HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP GOEAC 012 2025-01-07 2024-2026• '1' i 1 1
DATE: January 7, 2025 Re: Comm. No. 71/Res. No. 49-25
PLACE: Council Chambers
Hilo, Hawaii
TIME: 9:01 a.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Your Committee on Governmental Operations and External Affairs, to which was referred
Resolution No. 49-25, reports as follows:
Resolution No. 49-25, transmitted by Director of Finance Diane Nakagawa via Communication
No. 71, dated December 18, 2024, authorizes the continued employment of Schlack Ito, a limited
liability law company, as Special Counsel to continue to represent the County of Hawaii in Hui
Malama Honok6hau versus County of Hawaii, Civil No. 1:23-CV-00393.
Resolution No. 49-25 extends the retention of Special Counsel Services with additional
compensation of $300,000 and total compensation not to exceed $500,000.
Deputy Corporation Counsel Lerisa Heroldt was in attendance in Council Chambers to give an
update on this resolution. Ms. Heroldt explained that last year Council authorized $200,000 to fund
the Special Counsel contract with Schiack Ito to negotiate with Hui Malama Honok6hau regarding
the litigation surrounding the wastewater treatment plant in Kailua-Kona. They have settled the
liability phase and are now working on settlement discussions regarding the second phase, which
focuses on remedies and penalties. This resolution is to request the additional funds necessary to
continue and hopefully resolve this legislation.
Executive session was suggested to answer Committee Member Dennis "Fresh" Onishi's more
detailed questions regarding the case. It was agreed upon that executive session could wait until this
resolution was heard again at Council.
Your Committee on Governmental Operations and External Affairs is in accord with the purpose
and intent of Resolution No. 49-25, and recommends its adoption.
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Respectfully submitted,
COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL
OPERATIONS AND
EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
JETYN i.0CHAIR
GOEAC .O.
ADOPTED: �. ` 1 ; 5