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Home My WebLink AboutAGE COUNCIL 2026-07-08 2024-202644th Session Hawai‘i County Building 25 Aupuni Street Hilo, Hawai‘i July 8, 2026 9:00 a.m. Notice is hereby given that the Hawai‘i County Council will be conducting this meeting via interactive conference technology (ICT) pursuant to Hawai‘i Revised Statutes §923.5. Council Members will be participating via ICT at the: Kona Council Chambers, West Hawai‘i Civic Center, 745044 Ane Keohokālole Highway, Building A Members of the public may also attend from this location. Public attendance via Courtesy Site is available at the following locations: Ocean View Community Association, 92-8924 Leilani Circle; Pāhoa Council Office, 15-2879 Pāhoa Village Road; and Waimea Council Office, Parker Square, 65-1279 Kawaihae Road, Suite 109. If a Courtesy Site is unavailable and/or participation is disrupted, the scheduled meeting will continue. Oral Public Testimony via Zoom: To provide oral testimony via Zoom, email councilremotetestimony@hawaiicounty.gov or call (808) 961-8255 to complete the registration process and obtain meeting login information. Please contact our office to register by 12:00 noon, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. Submitting Written Testimony: To ensure timely delivery to Council Members prior to the meeting, written testimony must be submitted no later than 12:00 noon on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, by: (1) email to counciltestimony@hawaiicounty.gov; (2) facsimile to (808) 9618912; or (3) mail to the County Clerk’s Office in Hilo at 25 Aupuni Street, Hilo, Hawai‘i, 96720. All written testimony, regardless of time of receipt, will be made part of the permanent record. Please submit separate testimony for each item. INVOCATION Pastor Eric Anderson of Church of the Holy Cross ORDER OF BUSINESS CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE PETITIONS, MEMORIALS, CERTIFICATES OF MERIT, AND EXPRESSIONS OF CONDOLENCE STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS Pursuant to HRS §92-3, oral testimony may be provided entirely at the beginning of the meeting, or immediately preceding the agenda item being opened for deliberation by the Council. (NOTE: COUNCIL MAY TAKE A LUNCH BREAK CLOSE TO THE NOON HOUR) APPROVAL OF MINUTES April 22, 2026 REPORTS GOEAC-140 (Comm. 932): NOMINATION OF ERIC INOUYE TO THE FIRE COMMISSION Requires Council Confirmation by: July 11, 2026 (Section 13-4(k), Hawaiʻi County Charter) ORDER OF RESOLUTIONS Res. 577-26: (Draft 2) AMENDS THE RULES OF PROCEDURE AND ORGANIZATION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAI‘I BY ADDING A RULE RELATING TO NATIVE HAWAIIAN LAW TRAINING Requires Council Members to complete the Office of Hawaiian Affair’s Native Hawaiian Law legal training. Reference: Comm. 913.4 Intr. by: Council Member Kagiwada Approve: GOEAC-138 Held Over Pursuant to Council Rule 23(1)(d): June 17, 2026 (Note: There is a motion by Council Member Kagiwada, seconded by Council Member Hustace, to adopt Res. 57726, as amended.) ; and Comm. 913.5: From Council Member Jenn Kagiwada, dated June 24, 2026, transmitting proposed amendments to Res. 577-26, Draft 2. Res. 586-26: AUTHORIZES THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT TO AWARD FUNDS TO PŌHAKU PELEMAKA THROUGH THE KĪLAUEA RECOVERY GRANT PROGRAM Provides $142,000 in grant funds to Pōhaku Pelemaka to provide relief, recovery, mitigation, and long-term resilience for disaster damages, losses, and suffering caused by the 2018 Kīlauea eruption. Reference: Comm. 928 Intr. by: Council Member Kierkiewicz (B/R) Approve: FC-157 Res. 592-26: AUTHORIZES THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO AN AMENDED ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER ON CONSENT AGREEMENT WITH THE UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (EPA) UNDER SECTION 309 OF THE CLEAN WATER ACT Authorizes the Mayor to enter into an agreement with the EPA for a five-year extension for the Kula‘imano Waste Water Treatment Plan Rehabilitation and Replacement Project and a