESIGNATED FUND ACCOUNT AND CREDITS SAME TO A DESIGNATED
FUND ACCOUNT TO PROVIDE A GRANT TO THE HILO HIGH SCHOOL
FOUNDATION FOR THE 2024 HILO HIGH GRAD NITE
Transfers $1,500 from the Clerk-Council Services —Contingency Relief account
(Council District 1); and credits to the Department of Liquor Control, Public
Programs account.
Reference: Comm. 845
Intr. by: Ms. Kimball
Motion to Approve: Ms. Kagiwada moved to adopt Res. 501-24. Seconded by
Ms. Lee Loy.
CHR. KIMBALL: Go Vikings! All my kids graduated Hilo High. Even though
it's not physically in my district, a lot of the district members in District 1 are
Vikings forever. Right? Yeah, Council Member Kagiwada.
MS. KAGIWADA: Thank you. I just wanted this got all caught up in that
whole issue with the Department of Liquor. And I just wanted to, for the record,
make it really clear because Hilo High is in my district, and both you and Council
Member Lee Loy are giving money to them. And I didn't give money to them
because I directed them to the Department of Liquor, and they gave the money.
And they said that they would give them more if they needed it. So I reached
back out to them to say, "Do you need more," and they said no. So I was just a
little confused by them then going to you to ask for money. It looks like I didn't
provide any to the school in my district and you guys did. So I just want to be
very clear that I totally support this event.
I feel like I tried to go the right way. There was a lot of confusion. So we have
reached back out to them to say if you need more, let us know, but so far they
have said no. So thank you both for supporting the Hilo High Grad Night. And
hopefully by next year it will be crystal clear what we're doing.
CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you, Council Member. Council Member Lee Loy.
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Hawaii County Council-37 May 1,2024
MS. LEE LOY: Council Member Kagiwada, at Waiakea High School, we're
taught to give to charity. And so, Hilo High, we can provide charitable
contributions. In support of this resolution. Thank you, Chair, I yield.
CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you so much, Council Member Lee Loy. All right.
Any further discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor please say "aye."
Vote on Res. 501-24: The motion to adopt Res. 501-24 was carried by the
(Adopted) following voice vote:
Ayes: Council Members Evans, Galimba, Inaba,
Kagiwada, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz,
Lee Loy, Villegas, and Chair Kimball—9.
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Excused: None.
Res. 502-24: TRANSFERS/APPROPRIATES AN APPROPRIATION OUT AND FROM A
DESIGNATED FUND ACCOUNT AND CREDITS SAME TO A DESIGNATED
FUND ACCOUNT TO PROVIDE A GRANT TO HAMAKUA HEALTH
CENTER, INC., FOR THE HONOKA`A HIGH SCHOOL 135 YEARS
CELEBRATION
Transfers $5,000 from the Clerk-Council Services —Contingency Relief account
(Council District 1); and credits to the Department of Liquor Control, Public
Programs account.
Reference: Comm. 846
Intr. by: Ms. Kimball
Motion to Approve: Ms. Lee Loy moved to adopt Res. 502-24. Seconded by
Ms. Galimba.
CHR. KIMBALL: Just want to ask for everybody's support in this event, which
promises to be huge. You wouldn't necessarily think a high school reunion type
thing would be huge. This is going to be like a weeklong of things, and
everybody in Honoka`a and the surrounding areas, there's a lot of ties. There's
deep ties in the Dragon blood there up in Honoka`a. So wow! They are just
planning so much. So I'm excited to be a part of the support for this effort. But,
yeah, go Dragons! Green and gold forever. I ask for your support. Any further
conversation? Seeing none, all those in favor please say "aye."
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Hawaii County Council-37 May 1,2024
Vote on Res. 502-24: The motion to adopt Res. 502-24 was carried by the
(Adopted) following voice vote:
Ayes: Council Members Evans, Galimba, Inaba,
Kagiwada, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz,
Lee Loy, Villegas, and Chair Kimball—9.
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Excused: None.
BILLS FOR The Chair directed the Council to proceed to the next order of business, Bills for
ORDINANCES Ordinances (First Reading).
(FIRST READING):
(Note: Items in this category were taken up previously, out of order.)
Bill 125: AMENDS CHAPTER 6 OF THE HAWAII COUNTY CODE 1983
(Draft 2) (2016 EDITION, AS AMENDED), BY ADDING A NEW ARTICLE RELATING
TO COMMERCIAL BICYCLE TOURS
Seeks to prohibit the operation of commercial bicycle tours on a portion of
Kohala Mountain Road and a portion of the Akoni Pule Highway.
Reference: Comm. 679.45
Intr. by: Ms. Evans
Negative: PCPLUD-9 (Due to a vote of 4-ayes,
4-noes, 1-absent)
Postponed: March 20, 2024
(Note: There is a motion by Ms. Evans, seconded by Ms. Villegas, to pass
Bill 125, Draft 2, on first reading.)
(Note: Comms. 679.59 and 679.60, from Council Members Cindy Evans and
Ashley L. Kierkiewicz, respectively, dated May 1, 2024, transmitting proposed
amendments to Bill 125, Draft 2, were circulated.)
CHR. KIMBALL: Council Member Evans, go ahead.
MS. EVANS: Thank you, colleagues. First of all, I have Chief Moszkowicz
(Note: At this time, Police Chief Benjamin Moszkowicz came forward to
address the members of the Council.)
MS. EVANS: There you are. Thank you for being in on Zoom. Steve Pause is
traveling back from the Mainland, and so he's unavailable by Zoom,
unfortunately. But having said that, I listened to my colleagues about a lot of
their concerns, and Member Kierkiewicz offered to sit down and talk with me and
work with me. And we met and had a conversation and I went away and kind of
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Hawaii County Council-37 May 1,2024
digested what my thoughts were, and I'm putting forth an amendment. Member
Kierkiewicz also went from that meeting, and also she's introducing a proposed
amendment also. I think both of them have a lot of good stuff in them.
