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Home My WebLink AboutREP FC 186 2026-09-15 2024-2026DATE: September 15, 2026 PLACE: Council Chambers Hilo, Hawaii TIME: 3:33 p.m. Council Chair and Members Hawaii County Council Hilo, Hawaii 96720 REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Re: Comm. No. 1059/13ill No. 192 Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred Bill No. 192, reports as follows: Bill No. 192, transmitted by Committee Member Holeka Goro Inaba via Communication No. 1059, dated August 27, 2026, amends Chapter 19, Article 11, Section 19-90 of the Hawaii County Code 1983 (2016 Edition, as amended), relating to Real Property Tax. This bill extends the requirement to appropriate residential tier -two and tier -three property tax revenue to the housing and homelessness fund until 2029; requires that monies from the fund be used to award grants that address housing and homelessness. Housing Adminstrator Kehaulani M. Costa, Finance Director Diane Nakagawa, and Audit Analyst Maxine Pacheco were present. Committee Member Holeka Goro Inaba provided background on this measure and proposed an amendment via Communication No. 1059.2, which seeks to clarify the language in the bill specifically to make clear that this is not a special fund. Bill 192 was amended with nine "ayes." Committee Member Jenn Kagiwada thanked the community for their testimony. She agreed with a testifier that the Committee should collaborate more with state and federal organizations. Committee Member Ashley L. Kierkiewicz agreed with Ms. Kagiwada and the testifier. Ms. Kierkiewicz also reminded Ms. Costa to collaborate with the Hawaii Fire Department, specifically the Community Paramedicine Program. Committee Member Dennis "Fresh" Onishi expressed concerns, noting that there is no audit report to review alongside this legislation at this time. He stated that he cannot support this until he can review the report and make a more informed decision. Mr. Onishi asked Ms. Pacheco to provide insight into whether the Committee should postpone this vote or proceed. Ms. Pacheco provided a brief background on her role at the County Auditors but stated that she could not provide an answer to his question. Committee Member Heather L. Kimball said she also wanted to review the report so the Committee can have the data before voting, but also understands time constraints. FC Report No. 186 FC-186 Page 2 September 15, 2026 Committee Chair Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder raised concerns about how these funds were spent and shared personal experiences as a business owner. He asked Ms. Nakagawa to provide County budget data and figures for the multiple accounts that fund homeless programs as he does not believe the organizations awarded these funds are using them for their intended purpose. His biggest concerns arise when bills include language that sets a minimum amount. Mr. Inaba responded that the floor amount for this bill is set at $9 million because it was part of a previously allocated amount from former Council Member Aaron Chung to start the initial funding program. Mr. Inaba briefly stated for the community that Communication No. 1059.1 contains a brief summary of some of the work completed over the years by the awarded organizations. He asked for an estimated completion date for the final audit report. Ms. Pacheco stated it would be completed by the end of the calendar year. Your Committee on Finance is in accord with the purpose and intent of Bill No. 192, as amended to Draft 2, and recommends its passage on first reading. 1kh AYES NOES ABS EX GALIMBA X HUSTACE X INABA X KAGIWADA X KANEALI` I-KLEINFELDER X KIERKIEWICZ X KIMBALL X ONISHI X VILLEGAS X Respectfully submitted, COMMITTEE ON FINANCE MATT KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER, CHAIR FC REPORT NO.: 186 ADOPTED: