REP GOEAC 025 2025-02-18 2024-2026

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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. 137 Your Committee on Governmental Operations and External Affairs, to which was referred Communication No. 137, reports as follows: Communication No. 137, transmitted by Mayor C. Kimo Alameda, dated January 29, 2025, requests the Council's review and confirmation of Bruce Heidenfeldt to the Banyan Drive Hawaii Redevelopment Agency. Executive Assistant to the Mayor Micah Alameda was present in the Kona Chambers to introduce Mr. Heidenfeldt, who was also present in the Kona Chambers, to the Committee. Committee Member Dennis "Fresh" Onishi mentioned the importance of someone serving on this Agency who has direct experience living in that area. He stated that it is important to relocate the homeless population, as it is not beneficial to the economy to mix the unhoused with tourism. Member Onishi stated that while he likes the idea of the County taking over the management, he is not sure that there are enough County personnel to responsibly manage that area and instead recommended that the Hawaii Community Development Authority take over responsibility. Member Onishi said that he thinks some of the issues Mr. Heidenfeldt's uncle is encountering could be a disagreement between personalities at the Department of Land and Natural Resources as he does not understand why else he would not be granted a longer lease and would only be able to renew month -to -month. Committee Member Ashley Kierkiewicz began by asking Mr. Heidenfeldt to share his vision for the Banyan Drive area. Mr. Heidenfeldt said that he would like to see the area cleaned up to accommodate food trucks, as well as a Hawaiian Cultural Center for hula and other cultural activities for tourists, possibly constructed on top of the golf course. Member Kierkiewicz mentioned that House Bill 818 is going through the State right now, which would transfer the authority of Banyan Drive Peninsula from the Department of Land and Natural Resources to the Hawaii Community Development Authority. She encouraged Mr. Heidenfeldt to follow along with this legislation and submit testimony in support. Member Kierkiewicz additionally shared that Performance -Based Regulation Framework Hawaii and Associates Inc. conducted the Waiakea Peninsula Market and Site Plan in 2024, and she recommended that Mr. Heidenfeldt use that document as a frame of reference to engage with other Agency members. Committee Member Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder asked Corporation Counsel Renee Schoen if there is a potential conflict of interest considering that Mr. Heidenfeldt lives on Banyan Drive and that his uncle owns Reeds Bay Hotel. Ms. Schoen said that to determine that she would need to review further the type of actions that the Agency would have on their agenda. She said that if he had a direct financial GOEAC Report No. 25