HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP GOEAC 030 2025-04-01 2024-2026REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON
GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
DATE: April 1, 2025 Re: Comm. No. 200
PLACE: Council Chambers
Hilo, Hawaii
TIME: 9:01 a.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Your Committee on Governmental Operations and External Affairs, to which was referred Communication
No. 200, reports as follows:
Communication No. 200, transmitted by Mayor C. Kimo Alameda, dated March 12, 2025, requests the
Council's review and confirmation of the nomination of Rebecca Kawehi Inaba to the Leeward Planning
Commission.
Executive Assistant to the Mayor Micah Alameda was present in the Hilo Chambers to introduce
Ms. Inaba, who was also present in the Hilo Chambers, to the Committee.
Committee Member Holeka Inaba disclosed that he had already discussed the circumstances with Corporation
Counsel and recused himself from the conversation as the nominee is his mother.
Committee Member Rebecca Villegas asked Corporation Counsel Renee Schoen if she would address any
potential conflicts of interest regarding appointment of Ms. Inaba into this position considering that her son is a
Council Member. Ms. Schoen said that she reviewed this nomination and while there are recommendations
that come from the Planning Commissions to the Council Members, the recommendations come from a body
that is one of seven and the Council is one of nine. She additionally shared that Member Inaba had filed a
petition with the Board of Ethics to address any other possible conflicts of interest. Member Villegas stated
that she will be supporting this appointment.
Committee Member Michelle Galimba stated that while there is no law against this appointment, she has
concerns and is hearing concerns from others around this appointment regarding concentrating power and
setting this precedent, and she feels that she cannot support this nomination.
Committee Member Heather Kimball said she would be in support of this appointee for any other commission
but due to the relationship between the Planning Commissions and Council regarding controversial land use
decisions, she is worried that the potential liability may be too great. Member Kimball suggested holding a
special meeting after the Board of Ethics provides its opinion and recommendations on this nominee first.
Committee Member Ashley Kierkiewicz said she would support this nomination as she believes there are
sufficient guardrails in place to protect the integrity of the decision -making process within the Commissions
and Legislative branch. She added that these discussions occur in the public arena, and she trusts that this will
be enough to address potential concerns.
Committee Member Dennis "Fresh" Onishi asked what her thoughts are regarding DHHL (Department of
Hawaiian Home Lands) properties being awarded to beneficiaries that are not being subdivided. Ms. Inaba said
that she was not sure what she would do, but that she would take her time and research why that is being done
and what the background is and that she would use the tools available to understand the situation to make an
informed decision.
GOEAC Report No. 30
GOEAC-30 Page 2 April 1, 2025
Committee Member James Hustace asked Ms. Schoen if she was able to give examples of when one of them
may have to recuse themselves from decision -making. Ms. Schoen said potential recusals would be necessary
if Ms. Inaba had a personal benefit or property that was coming before the Planning Commission.
Committee Member Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder asked the nominee to describe her long-term vision for
development in her area. Ms. Inaba said it needs to be thoughtful and regarding what responsible development
looks like. She said that by using the tools available, including the General Plan and Community Development
Plans, she can understand what the community vision is for the area. She said that balance is important.
Member Kimball asked Ms. Inaba that if she was told there was a conflict by the Board of Ethics, would she
remove herself from the Commission. Ms. Inaba said yes. Member Kimball stated that she would be adding
her own petition to the Board of Ethics to get clarity on what guardrails, if any, are needed.
Member Villegas asked if all the information from the Planning Commission and Council is public.
Ms. Schoen stated that yes, all is public, with the exception of some confidential information and executive
sessions.
Member Galimba asked a hypothetical question regarding whether a Council Member put forth legislation that
needed to be reviewed by the Planning Commission, if that would be a situation in which the Commissioner
may need to recuse themselves. Ms. Schoen said that this may be a situation in which recusal might be
necessary, but that she cannot picture specific legislation that may cause such a conflict.
Committee Chair Jenn Kagiwada pointed out how the issue of ethics lies not only with an actual conflict of
interest but with the perception of a conflict of interest. She stated how uncomfortable the entire topic was to
discuss with Council Chair Inaba present in the room, as Committee Members discuss her nomination, due to
the discretion he has over funds and procedure. Chair Kagiwada asked the Administration to weigh in on the
timing of this nomination as she would be in support after her son was no longer serving as Council Chair.
Mr. Alameda stated that the Administration thinks that this candidate is the most capable and qualified
nominee for this position.
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. 200, and recommends confirmation of the appointment of
Rebecca Kawehi Inaba to the Leeward Planning Commission.
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•
. �. CHAIR
GOEAC REPORTNO.: 1
• O `*R 1 6 2025