HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP GOEAC 043 2025-05-20 2024-2026REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON
GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
DATE: May 20, 2025 Re: Comm. No. 297/Res. No. 185-25
PLACE: Council Chambers
Hilo, Hawaii
TIME: 1:01 P.M.
Council Chair and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Your Committee on Governmental Operations and External Affairs, to which was referred
Resolution No. 185-25, reports as follows:
Resolution No. 185-25, transmitted by Director of Finance Diane Nakagawa via
Communication No. 297, dated May 2, 2025, authorizes the continued employment of Leong
Kunihiro Brooke & Kim, as special counsel to represent the County of Hawaii, Department of
Human Resources, Workers' Compensation Division.
Resolution No. 185-25 extends the retention of Special Counsel Services with additional
compensation of $120,000 and total compensation not to exceed $420,000.
Director of Human Resources Sommer Tokihiro, Workers' Compensation Specialist Corinne
Sato, Assistant Corporation Counsel J Yoshimoto, and Reid Sewake from the Department of
Finance were present in the Hilo Chambers to discuss Resolution No. 185-25. Ms. Tokihiro
explained that the County currently has a three-year contract with Leong Kunihiro Brooke &
Kim for defense counsel services for workers' compensation cases, as this is a specialized area
that they cannot fulfil this need within their office. When the funds were originally allocated for
this contract it was based on their prior rates, which hadn't been adjusted in eight years.
However, in their recent contract their rates had increased. They have reached the end of their
allocated funds and the current contract goes through September, therefore the additional funds
are needed to make-up the funding difference through the completion of this contract. In
September they will be going through the professional services process to evaluate a new
contract.
Committee Member Dennis "Fresh" Onishi asked several questions around the extension of the
funds and the amounts expected, including how the contracts are awarded. Ms. Tokihiro
explained the process that professional services engages in to evaluate and execute a new
contract. She said that she believes that the last time they went through this process there were
three entities on the professional services list, but she was not certain if the firm chosen was the
lowest cost option on the list. Ms. Tokihiro said that there are a variety of criteria that are
considered before negotiating a contract. Mr. Yoshimoto echoed this explanation and expanded
that while cost is a consideration, it isn't always the deciding factor. Ms. Tokihiro said that
GOEAC Report No. 43
GOEAC-43 Page 2 May 20, 2025
while she can't say how they compare cost wise, she can reassure Council Members that they
have done a good job and that her Department has been happy with the results.
As Member Onishi had additional concerns, Mr. Sewake added that during the professional
services process they would have been selected on qualifications and then the contract would
have been negotiated upon. Member Onishi requested follow-up information on how many
qualified firms were considered and what were the different levels of the bids. Mr. Sewake said
he would follow-up.
Your Committee on Governmental Operations and External Affairs is in accord with the purpose
and intent of Resolution No. 185-25, and recommends its adoption.
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
OPERATIONS AND
EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
JENN KAdIWJHA, CHAIR
GOEAC REPORT NO.: 43
ADOPTED: JUN 1 8 2025