HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP GOEAC 152 2026-08-04 2024-2026REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON
GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
DATE: August 4, 2026
PLACE: Council Chambers
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
TIME: 12:00 p.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Re: Comm. No. 981/Res. No. 615-26
Your Committee on Governmental Operations and External Affairs, to which was referred
Resolution No. 615-26, reports as follows:
Resolution No. 615-26, transmitted by Prosecuting Attorney Kelden B.A. Waltjen, via Communication
No. 981, dated July 8, 2026, authorizes the Mayor to enter into an intergovernmental agreement with
the State of Hawaii, Department of the Attorney General, to receive a grant for the Domestic Violence
Prosecution Program.
Funds will be used to partially fund one deputy prosecuting attorney position focused on
misdemeanor domestic violence and protective order crimes in which the victim is an adult woman.
Grant Nagata and Shannon Kagawa from the Prosecuting Attorney's Office were present on
Zoom to explain where this funding comes from, what it will be used for, and to answer any
questions.
Committee Member Dennis "Fresh" Onishi asked why they don't get permanent funding for this
program. Mr. Nagata explained that this is not a grant that they have to keep applying for but that
it is funding they get annually. He explained that if they didn't get this funding then they would be
reaching out to Finance for additional funding for this position from within the County budget.
Member Onishi asked how many cases are being handled annually by their office. Ms. Kagawa
said that she would have to run stats to provide that updated information. She was able to find
something that showed 99 cases open but explained that these were only the numbers of cases that
were reported. Member Onishi said that per capita he believed Hawaii Island had more cases. He
then asked if there was a similar position in Kona. Ms. Kagawa said there is a position in Kona,
but it is not funded in the same manner and this grant is specifically for East Hawaii. Member
Onishi asked if the position in Kona was funded by General Funds. Mr. Nagata said yes. There
was not clarity around whether this was an "extra position" as Member Onishi inquired and he
stated he would follow up with their office directly.
GOEAC Report No. 152
GOEAC-152 Page 2 August 4, 2026
Your Committee on Governmental Operations and External Affairs is in accord with the purpose
and intent of Resolution No. 615-26, 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
JENN'KAGlWA'51A, CHAIR
GOEAC REPORT NO.: 152
ADOPTED: SEP Q 2 202