I'm looking for a robust discussion by my colleagues. I think it's an interesting
place that we're at, knowing that the community, these particular roads and given
the conditions of the roads, again I believe do not lend themselves to commercial
bicycle tours. And State law is very clear that the County Council can restrict
roads for that purpose. So, having said that, I think I would like to proceed with
offering up, first of all, my amendment, which is Communication No. 679.59.
Motion to Amend: Ms. Evans moved to amend Bill 125, Draft 2, with the
contents of Comm. 679.59. Seconded by Ms. Lee Loy.
CHR. KIMBALL: Council Member Evans, on the amendment.
MS. EVANS: Thank you. I think that when I looked overI read the whole
Traffic Code again and again and tried to find consistency in language in how we
address things like skateboards, which we do restrict skateboards in
Downtown Hilo, but how was that drafted in—kind of how does that flow in
terms of the logic of the language. And so, basically, mine I didn't change much
in terms of content as much as rewriting it in a way that I think flowed a lot better
for people reading it.
So, for example, under the purpose section, I realized that I had the last sentence
as the purpose clause where the first sentence should have been the purpose
statement. And I did change that a little bit to really point out that we're talking
about high-stress two-way traffic conditions. I'm not talking about one-way
roads. I'm talking about two-way roads. I'm also pointing out that there may be
conditions that exist resulting from topography, design, or other physical
conditions, including pavements less than 18 feet, limited sight distances,
unpassable shoulders, winding or hilly terrain, and other vehicle operating
inhibitions.
I was hoping if I had that as the first sentence, it would get more in line as to why
we as the Council, what it is that we're trying to address. So that's why I changed
that one. And then when you go to the second page, what I did is I retitled the
sections. And so now one of them is actually more like the authority to restrict.
And then I split up the prohibitions, which designates the particular part or
what—it gives you the specific designated highway that we're trying to restrict,
and then the penalties.
So it was combined before. Prohibitions and penalties were all in one section.
And I split those up in two because that seemed to be what we did in other areas
of our Traffic Code. So I thought it really did create a little bit more, maybe
easier to read, but I basically didn't change a lot really much in terms of content.
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Hawaii County Council-37 May 1,2024
Under "Restrictions on commercial bicycle tours,"the language now reads "The
council may by ordinance prohibit commercial bicycle tours on designated
portions of public highways when topography, design, or other physical
conditions result in limited sight distances or vehicle operating inhibitions." So I
did this hoping that, like I said, it would be more consistent with the Traffic Code,
and hopefully flows a lot better as to what we're trying to do. So, open to
comments. Thank you.
CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you, Council Member Evans. Anyone else on the
amendment before us? Again for amendment 679.59. Council Member Lee Loy.
MS. LEE LOY: On the amendment. I understand that you have—Mr. Pause is
traveling back. But you provide descriptors of road types, right; impassable
shoulders. And I just want to make sure that if we do move this policy forward,
that it actually intersects nicely with what Public Works articulate roads and road
conditions like. That way, it's supported both ways, which then helps Police
Department—and thanks, Chief, for being here—that we're all very consistent
with the language.
I'm willing to hold this, but I would really like somebody from DPW to provide
some guidance that the terminology on these conditions of roadways that we're
using really does line up. And at the end of the day, there is a rubric or a measure
for Police Department to use so that it's enforceable over and across all of our
roadways throughout the County. That's just my only rub with this amendment. I
yield.
CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you, Council Member Lee Loy. Anyone else on the
amendment? Council Member Kagiwada.
MS. KAGIWADA: Thank you. I had a very similar take here,just things like
"high-stress two-way traffic." Just wondering if there's data that informs what a
high-stress condition is. Yeah. So I would love to just have DPW here to explain
these terms to us a little bit and how they're supported by data. That would be
really helpful I think. Thank you. I yield.
CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you, Council Member Kagiwada. Anyone else? All
right, seeing none, I'll just on the amendment. I like where this is going. I also
like where this additional amendment that has been presented, that we'll discuss
in a moment, is going. I'm not sure how this—maybe I need Clerk's advice in
terms of course of action. If I like stuff in another amendment that might override
what is in this amendment, do I still vote for that amendment if it's ultimately
going to get overwritten by a future amendment?
MR. HENRICKS: I don't think one amendment I think you have to choose. I
looked at these two very quickly. They were just produced recently. But there
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Hawaii County Council-37 May 1,2024
are—specifically the areas on what is titled in 679.59 as "Restrictions on
commercial bicycle tours" and what is titled"Authority to restrict,"they don't
play well together.
CHR. KIMBALL: Yeah, okay. So, Council Member Evans, I'm going to vote
"no" on 679.59 because I like what's coming to us as this concept that's in the
resolution coming from Ms. Kierkiewicz, although there are components of this
that I like, which I think we can discuss when we get to the main body of the bill.
So I'll be voting "no" on this amendment just because I want to see these
components of two combined. Council Member Galimba.
MS. GALIMBA: Just same.
Point of Order: MS. EVANS: So a question. Point of order. If we hold the amendment or
withdraw the amendment, then I'm going to suggest that we postpone because the
Director is traveling today. He'll be back. But more importantly, it's an
opportunity to maybe have a discussion on the next amendment and then see what
we can do to maybe combine and have an amendment two weeks from now.
CHR. KIMBALL: What I'm going to propose is maybe suggest that you
withdraw the motion to amend with 679.59. Let's have Council
Member Kierkiewicz make the motion around her amendment. At least introduce
it to us and provide us some information, and then we can look at postponing until
we have a time to have the Director here. But why don't we do that so we can at
least have a little bit of dialogue today about the additional amendment.
