HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 448 Draft 01 2024-2026A RESOLUTION URGING THE HAWAI‘I STATE LEGISLATURE TO ENSURE THE LONG-TERM SUSTAINABILITY AND FUNDING OF PUBLIC, EDUCATIONAL, AND GOVERNMENTAL ACCESS MEDIA IN HAWAI‘I.
WHEREAS, the following Public, Educational, and Governmental Television stations (hereinafter, “PEG”) were established in the State of Hawaiʻi to advance public access to media and communication,
empower residents to tell their own stories, and strengthen community participation in civic life:
1. ʻŌlelo Community Media on Oʻahu;
2. Akakū Maui Community Media on Maui;
3. Nā Leo TV on Hawaiʻi Island; and
4. Ho‘ike: Kaua‘i Community Television on Kaua‘i; 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 government 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 Hawai‘i; 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 Kaua‘i 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WHEREAS, DCCA also initiated franchise renewal proceedings on Maui County using outdated and incomplete data from 2013 with similar intent to reduce PEG access funding, and has indicated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 Nā Leo TV and ʻŌlelo Community Media; and
WHEREAS, such reductions would severely impair the capacity of Hawaiʻi’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,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAI‘I that this body hereby urges the Hawai‘i 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 Hawaiʻi; Nadine Ando,
Director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs; Randy M. Leong, Administrator of the Cable Television Division, DCCA; the Honorable Members of the Hawai‘i 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 Hawaiʻi; the Honorable Derek S. K. Kawakami, Mayor of the County
of Kauaʻi; the Honorable Richard T. Bissen, Jr., Mayor of the County of Maui; and Nahelani W. Parsons, Executive Director of the Hawai‘i State Association of Counties.
Dated at _____________, Hawai‘i, this ______ day of ___________________, 20___.
INTRODUCED BY:
_______________________________________
COUNCIL MEMBER, COUNTY OF HAWAI‘I
COUNTY COUNCIL
County of Hawai‘i
Hilo, Hawai‘i
ROLL CALL VOTE
AYES
NOES
ABS
EX
GALIMBA
HUSTACE
I hereby certify that the foregoing RESOLUTION was by
the vote indicated to the right hereof adopted by the COUNCIL of the
County of Hawai‘i on _____________________________________.
INABA
KAGIWADA
KĀNEALI‘I-KLEINFELDER
KIERKIEWICZ
ATTEST:
KIMBALL
ONISHI
VILLEGAS
Reference:
COUNTY CLERK CHAIRPERSON & PRESIDING OFFICER
RESOLUTION NO.