HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP PC 005 12/16/2008 2008-2010REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON PLANNING
DATE: February 3, 2009 Re: Comm. No. 87
PLACE: Council Room
Ben Franklin Building
333 Kilauea Avenue, 2nd Floor
Hilo, Hawaii
TIME: 3:10 p.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Your Committee on Planning, to which was referred Communication No. 87, reports as follows:
Communication No. 87, transmitted by Mayor Billy Kenoi, dated January 6, 2009, submits for
confirmation the appointment of Mr. Arthur Taniguchi of Council District 2 to the County of
Hawaii Water Board.
Mr. Taniguchi is a lifelong resident of Hawaii. He is a Senior Vice-President and the Regional
Manager at the Bank of Hawaii, where he has been employed since 1991. Mr. Taniguchi's
community service includes membership with-the Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce,
Japanese Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club of Hilo Bay, and Crimestoppers Hilo, Inc.
Mr. Taniguchi states that he is not affiliated with any political party. If confirmed, he will serve
a term to end on December 31, 2013. Mr. Taniguchi will be replacing Mr. Thomas Goya, whose
term ended on December 31, 2008.
Council Member Emily Naeole moved to close file and approve Mr. Taniguchi's appointment.
The motion was seconded by Council Member Brenda Ford. Your Committee expressed
uncertainty with aspects of Mr. Taniguchi's appointment. Council Chair J Yoshimoto moved to
postpone the matter until such time these unspecified uncertainties could be addressed. Council
Member Ford seconded the motion. Corporation Counsel Lincoln Ashida expressed concern that
Mr. Taniguchi's appointment was not going to be approved. Mr. Ashida informed your
Committee that if the matter was not acted upon by the Council by February 21, 2009,
Mr. Taniguchi would be confirmed automatically.
Your Committee members discussed the timing of appointments, expressing dismay at the
seemingly short period of time between receipt of nomination letter from the Mayor, and the
deadline for Council action. Mr. Ashida informed your Committee members that there is a
forty-five (45) day window, from receipt of the Mayor's nomination letter (as evidenced by the
time-stamp on the letter), and the deadline for Council action.
PC Report 5
Comm. No. 87
Page Two
Mr. Yoshimoto withdrew his motion to postpone. Ms. Ford withdrew her second. Committee
Chair Donald Ikeda called for a vote on the original motion. All Committee members present
voted in favor of allowing the matter to advance to Council. Mr. Taniguchi will be required to
return and appear before the Council for further discussion and the final vote on his appointment.
Pursuant to Section 13-4(b), Hawai`i County Code, members of the Water Board shall be
appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the Council.
Your Committee on Planning recommends the confirmation of Mr. Arthur Taniguchi to the
County of Hawaii Water Board.
awm
AYES NOES A&E EX
ENRIQUES X
FORD X
GREENWELL X
HOFFMANN X
IKEDA X
NAEOLE X
ONISHI X
YAGONG X
YOSHIMOTO X
Respectfully submitted,
COMMITTEE ON PLANNING
~~ fS~~ KA
DONALD IKEDA, CHAIR
PC REPORT NO. 5
ADOPTED: DEB 1 9 2~~9