MS. EVANS: Right. Because, I really do like hearing your reaction to this
amendment and what's good about it, what you like about it. And then we're
going to be listening to the other amendment, what we like about that. Then I see
us coming back and having something I hope that the Council likes. Yeah.
CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you, Council Member Evans. All right, Vice
Chair Inaba.
MR. INABA: Just real quick. I don't know if Chief Moszkowicz had something
to add right now. It looked like he did. Chief?
MR. MOSZKOWICZ: No. I just remain in support of the intent behind the bill.
I haven't seen the second amendment yet. I've read Council Member Evans' but
not the second amendment. So I'm really just available as a subject matter expert
to answer any questions you folks might have, or to offer any insight.
MR. INABA: Perfect. Thank you so much. Thank you, Chair.
CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you. Okay, so, Council Member Evans, would you ?
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Hawaii County Council-37 May 1,2024
MS. EVANS: I will withdraw this amendment at this time.
Withdraw Motion Ms. Evans withdrew her motion to amend Bill 125, Draft 2,
to Amend: with the contents of Comm. 679.59.
CHR. KIMBALL: Council Member Kierkiewicz, do you want to make your
motion?
Motion to Amend: Ms. Kierkiewicz moved to amend Bill 125, Draft 2, with
the contents of Comm. 679.60. Seconded by Ms. Lee Loy.
CHR. KIMBALL: Council Member Kierkiewicz.
MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you, Chair. One of the things that I wanted to try to
solve for, which I think was a widespread concern by this body in Committee,
was how the Council would go about justifying which particular roads to restrict
any commercial bike tours. And so, through this amendment, offering up some
guiding criteria on how that would happen, but first wanting to get a sense of what
businesses are operating in this capacity in Hawaii County. So I'm proposing a
simple annual registration process through the Department of Finance. And I was
able to speak with Director Nakagawa about this being a very simple electronic
form. And again, it's not permitting the activity but simply they are registering
their status as providing commercial bike tours in the County.
The registration would include things like the name of the applicant; any
representatives authorized to act on their behalf, the locations, areas, and routes
where they will be conducting bicycle tours; tour schedule; maximum number of
participants per tour group. One of the things we also heard during Committee
was that some of these tour operators may be traversing private property without
proper permission. And so if any part of their route contains going through
private property, having written notarized permission from the property owner to
just make sure everything is okay.
And then also identifying any movable structures, such as trailers and mobile
containers, that are used to transport bicycles. Again, one of the problems that I
had identified in Committee was commercial bike tour businesses parking their
trailers at a County park, taking limited parking, and conducting a commercial
operation. So just want, through this registration process, getting a sense of who
is operating, how, and where.
The next section of this amendment would basically create a process for how we
would go about, as a Council, identifying roads where this activity is restricted.
HRS (Hawai`i Revised Statutes) does grant counties the authority to do that. And
very simply here just requesting that there be a letter from the Director of Public
Works and the Chief of Police. And if there are any roads that are restricted that
are a State highway, a letter from the director from DOT (Department of
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Hawaii County Council-37 May 1,2024
Transportation)just to make the determination that they agree with the Council's
proposed recommendation to restrict certain routes. As part of this restriction,
identifying what would constitute an unsafe road condition. LRB worked with
Council Member Evans and I, it seems, to kind of massage what this terminology
would be, but I do agree with the group that we should get Public Works to weigh
in on proper terminology for what is described here as an unsafe road condition.
Anyway,just wanted to offer up a little bit of clarity on how any member of this
body currently going forward would be able to add roads to this section of Code.
Happy to take any questions. And mahalo nui to my LA (Legislative Assistant)
and Jacob Perry for all of your help in getting this done very quickly.
CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you, Council Member Kierkiewicz. Okay, on the
amendment, Council Member Evans.
MS. EVANS: Thank you. Again, it's all in the language. When it says, "poses a
threat of public safety,"I'm not sure, Chief, if you canis that something
possible for you to weigh in on? Is that too subjective? Or do you have—as
Member Lee Loy said, do you have a rubric or a way to measure if a road is a
threat?
MR. MOSZKOWICZ: Thank you for the question. Having not seen it and
having it just sort of described, if something was a threat to public safety, at least
as far as the Police Department is concerned, it's something that we would take
action on outside of potentially what the law is specifically designed to prevent.
So if there is, for example, a road condition that was a hazard to public safety,
from the Police perspective we'd probably close the road until the public safety
hazard could be alleviated somehow. I know wording is everything. Just from
our perspective, that's what my first impression of that particular phrase would
be.
MS. EVANS: Is there a way that if the Council the way it's saying is the
Council may, by ordinance,prohibit. Is there a way that the Council can request
aI was thinking, at the time, like an on-site confirmation that they went out and
confirmed that, in fact, yes, these conditions do exist that do restrict vehicular
traffic. The point being is, for example, Kohala Mountain Road, if you're going
up this hilly windy road, you might have eight miles before you can legally pass
because there's no line of sight. There's no passable shoulders. So maybe we'd
just determine it's too dangerous for anybody to pass. I mean, I'm just trying to
think what the process would be that you could validate that these conditions
exist.
MR. MOSZKOWICZ: I mean, yeah, that's something that certainly each of our
district(inaudible)would be able to do very easily, to talk about the conditions
and the road infrastructure. And maybe not from a roadway design standpoint,
but certainly from a use standpoint and from their experience. The officers are
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Hawaii County Council-37 May 1,2024
driving around on these roads, every road,just about every day. So it would be
very easy for us to offer an opinion or an evaluation of whether or not we felt
such a restriction would be appropriate.
MS. EVANS: You could evaluate it. Okay. Well, that's good to know. Maybe
we have to work on the language, but that's good that you believe you could.
Thank you. I yield.
CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you, Council Member Evans. Council
Member Lee Loy.
