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HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP GOEAC 090 2026-01-06 2024-2026REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS DATE: January 6, 2026 PLACE: Council Chambers Hilo, Hawaii TIME: 9:01 a.m. Council Chair and Members Hawaii County Council Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Re: Comm. No. 662/Res. No. 428-25 Your Committee on Governmental Operations and External Affairs, to which was referred Resolution No. 428-25, reports as follows: Resolution No. 428-25, transmitted by Council Member Ashley L. Kierkiewicz via Communication No. 662, dated December 17, 2025, urges the Department of Parks and Recreation to prioritize and expedite the restoration of Isaac Kepo`okalani Hale Beach Park at Pohoiki in Puna. Member Kierkiewicz shared that this resolution came about due to the lava flow that occurred and impacted this area seven and a half years ago and that there is still not a clear timeline on the restoration of the Isaac Kepo`okalani Hale Beach Park. She shared that the prior administration shared their vision of what the restoration of the park would look like and it was unacceptable to the community. In response, her office worked over the course of a year by doing outreach with the community to develop a new plan with their priorities. Next, she shared the details on how the timeline for implementing this plan continued to be postponed, to where it is now being estimated to be 2028. Member Kierkiewicz asked for an update on the documents that are outstanding that the consultant is awaiting from the Department. Parks Planner James Komata stated that the Department of Parks and Recreation was in receipt of the needed documents and that their final comments on those documents should be completed within the next week or two. Member Kierkiewicz asked if this pertained to all three of the documents. Mr. Komata said yes and emphasized that the restoration of this park is still a priority for the current administration, and they have been working on various parts of this park. He also stated that it is not just a restoration, but additionally includes enhancements, such as a large pavilion with off grid capabilities and additional structures. He added that they would not be working on access to the ocean as that is the responsibility of the state. Member Kierkiewicz asked about creative funding solutions and mentioned that phasing was out of the question. Mr. Komata said that phasing has to be an option and revisions are helping to reduce some of the costs. He said that weighing in on the creative funding ideas that Member Kierkiewicz suggested were out of his scope of work. Member Kierkiewicz asked about the expenditure of funds and the management of the large amount of visitors that are already attending the park potentially being increased when the road reopens. Mr. Komata said that they are a pass through for what is happening at the state managed land and that they are already working on a management plan with the community partners. Member Kierkiewicz asked about the funding support for the community management plan that is already in existence. Mr. Komata said that was something to discuss with the Director of Parks and Recreation. GOEAC Report No. 90 GOEAC-90 Page 2 January 6, 2026 Member Kierkiewicz asked if installation of interpretive signage would be an easy win. Mr. Komata said that would be a perfect first step. Committee Member James E. Hustace asked about the $5 million Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funds, including restrictions and deadline to utilize those funds. Mr. Komata said the funds were specific to the project and there were time extensions ongoing and conversations were continuing with the federal partners. Committee Member Rebecca Villegas suggested that as the federal administration continues to eliminate jobs and funding there is urgency around spending these funds and this adds additional pressure to use these vulnerable funds. Committee Chair Jenn Kagiwada asked Mr. Komata if he had anything to add about the FEMA funds. He said he had no additional comment on that. Committee Member Holeka Goro Inaba asked what additional support the department might need to be able to advance some of the many projects on their plate. Mr. Komata said that an additional project manager or parks planner would help. Member Inaba said that as he knows park projects are a priority for the current administration that is an important conversation to have as we move into budget season. Member Kierkiewicz proposed an amendment via Communication No. 662.1, which would ensure that all of the plans needing review by the department as listed by the consultant were included in the resolution. The amendment was approved with nine "ayes." Chair Kagiwada mentioned that it would be good to have the Director present to answer questions and share updates regarding many parks and projects across the island that were similarly awaiting updates. Your Committee on Governmental Operations and External Affairs is in accord with the purpose and intent of Resolution No. 428-25, as amended to Draft 2, and recommends its adoption. slm 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 GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS JU-NN KAGRIWADA, CHAIR GOEAC REPORT NO.: 90 ADOPTED: JAN 2 3 2099