HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP GOEAC 147 2026-07-07 2024-2026REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON
GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
DATE: July 7, 2026
PLACE: Council Chambers
Hilo, Hawaii
TIME: 9:40 a.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Re: Comm. No. 945/Res. No. 595-26
Your Committee on Governmental Operations and External Affairs, to which was referred
Resolution No. 595-26, reports as follows:
Resolution No. 595-26, transmitted by Director of Finance Diane Nakagawa, via Communication
No. 945, dated June 18, 2026, authorizes the Mayor to enter into an intergovernmental agreement
with the United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service (MRCS),
for cost sharing to purchase a conversation easement for the Kealoha Family Lo`i identified as Tax
Map Keys: 5-2-009:025 and 5-2-009:026 through the Public Access, Open Space, and Natural
Resources Preservation Program (PONC).
Resolution No. 595-26 allows for the receipt of federally -derived matching funds for the acquisition
of the Kealoha Family Lo`i conservation easement authorized by Resolution No. 513-26.
United States Department of Agriculture, NRCS Assistant Director for Programs Nicholas
Sauraweber was present on Zoom to answer questions. Program Manager with the PONC team
Ben Schapiro and Finance Property Manager Shannon Arquitola were present in the Hilo
Chambers. Mr. Schapiro began by saying that this is a great opportunity to partner with NRCS
and to receive additional funding for the acquisition of this conservation easement.
Mr. Saumweber shared that the program agreement does not obligate funds, it just establishes a
protocol for how the two agencies will work together to submit a project for proposals. He said
that easements sometimes take a while to complete these steps due to legal concerns.
Committee Members James E. Hustace and Michelle M. Galimba spoke in favor of this
resolution.
Committee Chair Jenn Kagiwada stated that she is also excited to see how this first project goes
and that she is looking forward to potentially other agreements in other parts of the island in the
future. i
GOEAC Report No. 147
GOEAC-147 Page 2 July 7, 2026
Your Committee on Governmental Operations and External Affairs is in accord with the purpose
and intent of Resolution No. 595-26, and recommends its adoption.
slm
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
;i
JENN KAGIWADA, HAIR
GOEAC REPORT NO.: 147
ADOPTED: .JUL 2 3 2g26