MS. LEE LOY: Thanks. For the maker, Ms. Kierkiewicz, I looked back at our
notes and that was one of the suggestions, was kind of getting a registration
process going. So I really like that in this amendment. And then looking ahead,
what then happens? And I'm asking this question because, within our Code, we
identify various roads and put in the speed limits. Is that the same mechanics
thereafter with this proposed piece of legislation? There's a registration process
and then if there's a road that's identified as not favorable to commercial bike
tours, it would be identified on a road list within this section?
MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Chair, if I could respond.
CHR. KIMBALL: Go ahead, Council Member Kierkiewicz.
MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you. And I'm going to try to dissect your question.
I think the registration is separate from what roads we are restricting for tour
operations. I think anybody that registers as part of the process would be
provided information on which roads are essentially taboo. And I think the idea
of should the Council identify roads to restrict these tours on, that signs be erected
and in place so it's crystal clear to everyone that there should be no tours. And I
think that would be helpful for Police in their efforts to catch and enforce the law.
So it's definitely something we can add. Thank you.
MS. LEE LOY: Thank you. Yeah, I like this amendment because it lays out a
process. I mean, this might be a potential for some new revenue source when it
comes to looking at our commercial tour operators. And we're all looking to
improve roads. So taking this first step to at least identify them, get an overlay of
their routes as outlined within this amendment where we can actually take some
information down and overlay them over the various roads to see what roads are
being used, the capacity of those roads.
Maybe we can even overlay our Mass Transit routes and maybe start populating
information on areas where we can get to the Complete Streets, and use this as an
evaluation tool so that we can get to better road paving and places where tour
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Hawaii County Council-37 May 1,2024
operators and/or roads are being used in other ways, and help us make better
decisions when we identify roadways to pave. Those are my thoughts, but in
support of this amendment. I yield.
CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you, Council Member Lee Loy. Vice Chair Inaba.
MR. INABA: Thank you. Generally in support of this. I like the registration part
of it. I guess the only thing I would want to change is when we look at getting
feedback from the Police Chief and from DPW Director, I don't want to have our
decisions dependent on three people whether we can or cannot enact legislation.
So my recommendation would be to require review and a recommendation from
those people, but not require their support for us to move forward with a piece of
legislation. But I think it is imperative that we do get their feedback,just not
require it for us to move forward.
And then on top of that, I guess the only other thing is maybe, Corporation
Counsel, if you can speak to, real quick, our ability to enact legislation that
governs State highway. I just wanted some feedback there. But thank you,
Council Member Kierkiewicz, for tuning this in a little bit and giving us
something to work with.
(Note: At this time, Corporation Counsel Elizabeth Strance came forward
to address the members of the Council.)
MS. STRANCE: Good afternoon. Elizabeth Strance, Corporation Counsel. I
would have to double-check the authorizing State legislation, but I didn't think
that it authorized counties to regulate State roads. But I would be able to
comment on that more specifically by the next hearing. But that would be a
concern.
MR. INABA: Okay. All right. Just wanted to double-check because in the case
of some of our County roads, it's really easy to determine. But then want to make
sure we're not stepping outside our lane. So, with that, that's my thoughts on the
amendment and where we are right now. Thank you, Chair, I yield.
CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you, Vice Chair Inaba. Council Member—we'll go to
Kagiwada and then back to you, Council Member Evans.
MS. KAGIWADA: Thank you, Chair. So I like some pieces of this and where
it's going, especially the kind of data-gathering piece. I think that's so important.
I was struck by something one of our testifiers said today, which is kind of what
I've been trying to get at but I don't think I've been articulating very well, which
is I'd love to see us really looking at something more comprehensive that looks at
not just shutting down pedestrian or biking when we have a problem with our
roads, but really look at our roads from some of that Complete Streets design and
best practices from organizations like Smart Growth America, who has been
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Hawaii County Council-37 May 1,2024
doing this all over the country, using data to really figure out when there are
problems, but also using street design to prioritize the safety of our pedestrians
and bicyclists, and not just the speed of getting as many cars through a road as
possible, being the No. 1 thing that we tend to focus on. So I know that's bigger
than what's in here.
I do like this annual registration piece because it does start to gather that data, and
I also like the kind of more general authority. And then giving a little bit of
guidance, I would just hope that we return to using some, like—again, using more
data when we make some of these decisions going forward, if this does get
enacted, and we start looking at individual roads. But our island has the highest
pedestrian fatalities in the State this year. And continuing to prioritize getting as
many cars through a road as fast as we can without looking at prioritizing
pedestrians, bicycles, mass transit, and other ways of supporting our community I
think really fails our community.
So this is kind ofI think I've been struggling a bit because I do understand the
safety issues here. But prioritizing the cars over the bikes is just something that I
feel like we tend to do already with our street design. Anyway, I support a lot of
this here and look to potentially doing something bigger for bicycle and
pedestrian safety going forward. Thank you. I yield, Chair.
CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you, Council Member Kagiwada. Council
Member Evans.
MS. EVANS: So what wasn't clear to me, and I wanted to see if
Member Lee Loy and Member Kierkiewicz wanted to comment, but with annual
registration, did you sense some, like, $25 permit fee or just let it sit as just
registering? Because I do know that other things get registered, right. Other than
talking about this, we do register others than vehicles. There's other things that
get registered: motorcycles or mopeds. I think there might be a fee, but were you
thinking a fee or not? I'm just curious. And what would that fee be if you
recommended?
CHR. KIMBALL: You may respond, Council Member Kierkiewicz.
MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you, Chair. Yes, I am thinking of a fee in the range
of about$250. And again, that would be charged on an annual basis. But happy
to have a broader discussion about what's fair.
MS. EVANS: Okay, thank you.
CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you, Council Member Evans. Anyone else? Council
Member Lee Loy.
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Hawaii County Council-37 May 1,2024
MS. LEE LOY: Responding to Ms. Evans, I actually saw it a little different.
