HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP PRC 001 2019/12/03 2018-2020 i
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REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON PARKS AND RECREATION
DATE: December 3, 2019 Re: Comm. No. 643/Res.No. 425
PLACE: Council Chambers
Hilo, Hawaii
TIME: 10:30 a.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Your Committee on Parks and Recreation, to which was referred Resolution No. 425-19,reports
as follows:
Resolution No. 425-19,transmitted by Deputy Corporation Counsel J Yoshimoto, via
Communication No. 643 dated November 26, 2019, authorizes the Mayor to enter into a license
agreement with Spectrum Oceanic, LLC, to allow Spectrum Oceanic, LLC, to access County of
Hawaii Parks facilities located on the County of Hawaii, State of Hawaii, for the purpose of
installing Wi-Fi equipment.
Charter Communications Director of Wireless IntelligentHome and Government Relations
Kiman Wong explained that Spectrum Oceanic, LLC is providing free Wi-Fi service to the
public for up to one hour per day as a condition of the State of Hawaii Department of
Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) approval of the application made by Time Warner
Cable and Charter Communications, Inc. to transfer Spectrum's cable television franchise to
Charter. He added that of the 35 County of Hawaii facilities, six locations require Spectrum
Oceanic, LLC to request a license and permission to attach, install, maintain, operate, upgrade
and remove equipment, cables and devices; and any other successor technology as needed.
Mr. Wong stated that the goal is to provide to underserved or not served areas.
Honoka`a Gym, Papa`ikou Gym, Kea`au Community Center, Pahoa Community Aquatics
Center, Waimea Community Center, Pahala Community Center, and Pahoa Neighborhood
Facility have been identified as the six County of Hawaii park facilities that will require the
license agreement for access.
Several Council Members, as well as Parks and Recreation Director Roxcie Waltjen, expressed
their support and shared their input and concerns and agreed that there was a great need for
Wi-Fi in rural communities, especially during emergencies and disasters. Spectrum Oceanic, LLC
worked closely with the Department of Parks and Recreation to determine, based on community
need requests, where the Wi-Fi should be located, specifically targeting isolated areas around the
island.
Deputy Corporation Counsel J Yoshimoto clarified that a copy of the decision of order that
pertains to the obligation and commitment from Spectrum Oceanic, LLC was provided to the
Council and noted that the one hour of Wi-Fi service is subject to oversight by the Department of
Parks and Recreation.
PRC Report No. 1
PRC-1 Page 2 December 3,2019
Council Chair Aaron Chung stated his request to allow for more than one hour per day per
device. To satisfy the RCCA condition of the Spectrum Oceanic, LLC and Charter
Communications merger, only one hour free Wi-Fi was required. Mr. Chung suggested an
amendment to increase this.
Committee Chair Valerie Poindexter shared her efforts in working with Andy Winert, Chief of
Staff to Senator Brian Schatz to lobby and set conditions for more Wi-Fi connectivity in rural
communities at NACo (National Association of Counties) and expressed her gratitude to former
Hawaii County Information Technology Systems Analyst V Don Jacobs in his efforts to
advocate for more Wi-Fi connectivity on behalf of the County of Hawaii.
Your Committee on Parks and Recreation is in accord with the purpose and intent of
Resolution 425-19, and recommends its adoption.
(sc)
AYES NOES ABS Ex Respectfully submitted,
CHUNG X
DAVID X COMMITTEE ON PARKS AND
EOFF X RECREATION
KANEALI`I—KLEINFELDER X
s\
KIERKIEW ICZ X
LEE LOY X
POINDEXTER x VALERIE T. POINDEXTER, CHAIR
RICHARDS X PRC REPORT NO. 1
VILLEGAS X ADOPTED: DEC