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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN GOEAC 2026/04/21 (2024-2026) DRAFTCommittee on Governmental Operations and External Affairs 32nd Session West Hawaii Civic Center 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway, Building A Kailua-Kona, Hawai `i April 21, 2026 CALL TO The regular meeting of the Committee on overnme ORDER: External Affairs was called to order at 9:04 a., in the Kailua-Kona, by Mr. Matt Kaneali`i leinfelder, Acting unT T raT T - Present: Ms. Jenn Kagiwada, Chair (via vidN Mr. Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Vice Ms. Michelle M. Galimba, Member Mr. James E. Hustace Member Ms. Ashley L. Kierkiewicz,` mber Ms. Heather L. Kimball, Me Mr. Dennis "Fresh" Onis - Mem Ms. Rebecca Villegas, Me er Absent & Excused: STATEMENTS Th ng C directed the C ittee to proceed to the next order of FROM THE busin t the lic on Agenda Items. PUBLIC ON AGENDere were none.) the Committee to proceed to the next order of GATT Comm. 340: N.REQUESTS THE FORMATION OF AN AD HOC COMMITTEE TO REVIEW E PUBLIC ACCESS, OPEN SPACE, AND NATURAL RESOURCES From Council Member Michelle Galimba dated June 3, 2025. Postponed: June 17, 2025 (Note: There is a motion by Council Member Galimba, seconded by Council Member Hustace, to close file on Comm. 340.) ; and GOEAC-32 April 21, 2026 Comm. 340.1: From Council Member Michelle M. Galimba, dated March 31, 2026, transmitting the Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Commission Process Ad Hoc Committee recommendations. ACTING CHR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Okay, so we have the motion on the floor already. Council Member Galimba, you want to start us off this morning? MS GALIMBA: Thank you, Chair. As stated, t d Hoc committee was formed to review the existing preservation acq non program; just the acquisition portion, and to look at processe d pr res. The applicable sections of the County Charter, Code, an C (Pu ccess, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation C si ) Rules ctice. The committee also consulted with stakeholders including co m embers, staff, and the PONC commiss' The committee has a final rep recommendations. And we did not review or eva to any specif' projects or acquisitions. So, this was about process and the current state of the PONC We have enough of an overall; ber of common t s that we found and I can go over— of too sure, Clerk, is that nto it any dee ot? MR. HENRICKS: I thin 's at 'm not hearing anything too interes ' far. It's not a sm, it you're doing well. 04 GALI A= Thank you. the co�mon thernes we've fo Adminisirative changes and s we are in a really good place i hhbbablv staffed better than it ell, I'll make a few comments then. Some of ideas, where that, there has been a lot of mover during the past few years. However, t now. The program is fully staffed and been. So, I think good things are We A want to; the commissioners for their dedication. They really work hard at making th s the work. And it is really one of the best things about Hawai `i County, that we have such a strong PONC program. here is that we're presenting this final report, and we can talk about r. But if we'd like to deeper conversations we would need to postpone uthe next meeting to have conversations on content. However, I would like to ask my fellow Ad Hoc committee members if they would like to add any comments at this time. ACTING CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you very much, Council Member. Council Member Hustace. Page 2 GOEAC-32 April 21, 2026 MR. HUSTACE: Thank you, Chair. And I just want to thank Council Member Galimba and Council Member Kimball for participating in this process, and the overall review of the acquisition portion of PONC; and going through those recommendations. But really appreciate the time and energy we've put into it to consider ideas and opportunities going forward on that. So, mahalo. ACTING CHR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Than ou. Council Member Kimball. MS. KIMBALL: Nothing really to add, just ad 1 mahalo to my colleagues and for the PONC committee members in p ula heir mana`o on this. And want to wish Council Member Hust1ce, Happy day. Thank you ACTING CHR KANEALI`I-KLE ELDhR: Okay, thaNa much. Anybody else in Hilo? No, oka ouncil tuber Galim MS. GALIMBA: Happy Birthday, ouncil HustaAnd thank you, Council Members Kimball and Hustace for serving on this committee, as well a e staff and commission again. Just wanted to have a quick poll of the com 4embers. Any interest in a discussion next time, or we could close this out.—.b** I know there are, at leastXotheruag. Yaa wicz is also working on this and has had a summit. Sthere floating out there that include the e ideas%dision yond. antedsense from the body about next ste If nas any bsues, we will close this out today, and will continue to in M' l EINFELDER: Okay. Council Members any ling good on n oving this along? Okay, hearing nothing, Council ba, do you want to make a motion? Mr. Clerk, what do we do? CKS: ou can go to the motion on the floor, which is to file the on. nd upon that motion being adopted, the Ad Hov would be hen any Council Members can then move forward with tions in the report, like introducing legislation or other r activities. AffING CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Okay, Council Members the IV motion is on the floor to close file on Communication 340 and forward the findings of the Committee. All in favor? Any opposed? Page 3 GOEAC-32 Vote on Comm. 340: Filed Comm. 851: April 21, 2026 The motion to close file on Comm. 340 was carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members Galimba, Hustace, Kagiwada, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Onishi, Villegas and Acting Chair Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder — 8. Noes: Absent: None. Committee Member Inaba — 1. Excused: None. ACTING CHR. KANEALI`I- From Mayor C. Kimo Alameda, dated April 2, 2026, reques e Council's review and confirmation. Requires Coun Confirmation by: ay 16, 2026 (Section 13-4(k), ai `i County Charter) (Note: At this t ecutive Assistant Mayor Micah Alameda and the nominee e forward to address Or of the Committee.) Vote on Comm. 851: ba moved ecommen confirmation of the nomination (Approved) of Mr. on Macnguy to the Board of Ethics. Seconded by r. H ce and carried following voice vote: embers Galimba, Hustace, agiwa , Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Onishi, illegas and Acting Chair Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder — 8. Member Inaba — 1. one. seda provided a brief narrative of the nominee's background rience. Committee Members spoke in favor of the tent. ACTING CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Again, thank you for stepping up to this important board, and we appreciate your service to the community. Page 4 GOEAC-32 April 21, 2026 Comm. 852: NOMINATION OF KARI CLARK TO THE COST OF GOVERNMENT COMMISSION From Mayor C. Kimo Alameda, dated April 2, 2026, requesting the Council's review and confirmation. Vote on Comm. 852: (Approved) Comm. 853: Requires Council Confirmation by: May 16, 20 6 (Section 13-4(k), Hawai `i Charter) Mr. Hustace moved to recommend conf' on of the nomination of Ms. Kari Clark to the Cost of Govdrnme mission. Seconded by Ms. Galimba and c i by the King voice vote: Ayes: Noes: Absent: Excused: Committee Me Kagiwada, K' Villegas a None. Committee Memb None. Mr. Alameda p3 and experience. appointment. ACTING CAL KANEALI` Galimba, Hustace, :z, ' ball, Onishi, 'hair eali`i-Kleii — 1. narrative minee's background tubers spo n favor of the Motion carries. TO THE HAMAKUA COMMUNITY OMMITTEE From Mayor'C. Kimo-Alamej4jrdated April 2, 2026, requesting the Council's . quires Council ISN nfirmation by: ATIOT F LEONARL OPM PLAN ACTI May 16, 2026 (Section 13-4(k), Hawai `i County Charter) Vote on Comm. �lq� Hustace moved to recommend confirmation of the nomination (Approved) Mr. Leonard Luiz to the Hamakua Community Development Plan Action Committee. Seconded by Ms. Galimba and carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members Galimba, Hustace, Kagiwada, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Onishi, Villegas and Acting Chair Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder — 8. Noes: None. Absent: Committee Member Inaba — 1. Excused: None. Page 5 GOEAC-32 April 21, 2026 Mr. Alameda provided a brief narrative of the nominee's background and experience. Committee Members spoke in favor of the appointment. ORDER OF The Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business, RESOLUTIONS: Order of Resolutions. Res. 517-26: AUTHORIZES THE MAYOR TO ENTER INT IN RGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF AI`I, BIG ISLAND INVASIVE SPECIES COMMITTEE, FO HE P OSE OF AWARDING GRANT FUNDS TO CONTROL AND C BAT T READ OF INVASIVE SPECIES Funds in the amount of $250,000 f theDepartment of ch and Development (R&D) would be to supp critical invasi ie efforts. Reference: Comm.82 Intr. by: Council Member Kagiwada (B/R) Motion to Approve: Mr. Hustace moved to recommend adoption of Res. 517-26. Y Seconded by Ms. Galifttba. ACTING CHR. KANEA `I-KLEINFELDER�)!uncil Members, discussion. ^.IEKIE body in Hilo do we have Re earch and Development in the Hilo CZ: Yes, Cha I as just going to call up Deputy Director and Mr. Salo. T are hereto pre . TING R. KANE-KLEINFELDER: Yes, please. Gentlemen go when re ready. And then we'll go to questions from the body. AtOffiis time, Research and Development Deputy Director s Lin and Economic Development Specialist Glenn Sako came rd to address the members of the Committee.) Good morning, Dennis Lin, Deputy Director for Department of and Development. MR. SAKO: Good morning, I'm Glenn Sako, Economic Development Specialist in Agriculture. MR. LIN: So, good morning everybody. Thank you for hearing our resolution here. Basically, Big Island invasive is part of the University system. Page 6 GOEAC-32 April 21, 2026 So, in order for us to provide the funds to them to continue their work on Invasive Species, we'd have to go into an intergovernmental agreement between the County and UH (University of Hawai `i). Mr. Sako here has some of the different tasks and deliverables that this is committing to with the funds that we're going to be allocating. So, without further ado, I'll pass it now to Mr. Sako. MR. SAKO: Thank you. First of all, I want to ion th t Big Island Invasive Species Committee (BIISC) is actively fightingagainst all known invasive species that we have in Hawaii County. S what oing to just highlight is just a small portion of what they do for hi nding t e are requesting. People don't realize how many in ve plants that are out therein our environment. So, the three tha�they are tar ting right now is the a ervine and the Giant Burmese Honeysuckle_ So, the ave to survey thousands of acres looking for them and controlling w'hatevpr ey find. Also, in the Puna a there's the Devil that is very invasive, and they are also requesting perm on with private pro owners to go on to their sites to survey and irradicate whatever plants they can om ross. The next part is the Coconut Rhinoceros RB). We're going to start the 4CYees e compli e agree this week, which will involve d also ivate nurse sand the other landscape businesses. tive in king to survey and to educate the public about conut Rhi os Beetle. So, this is just another portion be coveri Thank you. M-KLEINFELDER: Thank you very much. Okay, to ons regarding the resolution. Council Member Galimba. MS. (MMBA�rwe ank you. Thanks for bringing this forward. Definitely support an, thin can do to help BIISC with their actions around these plant and animal invasive species. I was just wondering on the CRB. Do you know if this would be using detector dogs to find the larva. I think they are very good at findina the larva. LIN: Thank you for your question, Council Member Galimba. So, we have rought in the detector dog on multiple occasions, but because there's only one dog, it has to be shared with all the other counties as they find different detections. And what they're trying to do also, is trying to train the dog to be a little bit more specific in terms of, is it a live larva or if it's a dead larva; whether it's an actual beetle or not. There's been some false alarms. So, trying to get that dog to be a little bit more specific has also been a challenge. Page 7 GOEAC-32 April 21, 2026 But also one of the things when we request a dog, it takes some time to schedule it to fly over with the trainer and whatnot. But that is an ongoing effort to get a detector dog over here to look at larger piles which then get fumigated by HDAB (Hawai`i Department of Agriculture & Biosecurity). MS. GALIMBA: Thanks. Well, it's interesting to me that there is only one dog. Because I think it's pretty easy to train dogs to detect ifferent things. So, there probably is more than one dog that could do it. So s that's something that could be looked into. But you're doing a great j nswer ng the questions. Thank you so much for your answers. I11 EALI `I-KLEII� Thank you. Council Member Onishi. MR. ONISHI: Thank you, Chrhad stion on thXrese ereas," Number 5, about the two sta ar directly outreach, education, and so forth. My question is, can you explain more a ut, those two positions? VC MR. LIN: Hi Comic ber Onishi. We d have to get into more detail about what specificall gLies woul t without these funds, those two positions wo n't for their reach and research. BIIS5 already runs a very operatio , any assistance that they can get to more work is definitel ppreciated. ut we can get back to you on that. I k that w s j st an initial a cation. It's been hard to hire at BIISC currently, me get ck to you on t estion. MR. or th University at Hilo, Manoa, or is it for the Big nd B M I'll . Sako explain that, because it's a little bit complicated on how is si d within the University system. MR. SAND: Councilman, they are housed in theI'm going to say, and I cannot all the complete name, but I know the initials are PCSU (Pacific o ive Studies Unit). So, that is housed at the University of Hawaii at MR. ONISHI: So, we're paying with some grant money to UH Manoa to study, research, outreach, education of control measures instead of utilizing resources here on the island or using CTAHR (College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience). Wouldn't CTAHR be the better agency to work on this? Page 8 GOEAC-32 April 21, 2026 MR. SAKO: Well, CTAHR is involved with their research aspect. Dr. Meisner is involved with looking for biological control agents; also, we have Mason Russo, he is also coordinating some of the interagency meetings that we've been holding. So, they have their different avenues. Whether there is one particular agency that is better for this research, I'm don't know how that has been divided. MR. LIN: If I may, Council Member. From what I operations of BIISC, is that, they're trying to help s who are doing some of the work. For example, Department of Agriculture) only has one Ent And there is only one, MR. LIN: So, trying to get mo found, how can we identify to identify when it was born, or wb research that they would help with. Whereas CTAHR is types of fungus, or ba larvae to prevent them help the