Yes, a fee. But we also know commercial tour operators come in sizes. So it's
almost for me in my head, if there was a sliding scale fee where if it's one to ten
bikes, it's a fee; eleven to another number because I think and maybe I can get
Chief to weigh in on this. It's one thing to corral five or ten riders, but if they
have a larger operation, that puts a lot more risk on the rider, on the road, and on
the tour company. But I also think Council Member Kierkiewicz' registration
fleshes that out for us. Chief Moszkowicz, any thoughts on a sliding scale fee
schedule?
MR. MOSZKOWICZ: From our perspective, if the County and DOT are the
County DOT determines that an area is unsafe for a commercial bicycle tour, at
least the way the legislation is currently structured, the citation or the fee or the
fine or whatever the enforcement action is would be directed at the owner. So it
wouldn't be logistically a huge problem for us to stop five bikes or ten bikes or a
hundred bikes. I mean, the larger the size, clearly the more dangerous the
operation is, especially if you're in an area that's not built for or conducive to
large commercial tours. So I would offer that, yeah, the larger the tour the people
are planning, the more dangerous it might be and that might be an aspect of a
sliding scale for size.
But I guess the idea being that the regulation of the tour group by providing a
permit, the disincentive would be, well, if you take people to these areas that are
not regulated or that are deregulated, or that you're not supposed to take them,
then the threat would be the removal of the permit, right. I don't know how you
work that in. You would allow maybe in the Kohala Mountain Road area tours of
five bicycles or less, but not tours of six bicycles or more. I don't know if that's
the aspect or the angle of the regulation fees. I don't know if that's where you're
going with it or not.
MS. LEE LOY: Yeah, thanks for that insight, Chief. We were kind of in the lane
of registration. I think if you're a commercial operator and you've got more
people, then it's worth it for you to pay for more users. But since we're
(inaudible), that's my thoughts. I know Council Member Kierkiewicz landed on
an amount, but if we're going to explore fees, I would love to see it in alignment
with the size of the license or commercial activity. Those are my thoughts.
MS. EVANS: May I offer a comment on that, Chair?
CHR. KIMBALL: Yeah, go ahead, briefly.
MS. EVANS: What I know is that some of the tour groups have many vans. So
instead of it being—maybe when they register, they're registering, you know, like
if you have one van which could hold maybe up to ten bicycles, but the reality is
some of them have more than one van. So maybe the sliding scale is for every
van that you have on the road with the bicycles, each van has to—maybe that's
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Hawaii County Council-37 May 1,2024
where you get your sliding scale. Saying, well, you might have three or four or
five vans. You might be the same tour company with the same name. But do we
want a fee based on the van or the vehicle that you're transporting? Maybe that's
what we would have a fee on, then it would be attached to that and you'd get kind
of like a sliding scale, right? A fee per vehicle?
CHR. KIMBALL: I think we can have that discussion if that sort of amendment
for a fee gets proposed.
MS. EVANS: Yeah, yeah.
CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you for raising that. I want to make sure we get
Council Member Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder. You were wanting to comment?
MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Yes. Thank you, Chair. A few questions;
just following up on everyone's discussion so far. Regarding the annual
registration this is going to the maker—dollar amount to be decided, apparently.
I think one important aspect would be to direct to where or what in our budget—
DPW,
udgetDPW, Parks and Recreation—which kind of gives the registration some the fee
some love as far as what it's doing. It has a purpose, where it goes, etcetera.
Within that annual registration, taking it in advance, if there should be a penalty,
failure to comply with the registration, and then an actionable from the County.
They cannot operate their tours, if that's enforceable. But it has to be some kind
of a catch there, in my eyes.
To Ms. Evans,just noting that under the prohibitions and penalties, the two roads
that you had initially marked out had been removed. And then back to the maker
as far as a list, how those were incorporated, these roadways, if given the
authority to restrict happens through the process we've created where those will
be cited as being unsafe or not operable. So maybe if you have an answer to that
question, Ms. Kierkiewicz.
MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Chair, if I might?
CHR. KIMBALL: Go ahead, Council Member Kierkiewicz.
MS. KIERKIEWICZ: And I'll address your comments globally. I like the idea of
creating some kind of account where we are directing annual registration fees and
penalties. And to the comments provided by Council Member Kagiwada, perhaps
some of this funding can be used for just educating folks about safe driving:
"Watch out for pedestrians." I think that there's some outreach and something
positive that could be used with that funding.
I would be open to identifying what would happen in the event that a commercial
tour operator does not comply with registration. And then, yes, this amendment
does remove the two roadways that have been previously identified in Bill 125.
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Hawaii County Council-37 May 1,2024
That's because we can't list roads if we're still kind of creating the process. Like
there would have to be a subsequent ordinance that actually goes through the
process that we are creating right now. I hope that answers all of your questions.
MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: It does. Following up on that, thinking
about our ability to work on private roads and that Bill 82 that we passed recently,
within that is the State allowance to work on or maintain private roadways. Fair
enough. How we define that list becomes an interesting thing. We have different
ways of doing it within our existing County Code. But creating that backbone so
when and if a Council Member wants to add a road in at the request of the
community or with the work of the different departments, where it lands in our
Code. Is it within the section of this? Is it a different section of Code? It needs
to have a home. That makes me comfortable knowing, "Hey, as a Council
Member, this road needs to be deemed unsafe. I've done the homework. I have
the letters back from the departments, and it's going to go in section blank."
That's kind of the crux of my question for that. I think this may be something to
work on, yeah.
