HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP GOEAC 021 2025-02-18 2024-2026REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON
GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
DATE: February 18, 2025
PLACE: Council Chambers
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
TIME: 9:19 a.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Re: Comm. No. 133
Your Committee on Governmental Operations and External Affairs, to which was referred
Communication No. 133, reports as follows:
Communication No. 133, transmitted by Mayor C. Kimo Alameda, dated January 29, 2025, requests
the Council's review and confirmation of Philip "Ippy" Aiona to the Water Board.
Executive Assistant to the Mayor Micah Alameda was present in the Kona Chambers to introduce
Mr. Aiona, who was also present in the Kona Chambers, to the Committee.
Committee Member Rebecca Villegas requested that Mr. Aiona follow up on the status of the Water
Use Development Plan which is a decade overdue. She also mentioned that a map of the island
showing the location of aquifers with sustainable yield and water credit data attached to them would
be a valuable asset for the County of Hawaii to create and maintain.
Committee Member Dennis "Fresh" Onishi expressed a hope that Mr. Aiona could bring ideas outside
of the box to this Board to help update and improve our water infrastructure.
Committee Member Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder asked Mr. Aiona to explain his understanding of what
the duties and functions are of the Water Board. Mr. Aiona said that he is willing to learn as he goes
along and that it includes reviews of operating budgets and helping address island -wide issues.
Member Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder said it is important that those on the Water Board be thinking not just
about current budget and rates but about long-term development and farming and how all of those
things require water and where that water is coming from.
Member Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder said that there was a recent audit that discovered a substantial
accounting error that showed that expenses were actually revenue. Mr. Aiona said he was aware of
that. Member Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder said that those funds could be invested in various ways that could
benefit our community.
Committee Member Ashley Kierkiewicz highlighted that the Department of Water Supply is a
semi -autonomous department and that the "buck stops" with the Water Board. Member Kierkiewicz
said she does not fully agree with the current stance of Water Supply regarding how they maintain the
current system and encouraged Mr. Aiona to discuss this with his fellow Board members and
Department leadership moving forward. She also mentioned the Water Use Development Plan that
was adopted in 2010 and also urged him to help figure out a way to get that update completed.
GOEAC Report No. 21
GOEAC-21 Page 2 February 19, 2025
Member Kierkiewicz suggested looking into youth internships or apprenticeships to pursue careers in
engineering. Member Kierkiewicz added that she wasn't aware of what conversations had already
occurred between the Department of Hawaiian Homelands (DHHL) and Water Supply. Moving
forward she wanted to suggest that they discuss how they can collaborate, especially with the influx of
recent State funding to DHHL to help create water infrastructure to those communities still without
water access and possibly even including hook-ups to neighboring communities.
Committee Members James Hustace, Rebecca Villegas, Dennis "Fresh" Onishi, and Ashley
Kierkiewicz spoke in favor of the appointment.
Pursuant to Article VIII, Section 8-2 of the Hawaii County Charter, members of the Water Board
shall be 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. 133, and recommends confirmation of the appointment of
Philip "Ippy" Aiona to the Water Board.
sim
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
EXTERNAL•
jANkAf . D. CHAIR
GOEAC REPIENO
ADOPTED:1