organizations w 3erstand about the the other agencies or'JSDA (United States who is analyzing the of support where, if ow old the adult wtie is ae is, trying of the trol meaning, are there any wA onto the beetle or the we're trying to Island I asive Species Committee be more of ust explained? %th mentio ghat because when the County got the money for the nd of R&D being the entity to distribute the funding to the public, oBigIand at Species Committee to be the entity to And then the people who wanted to get the help had to go through a ough the Big Island Invasive Species Committee; also, getting )out using the different types of pesticides to deal with the fire ants. Ke Ilook at thisin kind of the same way, right? So, I'm just wondering re reachingoutagain to the State to fund for this research when I think ntities could be the ones that could do it already. But okay, and I look orward to you folks explaining more later. Out of the $250,000 that's being awarded, how much of that funding will be used for these two positions? Would you folks have that? MR. SAKO: We have their budget breakdown. Unfortunately, I don't have it with me at this meeting. We can get that to you. Page 9 GOEAC-32 April 21, 2026 MR. ONISHI: For us, because we're authorizing the Mayor to enter into an intergovernmental agreement, I mean, it should at least list where the funding is going. So, if you can get that to us at the next Council meeting, that would be great. MR. SAKO: Sure. MR. ONISHI: Okay, thank you. I yield. ACTING CHR. KANEALI`I- Member Onishi. Council Member MS. KAGIWADA: Thank you, wondering, you talked about th towards. But it's a little diff anything about the Rubber Vines, i Council ir. Overall, supportiv *U1 'ust aj or thi s that the fundigo e resoldon't see d abou Then, this one talks out the Queenslan horn Beetle (QLB) and the Two -Lined Spittlebu , I'm just wonde there some flexibility in exactly what they use this for, or wha n here on this resolution, these five things what i eeds ? MR. ank you for ur estion, cil Member. That was the initial ou of what they wanted use the fu mg for. But partially, it's because h e are ite s at are comin more to the forefront and kind of to support the R8 now that I're in the int m le period. So, things changed between the time we transmitteA the submitt 1 till now. thos7nyce till invasi ecies that this is continuing to work on. 61ae ueensland Beetle and the Spittlebug. Those are continuing to be oo icultural industry. MS. I ' E WAER: Thank you. Okay, I just want to make sure that the Vtve s the way you want it for what you want to get done. Because this ant money will be used to fund; has five items that are different than mentioned as a priority. So, I just want to make sure that we're getting them this money; then them using it for things additional to his resolution? And are there any parameters then around what those additional things would be? MR. LIN: I'll take it upon myself to go back to LRB (Legislative Research Branch) and just kind of clarify and see how we can include some language regarding the additions, as well as those positions too, to provide that clarity Page 10 GOEAC-32 April 21, 2026 MS. KAGIWADA: Okay, let me know if you need any help with amendments or anything. Okay, thank you. I am supportive overall, but it would be good to make sure we are indeed funding the things we want to be funding. So, thank you, I yield. ACTING CHR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you. Council Members in Hilo? Council Member Kierkiewicz. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you. I just want t ogniz the leadership our County has shown in providing this kind of f o BIISC. You know, shout out to that particular team. But I think it w ay ut one or two budget 41 cycles ago, that you know, this Council ve 'ntentio ut this kind of money in to support invasive species ti and ma ent. Because we do know how criti t is to agricultural ecosystems. Be e l catastrophic impacts on Ag system stepping up to kind of facilitate this. I was curious if give thing that's I and just different fun penin increasing BIISC capac to r MR. ank you for fil ' a ga _ They get exist the area t t they want *40 the C ve been tal capacity to fUJh&Aeother on, our natural la and invasive specie r have hqn y. So, I ap date R&D g within the State and Federally, Is t $20,000 filling in a gap or nity? Member. It's actually more of a funding bg it's to kind of increase the capacity >ut more attention on, but really haven't due to of their time. But trying to get more are now popping up. WICZ: OW, I'll probably reach out to have a conversation about whi can further support their organization, because their work is irn's al. the bit that Council Member Kagiwada brought up about nt funds are going to be used for, I agree with you that there needs to xibil' in the language that's presented here. Because we need these often to turn on a dime. Ni rules comes out or God forbid there's another invasive species that awing to deal with, we're going to really rely on BIISC support to help that. So, in support of more flexible