And then, finally, I think the how. How we come back with the authority to
restrict from (b), Section bit doesn't have a section number yet. But"Authority
to restrict,"number(b): The Council shall enact no such prohibitory ordinance
unless the Director of Public Works, the Chief of Police, State highways have
determined the operation to be, or to pose a threat of public safety. So, given that
you're on today, Chief, if I came to you and say, "Hey, this road in Puna is
unsafe. Can you please provide something to show that this is a safety hazard,"
would you do that? This is both to the maker and to the Chief, but leaning on the
Chief just on how you see this working. How do you come back to the Council
within this ordinance and say, "I do believe this is unsafe"? A simple letter? Just
trying to create and understand the process we would have to go through to help
community.
MR. MOSZKOWICZ: Yeah, that's my guess. I mean if you were asking it, the
question would be, is it safe for people to hold commercial bicycle tours on the
road, right, as opposed to, say, for individual bicycles we would say "for
individual motor vehicles. But, yeah, we could certainly provide you with some
sort of standardized written testimony: "We received a request to examine a
specific area or specific roadway. And based on the following factors, we want to
offer our opinion that it is safe, or it's not safe." And we could provide that to
you in writing. It seems like probably the easiest way, something that the people
in the districts could do that could then (inaudible)for review and signature and
then sent over to you by whatever the deadline is.
MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Okay. I appreciate that. Thinking again on
Bill 82, we actually created a 30-day window for a response from the different
departments so that it could be there was a closed loop to require a response in a
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Hawaii County Council-37 May 1,2024
certain amount of time. That might be a nice guardrail to put in in this case. But
more respectful of the maker's attempt to bring this bill to a place that we can all
move it forward. Any comment from Ms. Kierkiewicz?
MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Yeah. Again, this was my attempt to try to solve for a
number of concerns that were put forward. The "authority to restrict" section, in
my mind, was modeled after what we expect during a rezone or time-extension
process where the Planning Department goes and gets reviews and
recommendations from the various departments. So it's modeled after that and
we can refine this language to reflect that, and also identify a time frame in which
we must hear from County agencies so that we can move this process along as a
legislative body.
MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Beautiful. Okay. And then finally, for
Ms. Strance, if you could help me with this one. The last section in administrative
rules, this ordinance, this bill—sorry, in this case the amendment, grants the Chief
of Police the ability to adopt administrative rules. Given that we've opened this
up to a number of different I mean, specifically, I'd look at the Public Works
Department as having a lot of say here too. We need to—sorry, two-part
question, Ms. Strance. Do we need to allow them the ability to have
administrative rules via the bill? Is that already granted? And then, two, do we
need to open up to any and all departments who would have an ability to have
administrative rules regarding this subject?
MS. STRANCE: Elizabeth Strance, Corporation Counsel. I think what you're
trying to grapple with is who would have responsibility for administrative
enforcement. Sounds like you're looking for the Police Department. But I think
the Police was initially identified when this was just a traffic regulation. And so,
giving some thought to this is now a business registration process and whether the
Council would eventually want to—I guess if they're going to adopt
administrative rules to implement the registration process, you would want to
have some authority to adopt administrative rules.
If the County wanted to have a process by which someone who was cited could
have an administrative contest of the citation, you would need administrative rules
and an administrative process for that. And so identifying the most appropriate
department to do that, I don't want to throw the Department of Finance under the
bus but they register other vehicles. We haven't really been in the process of
regulating businesses before. Parks does some vendor regulation I think for
parks.
I was just looking at Section HRS 46-16.3, which is the authorizing State law.
And it does allow for regulation of State roads, but it also identifies that
compliance with certain Federal and State regulations emanating from Federal
parks I think, Federal or State parks. And so maybe having some conversation
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Hawaii County Council-37 May 1,2024
about what you're trying to accomplish with this bill, and then is this now a law
enforcement bill for the Police, or is it something else? I hope that answers your
questions.
MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: That is helpful. It kind of opens up a couple
doors. I'll go back to my main question. Do we need to allow the ability of
departments to create administrative rules regarding this policy specifically, or is
that granted naturally through our own laws?
MS. STRANCE: I think it should be expressly granted. I note that one of the
issues that has come up with R&D (Research and Development), when I think
Council Member Villegas presented the bill on suntan lotion, that there was no
administrative enforcement mechanism within that department. So I would,just
off the cuff, suggest yes. And since you're creating a new regulatory process, you
would want to I think at least provide for the opportunity for that.
MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Okay. Thank you very much. That's very
helpful. Thank you, Ms. Strance. Okay. Chair, for now, I yield. And just again
reminding Ms. Evans that the two roads that were on your list have been removed
if this amendment passes. I do have to say I agree with this because we need to
create process first before coming back to the roads themselves. So we want to
maybe perhaps prohibit in the future. So, at this point, I do like the direction of
the amendment brought forward by Council Member Kierkiewicz. But I do want
to make sure that the original intent of helping the community is maintained
throughout this process because they have showed up to testify at every single
hearing. So I'll be voting in support of the amendment, but look forward to
seeing that your original intent is maintained, Council Member Evans. Thank
you.
CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you, Council Member Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder. Council
Member Galimba, you haven't spoken on the issue yet, right? Go ahead. You
first and then we'll come back over here.
MS. GALIMBA: Thank you, Chair. Just quickly, I do really like where we're
going with this amendment because I also really recognize the concern that
Council Member Evans' bill is trying to address. I feel like this amendment sort
of brings it to where I think a lot of us can support it, because we just, at least for
me, felt like there needed to be a little bit more holistic approach, and also sort
of—to be honest, it has bothered me the whole time that we haven't had any of
the bicycle tour companies come in and sort of interact with us. So having a
registration perhaps drags them into a conversation with us at least on some level.
So I do like that part of this amendment, as well as creating a process.
Because although there's no question in my mind that the two roads that you list
are problematic, there is certainly there could potentially be situations where it
would not be really valid if basically some people are mad and get the ear of their
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Hawaii County Council-37 May 1,2024
Council Member, and it isn't really unsafe. So I think having those guardrails in
place to provide a broader set of opinions I think is a valid process that we could
make to make this whole issue addressed in a good way. So, look forward to
continuing to discuss. And I really commend my fellow Council Members for
this really thoughtful discussion. I yield.
CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you, Council Member Galimba. Council
Member Kagiwada.
MS. KAGIWADA: Thank you, Chair. I just have a question for
Chief Moszkowicz. I'm just wondering if you think it would be helpful to require
that these bicycle tours have some kind of way of identifying the riders in a
certain way. Because, I'm just wondering how you would choose to pull over a
group of riders and know whether they're on an unguided bicycle tour, or they're
rented bikes or they are local residents riding bikes in a small group. Like—what
was that? Okay,just wondering if it would be helpful to have a requirement for
these bicycle tours to have some kind of visual indicator that their riders were on
a bike tour.
MR. MOSZKOWICZ: Chief Ben Moszkowicz from Hawaii Police Department.
Thank you, Corporation Counsel, for your repeated reminders that I should be
saying my name before I testify. I mess it up a lot. But, yes, absolutely. That
would absolutely be very helpful. If they are required to wear some sort of—in
fact, if it's bicycles, if they are required to wear some sort of retroreflective device
that has the name of the tour company or something, that would definitely help us
with enforcement and could also promote safety at the same time.
MS. KAGIWADA: Okay, great. I think that would be a good thing for us to look
at as we go forward. I'm not sure if it would be under, for instance, this proposed
Section 6, "any business or person operating," and then a No. 6 there that might
say, "provides a description of their identifying markers for the riders," or
something like that. But I think that would be really helpful so we're also not just
like pulling over our residents to say, "Are you on a bike tour" and stuff, and
wasting our valuable time of our police officers. So that's just a friendly
suggestion. Thank you.
CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you, Council Member. Do you want to wrap up this
discussion? We have an Executive Session potentially, and we still have to get
back to Council Member Villegas's committee. So, Council Member Evans, on
the amendment.
MS. EVANS: It is a question for the Chief. You do enforce on State highways as
well as County roads. And so I'm thinking when I read this, when we ask for a
review and recommendation or a determination that a road does have certain
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Hawaii County Council-37 May 1,2024
conditions, that I do know that when I spoke to Steve Pause, he didn't want to
have that requirement. He didn't believe he could even look at public highways;
that was not under his purview.
I'm wondering if this could be easier if we just ask you, the Chief of Police, to
come up with some way to review and determine and make a recommendation if
these roads are proposed, that you actually do that and that we give it to you
exclusively. Because, sending this off to the director of transportation and asking
him to do it, we don't really have the authority as a County Council to do that.
You'd have to ask the State Legislature to probably do that. So I'm just kind of
thinking maybe just having you be the one to verify would make it a lot cleaner
and we would be working directly with your people on the roads that know those
roads, versus the Director of Public Works. So any comments?
MR. MOSZKOWICZ: Benjamin Moszkowicz, Chief of Police. I agree with you.
I mean, regardless of if Public Works wants to offer or you wanted to ask them to
offer, or want to just request DOT to offer but you can't compel them to offer,
we're definitely willing to offer whatever perspective we have from an
enforcement capacity as well as an awareness of the infrastructure.
MS. EVANS: Okay. Thank you. That's what I recommend. And to
Member Kierkiewicz, it's just something I think it'd be nice if we just had the
place to be the ones to do the review and recommendation, but there it is. I yield.
I assume, up to you, Member Kierkiewicz, if you're going to—we're going to
vote on it and move it forward and come back with an amendment, and then how
far out in the future we postpone it. I'll look to you to make a recommendation.
Thank you.
CHR. KIMBALL: Thank you, Council Member Evans. Before we go ahead with
that, I'd just like to make a couple of comments on the amendment. I agree that
this registration process was something that I was looking for as we talked about
this previously. I think we've seen in other instances where we have a penalty
program of some kind or an enforcement program and we don't have a complete
registration process that that can be problematic. I did identify the same issue
Council Member Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder did, which is there is some kind of penalty
for not registering. So I think they probably should be included in the penalties as
something that relates to a failure to register.
I'm actually of the mindset that having Police and DPW actually provide the
recommendations is a cleaner, clearer way with respect to identifying these
roadways and the language. I did like the language, though, that you had on the
purpose in that other amendment. I also liked including the schedule of the roads
in the Code itself just to make it super easy for people that are operating or
utilizing these tours to be able to just do a one-stop shop and figure out where to
check to make sure the roads are available. So that would be my
recommendation. But I think pretty much everything else has been covered. I'm
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happy to move forward with this today, understanding that we'll hold the bill
again here at first reading then come back with additional amendments at the time
that is determined to be reasonable by you two. So, unless there's no further
questions, I'd like to proceed with the vote on the amendment contained in
Communication 679.60. All those in favor, please say "aye."
Vote on Motion to The motion to amend Bill 125, Draft 2, with the contents of
Amend: Comm. 679.60 was carried by the following voice vote:
(Approved)
Ayes: Council Members Evans, Galimba, Kagiwada,
Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Lee Loy,
Villegas, and Chair Kimball—8.
Noes: None.
Absent: Council Member Inaba— 1.
Excused: None.
CHR. KIMBALL: We can return to the conversation on the main motion.
Looking for a motion to postpone to a date specific.
MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Chair, if I might?
MS. EVANS: Yes, please.
CHR. KIMBALL: Go ahead, Council Member Kierkiewicz.
MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you. I think the feedback that has been provided by
this body has been very helpful. And I have very clear guidance on the changes
that need to be made to just kind of satisfy everyone's questions around how we
would implement this. Council Member Evans, I will be working with you
because you are the introducer of this bill, and I want to make sure that we are
working in collaboration so that you're on board with everything that is evolving
with the amended language. So I'll be in touch with you, and I would be okay to
postpone further discussion on this to our May 15'h Council meeting.
