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Home My WebLink AboutAGE COUNCIL 2026-01-23 2024-2026HOLEKA GORO INABA Chair & Presiding Officer DENNIS "FRESH" ONISHI Vice Chair 3 1 " Segginn Hawai'i County Clerk 01/16/2026 09:18:02 AM JNt-4 OF hljy 7>f OF •M�'� COUNTY COUNCIL County of Hawaii Hawai `i County Building 25 Aupuni Street Hilo, Hawaii 96720 West Hawaii Civic Center 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway, Building A Kailua-Kona, Hawaii January 23, 2026 9:00 a.m. MICHELLE M. GALIMBA JAMES E. HUSTACE JENN KAGIWADA MATT KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER ASHLEY L. KIERKIEWICZ HEATHER L. KIMBALL REBECCA VILLEGAS Notice is hereby given that the Hawaii County Council will be conducting this meeting via interactive conference technology (ICT) pursuant to Hawaii Revised Statutes §92-3.5. Council Members will be participating via ICT at the: • Hilo Council Chambers, Hawaii County Building, 25 Aupuni Street, First Floor, Room 1401 Members of the public may also attend from this location. Public attendance via Courtesy is available at the following locations: • Ocean View Community Association, 92-8924 Leilani Circle; • Pahoa Council Office, 15-2879 Pahoa Village Road; and • Waimea Council Office, Parker Square, 65-1279 Kawaihae Road, Suite 109. If a Courtesy Site is unavailable and/or participation is disrupted, the scheduled meeting will continue. Oral Public Testimony via Zoom: To provide oral testimony via Zoom, email councilremotetestimony@hawaiicounty.gov or call (808) 961-8255 to complete the registration process and obtain meeting login information. Please contact our office to register by 12:00 noon, Thursday, January 22, 2026. Submitting Written Testimony: To ensure timely delivery to Council Members prior to the meeting, written testimony must be submitted no later than 12:00 noon on Thursday, January 22, 2026, by: (1) email to counciltestimony@hawaiicounty.gov; (2) facsimile to (808) 961-8912; or (3) mail to the County Clerk's Office in Hilo at 25 Aupuni Street, Hilo, Hawaii, 96720. All written testimony, regardless of time of receipt, will be made part of the permanent record. Please submit separate testimony for each item. Hawai `i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer Hawaii County Council-31 INVOCATION ORDER OF BUSINESS CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Hawai'i County Clerk 01/16/2026 09:18:02 AM January 23, 2026 Kahu Kealoha Ka`opua of Calvary Community Church in Kona PETITIONS, MEMORIALS, CERTIFICATES OF MERIT, AND EXPRESSIONS OF CONDOLENCE STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS Pursuant to HRS §92-3, oral testimony may be provided entirely at the beginning of the meeting, or immediately preceding the agenda item being opened for deliberation by the Council. (NOTE: COUNCIL MAY TAKE A LUNCH BREAK CLOSE TO THE NOON HOUR) APPROVAL OF MINUTES October 22, 2025 REPORTS GOEAC-88 (Comm. 664): NOMINATION OF COLIN E. MIURA TO THE WATER BOARD Requires Council Confirmation by: January 30, 2026 (Section 13-4(k), Hawai `i County Charter) ORDER OF RESOLUTIONS Res. 422-25: URGES THE HAWAI`I STATE LEGISLATURE TO PROHIBIT THE HARVEST OF AQUATIC LIFE FROM STATE MARINE WATERS FOR COMMERCIAL AQUARIUM PURPOSES Reference: Comm.656 Intr. by: Council Members Inaba and Galimba Approve: GOEAC-89 Page 2 Hawaii County Council-31 Hawai'i County Clerk 01/16/2026 09:18:02 AM January 23, 2026 Res. 426-25: AUTHORIZES THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH THE STATE OF HAWAI`I, HAWAI`I EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY, TO RECEIVE A HAZARD MITIGATION GRANT Allows for the receipt of $68,000 of federally -derived funds to support Phase 1 (planning and preparatory activities) of the Community Wildfire Fuels Reduction and Defensible Space Project. Reference: Comm.660 Intr. by: Council Member Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder (B/R) Approve: FC-116 Res. 428-25: URGES THE DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION TO (Draft 2) PRIORITIZE AND EXPEDITE THE RESTORATION OF ISAAC KEPO`OKALANI HALE BEACH PARK AT POHOIKI IN PUNA Reference: Comm.662.2 Intr. by: Council Member Kierkiewicz Approve: GOEAC-90 Res. 