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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN GOEAC 2026/01/06 (2024-2026) DRAFT Committee on Governmental Operations and External Affairs 25th Session Hawaii County Building 25 Aupuni Street Hilo, Hawaii January 6, 2026 CALL TO The regular meeting of the Committee on Governmental Operations and ORDER: External Affairs was called to order at 9:01 a.m., in the Council Chambers, Hilo, by Ms. Jenn Kagiwada, Chair. ROLL CALL: Present: Ms. Jenn Kagiwada, Chair Mr. Matt Kdneali`i-Kleinfelder, Vice Chair, Ms. Michelle M. Galimba, Member Mr. James E. Hustacey Member Mr. Holeka Goro Inaba,Member Ms. Ashley L. Kierkiewicz, Member Ms. Heather L. Kimball, Member Mr. Dennis "Fresh" Onishi,Member(came in"later) Ms. Rebecca Villegas, Member (via videoconference from Kona) STATEMENTS The Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business, FROM THE Statements from the Public on Agenda Items. PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS: The following individuals;registered to speak and came forward when called by the Chair: Shauna I . Springer, Res. 422-25 (Comm. 656), in support. Uilani Naipo: Res. 422-25 (Comm. 656), in support. Cory Harden: Res. 422-25 (Comm. 656), in support. Maki Morinoue: Res. 422-25 (Comm. 656), comment. (See Comm. 656.**) Inga Gibson: Res. 422-25 (Comm. 656), in support. Patricia Cook: Comm. 664, in support. GOEAC-25 January 6,2025 Leila Kealoha: Res. 422-25 (Comm. 656); and Res. 428-25 (Comm. 662), in support. Diane Ware: Res. 422-25 (Comm. 656), comment. Mike Nakachi: Res. 422-25 (Comm. 656), in support. Noelle Lindermann: Res. 422-25 (Comm. 656),in support. Chad Wiggins: Res. 422-25 (Comm. 656), in support. (representing Hu`i Aloha Kiholo) Robert Golden: Res. 428-2 (Comm. 662), comment. CHR. KAGIWADA: Thank you so much, and thank you to all cur testifiers. With that, Mr. Clerk, can we please read in Communication 664. COMMUNI- The Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business, CATIONS: Communications. CHR KAGIWADA: Thank you to all our testifiers; With that, Mr. Clerk, could you please read in Communication,664. Comm. 664: NOMINATION OF COLIN E. MIURA TO THE WATER BOARD From'Mayor C. Kimo Alameda dated December 17, 2025, requesting the Council's review and confirmation. Requires Council Confirmation by: January 30, 2026 (Section 13-8, Hawaii County Charter) (Note: Comm. 664.1 from Mayor Kimo Alameda dated January 6, 2026, transmitting'a correction to Comm. 664, was circulated.) (Note: At this time, Executive Assistant to the Mayor Micah Alameda and the nominee came forward to address the members of the Committee.) Page 2 GOEAC-25 January 6,2025 Vote on Comm. 664: Mr. Inaba moved to recommend confirmation of the nomination (Approved) of Mr. Colin E. Miura to the Water Board. Seconded by Mr. Hustace and carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members Galimba, Hustace, Inaba, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Onishi, Villegas, and Chair Kagiwada—9. Noes: None. Absent: None. Excused: None. Mr. Alameda provided a brief narrative of the nominee's background and experience. Committee Members spoke in favor of the appointment. CHR. KAGIWADA: Thank you so much, and we'll go ahead and move on to Resolution 422-25. ORDER OF The Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business, RESOLUTIONS: Order of Resolutions. STATEMENTS The Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business, FROM THE Statements from the Public on Agenda Items. PUBLIC ON RES. 422-25: The following individuals registered to speak and came forward when called by the Chair: Kawika Ruddle: In support. (See Comm. 656.**) Michael Alexander: In support. (See Comm. 656.**) Res. 422-2. - r 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 Motion to Approve: Mr. Inaba moved to recommend adoption of Res. 422-25. Seconded by Ms. Galimba. CHR KAGIWADA: Council Member Inaba, please start us off. MR. INABA: Thank you, Chair. First and foremost, I wanted to mahalo Page 3 GOEAC-25 January 6,2025 Ms. Uilani Naipo and Mr. Mike Nakachi over in Kona. They came to meet with me in our West Hawaii Civic Center office a few months back and shared some of the ongoing work that they've been doing over the last, more than decade. But for where we are right now with the proposed rules that the State is taking up, we found it appropriate, Council Member Galimba and I, to introduce this resolution that urges the Legislature to prohibit the harvest, as was testified by members of the public. It is difficult to monitor. We see that not just for these types of aquarium fish, but other natural resources, Whether it be opihi, food fish that the State continues to have those difficulties. So, to try and open up something that has been closed that doesn't benefit our community; doesn't benefit the `aina runs counter to what e Should be doing as government and for the people. I have been in touch with Representative Lowen, and they will be introducing a bill that aligns with what this resolutionurge . So"'it will be great, and I do look forward to following