HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP PSC 006 2019/02/04 2018-2020 REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY
DATE: February 4, 2019 Re: Comm. No. 76
PLACE: Council Chambers
Hilo, Hawai`i
TIME: 9:05 a.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawai`i County Council
Hilo, Hawai`i 96720
Your Committee on Public Safety, to which was referred Communication No. 76, reports as
follows:
Communication No. 76, transmitted by Mayor Harry Kim, dated January 16, 2019, nominates
Robert M. Yamada II to the Fire Commission.
Mr. Yamada is an advocate of the Hawaiian Kingdom but states that he is not in conflict with his
beliefs to serve on this commission. Before the takeover of the Hawaiian Kingdom there were
department services. The overthrow occurred seamlessly as people who currently served were
asked to continue to serve in their capacity.
Committee Member Susan Lee Loy supported this nomination. She thanked Mr. Yamada for
being forthright and honest. Ms. Lee Loy inquired with the Mayor's administration on the vetting
process of these boards; its function and wanted to ensure there were no conflicts. Committee
Member Aaron Chung stated his personal opinion that statements from previous meetings made
by Mr. Yamada were not consistent,but overall supported his nomination as well.
Rose Bautista, Executive Assistant to the Mayor, confirmed the vetting process and states that
she is available if a Committee Member has any questions or concerns in regard to an applicant.
At the end of the day the Mayor has the final decisions and if concerns arise he would follow up
with the applicant.
Committee Members as a whole supported the nomination and Committee Chair Rebecca
Villegas stated that Mr. Yamada is not required to appear before the Council for final approval.
PSC Report No. 6
PSC-6 Page 2 February 4,2019
The Committee on Public Safety is in accord with the purpose and intent of Communication No. 76,
and recommends confirmation of the appointment of Mr. Robert M. Yamada II to the Fire
Commission.
(1w)
AYES NOES ABS EX Respectfully submitted,
CHUNG X
DAVID X COMMITTEE ON PUB C SAFETY
EOFF X
KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER X
KIERKIEWICZ X 1/
LEE LOY X ,
POINDEXTER x REBECCA VILLEGAS, CHAIR
RICHARDS X PSC REPORT NO. 6
VILLEGAS X ADOPTED: FEB 2 0 2019