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HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP GOEAC 067 2025-09-02 2024-2026Hawaii County Council-23 September 17, 2025 Res. 287-25: ACCEPTS THE DEDICATION OF A ROADWAY LOT IDENTIFIED AS TAX MAP KEY: 2-4-080:044, SITUATED AT WAIAKEA, SOUTH HILO, ISLAND, COUNTY, AND STATE OF HAWAI`I, FROM MAILANI DEVELOPMENT LLC The landowner seeks to dedicate the roadway and all improvements for public roadway purposes. Reference: Comm.460 Intr. by: Council Member Kimball (B/R) Approve: LAAC-22 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. 288-25: AUTHORIZES THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH THE STATE OF HAWAI`I, THE COUNTY OF KAUA`I, THE COUNTY OF MAUI, AND THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU FOR THE PURPOSE OF ADMINISTERING CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF ACT 96 SESSION LAWS OF HAWAI`I 2025 Seeks to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding to facilitate a uniform administration of transient accommodation taxes on cruise ships across the State. Reference: Comm.461 Intr. by: Council Member Kagiwada (B/R) Approve: GOEAC-67 POSTPONED TO THE CALL OF THE CHAIR: Ayes: Council Members Galimba, Hustace, Kagiwada, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Onishi, Villegas, and Chair Inaba — 9. Noes: None. Absent: None. Excused: None. Page 5 REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS DATE: September 2, 2025 PLACE: Council Chambers Hilo, Hawaii TIME: 9:01 a.m. Council Chair and Members Hawaii County Council Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Re: Comm. No. 461/Res. No. 288-25 Your Committee on Governmental Operations and External Affairs, to which was referred Resolution No. 288-25, reports as follows: Resolution No. 288-25, transmitted by Director of Finance Diane Nakagawa via Communication No. 461, dated August 13, 2025, authorizes the Mayor to enter into an intergovernmental agreement with the State of Hawaii, the County of Kauai, the County of Maui, and the City and County of Honolulu for the purpose of administering certain provisions of Act 96, Session Laws of Hawaii 2025. Resolution No. 288-25 seeks to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to facilitate a uniform administration of transient accommodation taxes on cruise ships across the State. Committee Member Ashley L. Kierkiewicz inquired about what role the County of Hawaii has in shaping how the funds will be used. She mentioned being aware of a committee that has been mobilized statewide to talk about how this additional tax will be used, and asked Director Nakagawa if the County of Hawaii will have a seat at the table to share its thoughts and input on how the funds will be used. Director Nakagawa answered by saying she will contact the Mayor's office to get an answer regarding the County's ability to share its input. Committee Member Heather L. Kimball said she agrees with advocating for the County's ability to share its input on how the additional tax will be used. Ms. Kimball asked, with the lawsuit going forward, whether it would make sense to proceed with the MOU understanding that it would not be implemented if they were to prevail. Deputy Corporation Council Keyra Wong answered by saying the lawsuit could have an effect on the MOU and may possibly affect the language as well. Ms. Wong recommended this decision be postponed to the Call of the Chair, until after the lawsuit has concluded. Committee Member James E. Hustace asked what taxes are currently being collected on cruise ships at the County level. Mr. Hustace also asked if any other counties in the State of Hawaii have similar resolutions, and if they are also being asked to postpone due to the lawsuit. Ms. Nakagawa informed the Committee Members that she will get back to them with an answer and that there will be a meeting on September 3, 2025, to discuss a way forward. GOEAC Report No. 67 GOEAC-67 Page 2 September 2, 2025 Committee Member Michelle M. Galimba asked if there is any risk of approving Resolution No. 288-25 before the lawsuit is complete. Ms. Wong answered by saying she doesn't think so. It would not be implemented if they were to prevail, and this decision is up to the Committee Members. Committee Member Rebecca Villegas shared that she is open to postponing for two weeks until more answers to the questions being asked can be provided. Committee Member Holeka Goro Inaba brought up the idea of forwarding Resolution 288-25 to Council, and if more time is needed, it can be postponed at Council. Mr. Inaba added that he will be supporting Resolution No. 288-25 moving forward to Council. Committee Member Dennis "Fresh" Onishi recommended postponing for two weeks until the next scheduled Committee meeting. Member Kimball supported Chair Inaba's recommendation to forward to Council, and then if more time is needed, it can be postponed at Council. Your Committee on Governmental Operations and External Affairs is in accord with the purpose and intent of Resolution No. 288-25, and recommends its adoption. ev 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 EXTERNAL AFFAIRS i JENN KAGIOiKDA, CHAIR GOEAC REPORT NO.: 67 ADOPTED: