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HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP GOEAC 025 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. 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 GOEAC-25 Page 2 February 18, 2025 interest in an item that he was acting on within his duties on the Agency, then yes, that would be a potential conflict of interest. Member Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder asked Ms. Schoen to please look into it further and she additionally offered that her office could help Mr. Heidenfeldt address potential conflicts of interest if he was confirmed and those conflicts did arise. Member Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder stated that he has friends who do utilize the golf course. He also said that his family helps organize a community Christmas Lights event in Lili`uokalani Park every year during the holidays. Member Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder said he had concerns about the peninsula potentially being under water in future years due to the concerns of climate change and that would be important to look at before investing further in the infrastructure. Mr. Heidenfeldt disagreed with that concern and said that the concerns about the rising tide were brought up about a decade ago and that is not an issue unless there is high surf on the east facing shores. He said there is a long trench that drains the water on the north side of the hotels when there is excess water on Banyan Drive. Member Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder asked what Mr. Heidenfeldt thought about gambling being legalized in the Waiakea Peninsula. Mr. Heidenfeldt said he was not in support of that proposal. Member Onishi clarified that the purpose of this Agency is to give advice and ideas on the future and vision of Banyan Drive and provide recommendations. Mr. Alameda agreed with that assessment. Member Onishi also brought up that when Michael Yee was the Director of Planning, Mr. Yee had suggested that both the State and County were to split the cost of an Environmental Impact Study to determine what the next steps should be for that area. Committee Member Holeka Inaba asked that before the next hearing Corporation Counsel revisit the State's statues regarding the scope of the Agency. Committee Chair Jenn Kagiwada mentioned that the Agency work with not only the Friends of Banyan Drive in maintenance of the banyan trees, but also the East Hawaii Outdoor Circle. Pursuant to Chapter 53-2 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes, members of a County redevelopment agency 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. 137, and recommends confirmation of the appointment of Bruce Heidenfeldt to the Banyan Drive Hawaii Redevelopment Agency. slm 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• REPORT121 GOEAC ADOPTED: "H 0 7 20