HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN GOEAC 2026/02/03 (2024-2026) DRAFT Committee on Governmental Operations
and External Affairs
27th Session
Hawaii County Building
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, Hawaii
February 3, 2026
CALL TO The regular meeting of the Committee on Governmental Operations and
ORDER: External Affairs was called to order at 9:00 am., in the Council Chambers,
Hilo, by Ms. Jenn Kagiwada, Chair.
ROLL CALL:
Present: Ms. Jenn Kagiwada, Chair
Ms. Michelle M. Galimba, Member
Mr. James E. Hustace, Member
Mr. Holeka Goro Inaba,Member
Ms. Ashley L. Kierkiewicz} Member
Ms. Heather L. Kimball, Member
Mr. Dennis "Fresh" Onish , Member
Ms. Rebecca Villegas, Member
Absent& Excused: Mr. Matt Kdneali`i-Kleinfelder, Vice Chair
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: (There were none.)
CHR. KAGIWADA: Mr. Clerk, can you please read in Communication 703.
COMMUNI- The Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business,
CATIONS: Communications.
Comm. 703: NOMINATION OF JENNIFER L. LAWSON TO THE PUBLIC ACCESS, OPEN
SPACE, AND NATURAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION COMMISSION
From Mayor C. Kimo Alameda, dated January 15, 2026, requesting the Council's
review and confirmation.
Requires Council
Confirmation by: February 28, 2026 (Section 13-4(k),
Hawaii County Charter)
CHR KAGIWADA: Mr. Alameda, please go ahead.
GOEAC-27 February 3,2026
(Note: At this time, Executive Assistant to the Mayor Micah Alameda
and the nominee came forward to address the members of the
Committee.)
Vote on Comm. 703: Mr. Hustace moved to recommend confirmation of the nomination
(Approved) of Ms. Jennifer L. Lawson to the Public Access, Open Space, and
Natural Resources Preservation Commission, Seconded by
Ms. Kierkiewicz and carried by the following voice vote:
Ayes: Committee Members Galimba, Hustace, Inaba,
Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Oni hi, Villegas,
and Chair Kagiwada—8;
Notes: None.
Absent: Committee Member Kdneali`i-Kleinfelder 1, ,
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, Ms. Lawson. Can you read in
Communication 704 please.
Comm. 704: NOMINATION OF LOUISA "SASA" ANTHONY LEE TO THE
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
From Mayor C. Kimo Alameda, dated January 15, 2026, requesting the Council's
review and confirmation.
Requires Council
Confirmation by: February 28, 2026 (Section 13-4(k),
Hawaii County Charter)
(Nate: At this time, Executive Assistant to the Mayor Micah Alameda
and'the nominee came forward to address the members of the
Committee.)
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GOEAC-27 February 3,2026
Vote on Comm. 704: Ms. Kierkiewicz moved to recommend confirmation of the nomination
(Approved) of Ms. Louisa"Sasa" Anthony Lee to the Environmental Management
Commission. Seconded by Mr. Hustace and carried by the following
voice vote:
Ayes: Committee Members Galimba, Hustace, Inaba,
Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Onishi, Villeas,
and Chair Kagiwada—8.
Notes: None.
Absent: Committee Member Kaneali`ii-Klei,nfelder—1.
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, Ms. Lee. Please read in"
Communication 705.
Comm. 705: NOMINATION OF KANOE SUGANUMA WILSON TO THE WINDWARD
PLANNING COMMISSION
From Mayor C. Kimo Alameda,dated January 15,2026, requesting the Council's
review and confirmation.
Requires Council
Confirmation by: February 28, 2026 (Section 13-4(k),
Hawaii County Charter)
(Note: At this time, Executive Assistant to the Mayor Micah Alameda
and,the nominee came forward to address the members of the
Committee.)
Vote on'Comm. 705: Ms. Kierkiewicz moved to recommend confirmation of the nomination
(Approved)`_ of Ms. Kanoe Suganuma Wilson to the Windward Planning Commission.
Seconded by Mr. Inaba and carried by the following voice vote:
Ayes: Committee Members Galimba, Hustace, Inaba,
Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Onishi, Villegas,
and Chair Kagiwada—8.
Notes: None.
Absent: Committee Member Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder—1.
Excused: None.
Mr. Alameda provided a brief narrative of the nominee's background
and experience. Committee Members spoke in favor of the appointment.
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GOEAC-27 February 3,2026
CHR. KAGIWADA: Thank you so much, Ms. Wilson. Please read in
Communication 706.
Comm. 706: NOMINATION OF SHAWN "KELE" MAKAIAU TO THE LEEWARD
PLANNING COMMISSION
From Mayor C. Kimo Alameda, dated January 15, 2026, requesting the Council's
review and confirmation.
Requires Council
Confirmation by: February 28, 2026 (Section 13-4(k),
Hawai`i County,Charter)
(Note: At this time, Executive Assistant to the Mayor Micah Alameda
and the nominee came forward to address the members of the
Committee.)
Vote on Comm. 706: Mr. Inaba moved to recommend,confirmation of the nomination
(Approved) of Ms. Shawn "Kele" Makaiau to the Leeward Planning Commission.
Seconded by Mr. Onishi and carried'by,the following voice vote:
Ayes: Committee Members Galimba, Hustace, Inaba,
Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Onishi, Vi'llegas,
and Chair Kagiwada—8.
Notes: None.
`Absent; Committee Member Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder—1.
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. Please read in Communication 707.
Comm. 707: NOMINATION OF ROLLIN RABARA TO THE FIRE COMMISSION
From Mayor C. Kimo Alameda, dated January 15, 2026, requesting the Council's
review and confirmation.
Requires Council
Confirmation by: February 28, 2026 (Section 13-4(k),
Hawaii County Charter)
(Note: At this time, Executive Assistant to the Mayor Micah Alameda
and the nominee came forward to address the members of the
Committee.)
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GOEAC-27 February 3,2026
Vote on Comm. 707: Ms. Villegas moved to recommend confirmation of the nomination
(Approved) of Mr. Rollin Rabara the Fire Commission. Seconded by Mr. Inaba
and carried by the following voice vote:
Ayes: Committee Members Galimba, Hustace, Inaba,
Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Onishi, Villegas,
and Chair Kagiwada—8.
Notes: None.
Absent: Committee Member Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder—l.
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, Mr. Rabara. And thank you,
Mr. Alameda. With that, we come to the end of our meeting, and it is
9:50 a.m. Thank you.
ADJOURN- There being no further business, Chair Kagiwada adjourned the meeting at
MENT: 9:50 a.m.
Approved:
Ms. Jenn Kagiwada, Chair (Date)
Committee on Governmental Operations
and External Affairs
JK/dt
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