HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP GOEAC 126 2026-05-04 2024-2026REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON
GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
DATE: May 4, 2026
PLACE: Council Chambers
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
TIME: 2:00 p.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Re: Comm. No. 858Bill No. 152
Your Committee on Governmental Operations and External Affairs, to which was referred
Bill No. 152, reports as follows:
Bill No. 152, transmitted by Council Members Holeka Goro Inaba and Ashley L. Kierkiewicz, via
Communication No. 858, dated March 27, 2026, initiates an amendment to Article III,
Section 3-18, of the Charter of the County of Hawaii (2024 Edition), relating to the Office of the
County Auditor.
This bill clarifies that the County Auditor has the same power with respect to employees within the
Office of the County Auditor as department heads in the Executive Branch and specifies that the
County Auditor may appoint a deputy.
Member Inaba explained that he worked on this bill with Member Kierkiewicz during the interim
when the prior County Auditor departed. Member Inaba explained that this charter amendment
ensures clarity and that operations will be able to continue if the County Auditor leaves and allows
for a Deputy Auditor to be appointed by the Auditor. Member Kierkiewicz added that they wanted
to ensure that the Council is supporting the Office of the County Auditor with proper resources so
that they can continue to do their important work.
Committee Members Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder and James E. Hustace spoke in favor of this bill.
Your Committee on Governmental Operations and External Affairs is in accord with the purpose
and intent of Bill No. 152, and recommends its passage on first reading.
shn
AYES
NOES
AES
EX
GALIMBA
X
HUSTACE
X
INABA
X
KAGIWADA
X
KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER
X
KIERKIEWICZ
X
KIMBALL
X
ONISHI
X
VILLEGAS
X
Respectfully submitted,
COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL
OPERATIONS AND
EX ERNAL AFFAIRS
JE KAGIW , CHAIR
GOEAC REPORT NO.: 126
ADOPTED: MAY 2 0 2026