language in the resolution. MR. LIN: Thank you. And I think BIISC would appreciate that as well. Particularly, because what's been happening is because everything has been in the Kona side, BIISC is focused and they're housed in Hilo. So, all of their staff has been driving back and forth. So, hopefully, this funding can help provide some Kona staffing. And those people would stay in Kona and do the work there. Page 11 GOEAC-32 April 21, 2026 MS. KIERKIEWICZ: I think that is a very wise idea. In full support. Thank you again for your assistance with this. I yield. ACTING CHR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you. Anyone else. Department's staff, looking at the Project Expense Form, Exhibit A-2, submitted by R&D, the Salary and Fringes is $172,000 out of th $250,000 grant. Then we have aline item for Other for $10,000. And at the ottom, there is also an Administrative Expense of ten percent, so, $22,0 I appreciate the work that you are looking et deal with little fire ants, and so does our entire community. The Q nsland orn Beetle has been in the community for easily five to ten o ; Coqui nd a number of invasive species. Seems to be thi er incoming on slot f e outside world. I had a brief discussion from 4 goocTfriend. W lightly touched this all comes into Hawaii Island via exteiinal sources, ich really pu is back on the Department of Agriculture to enforce better. So, in reviewing this o of work that b submitted by BIISC and recognizing the efforts to nd what we ha e in our County as far as invasive species to date, the portion that concerns me with this is the majority of the funds, more than half, is going to staffin and administrative expenses with a very 1' ogrammatic exkt udget. other p i that concis, why are we involving the University of `i as an a tity and theprofit instead of just awarding the funds the nonprofit? So, ["appreciate fe u can help me with those two concerns I'm ack. IN: Thank you for your question, Council Member. In terms of yo W quesYtoghelp rding the Salary and Wages. These are the people who are hwiththe outreach. Without the outreach we cannot have communi buy- mitigate and irradicate the pests, right? So, without them going out and doing all this trainings with the CRB, it would then be upon our staff as the County to try and help HDAB to do their work with outreach. rt of this main priority is the education piece of explaining what are the r s, what are the best practices to deal with these invasive species? So, undamentally, the funding goes to those people because they're the ones doing the work. And programs are great, but without the people to run the programs, you know, it's not going to happen. So, that's part of why those funding goes towards the people. If you could repeat your second question for clarity, please. Page 12 GOEAC-32 April 21, 2026 ACTING CHR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you for the first part of the answer. And I'll take you into the second part. The Administrative expense is for BIISC or for UH to govern the grant funding of $250,000? MR. SAKO: Councilman, so, BIISC is an entity under the PCSU, which is part of the University of Hawai `i at Manoa. So, when we enter into a contract with BIISC, we're entering into a contract with the University of Hawaii. And the University of HawaiiOffice then their Budget Oce hav al oversight. We'll fill out the reports, and of course, BIISC Program ger, anny Brewer has to do her final report which then comes back to us lete the contract. So, we cannot give the funds directly to BIISC. It to ough the University of Hawai `i. ACTING CHR KANEALI`I-KL ELD R: In readin esolution, BIISC is defined as a nonprofit. And understand ' falls under the si , but what's stopping us from gra the funds directly to the nor And then again, is the administrative expense going to the University of ai`i then for administering the grant or is it going to B& or am I just not seeing that it's all one entity? MR. LIN: Thank you estion, Coun er. It's basically, one entity. But I think just w, we in the unty has certain divisions, it's considered almost li div' ersity of Hawaii at Manoa. So, really seal responsib timatel s into the larger entity, right, which CG e the niversity of wai`i syste CHR KANEALI`I- E FELDER: Okay, just a thought, Deputy Dir is the Department of griculture or the State working to better deflect any in ve species coin' o our County? _ LIN: I would say, it's an interesting time at HDAB. They're trying to do var s reorganizationg trying to get more funding in place to do certain progr it's almost like a skeleton crew there, and you know, we try to get as much�But ese ation as we try to convene these task force to deal with CRB or other invasive species. But it just doesn't seem like there's enough people there to provi that kind of oversight and direction. So, we support the work that key' doing, but I would say to the State Legislature that they need a lot more ACTING CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Yeah, I'm looking at this resolution, and I'm understanding that the County is now expending $250,000 