442-25: TRANSFERS/APPROPRIATES AN APPROPRIATION OUT AND FROM A DESIGNATED FUND ACCOUNT AND CREDITS SAME TO A DESIGNATED FUND ACCOUNT TO PROVIDE A GRANT TO THE PUNA MEDICAL CENTER FOUNDATION FOR THE KIPUKA FARMACY PROJECT Transfers $1,000 from the Clerk -Council Services — Contingency Relief account (Council District 4); and credits to the Department of Liquor Control, Public Programs account. Reference: Comm.677 Intr. by: Council Member Kierkiewicz Page 3 Hawai'i County Clerk 01/16/2026 09:18:02 AM Hawaii County Council-31 January 23, 2026 Res. 443-25: TRANSFERS/APPROPRIATES AN APPROPRIATION OUT AND FROM A DESIGNATED FUND ACCOUNT AND CREDITS SAME TO A DESIGNATED FUND ACCOUNT TO PROVIDE A GRANT TO THE LIONS CLUB OF KONA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION, INC., FOR EXPENSES RELATING TO THE 40TH ANNUAL KUPUNA HULA FESTIVAL Transfers $3,000 from the Clerk -Council Services — Contingency Relief account (Council District 3); and credits to the Department of Parks and Recreation, Administration Other Current Expenses account. Reference: Comm.678 Intr. by: Council Member Onishi Res. 444-25: TRANSFERS/APPROPRIATES AN APPROPRIATION OUT AND FROM A DESIGNATED FUND ACCOUNT AND CREDITS SAME TO A DESIGNATED FUND ACCOUNT TO PROVIDE A GRANT TO THE SANCTUARY OF MANA KE`A GARDENS FOR ITS 20TH ANNUAL AVOCADO FESTIVAL Transfers $2,500 from the Clerk -Council Services — Contingency Relief account (Council District 7); and credits to the Department of Research and Development, Agriculture Other Current Expenses account. Reference: Comm.679 Intr. by: Council Member Villegas Res. 446-26: TRANSFERS/APPROPRIATES AN APPROPRIATION OUT AND FROM A DESIGNATED FUND ACCOUNT AND CREDITS SAME TO A DESIGNATED FUND ACCOUNT TO PROVIDE A GRANT TO SUSTAINABLE ENERGY HAWAI`I FOR ITS BUILD GREEN, BUILD LOCAL CONFERENCE Transfers $2,000 from the Clerk -Council Services — Contingency Relief account (Council District 2); and credits to the Department of Research and Development, Energy account. Reference: Comm.690 Intr. by: Council Member Kagiwada Page 4 Hawai'i County Clerk 01/16/2026 09:18:02 AM Hawaii County Council-31 January 23, 2026 Res. 447-26: ACCEPTS A DONATION OF AUTOMATIC EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATORS FOR THE HAWAI`I POLICE DEPARTMENT The donation of 82 automatic external defibrillators from Hilo Benioff Medical Center Foundation, with a total estimated value of $130,000, would be used by police officers during cardiac events. Reference: Comm.693 Intr. by: Council Member Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder (B/R) Waived: FC Res. 448-26: URGES THE HAWAI`I STATE LEGISLATURE TO ENSURE THE LONG-TERM SUSTAINABILITY AND FUNDING OF PUBLIC, EDUCATIONAL, AND GOVERNMENTAL (PEG) ACCESS MEDIA IN HAWAI`I Seeks statutory protections to ensure PEG Access providers receive no less than three percent of gross cable revenues funded through franchise and access fees paid by cable subscribers. Reference: Comm.694 Intr. by: Council Member Kimball Waived: GOEAC Res. 449-26: AUTHORIZES THE PAYMENT OF FUNDS OF LATER FISCAL YEARS TO ENTER INTO A MULTI -YEAR REVOCABLE RIGHT -OF -ENTRY AGREEMENT WITH THE TRUSTEES OF THE ESTATE OF BERNICE PAUAHI BISHOP FOR LAND IDENTIFIED BY TAX MAP KEY NOS. 4-4-002:005, 4-4-002:006, AND 4-4-009:008, SITUATED IN THE DISTRICT OF HAMAKUA, TO BE ACCESSED AND USED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS The Department of Public Works seeks to maintain temporary alternate road access while the one -lane bridge over Waika`alulu Gulch is being repaired. Reference: Comm.695 Intr. by: Council Member Kimball (B/R) Waived: LAAC Page 5 Hawaii County Council-31 BILLS FOR ORDINANCES (FIRST READING) Hawai'i County Clerk 01/16/2026 09:18:02 AM January 23, 2026 Bill 112: AMENDS ORDINANCE NO. 25-45, AS AMENDED, THE OPERATING BUDGET OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAI`I FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DUNE 30. 