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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN GOEAC 2026/08/04 (2024-2026) DRAFT Committee on Governmental Operations and External Affairs 39th Session West Hawaii Civic Center 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway, Building A Kailua-Kona, Hawaii August 4, 2026 CALL TO The regular meeting of the Committee on Governmental Operations and ORDER: External Affairs was called to order at 12:00 p.m., in the.Council Chambers, Kailua-Kona, by Ms. Jenn Kagiwada, Chair. ROLL CALL: Present: Ms. Jenn Kagiwada, Chair Mr. Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Vice Chair Ms. Michelle M. Galimba, Member Mr. James E. Hustace, Member Mr. Holeka Goro Inaba,Member Ms. Ashley L. Kierkiewicz} Member Ms. Heather L. Kimball, Member Mr. Dennis "Fresh" Onish , Member Ms. Rebecca Villegas, Member STATEMENTS The Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business, FROM THE Statements from the Public on Agenda Items. PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS: (There were none.) CHR. KAGI VADA: If we can go ahead, we'll go ahead and take it from the top and go straight down. Thank you, Mr. Clerk. ORDER OF The Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business, RESOLUTIONS;,,. Order of'Resolutions. Res. 614-26: AUTHORIZES THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, OFFICE OF JUSTICE PROGRAMS, TO RECEIVE A GRANT TO PURCHASE TWO HANDHELD MASS SPECTROMETERS FOR THE HAWAI`I POLICE DEPARTMENT (HPD) The handheld mass spectrometers will be used to identify low concentrations or trace amounts of illicit substances, specifically fentanyl, for law enforcement purposes. Reference: Comm. 980 Intr. by: Council Member Kagiwada(B/R) GOEAC-39 August 4,2026 Motion to Approve: Mr. Hustace moved to recommend adoption of Res. 614-26. Seconded by Ms. Kimball. CHR. KAGIWADA: I believe we have Lieutenant Kelly Moniz here with us today. Do you want to come and just share a little bit about this resolution? Thank you. (Note: At this time, HPD Lieutenant Kelly Moniz,came forward to address the members of the Committee.)" MR. MONIZ: Good morning, members of the Council. My name is Kelly Moniz, Lieutenant for the Hawaii Police Department, Vice Section. We're asking for money to purchase two mass spectrometers. This is to help us fight fentanyl on the island. Right now, one of the holds that we have is field testing fentanyl. In'low concentrations, there's no real good way to test it. And the only way we test it now actually exposes us. We have to open'the bag, get a sample, and test it. This device will limit our exposure to the fentanyl and aid us in getting charges for people. Currently, right now, what we do is, we'll field test it. And if it doesn't field test because the concentration is too low,we'll send it to the crime lab. The crime lab isn't always available, We fight crime 24 hours a day, seven days a week.,,Our crime lab works Monday to Friday. They're off on the weekends; off at night. They der come in to assist us when we need help. But there has been times when our crime lab person is on vacation or unavailable. And it makes it difficult for us to get charges. Not difficult, impossible. Because if we can't get a,test result, we can't charge the person. CHR. IAGIWADA: Thank you very much, Lieutenant, appreciate you. I will open it upto the dais, see if people have questions or comments on this resolution; ''Council Member Kdneali`i-Kleinfelder. 1R. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you for being here today, Sir. Hand-held and going to use them in the field, or hand-held, take them back to office and a sample from the location, or how does that work? MR. MONIZ: So, we can't take them in the field. We'll probably do both; we'll probably take them in the field, or if for whatever reasons, we're waiting or we're outside, we'll probably do it back at the station. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Okay. And then the ten police officers, is that Areas 1 and 2 going to be trained, five and five? Page 2 GOEAC-39 August 4,2026 MR. MONIZ: Yes, both areas will get the device. It's actually more critical for Kona. Because Kona actually has to drive the drugs into Hilo to get it tested, which takes up more time. We only have 48 hours to charge someone once they're arrested. And some of our investigations take the full 48 hours for them to get charged. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Oh, wow. That's big. And how did we do this before? It was sent to a different facility somewhere? MR. MONIZ: No, we have a crime lab in Hilo. And most of the drugs are tested in Hilo. But like I said, on the weekends and Knight time, sometimes it's hard to get crime lab personnel in. You know, if they're,on vacation or sick. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER; Okay, got it. Thank you very much. I yield, Chair. CHR. KAGIWADA: Thank you. Council Member Villegas. MS. VILLEGAS: Yeah, first off, I want to express my gratitude for the sourcing of this kind of technology. And I'm in full support of removing the danger for officers, potentially being exposed. And the"utilization of something like this, I think, will not only improve the work your teams are doing, but insure your health and safety. I also am grateful to hear that there will be equity in the distribution and use of these materials, as Kona has struggled in the past. And I appreciate you sharing those specific details as they relate to the effectiveness and efficiency of supporting you guys doing your job, if you don't have the resources necessary. e are a Big Island. I mean the fastest you can get to Hilo in the speed limit is an hour and a half with Saddle Road. So, that's still a really long commute, and that's if weather and traffic permits. So, very grateful to see this coming on-line, and the use of this technology in order to provide you guys with the tools necessary to keep you safe and remove fentanyl from our streets; and to be able to get the evidence necessary to prosecute those who are putting our community in jeopardy. Thank you, I yield. CHR KAGIWADA: Thank you, Council Member. Alright seeing no other lights, all those in favor on moving Resolution 614 to Council with a favorable recommendation, please say "aye." Any opposed? Page 3 GOEAC-39 August 4,2026 Vote on Res. 614-26: The motion to recommend adoption of Res. 614-26 was (Approved) carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members Galimba, Hustace, Inaba, Kdneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Onishi, Villegas, and Chair Kagiwada—9. Noes: None. Absent: None. Excused: None. CHR. KAGIWADA: Motion passes. Thank you very,much. Could we go to Resolution 615, please. Res. 615-26: AUTHORIZES THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH THE STATE OF HAWAI`I, DEPARTMENT OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, TO RECEIVE A GRANT FOR THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROSECUTION PROJECT 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. Reference: Comm. 981 Intr, by: Council Member Kagiwada (B/R) Motion to Approve: Mr: Hustace moved to recommend adoption of Res. 615-26. Seconded,by Ms. Kierkiewicz. CHR: KAGIWADA: I believe we have the Prosecuting Attorney's Office on Zoom. Do We have Grant Nagata there? There we go. Good to see you, Mr, Nagata.' Do you want to just give us a brief overview of this resolution? (Note: Atthis time, Prosecuting Attorney's Business Administrator Grant Nagata came forward to address the members of the Committee.) MR. NAGATA: Hey everybody, Grant Nagata, Business Administrator for the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney. So, this grant, our office has been getting for many years. But this is grant monies, Federal Funds that are coming through the State Attorney General's Office. And so, it does partially fund one of our Deputy Prosecuting Attorneys. The other part of the Deputy Prosecuting Attorney's salary does come through our County budget. So, the grant monies is $57,983. There's also $19,328 match amount that the County needs to put up. So, that$19,328 match amount, the way we cover that is through the fringes for the attorney that's in that position. So, the fringes pays the match amount for the grant. Page 4 GOEAC-39 August 4,2026 That's the overview of the program side, and Shannon Kagawa, who is a First Deputy Prosecuting Attorney. So, Shannon, do you want to talk a little bit about the program itself? (Note: At this time, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Shannon Kagawa came forward to address the members of the Committee.) MS. KAGAWA: Sure, the reason that we went for this'funding is to ask for a position to the dedicated prosecutor in the DV(Domestic Violence) misdemeanor. The theory behind it is that it allows one person from the beginning to the end to handle the case and allows for consistency; also, allowing the victim not have to get retraumatized by telling the story over and over again. They'll have one prosecutor to talk,to about the case. And we feel that this helps move the case through the system quicker than if it were to be multiple prosecutors handling each case. It sometimes causes a lag, CHR. KAGIWADA: Thank you so much, Ms. Kagawa and Mr. Nagata. Council Members, do you have any questions or comments? Council Member Onishi. MR. ONISHL Okay. Welly why hasn't the Prosecutor's Office come and get permanent funding? Because what'if the funds from the Federal government gets cut? MR, NAGA'TA. So, that's a good question. You know, it does partially fund the Deputy Prosecutor. So, it's not like one of those grants where we have to keep,applying for the monies. I'n not a hundred percent sure, but I think it's a formula grant. So, it's monies that we always get. And for whatever reason, if the funding doesn't getto us in,any particular fiscal year, we do have monies set aside in the County budget to offset the salary. MR. 6NISHL If, interesting because earlier with Finance we talked about change,orders and all those kinds of things, right? And now you're saying in your budget, the Prosecutor's would have enough to help subsidize this position in case the Federal government stopped this funding. 1R. NAGATA: We do have funding that will pay, because it's only $57,000, and so we do have a larger amount set aside in our budget to cover the remaining salary. But if for whatever reason if there is a shortfall. MR. ONISHL Well, my next question would be to I guess Ms. Kagawa, is that, how many cases of domestic violence in a six-month period comes to your office? Page 5 GOEAC-39 August 4,2026 MS. KAGAWA: You know, I wouldn't be able to answer you right now. I would have to run stats to give you an exact number. And my prior stats are not accessible right now, as we're having technical issues. MR. ONISHL Okay,you know, I bring that up because back when I was on the Council in 2008 and 2010. During those years, there was an estimated six or seven cases where, I guess, the victim died. So, for those terms when I was on the Council, I was a real "advocate for domestic violence, and we tried to move things forward. And to see that we couldn't have permanent deputy prosecutors,you know, on board already kind of frustrated me, because there is a demand. And I hate to say it that way, but because of our island and economy, we have one of the highest, right, in the State on these cases, is that possible? MS. KAGAWA: I don't know. 'I think Oahu has more than we do.,But I just pulled up one of our older reports. So,,we're onlykept stats for misdemeanors that we received. I think it was 600, was that�what it was Grant? But I have one as far as domestic violence misdemeanor cases. It looks like we got 99. So, to me, our numbers are coming down. But again"that is only like you said, is reported to the police that they sent to our office: , MR. ONISHL Correct. I mean, I tried to get,data of the different areas, the districts on the numbers of eases that are reported,right? And I couldn't even get that., But,Iper capita, the Big Island is kind of up there. Because Oahu, you have over a million people, so yeah, they'll have more cases. But I just feel that maybe at the next budget, and I can talk to Mr. Waltjen about trying to get these positions. So, in Kona, or West Hawaii, do you folks have a similar position? 1S. KAGAWA: We do have prosecutor who is assigned to handle the DV cases in Kona. It's just not funded Federally through the VAVA (Violence Against Women Act). The VAVA grant was specifically for East Hawaii. MR. ONISHL Okay, so, for the West Hawaii one, that's through General Funds. 1S. KAGAWA: Correct me if I'm wrong, but yes, right Grant? MR. NAGATA: Yes, that's correct. It's through County funds. MR. ONISHL Okay, so, that means in East Hawaii, do we have an extra position, or we just have that one position, which is partially funded by the Federal government? Page 6 GOEAC-39 August 4,2026 MS. NAGATA: I don't know if it's an extra position. We have so many District Court positions, right, and then we use one of those positions for Family Court. MR. ONISHL Okay, well, I'll reach out to your office and get more info. Thank you, I yield, Chair. CHR. KAGIWADA: Alright. Thank you both for being here, Ms. Kagawa and Mr. Nagata, appreciate that. With no further lights on, all those in favor of sending Resolution 615 to full Council with a positive recommendation please say, "aye." Any opposed. Vote on Res. 615-26: The motion to recommend adoption of Res. 615-26 was (Approved) carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members Galimba, Hustace, Inaba Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder,Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Onishi, Villegas, and,Chair Kagiwada—9. Noes: None. Absent: None., Excused: None. CHR KAGIWADA: We're on to Resolution 616,please. Res. 616-26: AUTORIZES THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH THE STATE OF HAWAI`I, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, FORTHE INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE OF TWO NALOXONE NASAL SPRAY DISTRIBUTION BOXES The d stribution'boxes will be installed at the Hilo County Building and the West Hawaii Civic.Center in Kona and maintained by the Mayor's Office. Reference: Comm. 982 Intr. by: Council Member Kagiwada(B/R) Motion to Apprcry Mr.,Hustace moved to recommend adoption of Res. 616-26. Seconded by Mr. Onishi. CHR-KAGIWADA: Thank you. Director Medina, are you here for this item? Oh; we've got your staff here, okay. And the Mayor's Office, wonderful, thank you. Thank you for joining us, Ms. Samura and Deputy Director Lin. Would one of you like to just give us a brief overview on this item? (Note: At this time, Executive Assistant to the Mayor Erin Samura came forward to address the members of the Committee.) Page 7 GOEAC-39 August 4,2026 MS. SAMURA: Good afternoon, County Council Members, thank you for the time. So,just a quick recap of the Naloxone distribution and how it became to be today. So, the Department of Health through ADAD (Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division) started doing the Naloxone distribution several years with the fentanyl taskforce. At first when they started doing this it was mainly through pop-up events and three vending machines islandwide. And then from there they moved on to wanting to create a way where communities would be able to have it more readily closer to them. So, they came up with the Naloxone distribution boxes, and they literally looked like newspaper stands, if you remember like back when we had newspaper stands right outside like Longs, you could just put your quarters in, open it, and get your newspaper. So, that was the idea for these Naloxone boxes. Of course, they'll be free. They're goingto go islandwide,,The State started off with putting them at different State locations, and then a few County locations. And then, the majority of the locations will be through other nonprofit organizations, health centers, etcetera. So, basically, it's just another way for our communities to be able to get Naloxone whenever they geed it Anyone is able to get it. The Naloxone is free for community members. And it also comes to us through the State. So, no cost to the County at this time. CHR. KAGIWADA: Thank you very much, Ms. Samura. Deputy Director, do you have anything to add to this. Does R&D (Research and Development) have a role irtthis project? (Note: At this time, R&D Deputy Director Dennis Lin came forward to address the members of the Committee.) MR. LIN: ,So, R&D's role is really, we're the Administrative department that facilitates any contracting and the funding that comes in from the State. So, we already have existing MOAs (Memorandum of Agreement) for the Opioid Settlement Fund's distribution for the County portion. And then we also have an MOA for this particular project, for the Naloxone boxes. CHR. KAGIWADA: Alright, thank you so much. Anybody on the Council? Council Member Hustace. MR. HUSTACE: Thanks Chair. From the prior resolution. You know, speaking about response and enforcement. But and then, this is where we're really on the response in community and the support in community. Great to see these resolutions move forward. So, want to mahalo the Mayor's Office and R&D for their partnership in this in bringing this forward. Page 8 GOEAC-39 August 4,2026 Deputy Director in terms of the funding source from the Opioid Settlement, is really to maintain and continue to supply into this box itself, right? MR. LIN: So, actually this is just like kind of a paper agreement. Because the boxes themselves are funded by the State. So, we're really just installing them. Also, they already come with equipment and all that kind of that stuff to install. So, our main job as the County is just to make sure that they're restocked. Even the Narcan that's distributed is being provided by the State. So, really just on paper, agreeing to have these boxes on County property. MR. HUSTACE: Okay, very good. Because it says maintained, so I was wondering if that also means the supply and all of that., But all of that is being supplied. MR. LIN: Yes, all that's being supplied. We've just got to make sure that the boxes don't get damaged or you know,the doors still work, that kind of thing. MR. HUSTACE: Of course, thank you so much. Thank you, Chair. CHR. KAGIWADA: Alright. Seeing no other lights, all those in favor of sending Resolution 616 to Council with a positive-recommendation please say, "aye." Any opposed. Vote on Res. 616-26: The motion to recommend adoption of Res. 616-26 was (Approved) carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members Galimba, Hustace, Inaba, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Onishi, Villegas, and.Chair Kagiwada- 8. Noes:-- None. Absent; Committee Member Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder- 1. Excused: None. CHR KAGIWADA: Thank you very much. We have Resolution 617, please. Res. 617-26: APPROVES THE NOMINATIONS MADE BY THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE HAWAI`I STATE ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES (HSAC) FOR THE NA'T'IONAL ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES (NACo) BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND THE WESTERN INTERSTATE REGION(WIR) BOARD OF DIRECTORS 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. Reference: Comm. 983 Intr. by: Council Member Kimball Page 9 GOEAC-39 August 4,2026 Motion to Approve: Ms. Kimball moved to recommend adoption of Res. 617-26. Seconded by Ms. Galimba. CHR. KAGIWADA: Council Member Kimball, please go ahead. MS. KIMBALL: Yes,just asking for my colleagues' support. This is the formal process that we go through based on our bylaws for HSAC. I will note this was submitted prior to some of the decisions around D4 and City and County of Honolulu. Regardless, typically, this what happens in an election year; someone is appointed that may or may not`be termed out. And then, they serve until the end of their term, and then somebody else is selected by HSAC. We'll stay, as is, regardless. Thank you. CHR KAGIWADA: Thank you. Council Member Villegas. - MS. VILLEGAS: Thank you, Council Member Kimball. That's exactly what my question was going to be. I yield. CHR KAGIWADA: Okay. I just want to, for the record, there's no County of Hawaii people on either of these. Is there a reason for that, or do you want to explain a little bit abouthow that falls out? MS. KIMBALL: So, typically what we have done is, you know, some of this is based on participation. Kauai County frequently has many of their members, if not all, go to the HSAC events. But the State of Hawai`i has typically got one of the Presidential appointments to the NACo Board. And that has typically been,a member of Hawai`i County. So, this coming session,moving,forward, I've receive one of the ten Presidential Nominations to the NACo Board. The understanding with the rest of the other counties, is that, if for some reason, the County of Hawaii were not to receive that Presidential 'appointment, one of those ones from Kauai would shift over to us. CHR KAGIWADA: Okay, thank you so much. Appreciate that. Council Member Onishi. 1V R ONISHL Thank you, Madame Chair. Since you brought that up, I wanted to give some history about what this whole situation was. So, when I first got on in 2008, it was Kauai that had that extra Presidential appointment. So, Kauai had two; one was WIR, one was NACo. Because Oahu was getting a Presidential appointment. So, about three years later, I made a motion to have it where every County had a representative on one of the boards. So, that way, in case there was no Page 10 GOEAC-39 August 4,2026 appointment by the President at the present time, any county wouldn't lose any positions. Because they were all assigned to one board. But coming on board now, it changed again. But to me as I explained, during that time, it was fairness. And for the Presidential appointment, it's up to any county to lobby to get that position. So, I feel that HSAC should go back to its original and haying each county have one representative on the board, either with WIR or with NACo. And then, if they're lucky to get that appointment, then they will have two, right? So, I would really like to see that go back again, and I don't know why it got changed. Because to me that was fairest among all the counties. And so, that's kind of like the history of how all of this happened. So, I yield. CHR. KAGIWADA: Thank you,Council Member Onishi. And thank you for your service of being on the board in the past; And.congratulations, Council Member Kimball for your Presidential appointment. Seeing no other lights, all those in favor on sending Resolution 617 to Council with a positive recommendation please say, "aye." Any opposed. Vote on Res. 617-26: The motion to recommend adoption of Res, 617-26 was (Approved) carried by the following voice vote: Ayes; Committee Members Galmba, Hustace, Inaba, Kierkiewicz,,Kimball, Onishi, Villegas, and Chair Kagiwada— 8. Noes: None. Absent: Committee Member Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder— 1. Excused: None. CHR:I'AGIWAI)A: Please move on to Bill 169,please. BILLS FOR The Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business, ORDINANCES: Bills for Ordinances. Page 11 GOEAC-39 August 4,2026 Bill 169: AMENDS CHAPTER 2, ARTICLE 42, OF THE HAWAI`I 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 ten years for properties ranked 90 percent or higher and five years for properties ranked less than 90 percent; requires the finance director to reassess any such properties not acquired within the designated timeframes. Reference: Comm ,939 Intr. by: Council Members Hustace and Galimba Postponed: July 7, 2026 (Note: There is a motion by Council Member Hustace, seconded by Council Member Galimba, to recommend passage of Bill 169 on first reading.) (Note: Comm. 939.2 from Council Members Hustace and Galimba, dated July 29, 2026; and Comm. 939.3 from Council Members Hustace and Galimba, dated August 4, 2026 transmitting proposedamendments to Bill 169 were circulated.) CHR.IAGIWADA: Council Member Hustace. AMR. HUSTACE: Thanks Chair. Appreciate the conversation and the comments lasttime around. Before you, there are two amendments. Motion to Amend, Mr. Hustace moved,to amend Bill 169 with the contents of Comm,939.2. Seconded by Mr. Inaba. CHR AGIWADA: Council Member Hustace. MR. HUSTACE: Thanks, Chair. So, on the communication here,you know, taking into consideration, feedback last time, we definitely went a little bit too crazy with some different tier with the score and the grades of the PONC properties. So, really just simplifying a streamline in here saying that after five years of the adopted resolution. So, that's the goal there, you know, properties selected by the Council for preservation within five years of the adopted resolution. And then the commission shall reassess properties not acquired within five years. Page 12 GOEAC-39 August 4,2026 So, really just removing those two distinctive tiers just to the five years after the adopted resolution. Thanks for your consideration. CHR. KAGIWADA: Sure. Thank you. Anybody else? Alright, all those in favor of amending Bill 169 with the contents of Communication 939.2, please say "aye." Any opposed? Vote on Motion The motion to amend Bill 169 with the contents of to Amend: Comm. 939.2 was carried by the following voice vote: (Approved) Ayes: Committee Members Galimba, Hustace, Inaba, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Onishi, Villegas, and Chair Kagiwada—8, Noes: None. Absent: Committee Member Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder 1�. Excused: None. CHR KAGIWADA: The motion carries._hack to Council Member Hustace. Motion to Amend: Mr. Hustace moved,to further amend$ill 169 with the contents of Comm. 939.3,. Seconded by Mr. Inaba. CHR KAGIWADA: Council Member' Hustace, MR. HUSTACE: Thank you, Chair. So, amongst the conversation about the lack of clarity which we've now amended about the number of years of the adopted resolution. This goes a little bit further in talking about some of those reassessment priorities and what should be seen in a reassessment of the properties. So,some of this language is coming directly from the Department of Finance. Andso incorporating both in the duties and responsibilities of the commissioners themselves. So, adding a new point(8)there, "Periodically review previously nominated properties to identify material changes affecting a property's eligibility or feasibility for acquisition," and so forth. You know, this is after establishing that the five years after adoption through further'reassessment and more specifics about what that reassessment entails there with the Department of Finance and then in partnership with the commission as well. So, appreciate the consideration and welcome any questions. Thank you. CHR KAGIWADA: Thank you, Council Member Hustace. Council Member Galimba. Page 13 GOEAC-39 August 4,2026 MS. GALIMBA: Thank you, Chair. And I want to thank Council Member Hustace and his staff, and also, the Finance Department, for bringing forward these refinements and clarifications. I think the language that they have suggested will actually make the program better and more transparent. So, hope everyone can support these amendments. CHR. KAGIWADA: Thank you. Council Member Kimball. MS. KIMBALL: I have sort of a language questions here. With the proposed amendment; in Section 2 of the amendment, adding number(8). It specifically, says, "Eligibility or feasibility for acquisitions including changes in the property's condition, ownership, development status, or configuration." Then in the second part of the amendment, you have, "When,a property has not been acquired." "Identifying material changes affecting a property's eligibility or feasibility for acquisition to the commission;" In one,you have a list; in the other you don't. And what I wonder to the maker is if the intent in the first one is to limit it to the list. And if it's not, I would either remove the list of things that it includes,err say, includes but not limited to. So, looking for your direction on what the intent was there. Because I think it should be consistent one way or 'another in'those two places. Happy to support this today with a quick fix at the next hearing. CHR. KAGIWADA: Thank you. Council Member Hustace. MR. HUSTACE: Thanks Chair. Thank you, Council Member Kimball. I think the list, if I'm not mistaken also is carried below in the second Ramseyer area about, "The reassessment shall be prepared with consideration given to the report from the director of finance; the property's condition, ownership, and development status." I think they mirror each other. Is there something else I'm missing? CHR KAGIWADA: Council Member Kimball. MS:KIMBALL: If I may respond. So, there's two different things that are happening here. One is this report which identifies what has materially changed. And then there is the reassessment, which includes that list. And so, those are two different actions. Now, do you want the report in both cases to identify those specific conditions that have changed. I see what you're saying. It's in both places but in a different action as I'm reading it. Maybe I'm reading it wrong. But it looks like it's being yeah, I see it as two different actions where this is coming into play. Page 14 GOEAC-39 August 4,2026 CHR. KAGIWADA: Council Member Hustace, you have anything? MR. HUSTACE: I'll go back to it and make sure that it matches. But in my mind, it's one in the same in the second part there. But I'll be sure it's a little clearer there. It makes sense to me. I appreciate the insight there making sure it mirrors exactly what we're intending there in terms of what the reports include; what the reassessment looks like and so forth. So, I'll make sure that it does match up. I do see it as that report being the same with all these other considerations in the report. Thanks, Chair. CHR KAGIWADA: Yes. Anybody else, comments, questions. Alright, seeing no other lights, all those in favor of amending Bi11.169 with the contents of Communication 939.3,please say "aye." Any opposed` Vote on Motion The motion to amend Bill 169 with the contents of to Amend: Comm. 939.3 was carried'by the following voice vote: (Approved) Ayes: Committee Members Galimba, Hustace, Inaba, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Onishi,Villegas, and Chair Kagiwada—9. Noes: None. Absent: None. Excused: None. CHR KAGIWADA: The motion carries. Back to the main motion. Any comments, questions on the main motion? Council Member Kierkiewicz, please go ahead. MS. KIERKIEWICZ., ,Thank you. I was just curious if current or previous numbers of the PONC commission were engaged regarding this Code amendment. There is additional kuleana that they're being given here. And in my conversations with them about the program and where there should be some changes, it's kind of long-standing, these properties kept coming up and like how do you prioritize them. So, wondering about their kuleana. And then, does this kind of satisfy in their mind how the County moves forward to go after the best opportunity that have been identified by the commission for land acquisition? CHR KAGIWADA: Thank you, Council Member Kierkiewicz. Council Member Hustace would you like to respond? MR. HUSTACE: Sure. So, kind of taking a step back and looking at the bill in its entirety. The commission themselves and their rules have set a 70 percent benchmark for properties. Page 15 GOEAC-39 August 4,2026 So, this will put into Code that is that baseline requirements about properties. So, they need to get that fresh hold to even be on that Mayor's annual list. And I recognize that it puts another layer of work on the commission. So, in terms of speaking about, it doesn't specify when they would have to go back and reassess these properties. I mean, there is that condition about five years. But in terms of the commission, it says, periodically reviewed. So, it kind of leaves that'up,of the possibility of when they have the opportunity to do some of that work. But looking for some other support for this in'terms of the properties that have languished on the list for a long time, and they're just kind of sitting there in limbo. And it takes community members to reappoint some projects every now and then. But some of them are already on the list; some of them have resolutions behind them as well. So, trying to look at any sort of mechanism that the:commission can go back, review in partnership with the Department ofFinance to reassess these properties and say, hey, what were the triggers that were the issues here? What were the issues and does it really meet the score that it was given early on; to kind of rescore and reassess some of those properties. And maybe there are conditions that will prevent them from being on the property. And that's something to finally consider. So, I'm definitely putting faith in the commission to carry out this work. And I recognize that there is more work to be said and done. And happy to hear from the commission if they have other considerations about this. This was shared with those individuals that initiated the program. So, I shared that with them. Welcome their feedback as well, as we have in the past for previous consideration: But,yes, I'll leave it there at that. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you. I appreciate the discussion that you're giving to the commission. They've worked incredibly hard as volunteers. Can you just clarify for me, the idea of a reassessment. Is it to determine if they still belong on a prioritized list, or if in the reassessment process, there are these material changes. And it's not as feasible to require the property. Is it going to be rescored, or reranked, or is it going to be removed from the list. I'm just trying,to understand what we're looking to have happen after this reassessment period occurs. CHR. KAGIWADA: Go ahead, Council Member Hustace. MR. HUSTACE: Thank you, Chair. And thank you, Council Member Kierkiewicz, appreciate that. Page 16 GOEAC-39 August 4,2026 So, as they go through the reassessment, it states that the commission will then apply its current scoring and methodology as part of that reassessment. So, if it was a past scoring; a past score with a previous commission, then it would bring forward their current methodology and their current scoring rubrics to then give it that score based upon any of these changes that may have happened. And it may adjust that scoring. And it could determine that it doesn't hit that threshold. It's very possible that some of these conditions may remove it from that space without saying that much is so. But it could address that scoring issue based upon some of the things that happened on that-property: MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Okay, so what I'mhearing is, if it affects the score and it doesn't meet that 70 percent threshold, then a property that was nominated by the community and at one point was deemed a priority could essentially no longer be on the list, hypothetically speaking. MR. HUSTACE: Yes, hypothetically for sure. Chair, if you don't mind. CHR. KAGIWADA: Go ahead. MR. HUSTACE: The commission'themselves have that 70 percent threshold. And so, these are those properties that also had a resolution behind them too. So, Council's weighed in and said, this is a priority, but hasn't Administration gone after and,made the acquisition? There may be some unknown piece that after five years, we're not sure what happened. Why is that the case? We need to,reassess and may carry out the practice after that. MS. KIEWMICZ. Is there anyone from Finance here, or the PONC program? I bow we lost Mr. Schapiro. Deputy Director. CHR;I'AGIWAI)A: Deputy Director, thank you for joining us. Go ahead, Council Member. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Great to see you, Deputy Director. Just wanted to get your thoughts on the bill, as it's been amended. Does it provide the clarity that your department and the commission needs to deal with the growing list of properties that are continuously added every year by the community and after the commission's assessment. (Note: At this time, Finance Deputy Director Malia Kekai came forward to address the members of the Committee.) MS. KEKAL Hi, thank you. Malia Kekai, Deputy Finance Director. I think it does. I think it gives enough flexibility for us to go to the commission to provide them with feedback on properties, whether they've been developed or Page 17 GOEAC-39 August 4,2026 you know, anything else, basically. And then, these long-standing ones. And I think one of the ideas that we had was kind of going back 20 years; look at that list; then the next list, and the next list. So that, each year, kind of a new commission gets to kind of look at properties that have been sitting there. And I think for us it was more like instead of really focusing on the reso, the ones that have reso's. It's ready looking at the ones that have never gotten reso's took, right? Like, why have they been sitting; if they weren't prioritized by the Council, then what should we be doing with those right? So, there's no chance for them to getpurchased at this point; maybe a retook by the commission is a goodidea to make sure that, you know, should they still be there? Also, we just wanted to clean up the list too, I think, if there's duplicates. You know, get it down to where it's,joist one time.. And there's always if the. commission is to re-rank a property that is there now, and it doesn't meet the 70 percent, I think this never disqualifies the committee from coming"back again and asking the commission to put it on the list again, if that even happens right? So, those are all the things that we were just thinking about, like really just making this a more efficient process for everyone, and also just trying to clean up the list. And really looking atfocusjng on the properties that have resos instead of the ones that don't. MS. KIERI,IEWICZ: Thank you. And I'm hoping that as part of this work too, the administration can be, Z guess, up front about what its internal capacity is to understand feasibility about acquiring certain properties and how much you can actually acquire every year. Because it's a very long and complicated process. You know, during my term on the Council, I've been fortunate to see two property acquisitions in lower Puna. Those properties were on the list for 18 years. So, there is a significant amount of time and effort that goes into it. And so, again, I hope as part of this process, we can begin to say, okay, there is capacity for the PONC office to acquire two or three properties on the list. 1,think,it's important for us to be realistic about what's possible. Because that then,also helps to inform the commission on how they should go about prioritizing their work. Thanks Deputy. CHR. KAGIWADA: Thank you, Council Member. Anybody else? Alright, seeing no other lights, we have a motion on the floor to send Bill 169, as amended, to full Council with a favorable recommendation. All those in favor, please say "aye." Any opposed? Page 18 GOEAC-39 August 4,2026 Vote on Bill 169: The motion to recommend passage of Bill 169, as amended Draft 2 to Draft 2, on first reading was carried by the following (Approved) voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members Galimba, Hustace, Inaba, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kierkiewicz, Kimball, Onishi, Villegas, and Chair Kagiwaca—9. Noes: None. Absent: None. Excused: None. CHR. KAGIWADA: Motion carries. We can go to the last item, Bill 179, please. Bill 179: AMENDS CHAPTER 2, OF THE HAWAI`I 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; (R&D) establishes a grant program to support community-based economic development. Reference: Comm. 984 Intr. by: Council Members Kierkiewicz and Inaba Motion to Approve: Ms. Kierkiewicz moved,to recommend passage of Bill 179 on firstreading. Seconded by Mr. Inaba. CHR, KAGIWADA: Thank you, Council Member Kierkiewicz. MS. KIRRKIEWICZ: Thank you. This bill is actually rooted in some work that Council Chair and I did one or two terms ago. We were very intrigued by some of the grant-making that was happening by the department and were surprised,to learn that there wasn't a lot in the County Code that provided guidance around kuleana, rules and responsibilities of the department, which could be good or bad. Every administration has made the department or Research and Development their own. But that doesn't provide, I think, clear and necessary guidance for staff who have different areas of expertise and the community that is looking for support, technical assistance from the department. So, based on just my observations being here on the Council and in collaboration with Council Chair and the department, we were able to draft a section of Code that makes it explicitly clear for community and future administrations and the R&D team, what those duties and responsibilities would be. Page 19 GOEAC-39 August 4,2026 These are principally based what the work of the department has been so far, compiling data; providing information about funding opportunities; technical assistance to small businesses, which I think have actually been a big shift in recent years. A lot of the focus has been on how do we build industry. But we see that there are so many opportunities locally to grow a more entrepreneurial ecosystem. So, providing support for small businesses. There are certain sectors that have been identified through different economic development strategies that have been identified here. In recent years, the department has also welcomed a transition from Office of Housing and Community Development and now houses the Hawaii County Workforce Development Board. Sol wanting to make note of that being part of the department's kuleana. Then establishing a baseline amount of$1 million,to support grant-making initiatives. This Administration has been,s6 great about getting funding out the door with impact grants. And we just saw, eery recently, that another round of funding is going to be available to community groups that are interested in hosting events on our island,which also do have a tremendous economic development component. So,just offering thought for conversation and consideration. Appreciated working With Council Chair on this and wanting to note that our Director, Benson Medina.is here in Kona Chambers and Deputy Lin is on Zoom for anybody who has questions. Thank you. And going to turn it over to Council Chair. CHR. KAGIWADA: Thank you, Council Member Kierkiewicz. Council Member Inaba,please go ahead. MR. INABA: Thank you. I just want to take this opportunity to thank Council Member Kierkiewicz for this partnership. And what this bill does is repeal, Section 2-36. And I want to just take this quick moment to read through it briefly, see, we can understand and the public can understand what is being repealed here. So, it states currently in the Code that, "The purpose of this article is to provide the necessary leadership to anchor the Department of Research and Development's plannings, policies, goals and actions in sustainable economic, societal and environmental practices. The adoption and employment of sustainable practices as a framework for business as usual through systematic change processes which shall result in concrete outcomes, changes in multiple functions or portions of the system, and institutionalization of these changes on an on-going basis to address sustainable agriculture; alternative energy, fuel and Page 20 GOEAC-39 August 4,2026 waste management; ecological education, business development, green housing and buildings, and protection about diversity." So, as you can see, there's a lot of aspirational language, not very concrete. So, what this bill puts into Code are the specific kuleana, speaking to the collection and compilation of publicly accessible statistics that can help not just the administration. But as you see in the first section of this bill, the Council in our legislative decision makings. So, what we really are trying to do here, as Council Member Kierkiewicz said, is articulate the work that's already been done but be more specific and intentional about it rather than the one paragraph of 60,000 foot elevation kind of coverage that has been in existence and being intentional here. So, we ask for your support, and did want to give Director Medina, the opportunity to come forth and share his mana`o at this time. Director. (Note: At this time, Research and Development Director Benson Medina came forward to address the members of the Committee.) MR. MEDINA: Goocfafternoon, I'm Benson Medina, I'm the Director of Research and Development for the County of Hawai`i. First, I just wanted to thank both Councilwoman Kierkiewicz and Councils Chair Inaba for taking the time to put this forward and providing this additional clarity. Well, I don't know if it's additional but much`more clarity, Because we know clarity enables or empowers us to go forward. And the more clarity we have, the easier it is to do it. So, myself and Deputy Director Lin have met with you guys separately, and together and,feel like this is a pretty accurate assessment of what we do. However, you,know, what we actually do is much wider than what's here. But it was great thatyou set it out to be broad to encompass the many things that come through R&D; I was joking with one of you guys that I would write a book at the end of my term hereto just kind of outline all the kind of nutty things that come through R&D; that'people really feel like we should look at them; we should hear them. I,Would like to state for the record that I think we should add economic to our name; like Research and Economic Development. It would save us about five or six minutes. Every time we have a meeting with somebody to explain what is it we actually do. But I think this is good. I'm in favor of it. But I'd like to ask Deputy Director Lin if you wanted to add any additional comments to there. And of course, I'm open to answer any of your questions if you have them. Page 21 GOEAC-39 August 4,2026 MR. INABA: Thank you, Director. Deputy Director Lin. (Note: At this time, Research and Development Deputy Director Dennis Lin came forward to address the members of the Committee.) MR. LIN: Thank you, Council Chair. And again,thank you, Council Member Kierkiewicz and Council Member Inaba, for introducing this. Like the Director says, this basically encompasses what we already do., But,it gives us much more guidance in terms of when the community comes to us and says, you know, we really would like for the department or the County to do this. We can say, "Hey, we have these mandates, does it fall within these areas?" And I appreciate how we don't have it written as specific as the previous Code or the existing Code. It's that we have more flexibility in terms of, you know, if we cover film and entertainment,right? It's very broad. We don't have to say,a specific type of film or specific type of production. And I just wanted to comment on the grant portion of it. You know, we appreciate the Code language that allows us to continue to have grant funding. For the Council Members,,we currently have $1.4 million in grant funding that we provide out into the community. And,that includes impact grants; that includes our allocation from the Mayor in his previous budget session for $500,000'in economic development initiatives; $250,000 of that is in the Events RFP (Requestfor Proposal)that we just issued last week Friday. So, again,just really appreciative of just more clarity. Thank you. MR. INABA: Thank you,Deputy Director. And I'll just summarize or close, I should