HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP FC 070 2025-06-18 2024-2026REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
DATE: June 17, 2025 Re: Comm. No. 338/Res. No. 217-25
PLACE: Council Chambers
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
TIME: 1:00 P.M.
Council Chair and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred Resolution No. 217-25, reports as follows:
Resolution No. 217-25, transmitted by Finance Director Diane Nakagawa via Communication
No. 338, dated May 28, 2025, authorizes indemnification of former employees of the County who are
named as individual defendants in the lawsuit known as Josephine T. W. Bishop, et al v. County of
Hawaii et al. against all damages assessed therein and making other findings in accordance with
Section 2-188 of the Hawaii County Code.
This resolution provides indemnification for former Hawaii Police Department police officers
Justin Gaspar and Chad Taniyama for an incident that occurred on or around March 10, 2023.
Deputy Corporation Counsel Mark Disher was in attendance and provided a limited background on
this matter as this case is ongoing.
Committee Chair Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder asked Mr. Disher if there was anything the committee
should not discuss or ask as this is an ongoing case. Mr. Disher replied that he was unsure.
Committee Member Holeka Goro Inaba questioned why the committee has been seeing these resolutions
to indemnify County workers and there have been no claims to do so in previous years. Mr. Disher
explained that it was also a first for him and it may be due to the timing as the indemnifications must
happen before trial. Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder added that they have seen many cases before them.
Mr. Disher replied that litigations have been heavier.
Your Committee on Finance is in accord with the purpose and intent of Resolution No. 217-25, and
recommends its adoption.
iuh
AYES
NOES
ABS
EX
GALIMBA
X
HUSTACE
X
INABA
X
KAGIWADA
X
KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER
X
KIERKIEWICZ
X
KIMBALL
X
ONISHI
X
V ILLEGAS
X
Respectfully submitted,
COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
MATT KANEAL - EINFELDER,
CHAIR
FC REPORT NO.: 70
ADOPTED: JUL 0 9 2025