2026 Increases revenues in the Federal Grants — Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act account ($1,600,000); and appropriates the same to the following Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act 2025-2026 accounts: Administrative/Planning ($200,000), Adult Program ($650,000), Dislocated Worker Program ($300,000), and Youth Program ($450,000). Funds would be used to provide services that enhance employment opportunities, job retention, earnings, skill development, and literacy. Reference: Comm.655 Intr. by: Council Member Kdneali`i-Kleinfelder (B/R) Approve: FC-117 Bill 113: AMENDS ORDINANCE NO. 25-45, AS AMENDED, THE OPERATING BUDGET OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAI`I FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DUNE 30, 2026 Appropriates revenues in the Federal Grants — Hazard Mitigation Grant Program account ($68,000); and appropriates the same to the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program account. Funds would be used to support Phase 1 (planning and preparatory activities) of the Community Wildfire Fuels Reduction and Defensible Space Project. Reference: Comm.660 Intr. by: Council Member Kdneali`i-Kleinfelder (B/R) Approve: FC-118 Page 6 Hawai'i County Clerk 01/16/2026 09:18:02 AM Hawaii County Council-31 January 23, 2026 ORDER OF THE DAY (SECOND OR FINAL READING) Bill 110: AMENDS ORDINANCE NO. 25-45, AS AMENDED, THE OPERATING BUDGET OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAI`I FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING 30. 2026 Increases revenues in the State Grants — Hawai `i County Food Access Summit Program account ($40,000) and appropriates the same to the Hawaii County Food Access Summit Program account. Funds will be used to plan and facilitate two Food Access Summits that will be used to collect data, support community collaboration, and showcase successful projects. Reference: Comm.631 Intr. by: Council Member Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder (B/R) First Reading: January 7, 2026 Bill 111: AMENDS SECTION 25-8-33 (CITY OF HILO ZONE MAP) ARTICLE 8, CHAPTER 25 (ZONING CODE) OF THE HAWAI`I COUNTY CODE 1983 (2016 EDITION, AS AMENDED), BY CHANGING THE DISTRICT CLASSIFICATION FROM AGRICULTURAL — 3 ACRES (A-3a) TO SINGLE- FAMILY RESIDENTIAL — 10,000 SQUARE FEET (RS-10) AT WAIAKEA, SOUTH HILO, HAWAI`I, COVERED BY TAX MAP KEY: 2-4-080:014 (Applicant: Mailani Development, LLC) (Area: 4.4669 acres) The Windward Planning Commission forwards its favorable recommendation for the requested change of zone, which would allow the applicant to subdivide the property into 14 house lots and a road lot. The property is located at 1077 Ahe Street. Reference: Comm.638 Intr. by: Council Member Kimball (B/R) First Reading: January 7, 2026 OTHER BUSINESS (Including but not limited to reconsideration of vetoed items, if any, or reconsideration of actions on agenda items.) ANNOUNCEMENTS ADJOURNMENT Page 7 Hawaii County Council-31 Hawai'i County Clerk 01/16/2026 09:18:02 AM January 23, 2026 Note: B/R, when listed next to the name of an Introducer, signifies that the Council Member has agreed to introduce legislation `By Request" on behalf of the requesting party. It does not necessarily signify support of or opposition to the proposal. Live Stream of County Council Meetings: To view the live stream of this meeting, at the scheduled meeting start time, type the following into the address bar of the browser: http://hawaiicounty.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view id=1. Please call (808) 961-8255 if the Council's streaming location is not functioning. If the Council's stream is deemed inoperable, the following address will be provided for the live stream and should be typed into the browser: https://www.youtube.com/channel/IJCJNalwg4OoK7a-7nGnEtGPA. If you need an auxiliary aid/service or other accommodation due to a disability, call (808) 961-8255 as soon as possible, preferably by January 22, 2026. If a response is received after this date, every effort will be made to obtain the auxiliary aid/service or accommodation, but there is no guarantee the request can be filled. Upon request, this notice is available in alternate formats such as large print, Braille, or electronic copy. Agenda items are available on the County website at www.hawaiicounty.gov. Click on Council Records to navigate to current agendas. For any questions, please contact Council Services at (808) 961-8255. Page 8