say, ppinting out the Severability in the last section of this bill for the department to create Administrative Rules. And I think this will really help to streamline the processes, especially when it comes to grant making. We've seen the process. Even the name of the grant from R&D changed from innovation and to have consistency through Administrative Rules that the department can create will Help to inform not only future administrations, but also those who are applying for County funding through R&D or how best to do their work, and how best to submit comprehensive and accurate applications. So, I think that's just something I really want to highlight here that didn't exist before. So, with that I'll yield. And we're happy to take any questions. Thank you. CHR. KAGIWADA: Thank you so much. Council Member Villegas. MS. VILLEGAS: Yes, thank you to the makers of this for providing some clarity for not only us in the Council, and for, Research and Development; but Page 22 GOEAC-39 August 4,2026 for the people in general, to get a deeper understanding. Because R&D has been a catchall of a lot of different things. But I am grateful that now we also have the Office of Sustainability, Climate, Equity, and Resilience (OSCER) working on a number of the issues which were listed as Council Chair Inaba read. And I am trusting that there's a lot of collaboration still happening in that way. I appreciate, Director,your suggestion of including, "Economic," in there. And my reciprocal suggestion would to be call it, "Circular Economic." Because I truly think we're at a pivotal time that we need to get more acquainted and familiar with the difference between linear and circular economics. And how beneficial returning to a circular economic model would be for us, as opposed to continuing within a linear one, which makes us vulnerable and continues to leave us unstable; overdependence on external resources. By returning to a circular economic model, I think it can really empower our local businesses, our local people, and provide for the resilience and regenerative practices we talk about all the;time here. And really being the ideal outcome of all the work that you and your team do. So, thank you for that and bringing that to mind by utilizing the term, economics. CHR. KAGIWADA: Thank you, Council Member Villegas. Did you want to respond to that? MR. MEDIA I just want to say thank you for that. We've looked at a lot of circular economy things. And we just had a meeting with Laura Acasio from bSCER this morning on our Energy Taskforce, and we talked about that very thing. So, I mean,I would be able to do something like that if it pleases the Council: Certainly.' CHR. KAGIWADA: Thank you, Director. Council Member Kimball. MS. KIMBALL: Thank you. Thank you to Council Member Kierkiewicz and Chair Inaba for putting this forward. I really like it. I like the way it layer focuses what the department is responsible for. And you know, I think that there is a need that I hear frequently communicated from the public for the County to support economic development. And I think this really nicely pivots the description of what this department does in that direction. I think it does have the added benefit of really making a brighter line between what is the responsibility of R&D, and what is the responsibility of OSCER; and makes it much more clear that they have different kuleana that are related and intertwined but distinct. The one comment I would make, and this is just understanding that we are repealing the entire Article VIII out of Chapter 2. We are also repealing the Page 23 GOEAC-39 August 4,2026 Sustainability Committee, which I think is appropriate. It has never been stood up. It has never been utilized. And it's contribution is pretty unfair I think, in the way its described now. However, upon the passage of this I would like to see actually a similar model to that being set up within OSCER once they had the capacity to do it. They've been kind of holding off on it until they actually had the administrative capacity to support a committee. But I think that is more in alignment with what it seems the intent of that committee is. So,just sharing that as a comment to the rest of the body, that if this goes through, I think I'll move forward with that proposal to move it into Chapter 32. Thanks. CHR. KAGIWADA: Thank you, Council Member Kimball. Anybody,else? Council Member Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you. To the makers, is the Director of Finance approving of this $1 million a year? Because it's no fewer than $1 million shall be." I heard you already had'$1.4 million in your budget. She's not here, but did she approve? MR. BENSON: Yes. You can verify that: L mean, Dennis is the one that handles all the budget stuff but, yes. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Okay, thank you, Director. Second question, looking over the list here, what I want to be wary of is whenever we start crisscrossing the ideas of R&D and OSCER, because you both touch on the same subjects, really, in different ways. So, I've just been watching that for a little while. There's so many objectives for OSCER that could qualify under R&D; then R&D has its own objectives and its own purpose. Well, we created two different departments. So, there should be a very clear distinction between who's doing what and for what end. So,just food for thought. MR. MEDINA: Okay. and we do just for that purpose because there is a lot of confusion. Laura and I meet regularly to make sure that delineation is clear. Like energy for example, right? So, Laura's lens is really about resiliency and conservation. My lens is more economic development in terms of energy. So, we both serve on our current energy taskforce, and we both bring those two separate perspectives to the meeting. So,yes, thank you for that. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Okay. I mean, I bring that up just for thought as you move forward in the future and for the Council too. I mean, if we don't need two departments, we shouldn't have two departments. If they're Page 24 GOEAC-39 August 4,2026 not distinct and clear with their own objectives, then we need to think about why we did it in the first place. Also, in Section 4, this Agriculture part. I think the Ag summits are wrapped up. Is that right, Director, right now? MR. MEDINA: Yes, we have one last one on the 14'h and 15'h in Waimea. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Then, are the Ag positions that you have, are those solid into the future, or are some of those temporary positions? MR. MEDINA: The Food Systems Specialist, who is an EDS-III(Educational Specialist). That position is currently held by Sarah Freeman. That is just funded until the end of this fiscal. So, for it to continue,we'll have to fund that as a permanent position in the next fiscal year, 2027-2028 fiscal. But the rest of them are all permanent positions. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Okay, so,with that in mind,because we have other positions too within your department that focus on Ag, If we're prepared to give $1 million in grants audsupport economic and workforce development, but we're not securing positions for Agriculture; then when we finally land at having the honey in budget to give grants, but we have no direction because we lack staff for„Ag purposes, we might find ourselves in a bit of a quandary then, where we put the money in grants to the community, but we forgot to staff ourselves appropriately to be able to focus on what we've all decided is very, very important. MR. MEDINA: I think we look very closely at the grant opportunities we put 6ut'into the public to make sure that we have adequate internal infrastructure to manage those that are out there. Because we see these grants we put out into the communities is kind of an extension of us. So, we can only extend whatever we have inside,the house. Sod yes, we are paying really close attention to whatever we put out into the community in terms of what we can manage. So, that's an important point. We have it. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Okay, thank you. And then, to the makers, one piece, I think, we forget and it's here but it isn't. It is when we do, you know,the statement, provide the public with technical assistance in information on resources relating to,you know, A, B, C, and D. "The advancement and implementation of projects or priorities in alignment with the goals and policies of the County as set forth in the General Plan, the CDPs (Community Development Plans), or the Comprehensive Economic Strategy; and other areas the director determines to be in the public interest and the best interest of the County." When we give out, and let's say, $1 million in grants, to me, what I am impressed upon with the previous director was, everything that we do in R&D should be helping to better the lives of local residents. Page 25 GOEAC-39 August 4,2026 MR. MEDINA: Correct, I agree a hundred percent. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you. So, I appreciate the language here, but I mean, that language should be so sparkling clear. It's in the best interest, not just of the County. And you could say, it takes in everybody. But the best interest of the residents of Hawaii County. Because when I read Code and I read language, County means County. We are County. I work for the County; you work for the County. But the residents of Hawaii County should benefit and directly benefit from everything that R&D does. And that shoulcl,be expressly clear in any Code that we write in any grants that we hand out the door; should directly benefit the residents of Hawaii County. And I could think of a few that we've got so many pools of funding we're giving out in grants. Sometimes it gets hard to quantify what the actual positive impact it is on our residents. When you think about how much money goes out the door;what the grants do, and where they're going. So, my only comments to the makers is, I love the idea, economic development is incredibly important; But the language here should be, not just to the public's interest, but the direct benefit of the residents of Hawaii County. That's my two cents. Thank you. CHR. KAGIWADA: Thank you'. I thinkCouncil Member Kaneali`i- Kleinfelder had couple questions for the makers. Do you want to go ahead? MR. INABA: Sure, I'll just quickly,respond, I think, for the last point that Council Member Kdneali`i-Kleinfelder brought up. We know that the County in general is herefor the health, safety, and welfare of those residing and visiting our,islands. So, the specific language in Subsection 3(c) speaks to documents that our County uses to help track and actually quantify certain priorities,policies, and goals, which include the General Plan, the CDPs, and our Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy. So, those`are listed specifically there because those are the documents that we use, and e spend a lot of money and time on making sure on how we do things and whatwe do are in alignment with those documents. So, that's why those specific documents are listed, but again, other areas determine to be in the public's interest is listed there as Section 3(d). So, there is an overarching capturing of public interest, but again, Section 3(c) is there to guide us specifically on the documents that we as a County emphasize and use to help guide our actions in everything that we do. Thank you, Chair. CHR KAGIWADA: Thank you, Council Chair Inaba. Council Member Onishi, please go ahead. Page 26 GOEAC-39 August 4,2026 MR. ONISHL Thank you, Madame Chair. To the makers, like it. But is there something where we can have reporting back to the Council every three months or six months to make sure these funds are being used to its best ability. Whereas like with our County Homeless and Housing Fund, it's kind of like I guess sometimes very satisfying to us Council Members when we get the report. So, something in this legislation where you folks can have that and be more specified better than what the Homeless and Housing Fund report is. CHR. KAGIWADA: Thank you. Alright. Council Member, did you want to go ahead? MS. KIERKIEWIECZ: Sure, thank you, Chair. The department actually does a really great job of providing a summary of all the grants thatit awards on an annual basis. It is posted to their website. It's not transmitted to.Council, but we can certainly work on language so that a transmission does occur. I,,know what the investment of the new grants' management system will be able to actually start or being able to quantify how much money is being utilized to support specific sectors and the impact it's making across the island in different communities. So, I think there are some really great reports thatR&D'can generate. And sorry to put you on the spat, Directory but would you be open to a friendly amendment requesting thata reportbe transmitted to Council on the grants that were distributed to community on an annual basis or as part of the budgeting process. "I'll have you decide when it's the best time to transmit that information. We can work on it together. But just want to make sure you're okay with it. MR. MEDINA: Oh,yes, absolutely. I mean, I think part of what we have to do is to be totally,transparent with what we're doing. I mean, we're not lost and the fact that our counterpart in Honolulu just got their whole department shut dowry: ,That isn'tl6ston us, and my belief is that, because there was lack of clarity about what their purpose was, and then lack of accountability. And along with that accountability comes that transparency. So, absolutely. We expectat any time and any time of day, somebody can walk through the door and'say,you know, what are you guys doing for small businesses? What are you guys doing about agriculture? What's the future of film,you know, what are doing to advance tourism? You know, part of what we go through in our staff meeting is, we have to answer those questions. We're responsible for that. Just like the Council Member said, we're accountable for all that. So, I think as long as there's clarity about what our direction is, there's accountability on our part and then transparency as far as putting out whatever results we have; data, all of that to Page 27 GOEAC-39 August 4,2026 the public. Then, yes, we are there for the direct expressive benefit of the residents of our County. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: I mean, if you're able to articulate the impact that these grants are having, it could lead future Councils to wanting to appropriate more funding so that, you know, additional grant money is available to support communities and their ideas. I just wanted to address some of the mana`o that was brought up by my colleagues and the Director aboutperhaps having some kind of definition or vision to economic development for our counties. So, Council Chair and I can work on something like that. I do recognize that we did remove the Sustainability Action Committee. It was never stood up. It also didn't seem to rake sense why it was there. It is absolutely more appropriate for OSCER, once they are really UP and running, and their operations are more built out. But I;know that they doi welcome collaboration and work more deeply with community. We didn't want to create an additional board for R&D because you folks did absorb the County Workforce Board, which is,made up of businesses, folks of industry. And I think those were the right partners to be having conversations around. How do we make sure we're preparing folks for jobs of the future and vacancies that exist today? So,there is,that component where R&D is interfacing with the community. The 1"milli e on,grants, as partof the annual budget, I think the caveat, Council Member Kdneali`i-Kleinfelder, that you forgot to mention, was in times of economic downturn, there is the discretion of the finance director to recommend a lower amount: Again, the Council would still have the final say on whether or not they agree. But'itwas a negotiation with the department to insure that, hey, we are going to be investing in economic development. But if times are tough, we're just going to have to think about strategic cuts. One other thing that I wanted to point out that I didn't emphasize enough earlier, was duties and responsibilities is Number Two. And this has to do with the department providing support during times of economic disruption and decline. When the volcanic eruption happened in 2018, and I'm sorry if you've heard this before already. But our region; Region 9, typically gets about$3 million a year from the EDA, that's the Economic Development Administration. Because of the flooding that happened on Kauai and the volcanic eruption here on our island, and wildfires in California, that amount of$587 million for our region, and I don't know that weI believe we missed an opportunity as a County. I think because there were so little staffing resources to recognize this potential opportunity. We didn't staff up with consultants or others to go after Page 28 GOEAC-39 August 4,2026 that funding that I think would have made a really big difference for our island. So, I wanted to include that in there, so that,you folks had the flexibility to staff up when that kind of funding is available. We also saw tranches, you know, tens of millions of dollars come to our County because of the Pandemic. And R&D was a real critical partner in getting that money out the door. So, I wanted to highlight that, and.also,just you know, make sure my colleagues who are here and will likely be here in future terms are aware of this specific piece. Because if there ate Federal dollars out there that we typically don't see, I think we're going to really rely on our R&D to be the lead for our County to go after those fund . Thank you. CHR. KAGIWADA: Thank you, Council Member Kierkiewicz. Council Member Kimball. MS. KIMBALL: Thank you. 7ust'one„point of clarification or a question about clarification. In the second to the last'section on the financial assistance programs, under(c), it identifies no fewer than one million into the community- based economic development program. Do you want to say that is the grant program specifically, or would that, for example,,include administrative costs; other costs for the department, or is that the amountthat is fully intended to be distributed in the form of grants? And if that is the ease, then I suggest that board to be added in there. :, MS. KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you, it is for the grants. I will make that clarification. MS. KIMBALL' Tien, one second comment. I wasn't going to say anything about this,but based,on your comments, you have the discretion here by the Director to reduce that amount based on economic downturn. That's actually the time, I think,I most important for the County to be contributing to the economic system-f would actually prefer to see that particular component removed. Understand that they produce County revenue. But if we're in an economic downturn, that's when I think we'd want to be making these grants. And so, I Would support an amendment to remove that condition. MS. KIERKIEWICZ: That's why we have the word, "recommend." It's a recommendation from the Finance Director. I'm from the same school of thought as you, Council Member. But it was again, negotiation with the Administration. This was language that they were comfortable with where they could support this measure. It ensures the $1 million, but at the end of the day, it's up to members of this body to make the case to justify more or less funding is necessary. Page 29 GOEAC-39 August 4,2026 CHR. KAGIWADA: Thank you so much. Alright, back to Council Member Kdneali`i-Kleinfelder. Oh, let me to go Council Member Galimba first. She hasn't had a chance to speak, and then I'll come back over to you. Thank you. Go ahead, Council Member Galimba. MS. GALIMBA: Just one quick question, Director. Should this pass, how do you see this affecting your department? Is it pretty much going to be business as usual, or does this help you kind of clarify your thoughts and create a slightly different strategy? MR. MEDINA: So, it's pretty much business as usual for us. I mean, we're pretty much already doing it. But it allows us one more sort of alignment piece, right? So, for us it's about lining up with the CEDS, lining up with General Plan; lining up with this now. So, I'don't see there's going to be,any major effect of us in terms of change of staff. Our priorities in terms of what specific things we have to do, of course. Those are emerging all the time. So, as Council Woman Kierkiewicz pointed out, whenever there's a natural disaster of some kind, typically, the funding is heading towards our office. Like the recent Kona Low funding that came down from the State. You know, they just contacted us.and said, "Hey, we've got $500,000 and you're in charge of it;" And luckily,we were able to deploy that very quickly. I mean, quite a bit ahead'of all the other counties. In fact, Maui County,was asking us, can you run ours because you guys are already out there. But, as"a direct answer to your question,yes, it's pretty much not going to change much of what we're doing. MS. GALIMBA: Okay, thanks. I think it definitely provides a lot of clarity for you. And also, clarity,I think,for OSCER and having that more of a distinction. I,guess, are there any functions that you do now that you would, based on this,be moving away from? MR. MEDINA: I think one of the things when I spoke with Laura Acasio this morning,we're on an Energy Taskforce; and I would take the PUC (Public Utilities Commission); we do PUC monitoring in our department. And that could go over to them pretty easily because they're monitoring it too. So, you know, duplication of effort there. So, as we continue to meet more and more and talk about the different things that are coming into our departments, it's clearer as we go along which pieces should go where. It really depends on what lens, the Mayor wants us to look at it, because he was pretty clear with us about energy. He wanted us to look at energy in terms of how energy can be something that develops our economy; as an economic driver. Like I said, where Laura looks at it more as, how do we conserve energy; how do we be more resilient as far as energy goes. So, we're working it through. So far, so good. Page 30 GOEAC-39 August 4,2026 MS. GALIMBA: That's great to hear. There's definitely some cases where you can't disentangle the sustainability side from economic development. And we'll have to just work through those, I think as you go along. And there may be some things where people come in to you, and once you explain what you folks do, then send them over to Laura. Yes, I just wanted to check in with you on that. Thanks. CHR. KAGIWADA: Thank you, Council Member Galimba. Council Member Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you, Chair. Renee, can you help me. I'm struggling with this paragraph. (Note: At this time, Corporation Counsel Renee Scheren came forward to address the members of the Committee.) MS. SCHOEN: Renee Schoen, Corporation Counsel. Which paragraph are you talking about? MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Thank you,Ma'am. Okay, so Section 2, Community-Based Programs, under(c) "No fewer than one million dollars shall be appropriated annually . . . In the event of downturn . . ., the director of finance may recommend . ." I mean legislatively, we approve budgets. Fiscally, the finance director helps create the budget and submits it to the Council along with the Mayor, So, when you put in two statements that actually counteract each ether. One being, "one million shall be"; and the next one saying, "the director may." I'm struggling with the thought process behind that. I get the intention,but reality is, that director may exist whether the language is in this bill,or not: Arid the Council may adjust things however they feel. But reality is when it says, "one million annually shall be." MS. SCHOEN: So letne see if I can help. I view that second sentence as havingbeing qualified. And so, it's only when there is some sort of economic downturn,or reduction of County revenues, would the director of finance make such recommendation. Then,you know, as was stated earlier, it's up to this body, as to whether or not it wants to abide by that or adopt that recommendation. But I think the standard foundational language is the "Shall" $I,hiillion. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: So, foundationally, "one million shall be, and "the director may." Page 31 GOEAC-39 August 4,2026 MS. SCHOEN: Correct. But the director may, in circumstances where there's an economic downturn or some sort of reduction of County revenues. So, you know, for instance, I don't see that we're in that particular situation in this fiscal year; in which case that would not happen. The director would not so recommend. She would follow the "Shall, and so,with this body. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Okay, to the makers, I mean, I get the intention here, but I mean, the reality is the director may do whatever she so chooses. The budget comes to us. We approve the budget."If you want to put that in you can, but I would just prefer to take that sentence out. The director may do anything she likes, and she may recommend anything. But reality is when you set the intention as $1 million shall be appropriated, that shall be appropriated every year. And if the director wants to change,it, let the director change it. But no need put it in the language`like that. Thank you. CHR. KAGIWADA: Okay, anybody else rightnow? Okay,just one thing for me. Appreciate Council Member Kneah'i-Kleinfelder really talking about the grants affecting our residents economically; But I just wanted to ask you a question and kind of clarify that some of the work may not have direct impact in that, you still have this branch, where you're looking at innovation, ideas, research, and that kind of stuff. So, the grants may be direct, but some�ofthe work you do,just by nature of your department, may not be as direct. Hopefully, it becomes direct. But you do have to do'some kind of exploring and looking at innovation. Is that how you see it as well? MR. MEDINA: Yes,I do. Youknow, a lot of things that come through our department, they'do have to be researched; they do have to be vetted. In some cases, they have to be tested: But we look at it like, alright if it works and that's good, then"it will benefit. And if it doesn't work then we figured out something that we can stop now. We're not going to waste any more time, energy, and resources that isn't viable at the time. So, that's scut of our perspective on all things that sort of roll through out department. Our job is to make sure they can work. So, before we bring anything up to the Mayor, we've already researched it. We looked at it; we looked'at models, and then we present it to the Mayor. And if he says alright, this sounds viable, let's keep going, then we keep going. But I look at the importance of our job is to identify those things that won't work and stop them right now. So, we don't spend ten years going down the road with something and put millions of dollars into something that is not going to work. And it's not always easy to make a decision like that, because who knows, maybe it would work. But for where we are right now, we have to take a look at what do we have right now? What's our situation? What resources do we have? Page 32 GOEAC-39 August 4,2026 CHR. KAGIWADA: Okay, thank you. I just want to make sure. I know you're focusing more on circular economic development, all that stuff. But there still is that piece that is that research and exploratory piece. So, thank you. Alright I don't see any other lights. With that, all those in favor of sending Bill 179 to the full Council with a favorable recommendation, please say "aye." Any opposed? Vote on Bill 179: The motion to recommend passage of Bill 179 was (Approved) carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members Galimba, Hustace, Inaba, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Kimball, Kierkiewicz , Villegas, and Chair Kagiwada—8. Noes: None. Absent: Committee Member Onishi — 1. Excused: None. CHR KAGIWADA: Thank you so much. The measure is approved, and we are done for this committee. The next committee will begin shortly. Thank you so much. Thank you, Director. ADJOURN- Seeing no further business, Chair Kagiwada adjourned the meeting MENT: at 1:30 p.m. Approved: Ms. Jenn Kagiwada, Chair (Date) Committee on Governmental Operations and External Affairs JK/dt Page 33