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HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP GOEAC 143 2026-06-16 2024-2026REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS DATE: June 16, 2026 PLACE: Council Chambers Kailua-Kona, Hawaii TIME: 9:01 a.m. Council Chair and Members Hawaii County Council Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Re: Comm. No. 914Bill No. 164 Your Committee on Governmental Operations and External Affairs, to which was referred Bill No. 164, reports as follows: Bill No. 164, transmitted by Council Member Dennis "Fresh" Onishi, via Communication No. 914, dated May 4, 2026, amends Chapter 2, Article 13, Division 2, Section 2-69, of the Hawaii County Code 1983 (2016 Edition, as amended), relating to the Housing Administrator. Bill 164 requires Council confirmation for the Housing Administrator. Governmental Operations and External Affairs Meeting of June 2, 2026 Bill 164 was postponed to June 16, 2026, with seven "ayes," with members Dennis "Fresh" Onishi and Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder absent. Governmental Operations and External Affairs Meeting of June 16, 2026 Member Onishi began by explaining that the rationale for this bill came from the realization of how much funding passes through the Office of Housing and that the Council does not currently have oversight in the appointment of the Administrator. He mentioned that this bill will not go into effect until the next term of the Mayor and will not impact the current Administrator. Committee Member Ashley L. Kierkiewicz asked Corporation Counsel Renee Schoen if Council has the authority to approve the Housing Administrator through Hawaii Revised Statutes. Ms. Schoen said that there was nothing conflicting that she was able to find. Member Kierkiewicz asked if Ms. Schoen was prepared to speak on behalf of the administration regarding this legislation. She said she was not. Member Kierkiewicz stated her support of this bill. Committee Member Heather L. Kimball and Committee Chair Jenn Kagiwada both also indicated their support of this legislation. Member Onishi proposed an amendment via Communication 914.1 regarding the date this legislation will take effect. Member Onishi withdrew his amendment after the following discussion took place. GOEAC Report No. 143 GOEAC-143 Page 2 June 16, 2026 Chair Kagiwada asked if this amendment will make it so that the Council will not have the opportunity to appoint a new Housing Administrator under this current Mayor, even if the current Housing Administrator stepped down. Member Onishi said that was correct. Chair Kagiwada said that she would not be supporting the amendment. Member Kimball agreed that in the event there is an opening in this position she would like to see the Council have this ability sooner rather than later. Member Kierkiewicz asked Ms. Schoen if they were to pass the bill as it is currently written they would not have to bring the current Housing Administration back before the Council for confirmation. Ms. Schoen said that was correct. Member Kierkiewicz asked if they passed the bill in the present form, without the amendment and Administrator Kehaulani M. Costa were to step down for some reason the Council would now have the authority to approve the Mayor's new nominee. Ms. Schoen agreed and said they would have 60 days to approve. Committee Member Holeka Goro Inaba asked for confirmation regarding the fact that this bill is amending the Code and said he did not see any references to the provisions in the Charter regarding the timeline. Member Inaba also asked if a reference needs to be in there to reference the Charter language. Ms. Schoen said she doesn't see a need to reference the Charter provisions and shared that her understanding is that the Housing Administrator is indeed a department head and therefore the provisions of Section 13-8 would come into play. Your Committee on Governmental Operations and External Affairs is in accord with the purpose and intent of Bill No. 164, and recommends its passage on first reading. slm AYES NOES AHS EX GALIMBA X HUSTACE X INABA X KAGIWADA X KANEALI°I-KLEINFELDER X KIERKIEWICZ X KIMBALL X ONISHI X VILLEGAS I lxp Respectfully submitted, COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS JEW KA I , CHAIR GOEAC REPORT NO.: 143 ADOPTED: JUL 0 T-Vfi