The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutMIN PCHSW 2026/06/02 (2024-2026)Policy Committee on Health, Safety, and Well-being 9th Session Hawaii County Building 25 Aupuni Street Hilo, Hawaii June 2, 2026 CALL TO The regular meeting of the Policy Committee on Planning, Safety, and ORDER: Well-being was called to order at 3:00 p.m., in the Council Chambers, Hilo, by Dennis "Fresh" Onishi, Chair. ROLL CALL: Present: Mr. Dennis "Fresh" Onishi, Chair Ms. Heather L. Kimball, Vice Chair Ms. Michelle M. Galimba, Member Mr. James E. Hustace, Member Mr. Holeka Goro Inaba, Member Ms. Jenn Kagiwada, Member Ms. Ashley L. Kierkiewicz, Member Ms. Rebecca Villegas, Member Absent & Excused: Mr. Matt Kdneali`i-Kleinfelder, Member STATEMENTS The Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business, FROM THE Statements from the Public on Agenda Items. PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS: The following individuals registered to speak on Bill 157 (Comm. 888), and came forward when called by the Chair: Deb Smith: In Support. Eileen O'Hara: In Support. Amedeo Markoff. In Support. Shelley Ha`i: In Support. (representing Native Tenant Protection Council and ESE #11 Emergency) CHR. ONISHI: Thank you. Mr. Clerk, can you read in Bill 157. PCHSW-9 June 2, 2026 BILLS FOR The Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business, ORDINANCES: Bills for Ordinances. Bill 157: AMENDS CHAPTER 7 OF THE HAWAI`I COUNTY CODE 1983 (2016 EDITION, AS AMENDED), RELATING TO DISASTER RECOVERY Establishes a County Disaster Recovery Program to coordinate short -and long- term recovery efforts following major disasters, led by a recovery officer appointed by the mayor with the responsibility for recovery planning, interagency coordination, community engagement, funding management, and the development of interim and long-term recovery and resilience plans. Reference: Comm.888 Intr. by: Council Member Kierkiewicz Postponed: May 19, 2026 (Note: There is a motion by Council Member Kierkiewicz, seconded by Council Member Hustace, to recommend passage of Bill 157 on first reading.) (Note: Comm. 888.2, from Council Member Ashley L. Kierkiewicz dated June 2, 2026, transmitting a proposed amendment to Bill 157, was circulated.) CHR. ONISHI: Go ahead Ms. Kierkiewicz. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you, Chair. I appreciate my colleagues for the opportunity to continue to have this discussion and address some of the comments that were raised in our last committee hearing. Again, this bill is designed to establish within our code a disaster recovery framework. So in the event of a future major disaster, similar to the scale of the 2018 volcanic eruption, there's a playbook in our code so that the county knows how to mobilize personnel and resources and can work in partnership with recovery to create a recovery strategy and plan that puts the community's voice aVthe center. Motion to Amend: Ms. Kierkiewicz moved to amend Bill 157 with the contents of Comm. 888.2. Seconded by Mr. Hustace. CHR. ONISHI: Go ahead Ms. Kierkiewicz. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you. This is to address some of the comments that were raised in committee. The first item, number one, has to do with establishing a disaster recovery definition. This is something that aligns with the definition by FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency). Page 2 PCHSW-9 June 2, 2026 Number two. You know, after further discussion with the Civil Defense Agency and Mayor's Office, we made a collective decision to move this function actually within the Office of the Mayor. So it will be operating at a more executive management level, which I think at the end of the day makes the most sense because the Mayor's Office does serve as central coordinator among all the departments. So that is a shift. The third amendment, as part of this communication, is clarifying who should have a seat at the table in coordinating recovery activities. I forgot to put us in there. Wanting to make sure that when the recovery officer is working with county departments and agencies that they do work in partnership with the council member or the council members of the affected area. Because we're often boots on the ground, and our constituents look to us for information. And then finally, Council Member Kimball had questions about departmental responsibilities. This is to clarify that departments, offices, and agencies provide immediate support until a recovery team has been set up. At that point, those departments can throttle back and provide support as needed. Happy to answer questions you folks might have. Thank