HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN LAAC 2025/02/18 (2024-2026)Committee on Legislative Approvals and Acquisitions
41h Session
West Hawaii Civic Center
74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway, Building A
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
February 18, 2025
CALL TO The regular meeting of the Committee on Legislative Approvals and Acquisitions
ORDER: was called to order at 1:02 p.m., in the Council Chambers, Kailua-Kona, by
Mr. Dennis "Fresh" Onishi, Acting Chair.
ROLL CALL:
Present:
STATEMENTS
FROM THE
PUBLIC ON
AGENDA ITEMS:
Mr. Dennis "Fresh" Onishi, Vice Chair
Mr. James E. Hustace, Member
Ms. Michelle M. Galimba, Member (came in later)
Mr. Holeka Goro Inaba, Member
Ms. Jenn Kagiwada, Member (came in later)
Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Member
Ms. Ashley L. Kierkiewicz, Member
Ms. Heather L. Kimball, Chair (via videoconference from Hilo)
Ms. Rebecca Villegas, Member
The Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business,
Statements from the Public on Agenda Items.
The following individual registered to speak and came forward when called by
the Chair:
Bob Williams:
(representing Hawaii Island Veterans
Memorial, Inc.)
Res. 75-25 (Comm. 126), in support.
ORDER OF The Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business,
RESOLUTIONS: Order of Resolutions.
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February 18,2025
Res. 75-25: AUTHORIZES THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE TO NEGOTIATE A LEASE OF
REAL PROPERTY, SITUATED AT WAIAKEA, SOUTH HILO, COUNTY }
AND STATE OF HAWAI`I, IDENTIFIED AS TAX MAP KEYS: 2-4-057:029
AND 2-4-057:031, TO THE HAWAI`I ISLAND VETERANS MEMORIAL, INC.
Allows the Hawaii Island Veterans Memorial, Inc., to continue to lease the parcels
to construct and develop a veterans center and veteran housing.
Reference: Comm.126
Imr. by: Council Member Kimball (B/R)
(Note: Comm. 126.1, from Council Member Holeka Inaba dated
February 14, 2025, transmitting the 2006 Final Environmental Assessment from
Bob Williams, was circulated.)
Motion to Approve: Ms. Kimball moved to recommend adoption of
Res. 75-25. Seconded by Ms. Kagiwada.
ACTING CHR. ONISHI: Ms. Kimball.
MS. KIMBALL: Yes. Thank you, Chair. I wanted to invite our Property
Manager Hamana Ventura, who I believe is there in the Kona Chambers, to share
a little bit about this lease agreement. And if there are further questions for
Mr. (Bob) Williams or Mr. (Joe) Kamelamela, they are here in the Hilo Chambers
to answer any questions from the side of the HIVM (Hawai`i Island Veterans
Memorial, Inc.) organization.
ACTING CHR. ONISHI: Okay. Great. Hamana.
(Note: At this time, Property Manager Hamana Ventura and Hawaii
Island Veterans Memorial Representative Bob Williams came forward to
address the members of the Committee.)
MR. VENTURA: Aloha, Chair and Members of the Committee.
Hamana Ventura, Property Manager. Just to get a little context, we've been
going, as Bob said, it's been going on for twenty years or so; ten of them I've
been involved on and off. And so, the fruits of their labor were a0000000000ble
to secure the housing and we're asking for support for the next phase that they're
about to embark on. We're just asking for a favorable recommendation. If we
can answer any questions in addition to HIVM, we're here to answer.
ACTING CHR. ONISHI: Okay. Thank you. Members? Mr. Kaneali`i-
Kleinfelder.
MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you. Hamana, thank you for being
here today. And then to the testifier, Mr. Williams, I mean you've been in front
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LAAC-4 February 18, 2025
of this Council over the last two to four years and I really do appreciate your
tenacity in getting this project moving, done, and actually housing people. And
the stats that you gave earlier; 100 percent of the folks in your project are from
here and you're hitting 80 percent AMI (Area Median Income) and you're just
touching all the aspects of what we shoot for in projects. So, I just really
appreciate you. And thank you too, Mr. Ventura, for helping get this done and
crossing the finish line. And I look forward to seeing what's next.
MR. WILLIAMS: Thank you.
ACTING CHR. ONISHI: Mr. Inaba.
MR. INABA: Thank you. What has the annual lease been on this?
MR. VENTURA: One dollar per year.
MR. INABA: Alright. Perfect. Thank you.
ACTING CHR. ONISHI: Anyone else? Ms. Kimball.
MS'. KIMBALL: No. I just want to also join Council Member Kdneali`i-
Kleinfelder in thanking Mr. Williams and Mr. Kamelamela for all their hard work
on this. And it is excellent to see this housing provided for our residents,
particularly our veteran residents, and I just encourage everybody to support this
moving forward for this important asset to our community. Thank you, Chair.
MR. WILLIAMS: Aloha, Council Members. We greatly appreciate your
support.
ACTING CHR. ONISHI: Ms. Kagiwada? Okay. Hearing or seeing none, all
those in favor of approving Resolution 75-25 and moving forward to the Council
with a positive recommendation, please say "aye."
Vote on Res. 75-25: The motion to recommend adoption of Res. 75-25 was
(Approved) carried by the following voice vote:
Ayes: Committee Members Galimba, Hustace, Inaba,
Kagiwada, Kdneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz,
Kimball, Villegas, and Acting Chair Onishi — 9.
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Excused: None.
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ADJOURN-
MENT:
Approved:
February 18,2025
There being no further business, Chair Kimball adjourned the meeting
at 1:10 p.m.
ACTING CHR. ONISHI: Thank you.
s. Heather L. Kimbalj� Chair
Legislative Approvals and Acquisitions Committee
HI/tk
(Date)
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