HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP GOEAC 003 2025-01-07 2024-2026REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON
GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
DATE: January 7, 2025
PLACE: Council Chambers
Hilo, Hawaii
TIME: 9:01 a.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Re: Comm. No. 47
Your Committee on Governmental Operations and External Affairs, to which was referred
Communication No. 47, reports as follows:
Communication No. 47, transmitted by Mayor C. Kimo Alameda, dated December 9, 2024,
requests the Council's review and confirmation of Clayton Honma as Director of Parks and
Recreation.
Mayor Alameda was present in the Hilo Chambers to introduce Mr. Honma, who was also
present in the Hilo Chambers, to the Committee.
Committee Member Ashley Kierkiewicz asked Mr. Honma what his top three priorities are.
Mr. Honma responded that he is trying to get specific projects done in each district with Council
Members' and the Mayor's input to provide safe services, including needed repairs. Secondly,
the priority is hiring new employees, specifically lifeguards at pools. His third priority is
providing additional recreational activities and transportation opportunities for kupuna.
Member Kierkiewicz asked what his approach would be to get County parks in areas that still
don't have them. Mr. Honma restated that he wants to work with each Council district to
prioritize which areas still need parks or help in those areas.
Committee Members Rebecca Villegas and Holeka Inaba mentioned improvements to the Old
Airport Park as a priority for Kona.
Committee Member Dennis "Fresh" Onishi recommended that the department increase its repair
and maintenance budget times five and increase the elderly budget and transportation budget. He
also asked about supporting the Summer Fun Program to help support working families with
childcare during the summer break.
Mr. Honma said that staffing is a concern, but they will be looking to explore other avenues to
find proper staff for the Summer Fun Program.
Committee Member Michelle Galimba asked for any updates or ideas on how to get some of the
permitting approved for some of the projects in parks in her district. Mr. Honma said the
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conversation has already begun with the other Department Heads and that they are trying to
figure out a way to prioritize and accomplish these projects.
Committee Member Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder noted that our last Administration undertook
creating an inventory of how many facilities we have in the Department of Parks and Recreation.
He agreed with Member Onishi regarding the necessity to make sure we maintain what we
currently have, and that repair and maintenance should be the focus.
Committee Chair Jenn Kagiwada mentioned that the Hilo Skate Park has been waiting for a long
time and the funding is already there and wanted to get an assurance that it is on the department's
priority list. Mr. Houma mentioned that having the State's support is helpful to get these projects
complete, but that he needs to look at all the priorities for all the districts.
Chair Kagiwada suggested that Mr. Houma could investigate a Memorandum of Agreement with
the Department of Education to allow the community to have access to school playgrounds
during the weekends or holidays, especially for communities that don't have County parks in
their area. Mr. Houma said he agreed with this idea and that in the past they've had challenges in
utilizing some school gyms for other uses, but that they have been able to use them for
emergency shelters.
Pursuant to Article VI, Chapter 3, Section 6-3.2 of the Hawaii County Charter, the Director of
Parks and Recreation is appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the Council.
Your Committee on Governmental Operations and External Affairs is in accord with the purpose
and intent of Communication No. 47, and recommends confirmation of the appointment of
Clayton Honma as Director of Parks and Recreation.
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AYES
NOES
ABS
EX
GALIMBA
X
HUSTACE
X
INABA
X
KAGIWADA
X
KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER
X
KIERKIEWICZ
X
KIMBALL
X
ONISHI
X
VILLEGAS
X
Respectfully submitted,
COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL
OPERATIONS AND
EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
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