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DATE: May 20, 2025 <br />PLACE: Council Chambers <br />Hilo, Hawai `i <br />TIME: 9:00 a.m. <br />Council Chair and Members <br />Hawaii County Council <br />Hilo, Hawaii 96720 <br />REPORT OF THE <br />COMMITTEE ON FINANCE <br />Re: Comm. No. 290/Res. No. 181-25 <br />Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred Resolution No. 181-25, reports as follows: <br />Resolution No. 181-25, transmitted by Finance Director Diane Nakagawa via Communication <br />No. 290, dated May 2, 2025, authorizes the Mayor to enter into an agreement with the University of <br />Hawaii Office of Research Services. <br />This resolution allows the County to provide a $125,000 grant to the Pacific Aquaculture and Coastal <br />Resource Center for permits and preliminary research to develop an aquaculture project in Hilo Bay. <br />Research and Development Deputy Dennis Lin, Economic Development Specialist Glenn Sako, Waiwai <br />Ola Waterkeepers Representative Rhiannon Chandler-`Iao, and Pacific Aquaculture and Coastal <br />Resource Center President and Professor of Aquaculture at the University of Hilo, Dr. Maria Haws, <br />were present. <br />Committee Member Jenn Kagiwada spoke in support of this matter and asked for a collaboration <br />between the Pacific Agricultural and Coastal Resource Center and Hilo Bay Watershed Project. <br />Committee Member Ashley L. Kierkiewicz also spoke in support of this and asked Ms. Chandler to <br />provide some background on their role for this project. Ms. Chandler shared that due to COVID-19 she <br />no longer operates Waiwai Ola Waterkeepers, but she works with Dr. Haws and explained that through <br />their work there is the potential for the restoration of the waters of Hilo bay through its limu and <br />shellfish. <br />Committee Member Dennis "Fresh" Onishi asked if this was the same project that came before the <br />committee years ago. Dr. Haws confirmed that it was and explained it was due to the loss of funding. <br />Your Committee on Finance is in accord with the purpose and intent of Resolution No. 181-25, and <br />recommends its adoption. <br />Ikh <br />AYES <br />NOES <br />ABS <br />EX <br />GALIMBA <br />X <br />HUSTACE <br />X <br />INABA <br />X <br />KAGIWADA <br />X <br />KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER <br />X <br />KIERKIEWICZ <br />X <br />KIMBALL <br />X <br />ONISHI <br />X <br />VILLEGAS <br />X <br />Respectfully submitted, <br />COMMITTEE ON FINANCE <br />`I-KLEINFELDER, <br />FC REPORT NO.: 51 <br />ADOPTED: JUN ® 4 2025 <br />