HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 448 Draft 01 2024-2026COUNTY OF HAWAFI
STATE OF HAWAFI
RESOLUTION NO. 448 26
A RESOLUTION URGING THE HAWAI'I STATE LEGISLATURE TO ENSURE THE
LONG-TERM SUSTAINABILITY AND FUNDING OF PUBLIC, EDUCATIONAL, AND
GOVERNMENTAL ACCESS MEDIA IN HAWAVI.
WHEREAS, the following Public, Educational, and Governmental Television stations
(hereinafter, "PEG") were established in the State of Hawaii to advance public access to media
and communication, empower residents to tell their own stories, and strengthen community
participation in civic life:
1. `Olelo Community Media on Oahu;
2. Akaku Maui Community Media on Maui;
3. Na Leo TV on Hawaii Island; and
4. Ho`ike: Kauai Community Television on Kauai; and
WHEREAS, Hawai`i's PEGS are funded through franchise and access fees paid for by
cable subscribers, which are reinvested into free media training, equipment, and facilities that
enable individuals, schools, and organizations to produce noncommercial programs that inform,
educate, and engage the public; and
WHEREAS, these stations serve as essential public services, providing platforms for
community news, local goverment transparency, educational programming, cultural
preservation, and emergency communication; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (hereinafter,
"DCCA") which regulates cable franchises, has extended supplemental PEG Access operating
agreements only through June 30, 2026, creating uncertainty regarding the long-term viability of
community access media in Hawaii; and
WHEREAS, DCCA has signaled its intent to significantly reduce Access Operating
Funds for PEG providers, as demonstrated in Decision and Order No. 386, which approved
Charter Communications, Inc.'s franchise renewal and reduced PEG funding on Kauai pursuant
to Federal Communications Commission Rule 621; and
WHEREAS, DCCA also initiated franchise renewal proceedings on Maui County using
outdated and incomplete data from 2013 with similar intent to reduce PEG access funding, and
has indicated future reductions for Na Leo TV and `Olelo Community Media; and
WHEREAS, such reductions would severely impair the capacity of Hawai`i's PEGs to
fulfill their core mission of providing equitable access to media tools, education, and civic
information across all islands; and
WHEREAS, PEGs actively strengthen Hawai`i's creative industries by supporting the
community through workforce development initiatives, film challenges, and professional training
in media production and storytelling; and
WHEREAS, Charter Communications, Inc., and Cox Communications, Inc., have
announced a proposed merger expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2026, subject to
approval by DCCA, which presents a critical opportunity for the State to negotiate community -
benefiting franchise conditions; and
WHEREAS, this upcoming merger provides a timely and necessary opportunity for the
State and all four counties to assert their authority to ensure PEG Access sustainability, equity,
and modernization; now, therefore,
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body hereby urges the Hawaii State Legislature to:
1. Affirm the critical public service role of Hawai`i's PEG Access organizations as
essential community communication infrastructure;
2. Establish statutory protection ensuring PEG Access providers receive no less than
three percent of gross cable revenues in Access Operating Funds for the full
duration of each franchise term;
3. Require DCCA to consult with and obtain ratification from each County prior to
approving any merger, franchise renewal, or modification affecting PEG Access
operations and funding;
4. Mandate the inclusion of high -definition channels, digital modernization support,
and increased annual capital payments in all future franchise agreements; and
5. Extend PEG Access operating agreements beyond June 30, 2026, to provide long-
term stability and planning capacity for Hawai`i's community media ecosystem.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this body also urges the Governor and DCCA to
condition approval of the Charter Communications, Inc., and Cox Communications, Inc., merger
on contractual commitments restoring full PEG funding, eliminating Federal Communications
Commission Rule 621 reductions and ensuring equitable, county -specific franchise terms that
reflect Hawai`i's unique cultural and geographic diversity.
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the County Clerk shall transmit a certified copy of
this resolution to the Honorable Joshua B, Green, M.D., Governor of the State of Hawaii;
Nadine Ando, Director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs; Randy M. Leong, Administrator of
the Cable Television Division, DCCA; the Honorable Members of the Hawaii State
Legislature; the Honorable Richard J. Blangiardi, Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu; the
Honorable C. Kimo Alameda, Mayor of the County of Hawaii; the Honorable Derek S. K.
Kawakami, Mayor of the County of Kauai; the Honorable Richard T. Bissen, Jr., Mayor of the
County of Maui; and Nahelani W. Parsons, Executive Director of the Hawaii State Association
of Counties.
Dated at Kona , Hawai` i, this 23xd day of January , 20 26 ,
INTRODUCED BY:
COUNCIL MEMBER, COUNTY OF HAWAI`I
COUNTY COUNCIL
County of Hawaii
Hilo, Hawaii
I hereby certify that the foregoing RESOLUTION was by
the vote indicated to the right hereof adopted by the COUNCIL
NCIL of the
County of Ilawai`i on January Z
ATTEST:
�CIERKIRPERSON & PRESIDING OFFICER
ROLL CALL VOTE
AYES1
NOES
ABS
EX
GALIMBA
X
RUSTACE
X
INABA
X
KAGIWADA
X
KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER
X
KIERKIEWICZ
X
KIMBALL
X
ONISI-I I
X
VILLEGAS
X
6
0
3
0
Reference: C-694/Waived GOEAC
Al
RESOLUTION NO.
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