HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN COUNCIL 2015/06/01 2014-2016 Special
Hawaiʻi County Council
Special Session
th
14 Session
Hawai‘i County Building
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, Hawai‘i
June 1, 2015
INVOCATION: Reverend Bryan Siebuhr of Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin gave the morning’s
invocation.
CALL TO The special session of the Hawai‘i County Council was called to order at
ORDER: 9:03 a.m., in the Council Chambers, Hilo, by Mr. Dru Mamo Kanuha,
Chair.
ROLL CALL:
Present: Mr. Dru Mamo Kanuha, Chair
Ms. Valerie T. Poindexter, Vice Chair
Mr. Aaron S. Y. Chung, Member
Ms. Maile “Medeiros” David, Member
Ms. Karen Eoff, Member
Mr. Greggor Ilagan, Member
Mr. Dennis “Fresh” Onishi, Member
Mr. Danny Paleka, Member
Ms. Margaret Wille, Member
CHR. KANUHA: Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Mr. Ilagan, may you please lead us in
the Pledge of Allegiance?
PLEDGE OF The Chair directed the Council to the next order of business, Pledge of
ALLEGIANCE: Allegiance.
(At this time, Mr. Ilagan led the Council in the Pledge of
Allegiance.)
CHR. KANUHA: Mahalo. Okay, now we’re going to take Statements from the
Public on Agenda Items. We have several here in Hilo but I’m going to check
with the other sites.
Hawai‘i County Council-14 June 1, 2015
STATEMENTS The Chair directed the Council to proceed to the next order of business,
FROM THE Statements from the Public on Agenda Items.
PUBLIC ON
AGENDA ITEMS: The following individuals registered to speak and came forward when called by
the Chair:
Cory Harden: Bill 28, Draft 2 (Comm. 143.58), in support.
Vince Kimura: Bill 28, Draft 2 (Comm. 143.58), in opposition.
(representing Big Island
Junior Golf)
Pamela Waiʻolena: Bill 28, Draft 2 (Comm. 143.58); and
Bill 29, Draft 3 (Comm. 144.22), comment.
Donna Jean Johnson: Bill 28, Draft 2 (Comm. 143.58), in support.
Olivia Ling: Bill 28, Draft 2 (Comm. 143.58), comment.
Toby Hazel: Bill 28, Draft 2 (Comm. 143.58); and
Bill 29, Draft 3 (Comm. 144.22), comment.
Alexa Russell: Bill 28, Draft 2 (Comm. 143.8); and
Bill 29, Draft 3 (Comm. 144.22), in support.
Sheila Ramos: Bill 28, Draft 2 (Comm. 143.8); and
Bill 29, Draft 3 (Comm. 144.22), comment.
Lacey Uchida: Bill 28, Draft 2 (Comm. 143.58), in opposition.
Sonny Laragusa: Bill 28, Draft 2 (Comm. 143.58), in opposition.
Lana L. Incillio: Bill 28, Draft 2 (Comm. 143.57), in support.
Catherine M. Eckert: Bill 28, Draft 2 (Comm. 143.58), in support.
George W. Russell: Bill 28, Draft 2 (Comm. 143.58); and
Bill 29, Draft 3 (Comm. 144.22), comment.
Laak Russell: Bill 28, Draft 2 (Comm. 143.58); and
Bill 29, Draft 3 (Comm. 144.22), comment.
Tommy Goya: Bill 28, Draft 2 (Comm. 143.57), in support.
Dwayne Mukai: Bill 28, Draft 3 (Comm. 143.57), in opposition.
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Hawai‘i County Council-14 June 1, 2015
Patti Cook: Bill 29, Draft 3 (Comm. 144.27), in support.
(Representing Waimea
Community Association)
Tammy M. Kealoha: Bill 29, Draft 3 (Comm. 144.27), in support.
Peter Risley: Bill 28, Draft 2 (Comm. 143.57); and
Bill 29, Draft 3 (Comm. 144.29), in support.
Lilli Gross: Bill 28, Draft 2 (Comm. 143.8); comment.
Art Taniguchi: Bill 28, Draft 2 (Comm. 143.57), in opposition.
Recess: At 10:21 a.m., the Chair called for a recess.
Reconvene: The meeting reconvened at 10:27 a.m.
CHR. KANUHA: Okay, we’re going to come out of recess, and we’re
going to continue with public testimony. Mahalo for the patience.
Dennis Carlson: Bill 28, Draft 2 (Comm. 143.58), in opposition.
Daphne Gray: Bill 28, Draft 2 (Comm. 143.57), in support.
Mary Wills: Bill 28, Draft 2 (Comm. 143.58); and
Bill 29, Draft 3 (Comm. 144.29), in support.
Wil Houts: Bill 28, Draft 2 (Comm. 143.58); and
Bill 29, Draft 3 (Comm. 144.29), in support.
Lisa Andrews: Bill 28, Draft 2 (Comm. 143.57); and
Bill 29, Draft 3 (Comm. 144.29), comment.
Marc Agpawa: Bill 28, Draft 2 (Comm. 143.58), in opposition.
Jerry Warren: Bill 28, Draft 2 (Comm. 143.58), in opposition.
Heidi McKeague: Bill 28, Draft 2 (Comm. 143.58), in opposition.
Landry Fuller: Bill 29, Draft 3 (Comm. 144.27), in support.
CHR. KANUHA: Okay, I’m going to ask, is there anybody else wishing to
testify on any items on the agenda that haven’t yet testified? I don’t think there’s
anybody else at the other sites and nobody else here in Hilo, so I will close public
testimony. And if it’s all right with you, Council Members, I’d like to take a brief
recess, a 10-minute recess, and then we’ll come back. Okay, recess.
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Hawai‘i County Council-14 June 1, 2015
Recess: At 11:01 a.m., the Chair called for a recess.
Reconvene: The meeting reconvened at 11:13 a.m.
CHR. KANUHA: Okay, we’re coming out of recess. Mr. Clerk, can you read in
Bill 28 and the additional communications?
ORDER OF The Chair directed the Council to proceed to the next order of business,
THE DAY Order of the Day (Second or Final Reading).
(SECOND OR
FINAL READING):
Bill 28 ESTABLISHES AN OPERATING BUDGET FOR THE COUNTY OF
(Draft 2): HAWAI‘I FOR THE FISCAL YEAR JULY 1, 2015, TO JUNE 30, 2016
Proposed Operating Budget for fiscal year ending June 30, 2016, includes
estimated revenues and appropriations of $438,793,070.
Reference: Comm. 143.8
Intr. by: Ms. Eoff
First Reading: May 18, 2015
; and
Comm. 143.56: From Council Member Margaret Wille, dated May 21, 2015, transmitting
(Memo. No. 2) proposed amendments to amend the General Fund Expenditures account to
remove funding from the Sister City, Hawai‘i State Association of Counties
(HSAC)/Western Interstate Region/National Association of Counties
Conferences, and HSAC Executive Meetings (Oahu) accounts and increases the
District Allowance Expense account by $19,530.
; and
Comm. 143.57: From Council Member Margaret Wille, dated May 21, 2015, transmitting
(Memo. No. 3) proposed amendments to amend the General Fund Expenditures account by
decreasing the Postage-Council Services account by $42,177 and the Mayor’s
Entertainment account by $23,200 and increasing the Prosecuting Attorney
Salaries and Wages account by $44,580, the Health Benefits account by $9,808,
the Retirement Benefits account by $7,579, and the Employer Federal Insurance
Contributions Act account by $3,410. This amendment would fund a Legal
Assistant II position.
; and
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Hawai‘i County Council-14 June 1, 2015
Comm. 143.58: From Council Member Margaret Wille, dated May 21, 2015, transmitting
(Memo. No. 4) proposed amendments to amend the General Fund Expenditures account by
increasing the Transfer to Solid Waste Fund account by $179,565 and decreasing
the Transfer to Golf Course Fund account by the same amount; amends the Solid
Waste Fund Revenues account by increasing the Transfer From General Fund
account by $179,565; amends the Solid Waste Fund Expenditures account by
increasing the Landfills Salaries and Wages account by $122,445, the Health
Benefits account by $26,937, the Retirement Benefits account by $20,817, and
the Federal Insurance Contributions Act Employer Share account by $9,366; and
amends the Golf Course Fund Revenues account by increasing the Green Fees
account by $179,565 and decreasing the Transfer From General Fund account by
the same amount. This amendment would fund three Solid Waste Facility
Attendant positions.
Motion to Approve: Ms. Eoff moved to pass Bill 28, Draft 2, on second and final
reading. Seconded by Ms. Poindexter.
CHR. KANUHA: Mr. Ilagan.
Motion to Amend: Mr. Ilagan moved to amend Bill 28, Draft 2 with the
contents of Comm. 143.67. Seconded by Ms. David.
CHR. KANUHA: So currently on the floor, this is what we’re going off of,
Communication 143.67.
MR. ILAGAN: I’ll explain why.
CHR. KANUHA: Okay, Mr. Ilagan, go right ahead.
MR. ILAGAN: Thank you, Mr. Chair. The reason why I went out of order is
because I asked the testifiers to stay, and I would like to have the discussion with
them while I explain the history of what had happened with this amendment.
To start off with, the Council Members understand that I was a big proponent on
the Neighborhood Watch, and I was talking with the Mayor about Neighborhood
Watches and how we can improve that program. When we were talking, he
mentioned about CERT (Community Emergency Response Team). When he
mentioned about CERT, it’s also another community-based program, just like
Neighborhood Watch, and I was listening, but I didn’t really know how to help
CERT because I wasn’t focused on that.
So I had a meeting with the Chief of Police, the Civil Defense Administrator, and
also Council Member Paleka, and we started talking about Neighborhood Watch
and CERT in an island-wide program. And Civil Defense Administrator Oliveira
mentioned that one of the things that CERT would really need help on and is
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Hawai‘i County Council-14 June 1, 2015
really crucial because of the fact he mentioned it, is hurricane season is coming
up. And hurricane season actually starts today, June first, all the way to
th
November 30.
And what CERT would get are radios and at a time of disaster, normally the first
thing that goes out is the electricity and your cell phones. So with these UHF
(Ultra High Frequency) radios, island-wide, they would have a better
communication, and all these CERT programs would have the equipment to
actually operate and it would help, not only Civil Defense, but the Police
Department because the Police Department don’t have to be present there. The
CERT teams would report to the EOC (Emergency Operations Center) in Civil
Defense, and the Police Department would have the information.
So after the discussion, I went back to the Mayor and I talked to him. I told him
that Civil Defense would benefit, especially the CERT Program, with new radios,
and I told him that I don’t really know where to get the funding and he said,
“Well, you can take it out of the Mayor Entertainment Fund.” And I’m like—I
wasn’t really pushing for that because of the fact there was the sister city and I
had an understanding that I try not to touch the Mayor’s budget because we, as a
Council, deal with ours. But I told him, “Okay, let me look into it,” and I talked
to Finance.
I went to Finance and I told them some of my concerns about the sister city and
they told me that there’s also a budget in R & D, (Research and Development)
with the Business Development area, hence Research and Development, $33,000
for sister cities. So, the Mayor’s Entertainment Fund has a budget of $16,000 and
understanding that sister cities won’t be affected regarding—they will be affected,
the fact that we’re taking $16,000 away, but it’s not crippling the whole program.
And it will stay there and we’ll be pursuing sister city, establishing that
relationship.
So I went back to the Mayor, and I said, “Okay, I’ll definitely support that.” But
when I talked to Finance, there needs to be a Council Member to introduce the
amendment. So I decided to introduce the amendment and here I am now. I
would like to bring up Finance Director, Deanna Sako and just explain what has
happened during the time and to where I got to where I am at now.
(Note: At this time, Finance Director Deanna Sako came forward to
address the members of the Council.)
MS. SAKO: Good morning, Deanna Sako, Director of Finance. Yeah, there has
been a lot of discussion and I think we have been hearing that this might be a
more active hurricane season as well. So I think the Mayor would like to redirect
some of his entertainment funds to Civil Defense, where it can be used island-
wide.
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Hawai‘i County Council-14 June 1, 2015
MR. ILAGAN: And I—thank you. And I just wanted to put this out there. I
understand there are a lot of things, especially needs, in the County, and I decided
to take this on. I want to continue supporting Neighborhood Watch and also
CERT. If the Council feels like this is the wrong approach to do it, then I can
definitely respect that. Right now, this is the proposed amendment that I’ve made
and I’ll stick to this and I really respect what the Mayor’s trying to do. I feel like
there’s a change in his focus due to the hurricane season that’s coming up, and
I’m going to support it. And I would like to hear your thoughts, and thank you for
your consideration.
CHR. KANUHA: Thank you. Ms. Wille.
Point of Order: MS. WILLE: Yeah, just point of order. You know, I felt this should have been
done in order and that his was memo one, so I didn’t—that—and on—obviously
it’s clear that I have another—proposed another use for that same Mayor’s
Entertainment Fund, that $23,000. And I do think it’s appropriate to remove that.
The Mayor’s now—he has other current expenses, or I think he used 56 percent of
that and I think there is also this other funding in R & D.
Let me say in terms of the radios, I’ve been giving—I gave contingency funds and
provided all these radios to the CERT members in my district, so there is another
available fund. If you pass this and take that, then it eliminates funding a position
in the Prosecutor’s office for something that’s very much in need. I thought I was
duplicating a position and then found out that Lexi McKay, the one helping with
the senior abuses and senior housing problems, would be otherwise eliminated.
And let me just say she’s not just District 9, she—that position would be helping
seniors all over the island. I held a meeting with her in Waimea to help seniors
learn about their rights, and the problems, and give an ear and someone who
could, between us, help work on addressing those.
So it is a big need, so I obviously support CERT and I think there is another way
to fund those, in terms of the $23,000 out of our contingency funds. Whereas
that’s not providing for this position for helping the elderly with problems, and
I’ll tell you, they are really severe. And I set up this small meeting and there were
40 of them or so there with really difficult, critical issues. And that’s the first
meeting she’s had, but she would be—help go around to the other locations in the
County. So as much as I appreciate CERT and urge that we need to support them,
I ask to not pass this amendment, at least with respect to the $23,200. If you
wanted to amend it and take that amount out and then I would continue to listen,
but basically, I ask you to not support this, and instead, consider Communication
143.57.
CHR. KANUHA: Thank you, Ms. Wille. And just for Council Members, I’m
giving a little leeway on this because even though we’re on this communication,
there is another communication that talks about taking money out of a similar
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Hawai‘i County Council-14 June 1, 2015
program. So you can, I’ll let you guys talk about both of them if you’re willing to
do so. So, just for that point of information. Ms. Poindexter.
MS. POINDEXTER: I’m not supporting it, with no disrespect to what Council
Member Ilagan is trying to do because I do support your efforts, definitely.
However, the entertainment budget for me is more like an investment. It’s, I
guess entertainment is the wrong word for it and it should—we somehow got to
look at maybe in Finance changing that because entertainment gives a different
feel to it. This is more of an investment, and when you listen to some testifiers
this morning, the return on the investment is so much more. You know, when
you’re talking about building relationships, even not so much getting financial
return, but some are financial returns. I mean I heard a testifier, I don’t know if it
was Mr. Taniguchi that said that we received a little over $17,000 from a
relationship with the sister city to help in the Puna area.
Entertainment budget or investment budget to me is very important because
there’s millions of dollars on the return. And moneywise, it can be big money
coming into our County. But it’s about relationships and learning opportunities
for our keiki, not only for our keiki but you know, the social justice, you know? I
don’t like touching the investment budget item, so I am not voting for any—
there’s other ways that we can approach what needs to be done. And when I hear
Council Member Wille, definitely because I support her efforts and what she’s
trying to do because I’m dealing with that in my community as well.
With the seniors feeling that they are being abused by the management company,
and I feel that I can work with County Housing and the State Adult Protective
Services (APS) and somehow remedy this. But I don’t think touching the
investment area of the budget is where we need to do it because we can do it and
it can be done well, but we need to not rush and do knee-jerk reactions to taking
care of that. I really feel there are proper channels and processes and we can do
our seniors justice by working together on this. And I’d love to work with you on
that as well, and we’ve talked about it at Council on our last term, we’re now
talking about it now. I had private conversation with you about it as well, Council
Member Wille, on what I’m going through in my district.
