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REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON <br />GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS <br />DATE: June 17, 2025 <br />PLACE: Council Chambers <br />Kailua-Kona, Hawaii <br />TIME: 9:00 a.m. <br />Council Chair and Members <br />Hawaii County Council <br />Hilo, Hawaii 96720 <br />Re: Comm. No. 351 <br />Your Committee on Governmental Operations and External Affairs, to which was referred <br />Communication No. 351, reports as follows: <br />Communication No. 351, transmitted by Mayor C. Kimo Alameda, dated May 29, 2025, <br />requests the Council's review and confirmation of the nomination of Raymond J. Kirchner to <br />the Kona Community Development Plan Action Committee. <br />Executive Assistant to the Mayor Micah Alameda was present in the Kona Chambers to <br />introduce Mr. Kirchner, who was also present in the Kona Chambers, to the Committee. <br />Committee Member Dennis "Fresh" Onishi asked Mr. Kirchner what his thoughts are on the <br />process regarding the review that his committee would do before a project arrives before the <br />Council in their Committee, especially when the entities end up in disagreement. Mr. Kirchner <br />said that the Kona Community Development Plan Action Committee is advisory and expects <br />that there won't always be agreement between Council and Kona Community Development <br />Plan Action Committee members and that ultimately the decision will be at the discretion of the <br />Council Members. <br />Committee Chair Jenn Kagiwada asked Mr. Kirchner to discuss his thoughts on housing options <br />and needs in Kona. Mr. Kirchner stated that in the 30 years he has lived in Kona he has <br />witnessed the population expand from 90,000 to 200,000 people and that he doesn't think that <br />growth will be stopping. He said that we aren't supplying the market with enough of what the <br />local market needs for housing. He believes more affordable long-term rentals are the solution, <br />but not necessarily controlled or regulated by the County's Affordable Rental Program, which is <br />qualified every year by income, which he believes is a large wasteful management expense. <br />Committee Members Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder and Rebecca Villegas spoke in favor of the <br />appointment. <br />Pursuant to Chapter 16, Article 3, Section 16-5(a) of the Hawaii County Code, members of the <br />Kona Community Development Plan Action Committee shall be appointed by the Mayor and <br />confirmed by the Council. <br />GOEAC Report No. 47 <br />