HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP GOEAC 082 2025-12-02 2024-2026REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON
GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
DATE: December 2, 2025
PLACE: Council Chambers
Hilo, Hawaii
TIME: 9:00 a.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Your Committee on Governmental Operations and External Affairs, to which was referred
Communication No. 623, reports as follows:
Communication No. 623, transmitted by Mayor C. Kimo Alameda, dated November 12, 2025,
requests the Council's review and confirmation of the nomination of Daniel Girvan as Director
of Environmental Management (DEM).
Managing Director William V. Brilhante Jr. was present in the Hilo Chambers to introduce
Mr. Girvan, who was also present in the Hilo Chambers, to the Committee.
Committee Member James E. Hustace asked Mr. Girvan to share his vision for the department.
Mr. Girvan said that he hopes zero waste is a goal that can keep our County heading in a good
direction. Mr. Hustace spoke on the needs across rural communities and specifically wastewater
needs in the more rural areas, and asked Mr. Girvan to share some outside -of -the -box solutions
for those areas. Mr. Girvan said that he knows there are some impediments he is still learning
about, especially in regard to areas concerning private associations and assured the Members
that he is committed to doing whatever he can to support all departments of our County.
Committee Member Michele M. Galimba asked Mr. Girvan to share his experience of working
within Government. Mr. Govan said that in his role as Corporate Manager for Environmental
Affairs of the 30 plants tli'at he was involved with in multiple countries, he needed to be the face
of the corporation in front of all of the regulatory agencies. In navigating this role, he was able to
help those agencies trust that his corporation was following all the regulations and making
responsible environmental+decisions.
Committee Member Heather L. Kimball asked about staffing. Mr. Girvan mentioned there are
296 approved and funded'positions in his department and that they currently have 44 vacancies.
He discussed the importance of training and prioritizing investing in the people within the
department. Ms. Kimball asked questions about the wastewater plant improvement project.
Mr. Girvan mentioned that this project has a large price tag and that it is currently scheduled for
five years with two stages and explained further details around who is managing the project and
the timeline.
GOEAC Report No. 82
GOEAC-82 Page 2 December 2, 2025
Committee Member Rebecca Villegas asked if he was aware of the details around the Hawaii
Earth Works Contract and composting facility and about the Pu`uanahulu Landfill Contract, which
does not have an expiration date. Mr. Girvan said that he does not have the details on that yet and
will need to look into that. Ms. Villegas inquired about his thoughts regarding Bill 83. Mr. Girvan
said that he is supportive of zero waste in principle and needs more time to investigate the details
of that legislation. Ms. Villegas commented that the Department of Waste Management would be a
more apt name, as they are not managing the environment, but rather managing waste.
Committee Member Ashley L. Kierkiewicz asked about cesspool conversion considering the large
volume of cesspools in her district. Mr. Girvan responded that the road to solving this problem by
2050 is going to be a bumpy road and the problem and solutions are multi -faceted with many
uncertainties. Ms. Kierkiewicz responded by explaining the upcoming opportunities for DEM to
take a leadership role in engaging with the State Legislature on addressing this issue and finding
solutions, mentioning that there is a $4 billion solution that was put forth in a feasibility study for
the Puna region and that clearly it is not affordable. Ms. Kierkiewicz asked the Mayor's Office
for a presentation on legislative priorities for the Administration from the Government Liaison.
Committee Chair Jenn Kagiwada said that she was looking forward to an update on the transfer
station management plan and asked what support there is from the Mayor's Administration
around staffing to be expected in the next budget. Mr. Brilhante said that there are significant
budget constraints and that they recognize that DEM has been understaffed for a long time. He is
hoping that by making the Department a more desirable place to work it will help address those
issues.
Pursuant to Article VI, Chapter 10, Section 6-10.3 of the Hawaii County Charter, the Director of
Environmental Management is appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the Council.
Your Committee on Governmental Operations and External Affairs is in accord with the purpose
and intent of Communication No. 623, and recommends confirmation of the appointment of
Daniel Girvan as Director of Environmental Management.
slm
AYES
NOES
ABS
EX
GALIMBA
X
HUSTACE
X
INABA
X
KAGIWADA
X
KANEALPI-KLEINFELDER
X
KIERKIEWICZ
X
KIMBALL
X
ONISHI
X
VILLEGAS
X
Respectfully submitted,
COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL
OPERATIONS AND
i
JENN KAGIWADA, CHAIR �_,
GOEAC REPORT NO.: 82
ADOPTED: DEC 1 7 2025