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REPORT OF THE POLICY COMMITTEE <br />ON HEALTH, SAFETY, AND WELL-BEING <br />DATE: March 17, 2026 <br />PLACE: Council Chambers <br />Kailua-Kona, Hawaii <br />TIME: 1:20 p.m. <br />Council Chair and Members <br />Hawaii County Council <br />Hilo, Hawaii 96720 <br />Re: Comm. No. 761Bill No. 138 <br />Your Policy Committee on Health, Safety, and Well-being, to which was referred Bill No. 138, <br />reports as follows: <br />Bill No. 138, transmitted by Council Chair Dr. Holeka Goro Inaba via Communication No. 761, <br />dated February 26, 2026, amends Chapter 15, Article 2, Division 1, Section 15-20 of the Hawaii <br />County Code 1983 (2016 Edition, as amended), relating to commercial activity in County park <br />areas. <br />Bill No. 138 prohibits the issuance of permits, licenses, or other authorizations for commercial <br />activity within Kohanaiki Beach Park. <br />Committee Member Holeka Goro Inaba provided a brief overview. <br />Deputy Director of Parks and Recreation Melissa Samura was present in the Hilo Chambers and <br />provided a brief background on the bill. Ms. Samura also expressed support for the bill on <br />behalf of Parks and Recreation Director Clayton Houma. <br />Committee Member Rebecca Villegas expressed gratitude to Ms. Samura and Member Inaba for <br />drafting Bill 138 and offered her support. <br />Committee Chair Dennis "Fresh" Onishi asked if there was an event at Kohanaiki, would <br />vendors be permitted to operate. Ms. Samura confirmed that any commercial activity would not <br />be permitted. <br />Your Policy Committee on Health, Safety, and Well -Being is in accord with the purpose and <br />intent of Bill 138, and recommends its passage on first reading. <br />bm <br />AYES <br />NOES <br />ABS <br />EX <br />GALIMBA <br />X <br />HUSTACE <br />X <br />INABA <br />X <br />KAGIWADA <br />X <br />KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER <br />X <br />KIERKIEWICZ <br />X <br />KIMBALL <br />X <br />ONISHI <br />X <br />VILLEGAS <br />X <br />Respectfully submitted, <br />POLICY COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, <br />a <br />UZ L-BEING <br />DENNIS "FRESH" ONISHI, CHAIR <br />PCHSW REPORT NO.: 7 <br />ADOPTED: APR 0 8 2026 <br />