HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP GOEAC 047 2025-06-17 2024-2026REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON
GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
DATE: June 17, 2025
PLACE: Council Chambers
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
TIME: 9:00 a.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Re: Comm. No. 351
Your Committee on Governmental Operations and External Affairs, to which was referred
Communication No. 351, reports as follows:
Communication No. 351, transmitted by Mayor C. Kimo Alameda, dated May 29, 2025,
requests the Council's review and confirmation of the nomination of Raymond J. Kirchner to
the Kona Community Development Plan Action Committee.
Executive Assistant to the Mayor Micah Alameda was present in the Kona Chambers to
introduce Mr. Kirchner, who was also present in the Kona Chambers, to the Committee.
Committee Member Dennis "Fresh" Onishi asked Mr. Kirchner what his thoughts are on the
process regarding the review that his committee would do before a project arrives before the
Council in their Committee, especially when the entities end up in disagreement. Mr. Kirchner
said that the Kona Community Development Plan Action Committee is advisory and expects
that there won't always be agreement between Council and Kona Community Development
Plan Action Committee members and that ultimately the decision will be at the discretion of the
Council Members.
Committee Chair Jenn Kagiwada asked Mr. Kirchner to discuss his thoughts on housing options
and needs in Kona. Mr. Kirchner stated that in the 30 years he has lived in Kona he has
witnessed the population expand from 90,000 to 200,000 people and that he doesn't think that
growth will be stopping. He said that we aren't supplying the market with enough of what the
local market needs for housing. He believes more affordable long-term rentals are the solution,
but not necessarily controlled or regulated by the County's Affordable Rental Program, which is
qualified every year by income, which he believes is a large wasteful management expense.
Committee Members Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder and Rebecca Villegas spoke in favor of the
appointment.
Pursuant to Chapter 16, Article 3, Section 16-5(a) of the Hawaii County Code, members of the
Kona Community Development Plan Action Committee shall be appointed by the Mayor and
confirmed by the Council.
GOEAC Report No. 47
GOEAC-47 Page 2 June 17, 2025
Your Committee on Governmental Operations and External Affairs is in accord with the
purpose and intent of Communication No. 351, and recommends confirmation of the
appointment of Raymond J. Kirchner to the Kona Community Development Plan Action
Committee.
shn
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
E TERN AFFAIRS
JE K-AGM6DA, CHAIR
GOEAC REPORT NO.: 47
ADOPTED: JUL 0 9 2025