HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP FC 114 2025-12-16 2024-2026REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
DATE: December 16, 2025 Re: Comm. No. 63I/Res. No. 405-25
PLACE: Council Chambers
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
TIME: 11:00 a.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred Resolution No. 405-25, reports as follows:
Resolution No. 405-25, transmitted by Research and Development Director Benson Medina via
Communication No. 631, dated November 24, 2025, authorizes the Mayor to enter into an
intergovernmental agreement with the State of Hawaii, Department of Health, to receive a grant for
Food Access Summits.
This resolution allows for the receipt of $40,000 of federally -derived funds to plan and facilitate two
Food Access Summits that will be used to collect data, support community collaboration, and
showcase successful projects.
Research and Development Deputy Director Dennis Lin and Food Systems Specialist Sarah Freeman
were present in Hilo Chambers.
Committee Member Heather L. Kimball expressed concerns about language referencing the use of
these funds for a summit held in Fall 2025 and questioned whether the funds were intended for a past
event. Mr. Lin stated that they had originally planned to use the funds for a previous summit that had
just taken place, but after further consideration they decided to dedicate all funds to upcoming
summits. Ms. Kimball recommended amending the resolution to remove all references to "Fall 2025."
At the request of Committee Member James E. Hustace, Ms. Freeman provided a brief overview of
their plan to collaborate with community members and their agro-policy goals, initiatives, and plans
for these summits.
Your Committee on Finance is in accord with the purpose and intent of Resolution No. 405-25, and
recommends its adoption.
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 FINANCE