of our resources and our tax revenue to bolster the State's kuleana to protect us from invasive species. And I don't detract from the efforts, but I also have learned that jurisdiction is incredibly important. Page 13 GOEAC-32 April 21, 2026 State Highway 11 is not a County concern. It concerns all of our residents, but it's a State Highway. This in the same sense, invasive species are the State's kuleana, and we keep stepping into administer what resources we have available to bolster their activities because there seems to be a failure at the State level to protect us adequately. We gave money to Coqui frogs regarding citric acid t the community to stop Coqui frogs. That's not going to happen. Now we ittle fire ants to QLB, the CRBs. I mean we have skunks in Keaukaha uess here does it end is the question. That's pretty hypothetical. I appreciate the resolution. I cannot say stflikgly enough'that the State needs to step up their efforts. And I think Mr gkan Mr. Lin, you'.d agree to that statement. And our efforts shouldeCrounty and using our funding in our County to actually take care of County concqns versus trying to to e re of what the State failed to do. is a very clean message for our State representatives and State legislators, and our Sta overnment t ake up in their responsibilities to our community. Council Member Villegas. MS. VILLEGAS: I want to express my thought patterns for accountabil' from the St with invasive species for�lecad I feel lik We're still importing liv lants other on them. don't e t the Co v try to frm ort and concurrence with . We've been dealing et's look at the source. are in nature, going to have ci tly, effectiv , or with any broad-spectrum plan actually ,n iners coming i , it is frustrating as a Council person on the and with constitue , we allocate millions of dollars every year to .ck specie . ately, are going to thrive in this ecosystem. e ause i e tropics, any of these species are coming from places where e o thri Until we stop it a e source, we're continuing to basically, flush money down the toilet_ I app date everything BIISC does, and without them we would be even more inundated. I just want to call out from a State level, step up, lean in, inspect o containers. Stop them at the ports because trying to fight them on the ou isn't working for us. I concur with Chair Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder's message. Let's take something rom New Zealand's playbook, they don't allow anything in, and they've been able to maintain, not always perfectly, but borders safe. I guess that feels weird using that terminology right now. But their island nation is safe from invasive species, and their ecosystem has been allowed to recover and thrive. And with that, I yield. Page 14 GOEAC-32 April 21, 2026 ACTING CHR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you. Final question from me. Deputy Director Lin, does the State provide funding the University to do what we do? Same idea, same concept. MR. LIN: So, there is funding provided to HISC which is Hawaii Invasive Species, which then provides funding to the different invasive species committees across the State. I am not quite sure how he University of Hawai `i system allocates their funding in regards to invasiv es directly. Like Mr. Sako mentioned, there is the research side of t ngs w ere they're trying to build out more research facilities as well as enhance the funding for biocontrols. But in terms of the funding t4Bas en utilizing it's from HISC, and there is some allocations froI ould have to dig deeper to understand where the moneys of the University o Hawai`i system. ACTING CHR KANEALI`DE Mr. Sako, do y ow? MR. SAKO: No, I'm not awallocate funds to the University of Hawaii. However, cannot confirm, but as i mentioned, Dr. Meisner is working on a biological confr a t for CRB larva,which is a virus. And hopefully, that will help us in the con spect. Actually, I also heard, well, I'm not sure who's handling the research on this one. nave ey mention aw chicken anure as a possible control method, rching that. ow, I don' ow if whether that will be a wai`i researc roject also. But it seems like the University of some fun om HDAB for the biological control aspect. 17-26: motio recommend adoption of Res. 517-26 was L IL. ed by he following roll call vote: s: Committee Members Galimba, Hustace, Kagiwada, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, and Acting Chair Kaneali `i-Kleinfelder — 6. Noes: Committee Member Onishi — 1. Absent: Committee Members Inaba and Villegas — 2. Excused: None. ACTING CHR KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Motion carries. That brings us to the end of our itemized agenda. Seeing no further business on the schedule for this committee, we are adjourned. It is 10:18 a.m. Our next committee will start shortly. Page 15 GOEAC-32 ADJOURN- Seeing no further business, Acting Chair Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder adjourned MENT: the meeting at 10:18 a.m. Ms. Jenn Kagiwada, Committee on Governmental Operations and External Affairs JK/dt (Date) 21, 2026 Page 16 April