So this is an important issue for me, but I don’t feel touching the investment of
our County is where we should take it from, so thank you very much.
CHR. KANUHA: Thank you, Ms. Poindexter. Council Members, on first round.
Mr. Paleka.
MR. PALEKA: I did have the privilege of meeting with the Director and Chief of
Police with my colleague, Council Member Ilagan, regarding supporting the
CERT and the Neighborhood Watch. And I applaud Greggor for his efforts in
what he’s trying to do because the Neighborhood Watch Program—he’s trying to
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Hawai‘i County Council-14 June 1, 2015
make it island-wide. And Puna, we got it going pretty good. There are some
other areas that have really established their watch, their Neighborhood Watch,
and coming from the Chief of Police also, they applaud that effort in trying to
stamp crime and related events within the communities.
Now in regards to the funding and how we go about getting the funds necessary to
get that goal, I like that Greggor went out and talked to the administration, to
Deanna, going to the Mayor, because that’s the way you’re supposed to do it, if
you’re going to move around funds. Now, are we going to support that or not,
specifically in taking from certain accounts, entertainment? We’ve had
representatives from our business communities, Japanese Chamber of Commerce,
and I’ve met with some of the individuals that had come for Merrie Monarch
specifically, and the money that they bring in is substantial. So this is an issue
that we really got to sit down and consider. I really want to support my friend and
colleague Greggor on this matter, but I would like to listen to what others have to
say because this is an important issue.
CHR. KANUHA: Thank you, Mr. Paleka. Mr. Onishi.
MR. ONISHI: Okay, thank you, Mr. Chair. Can I address Mr. Ilagan with a
couple of questions? First one is that I just, like you, I didn’t know they had
$15,000 in the Police Department’s budget for Neighborhood Watch. Because all
the years I’ve been here, Neighborhood Watches, they were always lacking signs
that needed to be produced, you know, other materials that they needed. So they
always had this funding there?
MR. ILAGAN: To answer your question, no. This is new item in the budget,
working with Finance and the Mayor. I got that $15,000, but the main thing about
this—
MR. ONISHI: Okay, hold on. Okay, so you—you guys, maybe Deanna, you can
come up. So like you’re saying, you created an account in Neighborhood Watch
of $15,000?
MR. ILAGAN: Correct. Actually, it was a Mayor proposal last time, but
working with them, they found that $15,000. And what—to just quickly give you
an overview, Citizen Core—after talking to the Chief of Police and Daryl
Oliveira, the Chief of Police was willing to put the Neighborhood Watch signs
into Civil Defense, hence you see the $15,000.
MR. ONISHI: No, okay, I understand. If you’re reading this, it says, remove all
funding $23,200 from the Mayor’s Entertainment, removed Neighborhood Watch
Signs, $15,000 from Police. So, the way it’s written, it seems like there is
$15,000 in an account for Neighborhood Watch because then, it says it’s going to
be like—and creates a new line item community programs, $38,200. So it’s like
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Hawai‘i County Council-14 June 1, 2015
you’re taking money from here and you’re putting it to here, right? But if we
never had money here, how can we put it here?
MR. ILAGAN: So just to let you know, this does not add money into the
Neighborhood Watch Program.
MR. ONISHI: No, it goes to this Community Programs.
MR. ILAGAN: Correct, we’re just pulling it into Community Programs. So what
I’m trying to say is that we had existing money because of them finding the
$15,000. Taking the $23,000 from the Mayor’s fund, it’s going into CERT.
MR. ONISHI: Right.
MR. ILAGAN: Yes. So we’re just combining the two.
MR. ONISHI: But where is the other $15,000 coming from?
MR. ILAGAN: It’s already—
MR. ONISHI: In CERT?
MR. ILAGAN: No, it was already proposed, the previous—
MR. ONISHI: So in this new budget?
MR. ILAGAN: Yes.
MR. ONISHI: There’s like $15,500 that’s supposed to go to Neighborhood
Watch?
MR. ILAGAN: Yes.
MS. SAKO: Yeah, on page 58 of the details. It’s a new line item this year,
you’re right. We added Neighborhood Watch Signs and we’re just saying,
whether it’s in Police or whether it’s in Civil Defense, the Neighborhood Watch
signs will be provided.
MR. ONISHI: Okay, so that answers my first one. Second question would be, to
me, Neighborhood Watch should stay in Police because to me, that’s the eyes and
ears for them. Because if there’s anything that’s happening in a community, who
are they going to call? Civil Defense or are they going to call the police? They’re
going to call the police. So what was the discussion between—about this and the
police?
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Hawai‘i County Council-14 June 1, 2015
MR. ILAGAN: So I asked exactly the same question you asked to the Chief of
Police.
MR. ONISHI: Okay.
MR. ILAGAN: And Chief Kubojiri told me that he was okay to have the
Neighborhood Watch signs money into Civil Defense, because through the
procurement process, Civil Defense was purchasing Neighborhood Watch things
in the—before, I put in $20,000 for Neighborhood Watch and CERT, so he was
comfortable putting it in Civil Defense and having the two departments working
together. And this is really—what I’m focused on is island-wide,
interdepartmental collaborations, and that’s—
MR. ONISHI: Yes, I understand that.
MR. ILAGAN: That’s the move forward.
MR. ONISHI: But I just don’t understand that. To me, the better connection
would be to still keep Neighborhood Watch in the Police Department because
that’s part of community policing’s role, where they deal with the community, set
up these programs, and then they’re, like I mentioned before, the eyes and ears for
the Police Department.
MR. ILAGAN: You’re right. There is $2,000 in the Police Department for
materials and things for Neighborhood Watch, so that’s currently in
Neighborhood Watch. So that’s not being removed. I even asked the Chief—
MR. ONISHI: Why isn’t it being removed since—?
MR. ILAGAN: I asked the Chief of Police to let’s—how about combining it all?
Well he said he needs it for exactly what you just mentioned.
MR. ONISHI: See but then, that doesn’t make sense again because on one hand,
you’re mentioning that he wants to remove it and put it within Civil Defense, but
then now, he wants to keep a small budget.
MR. ILAGAN: May I finish why?
MR. ONISHI: Okay.
MR. ILAGAN: Neighborhood Watch signs, traffic—DPW installs the signs, they
purchase the signs, so—
MR. ONISHI: DPW?
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Hawai‘i County Council-14 June 1, 2015
MR. ILAGAN: Yes. So—
MR. ONISHI: They purchase the signs?
MR. ILAGAN: Yes. They install the signs.
MR. ONISHI: Yeah, they install the signs.
MR. ILAGAN: They purchase and install the signs and so the money still has to
transfer to DPW anyway. This way, it’s just Civil Defense transferring it to DPW
when needed.
MR. ONISHI: Because okay, in the past, Prosecutor’s had gotten a grant and
they’re the ones who were purchasing all the signs, to my understanding. So
that’s where all these Neighborhood Watches were getting their signs. And then
the funding ran out and so that’s why we didn’t have signs for a while.
MR. ILAGAN: That’s why I’m trying to get you signs.
MR. ONISHI: No, I understand, but that’s when—I’ve been asking for a while of
how we can get the signs, right?
MR. ILAGAN: Well thank you.
MR. ONISHI: But then they told me the Prosecutor’s had basically gotten the
grant money that did create the signs that they were issuing out, but then they ran
out, okay? My last question is so with the $38,000 plus, what will it go to? What
is the money going to be used for?
MR. ILAGAN: So the $38,000 is a combination of the $15,000—
MR. ONISHI: Right, no, I understand, but what is it going to be used for in Civil
Defense?
MR. ILAGAN: And the main thing is UHF radios. Like I mentioned in the
beginning, at a time of a disaster, the first thing that goes out is power, and we
normally go for our cell phones. But what happens is that—we need a solid,
robust communication and one of the things that will provide for CERT is having
that ground communication to interact with Civil Defense as the central hub. And
all these CERT teams—and CERT is Community Emergency Response Teams,
all around the island and they would be talking to Civil Defense.
MR. ONISHI: So what is the cost on that?
MR. ILAGAN: When I was in the military—
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Hawai‘i County Council-14 June 1, 2015
MR. ONISHI: No.
MR. ILAGAN: These bricks cost—they’re rather like $3,000 a piece, just one
brick, one communication, let alone the repeaters. It’s expensive, that’s what I’m
trying to say.
MR. ONISHI: Okay, so if you have this $38,000 and how many CERT teams are
there island-wide?
MR. ILAGAN: I’m very involved in the Neighborhood Watch Program. Right
now, I can’t tell you how many CERT teams there are on the island. I’m not so
involved in that program, but I would like to help.
MR. ONISHI: Okay, well you know why I ask that is just that because you’re
asking for a budget, I’m thinking that you had made kind of like an itemized list
of how much money you need for this program. So that, like you said, is going to
service the whole island. So I want to make sure that if that’s true, then we
should have enough money in there to service the whole island instead of like
certify or supplying these radios in certain areas.
MR. ILAGAN: I can tell you that Civil Defense Administrator Oliveira is doing
that because when we met, I told him if he could break it down and actually
standardize how much equipment each district needs because I would like him to
focus island-wide. And make sure that when he gives a CERT team in one
district, it will be the same amount of equipment in another district. And yes,
what you’re asking is very important and that information will definitely be
hashed out as soon as they get the money to be able to purchase this.
MR. ONISHI: Okay see—so that’s, for me, that’s why—well I have a hard time
supporting this is because I don’t know where the money is going to go to and
what it’s—you know, how far it will go. So if you had like something itemized to
let me know where this money is going to be spent, because I don’t want to see
this going to maybe to like, I hate to say it, like hiring, contracting someone to be
in charge of this program or whatever. I mean I don’t know where this money—
so if it was something itemized, then I could at least say I can either support or not
support. But thank you.
CHR. KANUHA: Thank you, Mr. Onishi. Mr. Chung.
MR. CHUNG: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I don’t have any comments right now,
I just had two questions. First, if I could ask Mr. Ilagan—and perhaps this was
asked and answered but because of the flurry of activities, I may have missed it.
So this $15,000 you’re proposing to take from the Neighborhood Watch Program
and putting it into the CERT Program, that doesn’t necessarily mean then that the
$15,000 would be used for signs, I mean it’s a different thing all together, right?
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Hawai‘i County Council-14 June 1, 2015
MR. ILAGAN: Most likely, $15,000 would be spent for signs.
MR. CHUNG: Okay.
MR. ILAGAN: Because it’s—we had the meeting with Chief of Police and Civil
Defense and having an understanding that we’re putting in $15,000 to this
community program’s pot. Just like our contingency fund, it’s $810,000 but
internally, we decide how much is spent for each Council Member. Just like how
they would do it in Civil Defense internally, $15,000 would probably be spent for
Neighborhood Watch.
MR. CHUNG: Okay, so just shifting $15,000 for signs from the Police
Department to the Civil Defense Department, with the thought that they still have
to go through Public Works, wherever it was, right?
MR. ILAGAN: Correct.
MR. CHUNG: Okay. I hope you understand my question because when you talk
about $23,000 from the Mayor’s entertainment expense, obviously when you shift
that someplace, it’s not entertainment any more, right? So just wanted to make
sure on that.
And then Deanna, you said that the Mayor agreed to redirect some of his
entertainment expense. I just wrote that down verbatim, but—so does that mean
all of his entertainment expense? What happened in this conversation that you
guys had?
MS. SAKO: All he said is he’s willing to redirect or reprogram the entertainment
money for you know, community purposes, especially with the hurricane season
upon us.
MR. CHUNG: Okay. You know, I said I’m not going to make any comments,
and if I’m not able to make any comments later, I just wanted to state that I agree
with Mr. Paleka and Ms. Poindexter, so just integrate whatever comments I would
have made—thank you.
CHR. KANUHA: Thank you, Mr. Chung. Ms. Eoff.
MS. EOFF: Okay, thank you. Ms. Sako’s busy but—so I’m hearing two different
things because as Mr. Ilagan stated, the Neighborhood Watch money was
purposed for Neighborhood Watch signs. Now it’s going to be under a, if this
were to pass, under a line item called Community Programs. But you’re saying
that the Mayor was in agreement because of a, maybe pending hurricane season
needs. So that doesn’t sound like—
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Hawai‘i County Council-14 June 1, 2015
MS. SAKO: Sorry, I was only referring to the portion that would be coming from
the Mayor’s entertainment. I think he is aware that the Neighborhood Watch
signs of $15,000 would still be used for that purpose.
MS. EOFF: Okay. So the broad line item Community Programs includes things
related to hurricane preparedness as well as Neighborhood Watch signs?
MS. SAKO: Whatever the priority ends up being or the need ends up being this
year.
MS. EOFF: Okay so, that part I don’t really have a problem with accepting,
especially if the Police Chief, the Civil Defense, and the Mayor are all in
agreement, but what happens to the monies that would be spent for sister city
related needs, as some of the testifiers are concerned that’s also very important?
And you mentioned something about another fund where we have money for that,
but is that enough?
MS. SAKO: R & D does have a line item for sister cities, I didn’t think to look it
up and they generally, in addition to the Mayor’s office, would use that money for
some of these trips and to support the trips. I don’t have the exact amount—
MS. WILLE: $33,000.
MS. SAKO: $33,000, thank you. I think the Council has some sister city money
as well.
MS. EOFF: So the Sister City Programs would be able to continue as they have,
as well as some of the plans for creating new sister cities, would be able to move
forward as well?
MS. SAKO: I haven’t specifically asked R & D that question, but I’m sure they
would be able to make that happen.
MS. EOFF: Okay, thank you.
CHR. KANUHA: Thank you, Ms. Eoff. Ms. David.
MS. DAVID: Yes, hi. I would like to actually comment, make a comment and
try and focus it on Mr. Ilagan’s communication at this time. I know Ms. Wille
has a similar, it tapping into the similar fund, but I just want to focus my comment
on Mr. Ilagan’s. As far as taking the Mayor’s entertainment fund, I agree with
Ms. Poindexter. I don’t believe that’s the correct terminology as far as—I think it
should be more like a hospitality and a good will, expressing good will for our
fellow officials and fellow nations. So that I agree. Taking our Chief Executive
Officer’s hospitality fund I think does a disservice, especially for us in Hawaiʻi
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Hawai‘i County Council-14 June 1, 2015
where we promote and we encourage aloha, hospitality, when we welcome people
that come to our island. And no other state in the nation has this deep cultural
expression that really makes us special.
So call it whatever you will. Entertainment, I don’t believe is correct, but call it
something. And I envision this as being another fund change as far as the fund
line item account name, because we’re getting into specifics here, especially
under fund, naming of the line item funds. So if we’re being that specific, then I
really say call it what it is because we need to portray ourselves what we actually
encourage everyone. Tourist industry depends highly on our hospitality and who
better than to represent aloha than our Mayor, our Chief Executive Officer for this
County? And I believe it’s a general feeling, I hope. So with all due respect,
Mr. Ilagan, I cannot support this for those reasons. Mahalo.
CHR. KANUHA: Thank you, Ms. David. There are some technical difficulties
with all of our outlying sites, and I want them all to hear what’s going on, so I’m
going to take a brief recess until we can get it fixed. So, recess.
Recess: At 11:49 a.m., the Chair called for a recess.
Reconvene: The meeting reconvened at 11:50 a.m.
CHR. KANUHA: We’ve got it fixed. Thank you for being patient and we’re
coming out of recess. And next, who had the floor? Mr. Ilagan’s next and then
we’ll go to Ms. Wille, so Mr. Ilagan.
MR. ILAGAN: Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you, Council Members for voicing
out your concerns, I really appreciate them and one of the concerns I’ve heard
was why don’t I just fund it with contingency funds? Well, just to let you know,
last year, I put $20,000 for Neighborhood Watch and CERT. And what had
happened—and in Civil Defense is that when I put that money in, it was a free-
for-all, and the other CERT teams around the island was wondering why did I get
radios? Well, it’s only the Council Member in Puna that put in and you’re not
going to get any radios.
Well the thing is, I realized I did something wrong. I should have done an island-
wide approach because it doesn’t just happen in Puna, it happens island-wide.
And I can put contingency funds in, but I can’t afford to pay for all the radios here
on the island. So that’s why I felt it was important to put this amendment in, but
this idea was not for me. This is actually the Mayor saying, “Okay, I’m willing to
make a sacrifice.” And knowing that it’s not crippling that program with the
sister cities, knowing the fact there’s $33,000 in R & D, and there’s sister city
money in our Council budget, that he wants to prioritize public safety. And that’s
in CERT, and that’s in our community, who volunteers so hard every day to get
trained on these radios and provide public safety for us in times of an emergency.
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Hawai‘i County Council-14 June 1, 2015
So that’s why I’m passionate about this and that’s why even though I might make
enemies out there messing with the sister cities, I’m taking that chance, because I
believe in the Mayor’s vision, and that is preparing for this hurricane season that’s
coming up. And as a person, as a Council Member who has experienced the
disasters in Puna, not only in the lava flow, but the tropical storm Iselle, and
having to go through that, I feel like in the time when the districts in our island
gets hit in any other disaster, I feel like now our volunteer force are well prepared
with equipment and training.
And I’m more than willing to withdraw this if the Council doesn’t want to push
this forward, just let me know how you feel. Thank you.
CHR. KANUHA: Thank you, Mr. Ilagan. Ms. Wille.
MS. WILLE: One point on—anyway, I don’t support this and I urge support for
the other use that I had for the Mayor’s entertainment fund. And I think that it is
appropriate taking the funds from the Mayor on that and I looked at his—the other
budget items. He does have an Office of Management, other current expenses
from now, spending 10 months, he’s spent 68 percent of that. There are other
budgets that he can take it from and I think it’s somewhat symbolic.
I agree with what Ms. David said, you know, that there could be an account for
hospitality or otherwise, but I do think that his office has funding that he can use
for these expenses. So we’re not taking that away from him. There’s other
budget, whether it’s travel and legislative, it doesn’t need to be from here, from
account entertainment. And as he’s indicated, he can do without it.
Second, on the radios, it’s not just the CERT members they need to be qualified to
use them. I obtained 24 of the radios out of my contingency funds and that was
only out of one part of funding all of the CERT equipment to all of my CERT
teams. I did $10,000 and that was just a part of it, I can get the cost. But it really
it’s not the CERT members, the numbers that are qualified is much smaller and
they need to go through that training. I would rather the police stay with these
funds and keep it a closer connection. I think the testimony was if anything, it
was from Busby or something who spoke—difficulty creating that liaison. And I
think we need to build up the—strengthen it to—the Police Department is where
it should be and not adding another role for the Civil Defense.
I just want to make clear, you know, if you do take these funds and use them, they
will not be there for this legal assistant position. And I don’t agree with
Ms. Poindexter, where we can just work it out on our own and doing it. If you
had attended the meeting with these seniors, it’s far more complex. And maybe
Mitch, if you could come forward and just say a little bit about what that—
Point of Information: MR. ONISHI: Mr. Chair, point of information. We’re not on that topic yet.
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Hawai‘i County Council-14 June 1, 2015
MS. WILLE: He already made clear—
CHR. KANUHA: Yeah, but we can talk about it. I think when you bring it up, I
think that we can do it on a different—
MR. ONISHI: Yes, I think that would be more suitable.
CHR. KANUHA: I think that would be a little bit more suitable for that. You
can talk about it, I mean just—I’m giving a little leeway, but that’s kind of over
the top because we’re on this first amendment.
MS. WILLE: Okay, so I urge to not support this memo. I think that this
Neighborhood Watch sign should stay with the police. I don’t think that’s a good
use adding another burden to Civil Defense, and I just think we ought be doing it
and working with the seniors on this. I mean I think that position, one way or
another, funding it, whether it’s from you know, the Mayor’s entertainment
fund—I took some from decreasing postage. I mean I think we could take more
from our Council agenda, our Council budget because we’re not currently funding
the two positions that we have in Legal Research that are currently vacant and
funded. Anyway, I urge to not support this amendment.
CHR. KANUHA: Thank you, Ms. Wille. Ms. Poindexter.
MS. POINDEXTER: Of course I’m still not going to support this amendment,
but I’d just like for the public to know too, that it’s not only CERT in
Neighborhood Watch. We have what we call the ham operators and that’s a
totally different group that sometimes Civil Defense uses them for
communication. And when we talk about the different radios, there are walkie-
talkies versus ham radios, and I think Mr. Paleka, I kind of heard him say
something about that, and that’s true. The ham radio operators, theirs is a little
different type of radios.
And from my contingency fund, I’m just letting you know, I’m going to be
helping fund for some ham operator type classes with some Charter Schools, with
the seniors, and getting our young adults ready for any type of disasters through
ham radio operations. So it’s not just CERT, and it’s not just Neighborhood
Watch, but there’s another huge group that are the license and certified ham
operators that are critical and is a critical component of our Civil Defense team,
because they are the ones that keep communications open when things go down,
and we rely on them. And so thank you, I yield at this time.
CHR. KANUHA: Thank you, Ms. Poindexter. Mr. Paleka.
MR. PALEKA: Thanks Valerie. You know, we’re talking about what may seem
like simple items, but these radios are important in terms of communication at a
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Hawai‘i County Council-14 June 1, 2015
time of emergency. There are different types when you speak regarding the
Neighborhood Watch. They’re using these walkie-talkie type radios. The
CERT’s are using UHF band radios that can be programmed and relay a much
farther distance and they’re a greater use for that type of purpose for emergency
services.
Now the thing is we really got to support the CERT teams because these are the
first responders, yeah? If we don’t support it here with this measure, I’m going to
continue to do whatever it takes to support our CERT members, our
Neighborhood Watch teams, to make sure they have the proper equipment to do
what they do, because what they do is so vital to our public safety. I would hate
to take anything away from the sister city relationship. I mean having my
grandfather in Pasedena, they had a wonderful, and continue to have a sister city
relationship with different international cities. And Ms. Poindexter—and the ham
operators are also an integral part of that, but for our CERT, specifically to this
funding, it’s for UHF radios, and equipment, and signs, Neighborhood Watch
signs.
If we’re not going to fund it this way, then I’m going to go and make sure we
fund it another way, okay? But if the administration is also in line with this, I
don’t see why we don’t because we can find funding for sister city. It’s important
things, but to me, public safety is number one. That’s all I want to say. Thank
you.
CHR. KANUHA: Thank you, Mr. Paleka. Mr. Chung.
MR. CHUNG: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. You know, this whole discussion has
really become, I think, degenerated into an issue of sister city versus CERT. And
I think that’s unfair because it’s not really sister city, it’s the Mayor’s
entertainment budget, of which only a small fraction I believe. If I had to take a
guess, it’s related to sister cities, and I can talk about the whole sister city thing
later on because of course, if you talk about sister cities versus emergency
response, no comparison of course, right? Which takes priority? I think it would
be pretty silly to say that you know, sister city takes more priority than emergency
response, but that’s not the issue. I think it’s kind of like a Red Herring here. I
keep hearing sister city but really, it’s the Mayor’s entertainment budget and I got
to follow up with what Ms. Poindexter said.
It is—regardless of how we look at it now in the light of all of this PCard
controversy and everything, this guy, the Mayor, whoever that person is or may
be in the future, is the Chief Executive Officer of a huge operation. And as far as
I know, almost every business operation, these top officials have an entertainment
expense. Now, I would prefer to keep it in the place that it’s at right now because
whether we like it or not, that line item is going to get a lot of scrutiny over the
next year. So at least we know it’s not going to be wasted. Now, if it’s saved in
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Hawai‘i County Council-14 June 1, 2015
that account, and if there is a need for it somewhere else later on, then we
certainly have the power available to us to move it at that time. And I’m
suspecting, based on the totality of the circumstances that we have before us,
probably not going to have too much spending in that account. I mean just
realistically.
But I would prefer—I have no problem with moving the $15,000 over to Civil
Defense if there’s a need for that. But really, I don’t want to fool around with the
Mayor’s entertainment budget. It really is something and hopefully, whatever
investment he makes, he or she makes with regard to expending these monies will
mean more monies or benefits or programs back to the County. Of course, we
have no way of really determining that, but as I said, I think we’re going to have a
lot of scrutiny on this item over the next year. So what I believe is if we take
away this line item or this funding from this budget, it’s basically going to be,
given what’s happened over the past several months, is going to be cutting off our
nose to spite our face, really. Thank you.
CHR. KANUHA: Thank you, Mr. Chung. Ms. David.
MS. DAVID: Thank you for that, Mr. Chung because that’s basically—I wasn’t
eloquent enough to explain it that way, but thank you. And I did want to make
sure to tell, or make known that in no way, am I doing what Mr. Chung is saying.
In my own mind, weighing what’s more important, you know, the safety of our
people as opposed to our ability to be good hospitality to the rest of the world.
But I will say this, that out of my contingency, I support the Civil Defense, I
support our Neighborhood Watches, and I will do whatever it takes to help them.
So it’s not an either/or situation for me because I am committed to that and I just
wanted to make it clear. Thank you very much.
CHR. KANUHA: Thank you, Ms. David, any other on the second round? Keep
it brief, Ms. Wille, because we need to end debate.
MS. WILLE: Okay, I’m keeping it brief. The cost of each of those radios is $85.
I was able to get—no, it’s not. There usually $300 and we were able to get them
through Civil Defense for 85 for the ham radios. So I got 24 of them for $2040.
So I think that’s not excessive and we can use our—and we can—it’s appropriate
use of our contingency funds. I think it’s good. I’ve got all of my different
CERT groups, this is the way we’re going to relate and—in other words, getting
them to practice together and work on a district level. So I would encourage—
you know 24—there’s no way I can even get out 24 right now. There are a lot
more than 24 CERT members, but they’re not—most of them are not qualified to
use the radio. Many working with the ham radio people to work with them and
trying to get all these groups, not just separate silos working together. So
anyway, I will stop with that.
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Hawai‘i County Council-14 June 1, 2015
CHR. KANUHA: Thank you, Ms. Wille. Okay, Council Members, I’m going to
end debate and call for the vote. Mr. Clerk, roll call, please.
Vote on Bill 28: The motion to pass Bill 28, as amended to Draft 3, on
(Draft 3) second and final reading was carried by the following roll
(Failed) call vote:
Ayes: Council Members Ilagan and Paleka – 2.
Noes: Council Members Chung, David, Eoff, Onishi,
Poindexter, Wille and Chair Kanuha – 7.
Absent: None.
Excused: None.
CHR. KANUHA: Thank you, motion fails. Okay, now that we did that out of
order, Mr. Ilagan, may I have a motion to amend Bill 28, Draft 2, with the
contents of Communication 143.10?
Motion to Amend: Mr. Ilagan moved to amend Bill 28, Draft 2, with the
contents of Comm. 143.10. Seconded by Ms. Poindexter.
CHR. KANUHA: Okay, Mr. Ilagan, you have the floor.
MR. ILAGAN: Thank you, Mr. Chair. As you guys had this discussion, I’m
sorry Council Members, I’m just—I need a breather, I need to accept the fact that
we’re on Communication 143.10. At this time, I would like to bring the Deputy
Director for R & D.
(Note: At this time, Deputy Director of Research and Development
Donn Mende came forward to address the members of the Council.)
MR. ILAGAN: Council Members, we’ve gone through the debate and the
discussion on this amendment and right now, I am trying to fulfill your request
regarding having R & D come up and address the concerns that you may have.
But you understand what this amendment does and I hope that R & D can answer
your questions. Thank you.
CHR. KANUHA: Thank you, Mr. Ilagan. Ms. Poindexter.
MS. POINDEXTER: Okay, so I guess when we had this discussion in Kona, my
concern with this—because right now, I’m supporting Council Member Ilagan on
this. And the reason why I am is because there is a need for me in Laupāhoehoe
when I talk about energy at the pool and the heating. I just want to know what—
the budgeted amount, does it include all of our recreational facilities and the
improvement, making sure that we go solar? Or what are the plans for that money
that we’re pulling for this amendment from?
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Hawai‘i County Council-14 June 1, 2015
MR. MENDE: Thank you, Ms. Poindexter.
MS. POINDEXTER: I guess you have to state your name for the record and then
proceed.
MR. MENDE: Donn Mende, Deputy Director of Research and Development.
Well that—those fundings, not necessarily we were to focus on that per se, as far
as recreational facilities. We’re actually looking, this year especially for—
towards like the NextEra dockets because it’s such a crucial and critical point for
the rate payers. There is some consultant that we need, some expertise that we
may have to bring in just so we can go ahead and properly support the dockets
and make sure that however it goes in front of the PUC (Public Utilities
Commission), that we have the best situation for the rate payers that we can
possibly get.
And part of that would be continuing the relationship with Arizona State
University. They are the forefronts of their Global Institute of Sustainability, are
forefronts in this area. They’ve been through many dockets or mergers of this
type and they can provide critical information that I think we’ll need to make sure
that we get the best decision for our rate payers. I believe not only for this island,
but I think state-wide it’ll help.
MS. POINDEXTER: Okay, thank you for that. And for me, that is not quite
good enough and the reason why I say that is because that’s an “if.” This $10,000
more into my budget so I could use it in Laupāhoehoe is a real thing and for me,
it’s a direct service and a direct impact for my community. Right now, when
we’re looking at that budgeted amount and we’re saying we’re—Arizona State
University, wonderful, and I totally support what you’re doing and R & D is
doing, I totally do. But I’m being a little selfish right now and I’m going to
advocate on behalf of my community and what we need. So I want to apologize
for not supporting that effort. I mean I support that effort that you’re doing and I
hope what comes out of it would be good because it’ll still happen regardless. I
want it to be a real impact on my community, so I’m definitely supporting
Councilman Greggor Ilagan on this, but I do support your efforts as well. Thank
you.
CHR. KANUHA: Thank you, Ms. Poindexter. Mr. Chung.
MR. CHUNG: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. You know over the last several days,
I’ve been trying to communicate as best I can with members of the administration.
I bothered Mr. Mende on a Saturday, thank you very much, Donn, for
accommodating me. I also spoke with Deanna Sako, and just a few minutes ago
out in the hallway, I spoke to Bill Brilhante, just trying to get a real handle on this
situation from the administration’s perspective. What you talked about, the
NextEra buyout of HELCO (Hawaiian Electric Light Company), you know, it
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Hawai‘i County Council-14 June 1, 2015
could have no effect on us, although it also could have a huge effect on us. And I
think it would behoove the County to really monitor this situation at the docket
level.
So I don’t have any problem with that however, at this point though, the intel that
I’m getting back from administration is they’re in support of Mr. Ilagan’s
amendment. And of course, this goes against what I just voted, I just voted
against Mr. Ilagan when he represented that the Mayor was okay with it. But
quite frankly, I’m okay with supporting this and it’s not for the purpose of getting
more money for my district, really. And just to show that I’m not a cold-hearted
bastard and for Mr. Ilagan, I’ll actually be willing to dedicate $5,000 of that from
my district, right off the bat for his CERT program.
MR. ILAGAN: Sold.
MR. CHUNG: Yeah, I’ll do that. I got no problem with that. I mean I don’t
know how it’s—I guess we do it afterwards, but I can do that. But I’ll support
this though. Based on all the information I have, I think it’s the way to go.
Thanks.
CHR. KANUHA: Thank you, Mr. Chung, any other discussion, Council
Members? Ms. Eoff.
MS. EOFF: Yes, thank you. Well it is tempting to support this because we can
each use, of course, $10,000 directed into our own districts for certain projects
that, like Ms. Poindexter said, could even be related to energy sustainability. But
I’ve had a concern from the beginning about the fact that we’re taking half of a
budget away from an energy-sustainability program, which has more projects
than just the monitoring of the dockets that you just mentioned. I mean I think if I
took some notes from when Director Inaba was here or speaking to us last time,
she said it also included things such as photovoltaics for County buildings, Civil
Defense, Energy Management, consultants for those PUC dockets, renewable
energy research with NELHA (Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaiʻi Authority),
that Arizona State University consortium of—you might want to tell us more
about that and some renewable fuels for Mass Transit as well as other energy-
efficient projects, including electric vehicles.
So, these are huge projects and our County takes a—I think as we move forward,
our County takes a leap with being able to investigate and complete some of these
initiatives. So I am really torn because I know $10,000 to each of us adds to the
$90,000 that we already have. But I’m just wondering whether the $90,000 that
would stay with this energy-sustainability fund could be of more value to our
County as a whole. So that’s where I’ve been struggling with this one.
MR. MENDE: Okay.
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Hawai‘i County Council-14 June 1, 2015
MS. EOFF: I don’t know if you want to help me out.
MR. MENDE: Yeah, definitely that we have several initiatives, and some of
them, like you mentioned, it’s not necessarily—we haven’t looked at the
recreational facilities, but we’re definitely looking at initially the first responders,
which is the, as far as the fire and the police for renewable energies. And that’s
more so because we kind of looked at there because they’re 24/7 facilities that
they’re the highest users. So we do have—we’re researching that to see if we can
move forward with that.
There’s other (inaudible) initiatives as far as with the University of Hawaiʻi at
Hilo. But we’re trying to promote an Energy Sciences Program which is a
certificate program with Arizona State University that eventually that we want to
try to develop it into actually a four-year bachelor degree. There are a lot of
initiatives out there. Many that you’re mentioning either we’re getting set up to
do or we’re actually in progress of doing right now. But you know, I ask that you
support, but if there’s you know—would support your decision also if you feel
that it’s what you think needs to be done.
CHR. KANUHA: Thank you, Ms. Eoff. I’m going to take a brief recess. We got
to change the tapes real quickly, so recess.
Recess: At 12:18 p.m., the Chair called for a recess.
Reconvene: The meeting reconvened at 12:26 p.m.
CHR. KANUHA: Okay, aloha everybody, we’re coming out of recess. I think
Ms. Wille had the—Ms. Wille, was your light on? We’re currently on discussion
on Communication 143.10. Ms. Wille.
MS. WILLE: Okay. I lean towards supporting this amendment. Not that I’m not
totally in support of the energy issues, but I think with regard to the dockets,
considering that we have like Paniolo Power, we have all of our—group, we have
all these—Curtis over there. If those others—there’s 17 interveners, if we didn’t
really have a good support system, I would definitely do whatever I could on this.
But having worked with these people, I know what they’re interest is and I feel
that their interests overlaps with ours. I haven’t seen, sort of a break down what’s
needed for the photovoltaic or what’s needed on the other—on the photovoltaic,
you’re getting the County to proceed with that. That was a bill that I brought up
two years ago, and it was opposed by the administration. I certainly encourage it,
but I think where a big chunk of this money would be needed or what I
understood, would be for consultants for the NextEra plan.
And I do think that—I think it was Ms. Poindexter talking about the “if.” I’ll tell
you if there was something that you all are doing and that you know, you don’t
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Hawai‘i County Council-14 June 1, 2015
have enough funding and you could certainly come to us in terms of asking in the
same way like Mr. Chung is offering to give out of his contingency money. So I
think the one thing is I really encourage your department to communicate more
with us. I really feel there’s been a gap in that and also with the energy, you
know, the advisory committees that, and agriculture, you know, getting us more
involved in these things and a part of it. I support you, I think you have a great
new director and partly this is coming where I feel there was a lack in the past.
So I am at this time, going to support it but not meaning that—it’s just—but I
want you to know that if there is something there and you’re not having the funds,
my door is open and I think maybe that’s a good way to get us working closer.
Thank you.
CHR. KANUHA: Thank you, Ms. Wille. Mr. Chung.
MR. CHUNG: Thank you again, Mr. Chairman. Ms. Eoff brought up some very
legitimate concerns and I just wanted to say one of the beauties I think of this
proposal and distinguishing it from the other one, is that it’s still in the hands of
the Council. We’re sequestering those monies so if need be, those monies may be
available again for some of your programs. Of course, mine is going to be less
$5,000, just know that, but you know, there is a beauty to all of this. Thank you.
CHR. KANUHA: Thank you, Mr. Chung, any other discussion? Ms. David.
MS. DAVID: Yes. Mr. Mende, the docket that you’re referring to, given the
amount being requested, would you still be able to do the programs that you—that
Ms. Eoff alluded to?
MR. MENDE: We would find a way to do it. We would definitely find a way to
do it.
MS. DAVID: I’m having difficulties myself and my difficulties stem from the
fact that I agree with Ms. Wille, that we’ve had great directors in R & D, and we
have a new director now that has come on board with basically quite a nice list of
projects under her watch. And because of that, as much as I really could use the
$10,000, I’m just torn between allowing her the full benefit of a budget that may
be realistic for her and her department in getting work done. So I’m torn. Thank
you.
MR. MENDE: Thank you.
CHR. KANUHA: Thank you, Ms. David. Mr. Ilagan.
MR. ILAGAN: Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Mende, thank you for coming. I
have a compromise and I’m just going to do a verbal on this. The compromise is
I understand some concerns of the other Council Members and what I’ll do after
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Hawai‘i County Council-14 June 1, 2015
this goes through or not, is the Council Members who said “no,” I’ll make a
amendment and take that much away from our contingency fund and put it back
into the energy. So that way, you have the money that you need and the Council
Members who feel that energy is a main concern for them, you’ll have the
funding. So I think that’s a good compromise and I hope that you’ll take that into
consideration.
CHR. KANUHA: Thank you, Mr. Ilagan. Okay, any other Council Members?
I’m just going to—I’m going to do that right now. I’m going to end debate and
say thank you, Mr. Ilagan, for giving us the extra time needed to look over this
again. I’m glad you said you’d hold off a little bit until we could actually talk to
more people and decide upon the subject. So I appreciate that. Okay, Mr. Clerk,
roll call.
Vote on Motion to The motion to amend Bill 28, Draft 2, with the contents of
Amend: Comm. 143.10 was carried by the following roll call vote:
(Approved)
Ayes: Council Members Chung, Ilagan, Onishi,
Paleka, Poindexter, Wille, and
Chair Kanuha – 7.
Noes: Council Members David and Eoff – 2.
Absent: None.
Excused: None.
CHR. KANUHA: Thank you, motion passes. Council Members, it’s 12:30 right
now, I think it’s time for a lunch break.
MR. ONISHI: Can we at least take the golf course maybe, because then we have
people here and then we have the staff here.
CHR. KANUHA: Okay, just real quickly because I know it will take a long time
with either one. I can poll everybody because I want to make sure because each
item will take a significant amount of time as every item has already.
MS. WILLE: And Mitch Roth is here on the—one with the—
CHR. KANUHA: Yeah, this is about an hour and half left of—and we’re all
getting hungry, so I think it’s best that we take a recess right now, and please
come back because we’ll—we’re just going to take a recess until 2:00. So, we’re
in recess.
Recess: At 12:34 p.m., the Chair called for a recess.
Reconvene: The meeting reconvened at 2:05 p.m.
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Hawai‘i County Council-14 June 1, 2015
CHR. KANUHA: Okay, mahalo for being patient, we’re not coming out of
recess.
Motion to Amend: Ms. Wille moved to amend Bill 28, Draft 2, with the
Contents of Comm. 143.57. Seconded by Mr. Paleka.
CHR. KANUHA: Ms. Wille, you have the floor.
MS. WILLE: Okay. I think you heard a number of the seniors come in and speak
about the real need for a—focus on the senior problems. I think there’s been a
person there in the Prosecutor’s Office that’s been really doing a great job and
when I put this in, I actually was trying to fund it for—to have a second person
sort of island-wide and we’d have two on the island. And really needy—and then
as I was looking into this and speaking to the Prosecutor’s Office, I found out that
actually they were no longer going to have funding for the position. So this
would at least give them one in this capacity and this person would be island-
wide.
I think you heard mostly from seniors in my district, is we went and we had a
meeting that—and had seniors from all over the district come and so they really
appreciate it and felt that the person there was very effective and very helpful and
knowledgeable in assisting them. And basically, there’s a great deal of fear
among the seniors in the senior housing and most urgently in terms of whether
their lease will be renewed. And some of these issues I felt were sort of legal
issues that—and I will be bringing a bill forward, but really, a lot of it is just
giving a voice to those concerns and figuring out how to deal with them.
I actually came up with some where senior call to get an attorney and ask for a
private attorney, and we sort of then worked on the problems and have been doing
that. But it’s not something that I feel there’s so much—I can spend my entire
time just working on that for me.
Now, I will right now, I have it where it decreases the Council budget by $42,000
and the Mayor’s entertainment fund, aka (also known as) hospitality fund. I am
going to propose an amendment that would remove taking money from the
Mayor’s fund. But let me just say in terms of the postage and our account, the
way that I feel that this would really work is they’ve—would be to—there’s still,
up until now, we’re at 10 months and we’ve used 58 percent of the money. We
still have the remaining $83,000 for this year, $83,400. But I don’t really feel
getting into the details of those numbers because the key thing is I feel there’s a
backup. We’ve got two funded, unfilled positions. One, a legislative analyst and
one legislative research which we’re not intending to fill as of July 1. So, to the
extent that we are needy in the—in one category of Council funds, we would still
be able to move money over to postage from those unused, funded, salary
positions.
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Hawai‘i County Council-14 June 1, 2015
I figure it means we’re currently not posting for them and that it would mean that
we wouldn’t be able to fund them until at least September if we didn’t want to use
the, August or September, if we needed additional money for the postage.
Motion to Amend: Ms. Wille moved to amend Comm. 143.57 with the
contents of Comm. 143.76. Seconded by Ms. Poindexter.
CHR. KANUHA: Go right ahead.
MS. WILLE: Okay, and the difference here is—just listening to the sense of this
Council to not eliminate the $23,200 from the Mayor’s entertainment fund. This
amendment would strike that, so all of those funds would remain in the Mayor’s
account and it would increase the amount, postage, Council Services by $65,377.
Again, let me say that’s with the provision we’re not going to take that funding
out of the Council, we would still have available the unused amount for funded
positions that we’re currently not seeking to fill. So, I think if anyone has any
questions, I think it’s pretty straight forward , I think we do have a big need and
maybe we can bring Mitch up to explain.
CHR. KANUHA: You want to let the other Council Members go first?
MS. WILLE: Yeah, that’s fine.
MR. MAEDA: Chair, maybe Ms. Wille can amend Bill 28 with
Communication 143.76 instead of amending the amendment.
CHR. KANUHA: Okay, that sounds a lot better. Just withdraw your—
Withdraw Motion Ms. Wille withdrew her motions to amend Bill 28, Draft 2,
to Amend: with the contents of Comm. 143.57 and 143.70.
CHR. KANUHA: Okay, so Ms. Wille has withdrawn her motion to amend and
also you withdraw the first motion, so withdraw both motions and then now we’ll
just go amend Bill 28, Draft 2, with the contents of Comm. 143.70.
Motion to Amend: Ms. Wille moved to amend Bill 28, Draft 2, with the
contents of Comm. 143.70. Seconded by Ms. David.
CHR. KANUHA: And if it’s okay with you, Ms. Wille, we’ll just give it to
Mr. Onishi.
MR. ONISHI: Okay, thank you, Mr. Chair. First of all, you mentioned about us
having positions that we’re not filling, right? So to me, that would be the better
way of trying to create a position for Prosecutor’s, is using that position, instead
of using OCE (Other Current Expenses) and reducing that. And then we still have
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Hawai‘i County Council-14 June 1, 2015
these open positions, why wouldn’t you just want to just swap it and give them a
position? But that’s just a thought, okay?
But before that, I want to have the Clerk’s office come up because to take away
$63,000 from the postage—can someone come up and explain how important this
might be, or you folks don’t need it? Maybe they might say they don’t need it,
you know? I don’t know. Hopefully Margaret had talked to them prior to this.
Mr. Chair, can I ask a question to Ms. Wille?
(Note: At this time, County Clerk Stewart Maeda came forward to
address the members of the Council.)
CHR. KANUHA: Sure.
MR. ONISHI: Ms. Wille, did you get to talk to the Clerk’s office about this?
MS. WILLE: Yeah, I know they’d rather not.
MR. ONISHI: No, did you talk—?
MS. WILLE: Yeah.
MR. ONISHI: Yeah? Okay, and then did you talk to the Prosecutor’s about
having this position as a permanent position?
MS. WILLE: Yes, I did.
MR. ONISHI: Okay, Mr. Clerk, go ahead to my question.
MR. MAEDA: Stewart Maeda, County Clerk, good afternoon. Yeah, it’s going
to be a big effect on us because for example, fiscal year ‘14/’15, the actual
amount spent was $175,000 and so we’re budgeted this year for $199,000. So, if
you took away $63,000, then we would be short like $60,000 in that budget.
MR. ONISHI: So your anticipation like from now, I mean for next year, because
next year is also an election year.
MR. MAEDA: The next fiscal year we also budgeted for $199,000.
MR. ONISHI: Okay, because you’re looking at taking out from next year’s
budget, right?
MR. MAEDA: This coming fiscal year is what she’s taking.
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Hawai‘i County Council-14 June 1, 2015
MR. ONISHI: Oh, this coming fiscal year? Okay, so from now until then—but
then also, that’s going to be depleted from our next year’s budget too, correct?
MR. MAEDA: Well, like I said, we’re going to be short for sure, this fiscal year,
this current—
MR. ONISHI: They’re taking out the $65,000?
MR. MAEDA: Yes.
MR. ONISHI: But then—so next year’s budget, we’re going to be reduced to
$65,000.
MR. MAEDA: What we would have to look at is where we’re going to get the
money from to cover the postage charges at the end of the fiscal year, because
we’re going to be short at the end of the fiscal year. This time next year, we’ll be
short probably that much.
MR. ONISHI: Okay, so the better way for her to—if she wants to create this new
position for Prosecutor’s, is instead of touching the postage, to use maybe that
position that we have, that legal specialist that we’re not filling right now, and
maybe transferring that position out to Prosecutor’s?
MR. MAEDA: I don’t know if that’s the best solution, but I do know that our
postage budget is kind of set. We know that’s how much we had expended in the
‘14/’15 fiscal year, and anticipating those cost again is hard.
MR. ONISHI: Right, so that’s why I’m saying. So we shouldn’t be touching
your postage account, right? Because you guys really need that. So maybe
another option she might, Ms. Wille might have is to look at our legal specialist
position, which is not filled and is funded, correct?
MR. MAEDA: That’s correct. It’s not filled and it’s funded, but just—as this
year, we just moved $75,000 from our miscellaneous contracts to our salary and
wages to cover our salary and wages. So although that position is not funded, we
may be using that position because all of our videoconferencing staff is paid
through our salary and wages. If we have long meetings, we’re not anticipating—
MR. ONISHI: Okay. So was this all discussed with Ms. Wille when you folks
talked?
MR. MAEDA: We had a very brief conversation.
MR. ONISHI: So not really?
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Hawai‘i County Council-14 June 1, 2015
MR. MAEDA: No.
MR. ONISHI: Okay. That’s all I need to know. Okay, thank you.
Mr. Prosecutor.
(Note: At this time, Prosecuting Attorney Mitch Roth came forward to
address the members of the Council.)
MR. ONISHI: You can introduce yourself.
MR. ROTH: Good afternoon, my name is Mitch Roth, I’m the Prosecuting
Attorney for the County of Hawaiʻi.
MR. ONISHI: Okay, thanks for coming in. I had the staff call your office
because we wanted to make sure that you folks could come and at least explain to
us if this is really important for this position to be filled permanently. Because
what I understand, it was State-subsidized or a State grant. Or maybe you can
explain more what this—
MR. ROTH: Okay, so we had a grant, we received a grant for three years.
MR. ONISHI: State or federal?
MR. ROTH: State grant.
MR. ONISHI: Okay.
MR. ROTH: I believe it was a State grant. We were able to apply for three years,
and once that funding was lost, we’re not able to apply for that position again. So
we had another position in our career criminal prosecution that we actually moved
a position to keep the employee in the office, and now she’s working on career
criminal stuff. Because it’s a grant, this is grant funds. She can only do specified
amounts of work with the elder abuse. We can’t have her doing all of the things
that she was doing in the past. Every case with a senior, she would screen that
case to make sure that those cases would have some priority. A lot of the
outreach that she was working on for example, going to the meeting that she went
with Council Member Wille, she would go do a lot of in-service with all the
seniors. A lot of that stuff, we are not able to do at this point because it’s not
covered by the grant.
MR. ONISHI: My thing is, okay, so you guys had this grant for three years.
MR. ROTH: Right.
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Hawai‘i County Council-14 June 1, 2015
MR. ONISHI: And if it was really important to have this position, I mean you
would look—to me, I would think that you would be looking forward to making it
a permanent position, to help out our seniors island-wide. But for this coming
budget, you folks didn’t come and request to have this funding to be put into your
budget, right, for this position?
MR. ROTH: That is correct. What happens is, we know that there’s a certain
amount of—a pool of money that’s available out there, and we have different
needs which we put supplementals in. That was not one of our top supplemental
requests. We’re like every other agency in the County, we could always—
MR. ONISHI: Is there any other position above this position that’s being
proposed in front of us right now that is more important that you think you would
need funding for?
MR. ROTH: We had a couple of other positions on our supplemental that we—
MR. ONISHI: That is more important that could be utilized for your office? All
is important, but—
MR. ROTH: They are all important.
MR. ONISHI: If you had to prioritize, which position would you really want to
be funded?
MR. ROTH: So we had an investigative one, information system support
technician for our computer systems.
MR. ONISHI: Okay. No, because what I would rather see, if we’re going to be
funding your department, I would want to make sure we fund something that you
folks really need. You know what I mean? Like I said, like a priority. No,
because you have your list of priorities, which position do you really need?
MR. ROTH: So let me—this is not something that we asked for in our
supplementals. There are a lot of priorities, but we also understand that the whole
County has priorities. I mean listening to your other discussion about funding for
CERT, something near and dear to my heart because I was on the team that
helped bring the CERT’s to this island. We know that there’s other divisions
that—every agency in the County has positions which they need. Is this a needed
position? It’s definitely a needed position. It hurt when we lost this position, but
we also have to be cognizant about everybody else that’s out there. We’ve been
very fortunate with the Council. You guys have been very supportive of us, the
Mayor’s office has been very supportive of us, we’ve got positions and kind of in
a difficult position here. Yes, they’re positions are needed, but I also have to
realize that there’s other needs in the County.
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Hawai‘i County Council-14 June 1, 2015
MR. ONISHI: Okay, let me ask you this, another question. Does the—like the
Office of Aging, do they provide any resources for seniors to get help about, like
abuse of—verbal abuses, or if there’s like rental problems, do they provide
services?
MR. ROTH: I’m not exactly sure what all the services that the Office of Aging
provides. I know when this problem came up and we talked to our person, we
recommended that we go and talk to the Office of Aging and see if this is
something that they could take on because our current funding sources do not
allow us to do what we were doing before. And so we’re thankful that you guys
are thinking about us and trying to support us, but this was not one of our key
things.
That being said, I also have to say, because if I say it’s not important, my
employees will jump on me and then—there’s a whole bunch of seniors that know
how important this has been to them that we haven’t been able to support. But I
have to look and see what all the other needs in the County are, and it’s really not
my position to come in and say our needs are more important than you guys
mailing out your letters, than what the Mayor has for his budget. I feel like I’m
kind of robbing Peter to pay Paul. So we’re really not taking a position. Could
we use it? Absolutely. Are we asking for it? No.
MR. ONISHI: Okay, thank you very much. Deanna, do you have something to
say?
(Note: At this time, Finance Director Deanna Sako came forward to
address the members of the Council.)
MS. SAKO: I just wanted to add real briefly that the Department of Housing does
have a fair housing officer that is set up to help with these types of rental disputes.
So they should be able to help mediate as well.
MR. ONISHI: Okay, good. Okay, yeah, so that’s good to—because I know
there’s other nonprofit or agencies out there that do help out the seniors to
protect—so it’s just that Elderly—Office of Aging needs to outreach more with
the communication maybe through Prosecutor’s and Police, letting them know
that these services are out there for them. Thank you.
CHR. KANUHA: Thank you, Mr. Onishi. Ms. Poindexter.
MS. POINDEXTER: Okay, so I have a question. We have the State Adult
Protective Services, yes? So were you duplicating those services like what they
did? It says that they’re mandated—they “provide crisis intervention . . .
including investigation and emergency services for vulnerable adults who are
reported to be abused, neglected, or financially exploited by others or seriously
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Hawai‘i County Council-14 June 1, 2015
endangered due to self-neglect.” So, basically, your office was doing that as
well?
MR. ROTH: No. So one of the great things about this grant that we had is our
office was able to coordinate, not only Adult Protective Services, Police
Department, Office of Aging, to start working on these cases and giving them
more of a priority. So what happens is there’s investigative agencies, the Police
Department, and Adult Protective Services, they make their cases, they send those
cases to our—actually, we have team meetings which we’re still trying to staff
those meetings.
MS. POINDEXTER: That was great that you said that because what you were
doing was—they’re making the case to bring to your office, all of these people.
See, I’m not sure that’s what I know I would be looking for because when I met
with some of the seniors in some housing, I identified some of the problems were,
maybe the communication, definitely, they said communication with County
Housing and the person who was contracted to do the management. When I heard
last year too, when a discussion came up, it was about management abusing them
or making them in fear of losing housing because they say, “If I find a cockroach
on your floor and I come over there, you’re going to be, we’re going to evict
you,” or threaten them.
MR. ROTH: So, there are a couple things you need to look at here. One, you’re
taking a very small—when you’re talking about the housing issue—
MS. POINDEXTER: Right.
MR. ROTH: That’s a, I know a big issue for a lot of seniors, but what our legal
assistant was doing, that was just a real small part of that.
MS. POINDEXTER: Right, she was doing more of the criminal side, which is
Prosecutor’s Office, okay? Which is great, but to me, the bigger problem is we
cannot wait to get to that point. You—we always talk about prevention. We
always talk about mitigating circumstances, so we got to take care of those things.
It’s like babies coming down the river, you’re going to be building houses to
house these, but you’re not finding out—you’re not going up to the river to find
out why the babies are coming down the river.
So, this is an opportunity, I think the funding, if anything—I’m not going to
support this because I feel that we need to start working at that ground level first.
I think we need to start working with the County Housing and with that person
that is in charge of the fair, that fair housing officer. I think we need to also bring
in Adult Protective Services and Office of Aging and come to the table together
and meet with our seniors and come up with some solution, whether it’s putting
some type of bill or ordinance in place that—or changing the way our contract
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Hawai‘i County Council-14 June 1, 2015
reads, that if we find some abuse, we can terminate that contract with that
management company. Something needs to happen to that level before it gets up
to the Prosecutors.
So funding up there is not where I would want to fund. I see the value, Mitch, of
that person, but right now, there’s a bigger issue on that bottom, base level. And
until we start figuring out why the babies are coming down the river, instead of
just keep building houses to put them in, we got to get to that point. We got to—
MR. ROTH: Yeah, so let me just say that I’m taking a position right now. But to
explain that a big part of what this person was doing was going out, talking to the
seniors, working with like KTA, doing the bags stuffers, doing the Living in
Paradise, talking on the show, talking about what, just what you’re talking about,
the preventive stuff. Because the best senior victim is one that we never see,
because it isn’t happening.
MS. POINDEXTER: Right and I agree. So maybe that can happen, still happen
at a different level. Because to me, your person, paying a Prosecuting Attorney or
somebody at that skill set to go out and just do—promoting well—promoting
health or something—I think we can—there’s another person with a different type
of skill set that could be doing that when you focus—use her to the highest of her
credentials.
So, there’s—I think we’re knee-jerk reaction right now instead of looking at this
thing from—instead of putting a band aid on it, let’s look at what’s the root cause.
And I think we need to address it at the root cause level because we’re all
disconnected. And that’s great, that position that you had was making people
connect, but when that position went away, everybody fell apart. So, something
didn’t work, so we got to figure out what we can put together that even if that
position had gone away, that something would have still remained in place. That
networking would have still happened and we didn’t have to rely on that position
to make that network happen. So we need to fix what is broken first.
MR. ROTH: I agree with you. Like I said, I’m not trying to say you got to do
this because I realize you guys have a lot of things that you’re looking at. If it’s
in our office, if it’s in the Office of Aging—right now, the people that are paying
the price is actually the seniors.
MS. POINDEXTER: Right, and so that’s why I’m out in my community, I just
had a meeting with them last week. I’m making a point to get together with all
the people that you guys used to get together with, and see if we can come to a
round table and start talking about that and bringing them out to the Senior
Centers, and then having that communication be open. So we’re working on that,
and we can hit the ground running if we continue to work on it that way. And I
think we can start to bring some solutions to the table if we bring all of them to
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Hawai‘i County Council-14 June 1, 2015
the table along with some seniors or the representatives of the Senior Centers. So
that can happen.
MR. ROTH: And whether it happens in our office or not, what I’m saying is it is
important to us and we’ll, to the greatest degree, support making sure that
happens. Right now, I’m just saying that we can’t do it at the level we were doing
that.
MS. POINDEXTER: And so what I’m saying is once we bring everybody to the
table and everybody has that shared level, it’s not going to be a burden on any one
office. That one office steps out and the thing falls apart. So we need to build
something that will remain and be sustainable. But I appreciate all that your
office does because a lot of times I work with you and depend on you, so thank
you.
CHR. KANUHA: Thank you, Ms. Poindexter. Ms. David.
MS. DAVID: Yes. Aloha, Mr. Roth. I have just a few comments and maybe you
can kind of clarify some things for me, too. When I was with Legal Aid as a
senior advocate and the disability advocate, we had monthly interdisciplinary
meetings. And in those meetings, Legal Aid was a party to it, some of the service
providers for our seniors, also APS, Adult Protective, and several other service
providers, Home Health, etc. Now I really like the idea, is that still happening?
Because that was a real—
MR. ROTH: I remember when, I believe it was Janice Betts was with Legal Aid,
this person that’s been doing the job in our office, Lexi McKay, referring to her as
kind of a non-person, but she was making sure that all those things were
happening on a regular basis. I don’t think that they’re happening much as they
used to. And you know, what Ms. Poindexter brings up, it’s really important. We
don’t have to be it, but there should be somebody that’s bringing those people
together because when we’re all working together as a team, we do a much better
job than while working as individuals.
MS. DAVID: And I think that’s why I like what Ms. Poindexter had stated, is if
we don’t have these key organizations that provide service for our seniors,
because our seniors are silent victims, our seniors will not come forward by
themselves, and they need all the reassurance and help that they can get. So I
would like to see something done to revisit that because with all the issues that we
face, child abuse and our adult, your office is pretty busy and it’s very
overwhelming. So I like the idea that the Fair Housing Department should be one
of those players or should be one of those participants in addressing what you say,
it’s a community-level problem. So I don’t have a solution, but I really believe in
what Ms. Poindexter was alluding to that the various organizations can be most
effective in a group setting, and I offer to you any contingency funds that I can
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Hawai‘i County Council-14 June 1, 2015
give to you in the Prosecutor’s Office, for outreach in different districts to pay for
those kinds of educational outreaches to the senior centers. Please, I would be
more than happy to do that.
MR. ROTH: We greatly appreciate that. I don’t have the answer either. I know
when we originally were looking at this, that it was something that any agency
could do. But I know Charlene Iboshi and Jay Kimura, they felt that somebody’s
got to step forward. We’re happy to pass the torch to another agency to move on
and take it, I mean if there’s one that’s willing to step up.
MS. DAVID: I hope so, and I’d really like to see that and do whatever we can to
help in that regard. Thank you very much.
CHR. KANUHA: Thank you. Ms. Wille.
MS. WILLE: Okay, first of all, all of those entities, Office of Housing and the
Office of Elderly Affairs or whatever, Aging, as well as Housing, were in position
and there has been no solutions. I’ve actually been working on this for three
years, just back when I was a Steering Committee member, CDP, and North
Kohala. So it’s not like they’re here and things are going to happen. They were
all here and these—all clearly kicked to the curb, and you don’t do this. That is
what it is, it’s kicking them to the curb.
Fair Housing asked that agent person explain to me, is a civil rights issues, okay?
This is not the same position. I looked around to see what department would be
good. And I looked at like the Police or Aging, and then suddenly there was
Lexi McKay doing an excellent job, really doing it and really finding it out and
solving problems and giving these people an ear. This is the first time they sort of
came out from under the rock where they felt safe and there was somebody really
there for them. It’s—I just want to correct Ms. Poindexter. This isn’t an attorney
position that’s not being used to its fullest. This is like half that amount. It’s a—
MR. ROTH: Legal assistant.
MS. WILLE: Legal assistant position. This is what that position is for. So, I do
think if it was in a different department, okay, I’m open with that. But if we just
let this go, it’s not the baby starts down the river and finding the housing. It’s—
I’ve been working on legislation. I’ve been working on how to get Housing to
communicate. I’ve been working on these, but I’m saying without that person
tying it all together and whose been doing it really successfully, I could read you
all the names of these seniors who are now coming out and speaking for the first
time.
I realize—I think our overall budget, we don’t have the funding. We should be
funding more Prosecutor positions, more policemen. I feel we’ve failed in those
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Hawai‘i County Council-14 June 1, 2015
areas, but this is one that at least takes this segment of the population and gives
them an ear. And where they feel they can come and have someone to speak to
who is solving problems quickly.
So anyway, I just—on that aside, I want to mention one thing in terms of an issue
that I think—a good issue that Council Member Onishi brought up is why don’t
you shift this and be taking the funds out of this other account. I felt it’s better to
basically leave that position there, take it from something that then they could
shift the funds into. If we don’t fund those positions for a month or two, they’ll
be all—that money will be there. So it’s not like we need to eliminate one of
those positions, we just need to hold off and not hire them, which they weren’t—
he wasn’t planning to hire them immediately. He’s still considering it, but yet we
have it funded as of July 1. So it just seemed like it’s moving the puzzle pieces
around, but they work.
And also just from understanding from Finance and Accounting is that it’s easier
to take it and deal with it where you’re taking it out of. Like this fund where
you’re taking part or doing something out of salaries and wages, out of a position.
So if I misunderstood that, I can be corrected, but I feel that we ought to do this. I
don’t see that we’re—it’s all—we’ll have—we have enough control over the
funds in our department where we’re not even intending to use sufficient funds
there to provide for this. And if you all want to come up with something else, but
otherwise, I think it’s really kicking these guys ahead and will take care of it and
it won’t get done.
CHR. KANUHA: Thank you, Ms. Wille. Ms. Eoff.
MS. EOFF: Thank you, Mr. Chair. So Ms. Wille, of all the amendments that we
had to look at before us to the operating budget, this position was the only one
that I really felt that I wanted to support. I don’t really support where you’re
taking the money from, I’m having a hard time with that. And I did talk to
Mitch Roth about this and unless I’m mistaken, what I understand is actually Lexi
is the person that is best suited for this position.
MR. ROTH: So I’ll say that she has a great passion for this however, I can’t—
let’s say that the position was given, I just can’t say that she’s going to get the
position. We have to go through interviews and stuff.
MS. EOFF: Right, but whether it’s her or whomever, it seems to me that what is
needed is a point person, whether it’s under Prosecuting Attorney or under
Housing, or wherever, it’s a point person that makes the people, the elders feel
that they have a go-to, helpful ear for problems. And I also asked Ms. Sako if
there were any other places we could look for money to fund a position like this,
because I do feel strongly that we need to address this problem, and of course
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Hawai‘i County Council-14 June 1, 2015
Ms. Wille is expressing a very passionate concern, and I think we probably all
share that.
I don’t know what to do because I don’t really think we should take it from the,
especially this much money, from the Council’s postage or even our position that
we leave vacant. I understand what the Clerk’s saying. So I don’t know how
much time we have here, I don’t know how—I know Ms. Sako was really busy
last week when I talked to her, but she did say she would look into the budget and
see if there were anywhere else where funds might be available, and I haven’t’
heard or received any definite information.
I know what you’re saying. You’re willing to accept it isn’t funded for right now,
and we all can hope that someone will find a point person to replace this void
because—so what you said is the grant was for three years and now you cannot
apply again? For how long?
MR. ROTH: Correct. For that grant, we’ve exhausted our ability to apply for it.
It’s unfortunate and it’s kind of funny. I feel like I’m caught in the middle of
something that—I don’t want you guys to be pitting our officer—
MS. EOFF: No, I don’t want to do that to you, I think we just want to see if
there’s any other options out there where we can help to at least provide this
service that is appointed to someone.
MR. ROTH: And I think we continue to search for grants and haven’t been able
to find anything—
MS. EOFF: So that particular type of position that you had received grant funds
for, nobody’s really—
MR. ROTH: Well we haven’t seen that opportunity, but we continue to look.
MS. EOFF: Okay, well—
MR. ROTH: Sorry, I can’t take one side and just—because I realize what you
guys are up against and I just—I’m thankful for Ms. Wille to be thinking about
our office and for you guys to be thinking about our office, but I also have to
realize too, that we were very fortunate last year. We got several positions and I
think next year, as we go into the next couple of years, as we’re looking for our
positions for our Kona office, we’re going to be asking for a lot more positions,
and we don’t want to come across as always needy.
MS. EOFF: What I’m kind of hearing is that this position, or the type of service
that this grant allowed a person in your office to provide could be handled by a
different department.
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Hawai‘i County Council-14 June 1, 2015
MR. ROTH: Some of the things, definitely.
MS. EOFF: It just be coordinating—
MR. ROTH: Some of those things absolutely could be coordinated by other
agencies and like I said, we’re willing to give all of our training materials, all of
that stuff to help in any way we can and pass that torch.
MS. EOFF: But if it was to be funded into your department somehow, would that
person be able to go back to doing that kind of work? Or has she already
committed to a different—?
MR. ROTH: We’d have to go through interviews and it’d be possible for, you
know, anything is possible in that way, but I can’t just say that I’m going to put
her into that. I can’t do that.
MS. POINDEXTER: Yeah.
MS. EOFF: I’ll yield. I’m sorry.
CHR. KANUHA: Thank you, Ms. Eoff. Ms. Poindexter.
MS. POINDEXTER: And I agree, you cannot do that because it’s equal
opportunity employer and we cannot say we’re going to have a position and
so-and-so is going to fill it.
MR. ROTH: Right.
MS. POINDEXTER: So I totally agree with you on that. I do believe that for me,
I feel that position should be at the Office of Aging and they should be working
with the Prosecutors, with the Police Department, with whomever, like you had
that position work with before. I’m in the process of having a meeting with both
the Office of Housing and with the Office of Aging together, to look at what their
suggestions are as far as bringing all the players to the table, because there might
be State funding, the Adult Protection Services and bringing our Representative
Mark Nakashima into it and whatever representatives.
But I work with Representative Nakashima and I would encourage everyone else,
Joy and—work with your representatives to see if we could get some type of
funding to help with this. But until we start coming to the table to talk about what
needs to be done, I don’t think we can make a decision today as to what that
position should look like and what it should entail.
From what I’m hearing from my area in my district, it’s a lot of communication
issues and a lot of—and you know, things that we need to come to the table and
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Hawai‘i County Council-14 June 1, 2015
talk about first and see where do we go to make it best fit our seniors and how do
we have our senior reps at the table that’s holding this together. So no matter who
falls out of it, it still will continue. Not because one person falls out it just all falls
apart. Unfortunately, that’s what it was and it was through a grant and it’s
unfortunate that it happened that way. So I really think, I really believe it can be
done. I’m an optimist and I know it can be done because where there’s unity,
there’s strength, and people are going to come together for our seniors, and I’ll
push hard for it.
MR. ROTH: So we actually met with Kimo Alameda, just so you know and
brought that idea forward to him.
MS. POINDEXTER: And what did he say?
MR. ROTH: They’re willing to look at it.
MS. POINDEXTER: Right. Yeah, and he—perfect, he came from Department
of Health, he knows some of the State—he has other resources as well. So, until
we come to the table and—great that you had a talk with him. We all need to all
sit at the table. I’m going to invite you too as well, so I’ll let Lenny know that
you should be in that meeting.
MR. ROTH: I appreciate that. And like I said, we’re not fighting to have this in
our office, but it has to be somewhere because our seniors deserve this.
MS. POINDEXTER: Yes, I agree, definitely. I totally agree that our seniors need
protection. I definitely agree with that and I think we, for the betterment for all of
them, we need to have this, not as a temporary fix, that one person falls out, it
falls apart. We need to make sure it’s built from the ground up and it’s stable, and
we got to do it for them. So thank you.
CHR. KANUHA: Thank you, Ms. Poindexter, any other Council members?
Discussion? Okay, hearing or seeing none, I’m going to end debate. Mr. Clerk,
roll call.
Vote on Motion to The motion to amend Bill 28, Draft 2, with the contents of
Amend: Comm. 143.70 failed by the following roll call vote:
(Failed)
Ayes: Council Member Wille – 1.
Noes: Council Members Chung, David, Eoff, Ilagan,
Onishi, Paleka, Poindexter, and Chair Kanuha – 8.
Absent: None.
Excused: None.
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Hawai‘i County Council-14 June 1, 2015
CHR. KANUHA: Thank you, motion fails. Okay, if it’s all right with you guys,
Council Members, I’d also like to go with Communication 143.58 since we have
representatives from Parks and Recreation. So Ms. Wille, may I have a motion to
amend Bill 28, Draft 2, with the contents of Communication. 143.58?
MS. WILLE: Yes, I’d like to amend Bill 28, Draft 2, with the contents of
Communication 143.58.
CHR. KANUHA: May I have a second? Second anybody?
MS. WILLE: I was going to withdraw it.
CHR. KANUHA: Okay, well it didn’t get a second, so it’s not going to be
introduced. Okay, Mr. Clerk—so that motion fails. Yeah, that’s okay, it’s the
same thing. Okay, Ms. Wille, may I have a motion to amend Bill 28, Draft 2,
with the contents of Communication—I think you might want to introduce
143.69, if that’s what I’m seeing.
MS. WILLE: Yeah, okay. Yes, I’d like to amend Bill 28, Draft 2, with the
contents of Communication 143.69
CHR. KANUHA: Second? There’s a motion on the floor to amend Bill 28,
Draft 2 with the contents of Communication 143.69. Is there a second? I’ll ask
one more time, is there a second for the motion? Okay, hearing no second, the
motion fails. Okay, I think that’s it for Bill 28, Draft 2, Mr. Clerk, if I’m
correct—
MR. MAEDA: Yes, you are.
CHR. KANUHA: We can move on to—
MR. MAEDA: Bill 29.
CHR. KANUHA: Bill 29.
Point of Order: MR. ILAGAN: Did we vote on the bill as amended?
CHR. KANUHA: No, we did not. Okay. Sorry, I apologize. We went on to
Bill 29 and forgot to vote on Bill 28, Draft 2, as amended. Sorry, Mr. Clerk.
Before we do a vote, I’d like to have discussion on Bill 28, Draft 2, as amended.
Okay, Ms. Eoff.
MS. EOFF: Thank you, Mr. Chair. I didn’t want to lose this opportunity before
we moved on to thank the Finance Department and the Department of Public
Works. Because after hearing from many of all of our constituents regarding the
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Hawai‘i County Council-14 June 1, 2015
use of Roundup as the only description of an account for weed control in the
whole County under public road maintenance as well as Parks, I think they
responded, well I know they responded very willingly. And it opens the door for
us to look at alternatives to Roundup because we’ve all received this
Communication 143.68, which doesn’t have to be treated as an amendment. It’s
just informing us that they went through the entire detailed workbook of the
budget accounts and wherever the word “roundup” was used to define a fund is
now changed to say “vegetation control.” And you guys can look through all the
different accounts here and you’ll see that.
But I just wanted to say thank you to all those who were willing to make this
change. I know it’s just a step in the direction that the testifiers had been
requesting, but I for one would really like to see the County stop using Roundup
or anything that is considered toxic and poisonous and, look for other means of
spraying our roadsides. And I believe there are other alternatives out there and I
know that Mr. Lee has stated his willingness to consider their use. So this change
allows us to do that. So I just wanted to say that before we moved on. Otherwise,
I’m in support of the budget as amended.
CHR. KANUHA: Thank you, Ms. Eoff. Ms. Wille.
MS. WILLE: You know, at the same time we’re looking at how we balance
conflicting needs and expenditures, it’s really important to look at where our
streams of revenue are. And we do property tax and we’re trying to tighten that
up, but we really don’t want to add more to our residents. We’ve got the highest
cost of living here and I just—electricity, the highest of any place in the United
States, and highest in our State going down. And I just want to bring to mind the
transient accommodation tax. I know someone said that report is going to come
out, let’s see how it is, let’s see what we do. But I really believe it’s going to be a
done deal against the counties, in particular the neighboring islands, if we don’t
really focus on this over the next six months.
So that’s like $14 to $20 million plus that we won’t have the cap removed, and I
don’t think we ought to sit by and wait and see what they have to say. I’ve been
there, I’ve read the documents, what they’re coming out with, and I really feel
that we all have to work and I am going to contact other Council Members in the
other counties. And what comes out after this report is probably going to be what
stands for quite some time. We went from 95 percent, and that we should have
the taxing authority on that, down to 23 percent, of which we get about 12 and we
only can collect up to a certain amount because we now have our incentive
removed. The State gets the benefit, we get the burdens. Of our—what we spend
money on, 64 percent of that benefits visitors. 14 percent of what the State
spends, only 14 percent of that benefits visitors. It’s just 1.2.
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Hawai‘i County Council-14 June 1, 2015
On the Roundup, I appreciate the change on that wording, and I will introduce
something to move that conversation along, a bill, but I don’t think we can just
deal with it in terms of the budget and that we defund Roundup. I think—
appreciate all the testimony. I know Director Lee is already looking at
alternatives. I do think the last—somebody showed me a manual on road
maintenance and it’s written by Monsanto, so I think we have a lot of changes to
do. So I think that has to—we’re going to have another step on that.
And I just want to say that I think that we’ve worked really well on this budget,
but at the same time, we are failing a lot. I mean, we really, whether it’s Mitch’s
department, the need for more prosecutors, they’re handling some 600 cases at a
time. In terms of the Police asking for more help in many different ways, and in
terms of people asking for more help in terms of police, I mean I look at all of our
capital improvement projects, so many of them. What our budget really should be
is what, if you added all of those in. In some ways, I’m grateful that we have this
$99 million budget. I sort of feel—thank you for not going with the incinerator,
here’s the $100 million that we would have spent on that, this is where it should
be used. So at the same time, I appreciate all working together. I—you know,
we’re not where we tell all of our departments that the company line is you don’t
ask for more, no matter what, is not the place where I want to be.
CHR. KANUHA: Thank you, Ms. Wille. Mr. Ilagan.
MR. ILAGAN: Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just wanted to thank the departments for
coming here and answering our questions. And also I want to especially thank the
Finance Department for really working with us and helping us out. I realize that
there’s no real formula to get anything passed here. You can talk to all of the
departments, have an agreement, but at the end of the day, it’s the Council that
decides, and that’s through all the different districts, knowing all the needs in our
areas. I just want to thank everyone and thank you for working with us and
handling all this stuff that we think of. Aloha.
CHR. KANUHA: Thank you. Mr. Onishi.
MR. ONISHI: Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just wanted to kind of clear something up
that was said earlier, and that’s I don’t think the County was going to be putting
up the money for the incinerator. It was supposed to be privately funded, so it
wouldn’t be the County that’s going to be putting up the money.
And then the second thing is a testifier mentioned about mass transit that—about
the bus into the airport. What had happened I think, for the Council Members, we
have gotten I guess, responses from the public that live in outside districts
that wanted the transportation going to the airport because of their lacking of
transportation getting there. So that’s why Mass Transit did that. And so it
wasn’t like for helping out the tourists that’s going to be coming in, but it was for
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Hawai‘i County Council-14 June 1, 2015
helping out the local people getting to the airport. So I just wanted to kind of
clear that up too. But it looks good, I support the budget. Thank you.
CHR. KANUHA: Thank you, Mr. Onishi. Ms. Poindexter.
MS. POINDEXTER: Yeah, I’d like to say I support the budget and I want to
thank all the departments because it is a fair budget. It’s balanced and yes, we
need definitely every department needs more, but if we’re going to ask for all that
you need and the perfect way to go, then where does it—it’s on the backs of our
tax payers. That means that we would have to raise property taxes again, and I
think the way that it was done I think, was the fairest and the most appropriate
way.
And now, once the budget goes through, it’s looking at other resources that we
have available in the private sector, at the State and Federal levels for partnerships
that we can build on these opportunities to increase funding for our departments.
So it doesn’t end here. This is the beginning of the year and the beginning
budget, but things will come. Look at the sister city when we needed—Puna was
in crisis, that relationship and that investment, we got money back on that
investment through our hospitality fund because they gave, somebody gave us
$17,000. That happens all the time. So I believe it’s the fairest and the best for
our people as well and we look to build on that. So it’s not the end here. Thank
you and I support this budget.
CHR. KANUHA: Thank you, Ms. Poindexter. Mr. Chung.
MR. CHUNG: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I really wasn’t going to say anything
but then Ms. Wille used the word that we failed in many regards. And yeah, I got
to admit, we probably have failed, but that’s really the nature of government. So
if we’re going to really focus in on our failures, then government will continue to
fail, right? But really, government is all about resource allocation. We have an x
amount of resources and we have to divvy them up. Some places you subsidize
and some you take from some places, you give to some other places and in the
end, you come up with the best product you have. So, instead of, for me, I’d like
to not look at our failures but really accentuate the positives. We really have done
a lot, I believe, and I just wanted to make that comment. If you want to look at
failures, very easy, but I’d rather look at the positives. Thank you.
CHR. KANUHA: Thank you, Mr. Chung. Ms. David.
MS. DAVID: And on a positive note, I really want to thank the Council and also
mostly the departments. You’ve made my first budget experience very informing
and I really thank the departments for being always available to answer questions
and to assist. And I think that’s the, for me, I think that’s how we achieve what
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Hawai‘i County Council-14 June 1, 2015
Mr. Chung is talking about, we succeed as opposed to failing. So I look forward
to our continued discussions and working together. Mahalo. And I support the
budget. Mahalo.
CHR. KANUHA: Thank you. Mr. Paleka.
MR. PALEKA: I too would also like to thank all of the departments, especially
Finance, having worked so closely with us in this difficult time. But we got
through it. I think the conversations and issues that came up put us in a good
place where we know where we need to head, where we can improve, because
there’s always room for improvement. But I think this is a good budget, let’s
move ahead. I’m going to support it. Let’s do it.
CHR. KANUHA: Thank you, Mr. Paleka. Any other—? Ms. Wille.
MS. WILLE: Yeah. I guess I think we ought to look at both our successes, and
where we failed, and how we can do better, and I think that’s why I’m stressing
the TAT. That would bring us in the money that would enable us to do much of
what I feel where there were many people who came to speak and who, if I were
them, I’d say I guess they didn’t hear me. So it’s in that context that I say that.
I do think there were a few comments today; I’d just like to run quickly over. I
think that for Mass Transit, I do think for seniors there shouldn’t be, at least for
seniors, an extra charge for the bicycles. That’s something that’s been brought up
to me by a number of people and I’m not—didn’t propose any change. I just hope
that they—Director Kai heard that and see what we can do. I also think the point
about the bike racks, I didn’t realize that there were busses that didn’t have bike
racks. We need to find that within there.
And Public Works, Warren Lee, keeping these clean shoulders. I know that they
do so much but just keeping in mind that as more people are riding their bicycles,
how important that is.
With regard to Parks and Recreation, I think one area that I have stressed is sort of
what there is in terms of seniors and usage. I know stressing, such as in the
Waimea district park, and I think the testimony today was about the Pāhoa—and
that it is sort of focused on youth and that it’s—when I brought that up to
Bob Hunter way back, five years ago when we were working on the district park,
you know, doing more and somehow integrating more provisions
intergenerational and how we can make that work.
And just lastly, the soap in the parks, I mean that came up again such as including
the North Kohala Senior Center where I hear this often, getting that in. So just—I
know those aren’t big points, but I just want to have them heard, that we are
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Hawai‘i County Council-14 June 1, 2015
listening and I think those are the kind of things we can address within the current
budget, one way or another. Thank you.
CHR. KANUHA: Thank you, Ms. Wille, any other discussion, Council
Members? Okay, hearing or seeing none, we can go to the vote on Bill 28,
Draft 2, as amended.
Vote on Bill 28: The motion to pass Bill 28, Draft 2, as amended to Draft 3 was
(Draft 3) carried by the following roll call vote:
(Approved)
Ayes: Council Members Chung, David, Eoff, Ilagan,
Onishi, Paleka, Poindexter, and Chair Kanuha – 8.
Noes: Council Member Wille – 1.
Absent: None.
Excused: None.
CHR. KANUHA: Thank you, motion passes. Okay now, Mr. Clerk, now we can
go on to Bill 29, Draft 3.
Bill 29 RELATES TO PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS AND FINANCING THEREOF
(Draft 3): FOR THE FISCAL YEAR JULY 1, 2015, TO JUNE 30, 2016
Proposed Capital Budget for fiscal year ending June 30, 2016, includes
51 projects requiring a total appropriation of $146.502 million.
Reference: Comm. 144.22
Intr. by: Ms. Eoff
First Reading: May 18, 2015
; and
Comm. 144.10: From Council Member Aaron S. Y. Chung, dated May 20, 2015, transmitting
(Memo. No. 1) proposed amendments to add the Public Works Department’s Parking
Improvements and Construction project in the amount of $20 million.
; and
Comm. 144.11: From Council Member Daniel K. Paleka, Jr., dated May 20, 2015, transmitting
(Memo. No. 2) proposed amendments to add the Public Works Department’s South Kopua Road
Extension project in the amount of $1 million.
; and
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Hawai‘i County Council-14 June 1, 2015
Comm. 144.16: From Council Member Valerie T. Poindexter, dated May 21, 2015, transmitting
(Memo. No. 3) proposed amendments to add the Parks and Recreation Department’s Haina Park
New Comfort Station and Improvements project in the amount of $750,000.
; and
Comm. 144.17: From Council Member Valerie T. Poindexter, dated May 21, 2015, transmitting
(Memo. No. 4) proposed amendments to add the Parks and Recreation Department’s Honoka‘a
Tennis Courts Improvements project in the amount of $500,000.
; and
Comm. 144.18: From Council Member Aaron S. Y. Chung, dated May 21, 2015, transmitting
(Memo. No. 5) proposed amendments to add the Parks and Recreation Department’s Island-Wide
Elderly Activities Facilities project in the amount of $4 million.
; and
Comm. 144.19: From Council Member Valerie T. Poindexter, dated May 21, 2015, transmitting
(Memo. No. 6) proposed amendments to add the Parks and Recreation Department’s Kukuihaele
Park Improvements project in the amount of $2.5 million.
; and
Comm. 144.20: From Council Member Valerie T. Poindexter, dated May 21, 2015, transmitting
(Memo. No. 7) proposed amendments to add the Parks and Recreation Department’s
Laupāhoehoe Swimming Pool Solar Heating System project in the amount of
$750,000.
; and
Comm. 144.21: From Council Member Valerie T. Poindexter, dated May 22, 2015, transmitting
(Memo. No. 8) proposed amendments to add the Parks and Recreation Department’s Pāpa‘aloa
Park Repairs and Improvements project in the amount of $750,000.
; and
Comm. 144.23: From Council Member Aaron S. Y. Chung, dated May 22, 2015, transmitting
(Memo. No. 9) proposed amendments to add the Department of Parks and Recreation’s (DPR)
DPR Hokulani Street New Park Development project in the amount of $750,000.
; and
Comm. 144.24: From Council Member Aaron S. Y. Chung, dated May 22, 2015, transmitting
(Memo. No. 10) proposed amendments to add the Department of Parks and Recreation’s (DPR)
DPR Mauna Kea Park project in the amount of $1.5 million.
; and
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Hawai‘i County Council-14 June 1, 2015
Comm. 144.25: From Council Member Dennis “Fresh” Onishi, dated May 22, 2015, transmitting
(Memo. No. 11) proposed amendments to add the Parks and Recreation Department’s Hilo
Municipal Golf Course Renovations project in the amount of $10 million.
; and
Comm. 144.26: From Council Member Maile David, dated May 22, 2015, transmitting proposed
(Memo. No. 12) amendments to add the Department of Parks and Recreation’s (DPR) DPR
Hōnaunau Rodeo Arena Improvements project in the amount of $3 million.
; and
Comm. 144.27: From Council Member Margaret Wille, dated May 22, 2015, transmitting
(Memo. No. 13) proposed amendments to add the Department of Parks and Recreation’s (DPR)
DPR Waimea District Park Master Plan Implementation project in the amount of
$3 million.
Motion to Approve: Ms. Eoff moved to pass Bill 29, Draft 3, on second and
final reading. Seconded by Ms. Poindexter.
CHR. KANUHA: Okay, I think we should just go down the list and start off with
the top one on the agenda, so—or on the amendments, if that’s okay with
everybody.
Motion to Amend: Mr. Chung moved to amend Bill 29, Draft 3, with the
contents of Comm. 144.10. Seconded by Ms. David.
CHR. KANUHA: Mr. Chung, you have the floor.
MR. CHUNG: Yeah, very simply put, as you recall, I did submit an amendment
the last time we visited the capital improvement budget. It was basically for
parking improvements and construction for urban areas, Kailua-Kona and Hilo.
But then, it became very readily apparent to me that everybody wanted parking in
their districts so I just changed it island-wide. And that’s all it is.
CHR. KANUHA: Thank you, Mr. Chung, any other discussion, Council
Members? Okay, hearing or seeing none, Mr. Clerk.
Vote on Motion to The motion to amend Bill 29, Draft 3, with the contents of
Amend: Comm. 144.10 was carried by the following roll call vote:
(Approved)
Ayes: Council Members Chung, David, Eoff, Ilagan,
Onishi, Paleka, Poindexter, Wille, and
Chair Kanuha – 9.
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Excused: None.
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Hawai‘i County Council-14 June 1, 2015
CHR. KANUHA: Thank you, motion passes.
MR. ONISHI: Mr. Chair?
CHR. KANUHA: Mr. Onishi.
MR. ONISHI: Can we do like voice for the rest of the projects?
CHR. KANUHA: Sure.
MR. ONISHI: Okay, thanks.
Motion to Amend: Mr. Paleka moved to amend Bill 29, Draft 3, with the
contents of Comm. 144.11. Seconded by Ms. Poindexter.
CHR. KANUHA: Mr. Paleka.
MR. PALEKA: This project was requested by our Community Development Plan
Steering Committee. Really, we have another project that concerns South Lako
and that one is still on the books according to Finance and I’ve been working with
Finance. The reason why I have this one also is because it concerns public safety
and getting—and having some access to that area because if, like in 2002, we had
a flood that took out Kuauli Road and it affects the—if we have that again, by
doing this South Kopua extension, we have another access to an area that could be
devastated in terms of if we have flooding. And I’m glad the flooding maps just
came out so we can look at South Lako, is it viable? Does the community really
want it through there? It seems like some do, some might not, but we’ll get to
that. But in having the South Kopua alternative and option, I think it’s a prudent
step and something that could be done pretty quickly. For one million, not too
bad. So I am asking for your support. I want to thank Greggor, he’s been
helping—done some community meetings up in the Mountain View area where
we got a lot of support from the community. And I really want to thank Finance
again for working with us regarding this. Mahalo.
CHR. KANUHA: Thank you, Mr. Paleka, any other discussion? Mr. Ilagan.
MR. ILAGAN: Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just want to say Council Member Paleka
has been working hard on this, and I just want to verbally show my support, and
go Puna.
CHR. KANUHA: Thank you, Mr. Ilagan, any other discussion? Hearing or
seeing none, all in favor say “aye.”
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Hawai‘i County Council-14 June 1, 2015
Vote on Motion to The motion to amend Bill 29, Draft 3, with the contents of
Amend: Comm. 144.11 was carried by the following voice vote:
(Approved)
Ayes: Council Members Chung, David, Eoff, Ilagan,
Onishi, Paleka, Poindexter, Wille, and
Chair Kanuha – 9.
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Excused: None.
CHR. KANUHA: Motion passes.
Motion to Amend: Ms. Poindexter moved to amend Bill 29, Draft 3, with the
contents of Comm. 144.16. Seconded by Mr. Paleka.
CHR. KANUHA: Ms. Poindexter.
MS. POINDEXTER: Yes, this—the improvements to Haina Park is to work on
the deterioration of that facility. It’s an old, inherited from the plantation time and
Clay will shake his head yes, and it is utilized a lot by our seniors. So I really
want to make that place a lot safer for them to be able to move around easily with
the bathroom facilities maybe being a little closer and graded to where they don’t
have to climb hills. So it’s just looking at a safer place to be. So I look for your
support in this. Thank you.
CHR. KANUHA: Thank you, any other discussion, Council Members. Hearing
or seeing none, all in favor say “aye.”
Vote on Motion to The motion to amend Bill 29, Draft 3, with the contents of
Amend: Comm. 144.16 was carried by the following voice vote:
(Approved)
Ayes: Council Members Chung, David, Eoff, Ilagan,
Onishi, Paleka, Poindexter, Wille, and
Chair Kanuha – 9.
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Excused: None.
CHR. KANUHA: Motion passes.
Motion to Amend: Ms. Poindexter moved to amend Bill 29, Draft 3, with the
contents of Comm. 144.17. Seconded by Ms. Eoff.
CHR. KANUHA: Ms. Poindexter.
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Hawai‘i County Council-14 June 1, 2015
MS. POINDEXTER: We did—this year, we’ve done some improvements to the
Honokaʻa Tennis Court area to make it ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act)
accessible. I’m worried about the court itself and I think Council Member Chung
will have something coming forward to look at addressing all of that. This is just
for safety purposes that I want to put this on just in case something—if say yours
didn’t go through or something, I just want it to be really safe. This court is in
desperate need of repair. It’s—grass is growing under that and things are just not
good and again, it’s safety issues. So when we talk about mitigation, it’s best to
put the money up front and not have any injuries and lawsuits later on down the
line. So the investment up front will save us money in the long run. So I look for
your support. Thanks.
CHR. KANUHA: Thank you, any other discussion? Okay, hearing or seeing
none, all in favor say “aye.”
Vote on Motion to The motion to amend Bill 29, Draft 3, with the contents of
Amend: Comm. 144.17 was carried by the following voice vote:
(Approved)
Ayes: Council Members Chung, David, Eoff, Ilagan,
Onishi, Paleka, Poindexter, Wille, and
Chair Kanuha – 9.
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Excused: None.
CHR. KANUHA: Motion passes.
Motion to Amend: Mr. Chung moved to amend Bill 29, Draft 3, with the
contents of Comm. 144.18. Seconded by Mr. Onishi.
CHR. KANUHA: Mr. Chung.
MR. CHUNG: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Again, this is another non-specific
CIP amendment. But basically, it’s intended to make a statement that we
recognize the importance of our Elderly Activities Division under the Parks and
Recreation Department. I think they’re doing a fantastic job in allowing our
seniors to live in place. And so in case there’s a need for something, some
improvements to their facilities, we’re ready to go. And that’s all there is to it,
island-wide, again.
CHR. KANUHA: Thank you, any other discussion? Hearing or seeing none, all
in favor say “aye.”
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Hawai‘i County Council-14 June 1, 2015
Vote on Motion to The motion to amend Bill 29, Draft 3, with the contents of
Amend: Comm. 144.18 was carried by the following voice vote:
(Approved)
Ayes: Council Members Chung, David, Eoff, Ilagan,
Onishi, Paleka, Poindexter, Wille, and
Chair Kanuha – 9.
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Excused: None.
CHR. KANUHA: Motion passes.
Motion to Amend: Ms. Poindexter moved to amend Bill 29, Draft 3, with the
contents of Comm. 144.19. Seconded by Ms. David.
CHR. KANUHA: Ms. Poindexter.
MS. POINDEXTER: Yes, and this Kukuihaele Park improvement, it’ll serve two
purposes. At the Honokaʻa Complex, we’re so short of parks because we have the
high school using our fields, our Parks and Recreation teams and the also the little
league. It’s just—we just need another field so this improvement will also help us
relieve the congestion out in the Honokaʻa area and people fighting for park time
that we’re struggling with. It’ll also—you know that with the community having
a place to gather, where there’s no place for them to gather, they have to drive all
the way into Honokaʻa to have a Kukuihaele community meeting or Waipiʻo
meeting.
The second purpose it’ll serve is we’re going to have ADA accessible restrooms.
And Waipiʻo right now is the second most visited spot on this island, and we
don’t have ADA accessible restrooms at that lookout area yet. So putting this in
place will serve that purpose where we can have the tourist, if needed, the ADA
accessible, if somebody’s in a wheelchair there or whatever. It’s right down the
road that they can get to a safe facility instead of going down that long ramp area,
down at Waipiʻo Valley lookout. So this is a, I think, a critical improvement, not
just for our Kukuihaele community, but for our County as a whole because of the
tourist and the draw Waipiʻo brings. So thank you, I look for your support.
Thanks.
CHR. KANUHA: Thank you, Ms. Poindexter, any other discussion? Hearing or
seeing none, all in favor say “aye.”
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Hawai‘i County Council-14 June 1, 2015
Vote on Motion to The motion to amend Bill 29, Draft 3, with the contents of
Amend: Comm. 144.19 was carried by the following voice vote:
(Approved)
Ayes: Council Members Chung, David, Eoff, Ilagan,
Onishi, Paleka, Poindexter, Wille, and
Chair Kanuha – 9.
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Excused: None.
CHR. KANUHA: Motion passes.
Motion to Amend: Ms. Poindexter moved to amend Bill 29, Draft 3, with the
contents of Comm. 144.20. Seconded by Mr. Onishi.
CHR. KANUHA: Ms. Poindexter.
MS. POINDEXTER: Yes, I’d like to say thank you to James Komata too,
because you see all of these things coming up. I had to work with him, and I
know I bombarded you, so I just want to say thank you for helping me along with
getting this done. The Laupāhoehoe Swimming Pool is a much larger swimming
pool than the Honokaʻa Pool. They have a lot of swim meets there and a lot of
swim teams that come, not only from the Pāpaʻaloa, Laupāhoehoe area, but also
from Paʻauilo too, that utilizes that pool. And there are times during the winter
months that they are unable to even get into the pool. So like Honokaʻa, they
have those heaters for the pool. I’d just like to look at that same opportunity for
Laupāhoehoe to be able to utilize their pool year around. And it’s not only the
keiki, our seniors have aerobics in there, they do their laps there, it’s physical
activity and they were the ones who had first approached me on this to help them,
because for some of them, that’s their only activity. So I look for your support in
this as well. Thank you.
CHR. KANUHA: Thank you, Ms. Poindexter. Ms. Wille.
MS. WILLE: I just want to make a comment but just so I don’t forget, I also want
to thank Parks and Recreation. I know that you all were adding more and more
onto your plate and we recognize that and appreciate you.
