HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP PCPWMT 008 2025-11-19 2024-2026REPORT OF THE POLICY COMMITTEE
ON PUBLIC WORKS AND MASS TRANSIT
DATE: November 19, 2025 Re: Comm. No. 604Bill No. 107
PLACE: Council Chambers
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
TIME: 9:30 a.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Your Policy Committee on Public Works and Mass Transit, to which was referred Bill No. 107,
reports as follows:
Bill No. 107, transmitted by Fire Prevention Battalion Chief Royd Henderson, via Communication
No. 604, dated October 29, 2025, amends Chapter 17 of the Hawaii County Code 1983 (2016
Edition, as amended) relating to the Fire Code.
Bill 107 adopts the State Fire Code as the County Fire Code; and adds administrative procedures
relating to fire code enforcement, including permits, reviews, and inspections.
Fire Prevention Battalion Chief Royd Henderson was present and provided background information
on the amendment to the Fire Code.
Committee Member Dennis "Fresh" Onishi raised a concern about water flow standards.
Mr. Henderson replied that the water flow standard is set by Department of Water Supply
through other sections of the Zoning Code. Bill 107 simplifies the Fire Code to lessen confusion
during project development with safety in mind. The Fire Department has multiple ways to
address community needs, including movable tanker trucks.
Committee Member Holeka Goro Inaba gave his appreciation for the Fire Code amendment.
Committee Member Heather Kimball expressed her appreciation for its simplicity, especially for
the design and engineering community. Ms. Kimball also suggested an amendment to the bill that
would ensure any previously adopted County -level amendments to the Fire Code remains in effect
when the State Fire Code is updated, unless the County -level amendments are prohibited
by the updated State Fire Code.
PCPWMT Report No. 8
PCPWMT-8
Page 2 November 19, 2025
Your Policy Committee on Public Works and Mass Transit is in accord with the purpose and intent
of Bill No. 107, 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
6ME9 E. HUSTACE, CHAIR
PCPWMT REPORT NO.: 8
ADOPTED: DEC 1 7 2025