REP GOEAC 139 2026-06-02 2024-2026

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REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS DATE: June 2, 2026 PLACE: Council Chambers Hilo, Hawaii TIME: 9:00 a.m. Council Chair and Members Hawaii County Council Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Re: Comm. No. 915/Bill No. 165 Your Committee on Governmental Operations and External Affairs, to which was referred Bill No. 165, reports as follows: Bill No. 165, transmitted by Council Member Ashley L. Kierkiewicz, via Communication No. 915, dated May 14, 2026, initiates an amendment to Article X of the Charter of the County of Hawaii (2024 Edition), relating to Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation (PONC). Bill 165 increases the annual allocation dedicated to the Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Maintenance Fund from 0.25 percent to 0.5 percent of real property tax revenue; removes the accrual limit for the fund; provides that all expenses from the fund must align with the fund's purpose; and authorizes the awarding of grants from the fund. Property Manager Shannon Arquitola and Program Manager Ben Schapiro were present in the Council Chambers to answer questions. Member Kierkiewicz began by explaining that the rationale for this bill came after convening the "PONC in Practice" Summit. She said that one of the frustrations voiced was a lack of clarity on how to move forward on things within the PONC process. Member Kierkiewicz stated that where there is so much detail within the Charter it can hinder progress and the widespread agreement was that those details belong in the County Code instead. She explained that this bill increases the funding available for stewardship and that they want to see this program continue to be successful and as more properties are acquired there will need to be more funds available to maintain them. Additionally, she explained the removal of the $3 million cap on funding and noted that any funds not spent will remain in that fund instead of returning to the general fund so that those funds can accrue. She acknowledged that the timing for this legislation to advance and make it onto the ballot is very tight and explained that the intention is to simultaneously work on a code change ordinance that would move the language being stricken from the Charter into the County Code. She said that she needs time to complete this work, and her intention is to submit a code change bill by July 6 to discuss at the July 22nd meeting, which will be the final reading of the Charter amendment bill that is currently before them. Committee Member Rebecca Villegas said that she has been involved with many aspects of the PONC program and has seen vast improvements already in the process and stated that everything within the Charter is cumbersome, and moving this language to the Code would make sense. She stated that she has concerns about the timing of doing both of these changes concurrently and that doing it right is more important than leaving us vulnerable. GOEAC Report No. 139