HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP PCHSW 012 2026-10-06 2024-2026 REPORT OF THE POLICY COMMITTEE
ON HEALTH, SAFETY,AND WELL-BEING
DATE: October 6, 2026 Re: Comm. 1095/Bill 199
PLACE: Council Chambers
Hilo,Hawai`i
TIME: 9:30 a.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawai`i County Council
Hilo,Hawai`i 96720
Your Policy Committee on Health, Safety, and Well-being,to which was referred Bill No. 199,
reports as follows:
Bill No. 199,transmitted by Council Members Ashley L. Kierkiewicz and Holeka Goro Inaba
via Communication No. 1095, dated September 16,2026, amends Chapter 14 of the Hawai`i
County Code 1983 (2016 Edition, as amended),by adding a new article relating to the
establishment of a historic place marker program.
Bill 199 requires the Planning Depai fluent to administer a historic place marker program;
requires the Depai tjiient of Public Works to install and maintain historic place markers; requires
the Department of Research and Development to support the program through research and
outreach; requires the submission of a historic place marker implementation plan within one
year; and requires installation of all historic place markers within six months thereafter.
Research and Development Director Benson Medina,Planning Director Jeff Darrow,Public
Works Director Wesley Segawa, and Traffic Division Chief Aaron Takaba were present in the
chambers for questions.
Ms. Kierkiewicz provided a brief overview. She emphasized the importance of collaborating
with community members and organizations when planning where the signs will be placed.
Committee Members Holeka Goro Inaba and Rebecca Villegas expressed thanks for putting
forth this bill because it's important to the culture of our island and supports a greater sense of
place and belonging.
Committee Member Heather L. Kimball expressed her support for the bill. She suggested to
establish a funding source to compensate those in the community that the County consults
regarding place names and placement of signage,to add an appeals process, and to specify the
deciding authority for this program. She also added that the community should also be consulted
regarding the deciding authority.
Ms. Kierkiewicz agreed with Ms. Kimball's suggestions and asked Mr. Medina if he agrees. He
responded in support of compensating those consulted for this program. Ms. Kierkiewicz also
PCHSW Report No. 12
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PCHSW-12 Page 2 October 6,2026
said that the signs will be similar to the brown and white signs that the state installed around the
island as part of a similar program.
Committee Member Jennifer Kagiwada asked if language regarding the compensation for
consultation should be included in the bill. Ms. Kierkiewicz stated that she would work on an
amendment to address the concerns raised at the committee meeting.
Committee Chair Dennis"Fresh" Onishi asked for clarity around the departments' roles in this
program. Mr. Darrow noted the tight one-year timeline for developing the implementation plan
and stated that funding would be used to contract out the necessary research. Mr. Segawa stated
that Public Works would be responsible for the design and production of the signs and would
also contract out that work. Mr. Medina clarified that Research and Development would support
Planning with community engagement. Chair Onishi then asked whether the departments would
need to adopt new rules to ensure the program's success. The directors responded that they were
not sure yet. Ms. Kierkiewicz stated that the departments should begin preparing for
implementation in anticipation of the bill passage.
Your Policy Committee on Health, Safety, and Well-Being is in accord with the purpose and
intent of Bill 199, and recommends its passage on first reading.
ct
AYES NOES ABS EX Respectfully submitted,
GALIMBA X
HUSTACE X POLICY COMMITTEE ON HEALTH,
INABA x AFETY ND WELL-BEING
KAGIWADA X
KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER X
KIERKIEWICZ X
KIMBALL x DENNIS "FRESH" ONISHI, CHAIR
ONISHI X PCHSW REPORT NO.: 12
VILLEGAS X ADOPTED: OCT 2 1 2026