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Home My WebLink AboutAGE COUNCIL 2026-09-16 2024-2026 LINKS49th Session Hawai‘i County Building 25 Aupuni Street Hilo, Hawai‘i September 16, 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, September 15, 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, September 15, 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 Deacon President Kalei Holt-Mizuguchi of Haili Congregational Church 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 June 4, 2026 REPORTS GOEAC-157 (Comm. 1003): NOMINATION OF ZAHAVA ZAIDOFF TO THE TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION GOEAC-158 (Comm. 1047): NOMINATION OF SUNITA PRZEWLOCKI TO THE PUBLIC ACCESS, OPEN SPACE, AND NATURAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION COMMISSION Requires Council Confirmation by: September 27, 2026 (Section 2-215(j), Hawaiʻi County Code) GOEAC-159 (Comm. 1049): NOMINATION OF JAYSSA ASUNCION-GRACE TO THE GAME MANAGEMENT ADVISORY COMMISSION Requires Council Confirmation by: September 26, 2026 (Section 13-4(k), Hawaiʻi County Charter) GOEAC-160 (Comm. 1050): NOMINATION OF ROBERT A. CAMARA TO THE HAWAIʻI COUNTY CULTURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION GOEAC-161 (Comm. 1051): NOMINATION OF KILIHEAAHIAHI DORIAN INABA TO THE PUBLIC ACCESS, OPEN SPACE, AND NATURAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION COMMISSION Requires Council Confirmation by: September 26, 2026 (Section 2-215(j), Hawaiʻi County Code) GOEAC-162 (Comm. 1052): NOMINATION OF PORSCHE HAʻO TO THE BOARD OF APPEALS Requires Council Confirmation by: September 26, 2026 (Section 13-4(k), Hawaiʻi County Charter) ORDER OF RESOLUTIONS Res. 632-26: AUTHORIZES THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE TO ENTER INTO NEGOTIATIONS FOR THE ACQUISITION OF LANDS OR CONSERVATION EASEMENTS FOR ALL OR A PORTION OF THE PROPERTIES IDENTIFIED AS TAX MAP KEYS: 1-5-088:009, 010, 011, 012, AND 013, ALSO KNOWN AS WAIAKAHIʻULA VILLAGE OCEAN ACCESS, AND TAX MAP KEYS: 15-063:042 AND 043, ALSO KNOWN AS WAIAKAHIʻULA BURIAL SITE 19014 AND AGRICULTURAL COMPLEX SITE 19013, BOTH SITUATED IN THE AHUPUAʻA OF WAIAKAHIʻULA, DISTRICT OF PUNA, USING THE PUBLIC ACCESS, OPEN SPACE, AND NATURAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION FUND The County seeks to acquire approximately 1.505 acres of land listed as the fifth and sixth highest priorities in the 2025 Annual Report of the Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Commission. Reference: Comm. 1004 Intr. by: Council Member Kierkiewicz Approve: LAAC-44 Res. 645-26: AUTHORIZES THE PAYMENT OF FUNDS OF LATER FISCAL YEARS TO ENTER INTO A MULTI-YEAR AGREEMENT WITH JUST APPRAISED INC. TO RENEW A SOFTWARE LICENSE FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE, REAL PROPERTY TAX DIVISION Authorizes the Mayor to enter into a three-year agreement with an approximate annual cost of $61,110, to be used by the department to update ownership information that is used for issuance of assessments, tax billing, and other required correspondences. Reference: Comm. 1019 Intr. by: Council Member Kānealiʻi-Kleinfelder (B/R) Approve: FC-171 Res. 646-26: AUTHORIZES THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH THE STATE OF HAWAIʻI, DEPARTMENT OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, TO RECEIVE A GRANT FOR TRIAL ADVOCACY TRAINING Allows for the receipt of $86,932 in federally-derived funds to support trial advocacy training efforts to deputy prosecuting attorneys. Reference: Comm. 1020 Intr. by: Council Member Kānealiʻi-Kleinfelder (B/R) Approve: FC-172 Companion: Bill 182 Res. 651-26: AUTHORIZES THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH THE STATE OF HAWAIʻI, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, TO RECEIVE A GRANT FOR THE HAWAIʻI FIRE DEPARTMENT COMMUNITY PARAMEDICINE PROGRAM Allows for the receipt of $2,355,000 in federally-derived funds to be used to fund personnel, telehealth equipment and software, and provide training, travel, and program implementation materials. Reference: Comm. 1030 Intr. by: Council Member Kānealiʻi-Kleinfelder (B/R) Approve: FC-173 Companion: Bill 188 Res. 658-26: TRANSFERS/APPROPRIATES AN APPROPRIATION OUT AND FROM A DESIGNATED FUND ACCOUNT AND CREDITS SAME TO A DESIGNATED FUND ACCOUNT IN THE GEOTHERMAL RELOCATION AND COMMUNITY BENEFITS FUND TO ENHANCE THE PĀHOA AQUATIC CENTER AT THE WILLIAM “BILLY” KENOI DISTRICT PARK Transfers $113,000 from the Planning Department Geothermal Other Current Expenses account to the Department of Parks and Recreation Geothermal Miscellaneous Equipment account. Reference: Comm. 1040 Intr. by: Council Member Kierkiewicz Approve: FC-174 Res. 664-26: (Draft 2) APPROVES THE HAWAIʻI COUNTY COUNCIL LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS AND PRIORITIES TO BE CONSIDERED FOR INCLUSION IN THE 2027 HAWAIʻI STATE ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE Includes proposals prohibiting the capture and sale of aquatic life for commercial aquarium purposes, allowing counties to request a state land use boundary amendment from agricultural to rural districts for small parcels, requiring denitrification in individual wastewater systems, extending the county surcharge of general excise tax until 2045, updating eligible criteria for housing assistance applicants to allocate a percentage of housing units to be used by State or County employees under chapter 201H, and allowing counties to regulate the sale of tobacco products; and ten policy priorities relating to: (1) herbicide usage on public property; (2) solar system installation on public property and renewable energy generation; (3) watershed management, riparian areas, and flood control; (4) mental and behavioral health resources; (5) economic development and diversification; (6) wastewater infrastructure and cesspool conversion; (7) implementation of safe routes to school programs; (8) increasing funds for emergency preparedness, evacuation routes, notification systems, and community-level emergency planning; (9) responsible game management of wild ungulates; and (10) increasing wages. Reference: Comm. 1048.2 Intr. by: Council Member Kimball Approve: GOEAC-163 Res. 665-26: AUTHORIZES THE MASS TRANSIT AGENCY TO AWARD A GRANT TO PEOPLE FOR ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION HAWAIʻI Provides $240,000 in grant funds to manage the HIBIKE bike share program. Reference: Comm. 1053 Intr. by: Council Member Kānealiʻi-Kleinfelder (B/R) Approve: FC-175 Res. 666-26: AUTHORIZES THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH THE UNITED STATES, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING ADMINISTRATION, TO RECEIVE A GRANT OF WORKFORCE INNOVATION AND OPPORTUNITY ACT PROGRAM FUNDS Allows for the receipt of $1,300,000 in federally-derived funds to be used to provide services that enhance employment opportunities, job retention, earnings, skill development and literacy. Reference: Comm. 1054 Intr. by: Council Member Kānealiʻi-Kleinfelder (B/R) Approve: FC-176 Companion: Bill 190 Res. 668-26: 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 THE CHILDREN’S JUSTICE CENTER OF EAST HAWAI‘I, INC., FOR ITS SPECIAL NEEDS, ENHANCEMENTS, SUPPORT, EDUCATION, AND TRAINING PROGRAM Transfers $1,000 from the Clerk-Council Services – Contingency Relief account (Council District 4); and credits to the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney, Other Current Expenses account. Reference: Comm. 1060 Intr. by: Council Member Kierkiewicz Res. 669-26: AUTHORIZES THE PAYMENT OF FUNDS OF A LATER FISCAL YEAR TO ENTER INTO A MULTI-YEAR LEASE AGREEMENT FOR THREE MULTI-FUNCTION COPY MACHINES TO BE USED BY THE OFFICE OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Authorizes the Mayor to enter into a five-year lease agreement with an approximate annual cost of $25,000, to be used by the department’s Administration Division, Existing Housing Division, and West Hawai‘i Civic Center personnel. Reference: Comm. 1063 Intr. by: Council Member Kānealiʻi-Kleinfelder (B/R) Waived: FC Res. 676-26: 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 GG FOUNDATION FOR THE “MAHALO TEACHERS” EVENT Transfers $2,000 from the Clerk-Council Services – Contingency Relief account (Council District 7); and credits to the Department of Liquor Control, Public Programs account. Reference: Comm. 1070 Intr. by: Council Member Villegas Res. 677-26: TRANSFERS/APPROPRIATES AN APPROPRIATION OUT AND FROM A DESIGNATED FUND ACCOUNT AND CREDITS SAME TO A DESIGNATED FUND ACCOUNT FOR THE HAWAI‘I POLICE DEPARTMENT TO PURCHASE SUPPLIES FOR HIPAL ACTIVITIES Transfers $6,000 from the Clerk-Council Services – Contingency Relief account (Council District 3); and credits to the Police Department, Hawai‘i Isle Police Activities League Other Current Expenses account. Reference: Comm. 1071 Intr. by: Council Member Onishi Res. 678-26: 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 GG FOUNDATION FOR THE “MAHALO TEACHERS” EVENT Transfers $8,000 from the Clerk-Council Services – Contingency Relief account (Council District 8); and credits to the Department of Parks and Recreation, Administration Other Current Expenses account. Reference: Comm. 1072 Intr. by: Council Member Inaba BILLS FOR ORDINANCES (FIRST READING) Bill 181: AMENDS SECTION 25-8-33 (CITY OF HILO DISTRICT ZONE MAP), ARTICLE 8, CHAPTER 25 (ZONING CODE) OF THE HAWAI‘I COUNTY CODE (2016 EDITION, AS AMENDED), BY CHANGING THE DISTRICT CLASSIFICATION FROM SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL – 15,000 SQUARE FEET (RS-15) TO SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL – 10,000 SQUARE FEET (RS-10) AT WAIĀKEA, SOUTH HILO, HAWAI‘I, COVERED BY TAX MAP KEY: 2-4-014:016 (Applicant: Zak Ai Ikawa Saito) (Area: 21,792 square feet) The Windward Planning Commission forwards its favorable recommendation for this requested change of zone, which would allow the applicant to subdivide the property into two lots. The property is located at 283 West Puainako Street. Reference: Comm. 1005 Intr. by: Council Member Kimball (B/R) Approve: LAAC-45 Bill 182: AMENDS ORDINANCE NO. 26-44, THE OPERATING BUDGET OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAIʻI FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2027 Appropriates revenues in the Federal Grants – Justice Assistant Grant account ($86,932) and appropriates the same to the Justice Assistance Grant Program account. Funds will be used to support trial advocacy training efforts to deputy prosecuting attorneys. Reference: Comm. 1021 Intr. by: Council Member Kānealiʻi-Kleinfelder (B/R) Approve: FC-177 Companion: Res. 646-26 Bill 184: AMENDS CHAPTER 14 OF THE HAWAIʻI COUNTY CODE 1983 (2016 EDITION, AS AMENDED), RELATING TO THE USE OF NATIVE PLANTS IN COUNTY LANDSCAPING Requires the use of native plants in County landscaping. Reference: Comm. 1023 Intr. by: Council Member Kierkiewicz Approve: PCHSW-10 Bill 185: AMENDS SECTION 25-8-11 (LĀLĀMILO-PUʻUKAPU DISTRICT ZONE MAP), ARTICLE 8, CHAPTER 25 (ZONING CODE) OF THE HAWAI‘I COUNTY CODE (2016 EDITION, AS AMENDED), BY CHANGING THE DISTRICT CLASSIFICATION FROM AGRICULTURAL – 40 ACRES (A40-A) TO FAMILY AGRICULTURAL – 1 ACRE (FA-1A) AT PUʻUKAPU, WAIMEA, HAWAI‘I, COVERED BY TAX MAP KEY: 6-4-018:030 (Applicants: Jacqueline Visser, Hanale Visser, and Gilbert Visser) (Area: 2.397 acres) The Leeward Planning Commission forwards its favorable recommendation for this requested change of zone, which would allow the applicant to create a two-lot subdivision of one-acre each. The property is located at 64-5091 White Road. Reference: Comm. 1024 Intr. by: Council Member Kimball (B/R) Approve: LAAC-46 Bill 188: AMENDS ORDINANCE NO. 26-44, THE OPERATING BUDGET OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAIʻI FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2027 Appropriates revenues in the Federal Grants – Rural Health Transformation Program account ($2,355,000) and appropriates the same to the Rural Health Transformation Program account. Funds will be used to fund personnel, telehealth equipment and software, and provide training, travel, and program implementation materials. Reference: Comm. 1030 Intr. by: Council Member Kānealiʻi-Kleinfelder (B/R) Approve: FC-178 Companion: Res. 651-26 Bill 189: AMENDS CHAPTER 14, ARTICLE 25, SECTION 14-151 OF THE HAWAIʻI 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 Bill 190: AMENDS ORDINANCE NO. 26-44, THE OPERATING BUDGET OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAIʻI 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 Kānealiʻi-Kleinfelder (B/R) Approve: FC-179 Companion: Res. 666-26 ORDER OF THE DAY (SECOND OR FINAL READING) Bill 169: (Draft 3) AMENDS CHAPTER 2, ARTICLE 42, OF THE HAWAIʻI COUNTY CODE 1983 (2016 EDITION, AS AMENDED), RELATING TO PUBLIC ACCESS, OPEN SPACE, AND NATURAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION Requires that all qualifying lands ranked with a score of 70 percent or higher be included on the Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resource Preservation Commission’s (PONC) recommendation list to the mayor; requires the finance director to make reasonable efforts to acquire authorized properties within five years; requires the finance director and the PONC commission to reassess any such properties not acquired within five years. Reference: Comm. 939.7 Intr. by: Council Members Hustace and Galimba First Reading: September 2, 2026 Bill 176: (Draft 2) AMENDS CHAPTER 16, ARTICLE 1, OF THE HAWAIʻI COUNTY CODE 1983 (2016 EDITION, AS AMENDED), RELATING TO THE GENERAL PLAN Establishes amendment procedures for the General Plan, including a comprehensive review every ten years and interim amendments; describes powers and duties of the planning director and planning commissions. Reference: Comm. 968.6 Intr. by: Council Members Inaba and Kierkiewicz First Reading: September 2, 2026 Bill 177: AMENDS ORDINANCE NO. 26-44, THE OPERATING BUDGET OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAIʻI FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2027 Appropriates revenues in the Federal Grants – Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program Grant account ($129,033) and appropriates the same to the Byrne State Crisis Intervention De-escalation Training Program account. Funds will be used to conduct Verbal Judo de-escalation training for law enforcement. Reference: Comm. 973 Intr. by: Council Member Kānealiʻi-Kleinfelder (B/R) First Reading: September 2, 2026 Companion: Res. 611-26 (adopted September 2, 2026) Bill 178: AMENDS ORDINANCE NO. 26-44, THE OPERATING BUDGET OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAIʻI FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2027 Appropriates revenues in the Federal Grants – Justice Assistance Grant-Special Response Team Capability Enhancement Grant account ($20,797) and appropriates the same to the Justice Assistance Grant-Special Response Team Capability Enhancement account. Reference: Comm. 974 I ntr. by: Council Member Kānealiʻi-Kleinfelder (B/R) First Reading: September 2, 2026 Bill 179: AMENDS CHAPTER 2, OF THE HAWAIʻI COUNTY CODE 1983 (2016 EDITION, AS AMENDED), RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT Describes the responsibilities of the Department of Research and Development; establishes a grant program to support community-based economic development. Reference: Comm. 984 Intr. by: Council Members Kierkiewicz and Inaba First Reading: September 2, 2026 Bill 180: AMENDS ORDINANCE NO. 26-44, THE OPERATING BUDGET OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAIʻI FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2027 Appropriates revenues in the Federal Grants – Certified Local Government account ($20,192) and appropriates the same to the Certified Local Government Program account. Funds will be used to cover travel stipends for two staff members from the Planning Department and two Cultural Resource Commissioners. Reference: Comm. 994 Intr. by: Council Member Kānealiʻi-Kleinfelder (B/R) First Reading: September 2, 2026 Companion: Res. 627-26 (adopted September 2, 2026) REFERRALS FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION Comm. 1057: CLAIM AGAINST THE COUNTY OF HAWAI‘I/R. FERGERSTROM RENTALS INC. From Deputy Corporation Counsel Justin C. Lee dated August 24, 2026, requesting an attorney-client confidential discussion to consult with the Council regarding the above-entitled matter, including settlement discussion. The Council anticipates convening an executive meeting regarding the above matter, pursuant to Section 92-5(a)(4), for the purpose of consulting with Council’s attorney on questions and issues pertaining to the Council’s powers, duties, privileges, immunities, and liabilities. A 2/3 vote pursuant to Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes, Section 92-4, and Rule Nos. 2 and 10 of the Rules of Procedure of the County Council is necessary to hold an executive meeting. 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 September 14, 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.