HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP GOEAC 024 2025-02-18 2024-2026 Hawaii County Council-8 March 7,2025
GOEAC-22 RENOMINATION OF BRIAN A. CUSHNIE TO THE FIRE COMMISSION
(Comm. 134):
Requires Council
Confirmation by: March 14, 2025 (Section 13-4(k),
Hawaii County Charter)
CONFIRMED:
Ayes: Council Members Galimba, Hustace, Kagiwada,
Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Onishi, and Chair Inaba—7.
Noes: None.
Absent: Council Members Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder
and Villegas —2.
Excused: None.
GOEAC-23 NOMINATION OF DANIEL THOMAS TO THE MERIT APPEALS BOARD
(Comm. 135):
Requires Council
Confirmation by: March 14, 2025 (Section 13-4(k),
Hawaii County Charter)
CONFIRMED:
Ayes: Council Members Galimba, Hustace, Kagiwada,
Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Onishi, and Chair Inaba—7.
Noes: None.
Absent: Council Members Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder
and Villegas —2.
Excused: None.
GOEAC-24 NOMINATION OF CHRIS K. TOAFILI TO THE LEEWARD PLANNING
(Comm. 136): COMMISSION
Requires Council
Confirmation by: March 14, 2025 (Section 13-4(k),
Hawaii County Charter)
FAILED:
Ayes: Council Members Hustace, Kierkiewicz, Onishi,
and Chair Inaba—4.
Noes: Council Members Galimba, Kagiwada,
and Kimball —3.
Absent: Council Members Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder
and Villegas —2.
Excused: None.
Page 3
REPORT 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. 136
Your Committee on Governmental Operations and External Affairs, to which was referred
Communication No. 136, reports as follows:
Communication No. 136, transmitted by Mayor C. Kimo Alameda, dated January 29, 2025, requests
the Council's review and confirmation of Chris K. Toafili to the Leeward Planning Commission.
Executive Assistant to the Mayor Micah Alameda was present in the Kona Chambers to introduce
Mr. Toafili, who was also present in the Kona Chambers, to the Committee. Executive Assistant
Alameda highlighted that Mr. Toafili understands the importance of attending the meetings for
quorum and pledges to show up to the scheduled meetings.
Committee Member Michelle Galimba asked Mr. Toafili what his views are around land planning.
Mr. Toafili said he wants to listen to the diverse views of the public and help bridge the gap between
public concerns around the General Plan. Member Galimba mentioned that the Planning Commissions
have been receiving a large amount of testimony from a particular group of testifiers regarding the
General Plan and asked what his views were on that. Mr. Toafili said that it seems like the public feels
that they aren't being heard regarding zoning changes and that they aren't receiving enough education
or time to understand the changes being made. Member Galimba asked if he had any hands-on
experience in building and going through the permitting process. Mr. Toafili said that yes, he
encountered issues when building on Department of Hawaiian Homelands when he was told the
County didn't have jurisdiction over the permits for that area.
Committee Member Rebecca Villegas highlighted the importance that Mr. Toafili understand that the
Council relies on a level of scrutiny on issues that come from the Planning Commission before they
comes to Council. She also mentioned that her concerns around the climate change deniers and
conspiracy theorists who have been showing up to the Planning Commission meetings and dominating
the discussion and encouraged him to listen but have the courage to say no to those things that do harm
to our community.
Committee Members Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder and James Hustace spoke in favor of the
appointment.
GOEAC Report No. 24
GOEAC-24 Page 2 February 18, 2025
Pursuant to Article VI, Chapter 7, Section 6-7.4 of the Hawaii County Charter, members of the
Leeward Planning Commission 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. 136, and recommends confirmation of the appointment of
Chris K. Toafili to the Leeward Planning Commission.
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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
JE GI AD , CHAIR
GOEAC REPORT NO.: 24
ADOPTED: