The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutREP PCHSW 011 2026-09-01 2024-2026 o Hawai`i County Council-49 September 16,2026 Bill 189: AMENDS CHAPTER 14, ARTICLE 25, SECTION 14-151 OF THE HAWAI`I COUNTY CODE 1983 (2016 EDITION, AS AMENDED), RELATING TO CLEARING UNSAFE FLORA Specifies that a department designated by the mayor may investigate and certify complaints of unsafe flora and specifies that an appropriate expert may be consulted in such cases. Reference: Comm. 1041 Intr. by: Council Member Onishi Approve: PCHSW-11 WITHDRAWN Bill 190: AMENDS ORDINANCE NO. 26-44, THE OPERATING BUDGET OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAI`I FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2027 Appropriates revenues in the Federal Grants—Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act account($1,300,000) and appropriates the same to the following Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act 2026-2027 accounts: Administrative/Planning ($150,000), Adult Program($500,000), Dislocated Worker Program($250,000), and Youth Program ($400,000). Funds would be used to provide services that enhance employment opportunities,job retention, earnings, skill development and literacy. Reference: Comm. 1054 Intr. by: Council Member Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder(B/R) Approve: FC-179 Companion: Res. 666-26 PASSED 1ST READING: Ayes: Council Members Galimba, Hustace, Kagiwada, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder,Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Onishi, Villegas, and Chair Inaba—9. Noes: None. Absent: None. Excused: None. Page 14 O REPORT OF THE POLICY COMMITTEE ON HEALTH SAFETY,AND WELL-BEING DATE: September 1, 2026 Re: Comm. 1041/Bill 189 PLACE: Council Chambers Hilo, Hawai`i TIME: 12:21 p.m. Council Chair and Members Hawai'i County Council Hilo,Hawaii 96720 Your Policy Committee on Health, Safety, and Well-being, to which was referred Bill No. 189, reports as follows: Bill No. 189,transmitted by Council Member Dennis "Fresh"Onishi via Communication No. 1041, dated August 12, 2026, amends Chapter 14,Article 25, Section 14-151 of the Hawai`i County Code 1983 (2016 Edition, as amended),related to clearing unsafe flora. Bill 189 specifies that a department designated by the mayor may investigate and certify complaints of unsafe flora and specifies that an appropriate expert may be consulted in such cases. Public Works Director Wesley Segawa, Deputy Engineering Chief Melanie DeMello, and Deputy Corporation Counsel Sinclair Salas-Ferguson were present in the chambers for questions. Chair Onishi provided a brief overview. Mr. Segawa voiced his department's hesitant support for the bill and clarified that they are working on hiring an arborist. Committee Member Ashley L. Kierkiewicz expressed confusion over how the bill will change what the mayor or the depaituient does with the unsafe flora complaints. Ms. DeMello clarified that currently,the Department of Public Works (DPW)receives the complaints of unsafe flora from the Mayor's Office to investigate. They send out their engineers,who base the level of danger a tree poses by how tall the tree is and if it would hit an existing building or County right- of-way,to certify the complaint. Mr. Salas-Ferguson further clarified that DPW does not have a certified arborist to do the complaint investigations,but this bill will require they work with one. Committee Member Jenn Kagiwada sought clarification on Chapter 14, Section 14-152,that addresses ways for the County to recover the cost of clearing lots of unsafe flora. Mr. Salas- Ferguson and Ms. DeMello informed the committee that,to their knowledge,the County has not yet used this section of the code to clear unsafe flora on an unoccupied lot. Mr. Salas-Ferguson added that the County usually keeps matters between private property owners private unless extenuating circumstances exist. PCHSW Report No. 11 OPCHSW-11 � Page e 2 � September 1 2026 P Committee Member Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder expressed concern about property owners not being able to afford to clear the unsafe flora on their own and that they might not be able to afford the reimbursement to the County. Committee Member Heather Kimball pointed out that there could be unintended consequences when requiring departments to consult an expert because not every complaint will require an expert. Chair Onishi clarified that this bill is just the start to fixing the ongoing unsafe flora issue by requiring that the designated department to consult an appropriate expert. Your Policy Committee on Health, Safety, and Well-Being is in accord with the purpose and intent of Bill 184, and recommends its passage on first reading. ct AYES NOES ABS EX Respectfully submitted, GALIMBA X HUSTACE x POLICY COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, INABA x SAFETY,AND -BEING KAGIWADA X KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER X KIERKIEWICZ X KIMBALL X DENNIS "FRESH" ONISHI, CHAIR ONISHI X PCHSW REPORT NO.: 11 VILLEGAS X ADOPTED: