HomeMy WebLinkAboutORD 2026-068 2024-2026 COUNTY OF HAWAI`I STATE OF HAWAI`I
BILL NO. 179
ORDINANCE NO. 26 6S (DRAFT 2)
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 2 OF THE HAWAI`I COUNTY CODE 1983
(2016 EDITION,AS AMENDED),RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAI`I:
SECTION 1. Purpose. The purpose of this ordinance is to modernize and clarify the
duties and responsibilities of the Department of Research and Development and strengthen its
leadership role in advancing a resilient, sustainable, and diversified economy for the County. The
Department shall promote economic and workforce development in a manner that balances
economic, societal, and environmental considerations; supports entrepreneurship and local
business; advances the goals and priorities established in County plans; promotes geographic and
economic equity; and provides sustained support for community-based economic development
throughout the County.
SECTION 2. Chapter 2, article 8, of the Hawai`i County Code 1983 (2016 Edition, as
amended) is hereby repealed.
SECTION 3. Chapter 2 of the Hawai`i County Code 1983 (2016 Edition, as amended) is
amended by adding an article to be appropriately inserted and to read as follows:
"Article_. Department of Research and Development.
Section 2-_ Duties and responsibilities.
(a) The director of research and development shall have the responsibility to:
(1) Collect, compile, and make publicly accessible data, statistics, and other
information related to the County, as requested by the mayor or the council to
support managerial or legislative decision-making;
(2) On behalf of the County, identify and pursue funding opportunities related to
economic development from public or private entities, with particular
attention to periods of economic disruption or decline;
(3) Provide the public with technical assistance and information on resources,
grants, services, and opportunities, whether public or private, relating to:
(A) Any economic sector identified in paragraph (4);
(B) Entrepreneurship and small business development;
(C) The advancement or implementation of projects or priorities in
alignment with the goals and policies of the County as set forth in the
general plan, community development plans, and the Comprehensive
Economic Development Strategy; and
(D) Other areas the director determines to be in the public interest and the
best interest of the County;
(4) Support economic and workforce development across the following sectors
within the County, including but not limited to:
(A) Creative and performing arts;
(B) Cultural perpetuation;
(C) Education;
(D) Environmental industries and innovation;
(E) Film and entertainment;
(F) Energy;
(G) Health and well-being;
(H) Science and technology;
(I) Regenerative tourism; and
(J) Agriculture.
(5) Provide support to the Hawai`i County Workforce Development Board,
including administrative assistance as may be necessary to carry out the
board's functions; and
(6) Ensure that the aforementioned responsibilities are carried out in a manner
that is geographically and economically equitable across the County.
(b) As used in this section:
"Economic development"means activities and investments that expand
economic opportunities, strengthen businesses and entrepreneurship, develop the
workforce, support a diversified and resilient economy, and advance the economic
well-being of the County and its residents.
Section 2-_ Community-based economic development and financial assistance
programs.
(a) The director shall administer one or more grant programs to support economic
sectors in section 2-_(4), with a focus on entrepreneurship, small business
development, workforce initiatives, and implementation of County plans and
priorities.
(b) Any grant awards made under this section are subject to article 25.
(c) No fewer than one million dollars shall be appropriated annually to the community-
based economic development program. In the event of an economic downturn or
reduced County revenues, the director of finance may recommend a reduced annual
appropriation. Use of funds appropriated pursuant to this subsection is restricted to
grant awards in alignment with the purpose of the program established under this
section.
(d) No later than ninety days following the end of each fiscal year,the director shall
transmit a report to the council on grants awarded, the amount of funds distributed,
and outcomes achieved under the program during the preceding fiscal year.
2
Section 2-_. Administrative rules.
The director of research and development may adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91
necessary for the purposes of this article."
SECTION 4. Severability. If any provision of this ordinance, or the application thereof
to any person or circumstance, is held invalid, the invalidity does not affect other provisions or
applications of this ordinance that can be given effect without the invalid provision or
application, and to this end the provisions of this ordinance are severable.
SECTION 5. This ordinance shall take effect upon its approval.
INT' O►U ED BY:
1
• -LEY KIERKIEWICZ
Council Member
HOLEKA GORO INABA, Ed.D.
Council Member
Hilo , Hawai`i
Date of Introduction: September 2, 2026
Date of 1st Reading: September 2, 2026
Date of 2nd Reading: September 16, 2026
Effective Date: October 15, 2026
REFERENCE Comm. 984.4
I �I I LRB HI 61111,1
35 p1 III
• • Y
OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK
County of Hawai`i
Hilo, Hawai`i s., '°• .,2
Introduced By: Ashley L. Kierkiewicz and ROLL CALL VOTE
Dr. Holeka Goro Inaba AYES NOES ABS EX
Date Introduced: September 2, 2026 Galimba X
First Reading: September 2, 2026 Hustace X
Published: September 11, 2026 Inaba X
Kagiwada X
REMARKS. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder X
Kierkiewicz X
Kimball X
Onishi X
Villegas X
9 0 0 0
Third Reading: September 16, 2026 (Draft 2)
To Mayor: October 2, 2026 ROLL CALL VOTE
Returned: October 15, 2026
Effective: October 15, 2026 AYES NOES ABS EX
Published: October 30, 2026 Galimba X
Hustace X
REMARKS: Inaba X
Kagiwada X
Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder X
Kierkiewicz X
Kimball X
Onishi X
Villegas X
8 1 0 0
I DO HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing BILL was adopted by the County Council published as
indicated above.
COUNCIL CHAIRPERSON
I5
Approve. Disapproved this day
OCITACWIof � , 20 oZ c� . 4 ERK
179 (Draft 2)
Bill No.:
MAYOR, COUNTY OF HAWAI`I Reference: C-904.4 /GOEAC-156
OrdNo.: 26 68