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V c <br /> 1!..;,;... Phone: 808 961-8026 <br /> DANIEL K. PALEKA JR. ...4,-"?.,e: 1,. , ( ) <br /> Council District 5 Puna Mauka :• ' .,, \,1 . Fax: (808)961-8912 <br /> :i+c 4V...1"s .. , :•: Email: dpaleka@hawaiicounty.gov <br /> OF M0 <br /> HAWAI`I COUNTY COUNCIL <br /> County of Hawai`i <br /> 25Aupuni Street, Suite 1402 <br /> Hilo, Hawaii 96720 <br /> v C, <br /> t. O C7 <br /> TO: Dru Mamo Kanuha, Council Chair A <br /> and Members of the Hawaii County Council N <br /> FROM: ° Daniel K. Paleka Jr., Council Member -, <br /> DATE: May 27, 2015 ;g ) <br /> ..... <br /> SUBJECT: 2015 Western Interstate Region(WIR)Conference tis — <br /> I am requesting 10 minutes on the next available and appropriate Council agenda to report my attendance <br /> at the 2015 Western Interstate Region(WIR)Conference held on May 20, 2015 –May 22, 2015, at the <br /> Grand Hyatt Kaua`i Resort located on the island of Kaua`i, Hawai`i. <br /> The WIR serves as the counties' advocate for public policy issues affecting the state associations of <br /> counties in 15 Western states. WIR is affiliated with the National Association of Counties(NACo)and is <br /> dedicated to the promotion of Western interests within NACo. These interests include, but are not limited <br /> to, public land issues(including use and conservation), economic development, and community stability. <br /> WIR is dedicated to promoting a clearer understanding of challenges facing county officials from 15 <br /> Western states and serves as a valuable resource for exchanging information about Western county <br /> governments for NACo,the legislature, and to all county officials. <br /> Kicking off the conference on Wednesday May 20, 2015, I was able to partake in my first WIR Board of <br /> Directors Meeting since being elected to serve as a Board Member. Presentations included: "FirstNet <br /> Introduction and Implementation", and"Public Lands Planning: Where Do Counties Fit In?" I <br /> particularly enjoyed the presentation on Public Lands Planning because it provided us with insight and <br /> valuable tips on how to coordinate and communicate well with public lands stake holders. <br /> Later that day, I was able to sit in on an interesting breakout session for the Joint Agriculture and Rural <br /> Affairs Steering Committee Meeting. Also in attendance at this meeting were Council Members Dru <br /> Mamo Kanuha, Margaret Wille, and Dennis"Fresh"Onishi. This presentation featured speakers Kirby <br /> Kester, President of the Hawai`i Crop Improvement Association (HCIA) and Doug McKalip, a Senior <br /> Advisor for the United States Department of Agriculture. Questions were raised concerning the current <br /> litigation between HCIA and the County of Kaua`i, however, were deferred due to ongoing litigation. <br /> On Thursday, May 21, 2015, I listened in on one of the conferences featured speaker's–State of Hawai`i <br /> Department of Transportation Director, Ford Fuchigami. Director Fuchigami shared the State of Hawaii's <br /> top practices used to plan, design, operate and maintain our state's transportation system, which includes <br /> Harbors, Highways and Airports divisions. <br /> Comm. No. <br /> Serving the Interests of the People of Our Island Ref. To: Ci izt OC <br /> Ref. Oote MAY 2 8 205Hawai`i County Is an Equal Opportunity Provider And Employer . <br />