HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP GOEAC 154 2026-08-04 2024-2026REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON
GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
DATE: August 4, 2026 Re: Comm. No. 983/Res. No. 617-26
PLACE: Council Chambers
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
TIME: 12:00 p.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Your Committee on Governmental Operations and External Affairs, to which was referred Resolution
No. 617-26, reports as follows:
Resolution No. 617-26, transmitted by Council Member Heather L. Kimball, via Communication
No. 983, dated July 16, 2026, approves the nominations made by the Executive Committee of the Hawaii
State Association of Counties for the National Association of Counties (NACo) Board of Directors and the
Western Interstate Region (WIR) Board of Directors.
Resolution No. 617-26 requests the Council's approval of the following slates of officers: NACo —
KipuKai Kuali`i, Kauai County and Tommy Waters, City and County of Honolulu; and WIR — Shane
Sinenci, Maui County and Arryl Kaneshiro, Kauai County.
Member Kimball explained these decisions were made before the current election decisions were made
regarding City and County of Honolulu District 4, and regardless of the outcome of that election there
are often committee members that serve until the end of their Council term.
Committee Chair Jenn Kagiwada inquired why there isn't a member from Hawaii County on the slate
of officers. Member Kimball explained that there is typically a presidential appointment by NACo and
that she received that nomination. She said that if they don't receive the presidential appointment then
Hawaii County will receive another position on the executive committee.
Committee Member Dennis "Fresh" Onishi shared the history of the make-up of the membership of the
officers and stated his preference for returning to having one representative from each county on the
executive committee.
Your Committee on Governmental Operations and External Affairs is in accord with the purpose
and intent of Resolution No. 617-26, 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
44w,ve-,
JENN GIWA , CHAIR
GOEAC REPORT NO.: 154
ADOPTED: SEP 0 2 2026