up with a similar legislation here on the County level that Maui County also introduced, and we were made aware of by Ms. Naipo and Mr. Nakachi. So, I think it's pretty straightforward and I think it just helps us lay the groundwork, and hopefully make a,statement prior to the opening of the Legislative session this year: Ask for all your support, and I'll hand it over to Council Member Galimba for anything else. Thank you. CHR. KAGIWADA: Thank you, Council Member. Council Member Galimba. MS. GALIMBA: Thank you, Just briefly, I wanted to thank Ms. Naipo as well for her outreach and education efforts. I'd like to thank Chair Inaba for being the main person;to drive this resolution forward. Thanks for letting me jump on with this. It is a huge issue in my district. So, I really appreciate that. I also want'to thank the DAR (Division of Aquatic Resources) officers out there, the boots on the ground, I know they have very few of them to cover a large area, and I know that they try to protect our marine resources very passionately. And I hope that we can have this resolution encourage the continued ban on reef aquarium fish. I think it's like these zombie ideas of what is best and the highest use that still exists in our bureaucratic mindset. So, I think we're battling something that everyone agrees on, but it's just sort of in the bureaucratic DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid), and there's a lot of this, obviously in the world. Page 4 GOEAC-25 January 6,2025 But this is one case where it's pretty clear that most people, except for the very few that directly benefit from extraction of this resource, these fish. Everyone but them agree that this is a bad thing. So, hopefully, we can get this changed. Thank you so much. CHR. KAGIWADA: Thank you, Council Member Galimba. Would anybody else like to speak. Council Member Hustace. MR. HUSTACE: Thank you, Chair. And I want to mahalo the Council Members for bringing this forward, as well as the testifiers joining here today and those that submitted written testimony., It really speaks to, you know, the vulnerabilities and the threats of our near shore reefs, and the resolution really speaks about a couple of those. And the list goes on from rising temperatures, to acidification, to runoffs'from impacts from cesspools. And it's really trying to strive a better balance and'a better ecosystem health for coastal communities, of course, and for our environment here. But you know, the thing is;right when it tends to preserve the integrity and the stability and the beauty of the biotic community. So, mahalo for bringing this resolution forward. CHR KAGIWADA: Thank you. Yes, Council Member Villegas, go ahead. MS. VILLEGAS: First, I just was notified by a member of the public that the online feed has'a network error message. MR. BROWN: It should be back up. If I could make an announcement. If anyone is having technical difficulty, they can try refreshing the page or even closing;the page and reopening it. We apologize for the technical difficulties. We're hoping it's back up. MS. VILLEGAS: No worries. Thank you for confirming that, and hoping those out there could refresh their feed. I also want to express my gratitude to Council Members Inaba and Galimba for bringing this forward and for those activists in our community who have diligently and tenaciously followed this issue. Mike (Nakachi), you're just our hero for our community and the whole collaborative group of individuals you work with to limit and stop this extraction practice that in no way contributes to circular economy perpetuation of native species, healthy ecosystems, and the long-term livelihoods of our coral reef ecosystems. They are not separate, they are connected. There is no delineation, all contributing to the greater highest good. Page 5 GOEAC-25 January 6,2025 The irony I see in the aquarium fish trade and having had, you know,past hanai family involved in it and have heard all the arguments for why it's okay, and they only take this, and it doesn't do this much damage. But it's a frivolous luxury to take an animal native to a space; literally, put it in a plastic bag; fill it with oxygen to somehow try and enhance the potential for the fish not dying in transit and then fly it in a plane in the cargo bays, which by no means are comfortable flight circumstances. The attrition rates of the number of fish that are dead on arrival are astounding. Not to mention, none of these fish will live outa full healthy lifespan in a tank. It's just ironic to me how you know, I mean,,l guess some people still do. But to go in and take large mammals to take them to put in cages, we have moved away from that as a society with zoos and whatnot. Now we utilize the science available to instead rehabilitate creatures for their best interest when they could not live in the wild. That's not the case with this trade. And shortrterm financial gain for few dozen people who have decided that this extraction practice would become their economic be viable business motto. It's time to change your business motto. It's time to der something different. And it's possible, we've all had to do it in our lifetimes,. Having raised my daughter on'the VHS (Video Home System),just to give frame of reference. VHS version of"Finding Nemo." I also find it so interesting and ironic that a society can embrace a movie that is essentially about the extraction of fish from their native ecosystems and putting them in a tank; ironically this dentist's tank, which was a very scary place, that we could fall in love with this fish and be rooting for it to get free. Yet, those of us ironically sometimes that sit in certain places in government, I don't know if it's lacking the courage or not wanting to be the bad guy, but it's time to take a stand. And I'm so grateful for this resolution and sending this message to the State. It's time to take a stand. Taking a stand does more good than harm. It's time to stand for the species and the ecosystems in our precious island home. So to quote, Nemo I believe it was Nemo,just keep swimming. So, we'll just Keep swimming and doing our best to advocate for our natural resources and cultural practices, and the long-term regenerative capacities of our island home. With that, I yield. CHR. KAGIWADA: Thank you, Council Member Villegas. Council Member Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you, Chair. I like the resolution and I support the resolution. I've watched this with interest, because I've been here for seven years, and I think I've seen this go both ways in those seven Page 6 GOEAC-25 January 6,2025 years. And I've always wondered why we keep allowing it, and then not allowing it, and allowing it, and not allowing it. It doesn't make any sense. I don't understand what the State's doing. So, I completely support the resolution and look forward to seeing it at the State actually move to support what the community is asking for. So, thank you, I yield. CHR. KAGIWADA: Thank you so much. Go ahead Council Member Kierkiewicz. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you. Thank yous,Chair Inaba and Council Member Galimba, for putting this forward and continuing to raise awareness of this really critical issue. I think you really poignantly articulate that this practice of extracting natural and cultural,resources is not conducive to our island community. So, thank you for continuing to send.that strong Message to our State Legislature, it sounds like that there's geeing tes be some traction from this issue this coming session with Representative Low' en's introduction. Please let us know when it's been numbered, so every member of this Council can put out the kahea to our networks.and mobilize community, so that we can let the State know once and for all that we would like an outright ban. Thank you, Chair, I yield. CHR KAGIWADA: Thank you, Council Member Kierkiewicz. I was going to ask for'the same thing with the same information. So, you know, definitely support this resolution. Everybody said it already, the negative impacts of our extractive practices. We hear them again and again. And this is like the literal embodiment of an,extractive practice. So, it makes absolutely no sense for us to continue to support,thislind of action on our Island and in our State. So, thank you berth so much for putting this forward and look forward to supporting it anyway we can as it goes to the State Legislature. With that, we'll take a vote. All those in favor in sending Resolution 422 to the full Council with a favorable recommendation,please say, "aye." Any opposed? Vote on Res. 422-25;, The motion to recommend adoption of Res. 422-25 was (Approved) carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members Galimba, Hustace, Inaba, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Onishi, Villegas, and Chair Kagiwada—9. Noes: None. Absent: None. Excused: None. Page 7 GOEAC-25 January 6,2025 CHR. KAGIWADA: Thank you so much. And thank you to the community for testifying. With that, we'll go to our final item on our agenda, Resolution 428-25. STATEMENTS The Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business, FROM THE Statements from the Public on Agenda Items. PUBLIC ON RES. 428-25: The following individuals registered to speak and came forward when called by the Chair: Kevin Kushel: ' 'Comment. Shauna Kehaulani Springer: In'support. Res. 428-25: URGES THE DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION TO PRIORITIZE AND EXPEDITE THE RESTORATION OF ISAAC KEPO`OKALANI HALE BEACH PARK AT.POHOIKI IN PUNA Reference: Comm, 662 Intr. by: Council Member Kierkiewicz (Note: Comm. 662.1 from Council Member Ashley Kierkiewicz, dated January 6, 2026, transmitting proposed amendment relating to Res. 428-25, was circulated.) Motion to Approve: Ms. Kierkiewicz moved,to recommend adoption of Res. 428-25. Seconded by Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder. CHR, KAGIWADA: Council Member Kierkiewicz, please go ahead. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: It's been seven and a half years since our lower Puna community experienced the very devastating Kilauea eruption. Our district faced numerous challenges, and the eruption only exacerbated them. And here we are, three mayoral administrations later, and still no clear timeline for restoring this critical`park that serves so many folks along our lower Puna coastline. In 2021, the prior administration had shared their vision for what restoration of Isaac Hale Beach Park would look like. And it was completely unacceptable to the community; to the lineal decedents who were not even engaged in that process. So, our office in partnership with the Recovery Team launched a one-year community engagement initiative where we could repair relationships; build relationships with the community that is the eventual and user of this park. And so, attached to this resolution is a community-driven plan, priorities for what the community would like to see in their park. Page 8 GOEAC-25 January 6,2025 It saddens me; it frustrates me that the timeline for restoration keeps moving. It was supposed to be restored in 2023; then 2026 in line with the opening of the roads. And earlier this year, we were notified that the park won't be restored until 2028, which in my mind is completely unacceptable. I don't know what more I and the community can do. I think we've done everything that we can to help inform plans and to get us to this point. But I'm really needing to work in stronger partnerships with the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) to insure that this park continues to be a priority. At this past year's budget hearing, the Mayor and the'birector of P&R looked at every single Council Member and identified'projects thatwere priorities in each of our districts. Isaac Hale was identified as,.on'e of them. You say one thing, but you do another. And I think what frustrates me the most is for my office and community partners,people that we've invited to be part of consultation, decision-making and engagement because of their direct ties to the area and investment in community that our emails and our calls for status updates, would go unanswered. The Director called me this'morning to let me know that he wasn't able to make it because of some union meetings'that he already hadlined up. So, we do have our Park Planner, Mr. Komata here. James',,if you could just come forward and provide us with an update on where we are. Where are a few things that are outstanding that the consultant is waiting for from the department. A draft environmental assessment review, which was delivered last year. I also have an amendment, because they let me know they're also waiting for DPR feedback on,an archeological management plan and a preservation,plan. If you could just introduce yourself for the record and let us know where we are with the review and comment on these documents. And then we can'talk a little bitmore about the financing piece, so that this park can be restored: (Dote: At this time, DPR Park Planner James Komata, came forward to address the members of the Committee.) MR. KOMATA: Good morning, James Komata, Planner for Parks and Recreation. The documents that you mentioned have been submitted to Parks and Recreation. Our Project Manager has reviewed them. The final review is pending. We should have that done, I would say, in the next week or two to get back to the consultant to move forward on. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: All three of the documents that I mentioned? Page 9 GOEAC-25 January 6,2025 MR. KOMATA: Yes. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Is there a reason why it's taken close to a year to review these documents and why the department didn't feel like it could respond to my office or the community when asking information? MR. KOMATA: I'm not familiar with the emails you sent. We get tons of emails; I'm not sure who it was sent to or any of that. So', apologies for not replying if it was sent to us. As far as timing, it's just a matter of, there's so many,priorities. I can't confirm that this project still remains a priority for this Administration. The design and construction project is one aspect of it,bu tote commitment to the park has been ongoing with this Administration working with Kahu Aina O Duna on the MOA (Memorandum of Agreement) thatwe did down there. Working with the State on the boat rampand management; the dredging project and management of that. So, it's not something that's been put on the back burner or taken off the priority list. It's still there. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you for that reassurance. Can we talk a little bit about how this park is going to be financed. A preliminary design provided by the consultant shared that there way a price tag of, I think, about$16 million for full-park restoration. I'm a bit concerned that we don't have all of the financing for thatin place,,and the idea of phasing in park restoration is not going to happen. It's all got to happen atone time, or it's not going to happen at all. So, what are ways in which you're going to be braiding different funding strings together to get us to, as much as possible, full park restoration. MR. KOMATA: So, let me address the restoration part. I don't want to mislead anyone. The`project scope is not just to restore certain components of the park for public use. It also is enhancements and improvements to the park that didn't exist prior to the lava flow. We're looking at building a new main pavilion there with a serving counter, kitchen storage; off-grid capabilities. That wasn't existing at the park prior to the lava flow. So, it's not just the restoration, we are looking to enhance it: There are additional structures that we're looking to build; smaller pavilions,even a canoe shelter. I also wanted to clarify, you know, there were some public comments about swimming or access to the ocean. That's not a part of this project. That's not in our jurisdiction. That's State jurisdiction. So,just to be clear, that's not apart of what our project is. Page 10 GOEAC-25 January 6,2025 As far as the funding question. As you mentioned earlier, I think the estimate was $16 million. So, the way the scope of the project was determined was based on like you said, the community input, community feedback. See what we could get as far as the design goes. So that, in the long run, that we'll have a park that the community can be supportive of and benefit from the way they want to use it. We looked at that scope, but we hadn't looked at the budget as a controlling aspect of it. We looked at what identified what the community needed. So, at this point when we got the $16 million preliminary estimate from the consultant based on the first iteration of the prefinal design we understood that we needed to address some of those cost issues relative to how the project is implemented. I heard you say that phasing is not an option, But unfortunately for us, that has to be an option. Right now, our design team addressed some major,grading revisions; major site improvement issues that help to reduce some of the costs there. I don't have a final estimate. So, I can't share that number with you. But I know we also are looking at, three deductive alternates to introduce into the bid package. So, in addition'to that, the $5 million from FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency). We also have bond authorization for $3 million more. And discussions with the Mayor and Finance were ongoing as to when we do put this project out to bid, hove are we going to cover that estimated cost. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: What are your creative financing solutions? I know you've been a part of a number of different park development projects. MR. KOMATA: I don't have any at this point. I wasn't prepared to answer that kind of question. Funding solutions are not necessarily my scope of work. MS: KIERKIEWICZ: When we met in May of last year, I had mentioned Geothermal Royalty funds as an avenue, and I also asked that the Administration look into the $20 million of unrestricted funds and $40 million that we received from the State Legislature in 2019. Has the department explored how we might utilize any remaining funding from those avenues to help finance the full-park restoration and enhancement? MR. KOMATA: That question is above me at this point. I know we have had conversations with Recovery to see if there's additional funds available from that source, and those conversations are continuing. But again, like I said, we're talking with the Mayor and Finance to make sure that the project can move forward in a viable fashion. Page 11 GOEAC-25 January 6,2025 MS. KIERKIEWICZ: So, next week we can expect comments on the EA (Environmental Assessment), the Archeological Management Plan, and the Preservation Plan. MR. KOMATA: In one to two weeks. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: In one to two weeks, okay. And then as far as the budget and how we're going to finance the project, when can,we get a copy of that final project budget and design from Parks and Rec? MR. KOMATA: Well, I know that when Clayton (Honma) talked to you this morning, he said he wanted to have a follow-up meeting with you. I think at that time we can start to give you more information on funding and timing. I don't have that available for you right now. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Okay. I've shared what I suggest as funding avenues, and it's incumbent on the department to take that Information and explore it further. The State legislation guiding each of those funding streams is quite big. And so, you'll need to get Finance and Corporation Counsel involved in seeing if there's wiggle room for us to leverage that. That's not my kuleana. My job was to bring the money home, and that's,what I did. Your job is to spend it. Then in terms of the opening of Pohoiki Road next year, what kind of contingency plan does the department have to receive more residents and visitors to this park? As we heard from testifiers, there are hundreds of folks that are already visiting the park today. These roads will make it a lot easier for folks to visit Isaac Hale. 'What is the plat to manage visitors? MR. KOMATA: Well;my understanding is the park isn't necessarily receiving the visitors:'I think it's the beach and the shoreline area, and that's outside the park area. So, we're kind of a passthrough or a staging area for what's happening outside of the park. So,just want to be clear on that. We do have a partnership or MOA with community resources there, the Kahu Aina O Puna group, and it's their vision to come up with a management plan for that. So,we're actively working with them. MS'KIERKIEWICZ: They have a stewardship and management plan. Is it the intention of the department to help finance those community-driven strategies? MR. KOMATA: You know, that's a question better directed to the Director. It's outside my purview, so I don't know that. Page 12 GOEAC-25 January 6,2025 MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Okay. I think another easy win is to move on the installation of interpretive signage across the park, so that, folks know the significance of the area that they're stepping into to, and to also know what areas are off limits. I think that's another way folks can enter that aina with a lot more respect for that space and that community. Is that something we can work to expedite work on? MR. KOMATA: Absolutely, I think that Waiakahi`ula was a good example of that. I think that's a perfect first step. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Okay, great. I really appreciate you being here, Mr. Komata, and look forward in continuing to work with the department. And hopefully at this point, given my I I months.lefti on the Council; 22 meetings left, it would be great to receive monthly email updates from the department so that we can ensure that this project stays on track. I would hate to have a future Council Member to deal with loose ends,"when,I think it's something that we can take care of over the course of this year. MR. KOMATA: Sure, that's something we can do. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you, Mr. Komata. Chair,I appreciate the latitude. CHR. KAGIWADA: Thank you, Council Member. Council Member Hustace. MR. HUSTACE: Thank you,Chair. Mr. Komata,just a question on, as you mentioned with Council Member Kierkiewicz on some of the dollar figures. The $5 million, that's from FEMA, is that correct? MR. KOMATA: Correct. MR. HUSTACE;; Are there any restrictions on those dollars? MR. KOMATA: Its specific to the project. MR. HUSTACE: And is there a timeline to use those funds? MR. KOMATA: There are timelines, we're having ongoing interactions with HI-EMA (Hawai`i Emergency Management Agency) and FEMA for the time extensions. MR. HUSTACE: Time extensions. So, it's been extended probably a little bit then here and there? Page 13 GOEAC-25 January 6,2025 MR. KOMATA: Yes. MR. HUSTACE: But those conversations were positive in a sense that we can keep extending it, or is it that we have to put in some sort of end date that this has to be used by? MR. KOMATA: It's been positive so far. I'm not aware that there is a final end date yet. MR. HUSTACE: Those funds are specific to the restoration to build out for that facility and cannot be used for, say, floating bigger bond or anything like that; it's specifically to infrastructure needs there? MR. KOMATA: I can't speak to whether they can be leveraged for other things. I just know that the money was justified for park improvements for lower Puna. I think it covers the lots of Ahalanui and the damage to Isaac Hale. MR. HUSTACE: Okay. Just curious about the opportunities those funds may have; if it's just physically tied to restoration,or it could be leveraged some other way. MR. KOMATA: Yeah, I'm not'aware of that. MR. HUSTACE: Okay. Thank you, Chair. C R. KAGIWADA: Thank you., Council Member. Council Member Inaba then we'll go over to Kona. MR. INAAN- Thank you, Chair. Mr. Komata with the numerous projects going around the island,just a quick answer. Do you think it's time for a second planer? Whatkind of support might the department need within to try and advance some of these projects? MR. KOMATA: Yeah, definitely more resources; planner or project manager or something like that, along those lines would be helpful, yes. MR. INABA: Okay. I think that's something we should maybe bring up with Director Honma because we know that Parks are a priority for Mayor Alameda. But we know there's a bunch of projects that are just behind, and maintenance has been deferred; and a lot trying to get done on your plate right now. So, I think it might be a good time to have that conversation as we head into the budget season. So, thank you, so I can kind of get them to check on that. Thank you, Chair, I yield. Page 14 GOEAC-25 January 6,2025 CHR. KAGIWADA: Thank you, Council Member Inaba. Council Member Villegas, please go ahead. MS. VILLEGAS: Yes, thank you, Chair. I share the sentiments of Council Member Inaba and am grateful for all the work that you're doing, Mr. Komata. We have a very big island and hundreds of parks. Still looking forward to seeing the renovations at the Old Airport Park come to fruition, and that's top of mind for people on the West side. I also, not that you need any more pressure, but just reading in today's news, that the potential for this Federal Administration