REP GOEAC 120 2026-04-21 2024-2026

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REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS DATE: April 21, 2026 PLACE: Council Chambers Kailua-Kona, Hawaii TIME: 9:04 a.m. Council Chair and Members Hawaii County Council Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Re: Comm. No. 821/Res. No. 517-26 Your Committee on Governmental Operations and External Affairs, to which was referred Resolution No. 517-26, reports as follows: Resolution No. 517-26, transmitted by Research and Development Director Benson Medina via Communication No. 821, dated April 1, 2026, authorizes the Mayor to enter into an intergovernmental agreement with the University of Hawaii, Big Island Invasive Species Committee (BIISC), for the purpose of awarding grant funds to control and combat the spread of invasive species. Funds in the amount of $250,000 from the Department of Research and Development would be used to support critical invasive species efforts. Deputy Director Dennis Lin and Economic Development Specialist Glenn Sako were in the Hilo Chambers to answer questions. Mr. Lin began by explaining that as the work BIISC does is under the purview of the University it is necessary to enter into intergovernmental agreements. Mr. Sakc highlighted some of the invasive species that BIISC is working to control but mentioned these are just a few of the many species they are working on. Committee Member Michelle M. Galimba asked questions about the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle (CRB) and their use of detector dogs. Mr. Lin clarified that there is only one dog doing this work for the state and that they are working to train the dog to be more specific on whether the CRB is a live larvae or dead one. Committee Member Dennis "Fresh" Onishi asked about the positions for the staff members who will be working on the Two -Lined Spittlebug mitigation. Mr. Lin said that he didn't have specific details on their job positions but that without this grant those two staff members wouldn't be funded. Member Onishi asked which campus these positions would be created for. Mr. Sako explained that BIISC staff are housed within the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Member Onishi asked if the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience would be a better place for these positions or funding, to keep things more local. Mr. Lin said that BIISC is trying to help support the other agencies and organizations that are already doing similar work and fill in some gaps in funding across the board. Member Onishi asked how much of the $250,000 would be used for the salaries of those two positions. Mr. Sako said that he didn't have those numbers with him and would provide them at the next meeting. GOEAC Report No. 120