HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP PCPWMT 005 2025-09-02 2024-2026REPORT OF THE POLICY COMMITTEE
ON PUBLIC WORKS AND MASS TRANSIT
DATE: September 2, 2025
PLACE: Council Chambers
Hilo, Hawaii
TIME: 11:02 a.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Re: Comm. No. 429Bill No. 75
Your Policy Committee on Public Works and Mass Transit, to which was referred Bill No. 75, reports
as follows:
Bill No. 75, transmitted by Acting Mass Transit Administrator Zachary Bergum, via Communication
No. 429, dated August 5, 2025, repeals Section 5 of Ordinance No. 22-94 and amends Chapter 18,
Article 4, Division 1, Section 18-90, of the Hawaii County Code 1983 (2016 Edition, as amended),
relating to fares for public transportation.
Bill 75 extends the temporary suspension of fares for all mass transit riders through December 31,
2028. The fare suspension will not apply to County -contracted shared -ride services or curb -to -curb
van services operated by the Department of Parks and Recreation.
Committee Chairperson James E. Hustace invited Administrator Bergum to present to the Committee.
Administrator Bergum appeared alongside accountant Kelly Fujii. The Administrator presented an
update on agency operations, including current funding, ridership data, costs to implement fare
collection, and challenges for the agency.
Committee Members Kagiwada, Kierkiewicz, and Kimball expressed concerns over future agency
funding. Committee Members Onishi and Villegas expressed concerns regarding security on the
buses and at bus stops.
Council Chairperson Holeka Goro Inaba expressed concern that the Mass Transit Agency will face
the same upfront costs to reimplement bus fares as presented to the Committee. Administrator
Bergum said that the agency will have a plan well in advance of the expiration of the suspension of
fares in 2028, should the bill pass.
Chair Hustace stated that the extension of the suspension of bus fares provides an opportunity for the
agency to implement fares and install necessary equipment on both County and contracted buses.
PCPWMT Report No. 5
PCPWMT-5 Page 2 September 2, 2025
Your Policy Committee on Public Works and Mass Transit is in accord with the purpose and intent
of Bill No. 75, and recommends its passage on first reading.
of
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,
POLICY COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC
WORKS AND MASS TRANSIT
E. HUSTACE, CHAIR
PCPWMT REPO NO.: 5
ADOPTED: SEP 1 0 5