HomeMy WebLinkAboutAGE COUNCIL 2025-07-09 2024-2026 ACTIONSHOLEKA GORO INABA
Chan & Presiding Officer
DENNIS "FRESH" ONISHI
Vice Chan
1 Rth Ses'inn
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COUNTY COUNCIL
County of Hawai `i
Hawai `i County Building
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, Hawai `i 96720
Hawaii County Building
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, Hawaii
July 9, 2025
11:00 a.m.
MICHELLE M. GALIMBA
JAMES E. HUSTACE
JENN KAGIWADA
MATT KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER
ASHLEY L. KIERKIEWICZ
HEATHER L. KIMBALL
REBECCA VILLEGAS
Notice is hereby given that the Hawaii County Council will be conducting this meeting via interactive
conference technology (ICT) pursuant to Hawaii Revised Statutes §92-3.5. Council Members will be
participating via ICT at the:
• Kona Council Chambers, West Hawaii Civic Center, 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway, Building A
Members of the public may also attend from this location.
Public attendance via Courtesy is available at the following locations:
• Ocean View Community Association, 92-8924 Leilani Circle;
• Old Kohala Courthouse, 54-3900 Akoni Pule Highway, Kapa`au;
• Pahoa Council Office, 15-2879 Pahoa Village Road; and
• Waimea Council Office, Parker Square, 65-1279 Kawaihae Road, Suite 109.
If a Courtesy Site is unavailable and/or participation is disrupted, the scheduled meeting will continue.
Oral Public Testimony via Zoom: To provide oral testimony via Zoom, email
councilremotetestimony@hawaiicounty.gov or call (808) 961-8255 to complete the registration process
and obtain meeting login information. Please contact our office to register by 12:00 noon, Tuesday,
July 8, 2025.
Submitting Written Testimony: To ensure timely delivery to Council Members prior to the meeting, written
testimony must be submitted no later than 12:00 noon on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, by: (1) email to
counciltestimony@hawaiicounty.gov; (2) facsimile to (808) 961-8912; or (3) mail to the County Clerk's
Office in Hilo at 25 Aupuni Street, Hilo, Hawaii, 96720. All written testimony, regardless of time of
receipt, will be made part of the permanent record. Please submit separate testimony for each item.
Hawai `i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer
Hawaii County Council-18
INVOCATION
ORDER OF BUSINESS
CALL TO ORDER
ROLL CALL
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Pastor Robert Frick of Puna Covenant Church
11:02 a.m.
PETITIONS, MEMORIALS, CERTIFICATES OF MERIT, AND EXPRESSIONS OF
CONDOLENCE
STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS
July 9, 2025
Pursuant to HRS §92-3, oral testimony may be provided entirely at the beginning of the meeting, or
immediately preceding the agenda item being opened for deliberation by the Council.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
REPORTS
April 16, 2025 —APPROVED
GOEAC-44 NOMINATION OF ABEL P. AQUINO TO THE GAME MANAGEMENT
(Comm. 348): ADVISORY COMMISSION
Requires Council
Confirmation by: July 12, 2025 (Section 134(k),
Hawaii County Charter)
CONFIRMED
Ayes: Council Members Galimba, Hustace, Kagiwada,
Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Kimball,
Onishi, Villegas, and Chair Inaba — 9.
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Excused: None.
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Hawaii County Council-18
July 9, 2025
GOEAC-45 NOMINATION OF TAYLOR SPURGEON TO THE KA`U COMMUNITY
(Comm. 349): DEVELOPMENT PLAN ACTION COMMITTEE
Requires Council
Confirmation by: July 12, 2025 (Section 13-4(k),
Hawaii County Charter)
CONFIRMED
Ayes: Council Members Galimba, Hustace, Kagiwada,
Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Kimball,
Onishi, Villegas, and Chair Inaba — 9.
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Excused: None.
GOEAC-46 NOMINATION OF GILBERT J. AGUINALDO TO THE MERIT APPEALS
(Comm.350): BOARD
Requires Council
Confirmation by: July 12, 2025 (Section 13-4(k),
Hawaii County Charter)
CONFIRMED
Ayes: Council Members Galimba, Hustace, Kagiwada,
Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Kimball,
Onishi, Villegas, and Chair Inaba — 9.
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Excused: None.
GOEAC-47 NOMINATION OF RAYMOND J. KIRCHNER TO THE KONA COMMUNITY
(Comm. 351): DEVELOPMENT PLAN ACTION COMMITTEE
Requires Council
Confirmation by: July 12, 2025 (Section 13-4(k),
Hawaii County Charter)
CONFIRMED
Ayes: Council Members Galimba, Hustace, Kagiwada,
Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Kimball,
Onishi, Villegas, and Chair Inaba — 9.
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Excused: None.
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Hawaii County Council-18
GOEAC-48
(Comm. 352)
July 9, 2025
NOMINATION OF STEPHANIE BATH TO THE PUNA COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT PLAN ACTION COMMITTEE
Requires Council
Confirmation by: July 12, 2025 (Section 134(k),
Hawaii County Charter)
CONFIRMED
Ayes: Council Members Galimba, Hustace, Kagiwada,
Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Kimball,
Onishi, Villegas, and Chair Inaba — 9.
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Excused: None.
ORDER OF RESOLUTIONS
Res. 214-25: AUTHORIZES THE PAYMENT OF FUNDS OF LATER FISCAL YEARS TO
ENTER INTO A MULTI -YEAR AGREEMENT FOR ESRI SOFTWARE FOR
THE DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Authorizes the Mayor to enter into a three-year agreement with an approximate
annual cost of $180,400 plus taxes, to provide Geographical Information Systems
(GIS) server components and configurations, desktop software, and ArcGIS online
capabilities for GIS, permit systems, and emergency services for various
departments countywide.
Reference: Comm.336
Intr. by: Council Member Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder (B/R)
Approve: FC-68
ADOPTED
Ayes: Council Members Galimba, Hustace, Kagiwada,
Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Kimball,
Onishi, Villegas, and Chair Inaba — 9.
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Excused: None.
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Hawaii County Council-18
July 9, 2025
Res. 215-25: AUTHORIZES THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO A FIVE-YEAR LICENSE
AGREEMENT WITH THE TRUSTEES OF THE ESTATE OF BERNICE
PAUAHI BISHOP FOR THE CONTINUED OPERATION AND
MAINTENANCE OF A NON -MANNED COMMUNICATIONS FACILITY
WHICH INCLUDES A THREE HUNDRED FOOT TOWER
Authorizes the Mayor to enter into a five-year agreement with an approximate
annual cost of $5,000 plus taxes, to operate and maintain the Kulani Cone radio
tower and facility at Keauhou, Ka`u.
Reference: Comm.337
Intr. by: Council Member Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder (B/R)
Approve: FC-69
ADOPTED
Ayes: Council Members Galimba, Hustace, Kagiwada,
Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Kimball,
Onishi, Villegas, and Chair Inaba — 9.
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Excused: None.
Res. 217-25: 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
HAWAI`I ET AL. AGAINST ALL DAMAGES ASSESSED THEREIN AND
MAKING OTHER FINDINGS IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 2-188 OF
THE HAWAI`I COUNTY CODE
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.
Reference: Comm.338
Intr. by: Council Member Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder (B/R)
Approve: FC-70
ADOPTED
Ayes: Council Members Galimba, Hustace, Kagiwada,
Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Kimball,
Onishi, Villegas, and Chair Inaba — 9.
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Excused: None.
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Hawaii County Council-18
July 9, 2025
Res. 225-25: TRANSFERS/APPROPRIATES AN APPROPRIATION OUT AND FROM A
DESIGNATED FUND ACCOUNT AND CREDITS SAME TO A DESIGNATED
FUND ACCOUNT FOR PARK MAINTENANCE AND/OR IMPROVEMENT
PROJECTS IN COUNCIL DISTRICT 7
Transfers $31,669.65 from the Clerk -Council Services — Contingency Relief
account (Council District 7); and credits to the Department of Parks and Recreation,
Transfer to Capital Projects Fund -General account.
Reference: Comm.357
Intr. by: Council Member Villegas
WITHDRAWN
Res. 226-25: APPROVES THE FISCAL YEAR 2026 PROPOSED OPERATING BUDGET
FOR THE HAWAI`I STATE ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES
Reference:
Comm.360
Intr. by:
Council Member Kimball
Waived:
GOEAC
ADOPTED
Ayes: Council Members Galimba, Hustace, Kagiwada,
Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Kimball,
Onishi, Villegas, and Chair Inaba — 9.
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Excused: None.
Res. 228-25: TRANSFERS/APPROPRIATES AN APPROPRIATION OUT AND FROM A
DESIGNATED FUND ACCOUNT AND CREDITS SAME TO A DESIGNATED
FUND ACCOUNT TO PROVIDE A GRANT TO THE BIG ISLAND DANCE
COUNCIL FOR ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY DANCE EXTRAVAGANZA
Transfers $3,049 from the Clerk -Council Services — Contingency Relief account
(Council District 2); and credits to the Department of Liquor Control, Public
Programs account.
Reference: Comm.366
Intr. by: Council Member Kagiwada
(Vote on Res. 228-25 is on the next page.)
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Hawaii County Council-18
ADOPTED:
Ayes:
Noes:
Absent:
Excused
Council Members Galimba, Hustace, Kagiwada,
Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Kimball,
Onishi, Villegas, and Chair Inaba — 9.
None.
None.
None.
July 9, 2025
Res. 229-25: TRANSFERS/APPROPRIATES AN APPROPRIATION OUT AND FROM A
DESIGNATED FUND ACCOUNT AND CREDITS SAME TO A DESIGNATED
FUND ACCOUNT TO PROVIDE A GRANT TO THE ISLAND OF HAWAI`I
YMCA FOR ITS FIRST RESPONDERS' KIDS' DAY CAMP
Transfers $5,000 from the Clerk -Council Services — Contingency Relief account
(Council District 2); and credits to the Department of Parks and Recreation,
Administration Other Current Expenses account.
