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REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON <br /> GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS <br /> DATE: June 2, 2026 Re: Comm.No. 913/Res. No. 577-26 <br /> PLACE: Council Chambers <br /> Hilo, Hawaii <br /> TIME: 9:00 a.m. <br /> Council Chair and Members <br /> Hawaii County Council <br /> Hilo, Hawaii 96720 <br /> Your Committee on Governmental Operations and External Affairs, to which was referred <br /> Resolution No. 577-26, reports as follows: <br /> Resolution No. 577-26, transmitted by Committee Member Jenn Kagiwada, via Communication <br /> No. 913, dated May 13, 2026, amends the Rules of Procedure and Organization of the Council of <br /> the County of Hawaii by adding a rule relating to Native Hawaiian Law Training. <br /> Resolution 577 requires Council Members to complete the Office of Hawaiian Affair's Native <br /> Hawaiian Law legal training. <br /> As the introducer of this legislation, Member Kagiwada relinquished chairmanship to Committee <br /> Member James E. Hustace. <br /> Member Kagiwada said that she completed this free online training in May and it was very <br /> informative on critical issues that Council Members have jurisdiction over. She stated that the <br /> impetus for this proposed rule change came from the value of this information and she wished <br /> that she had received this knowledge sooner and believes it is a good baseline for all Council <br /> Members to have. She mentioned that the Office of Hawaiian Affairs Chairperson Kaiali`i Kahele <br /> submitted testimony in support of this resolution. <br /> Committee Member Michelle M. Galimba stated that she was in support of the rule proposal but <br /> was requesting language clarification to be added regarding an exception if one had already taken <br /> this training elsewhere or had an equivalency of training or greater. <br /> Committee Member Heather L. Kimball added that language about"when available"be included <br /> as this training is being offered by another entity that the Council does not have discretion over. <br /> Committee Members Rebecca Villegas and James E. Hustace spoke in favor of this rule change <br /> resolution. <br /> Committee Member Holeka Goro Inaba asked the maker to consider including language on how <br /> to enforce this rule and who should keep track of the completion of this training. <br /> Member Kagiwada said she would investigate all of those recommendations further and provide <br /> amendments before the next Council meeting. <br /> GOEAC Report No. 138 <br />