three-year extension for the Pāpaʻikou Waste Water Treatment Plan Rehabilitation and Replacement Project. Reference: Comm. 935 Intr. by: Council Member Kagiwada (B/R) Approve: GOEAC-141 Res. 593-26: AUTHORIZES THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO AN AMENDED ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER ON CONSENT AGREEMENT WITH THE UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (EPA) UNDER SECTION 1423 OF THE SAFE DRINKING WATER ACT Authorizes the Mayor to enter into an agreement with the EPA for a two-year extension for the Pāhala Large-Capacity Cesspools Closure Project and a five-year extension for the Nā‘ālehu Large-Capacity Cesspools Closure Project. Reference: Comm. 936 Intr. by: Council Member Kagiwada (B/R) Approve: GOEAC-142 Res. 596-26: TRANSFERS/APPROPRIATES AN APPROPRIATION OUT AND FROM A DESIGNATED FUND ACCOUNT AND CREDITS SAME TO A DESIGNATED FUND ACCOUNT TO PROVIDE A GRANT TO FULL LIFE FOR THE ABLED HAWAI‘I ARTISTS ART IMMERSION EXHIBIT Transfers $5,500 from the Clerk-Council Services – Contingency Relief account (Council District 1); and credits to the Department of Research and Development, Big Island Film Office account. Reference: Comm. 948 Intr. by: Council Member Kimball Res. 597-26: TRANSFERS/APPROPRIATES AN APPROPRIATION OUT AND FROM A DESIGNATED FUND ACCOUNT AND CREDITS SAME TO A DESIGNATED FUND ACCOUNT TO PROVIDE A GRANT TO HAWAI‘I INTERNATIONAL SCIENCE EXPERIENCE TO ASSIST WITH EXPENSES FOR ITS 2026 HISE PROGRAM Transfers $6,500 from the Clerk-Council Services – Contingency Relief account (Council District 1); and credits to the Department of Parks and Recreation, Administration Other Current Expenses account. Reference: Comm. 949 Intr. by: Council Member Kimball Res. 598-26: TRANSFERS/APPROPRIATES AN APPROPRIATION OUT AND FROM A DESIGNATED FUND ACCOUNT AND CREDITS SAME TO A DESIGNATED FUND ACCOUNT TO PROVIDE A GRANT TO THE FRIENDS OF FIRST RESPONDERS FOR THE 2026 ROBUST CONFERENCE Transfers $5,000 from the Clerk-Council Services – Contingency Relief account (Council District 4); and credits to the Department of Liquor Control, Public Programs account. Reference: Comm. 950 Intr. by: Council Member Kierkiewicz Res. 599-26: TRANSFERS/APPROPRIATES AN APPROPRIATION OUT AND FROM A DESIGNATED FUND ACCOUNT AND CREDITS SAME TO A DESIGNATED FUND ACCOUNT TO ASSIST THE DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION WITH EXPENSES RELATING TO THE HILO BAY BLAST FIREWORKS DISPLAY CELEBRATING INDEPENDENCE DAY Transfers $1,500 from the Clerk-Council Services – Contingency Relief account (Council District 4); and credits to the Department of Parks and Recreation, Culture and Education Other Current Expenses account. Reference: Comm. 951 Intr. by: Council Member Kierkiewicz Res. 600-26: TRANSFERS/APPROPRIATES AN APPROPRIATION OUT AND FROM A DESIGNATED FUND ACCOUNT AND CREDITS SAME TO A DESIGNATED FUND ACCOUNT TO PROVIDE A GRANT TO BIG ISLAND SUBSTANCE ABUSE COUNCIL FOR ITS 12TH ANNUAL SUMMER JAM Transfers $2,000 from the Clerk-Council Services – Contingency Relief account (Council District 2); and credits to the Department of Liquor Control, Public Programs account. Reference: Comm. 952 Intr. by: Council Member Kagiwada Res. 601-26: TRANSFERS/APPROPRIATES AN APPROPRIATION OUT AND FROM A DESIGNATED FUND ACCOUNT AND CREDITS SAME TO A DESIGNATED FUND ACCOUNT TO PROVIDE A GRANT TO HAWAI‘I INTERNATIONAL SCIENCE EXPERIENCE FOR ITS 2026 HAWAI‘I INTERNATIONAL SCIENCE EXPERIENCE PROGRAM Transfers $7,000 from the Clerk-Council Services – Contingency Relief account (Council District 2); and credits to the Department of Research and Development, Tourism Promotion account. Reference: Comm. 953 Intr. by: Council Member Kagiwada BILLS FOR ORDINANCES (FIRST READING) Bill 125: AMENDS CHAPTER 25, ARTICLE 7, DIVISION 4, OF THE HAWAIʻI COUNTY CODE 1983 (2016 EDITION, AS AMENDED), RELATING TO THE PĀHOA VILLAGE DESIGN DISTRICT Clarifies duties, procedures, and other regulations regarding the Pāhoa Village Design Guidelines and the Pāhoa Design Review Committee; makes other technical and non-substantive