Reference: Comm.367
Intr. by: Council Member Kagiwada
ADOPTED
Ayes: Council Members Galimba, Hustace, Kagiwada,
Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Kimball,
Onishi, Villegas, and Chair Inaba — 9.
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Excused: None.
Res. 230-25: TRANSFERS/APPROPRIATES AN APPROPRIATION OUT AND FROM A
DESIGNATED FUND ACCOUNT AND CREDITS SAME TO A DESIGNATED
FUND ACCOUNT TO PROVIDE A GRANT TO THE HILO DOWNTOWN
IMPROVEMENT FOUNDATION FOR ITS 4TH OF DULY BLOCK PARTY
Transfers $1,860 from the Clerk -Council Services — Contingency Relief account
(Council District 2); and credits to the Department of Liquor Control, Public
Programs account.
Reference: Comm.368
Intr. by: Council Member Kagiwada
(Vote on Res. 230-25 is on the next page.)
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Hawaii County Council-18
ADOPTED:
Ayes:
Noes:
Absent:
Excused
Council Members Galimba, Hustace, Kagiwada,
Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Kimball,
Onishi, Villegas, and Chair Inaba — 9.
None.
None.
None.
July 9, 2025
Res. 231-25: TRANSFERS/APPROPRIATES AN APPROPRIATION OUT AND FROM A
DESIGNATED FUND ACCOUNT AND CREDITS SAME TO A DESIGNATED
FUND ACCOUNT TO PROVIDE A GRANT TO THE HILO DOWNTOWN
IMPROVEMENT FOUNDATION FOR ITS 4TH OF JULY BLOCK PARTY
Transfers $2,000 from the Clerk -Council Services — Contingency Relief account
(Council District 1); and credits to the Department of Liquor Control, Public
Programs account.
Reference: Comm.369
Intr. by: Council Member Kimball
Ayes: Council Members Galimba, Hustace, Kagiwada,
Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Kimball,
Onishi, Villegas, and Chair Inaba — 9.
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Excused: None.
BILLS FOR ORDINANCES (FIRST READING)
Bill 58: AMENDS THE PARKS AND RECREATIONAL FACILITY SCHEDULE,
CHAPTER 15, ARTICLE 8, SECTION 15-68.1, OF THE HAWAI`I COUNTY
CODE 1983 (2016 EDITION, AS AMENDED), BY RENAMING
KAUMANA LANI PARK AS "YET SUNG CHANG PARK" IN HONOR OF
YET SUNG CHANG
Reference:
Comm.302
Intr. by:
Council Member Kagiwada
Approve:
PCHSW-1
Postponed:
June 18, 2025
(Note: There is a motion by Council Member Kagiwada, seconded by Council
Member Onishi, to pass Bill 58 on first reading.)
(Vote on Bill 58 is on the next page)
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Hawaii County Council-18
PASSED lsT READING:
Ayes: Council Members Galimba, Hustace, Kagiwada,
Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Kimball,
Onishi, Villegas, and Chair Inaba — 9.
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Excused: None.
ORDER OF THE DAY (SECOND OR FINAL READING)
July 9, 2025
Bill 59: AMENDS CHAPTER 24, ARTICLE 9, OF THE HAWAI`I COUNTY CODE
1983 (2016 EDITION, AS AMENDED), RELATING TO PEDESTRIANS
Prohibits receiving, soliciting, delivering, or offering goods or services while in a
street; provides penalties.
Reference: Comm.303
Intr. by: Council Member Inaba
First Reading: June 18, 2025
AMENDED TO DRAFT 2 (see Communication Nos. 303.1 and 303.2) AND
PASSED 2ND AND FINAL READING:
Ayes: Council Members Hustace, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder,
Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Onishi, Villegas,
and Chair Inaba — 7.
Noes: Council Members Galimba and Kagiwada — 2.
Absent: None.
Excused: None.
OTHER BUSINESS
(Including but not limited to reconsideration of vetoed items, if any, or reconsideration of actions on
agenda items.)
ANNOUNCEMENTS
ADJOURNMENT: 12:34 p.m.
Note: B/R, when listed next to the name of an Introducer, signifies that the Council Member has agreed
to introduce legislation `By Request" on behalf of the requesting parry. It does not necessarily signify
support of or opposition to the proposal.
Live Stream of County Council Meetings: To view the live stream of this meeting, at the scheduled
meeting start time, type the following into the address bar of the browser:
http://hawaiicounty.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view—id=1. Please call (808) 961-8255 if the
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Hawaii County Council-18
July 9, 2025
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following address will be provided for the live stream and should be typed into the browser:
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soon as possible, preferably by July 7, 2025. If a response is received after this date, every effort will
be made to obtain the auxiliary aid/service or accommodation, but there is no guarantee the request can
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electronic copy.
Agenda items are available on the County website at www.hawaiicounty.gov. Click on Council
Records to navigate to current agendas. For any questions, please contact Council Services at
(808) 961-8255.
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