you, Chair. CHR. ONISHI: Okay. On the amendment, any members? Ms. Kimball. MS. KIMBALL: Yes. Thank you, Council Member Kierkiewicz. I appreciate the attentiveness to the comments that were made and the initial discussion. Really liked the flushing out of the area that I particularly had questions about and like the addition of this coordinating, with the council or Council Members that are affected. I think, as Eileen O'Hara mentioned, like we do have that connection to community that I think is, in your experience and the experience of others, really valuable, in terms of bringing the community back together and whatnot. Well, that's it. I'm very happy to support this amendment and again we appreciate your response in this to the comments that were made in the first hearing. Thank you. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you. CHR. ONISHI: Okay. Any other members? Hearing or seeing none. All those in favor of approving, the amending of Bill 157 with the Communication of 888.2, say "aye." Those opposed? Page 3 PCHSW-9 Vote on Motion to Amend: (Approved) June 2, 2026 The motion to amend Bill 157 with the contents of Comm. 888.2 was carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members Galimba, Hustace, Inaba, Kagiwada, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Villegas, and Chair Onishi — 8. Noes: None. Absent: Committee Member Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder —1. Excused: None. CHR. ONISHI: We're back to the main motion. Go ahead, Ms. Kierkiewicz. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Yeah, I'll just say thank you all so much for recognizing the importance of putting this in code. Many of you have been with me since the onset of my tenure on the Council, and recovery has really marked my time here in public service. Many, many lessons learned. So many situations could've been avoided, but we figured our way out of these challenges. I would never want another community to suffer the way that lower Puna has suffered. As you've heard from testimony two weeks ago and today, people are still in recovery mode. Aunty Deb Smith still has to trek over 700 feet of lava to get home, eight years later. That is unconscionable that that is still happening; that folks have not fully recovered and can move on with their lives. I'm hoping that this is helpful to any community in the future. I hope you don't have to use it. But at least we have a guidebook to coordinate all of the resources to make sure that recovery isn't political but it's all hands-on deck and folks are supporting community. So I appreciate everyone's support today. Thank you, Chair. CHR. ONISHI: Okay. You're welcome. Any. Ms. Villegas. MS. VILLEGAS: Yeah. I just want to thank Council Member Kierkiewicz for taking the initiative to bring this forward. As we, just in the last few months, are recovering from the Kona Low and from the earthquake in South Kona and the damages done there, and as I look at the news and continue to see projections for a potentially dangerous El Nino cycle this year, we don't know what's ahead of us. Page 4 PCHSW-9 Vote on Bill 157: Draft 2 (Approved) ADJOURN- MENT: Approved: June 2, 2026 So this preventative measure to put this in place, once again, hopefully we don't have to use it. But we know from experience, I think there've been, what, four lava flows in the eight years we've been here. And, you know, the earth is moving and shaking, and so having the best course possible set, as we talked about earlier, so history doesn't have to repeat itself, you know. There's never really a perfect way to do things but there are things not to do. And even having that list identified is very helpful. So, thank you for this. I'm in full support. CHR. ONISHI: Any other members? Okay, hearing or seeing none. All those in favor of approving Bill 157 and moving to full council please say, "aye." Those opposed? The motion to recommend passage of Bill 157, as amended to Draft 2 on first reading, was carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members Galimba, Hustace, Inaba, Kagiwada, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Villegas, and Chair Onishi — 8. Noes: None. Absent: Committee Member Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder— 1. Excused: None. CHR. ONISHI: This concludes our meeting. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you all so much. Have a good day! CHR. ONISHI: We are adjourned at 3:18 p.m. Thank you. There being no further business, Chair Onishi adjourned the meeting at 3:18 p.m. 4" - Mr. Dennis " resh � Onishi, Chair Policy Committee on Health, Safety, and Well-being DO/mp i ! (Date) Page 5