HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0376.004 2024-2026Ashley L. Kierkiewicz
Council District 4
District 4 Puna
Phone: (808) 961-8265
ashley. kierkiewicz@hawaiico unt�.gov
James E. Hustace
Council District 9
District 9 North & South Kohala
Phone: (808) 887-6077
james.hustace@hawaiicountZkov
HAWAI`I COUNTY COUNCIL
Hawaii County Building (7— C
25 Aupuni Street • Hilo, Hawaii 96720 cis
DATE: August 19, 2025
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TO: Dr. Holeka Goro Inaba, Council Chair v
and Members of the Hawaii County Council
FROM: Ashley L. Kierkiewicz, Council Memberavk,
District 4
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�`v James Hustace, Council Member
District 9
SUBJECT: Proposed Amendments to Bill No. 68, Draft 2; An Ordinance to Initiate an
Amendment to Article VI of the Charter of the County of Hawaii (2024
Edition), Relating to the Establishment of a Department of Building.
Transmitted herewith are proposed amendments to Bill No. 68, Draft 2. The amendments are
shown below in Ramseyer format with respect to the content of Bill No. 68, Draft 2; material to
be deleted is bracketed and stricken, and material to be added is underscored.
SECTION 2 of Bill No. 68, Draft 2, which amends article VI of the Charter of the County of
Hawaii (2024 edition) by adding a chapter, is amended to read as follows:
"CHAPTER 11
DEPARTMENT OF BUILDING
Section 6-11.1. Organization.
There shall be a department of building consisting of a director of building, a deputy
director, a building codes commission and the necessary staff.
Section 6-11.2. Director.
The director of building shall be appointed by the mayor, confirmed by the council, and
may be removed by the mayor. The director shall have a minimum of five years of experience in
the building and development industries, at least three of which shall have been in [a-supelzvisely
of] an administrative capacity.
Hawai `i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer Ref. To:
Ref. rate '.AUG-1 9 2025
Section 6-11.3. Powers, Duties and Functions.
The director of building shall be the administrative head of the department and shall have
the [power] responsibility to:
(a) Issue permits for and conduct inspections of building and construction activities.
(b) fie] Investigate complaints and enforce building, electrical, plumbing, fire
and other related construction codes and ordinances.
(c) [
] Initiate amendments to building, electrical, plumbing,
fire or other building -related codes.
(d) Perform other such duties and functions as may be necessary or required pursuant
to law and this charter.
Section 6-11.4. Building Codes Commission.
(a) There shall be a building codes commission consisting of [tee] seven members
appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the council in the manner prescribed in Section
13-4. Members shall possess substantial experience or expertise in construction or a
related field, including, but not limited to, architecture, engineering, electrical work,
plumbing, fire protection, general contracting, building material supply, owner -builder, or
trade union representation. The director of building, the planning director, the director of
public works, the fire chief, and the manager -chief engineer of the department of water
supply, or their designated representatives, shall serve as ex-officio members of the
building codes commission without power to vote.
(b) The building codes commission shall:
(1) Review and evaluate any proposed amendment to building, electrical, plumbing,
fire or other building -related codes[, .] submitted by
the director or council and provide recommendations for consideration and action.
(2) Recommend amendments to building -related ordinances for consideration by the
administration and council.
(3) Review technical guidance and interpretations issued by the director.
[(-3)] f4,) Advise the mayor, council and the director of building on building and
construction matters pursuant to law and this chapter.
[(4)] (Q Review the department's operations for the purpose of recommending
improvements to the director of building.
(c) Except for purposes of inquiry, neither the commission nor its members shall interfere in
any way with the administrative affairs of the department."
Due to the limited scope of these proposed amendments, a copy of the new draft of this bill that
would result if these amendments were adopted is not attached.
AK/JH:kj
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