HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP PCHSW 013 2024/07/09 (2022-2024) REPORT OF THE POLICY
COMMITTEE ON HEALTH,
SAFETY,AND WELL-BEING
DATE: July 9, 2024 Re: Comm.No. 916/Res.No. 547-24
PLACE: Council Chambers
Hilo, Hawai`i
TIME: 11:00 a.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawai`i County Council
Hilo, Hawai`i 96720
Your Policy Committee on Health, Safety, and Well-being,to which was referred Resolution
No. 547-24,reports as follows:
Resolution No. 547-24,transmitted by the Parks and Recreation Director Maurice C. Messina via
Communication No. 916, dated June 3, 2024, approves the County of Hawai`i Department of
Parks and Recreation 2024 Title VI Plan pursuant to the Federal Transit Administration Title VI
Circular 4702.1B Requirements and Guidelines.
The adoption of this plan fulfills federal requirements to ensure that the department provides
public transit service in conformance with Title VI legislation, which prohibits discrimination
based on race, color, or national origin.
Director Messina explained that this updated plan covers the program they provide for elderly
transportation services. Some of the vans are purchased using federal funds and that requires an
up-to-date Title VI plan regarding discrimination and that their department will not discriminate
against anyone.
Committee Member Cindy Evans said that she noticed that the plan states that complaints must be
in writing and inquired if they get complaints. Director Messina said that yes, as with any
organization servicing such a large number(between 13,000 to 15,000 people participate in their
programs) of individuals there are complaints and they do their best to address them, even if they
do not want to put their name to it.
Committee Chair Jenn Kagiwada asked about the process to change or discontinue a route and how
the decisions are made and how the public is informed. Director Messina said that usually the
individuals who use the services or their caregiver or family member is who needs to be informed
and that they always provide plenty of notice directly. But if it's a last-minute change due to
someone being out sick,they will make a phone call to inform them.
Director Messina highlighted that addressing issues that they hear about as soon as they hear about
them is the goal and that they have a good elderly activities division.
PCHSW Report No. 13
PCHSW-13 Page 2 July 9,2024
Your Policy Committee on Health, Safety, and Well-being is in accord with the purpose and intent
of Resolution No. 547-24, and recommends its adoption.
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AYES NOES ABS EX Respectfully submitted,
EVANS X
GALIMBA x POLICY COMMITTEE ON HEALTH,
INABA x SAFETY,AND WELL-BEING
KAGIWADA X
KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER X
KIERKIEWICZ Xili
KIMBALL X JE`` t
A, CHAIR
LEE LOY X PCHSW REPORT NO.: 13
VILLEGAS X ADOPTED: JUL 2 4 2024