I do want to say that as we upgrade and improve all of these park facilities, I
really believe that we need to focus on partnerships with the community to help
with the upkeep and repair. And that was really where I was going in terms of
golf, it’s just really making that statement that we need to, I’m not saying add fees
to do these things, but where we really have—that the community takes on events
to help support them, and works in that regard. Right now in Waimea, we’re
working on one project with the rotary and others.
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Hawai‘i County Council-14 June 1, 2015
Point of Order: MR. ILAGAN: Could we stay on topic?
MS. WILLE: Well, I think this is. It’s a general topic of what this is about, it has
to do with this one and looking at it, but also in the big picture, what applies.
CHR. KANUHA: Thank you, Ms. Wille. Okay, any other discussion? Hearing
or seeing none, all in favor say “aye.”
Vote on Motion to The motion to amend Bill 29, Draft 3, with the contents of
Amend: Comm. 144.20 was carried by the following voice vote:
(Approved)
Ayes: Council Members Chung, David, Eoff, Ilagan,
Onishi, Paleka, Poindexter, Wille, and
Chair Kanuha – 9.
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Excused: None.
CHR. KANUHA: Motion passes.
Motion to Amend: Ms. Poindexter moved to amend Bill 29, Draft 3, with the
contents of Comm. 144.21. Seconded by Mr. Paleka.
CHR. KANUHA: Ms. Poindexter.
MS. POINDEXTER: Yes, we now have a funded position at Pāpaʻaloa Gym and
the gym is in desperate need of repair. It says Pāpaʻaloa Park repairs, it’s because
it’s the name of that facility, Pāpaʻaloa Park, but it encompasses the gym as well,
and the annex. And it’s been amazing. I’ve been there when there is standing
room only in the gym and outside as well, and it’s packed. The community is
very excited that this is happening, but it is—I’m concerned for the safety of all
our people because there are some areas that don’t look that safe. So if any of you
have—I think a lot of you have been there. I know when we had the Redistricting
Commission, people went in and went, “Oh my God, this is a beautiful gym, but it
desperately needs repair.” And at that time, it wasn’t utilized as much, but when
you look at it now, it’s just amazing at how much use it’s getting. It is time for it
to be repaired again, for mitigation purposes because we don’t want to wait for
something to happen. And that money is spent on some type of lawsuit or
something. I would like to spend the money up front and in the long run, be able
to save money. So I look for your support on this one. Thank you.
CHR. KANUHA: Thank you, any other discussion? Hearing or seeing none, all
in favor say “aye.”
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Hawai‘i County Council-14 June 1, 2015
Vote on Motion to The motion to amend Bill 29, Draft 3, with the contents of
Amend: Comm. 144.20 was carried by the following voice vote:
(Approved)
Ayes: Council Members Chung, David, Eoff, Ilagan,
Onishi, Paleka, Poindexter, Wille, and
Chair Kanuha – 9.
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Excused: None.
CHR. KANUHA: Motion passes.
Motion to Amend: Mr. Chung moved to amend Bill 29, Draft 3, with the
contents of Comm. 144.23. Seconded by Mr. Paleka.
CHR. KANUHA: Mr. Chung.
MR. CHUNG: Yes, thank you very much. This project is something that actually
really predated me. It’s something that was sought by both Mr. Ikeda and
Mr. Yoshimoto, and I know that Mayor Kenoi as well as Director Honma have
met with this community, they’ve waited for a long time. I think that this amount
might be included in the bond float, they’re ready to move. I ask for your
support.
CHR. KANUHA: Thank you, Mr. Chung, any other discussion? Hearing or
seeing none, all in favor say “aye.”
Vote on Motion to The motion to amend Bill 29, Draft 3, with the contents of
Amend: Comm. 144.23 was carried by the following voice vote:
(Approved)
Ayes: Council Members Chung, David, Eoff, Ilagan,
Onishi, Paleka, Poindexter, Wille, and
Chair Kanuha – 9.
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Excused: None.
CHR. KANUHA: Motion passes.
Motion to Amend: Mr. Chung moved to amend Bill 29, Draft 3, with the
contents of Comm. 144.24. Seconded by Ms. Eoff.
CHR. KANUHA: Mr. Chung, go right ahead.
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Hawai‘i County Council-14 June 1, 2015
MR. CHUNG: Thank you again, Mr. Chairman. Quite frankly, I didn’t even
know that the Mauna Kea Park was part of my district all of this time. Until I saw
my name next to Billy Kenoi’s next to a conference station, I said, “Hey,
fantastic.” So actually, this is something that’s been requested of me by the
department, and I think all of you, any of you who have been there recently can
see the Mayor’s vision of why he wanted to take over that park. It’s fantastic, it is
absolutely fantastic. But they want to enhance it a bit more and again, I ask for
your support.
CHR. KANUHA: Thank you, Mr. Chung, any other discussion?
MS. WILLE: Do you think we could get some soap up there?
CHR. KANUHA: There’s soap up there. Okay, any other discussion?
Ms. David.
MS. DAVID: Really quick, for the last couple years in my prior position, I
travelled Saddle Road Mondays and Fridays for two years, and believe me, I
know the difference on the improvements there. It’s so wonderful now to make a
stop and not decide to go all the way to Hilo. So thank you very much,
Mr. Chung, I’ll support this.
CHR. KANUHA: Thank you, Ms. David, any other discussion? Okay, hearing
or seeing none, all in favor say “aye.”
Vote on Motion to The motion to amend Bill 29, Draft 3, with the contents of
Amend: Comm. 144.24 was carried by the following voice vote:
(Approved)
Ayes: Council Members Chung, David, Eoff, Ilagan,
Onishi, Paleka, Poindexter, Wille, and
Chair Kanuha – 9.
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Excused: None.
CHR. KANUHA: Motion passes.
Motion to Amend: Mr. Onishi moved to amend Bill 29, Draft 3, with the
contents of Comm. 144.25. Seconded by Mr. Paleka.
CHR. KANUHA: Mr. Onishi, go right ahead.
MR. ONISHI: Just asking for my colleagues for support. Thanks.
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Hawai‘i County Council-14 June 1, 2015
CHR. KANUHA: Thank you, any other discussion? Hearing or seeing none, all
in favor say “aye.”
Vote on Motion to The motion to amend Bill 29, Draft 3, with the contents of
Amend: Comm. 144.25 was carried by the following voice vote:
(Approved)
Ayes: Council Members Chung, David, Eoff, Ilagan,
Onishi, Paleka, Poindexter, Wille, and
Chair Kanuha – 9.
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Excused: None.
CHR. KANUHA: Motion passes.
Motion to Amend: Ms. David moved to amend Bill 29, Draft 3, with the
contents of Comm. 144.26. Seconded by Mr. Paleka.
CHR. KANUHA: Ms. David.
MS. DAVID: Thank you, Mr. Chair. First of all, I really am excited for this and I
have to really thank the people who are still here that lasted all day long. Deanna
Sako, Lisa, and Francine. Thank you. And also Clayton and James. You don’t
know how much this means to the community down there as far as bringing the
improvements to that rodeo arena. Several generations of community members
have played there, grown up there, and the—I think the benefit will be far
reaching, especially in South Kona where the possibility of having like an open-
air pavilion to just have family get-togethers or gatherings. I think it really will
build a strong community and reminiscent of what used to be. So I appreciate
your hard work and helping me along the way, and I ask for the support of the
Council. Mahalo.
CHR. KANUHA: Thank you, Ms. David, any other discussion? Hearing or
seeing none, all in favor say “aye.”
Vote on Motion to The motion to amend Bill 29, Draft 3, with the contents of
Amend: Comm. 144.26 was carried by the following voice vote:
(Approved)
Ayes: Council Members Chung, David, Eoff, Ilagan,
Onishi, Paleka, Poindexter, Wille, and
Chair Kanuha – 9.
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Excused: None.
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Hawai‘i County Council-14 June 1, 2015
CHR. KANUHA: Motion passes.
Motion to Amend: Ms. Wille moved to amend Bill 29, Draft 3 with the
contents of Comm. 144.27. Seconded by Mr. Onishi.
CHR. KANUHA: Ms. Wille, you have the floor.
MS. WILLE: This is by request of the Parks and Recreation in order to move the
project and park forward. I know the Mayor would like to have it open by
October 2016 and I’m hopeful. We’re hopeful that additional State funding will
come in, but I urge you to support it.
CHR. KANUHA: Thank you, Ms. Wille. Ms. Poindexter.
MS. POINDEXTER: I’m definitely supporting this, Council Member Wille, and
I’d like to say—I forgot to say thank you to Clayton because all those meetings
and thank you for giving so much of your time for all of these projects. So,
mahalo.
CHR. KANUHA: Thank you, Ms. Poindexter, any other discussion? Okay,
hearing or seeing none, all in favor say “aye.”
Vote on Motion to The motion to amend Bill 29, Draft 3, with the contents of
Amend: Comm. 144.27 was carried by the following voice vote:
(Approved)
Ayes: Council Members Chung, David, Eoff, Ilagan,
Onishi, Paleka, Poindexter, Wille, and
Chair Kanuha – 9.
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Excused: None.
CHR. KANUHA: Motion passes.
Motion to Amend: Ms. Wille moved to amend Bill 29, Draft 3, with the
contents of Comm. 144.28. Seconded by Mr. Onishi.
CHR. KANUHA: Ms. Wille.
MS. WILLE: Okay, if you all have been in Waimea, this is right now, if you’re at
the Post Office, the Lindsey Road extension would be what would connect from
there to the Ala ʻŌhiʻa or the Parker Ranch connector road. This originally was to
be opened way back when as a road, but it’s—the triggers have changed and right
now, I’m just hoping to at least get it opened as a bikeway, pedestrian way. I did
meet with Parker Ranch and tried to move this forward. What this would do is it
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Hawai‘i County Council-14 June 1, 2015
would allow folks in the middle of town to actually walk from there to the district
park. So it’s a very—it’s like a short distance. I think it’s under—between and
eighth of a mile and a mile and there is actually—we have funds in our bikeway
fund or beautification fund and I just urge your support to get it on the CIP list.
CHR. KANUHA: Thank you, Ms. Wille, any other discussion, Council
Members? Hearing or seeing none, all in favor say “aye.”
Vote on Motion to The motion to amend Bill 29, Draft 3, with the contents of
Amend: Comm. 144.28 was carried by the following voice vote:
(Approved)
Ayes: Council Members Chung, David, Eoff, Ilagan,
Onishi, Paleka, Poindexter, Wille, and
Chair Kanuha – 9.
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Excused: None.
CHR. KANUHA: Motion passes. Okay, I think we’re on our last one.
Motion to Amend: Ms. Wille moved to amend Bill 29, Draft 3, with the
contents of Comm. 144.29. Seconded by Mr. Onishi.
CHR. KANUHA: Ms. Wille.
MS. WILLE: Okay, I think—I’ve been meeting with Waikoloa and there’s a
great deal of anxiety and fear over really not having two routes out. I think
there’s like 8,000 more homes projected to be there and it is very fire dangerous.
There is one way down that’s like currently going down to Queen K
(Kaʻahumanu) as an emergency road, but I think they really want to have it as a
full second road.
If we were to do something here from Paniolo and over to Kawaihae Road, it
would really help in a regional level rather than just adding one duplicate, parallel
road, another one down to Queen K. And this is also something I’ve explored
with folks working on the community college, and there’s land there that could
be—that Waikoloa Village is willing to give to the County, like for some kind of
regional school facility and that. And it would just add a whole new life to that
area and connectivity. It also—right now, the State after 30 years, suddenly
pulled out on doing the Kawaihae/Waimea bypass and anyway, this would be
very helpful and I urge your support.
CHR. KANUHA: Thank you, Ms. Wille, any other discussion? Hearing or
seeing none, all in favor say “aye.”
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Hawai‘i County Council-14 June 1, 2015
Vote on Motion to The motion to amend Bill 29, Draft 3, with the contents of
Amend: Comm. 144.29 was carried by the following voice vote:
(Approved)
Ayes: Council Members Chung, David, Eoff, Ilagan,
Onishi, Paleka, Poindexter, Wille, and
Chair Kanuha – 9.
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Excused: None.
CHR. KANUHA: Motion passes. Okay, now Council Members, we’re on the
main motion as amended. Is there any discussion? Ms. Eoff.
MS. EOFF: Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just wanted to, in general, talk about
something that we haven’t talked about too much that’s in this budget, but it’s
really important in both Dru, Mr. Chair, and my districts. It’s this Ulu Wini Park
and micro units for the chronic homeless in West Hawaiʻi. I think we’ve been—
both of us have been trying to work on solutions to finding a way to take people
off of the street and into some homes. I’m really thankful for this micro unit
housing that’s coming and is going to be installed, and people will be moving
there fairly soon, is my understanding.
So, I wanted to bring out the importance of that one and also just the number of
sewer improvement projects and the affluent reuse and the improvements to the
Wastewater Treatment Plant at Kealakehe. Because even though it’s not a very
glamorous project, it’s something that needs to get done. And the Department of
Environmental Management is putting a lot of time and effort now into getting us
to be able to reuse the affluent water and getting that Wastewater Treatment Plant
up to standards, which the bottom line is one of the most important things we
need to do to maintain the health of our reef and ocean. So I’m really glad to see
us taking the necessary steps to take care of that.
And basically, I think there are projects that are listed here in this bill that pretty
much reflect island-wide needs and focus that the Mayor and the administration
have had to making sure that our parks do get up to speed before this
administration’s term is pau, and I’m really happy to see that. I think parks are
also very important to the well-being of our community and I know they have a
big undertaking. There’s a large big island and—but the parks are really showing
signs of improvement and with these projects here, I think we really have gotten
that objective done. So thank you, Parks and Recreation, and thank you to the
administration and to the Department of Finance for helping us through this
budget. All of these capital projects are very well though through. Mahalo.
CHR. KANUHA: Thank you, Ms. Eoff. Mr. Ilagan.
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MR. ILAGAN: Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just wanted to use my time to thank the
Director, Clayton Honma and Parks and Recreation because they’re providing all
these recreational activities for the youth and young people, like myself, who
looks like he just graduated from high school. So, I just wanted to say thank you
for doing that and I know this next year is going to be a busy year for you. So,
it’s not like I’m thanking you because I want my HPP (Hawaiian Paradise Park)
Park to get started or anything like that, but I just want to say thank you.
CHR. KANUHA: Thank you, Mr. Ilagan, any other discussion? Okay, hearing
or seeing none, I just want to also take the time out to thank the Finance
Department, all of the departments that came and gave us all the great information
that we needed to get this budget done. I’m thankful for the Mayor for submitting
this budget. There are a lot of great things happening in this County, so really
appreciative for his leadership within this. So—and I also want to thank the staff
that help us through this budget, Trixy and Donna, you guys do an awesome job,
so a big mahalo to you guys as well. Okay, Mr. Clerk, I’m going to do a roll call
on this one.
Vote on Bill 29: The motion to pass Bill 29, as amended to Draft 4, on
(Draft 4) second and final reading was carried by the following voice
(Approved) vote:
Ayes: Council Members Chung, David, Eoff, Ilagan,
Onishi, Paleka, Poindexter, Wille, and
Chair Kanuha – 9.
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Excused: None.
CHR. KANUHA: Thank you, motion passes. I think that’s the end of our
agenda, Mr. Clerk.
REFERRALS FOR The Chair directed the Council to proceed to the next order of business, Referrals
EXECUTIVE for Executive Session.
SESSION:
(There were none.)
OTHER The Chair directed the Council to proceed to the next order of business, Other
BUSINESS: Business.
(There was none.)
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Hawaii County Council-14 June 1, 2015
ANNOUNCE- The Chair directed the Council to proceed to the next order of business,
MENTS: Announcements.
(There were none.)
ADJOURN- There being no further business, at 3:42 p.m., Mr. Paleka moved to adjourn the
MENT: meeting. Seconded by Ms. David and carried by the following voice vote:
Ayes: Council Members Chung, David, Eoff, Ilagan,
Onishi,Paleka, Poindexter, Wille, and
Chair Kanuha—9.
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Excused: None.
CHR. KANUHA: We are adjourned.
Council Approval: NOV 2017
110
C or TY CLERK
SM/jm
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