HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP GREDC 001 2017/01/04 (2016-2018) REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS
AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
DATE: January 4, 2017 Re: Communication No. 19
PLACE: Council Chambers
Hilo, Hawai`i
TIME: 9:00 a.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawai`i County Council
Hilo, Hawai`i 96720
Your Committee on Governmental Relations and Economic Development, to which was referred
Communication No. 19 reports as follows:
Transmitted by Mayor Harry Kim, via Communication No. 19, dated December 7, 2016,
appointment of Mr. Joseph Kamelamela as Corporation Counsel.
There were fourteen people who testified on this communication at the following locations: Hilo
and Pahoa.
Communication No. 19 was read into the record. Council Member Maile David made a motion
to approve Communication No. 19, seconded by Council Member Valerie T. Poindexter.
Mayor Harry Kim supports his appointment recommendation and stated that he did not pre-speak
to any of the testifiers who appeared to garner support for Mr. Joseph Kamelamela. Mayor Kim
also wanted to address the notification of staff members via Mr. Joseph Kamelamela prior to his
appointment confirmation. Mayor Kim states that it was his recommendation for
Mr. Kamelamela to notify staff members of their future employment status as a courtesy to allow
staff more time to address the issue of employment.
Mr. Joseph Kamelamela was available during this appointment. Mr. Kamelamela gave an
overview of his experience that qualifies him for the position of Corporation Counsel.
Mr. Kamelamela also gave a brief bio of who he was, and where he came from. Mr. Kamelamela
addressed the issue of him notifying staff of their employment prior to his confirmation. He
states that this was done on the recommendation of Mayor Kim, and it was to be a courtesy to
allow staff time to address the issue of employment. Mr. Kamelamela stressed that his goal is to
follow the Corporation Counsel mission statement and will represent the County and community
fairly.
Several Council Members expressed their concerns with the way Mr. Kamelamela handled
notification of staff in regard to future employment within Corporation Counsel.
Seven Council Members voted aye, with two Council Members voting "kanalua"-no.
GREDC Report No. 1
GREDC-1 Page 2 January 4, 2017
Your Committee on Governmental Relations and Economic Development is in accord with the
purpose and intent of Communication No. 19, and recommends confirmation of the appointment
of Mr. Joseph Kamelamela as Corporation Counsel.
(DK1w)
AYES NOES ABS EX Respectfully submitted,
CHUNG X
DAVID x COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL
EOFF x RELATIONS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
KANUHA X
LEE LOY X
O'H ARA X
POINDEXTER x DRU MAMO NUHA, CHAIR
RICHARDS X GREDC REPORT NO.: 1
RUGGLES , x _ � ADOPTED: JAN 2 5 2017