HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP GOEAC 138 2026-06-02 2024-2026REPORT 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. 913/Res. No. 577-26
Your Committee on Governmental Operations and External Affairs, to which was referred
Resolution No. 577-26, reports as follows:
Resolution No. 577-26, transmitted by Committee Member Jenn Kagiwada, via Communication
No. 913, dated May 13, 2026, amends the Rules of Procedure and Organization of the Council of
the County of Hawaii by adding a rule relating to Native Hawaiian Law Training.
Resolution 577 requires Council Members to complete the Office of Hawaiian Affair's Native
Hawaiian Law legal training.
As the introducer of this legislation, Member Kagiwada relinquished chairmanship to Committee
Member James E. Hustace.
Member Kagiwada said that she completed this free online training in May and it was very
informative on critical issues that Council Members have jurisdiction over. She stated that the
impetus for this proposed rule change came from the value of this information and she wished
that she had received this knowledge sooner and believes it is a good baseline for all Council
Members to have. She mentioned that the Office of Hawaiian Affairs Chairperson Kaiali`i Kahele
submitted testimony in support of this resolution.
Committee Member Michelle M. Galimba stated that she was in support of the rule proposal but
was requesting language clarification to be added regarding an exception if one had already taken
this training elsewhere or had an equivalency of training or greater.
Committee Member Heather L. Kimball added that language about "when available" be included
as this training is being offered by another entity that the Council does not have discretion over.
Committee Members Rebecca Villegas and James E. Hustace spoke in favor of this rule change
resolution.
Committee Member Holeka Goro Inaba asked the maker to consider including language on how
to enforce this rule and who should keep track of the completion of this training.
Member Kagiwada said she would investigate all of those recommendations further and provide
amendments before the next Council meeting.
GOEAC Report No. 138
i'
GOEAC-138 ;' Page 2 June 2, 2026
Your Committee on Governmental Operations and External Affairs is in accord with the purpose
and intent of Resolution No. 5,77-26, and recommends its adoption.
SIM
AYES
NOES
ABS
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
EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
JMN Ae CHAIR
GOEAC REPORT NO.: 138
ADOPTED: JUL 0 8 _2026