HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP FC 153 2026-05-19 2024-2026DATE: May 19, 2026
PLACE: Council Chambers
Hilo, Hawaii
TIME: 1:01 P.M.
Council Chair and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
Re: Comm. No. 891Bill No. 159
Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred Bill No. 159, reports as follows:
Bill No. 159, transmitted by Committee Member Heather L. Kimball via Communication No. 891,
dated May 1, 2026, initiates an amendment to Articles III, V, VI, VII, VIII, and X of the Charter
of the County of Hawaii (2024 Edition), relating to the establishment of a biennial operating
budget and capital budget.
This bill establishes biennial budgeting for the County, with an initial primary budget to be
adopted every odd -numbered year and a supplemental operating budget to be adopted every
even -numbered year.
Committee Member Heather L. Kimball provided background on the matter and its intention.
Committee Member Dennis "Fresh" Onishi asked Finance Director Diane Nakagawa to share her
thoughts on the proposed amendment to the Charter. Ms. Nakagawa stated that she had told
Ms. Kimball that the most critical point to consider is that the current financial system was built
for an annual budgeting process and that shifting the system to a biennial budget would require
significant effort.
Committee Member Ashley L. Kierkiewicz supported Ms. Nakagawa's statements and added that
the current system needs time to work through its problems before deciding to make a complete
change.
Committee Member Holeka Goro Inaba also expressed concerns, stating that he didn't see how
transitioning to a biennial budget would benefit the County.
Your Committee on Finance is not in accord with the purpose and intent of Bill No. 159, and
forwards it to Council with a negative recommendation.
lvh
AYES
NOES
ABS
I 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 FINANCE
MA KANE LI`I-KLEINFELDER,
CHA
FC REPORT NO.: 153
ADOPTED: SUN 0 3 2026