to eliminate thousands of jobs with FEMA, and they're going after the funding that's there., I feel the sense of urgency for us to get that money into our County as soon as passible before it disappears, as so much of the other funding that we had been planning for, for Regenerative and Sustainability projects unfortunately has disappeared. So, not that you need more pressure on'this, lout I do have big concerns that FEMA funding will just go away, no matter if it was committed to us or not. So, there is a timeline; it's vulnerable. So, thanks for your work, and I'll be reaching ouf and hoping for some updates on the Old Airport Park renovation and when we can see that begin as well. And with that, I yield. MR. KOMATA: If I can, I can ensure that CHR. KAGIWADA: Go ahead, Mr. Komata. MR. KOMATA: The Old Airport project is currently out to bid; the bathrooms. Soy that's just,areal short update for you. CHR: KAGIWADA: Okay. Do you want to comment on the FEMA money? Is there anything you can share with us about the County receiving that money, or if that is indeed possibly in danger of us losing it? MR. KOMATA: No, I don't have any information on that, sorry. CHR.:KAGIWADA: Okay, thank you. Council Member Kierkiewicz, do you want to wrap this up? MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Just a couple of things, Chair, on the financing piece. These disaster recover dollars are known as 428 monies (FEMA Public Assistance Alternative Procedures (Section 428 of the Stafford Act)), and so there is, you know, flexibility for the Administration to use the money outside of the impacted area. Page 15 GOEAC-25 January 6,2025 Our office and the community fought really hard to make sure those funds stayed in the community. I know that$1 million was borrowed to purchase Parks and Recreation equipment that would provide for maintenance around the island, but there was a promise by the Administration to fully restore those FEMA dollars. And so, that money is available to us through reimbursement. So, we have to do the work in order to get the funding back from the Federal Government. Hope that answers your question, Council Member Hustace. Motion to Amend: Ms. Kierkiewicz moved to amend Res. 428.-15 with the contents of Comm. 662.1. Seconded by Mr. Hustace. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you, Chair. The,project consultant, Limtiaco Consulting Group, let me know that there are a couple of other outstanding plans that they are waiting for DPR,(Department of Parks and,Recreation) feedback on. So, I just wanted to make sure that they were notedin,the resolution. Thank you. CHR. KAGIWADA: Thank you so much. Anybody on the amendment? Seeing none, all those in favor of amending Resolution 428-25 with the contents of Communication 662.1,please say "aye." Any-opposed? Vote on Motion The motion to amend Res. 428 25 with the contents of Comm. 662.1, to Amend: was carried by the following voice vote. (Approved) Ayes: Committee Members Galmba, Hustace, Inaba, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Onishi, Villegas, and Chair Kagiwada—9. Noes: None. Absent: None. Excused. None. CHR: KAGIWADA: Back to you, Council Member Kierkiewicz. MS. KIEkKIEWICZ: Thank you, Chair. You know, Mr. Komata left, but I do want to thank him for his years of work on this project. It has not always been easy, and it's very difficult to feel like your community is a priority when we're not responded to and the timeline for restoration enhancement keeps moving. But I felt today was a very productive conversation, and I hope the department knows that, you know, the Council is here to work with you. But we can't step up and help if we don't know what we need from you. So,please reach out and continue to see us as a partner, because we all just want to get the work done for our communities. Mahalo, Chair. Page 16 GOEAC-25 January 6,2025 CHR. KAGIWADA: Thank you so much. It sounds like there are many projects in many districts with parks right now that maybe could use updates and also that support that Council Member Inaba highlighted earlier. So, hopefully we can kind of align that, and maybe get our Parks director here to give us some updates and to see what is actually needed and to try to get that support. Appreciate everybody. With that, we'll go ahead and take a vote on the main motion. All those in favor on approving Resolution 428-25, as amended, to the full Council with a favorable recommendation, please say "aye." Any opposed? Vote on Res. 428-25: The motion to recommend adoption of Res. 428-25, as amended Draft 2 to Draft 2,was carried by the following voice vote: (Approved) Ayes: Committee Members Galimba, Hustace, Inaba, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Onishi, Villegas, and Chair Kagiwada—9. Noes: None. Absent: None. Excused: None., CHR KAGIWADA: With that" we come to the end of our agenda, the time is 10:44 a.m. Aloha. ADJOURN- Seeing'no further business, Chair Kagiwada adjourned the meeting at MENT: 10:44 a.m. Approved: Ms. Jenn Kagiwada, Chair (Date) Committee on Governmental Operations and External Affairs JK/dt Page 17