amendments. Reference: Comm. 709 Intr. by: Council Member Kierkiewicz Approve: PCPLUED-11 Bill 126: (Draft 2) AMENDS CHAPTER 25, ARTICLES 1, 3, 5, AND 7, OF THE HAWAIʻI COUNTY CODE 1983 (2016 EDITION, AS AMENDED), RELATING TO SPECIAL DISTRICTS Creates the Downtown Pāhoa commercial district as a new special zoning district; establishes new permitted uses. Reference: Comm. 710.4 Intr. by: Council Member Kierkiewicz Approve: PCPLUED-12 ; and Comm. 710.5: From Council Member Ashley L. Kierkiewicz, dated June 29, 2026, transmitting proposed amendments to Bill 126, Draft 2. Bill 163: (Draft 2) AMENDS CHAPTER 19, ARTICLE 8, OF THE HAWAIʻI COUNTY CODE 1983 (2016 EDITION, AS AMENDED), RELATING TO REAL PROPERTY TAXES Establishes a new real property tax dedication for certain properties that are owned by a descendant of a person who owned the property at least one hundred years ago to be subject to the minimum tax. Reference: Comm. 909.6 Intr. by: Council Member Hustace Approve: FC-158 Bill 164: AMENDS CHAPTER 2, ARTICLE 13, DIVISION 2, SECTION 2-69, OF THE HAWAI‘I COUNTY CODE 1983 (2016 EDITION, AS AMENDED), RELATING TO THE HOUSING ADMINISTRATOR Requires Council confirmation for the Housing Administrator. Reference: Comm. 914 Intr. by: Council Member Onishi A pprove: GOEAC-143 ; and Comm. 914.2: From Council Member Dennis “Fresh” Onishi, dated June 24, 2026, transmitting proposed amendments to Bill 164. ORDER OF THE DAY (SECOND OR FINAL READING) Bill 157: (Draft 3) 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. 888.7 Intr. by: Council Member Kierkiewicz First Reading: June 17, 2026 Bill 162: AMENDS CHAPTER 3 OF THE HAWAI‘I COUNTY CODE 1983 (2016 EDITION, AS AMENDED), RELATING TO PAID PARKING FACILITIES Adds a new article to establish signage requirements for paid parking facilities, to include a schedule of rates, notice of any additional fees, hours of operation, and information on towing procedures. Reference: Comm. 907 Intr. by: Council Member Villegas First Reading: June 17, 2026 Bill 165: INITIATES AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE X OF THE CHARTER OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAI‘I (2024 EDITION), RELATING TO PUBLIC ACCESS, OPEN SPACE, AND NATURAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION 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. Reference: Comm. 915 Intr. by: Council Member Kierkiewicz First Reading: June 17, 2026 2/3 Vote: Second of three required readings, Section 151(a), Hawai‘i County Charter OTHER BUSINESS (Including but not limited to reconsideration of vetoed items, if any, or reconsideration of actions on agenda items.) ANNOUNCEMENTS ADJOURNMENT Note: B/R, when listed next to the name of an Introducer, signifies that the Council Member has agreed to introduce legislation “By Request” on behalf of the requesting party. It does not necessarily signify support of or opposition to the proposal. Live Stream of County Council Meetings: To view the live stream of this meeting, at the scheduled meeting start time, type the following into the address bar of the browser: http://hawaiicounty.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=1. Please call (808) 961-8255 if the Council’s streaming location is not functioning. If the Council’s stream is deemed inoperable, the following address will be provided for the live stream and should be typed into the browser: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJNalwg4OoK7a_7nGnEtGPA. If you need an auxiliary aid/service or other accommodation due to a disability, call (808) 9618255 as soon as possible, preferably by July 6, 2026. If a response is received after this date, every effort will be made to obtain the auxiliary aid/service or accommodation, but there is no guarantee the request can be filled. Upon request, this notice is available in alternate formats such as large print, Braille, or electronic copy. Agenda items are available on the County website at www.hawaiicounty.gov. Click on Council Records to navigate to current agendas. For any questions, please contact Council Services at (808) 961-8255.