Motion to Postpone: Ms. Kierkiewicz moved to postpone Bill 125, Draft 2, to
May 15, 2024. Seconded by Ms. Lee Loy.
CHR. KIMBALL: Any discussion on the postponement? Council
Member Evans.
MS. EVANS: My other comment is I know we're having budget hearings and I
know we're going to get overwhelmed, and I'm just wondering if we want to
postpone it a little bit longer only because we're entering into that time where
we're doing the special budget hearings. And so, normally, we see each other
every other week, but now I believe we're going to actually be meeting again next
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Hawaii County Council-37 May 1,2024
week, which is really cutting into time. So I'm okay with amending for a month
but that's up toI'm going to ask Member Kierkiewicz how she feels about the
fact that we're entering into the special budget hearings next week, I believe.
CHR. KIMBALL: Just to clarify, the next week is the FEMA (Federal
Emergency Management Agency) training sessions. It's already together.
Completely understand. Council Member Kierkiewicz, do you feel like two
weeks is enough time? Just thinking about our agenda. From what I'm aware of,
we've got I think we'd be okay to just squeeze this in if you think you can get
your amendments done in time.
MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Chair, very used to juggling many balls, and so, happy to
add this to the rotation and know that we can get it done in the next couple of
weeks.
CHR. KIMBALL: All right. Great. If we can't, we can always postpone again
from there. So the motion on the floor is to postpone to the 15''. All of those in
favor,please say "aye."
Vote on Motion to The motion to postpone Bill 125, Draft 2, to May 15, 2024,
Postpone: was carried by the following voice vote:
(Approved)
Ayes: Council Members Evans, Galimba, Kagiwada,
Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Lee Loy,
Villegas, and Chair Kimball—8.
Noes: None.
Absent: Council Member Inaba— 1.
Excused: None.
ORDER OF The Chair directed the Council to proceed to the next order of business, Order of
THE DAY the Day (Second or Final Reading).
(SECOND OR
FINAL READING): (Note: Items in this category were taken up previously, out of order.)
REFERRALS FOR The Chair directed the Council to proceed to the next order of business, Referrals
EXECUTIVE for Executive Session.
SESSION:
Comm. 834: LUCAS PARRISH V. COUNTY OF HAWAII, ET AL.;
CIVIL NO. 3CC181000217
From Deputy Corporation Counsel E. Britt Bailey dated April 12, 2024, requesting
an attorney-client confidential discussion to consult with the Council regarding the
above-entitled matter filed by Michael Cruise, Esquire, on behalf of his client
Lucas Parrish.
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Hawaii County Council-37 May 1,2024
Motion to Close Ms. Lee Loy moved to close file on Comm. 834. Seconded
File: by Ms. Galimba.
CHR. KIMBALL: Council Member Lee Loy.
MS. LEE LOY: I've read the background report. Happy to get us into Executive
Session if that's where we want to go.
CHR. KIMBALL: Okay. All right. Folks, we do have the option to go into
Executive Session if there is interest. So just kind of getting a sense from folks if
there's a desire to go into Executive Session on this or if folks are comfortable
with the recommendation.
MS. EVANS: Chair?
CHR. KIMBALL: Yes, Council Member Evans.
MS. EVANS: When I read it, I thought there were some questions.
CHR. KIMBALL: Okay. Council Member Lee Loy, can I ask you to make the
motion for Executive Session, please.
Vote on Motion to Ms. Lee Loy moved to enter into Executive Session in
Enter into order to hold attorney-client privilege discussion regarding
Executive Session: Communication 834, as authorized by Section 92-5(a)(4) of
(Approved) the Hawaii Revised Statutes. Seconded by Ms. Galimba
and carried by the following voice vote:
Ayes: Council Members Evans, Galimba, Kagiwada,
Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Lee Loy,
Villegas, and Chair Kimball—8.
Noes: None.
Absent: Council Member Inaba— 1.
Excused: None.
CHR. KIMBALL: We will be entering into Executive Session. Thank you,
everyone, for your patience.
Recess: At 3:11 p.m., the Chair called for a recess in order to clear the
room.
Reconvene: The meeting reconvened at 3:38 p.m.
CHR. KIMBALL: All right. Here we are. We're back out of Executive Session.
Council Member Lee Loy, if you may summarize and then make the motion on
the approval.
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Hawai`i County Council-37 May 1,2024
MS. LEE LOY: Sure, Chair. Thank you. Pursuant to Hawai`i Revised Statutes
Section 92-4 and Rules of Procedure of the Hawai`i County Council,Rule 2 and
Rule 10, Council Members explored their privileges, immunities, and liabilities as
it relates to Civil Case 3CC181000217. The motion is to accept the
recommendation of Corporation Counsel.
Vote on Motion to Ms. Lee Loy moved to concur with the recommendation of
Concur: Corporation Counsel regarding Comm. 834. Seconded by
(Approved) Ms. Kagiwada and carried by the following voice vote:
Ayes: Council Members Evans, Galimba,Kagiwada,
Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder,Kierkiewicz,Lee Loy,
Villegas, and Chair Kimball—8.
Noes: None.
Absent: Council Member Inaba— 1.
Excused: None.
Vote on Comm. 834: The motion to close file on Comm. 834 was carried by the
(Filed) following voice vote:
Ayes: Council Members Evans, Galimba,Kagiwada,
Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder,Kierkiewicz,Lee Loy,
Villegas, and Chair Kimball—8.
Noes: None.
Absent: Council Member Inaba— 1.
Excused: None.
OTHER The Chair directed the Council to proceed to the next order of business, Other
BUSINESS: Business.
(There were none.)
ADJOURN- There being no further business, Chair Kimball adjourned the meeting at 3:40 p.m.
MENT:
Council Approval: JUL 1 0 2024
CO CLE
JH/dg
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